A/N:

Part 2:

Returning to the fort after patrols, Ozai asked Katara to his quarters for the night to which she shot him down in front of his men. They all laughed at him as the water healer left the commander hanging. It was amusing to see the new dynamics of the couple. Before, they would both jump at the opportunity to spend time alone in one another's respective dwelling. However, now, Lady Mizuki wasn't so willing to let the commander have his way as before.

"So, are you two back together or…?" A soldier asked Lady Mizuki as she was healing his back injury from a fall he took fighting on his rhino.

Chuckling, "We are working that part out." Katara stated. "But I don't really think that's anything for you to be concerned with."

The soldier cried out as she popped a bone back into place. Some of the other soldiers in the infirmary winced at this as they had all thought about asking the same question. The water healer was quite the woman and as lovely as she was, they knew only the commander was man enough for her. The rest of them sort of feared her as much as they admired her. Especially after she displayed her capabilities on the battlefield.

As Katara bandaged up the soldier, a horn was blown over the fort and everyone looked around.

"Enemy troops!" A man shouted after the horn was sounded.

Katara stood to her feet and told all the men to rest easy as she left the infirmary. She iced the outside of the door shut so the enemy could not enter in the event they made it inside the fort walls. As she finished securing the doors of the infirmary, Katara hurried to her rooms to grab her short sword and water satchel.

"You should have that on at all times, Katara." Ozai said in a disappointed tone.

Scoffing as she rolled her eyes, "I was in the infirmary healing. I don't like carrying a sword while I'm nursing men back to health."

"Doesn't matter. Be prepared at all times." He hissed at her as he went on ahead to the staircase of the fort's walls.

Katara furrowed her brows at him as she stayed put with their troops that stood by waiting for orders.

Ozai went to the peak of the fort and gazed down at the enemy troops lined at the gates. Iroh scowled at them and spoke.

"Any particular reason you all have made yourselves comfortable at my gates?"

A man riding an ostrich-horse, clad in light brown and green armor, rode ahead of the troops lined up and climbed off his mount before removing his helmet.

"General Iroh Yong, the dragon of the west, it is an honor. I am General Jet Long of the-"

"Cut the pleasantries! This is war! What do you bastards want so badly that you'd risk your lives to come here!" Ozai growled.

General Long smirked, "Ah, I see this is a conquest of brothers. Commander Ozai Yong, I thought you had retired."

"Not before you cunts started up a war again!"

Iroh placed his hand up for his brother to cease, "Tell us, what brings you all here today?"

Smirking wider, "My scouts tell me there is a water healer amongst your troops. Is this true?"

Furrowing their brows.

"What of her?"

"We'd like her to heal some of our wounded. Water healers are no different than the monks amongst the Air Nomads. They don't take sides during times of conflict unless there is a direct attack on their people."

Ozai balled his fists, "Over my dead body, you bastard!"

"Yes, my men tell me you and the water healer have quite the relationship." General Long stated. "Is it true what they say of water women, Commander Yong? The plumper the ass, the more watery the pus-"

"That's it! I challenge you to a duel!"

"Bring it, old man." The younger general smirked.

Iroh tried talking his brother out of it but Ozai was hellbent on killing the bastard. He dares come here asking for them to allow Katara to save their disgusting lives and then speak so vulgarly of her. Ozai was going to gut this little worm open.

Coming down the steps of the fort, Ozai was bombarded by Katara, who was trying to stop him. She heard everything and didn't want him going out there to face an entire army himself.

"I'll just go with them! Heal their wounded and come back! You don't have to fight him!" Katara pleaded with him.

Ozai gently pushed her aside, "You're our healer. If they want treatment, they can seek other healers out."

"Oz-"

"Enough." He glared at her. "I'm dealing with this. Now, stay here until I get back."

Katara glared back at him as he put his helmet on and the fort's gates opened for him.

The gates remained open as Ozai stepped out of the fort to approach the Earth Kingdom general.

"I speak ill of your woman and now you wish to fight me?" General Long laughed.

Ozai grabbed the hilt of his sword as he continued walking towards the man. He had nothing to say. Nothing needed to be said. This was war and he'd be another casualty of it.

Raising his sword, Ozai slashed at the young general and was surprised at how quickly he got out of the way. It was common knowledge that firebenders moved the swiftest of all the elements as a testament to their agility and acrobatics. However, Ozai knew his armor was heavier than the Earth Kingdom factions' light armor.

"Gotta be quicker than that, old man." General Long taunted.

Ozai hissed under his breath as he pulled off his helmet and threw it to the ground. "I'll be a lot quicker, boy." Stabbing his sword into the earth below, he removed his chest and shoulder plates, having only the leather of his under armor on as he even removed his boots and was now barefooted.

Katara watched with horror as Ozai removed all his protective armor. What was he thinking? This was suicide. Why? Why couldn't he have just backed down? Ozai, you idiot! She mentally begrudged.

Pulling out a dagger, Ozai narrowed his eyes at the man and charged at him again. Only this time, General Long wasn't quick enough to dodge the attack and was sliced across his leather made chest plate. Ozai immediately went for another attack, this time using his bending. However, it seemed General Long anticipated this and jabbed the side of Commander Yong that would deliver the bending attack causing the Fire Nation man to go limp on one side.

"A chi-blocker!" A soldier shouted right beside Katara and she felt instant panic. Ozai!

Ozai growled and flipped his dagger up in his good hand to plunge into the mud slicker's chest but the general slapped it out of his hand, jabbing his arm to disarm him completely.

"You're quick but not more than a chi-blocker." Jet smirked.

Ozai growled, "You're the first of your kind I've met out here."

"And I'll be the last." General Long smirked as he removed one of his duel hooks from the straps of his back and was about to bring it down on the older man's head.

But, like the hurling thrust of a raging river, a stream of water shot at his chest and sent the Earth Kingdom soldier on his back gasping for air. Katara rushed over to Ozai and stood in front of him as she looked to General Long.

"I will heal your men. Just leave him alone." Katara said as she held to the hilt of her short sword.

The general groaned as he was helped up by two of his men. He adjusted himself and glared at the water healer but soon stared at her wide eyed when he got a good look at her.

Smirking, "Well, hello, beautiful. What's a hot babe like you doing with someone his age? Wouldn't you want someone more vigorous in your bed?"

Scowling at him, "Try to stay focused, filth." Katara hissed as she helped Ozai up. "You have men you need me to heal. I will heal them. Just let him go."

General Long grinned at the water healer, "Sorry, dollface, but I don't take orders from you." He snapped his fingers.

Suddenly, two rocks were shot at both the commander and healer causing them to be knocked out in an instance. Later, they woke, shackled in a metal cage separated from each other. Katara groaned as she rubbed her head and sat up in the cage, looking around to see where she was.

"You're really going to be the death of me." Ozai groaned as he sat with his back to his cage bars. He had his ankles, wrists, and neck shackled.

Looking over at where Ozai was, Katara crawled over to where their cages met and settled against it.

"You were going to get yourself killed, Ozai." Katara furrowed her brows at him. "You and your stubbornness."

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Don't lecture me, woman. You should have stayed where you were. I was going to kill him for disrespecting you."

"And what a wonderful job you did at that." She scoffed and folded her arms. "Look, we both agreed to have each other's backs, Ozai."

"Yes, but I'm a man. It's my life's duty to protect my woman."

"I won't be your woman if you're dead!" She shouted.

Ozai glared at her.

Katara glared back.

"Sorry to break up the lover's quarrel but we need to get down to business." General Long said as he entered with a few men.

Katara and Ozai shifted their scowls to the general as he approached Katara's cage.

"Look at you, cutie." General Long grinned at Katara as he looked her over while she was in her cell. "If you want out of this cage, I'd be inclined were you willing to have a good time."

Katara rolled her eyes.

"But I can see you're not feeling me right now and that's fine. I'll grow on you."

"What do you want, General Long? I thought I was here to heal your men."

Grinning at her, "Oh, just call me 'Jet'. Only the hot babes get to call me Jet."

Ozai rolled his eyes.

"And yeah, you're here to heal my men but at the moment, none are injured. We're just keeping you for when it happens." Jet smirked. "For now, I just want you to do for us what you do for the Fire Nation and Omashu faction troops."

Katara furrowed her brows, "What? You want a maid?"

"Yeah, if that's what you were at the fort." Jet snickered.

"Like hell." Katara folded her arms and slouched in her cage.

Jet came up to the bars, "I thought you Water Tribe folks believed in that all life matters mumbo jumbo."

Scoffing, "Sure, it matters but do I care right now? Nope."

"You're not like the other healers. They were far kinder than you." Jet grinned. "Too bad they all couldn't be as loyal to a side as you. Had to get rid of them when they kept helping the other side."

Katara's eyes widened at this. "Get rid of? What do you mean?"

Jet tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes, "This is war, dollface. What do you think?"

"You monster!" She stood in her cage and rattled the bars. "I'll kill you!"

"I'm sure you would. I've seen you fight. No wonder that hot-headed bastard wants you for himself."

Ozai sighed and rolled his head to the side, "What was the point of keeping me alive?"

Jet Reluctantly looked away from the hot Water Tribe babe, "To keep her in line. You two are a couple, aren't you? So, as long as she does as we say, we won't kill you."

Katara reached to pinch her brows, "Idiots."

"Definitely a bunch of idiots." Ozai agreed with her.

Jet and his men raised their brows in confusion.

"You guys think I give a fuck about this guy?"

"Ummm, yeah." Jet replied.

Katara burst out laughing and Ozai did too. The pair laughed as if it was the funniest thing that someone believed them to be a couple. This only confused their enemy more.

"I'm just a Water Tribe whore that he likes to play house with while away from his wife and kids." Katara laughed like it was a confession.

Also laughing too, "Why the hell would I give a fuck about a Water Tribe bitch that uses her mouth for more lip service than head? I mean, yeah, she's hotter than my wife but a good fuck is all she is."

Katara narrowed her eyes at him as she smirked, "and why would I want to be with a man with a cock so small it rivals my pinky?"

"Oh, you lying, bitch!" Ozai hissed.

Jet laughed at this, "So you two are just fucking for a good time? No real feelings?"

"Nope."

"None."

"Great, cause that makes this easier." Jet said. "Kill him." He ordered his men.

Katara smirked to herself as the men approached Ozai's cage and as soon as they touched the metal bars, they had a lethal dose of lightning travel through their bodies. Jet's eyes widened as he was about to dart out when some invisible force came over him and pulled him to the bars of Katara's cage.

"Sorry, handsome, but I need those keys." She said before grabbing the keys off his side before using her secret ability to snap his neck.

Unlocking her cage, Katara waltzed over to Ozai's cage and put the key into the lock. But before turning it to open it, she eyed him carefully.

"You don't really have a wife back home, do you?" She asked.

"Did you mean what you said of my dick size?"

"No."

"Well there's your answer." He said with a flat expression.

Rolling her eyes, Katara unlocked the cage and entered to release him from his shackles. "So, how'd you know to follow my lead?"

Rubbing his wrists, "I just figured you had a plan when you called them all idiots out loud knowing it could probably not end well for me."

Grinning at him, "Oh, really? You know, I was actually winging it but thanks for having such faith in me."

Ozai slapped her upside the head before they left out of the large tent.

When the two exited the tent, they saw quite a few enemy troops patrolling the area and they stealthily maneuvered themselves to the safety of the treeline. Running for about an hour, they came upon the fort and were let in right away.

Iroh was so relieved to see them along. He had worried they would not return.

"How'd you two manage to break free?"

The two shrugged.

"We're just that good." Katara boasted.

Ozai rolled his eyes, "We were lucky to get out alive with the crazy stunt she pulled."

"Crazy stunt?! At least, I got us out alive!"

"Yeah but it could have still gotten us killed!" Ozai hissed at her.

Iroh watched as the two went back and forth over what took place at the enemy's camp. He figured he let them hash it out as he was just glad they came back alive. The how wasn't so important to him.

When Iroh left the two started laughing and Ozai tried inviting Katara back to his rooms to which she declined.

"Is there a particular reason you keep rejecting my advances?" Ozai asked.

Giggling, "You always ask at the wrong time, Ozai."

Ozai watched the water healer waltz off without a care.

…...

Iroh rubbed his brow as he was getting quite annoyed with the relationship between his brother and the water healer. Sure, they each did their jobs and did them well but they were always arguing. Constantly. If he didn't know about their past, he'd think they hated one another.

As for today, today was alright. Lady Mizuki was giving his brother the cold shoulder after he bested her in the sparring match they had to settle their differences. Apparently, the healer was not too happy to lose to her former lover but to everyone else it seemed she was being a little too hard on him for something that couldn't be helped. Not only was Ozai a man but he was larger and moved faster than her when he wasn't wearing his armor. Not to mention, he was far more trained and experienced in combat. Sure, the water healer was not to be trifled with but she wasn't at the same level as his brother.

However, as the water healer refused to interact with his brother, Iroh noticed his brother was a bit moody. At the moment, Ozai was training with the troops to keep their skills up to par. He was more aggressive and less restrained than typically. It worried Iroh. However, he knew the source of the issue needed to be dealt with. His brother was deeply affected by anything she did.

"Lady Mizuki," Iroh approached the woman while she was healing a soldier's twisted ankle.

Glancing up from her patient, "Oh, General Yong. How can I help you?"

"I wanted to speak with you privately after you're done with your current patient."

Katara nodded, "Of course."

Once she wrapped up with the soldier, Katara went to see Iroh outside the infirmary and smiled at the kind general. She rather liked how opposite the general was from his younger brother. The man was a tea loving old man with a gentle calm to him.

"General Yong."

"Lady Mizuki, I must ask you to please not be so cold to my brother." Iroh said. "He's not a simple man but has simple ways. I know you are upset about losing your sparring match but it couldn't be helped, Ozai is a man. He will outmatch you in many physical situations."

Katara lifted a brow, "He thinks this is about the sparring match?"

Iroh seemed confused, "Is it not?"

Katara shook her head, "No, this is about your brother telling me he couldn't wait till the war was over so I could no longer have my excuse to do what only men should do. He told me when I'm his wife he'll see to it that I never have to step out of my place as a woman again."

Sighing at this, "Lady Mizuki, my brother is a Fire Nation man. Our customs are different. He meant that in a genuine show of affection and wanting to protect you."

"It's an insult to my capabilities as a warrior! I might be a woman but I won't be told what my place is!" Katara shouted before storming off.

Iroh sighed. He felt bad for his brother. A woman like that would be difficult to manage.

Going to her rooms, Katara grabbed her short sword and strapped it to her side along with her water satchel to head out beyond the fort walls.

It was about an hour before anyone noticed she was gone and told the Commander. Ozai had been talking with his brother about their next moves in the war effort when a soldier came in to report that Lady Mizuki was beyond the fort's walls.

"That damn woman!" Ozai hissed and grabbed his sword before rushing out to go find her.

"Brother, be careful what you say to her. She might run into further danger if you continue pushing her."

Ozai scoffed, "I'm dragging her stupid ass back here by her ankles."

Katara raked her hands through the bushes she passed in the forest and sighed as she took in her scenery. It was nowhere near as green and lively back home. It was why she loved the Earth Kingdom so much that she stayed to help the people. It was vast and beautiful and she hated that there was a war because she wanted so badly to explore the country.

Hearing rustling behind her, Katara reached for the hilt of her sword and looked around.

"Hey, it's just a Water woman." A man shouted as a few men appeared from the shrubs.

Katara unscathed her short sword and glared at the men as they all smirked at her.

"Why don't you put the sword down, sweetness? We're friendly." One broad shoulders man with a large physique said.

Very cautiously, Katara backed away. "Stay away."

Smirking, "Name's Jiro. What's yours?"

"None of your business! Now back off or I'm going to have to resort to violence."

Jiro laughed, "Well, aren't you feisty? Cute. I like it. Pretty woman with attitude. That's hot. Grab her."

Katara swiped her sword at the first man to approach her and slashed through his chest. As he fell, several men came at her at once, she tried fighting them all off on her own. However, it was difficult as they were much larger than her and she had to use more of her strength fighting them.

Eventually, one of the men grabbed her from behind, Jiro. He held her tight and squeezed her until she felt a snap in her back. Katara was dropped to the ground as the men all laughed at her.

"Alright, men, let's tie her up and take her to camp. We can probably get a lot of use out of her." Jiro stated.

As Katara was tied up and lifted to be thrown over the man's shoulder, she watched a cloaked figure come out the woods and slashed through the neck of one of the men that attacked her. Her eyes widened as the next man tried taking up arms and was sliced through the waist. Blood splattered across her face and Katara was turned around as Jiro looked to see what was going on.

"What is this?!"

The cloaked figure wiped the blood off his sword on one of the slain men's clothes and turned his attention to Jiro.

"You bastard! You killed my men!"

"Put the water woman down." The cloaked figure told him in an eerie tone.

"You want her?!" Jiro tossed the woman on the ground. "Come get her!" He pulled out his sword and was about to bring it down on the tied up water healer.

The cloaked figure managed to redirect Jiro's attention from Katara to him as he was forced to block an attack with his sword instead of slicing the woman open.

"What's the point of taking her if you're going to slaughter her?!" The figure growled.

Jiro smirked, "I don't fight over women. They are better off dead than to stir conflict."

The cloaked figure held Jiro's sword off with one hand as he pulled out a small dagger from his cloak, slicing through the man's neck. Jiro dropped his sword and reached for his neck with wide eyes before collapsing to the ground. It was a dishonorable way to defeat an opponent but it was necessary.

The cloaked figure turned to where the woman was tied up and removed his hood.

"Ozai?"

Glaring at her, "I should have let them take you." He said as he crouched down to use his bloody dagger to slice the rope around her.

Breaking free, "Why didn't you?"

"Because you're mine and I'll kill any bastard that thinks otherwise." Ozai growled.

Rolling her eyes as she got up to her feet, "I'm not yours. You don't even respect me as a fighter."

"You wouldn't be here if I didn't." Ozai hissed.

Glaring at him, "I don't need your permission!"

"Actually, you do! I could have you thrown in a cell for the remainder of the war! You can serve the troops behind bars!"

Katara looked at him with a furious expression, "You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh but I would, you troublesome woman! Know your place!"

Katara went to slap him but he grabbed her wrist and shook her.

"The more I see you out here, the more angry it makes me! You shouldn't be filthying your hands! You shouldn't be getting in fights with dangerous men! You shouldn't be out here trying to prove you're anything but what you are!" Ozai screamed at her.

"What am I then, Ozai?! What am I since you know so well!" Katara screamed back at him.

"You're only just a girl! Naive and just barely a woman! I've told you to go home but you won't! So, I'm throwing your moronic ass in a cell!" Ozai gripped her wrist tight.

"Barely a woman?! I was woman enough for you when you took me to bed!"

"What can I say, I like em young." He chuckled.

Katara growled and headbutted him. Ozai shouted in pain as he stumbled back, letting go of her. When he looked back at her, he saw her holding a fighting stance with a stream of water circling her.

"Fight me, you fucking asshole!"

Ozai narrowed his eyes at her, "You can't beat me, Katara. Stop playing games!"

The stream of water struck his ankle and grabbed him, dragging him through the grass as he clawed his fingers into the dirt. Ozai growled and used his free leg to kick a burst of flames at the waterbender. She let go of his leg and cried out, curling into herself with her back to him.

"Katara," Ozai got up as he realized he might have hurt her. "Are you okay?!"

He reached out to her but as he placed his hand on her shoulder, he felt an invisible force take hold of his hand and wrench it back. Katara stood to her feet and turned to glare at him.

"You won that sparring match because I let you! I didn't want those men finding out about my secret ability."

Ozai looked from her to his hand that suddenly turned at him and grabbed his throat.

"It's called bloodbending. I rarely use it because it's draining and I haven't mastered it enough to use it on multiple people at once but it works as an advantage when I have no other options." Katara caused him to choke himself.

"Stop…it…Katara." Ozai gurgled.

"Are you throwing me into a cell?" She folded her arms.

"N-No."

"And you'll respect me as a fighter won't you?"

"No!" He bit out.

Furrowing her brows, Katara bent him to levitate off the ground and turned him upside down. She tilted her head.

"Respect me as a fighter and I'll put you down."

Ozai folded his arms while upside down, "Witchcraft doesn't make you a good fighter, sweetheart. Sorry to burst your bubble."

"Witchcraft?! This is a secret bending technique! Only master waterbenders can achieve this level!"

Ozai rolled his eyes, "Master as you might be, you're still not all that good at this technique." He said before using two fingers to strike her with lightning.

Katara yelped and collapsed to the grass as he fell on his head. Rubbing his head, Ozai got off the ground and brushed his hair with his hands before eyeing her.

"Lightning bending. Only master firebenders achieve this and only I have made myself proficient enough to circulate it with minimal movement." Ozai said as he crouched down to her and grabbed her chin as her body jerked a little from the lightning he struck her with. "You're not the only one with hidden talents, Katara, but if you're going to use a trump card like that, at least learn how to use it better."

Katara snapped her teeth at him before she jerked again and her eyes rolled into the back of her head as the lightning finally traveled up to her brain and knocked her out. Ozai sighed and picked her up from the ground to carry her back to camp.

When they got back, Ozai took her to her room and laid her in his bed. He undressed her from her dirty clothes and boots, putting her in one of his tunics. She didn't wake for several hours but when she did, Ozai was at his desk writing a letter to the general at the frontline.

Gasping as she held her chest, Katara looked around and saw she was in something other than what she had been wearing before in a bed that wasn't hers. Glancing over to where there was a dim candle light, Katara saw Ozai at his desk with a quill and paper.

"You undressed me?" She asked.

"I've done a lot more than that a year ago. So don't make a big deal of it." Ozai scoffed.

Narrowing her eyes at him, "I wasn't. I just wanted to make sure it was you and not someone else."

"Why would I allow any other man but me to see you naked?"

"Shut up!"

Ozai put his quill done and turned to face her, "I'm convinced you just want to piss me off."

"Oh, I do but I want you to understand and accept me most importantly."

"I do."

"You don't!"

"Look here, woman. I've seen you fight. I know you can hold your own. That isn't lost on me." Ozai got up from his desk. "But putting yourself in harm's way regardless of your capabilities is something only a stupid girl would do! A capable warrior doesn't throw themselves in a lion's den! A warrior has to have thinking skills as much as he has the skill to cut a man down! You'd know that were you not always trying to prove how tough you are! Neither of us is almighty! Fighting spirit or not! Someone will always be bigger and better and you have to know when you're outmatched!"

"So I can turn tail and run?!"

"So you can fucking live, you Agni damn imbecile! You're protecting my life for what?! So we can be together?! Well how can we do that if it's just me that lives?! You have to be alive to see that through too!" Ozai shouted furiously at her.

Katara glared at him as she was also furious, "I have to feel like I'm good enough too, Ozai! But you just make me feel like I'm incompetent!"

"I'm trying to protect you as much as you want to protect me! But running out the fort to fight dangerous men only puts both our lives at risk! How is that protecting me?! Us?!"

It suddenly registered what he was saying to her. He was right. She did risk their lives and for what, her pride?

Sighing as she shut her eyes and looked away, "Damn it." She placed her hand to her temple. "I'm an idiot."

"Yes, I know." Ozai folded his arms.

"I'm sorry, Ozai. I didn't mean to cause you trouble. I'm just ticked off at my own flaws."

"Like what?"

"Like being born a woman."

Ozai sighed, "That's not a flaw. You being a moron, now that's a flaw."

Katara glared at him and sucked her teeth, "Shut up. I'm trying to repent."

Ozai waltzed up to her and took her by her chin. "You can repent by laying back and letting me vent my frustrations on you."

Snorting, Katara pushed him away and climbed off the bed. "No, thank you. I'm still annoyed by you. You don't get to slip into my panties that easily."

Ozai groaned in defeat, "You are by far the most infuriating woman I've ever had the misfortune of coming across."

"And you are the most obnoxious man I've ever laid eyes on." Katara said as she pulled the tunic off herself, revealed her very naked form. She caught Ozai checking her out and smirked at as she placed her hands on her hips. "Had you chosen kinder words earlier, I would have let you rub your member against me for a little friction. I know you've been longing."

Ozai was about to pounce on her when she spun herself out of the way and laughed when he ran into his desk. She hurried to put the tunic back on and slipped out the door, running back to her chambers. He chased after her and she locked her door as he banged on the outside of it.

"Stop toying with me, woman!" Ozai could literally hear her laughing from inside. "Open this door!"

A few soldiers were heading to their rooms for the night when they saw the commander banging on Lady Mizuki's door.

"I swear as soon as I get my hands on you, I'm going for the other hole!"

The soldiers all burst out laughing at this.

"Oh, Lady Mizuki is in for it!"

"Poor woman. I hope the commander plans on marrying her."

Snorting, "Luckiest man I've ever known."

Ozai turned to see his men watching him.

"Want us to bust the door down for you?" One of them asked.

"No." He replied flatly before leaving for his quarters.

….

It was becoming irritating and Ozai knew, Katara knew. She always seemed amused by the pain she put him through. It was one thing when she teased the soldiers, they weren't her man. But him, they literally did all kinds of stuff back in the village she presided over, and now she expected him to go without after already suffering an entire year without her. Katara was a sadist.

In his quarters stroking himself at the thoughts of what he wanted to do to that damn water healer, Ozai moaned her name just as the doors of his room burst open.

"Commander, we need a w-...commander?!"

"Get the fuck out!"

"Forgive me, commander!" The soldier said before fleeing the room.

It got around the entire fort that the commander had been relieving himself at the mention of the water healer. For those that didn't know about their love affair from a year ago, it seemed humorous and laughable that the commander thought he had a shot at a woman like the Lady Mizuki. As for those that knew, they let the water healer know and were surprised when she laughed. Apparently, it was funny to her that he was caught jacking off to the mental image of her.

Some felt sorry for the Commander and took him out into the nearby village that they patrolled. They had him at a bar and he only agreed because he was in dire need of a drink. The commander loosened up with his troops and he told them things he probably shouldn't have. Specifically, answering questions they had about Lady Mizuki.

"Is it true what they say about Water Tribe women?" One soldier asked. "Are they really shapely under their clothes because Lady Mizuki dresses rather modestly and none of us can tell."

Ozai smirked as he drank more than he should, "Katara has the nicest ass I've ever seen on a lady, if you could even really call her that. That woman is a freak in the sheets." He laughed.

The men were all enjoying the descriptions the commander gave of Lady Mizuki and their sex life. Her favorite position, the different role playing they did, and her best physical features. He laid it all out and the men were eating it up.

The following day, Katara was heading into the infirmary when a few soldiers approached her and asked if she could lift her skirt for them. The soldiers all ended up getting slapped with a water whip that she later healed.

"So, are you done with Commander Yong now?"

Katara lifted a brow, "What are you talking about?"

"Commander Yong said you used to fuck him on the forest floor back by that village you two met, so why is he having to jack off when you can fuck him like before?"

The soldier ended up having a deep red mark on his face later.

Ozai was speaking with his brother about the rations that just arrived, when Katara approached him and slapped him dead across the face.

Holding his cheek, Ozai looked at her in both shock and confusion.

"What was that?!" He hissed.

"Next time you want to tell the troops about how I 'used' to sleep with you, include how I don't do it anymore!" Katara shouted at him.

As the water healer walked off, Iroh sighed and shook his head at his brother. "I also have heard much about your sex life recently, brother. That's no way to talk about a lady."

Ozai groaned, "I was drunk and said things I regret."

"You must be careful. Lady Mizuki is clearly being harassed by the men for her previous relationship with you."

"Previous?"

"Yes, you two are clearly no longer an item or else, you wouldn't need your hand for pleasuring." Iroh chuckled as he walked off.

Later that night, Ozai decided to follow Katara as she went on patrol into the village. He didn't make her aware of his presence until he saw her stop at a street food vendor and order two sticks of meat.

"Here," Katara turned to him and handed him a meat stick. "Only your creepy ass would follow me through the woods to a nearby village."

Biting into the meat stick as soon as the stick was in hand, Ozai eyed her. "I was drunk. I didn't mean to tell them about us."

"That's no excuse." Katara tore a piece of meat off with her fingers and put it into her mouth. "You told them I was a freak in the sheets!"

Rubbing the back of his neck, "You are."

"Past tense! I was!" She hissed before storming off.

Following her, "Katara, don't be like that! I was just drunk and have been in need for a while!"

"I thought you didn't have a problem going without sex for extended periods of times!"

"I typically don't but with you, it's different. You make things difficult. This is why I didn't want you here in the first place!"

Katara threw her hands up as she continued storming through the streets of the village, "Oh great! Now we're back to you not wanting me here! Why don't you go fuck a prostitute or something because I'm not doing it anymore with you!"

Ozai caught up to her and pushed her up against a wall in an alley. He pinned her wrists to either side of her head and loomed over her. She turned her head when he tried kissing her but it didn't stop him as he smirked and tried kissing her again. Eventually, he got tired of her turning her head from him and grabbed her jaw with one hand then kissed her lips. She slapped him and shoved him off of her.

The two eyed each other for a moment and before either knew it they were all over each other. Ozai pushed her up against the wall as soon as she jumped into his arms. They made out furiously in the dark alleyway and Ozai managed to undo the buckle on his pants as Katara hiked up her dress.

Wrapping her arms around his neck as his lips smashed to his, Katara moaned loudly as he entered her and began fucking her against the alley wall. She raked her hands through his scalp as she called his name the harder he fucked her. It had been a while and she was so missing having him in this way. He was the only man she was ever with and the only she ever needed to be with.

"Fuck! I've missed you!" Katara cried out.

Ozai bit into her shoulder to hold back his own moan he had at the thrill of fucking her in a public place. It was the most scandalous thing he had ever done and he was enjoying it to the fullest. He could tell his water lily was getting off to their setting as she was wetter than she had ever been. They'd have to do this again.

Katara was let down and thrown up against the wall with her back to him. She felt him lift her thigh up to get a good angle and began fucking her from behind. She felt her eyes water at how good it felt being fucked like this. Feeling him slap her ass and fuck her like some common whore in a back alley. Oh, she couldn't get enough.

"Yes, Ozai! Fuck me just like that!" She grabbed her own breasts and moaned loudly.

Ozai held his hand against the wall above her head and thrusted harder into her. Her tight little pussy clenched his girth tight as he pounded it. His cock was dripping wet, soaked from her juices. He felt his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he grew closer to coating her insides.

Grabbing some of her hair, Ozai fisted it and clenched his teeth just as she came on his cock.

"I'm about to cum." He hissed through his teeth.

"Not inside me, Ozai!" Katara moaned.

"Shhh, just let it happen." He thrusted into her a few more times before he poured his cum into her. The two panted and Ozai pulled out, seeing his seed spill out from between her legs.

Holding herself up against the wall of the alley, Katara looked at Ozai and saw he was still erected.

"I think we should check into an inn for the night." She said.

Ozai nodded, "I think you're right."

The two got a room at an inn and continued with their sexual escapades. Katara was practically fucked against every piece of furniture in the room. Her voice could be heard in all the rooms and a few soldiers that had bought prostitute for the night knew it was her from the sound of her voice calling out their commander's name.

Returning to camp in the morning, everyone eyed the two but neither cared. It was already known that they were romantically involved. There was no need to hide it. Walking her to the infirmary, Ozai kissed her and ignored the reactions of the troops eyeing them.

"So, you and Commander Yong are back together?" A soldier asked.

"Yes."

"Heard you threw him a bone or two last night."

*Smack*

Bandaging up the last of her patients, Katara told him to rest his arm as much as he could for the next six days if he wanted to heal faster and gave him the herbal remedy she gave all her patients to soothe their injuries. As she cleaned up her medical station, Katara saw Ozai approaching and rolled her eyes.

"What is it tonight, Ozai?"

"Come keep me company in my rooms." Ozai offered his hand to her.

Raising a brow at his hand, "And do what? Have sex? It was one thing going at it in that village but this fort is just a reminder of war. Sorry, but I'm not really feeling the heat of passion being out here in the midst of all the bloodshed, Ozai."

"I promise you, I can make you feel the heat of passion just about anywhere." He said confidently.

Katara was going to roll her eyes again when he scooped her up in his arms and carried her off with him. He snuck her to his rooms. Sitting on his bed, Ozai lifted her legs and removed her shoes, telling her to get undressed as he pulled his tunic over his head.

"I don't know, Ozai. I'm not really feeling it." Katara pulled her dress off and undoing her wrappings.

Completely naked and fully erected, Ozai waited for the waterbender to finish removing her clothes as she had her gaze cast down. When she was undressed, Katara looked up and saw him naked. Her eyes traced down from his chiseled chest to patch of black hair that trailed down to his privates. Her eyes lingered on his large girthy member and she was immediately reminded of how it used to have her foaming at the mouth.

Ozai smirked as he saw her linger at his length. "Why don't you give it a kiss?"

Tapping her lip with her finger, Katara walked up to him and slipped down on her knees in front of him, holding his thighs to steady herself. Ozai ran his hand through her hair as she ran her tongue along his shaft and slipped the tip of his dick into her mouth. His fingers gently raked through her hair as she began sucking him off.

"Just like that." Ozai purred. "Good girl."

Katara felt utterly intoxicated as she sucked on the large member in her mouth. She drools all over him and moaned the more she sucked on him. Her blue eyes looked up at him and saw him biting his lip as his hand started gripping her hair.

"Fuck," He hissed. "You're so beautiful. Even more when you're like this."

Ozai reached down and picked the naked waterbender up, carrying her back to his bed. There he laid himself beside her and told her to sit on his face while she sucked him off. Katara smirked and gladly did as he asked. While he licked and slurped on her clit with his large tongue, tonguing her down like she deserved, his waterbender gobbled him whole.

"I'm going to cum." Ozai's eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head as she gave him the best blow job he had ever had.

Katara continued sucking him off, anticipating the sticky cream to spurt out of him. When he finally came, she drank it all as if it were a treat she desired most and kept sucking the still very erected cock.

"YES! YES! YES!" Katara cried out as Ozsi fucked her hard into his bed.

Her wrists were tied above her head with Ozai's belt as she laid on her stomach, him plowing her cunt with great precision. She cried out his name and he flipped her on her back, capturing her lips as she fucked her harder. Her legs locking behind his back.

"I'm cumming!" Katara whimpered in his ear as rammed his girthy dick into her tight wet sex.

Ozai felt the waterbender squirt all over him as he began emptying himself into her sobbing wet pussy. Agni, he never had a woman do to him what she did and he didn't want anyone else but her for it.

Holding onto each other in the aftermath of their orgasms, the two made out with each other and grabbed at one another in the process. Neither feeling as close as they wanted to be. It was pure passion and it was nothing either of them had felt before. Perhaps, a year apart and all their quarrels had built things up to this point. Whatever it was, it was incredible and neither wanted it to be over.

The night was far from over as neither could get enough and as morning came, no one was too surprised neither were up at dawn. All last night, the men listened to Lady Mizuki's cries of pleasure and it really bothered some of them that they couldn't do anything about how aroused they were because of it.

When the couple finally got up for the day, Ozai groaned as he rolled away from the waterbender he had let ride him towards the end of the night because he was out of breath. And he was sore too.

Rubbing his back as he sat up, "Agh!"

Katara saw this and giggled, "Want me to heal it?"

"Please."

Pressing her hand to his back, Katara pulled a special technique to bend the muscles and regulate the blood vessels in his back. When he was all good, Ozai thanked her and climbed out of bed, walking around his room to find his clothes.

Sitting up with the covers pulled to her chest, "I can't wait till you're retired and we can lay in bed longer."

"It shouldn't be too much longer. My brother says our troops are progressing into the enemy's territory. I'll give it another few months or a year." Ozai said, coming up to the side of the bed and leaned down to kiss her.

Kissing him in a sensual way, Katara tried pulling him back into bed with her and giggled when he resisted.

"Don't do this to me, Katara." Ozai shut his eyes as he hated that he couldn't take her up on her suggestion.

Kissing his lips and then his jaw, Katara moved down to his chest, kissing down to his naval that she licked and trailed her tongue down.

"Damn it." Ozai hissed as she had her mouth wrapped around his cock and was sucking him off.

"Brother, I need to talk to y- oh my!" Iroh paused as he caught the water healer on her knees in front of his brother, who looked to be thrusting into her mouth.

Ozai saw his brother and brought his finger to his lips, telling him without words to silently leave. Iroh quickly left just as it sounded like his brother reached completion.

…..

Iroh eyed his brother in disappointment as Ozai walked in like he didn't just spend the better half of the morning neglecting his duties for the company of the water healer. He had no problem with his brother getting caught up in the bliss of being in love but he didn't need to lose focus. They were at war and needed to take things very seriously.

"Sorry about that. I was going to get up sooner but she pulled me back into bed." Ozai told his brother as he wore a wide grin on his face.

"There will be plenty of time to spend the whole morning in bed with Lady Mizuki when this war has ended. I need you not to lose focus." Iroh retorted with a serious tone.

Ozai rolled his eyes, feeling that his brother was just jealous that he didn't have a pretty little minx for a girlfriend.

Iroh sighed and handed his brother a missive. "We've breached the walls of Ba Seng Sei, brother."

Furrowing his brows, "What?"

Nodding his head, "This war will soon be over, brother. You and Lady Mizuki can start working on that family you want soon."

Ozai read the letter. It was from the Earth King. He wanted to conduct a parley to discuss the matter of this war and reason for a treaty. This was great news. Ozai couldn't believe it was almost over. The war that he dreaded from its conception was almost over.

Lady Mizuki was finishing up for the night when she was suddenly scooped up from behind and carried off. She giggled the whole way to Ozai's room and laughed harder when he laid her on the bed, pushing up her dress.

"I'm sore, Ozai." She chuckled. "You weren't very gentle with me this morning or last night."

Ozai pulled at his shirt, "We need to get started working on having a family." He smirked at her.

Katara raised a brow and sat up, "Wait, what?!"

"Think we should try for a baby. I'm thinking a little girl with her mother's eyes." Ozai continued undressing.

Looking at him as if he were a mad man, Katara folded her arms and eyed him like he was crazy.

"Ozai, what the hell are you talking about?"

"A family. A baby. We should have one. Together. You know, since the war is ending soon."

Katara's eyes widened, "What did you say?"

"The war is ending soon."

"Are you being serious?"

Naked and erected, "I'm very serious." He placed his hands on his hips. "Now, strip so I can put a baby in you."

Giggling, Katara shook her head. "Oh, no, I'm not having a baby anytime soon, Ozai. No, thank you."

Raising a brow, "You don't want a baby with me?"

"You're not my husband, Ozai."

"I plan to be." He told her as he came up to her tried helping her undress.

Giggling as she shooed him away, "You don't even love me yet you talk of being my husband."

"And who says I don't love you?" Ozai looked at her like she was crazy.

Tilting her head, "You've never once said I love you."

"Because I didn't think I had to. I thought my actions were enough."

Katara shook her head, "Tell me, Ozai, do you love me?"

"Yes, I love you, Katara Mizuki. More than anything in this world, I love you and you alone." Ozai confessed.

Katara smiled at him and threw her arms around his neck as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Then make love to me."

"Gladly." He grinned.

"But no babies, Ozai."

"No promises."

A few mornings later, Ozai got up early and checked on the men as well as reported to his brother in regards to their next move. Apparently, they needed to head north east to Ba Seng Sei and join their other forces from the Omashu faction. It would take a month's time and have them dealing with rogue soldiers that were present in all wars but it would be worth the journey.

"It would be best if Lady Mizuki stayed behind or returned home for this part. We have no idea if this is a ploy or not. And from what I hear from your rooms at night, Lady Mizuki could soon discover she's with child. If something happens to you, your line lives on through her." Iroh pointed out.

Ozai furrowed his brows. He highly doubted Katara was pregnant but his brother was right. By some off chance if Katara did turn up pregnant, he wanted her gone and he'd personally see to it she had returned home. No man wanted his woman and child in the way of danger. Katara could hate him for it but she needed to go home. He couldn't risk something happening to her.

"Katara will not hear me out, Iroh. If I even dare think about telling her to leave again, she will likely take my head off." Ozai rubbed his neck a little.

Iroh sighed and nodded, "I will have a word with her."

Katara was about to do her nightly patrol when Iroh approached her. She smiled and greeted him. She knew he'd very well may become her brother in law if all works out with this Parley Ozai told her about.

"Lady Mizuki, I've been meaning to have a word with you."

"Oh, really?" Katara smiled as she took this as a good sign.

Iroh beamed at her, "Tell me, are you and my brother planning a wedding after the war?"

Katara giggled, "We would be if I could get past your brother having baby fever."

"Ah, my brother has wanted a family for some time now. However, I always feared there would never be a woman he'd deem worthy of it. My brother is a very picky man."

"So I hear."

"Anyway, I know all that's left is a parley which my brother and I will make a quick venture to Ba Seng Sei in order to oversee the parley. I think while we handle that, you should return home and wait for my brother's retirement.."

Katara kneaded her brows, "Did Ozai ask you to tell me this?"

"Actually, he advised me not to but I felt I needed to in the event you were pregnant." Iroh put as lightly as he could.

Folding her arms, "I'm not pregnant."

"As a healer, I'm sure you are well aware that there is the possibility." Iroh said.

Katara averted her eyes, "General Yong, I get you are concerned and all but I didn't fight for my place at Ozai's side to leave him in the face of what seems like an end to our worries. Who's to say this isn't a trap?"

"Exactly why I think you should return home. If you are pregnant and something happens to Ozai, you will be carrying what remains of him. I do not want that to be lost."

"But I'm not pregnant." Becoming a little frustrated. "We don't know and I don't like going based off of hypothetical situations."

"Coming to my brother's aid because you believed he wouldn't return to you alive is going based off of a hypothetical situation, my dear." Iroh told her. "Listen, Katara, you'd only be in the way. The longer you are here the more of a distraction you become for my brother. I don't doubt that if it were a trap, my brother would lay down his life to see to it that you got to safety and I'm sure you do not want that."

It had never dawned on Katara that that was a possibility and now that she was thinking, it worried her. What if something happened and Ozai felt he had to come to her aid, risking his life in the process? She wouldn't be able to live with herself if he died because of her but what if she wasn't by his side and something happened that she could have prevented? It threw her for a loop.

Katara didn't bother finishing her conversation with Iroh as she needed to go speak to Ozai. They needed to talk.

Ozai was writing his father in regards to his plans upon retirement. He knew his father would be against him marrying a woman not decided by him and that it would be even worse to discover the woman his son was marrying was not of Fire Nation descent. However, Ozai didn't care and would even be willing to leave his family estate to find a manor of his own to reside. Katara would be his wife and he made that very clear to his father in his letter to him. There would never be another woman that could come close to Katara in all the things she was to him.

As he continued his later, Ozai saw the water healer slip herself into his room and he grinned at her.

"Come for another practice baby making session?" Ozai winked at her.

Katara rolled her eyes and walked up to his desk where he was sitting at. "Ozai, did you tell Iroh to speak with me tonight?"

Sighing as he put his quill down, "I warned him not to but he wouldn't listen to me."

"It's fine. I think he had some valid points but I wanted to talk to you about it." Katara pulled her hair behind her ear.

Ozai patted his lap for her to sit and as she did, he wrapped his arms around her middle. "I worry you could be pregnant."

"I do too but I don't want to leave your side."

"Can't you healers see into the body? Why don't you check? If you're pregnant, return home. If not, staying by me should be no problem." Ozai explained.

Katara sighed, "I'm scared to. I'm scared that if I am, I'll have to leave your side."

Kissing the back of her head, "If you are, just wait for me. No matter what I will make my way to you both."

Ozai took her hand into his hand and held it over her stomach, "Just let me know if you sense anything."

Wanting to literally bang her head into the desk, Katara whined and started searching for any signs of them having a baby. She felt something. Just a little but she couldn't make out what it was. She never once had a pregnant woman come across her examination, so she wouldn't know but it felt odd and she wondered if that meant something was forming in her.

Not knowing what it was, Katara decided she'd write it off for now and re-examine herself another time.

"No baby." She told him.

"Damn it. I was really hoping."

Katara eyed him with annoyance, "You're not getting rid of me that easily." She said as she got up from his lap to get ready for bed.

Ozai looked over at her, "So I take it you will be more cautious with me from now on?"

"Yes, I'll make sure not to sleep with you again until this war is officially over." Katara told him as she climbed into bed.

…

The next few days, the men in Ozai's company were preparing to leave out with him and the general. Lady Mizuki left instructions for the men that would need further treatment on how to nurse their injuries. When everyone was ready to leave out, Katara was about to ride on her ostrich-horse when Ozai rode up beside her.

"Ride with me." He told her.

Katara snorted and climbed onto her mount, "No, thank you. I like riding by my lonesome but don't worry, I'll stick close to you like normal."

Ozai rolled his eyes at the stubborn woman.

As the group made their way on their month long venture to Ba Seng Sei and traveled through the sweltering desert. It was about two weeks into their travels when they settled by a large river bank and could see Ba Seng Sei in the distance.

Katara went to the river and washed herself up at night while the men were all in their tents for bed. She decided to check again to see if what she felt before was really a baby and felt that it was still an odd feeling but slightly bigger than the last time she checked. Her brows kneaded as she ran her hand over her belly.

"Mind if I join?"

Katara turned to see Ozai in the water with her. "Ozai, what are y-" She stopped when she saw him looking down at her hand running over her stomach and noticed his brows furrow.

"You said you weren't pregnant, Katara." He said in a calm but suspicious tone.

"I'm not. Just noticed something weird and was trying to figure out what it was." Katara told him.

Ozai's expression flattened.

"I'm not pregnant "

"Somehow I doubt it."

"Ozai-"

"If you're pregnant and I find out about it, I promise you I will be pissed the fuck off." Ozai warned.

Katara rolled her eyes, "Whatever, Ozai."

The group got up early the next day to get a move on and as they did, a group of sandbending soldiers attacked.

Ozai was slicing through the last of the enemies that attacked him when he saw Katara struggling with one sandbender. Normally, she would have gutted the poor bastard but for some reason, her movements weren't quite the same as they typically were while she was fighting. It concerned him and he came up behind the man to cut through him, tossing his body aside.

Blowing the sweaty hair from her face, Katara glared at him. "I didn't need your help."

"I'm sure but we need to get moving and you were taking too long with that one." Ozai said as he ordered his men to burn the bodies and head out.

Arriving at where several groups of the Fire Nation and Omashu faction were camped out, Ozai rode beside Katara to have a word with her.

"Are you sure you aren't pregnant?" He whispered.

"I doubt it."

"Doubt?! You don't know?!"

Katara glared at him, "I have most of my experience with injured men and sickly people. Surprisingly, I never had a pregnant woman in my care." Katara explained truthfully. "So, I don't know if I am or not."

Pulling his reins to cut her mount off as he looked at her with wide angry eyes, breathing heavily as he seemed to be fuming. "Katara! You-"

"Is that Commander Yong of the fourth division?" A man cut them both off.

A Fire Nation man in the armor of a captain approached them on a rhino. He stopped just in front of Ozai and beamed at him.

Ozai didn't look away from Katara and raised his hand to let the man know he was talking.

"You better hope you're not pregnant or I'm going to wring your neck." Ozai threatened.

Katara glared at him and pulled her reins to ride away from him.

"Commander Yong, is everything alright?" The man asked.

Turning, Ozai saw an old pal from his day as a low ranking officer, "Tozin."

"Who was that woman?" Tozin watched as the woman rode off toward General Yong.

Ozai sighed and ran his hands through his hair, "She's a water healer. She's been serving my division for some time."

"Oh, so one of your troops has something going on with her and she might be knocked up?" Tozin asked in a nosey fashion.

Ozai eyed him, "No. Well, the one she's seeing is me. I told her if she was pregnant, she needed to go home but I think she's been lying to me in order to keep close until this is settled."

Tozin was a bit surprised by this, "Are you not hoping to be a father?"

"I'm ecstatic but I don't want anything to happen to her. She needs to go home if she is with child."

"Agreed but what is a woman even doing near the battlefield, anyway?"

Ozai looked to see Katara riding beside his brother, "I've been asking myself that for months."

….

It was difficult but he was fed up. All this time he had been fighting his better judgement of having her here with him and she proved time and time again that she needed to be home. This was war. A man's game and she was trying to be a playing piece. Her place was not here. Especially if she was pregnant with his child.

Ozai hadn't spoken a word to Katara all morning and she didn't even seem bothered. He saw she managed to reunite with a few water healers she knew from her time in the healer's fort. It caught his attention that Katara started speaking with a tribesman and he watched her follow the man into a tent. As much as it bothered him, he didn't follow her. Katara was a lot of things but she'd never be disloyal to him.

However, as the evening came around, Ozai was surprised that Katara approached him herself in his tent. He was at his desk going over the treaty that was being passed around camp to see if it was acceptable when the water healer entered his tent dressed in only her nightgown and her hair down. This ticked him off a little as they were in a camp full of men and no women besides the few female water healers present. Even if her tent was set up right by him, it was not appropriate for her to be dressed like this outside her or his tent.

"Ozai."

"What?" He said with a snippy tone.

Swallowing hard as she knew he was upset with her, "I'm not pregnant. Abdul looked me over and says he saw no sign of a baby. But he says he found something else."

"What?"

Katara looked away from him and sighed as tears prickled her eyes, "There's a tumor. He says it's cancer. The terminal kind."

Ozai dropped the quill he was holding as his eyes widened at her. "Wait- what?!"

Sniffling as she looked back at him, "I've got three, maybe four years, Ozai." Katara said before bursting into tears.

Ozai quickly got to his feet and pulled her into his arms as he was upon her. She buried her face into his chest and cried.

"I'm sorry, Ozai! I can't give you the life you were hoping to have! I'm so sorry!"

No. This couldn't be. This couldn't be happening. Why was this happening? Ozai felt like he couldn't breathe as his heart raced in his chest. How could he be losing her before he even got to have the life he wanted with her?

"Brother?" Iroh called to Ozai the following day as they were in a tent with other high ranking officers and were discussing the strategy they would use to ensure a treaty was signed.

However, Ozai was distracted and could care less about this petty war effort. He just needed it to end, so he could retire and spend what little time he had with Katara. That was all that mattered to him. And if this war did not end, he'd commit high treason and leave the battlefield before his time to be with the only person that has given his life meaning.

"To hell with this damn war." Ozai hissed. "If the Earth King doesn't sign it, I will cut off his hand and sign it myself."

Everyone looked at the commander as he got up and left the tent. His brother followed after him and pulled him along to his tent. There, he looked his brother in the eyes while holding his shoulders.

"Brother, what has gotten into you?" Iroh asked.

Ozai averted his eyes from his brother and looked through the small gap in the tent's opening. There, he could see Katara tending to the troops with her fellow water healers. How was it she could heal any injury or ailment but her own?

"Katara isn't pregnant." Ozai said plainly.

Iroh sighed and pulled away from his brother, "Ozai, that is a good thing. There will be plenty of time for you and Lady Mizuki to have children."

"Three, maybe four years." Ozai said.

"Huh?"

"I only have three, maybe four years with her."

Iroh furrowed his brows, "Brother, what makes you say-"

"There's a tumor growing inside her. One of the healers found it and said that's how long she has." Ozai's expression became one of lament. "I never believed in the gods until I met her. Only something divine could make someone like her and already they want her back. She only just turned twenty years old about two months ago. Her life hasn't even truly begun and the gods want her back."

Iroh actually saw tears form in his brother's eyes.

"They want her back but I don't want to give her up. Why can't they wait longer?! What kind of villains preside over us humans that they'd take someone so young and so beautiful from this world?"

Iroh sighed, "It's an ugly world, brother."

"One they created!"

"Yes but right now, we need to focus on ending this war. That way you can spend what little time you have left with her."

Ozai sniffled and turned away from his brother, "I need a moment."

"Of course." Iroh said as he allowed his brother a moment alone in his tent.

Later that day, Katara was fixing up a soldier when she suddenly felt her vision go blurry. She tried finishing up with this patient before she tried figuring out was wrong with her but it seemed to be more urgent than she thought.

"Lary Mizuki, are you alright?"

Katara was about to nod her head and assure him she was fine, when suddenly everything went dark and she collapsed to the ground.

The commander was notified right away that Lady Mizuki had fallen unconscious. He rushed to the medical tents and found her lying on a cot with her eyes shut.

Abdul approached him and explained her condition to him and how frequent water healing can help with the symptoms and reduce the growth of the tumor.

"Can it be cured?" Ozai asked.

Abdul shook his head, "Her life can possibly be prolonged through water healing but not by two much. However, I presume you both want as many years as possible. Perhaps, you should live in the South Pole where she can get around the clock treatment. Her father will see to it that she gets the best care."

Ozai looked at his beautiful water lily as she lay in bed terminally ill. This was not what he hoped for. He had wanted her to be pregnant with a child that they'd raise for the many years they'd have together. But it looked like that wasn't going to happen now.

Sitting by her bedside, Ozai held her hand tight and kissed it. "We ride out tomorrow to the walls. Stay here and wait for me."

"Okay, Ozai. I'll wait."

Ozai saw her blue eyes slowly come into view as he swept her hair from her face.

"You're not planning to follow me this time?" He smiled sadly at her.

Katara shook her head, "I can't really see right now. So, it's probably wise for me to stay here."

Ozai looked up to Abdul.

"Loss of sight is a part of the condition. There's nothing we can do about it. She will be able to see a little bit but not much."

Ozai looked back at Katara and stared pitifully at her, before dropping his head in her lap, weeping quietly. Katara ran her hands through his hair.

"It's okay, Ozai. It'll be alright." Katara said as she continued caressing his head. "You can be my eyes from now on, hmm? Just describe things to me."

A few of the men in the medical tents could hear Commander Yong crying and were all shocked and horrified. What was going on that had the man so upset that he'd cry like this with others around?

Ozai had Katara removed from the medical tents and brought to his tent. He wanted to watch over her himself as it would be his duty soon enough once they married. At the moment, he was helping her eat breakfast as she couldn't even make out what was on her plate. However, she kept an upbeat spirit about her and just laughed it off.

"Stay in bed until I'm back." Ozai told her as he kissed her head.

Katara nodded, "Just make sure you come back, Ozai. Don't do anything stupid. I need you, okay?"

Ozai nodded and kissed her lips before getting up from the edge of the bed.

Leaving out the tent, Ozai ordered one of his trusted men to have the water healer, Abdul, brought here to look over Katara. Once that was situated, Ozai made his way to his brother and climbed on the rhino beside him.

"This should be the end. One way or another, it should all end today." Iroh said.

Ozai nodded and put on his helmet. "I meant what I said, Iroh. If the Earth King doesn't sign, I'm going to do it myself."

And sure enough, the Earth King tried negotiating the terms of the treaty and Ozai wasn't hearing it. Time was of the essence and he made it very clear to the monarch that they had the manpower to put an end to the war one way or another. It was in his best interest to sign it.

However, the Earth King had refused to sign and Ozai snapped. Violence broke out immediately and the gold elegance of the palace was coated in blood as countless men slaughtered one another.

Ozai and his brother fought back to back, slicing and burning anyone that came at them. As they cut down their foes, the two slowly approached the entrance and Iroh told his brother to go ahead.

"This is all about to end, brother. Go to Lady Mizuki and take her to her home. I'll see to it you are a retired man."

Ozai nodded and cut down another bastard that was in his way. As soon as he got out the palace of bloodshed, he threw down his sword and took off running. He was wasting no time getting to his destination. As soon as he got to the campsite of the troops, Ozai went to his tent and found Katara resting with Abdul checking her vitals.

Covered in blood and sweat, Ozai threw down his helmet. "How is she?"

"Stable." Abdul informed him

"Stable enough to travel back home?" Ozai asked.

Abdul looked at him with curiosity. "You intend to return her home now?"

"Yes." Ozai said as he began changing from his armor into his light leather armor. "We don't get much time but I intend to get started with our lives now."

Abdul nodded. "I will come with you to ensure she is well through the travels."

"Thank you."

As Abdul left to get his things, Ozai went to the bed and gently woke Katara. Her blue eyes lifted up to him but weren't quite focused as she was trying to get a good look at him.

"We're getting ready to leave." Ozai said as he began scooping her out of bed. "We're going home."

Katara smiled, "The war is over?"

"Yes. Iroh wants us to go ahead of him."

"What about your retirement?"

"He's going to take care of that."

Katara beamed up at him as she clung to Ozai as he carried her.

…

"I'm fine, dad." Katara shooed her father as the servants got her prepared for the ceremony.

Hakoda smiled at her somberly, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You just look so beautiful." He teared up.

Katara wished she could get a good look at herself but all she could make out in the mirror was her outline. She hoped Ozai would think she was beautiful. He swore to be honest with her in his description of things and so far, she believed everything he's told her thus far.

The couple had arrived a short while ago to the South Pole and she was happy her father had taken a liking to Ozai. It was difficult for both of them finding out that she didn't have much longer for the world. But they both agreed to make these next few years as memorable as possible.

"Are you ready?" Her father asked her.

Katara nodded.

Katara was walked down the aisle by her father and up ahead she saw Ozai waiting for her. She knew it was him by how his outline stood out to her. His tall stature and his posture was so distinct that she just knew it was him. As her hand was handed to him by her father, Katara felt Ozai's hands were sweaty and she giggled to herself.

"What's funny?" He asked in a whisper.

Katara smirked, "Your hands are sweaty."

"That's not sweat." Ozai said.

"Then what is it?" She suddenly wanted to retract her hand.

Ozai glanced back down at her, "You just look very beautiful and I got a little emotional."

"So tears?" Katara giggled even more. "Describe to me what I look like later. I wonder what kind of dress I'm wearing."

Ozai furrowed his brows as he turned back his attention to the priest that presided over the ceremony. It was a bit difficult for him to know that her time would come much sooner than his. That they weren't going to grow old together. That they may never have children and that he would be all alone again in possibly less than five years. But it was worth it. These would be the happiest years of his life and he didn't care how short they'd be. He would make the most of them.

As vows were exchanged, the priest pronounced them husband and wife. The two shared a passionate kiss as their guests all rooted for them. Ozai had managed to invite his brother and a few family members that approved of his marriage to a tribeswoman. Most of Katara's guests were her friends along with her brother and father.

"Hey! Get a room!" Sokka told them.

Ozai rested his forehead to Katara's, "Gladly."

"I say we try for that baby you wanted so badly."

Ozai looked at her uneasily, "Are you sure?"

Katara nodded. "I want you to still have a piece of me when I'm gone, Ozai."

And he would. The couple managed to have a beautiful baby girl a year later. She was a blue-eyed beauty with a patch of black hair on top of her head. She was a nice combination of their complexions. They named her Yukino.

"Is she beautiful?" Katara asked Ozai as she held their daughter moments after giving birth.

Ozai nodded, "Most beautiful baby I've ever seen."

Katara's eyes watered. "I wish I could see her just once."

Sitting at the edge of the bed, Ozai wiped her tears away.

"I wish I didn't have to leave her so soon either." Katara wept.

Ozai continued wiping her tears, "She'll always have you. She'll know you're watching over her."

Katara shut her eyes, "Promise me that you'll be good to her."

"I promise."

….

The end was daunting. Waking up every moment in the night to see if she had left him. But he learned she made it a conscious effort to be there when he woke, assuring him she was alright. Ozai grieved before it was time as he watched his beautiful water lily wilt with each passing year. Her sight, her ability to taste, and her mobility all went as time went on.

It was a harsh winter night that she made it known that it wasn't much longer. Ozai didn't leave her side and she requested that he hold her until it was over. Her brother and father mournfully said their goodbyes as Katara tearfully kissed her unknowing three year old daughter goodbye.

"You have made these last years of my life spectacular, Ozai. I only wish I could enjoy one more year with you." Katara rasped weakly.

Ozai caressed her face, "You've held on for as long as you could, Katara. It's okay." Tears welled in his eyes as he looked at her with a loving gaze.

"I'm scared, Ozai." She cried.

Crying as well, Ozai wiped her tears away. "I'm right here. All the way till the end."

The years had been trying and Katara had been in so much pain but every step, her husband was right by her side. Her only regret being that she couldn't be with him longer.

Hours later, Ozai saw her eyes flutter a little and he knew it was the end. He cupped her face and shushed her as she whimpered, fearful of the inevitable.

"Shhh, it's okay, I'm right here." Ozai held her tight.

"I love you, Ozai!" She wept.

"I love you too, Katara." He told her.

Katara pulled him to her for one last kiss and just as his lips touched her, Ozai felt the last of her breath escape from them. He didn't pull back as he clung to what remained of her and cried out for his wife.

Clenching her hair in his hands as he mourned over her small frail body, Ozai screamed her name. It was soon known to everyone that she was gone upon hearing him crying out her name.

….

"Daddy, what was mommy like?" Yukino asked her father as she followed him up the hill with flowers in her hands.

Ozai paused as his seven year old daughter asked him about her mother for the first time. The last four years had been hard and the little girl had feared asking him anything about her mother. He hated that he'd have to relay the memory of the woman to their daughter, who should have gotten to know who her mother was on her own. However, four years was a long time to not tell the little girl about her mother. The parts her grandfather and uncle couldn't tell.

Sighing as he continued up the slope hill with the seven year old following him.

"Your mother was a healer. The best there was. She took care of people with a kind and gentle heart. Even those that didn't deserve it."

Yukino nodded, "Everyone says mommy was a fighter too. Is that true?"

"Yes. Your mother fought protecting me. I didn't want it at first but she wouldn't listen to me."

"Because she loved you?"

"Yes, and I her."

Yukino sighed, "I wish mommy was here."

Ozai furrowed his brows, "Me too."

Reaching the top of the hill, Ozai walked up to the tombstone where his late wife was buried and knelt down in front of it as his daughter knelt beside him. Yukino placed the flowers in front of the tombstone and clapsed her hands together just like her father did and shut her eyes. Ozai typically had a dialog with his deceased wife in his head but Yukino typically spoke out loud and it always brought tears to his eyes.

"Mommy, please look over daddy. He's still very sad you're gone and I want him to be happy one day." Yukino said. "One day, me and daddy will get to see you again but for now, can you make sure he's happy again? Thank you, mommy, and rest well."

Ozai glanced down at the little girl and sighed, "I'm not sad, Yukino."

"Yes you are, daddy." Yukino looked up at him with her big blue eyes. "I hear you crying in your room at night."

Ozai sucked his teeth, "You should be sleeping."

"I try but you always sound so sad and sometimes I want to make you happy but I know only mommy can do that and she's gone. So, will you always be this sad?"

Ozai sighed and averted his eyes from his daughter, "Everyday, Yukino, everyday it gets a little easier. One day, it won't hurt so bad but I promise I'll try to be happier for you."

"Not for me, daddy. For you." Yukino beamed up at him as she stood up and wrapped her arms around his kneeling figure, burying her face in his chest. "I just want you to be happier, daddy. You always make me happy.".

Ozai hugged his daughter's small body close, "I will be, sweetheart. Just give me time."

Time would go on and Yukino would get her wish. Her father was a happier man but never returned back to his home nation as he always wanted to be near her mother's resting place.

"Dad, I'm heading to the healing huts, do you need anything from me before I go?" Yukino asked her elderly father.

Sitting at the outdoor patio having tea, Ozai shook his head. "Go on and get to your patients, Yukino. Your mother was never late for work."

"Well, I'm not mom."

"You're a lot like her." Ozai snorted as he sipped his tea. "Especially with that temper."

"What temper?!" Yukino fussed.

"That one." Ozai pointed out. "No wonder you aren't married or have given me grandchildren. You scare the men off like your mother tried scaring me off."

Yukino turned her lip up at her father, "I'm only twenty-two, dad. I don't need to get married."

"That's two years older than your mother was when we married."

"That was years ago! Things are different now."

"That they are."

Yukino walked up to her father and kissed the side of his face. "Love you, dad."

"Love you too, Katara." He absentmindedly said.

Yukino sighed as her father had been doing that a lot lately. She worried about him. However, she never corrected him. She knew it would only serve to make her father think more about her mother than he already did.

As his daughter headed off for work, Ozai sighed. "She's just like you, Katara. You could have given me an easier child to raise on my own."

The arctic wind blew through his hair.

"Don't get snippy with me. You said you'd give me a piece of you, not a piece of work." He scoffed in annoyance before relaxing and shaking his head with a chuckle, "I wish you were here, Katara. So you could meet the woman your daughter became. It would be like looking into a mirror."

The wind gently rustled his hair.

"One day, sweetheart. One day soon, I hope." Ozai stood to get up. "Until then, wait for me."

The end.

…..

A/N:

Hoped you all enjoyed that story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Next story is a Modern AU!