Short Tales

by AnumOfTheMoon

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

13. Short Story 6 Part 1

A/N:

This one is for UjEf223! Thank you for this concept! Hope you enjoy!

Summary: It had been a year since she saw all her friends at Zuko's wedding. Staying in the South Pole to teach the young group of waterbenders, Katara looks after her grandmother with her father and overall becomes a great asset to the village while her brother is on Kyoshi Island with Suki. It is during a terrible winter storm that a strange man washes up on the shores of the South Pole and Katara is the only healer in the village that can save his life. They soon discover he was a Fire Nation man and many are skeptical of his presence. Katara lets them know she will look after him. Katara and her patient grow close despite the many suitors that want her hand. When her patient prepares to leave for a journey he says he must go on, the two plan to meet again and explore their relationship further. What will Katara do when she discovers the man she has fallen for is the notorious former tyrant of the Fire Nation?

Story 6:

Part 1:

"Sifu Katara, can we please take a break?" One of the six years-old waterbenders asked her.

Katara giggled and nodded. She allowed all twenty of her students to finally rest easy after a long day of training. Dismissing them for the day, the waterbender waved them goodbye as they took off running to their homes.

Sighing as she stretched a little, Katara saw one of the tribesmen that moved from the North Pole approach her. She smiled at him as was cordial to do but she really didn't like speaking to the Northern men. They were not particularly custom to women being as she was and while she tried not to be offended, she was. Even more, this particular Northern man made it quite clear that he had intentions to pursue her. Her Gram Gram told her to keep an open mind as it had been six years since the war ended and she was the only one of her friends not yet married. Even Toph and Aang were married. She had just attended Zuko's wedding last year and Sokka married Suki not long after the war ended. Everyone was paired off and starting families, all while she didn't yet want to settle down.

"Lady Katara." The Northern man addressed her.

Bashfully shaking her head, "Tonra, please, call me Katara. Lady isn't quite befitting."

"You are the daughter of the Chieftain, are you not?" Tonra grinned.

Katara pulled a strand of hair behind her ear, "The South Pole isn't quite like the Northern Tribe. We don't have a hierarchy system."

"Katara, it is." Tonra gave in.

"Thank you."

Tonra saw the young woman was fidgeting to leave and cleared his throat a little, "I was wondering if you'd like to come by for dinner tonight. I caught an arctic boar earlier today and wanted someone to share it with."

Katara awkwardly averted her eyes. She felt on the spot. How was she supposed to decline without making him feel bad? She had seen him preparing for the hunt, telling his pals that he was planning to catch a boar and she watched him drag it back into the village. His intentions were clear the moment he approached her and she didn't know what to say.

"Ummm…my father says he wants my family to eat together tonight." Katara conjured up an excuse. "I'll have to take you up on the offer another time."

Knowing this was an excuse, Tonra sighs. "I guess, I'll catch another boar for when you decide to have dinner with me."

Returning home, Katara saw her father and her gram gram in the kitchen cooking.

"Katara, your father tells me he heard that Tonra was speaking to you. What did he want?" Kanna asked as she looked up at her granddaughter.

Katara blushed as she saw her father and grandmother look at her with hopeful gazes. Both of them were waiting anxiously to hear that she was courting someone or accepted a proposal. Ever since she was sixteen, Katara had been dodging proposals and offers from men not only from her tribe but outside of the tribe too. Apparently, her fame from saving the world with the Avatar made her quite attractive to many, but her father liked to point out that it was also because she was beautiful. However, Katara had no interest in settling down. No, she wanted to go back out into the world and travel before she swore herself to someone. That, or meet someone who wanted the same as her.

Glancing down at the floor as she hated to disappoint them, "Tonra wanted to have dinner tonight but I declined."

Kanna sighed as her father got up and walked over to her.

"Katara, sweetheart, why are you doing this to yourself? You're twenty years old. Your brother and all your friends have gotten married and are having children. Why don't you want that for yourself?" Hakoda asked her.

Struggling, "I don't know, dad." Katara felt like she was a disappointment. "I guess my friends all found people they wanted to spend their lives with. They're all in love. I haven't found that yet."

Hakoda sighed, "Tonra is a good man, Katara."

"Yes but not who I want to be with." Katara expressed. "I don't love him."

Hakoda shook his head, "Katara, your mother and I, we weren't in love when we married but we eventually did come to love each other. Very much. Sometimes things work out that way."

Katara knew her father was right but even so, she didn't believe Tonra to be the man she would settle her life down with. Whoever that man was, she knew she'd eventually find him.

Weeks passed and with it, a terrible snow storm blew through. Everyone was huddled in their homes until the storm passed and when it finally let up, everyone was right back to their daily lives. Katara kissed her gram gram on the cheek as well as her father before she left to go meet with her students. As the waterbender made her way to where she gave her lessons, she saw a bunch of fishermen gathered around by the healing huts. She figured something must have happened.

While training her students, Katara saw her father running towards her and she told the students to keep practicing their form with the water ribbons.

"Katara, the healers need you down at the huts." Hakoda told his daughter as he was a little out of breath.

Katara nodded.

"I'll stay here with the kids. Go see what they want."

Arriving at the huts, Katara saw the fishermen were all present along with Tonra, who had some of his fellow hunters with him, and she started to wonder what the big deal was. As everyone noticed she was there, a healer quickly came to her and took her arm, pulling her to one of the rooms.

"Katara, please, come. The fishermen found this man washed up on the shore. Somehow he's alive and well but…-"

"But what?" Katara asked.

The healer swallowed hard, "This man, he's-"

Katara raised a brow at the healer and glanced over at the bed where she saw a man resting. She noticed he didn't look Water Tribe and that his clothes were that of the Fire Nation. Now, she understood why the fishermen, Tonra, and his men were all present. They didn't know if he was a threat or not. Despite the war ending six years ago there was still a lot of distrust between the Fire Nation and the rest of the world. Not all Fire Nation citizens were in agreement with Zuko ending the war and there was constant fear of rebellion. So, it was not hard to understand the fear her people had for seeing a random Fire Nation man wash up on their shores.

"I want to remove his soaked clothes but I'm afraid he'll attack me. Tonra said he'd do it but I worry he will not be so gentle." The healer explained. "I figured since you're a master waterbender and have friends from the Fire Nation, that you'd be the best person for the job. Maybe you could look after him."

As much as she wanted to tell the healer that she couldn't due to the fact that she had other responsibilities, Katara knew this man could likely die due to her people's fear of the Fire Nation.

Sighing, "Okay, I'll look after him. Just let me find someone to take over teaching my students."

The healer thanked her and quickly left the room. Katara looked back at the Fire Nation man and figured she should probably change his clothes. Going to his bedside, the waterbender pulled the fur blanket off of him and observed the clothes he was wearing. From the look of his clothes, the man didn't seem to be from the upper class but his refined facial features suggested otherwise. While he had plenty of facial hair from a lack of grooming, it seemed, she could see his face was all too elegant to be on a man from the lower classes. Katara looked him over a little more to get a read on the man. She figured maybe she could tell if he was a threat or not by what he had on him. However, she wasn't able to get a good read. Even as she took his hand and studied it, she couldn't really make sense of this man. His hands were not very callous, so it likely meant he wasn't a common man or a soldier. But his nails were rather long and uneven, so being a nobleman didn't make sense either.

So who are you? She asked in her head. Sighing to herself, Katara reached for his thick coat and started unbuttoning it. However, as she removed the coat from him, a hand grabbed her wrist to stop her. Her eyes widened and she glanced up to the man's face, seeing that the man was awake. He had piercing gold eyes that stared at her with a dangerous look. She opened her mouth to tell him she meant him no harm when she found herself being thrown to the side by the man. Katara saw him get up from the bed and stand to his feet, looking like he was about to make a run for it. However, as he took a step forward, she heard a loud cry escape him as his arm wrapped around his middle and he stumbled to the ground. She quickly got up and rushed to him.

"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" Katara asked him as she tried to help him up.

Shoving her away from him, "Keep your filthy hands off of me, peasant!" The man shouted at her.

Furrowing her brows at him, "Well, this 'peasant' is trying to help you. You're lucky to be alive after the fishermen found you washed up on shore. I'm only trying to help."

The man eyed her funny and then took a look around before his eyes landed back on her, narrowing. "Why would I need any help from the likes of you?!" He sneered.

Katara stood up and folded her arms as she backed away, "Fine. I won't help you. You're free to leave."

The man studied her for a minute before he tried getting up. However, as he tried to stand to his feet, he tumbled over again, a cry escaping his lips again. He glanced up at the Tribeswoman giving him a smug look and mentally cursed himself.

"Need help, don't you?"

Hissing through his teeth, "I don't need anything from your kind."

"My kind?" Katara lifted a brow. "So, they were right to have me be the one to look after you. You're one of 'those' Fire Nation people."

"What the hell are you talking about?!"

"I'm talking about you being the difficult kind that looks down on everyone else that isn't Fire Nation." Katara unfolded her arms and stepped towards him. "How about we make this easy so you can go on about your business? You let me help you so I can treat whatever injuries you have and then I will personally see to it that you can leave this place, so you don't have to deal with my 'kind'."

The man sucked his teeth, "Fine. Just do whatever it is you need to do so I can leave."

Katara rolled her eyes and got down to help the man back up, carefully easing him to sit on the edge of the bed. As he sat there, she told him that she needed to remove his clothes since they were soaked. He gave her a menacing look but she didn't care. Katara told him he could take it off himself or she would do it for him.

Scoffing, "Turn around."

Didn't have to tell her twice. She heard him wince as her back was to him and then heard a pained groaned.

"Need help."

"If you would be so kind." He gritted, his pride sorely hurt.

Katara sighed and turned back around to see he only managed to take his coat off. Seeing he was wearing a tunic, the waterbender figured whatever pain he was in was coming from his upper body and that it would be difficult getting him to lift his arms to pull it off. She bended a small blade of ice into her hand and grabbed the hem of it, slicing it open.

"Hey!" he barked at her.

Rolling her eyes again, "Oh, pipe down. The tunic was already ruined. I'll get you another one."

The Fire Nation man snorted and mumbled something under his breath.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that. What were you saying?" Katara narrowed her eyes at him as she held the ice blade out to the side.

Sucking his teeth, "I'm not afraid of you, little girl. Just get to it and fix me."

"You could at least say please." Katara told him.

Growling, the man was about to say something else until he saw her hands go to his waistband and he quickly slapped her hand away from him. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you Agni damn peasant?!"

"I'm undressing you from your soaked clothes. Pants too."

"Must be some kind of whore for you to so casually be undressing me." He spat.

Oh, Katara wanted to deck him. This man was completely ungrateful. If she hadn't already dealt with men like him in the past after the war ended, she'd be very triggered by him. However, when the war ended and she provided healing aid to people from both sides of the war, she became rather used to the derogatory language of the Fire Nation men. They were always so quick to point out her origins as it was inferior to their own, some even hit on her simply stating her only true usefulness was in what she had between her legs, and she remembered being attacked on several occasions. She managed to handle herself quite well with many of them, restraining a lot of them and even instill fear into them by using more advanced forms of her bending, like bloodbending and manifesting water from thin air. Katara was not at all afraid or intimidated by this asshole. Especially, since he couldn't even stand up.

"Look here," Katara placed her hands on both sides of her hips. "If you want me to heal you and get you on your way, I'm going to need you to be more respectful. That or I'm going to toss your racist ass back into the ocean where you came from."

The man glared at her, "And I thought your people were moronically nice people."

"And where exactly did you hear that?" Katara looked at him like he was stupid.

Averting his eyes, "You're not the first tribeswoman I've met. I met one over twenty years ago."

"Well, I pity her."

"As you should, she's dead now."

Katara balled her fist. "Did you-"

"No!" The man said defensively. "I'm a lot of things, girl, but there are some things I don't do!"

"Surprised your type would be merciful to my 'kind'." Katara said.

When the man didn't say anything, lost in thought a little bit, Katara told him to remove his own pants if he wanted but he needed to take them off. She turned around again per his request and she had to say, he was the first male patient, Fire Nation or not, to not want her to see him. Which is why she didn't care about undressing him. She was already used to seeing men of all kinds completely naked and she was quite unphased.

Once he told her she could look again, she saw he had pulled the fur blanket over his lap as he sat there and she seemed to just notice his build. For someone who didn't seem to have been a former soldier or a man that did hard labor, she was surprised to see he was so well defined. Maybe it had to do with him being a firebender. She could tell he was from how his eyes were gold and only firebenders had gold eyes.

Walking back to his bedside, Katara told him to lay back so she could see what was wrong with him. He did this and winced at his injury. When she got a good look at his torso, she could see right where his lower ribs were that there was some serious bruising and likely some internal bleeding.

"Looks like you've broken a rib or two. I'm going to try to get a better look using my bending." Katara told him.

Eyeing her funny, the man tried to figure out how her bending was supposed to help her get a better look.

Bending water to her hands, Katara gloved them and they immediately glowed as she placed them down over his injury. He squeezed his eyes shut as he grimaced from the contact.

"Sorry, this will feel a little weird at first but it's the best way to find the source of your pain and heal it." Katara told him.

Her patient said nothing as he clenched his teeth while she did whatever it was she was doing. It didn't seem to take her long but it felt more than weird, it hurt like hell and he bit back the terrible urge to shout in agony. Surely, this bending technique must have worked because when her hands came off of him, he didn't feel the same pain he felt before.

Sitting off the edge of the bed, "It should take a month to completely heal but in the meantime, you should get as much rest as possible."

"A month?! I don't have a month! Hurry up and heal me completely!"

Katara glared at him with her arms folded, "That's not how this works."

The man threw the covers off of him and climbed to his feet, disregarding his nudity. Katara was not in the least concerned as he marched up to her and towered over her with his rather tall frame. He scowled at her like no one else had and honestly, it sort of reminded her of how Zuko scowled for some reason.

"Go get me a change of clothes so I can leave this barren wasteland!" He snarled in her face.

Staring at him impassively, Katara jabbed him in his injury and watched his face contort in pain before collapsing to his knees. "I'd gladly do that but as a healer, I don't in good conscience feel like you're ready to go out on your own. If the cold air even touches you, you'll most definitely catch pneumonia and die. Now get back in bed and give it a month. I'll try to heal you as quickly as possible so you can go on your merry way and I can return to my day to day life. However, you're going to have to cooperate or face a most certain death."

Glaring up at the water woman, "Damn you! And damn this injury!"

"Yes, because you somehow washing up in this wasteland, as you called it, is somehow my fault. Just shut up and get back in bed. I'll find you some clothes and get you some food to eat. You must be hungry."

"I don't want your filthy food, peasant!" He growled but his stomach growled even louder.

Smirking, "I'm going to take that as you're going to want seconds."

Leaving the man in the room, Katara left shaking her head and sighed as she rubbed her temple. This was going to be a frustrating month for her. While she had hoped this Fire Nation man would be a kinder type, he turned out to be exactly what her people were afraid he'd be. The healers all looked to her, having heard everything, and thanked her so much for being the one to oversee his recovery.

When she left the healing hut to go into the market area of the village, Katara saw Tonra had followed behind her and came up to her side.

"You're a brave one for taking over that bastard's recovery." He told her.

Shrugging as she looked through the selection of clothes in the shop, "I couldn't leave the others to look after him. If it wasn't for his injury, I'd fear for them."

"Shouldn't we just see to it he returns to the Fire Nation?"

Katara shook her head. There was a lot she gathered from her observation and the banter she had with that man. He was definitely from the upper class from how he kept referring to her as a peasant. Not to mention, his hands lacked the callousness of the lower class. His attire contrasted with this assumption, however. There was nothing elegant or expensive about the clothes. His tunic was all too easy for her to claw through and his coat was rather thin for someone traveling through this region of the southern lands. Either he was ill prepared for his journey and tried to dress lightly to avoid his noble status from being known. That, or he was a war criminal trying to evade the rule of Fire Lord Zuko. Either way, she had a feeling he wasn't trying to go back to the Fire Nation.

As she picked out some clothes she felt would fit the man, Katara bought them and headed to the healing hut with Tonra accompanying her. She entered the room where her patient was and found him curled up under the fur blanket shivering. Setting the clothes own and Tonra stepped aside to oversee things, Katara hurried to the Fire Nation man, placing her hand on his forehead. She felt his temperature had dropped and she furrowed her brows before shaking him awake.

Gold eyes opening to her, "What did I tell you about touching me, peasant?" his teeth chattered.

Katara rolled her eyes as Tonra narrowed his.

"You were shivering. I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

Scoffing, "Seeing as I'm naked under these thin furs, I would think it's obvious I'm cold."

"You're a firebender, aren't you? Heat yourself up." Katara told him.

The man's gold eyes became even more callous as he growled, "I'm not a firebender."

"You're not?" Katara was surprised by this. "I thought with the gold eyes-"

"You thought wrong." He hissed.

Pouting at this, Katara moved to the clothes she set aside and handed them to him. "I brought you some clothes. I'll be back with food." She told him as she turned to leave out.

Tonra gave the Fire Nation man a dirty look before following out behind the waterbender. He told Katara as he found her in the kitchen area of the healing huts that he would help her look after the man since he looked like trouble. She tried to tell him it was fine but Tonra wouldn't take no for an answer. It was his duty as a man to protect the women of his tribe and Katara was definitely a woman he felt he needed to protect.

When she finished fixing a meal for her patient, Katara carried the tray back to the room and found her patient looked like he had a difficult time putting on his new change of clothes. She set the tray down in his lap and told him to eat up as she'd check on him later.

"What is this?" Her patient looked at his tray in disgust.

"Sea prunes and arctic bass. Eat up." She said before leaving the healing hut.

Hakoda eyed his daughter from across the table as all three of them ate around the firepit table. He felt a bit worried about his daughter looking after that strange Fire Nation man that washed up just a few days ago. He heard from Tonra that the man was not friendly and had a lot of racially charged things to say. As a father, Hakoda was very concerned about his daughter. Not only was she an unmarried young woman of the age twenty but she was putting herself in harm's way which concerned him most. He asked that she only ever go see that man if Tonra was with her but she always gave him lip about not needing anyone to help her since she was a master bender.

"Katara, you should listen to your father." Kanna told her granddaughter. "That man could be very dangerous if you're not careful. Maybe you should contact your friend Fire Lord Zuko about this."

Furrowing her brows, "Are you two saying I can't handle this on my own?"

Sighing, "Sweetheart, we're just saying, this Fire Nation man isn't our concern. You should see about having his own people deal with him."

Katara placed down her chopsticks, "I'm going to go to bed." She got up and left her room.

Hakoda eyed his mother, "Why'd you go and mention the Fire Lord?"

Shrugging, "I thought she was over it already. She went to his wedding and everything." Kanna said.

…

The next few days were trying. Katara was losing her patients. She had dealt with plenty of unruly and disrespectful patients but this was by far the worst patient she had ever had. He fought her every step of the way and she was fed up. At the moment, he was refusing to let her bathe him. She eventually had to restrain him, freezing his wrists above his head after removing his clothes and freezing his ankles together.

"You've got some sick twisted kink, girl." The man asked her in a snarky tone.

Rolling her eyes as she gathered the bucket of water over to his bedside, Katara placed a rag and soap in it. Lathering the rag up with soap, she placed it on his abdomen and began scrubbing him.

"Fuck! That's cold!" He hissed.

Smirking, "Welcome to the South Pole."

The man gritted his teeth and he glared at her.

After washing her patient up, Katara helped him put his clothes back on and ignored the ugly look he was giving her.

"You know, you'd look really handsome if you stopped scowling so much." Katara told him as she adjusted his pillow behind his back.

Sucking his teeth, "I'm not concerned with appealing to the likes of a peasant woman."

Sighing, "Peasant woman or not, I'm sure you probably scare a lot of women away with that terrible personality of yours."

"I've been married before, girl."

Rolling her eyes, "Sounds like you're not anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if you told me your wife ran away."

The man growled at her causing her to burst into laughter.

"Oh my la! She did, didn't she?!" Katara cracked up at this realization.

"Wait till your husband leaves you! Then see who will be laughing then!" He barked at her.

Katara's laughter simmered down, "I'm not married actually."

Snorting, "Then who's that man that comes in here with you sometimes?"

Averting her eyes as she busied herself with cleaning up the room, "Just a friend."

"A friend?" The patient scoffed. "I've seen how he looks at you. You're not just friends."

Katara rolled her eyes and ignored the man. None of that was any of his business.

Eyeing the water woman and smirking, "Oh, I see. You're not interested, are you?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"What? You don't like men or something? Is that why my nudity doesn't affect you? You're one of those lesbians I hear about."

"Ha! Funny that you think I have to be a lesbian to not be affected by your nudity. Let's just say I'm not impressed." Katara told him.

Scoffing, "Not that I mean to impress you, peasant."

"Stop calling me that!"

"I'll call you what I want, girl. Get over it."

Katara glared at him, "My name is Katara! Just call me that!"

"Katara?" She saw the man suddenly look at her with a strange look on his face, like something had suddenly dawned on him.

"Yes, Katara." She repeated. "You know, the Avatar's waterbending instructor, savior of the world from the clutches of a psycho tyrant."

The patient eyed her with a bit more viciousness than he typically did. "So you're that girl that defeated m- the Fire Princess Azula?" His voice was laced with venom.

Nodding her head, "Yup, I'm that girl." Katara said it like it was no big deal. "Now, tell me your name so I don't feel tempted to call you an asshole."

"Just call me Kamishi."

Katara looked him over, "You don't look like a Kamishi."

Sucking his teeth, "Well that's my name."

"Alright, Kamishi, did you want anything to eat? It's almost noon and you haven't eaten anything."

Kamishi noticed the waterbender didn't wait for him to answer as she left the room. He was starting to feel like waiting around for her to finish healing him was not at all wise. She was the damn Avatar's water instructor. The bitch that defeated Azula. He didn't want to stick around for her to suddenly figure out who he really was because he was sure word would eventually travel of his escape. This little water bitch would no doubt figure something out when she heard the news. He had to get out of here. Soon.

When the waterbender returned with more food, Kamishi eyed her and then the tray.

"Is there nothing else to eat here?" Kamishi asked.

Katara tilted her head, "What? I figured you liked the sea prunes and arctic bass. You always eat it."

"Because that's all you bring." Kamishi sneered.

"I'll see about making you something else. So, don't fret." Katara told him.

The following day, Tonra came with her to oversee her patient, and apparently, Kamishi had a few questions to ask which made everyone uncomfortable. Katara never felt more embarrassed in her life. She didn't know what embarrassed her more, the questions that Kamishi asked or how Tonra answered them. Seemed Kamishi was enjoying getting her to squirm while Tonra was completely oblivious to what was really going on here. Not only did the Northern Tribesman confess to having feelings for her but he also stated his intentions to marry her once she stopped coming up with pointless excuses. It only got worse when Tonra let it slip about something very personal that she just knew her grandmother must have told the man about.

"I know she's still hung up over getting dumped by the Avatar and then by the new Fire Lord but I won't be like them. I truly want to marry this woman." Tonra shouted at the overly amused Fire Nation man.

Kamishi's eyes widened at the first part.

"Okay, well, I think you've said quite the mouthful if you ask me." Katara said as she had heard enough. "How about you let me deal with the patient myself. I don't need someone supervising me."

Tonra looked a little flustered at how unaffected Katara seemed to be by his confession and walked out with his head hanging in shame.

Katara sighed and grabbed a water bassin from the corner of the room and told her patient to lift his tunic. They needed to get another healing session in place if they wanted him completely healed in a month's time. As she gloved her hands in water and began treating his broken ribs, Katara noticed Kamishi eyeing her funny. She wanted to ask why he was looking at her but decided against it. However, it didn't stop him from telling her what his reason was for staring.

"So…not only did you have a thing with the Avatar but it sounds like you and the boy king had a fling too." Kamishi grinned at this revelation.

Snorting, "Aang and I never had a 'thing'. It was only one sided, on his part."

"And what of the boy king?" Kamishi lifted a brow.

Katara rolled her eyes, "That was different. I don't want to talk about it."

Kamishi eyed her funny. He was curious more than ever about the girl. She wasn't typical in any sense and now, he was discovering she had some sort of relationship with his son, Zuko. What the hell went on between the two of them? Kamishi felt he should be very wary of this girl. Not only was she skilled enough to take down Azula but she was likely in close proximity to his son. If she even found a little evidence about who he was, he'd be doomed to a worse fate than a life in prison.

As the waterbender left the room for something, Kamishi sat up and winced a little as he threw his legs over the side of the bed. He braced himself a bit as he stood to his feet and carefully took a step forward to see if he was still steady on his feet. When he seemed to have his balance together, Kamishi grabbed the fur blanket and threw it around himself before peeking out of the room before making his way to leave. When he saw the coast was clear, Kamishi hurried his way to find an exit as soon as he found it, the Fire Nation man ushered himself out into the freezing cold. It was harsh and he questioned how these people were able to live in this cruel climate.

"Kamishi, you're up?!" He heard the voice of the waterbender.

Looking over his shoulder at her, "Yeah, well…I'm tired of being in bed all day." He came up with it on the spot.

Katara sighed, "I'll try to bring you out of the room more but it's winter here and you shouldn't be outside like this."

"Katara," A healer called out to the waterbender and the two looked at her. "Why not take him to your home instead? Don't you all have a spare room he can stay in since your grandmother returned North last week? It'll allow us to free up his room."

Katara looked between the healer and her patient. She saw Kamishi didn't like the idea of this as much as she did. However, the healer was right. The room he was in could have five other patients in there but because he was in there, no one else wanted to be in the same space as him. Clenching her fists as she forced a strained smile.

"What a great idea." Katara wanted to rip her own hair out. "It would be much easier to treat him at home. That way I can get back to teaching my students during the milder days."

The healer smiled and rushed to Kamishi's room to gather his things, tossing them into Katara's arms. "Thank you so much, Katara!" She said all too happily.

Turning to see Kamishi eye her funny, "You sure you're that same waterbender that defeated Princess Azula?" He asked her.

Rolling her eyes, Katara told him to follow her as she began treading through the snow and headed to her home. She called for her father and no one responded, telling her he was at town hall discussing important matters with fellow tribesmen.

As the two headed upstairs to the guest room, it started to dawn on Katara that Kamishi's room would be across from hers. She sighed and told herself it would be no big issue. Kamishi didn't seem like the type to want to be bothered or bother with others for the most part unless he had to. So it should be fine.

"This will be your room." Katara told him.

Kamishi glanced over his shoulder, "I assume your room is the one right there." Pointing at the door across from his room.

"Yes," She replied.

Eyeing the short little waterbender, "You do understand I'm mostly healed. I don't require your medical attention. Can I leave already?"

Katara snorted a chuckle, "As much as I'd like for you to leave, Kamishi, this is winter. You'll be stuck here until the season changes."

"And you're only now telling me this?" He raised a suspicious brow.

"It only just dawned on me."

"Oh I'm sure." Kamishi hissed under his breath calling her a stupid peasant.

Having heard this, Katara bent a ball of ice to hit him in the head and chuckled when he stumbled backwards. She heard the man growl and turn a piercing gaze on her that caught her off guard. In an instance, she was frozen stiff as he turned around and towered over her. Before she knew it, his hand thrusted out to her and pinned her to the wall by her throat. Their eyes were locked on one another's and Katara saw Kamishi's eyes trickle from her gaze to look her over a little. When his gold eyes were back on her blue ones, Katara saw a sly grin form on his lips before he let go of her throat.

Kamishi couldn't help but smirk. Seeing her eyes light up with fear did something to him. Even more, he seemed to just be noticing that she was a very attractive girl. More to his liking than he wanted to admit. She was cute. More than that really but he didn't want to fawn over this peasant girl too much. He'd blame his time in prison for why he was suddenly caught off guard by her appearance.

Grinning, "You're cute."

"Cute?!" Katara was suddenly horrified by this.

Nodding his head, "For a peasant, you're rather attractive. I'll give you that much." He said before an impassive expression washed over his elegant features. "Don't make me ruin your pretty little face, Katara."

Katara could see he was not kidding or simply threatening her. It sounded like he really meant what he said. She swallowed hard, realizing she might have gotten in over her head with this man. He wasn't the typical kind of Fire Nation jerk she had gotten used to. He felt more dangerous and someone she needed to be very wary of. However, she wasn't about to let him believe he could intimidate her like she wouldn't stand her ground with him if needed.

Shoving her finger into his chest, "I'm not scared of you, asshole!"

"Are you not?" Kamishi dropped his gaze to the lock of hair he saw resting on her chest and took it around his finger. "You should be."

Slapping her hair from his hand, "Like hell!"

Kamishi smirked, "Oh, you are entirely too lucky to not have met me before now. I would have ruined you, girl. In more than one way."

Katara's expression froze as a light tint of red brushed across her features.

Taking her chin in hand, "You have no idea what I would have done to you. Just thinking about it is turning me on."

Kamishi felt her shiver as her bashful eyes avoided his gaze. Oh, she was entirely too cute. Far too cute for a peasant. He licked his lips and saw her eyes widen as he leaned forward. Just when he thought he'd be able to strike more fear into her with his gesture, he felt her hand smack dead into his face, causing him to stumble backwards. He touched his face and eyed her viciously, about to give her a piece of his mind. However, Katara didn't look like she was one bit afraid. More like she was irritated.

"Fucking Pervert! Keep your hands to yourself or I will put you out in the snow for the night where you will freeze to death!" Katara shouted at him.

Growling, "Pervert?!"

"I'm not interested, buster!" Katara stabbed her finger in his chest. "You better keep your hands and other body parts to yourself! Or you'll have a lot more than a messed up rib!"

Kamishi glared at her, wanting to curse her to high hell but decided against it. This girl was not typical by any means. Plus, if she was really who she said she was, then she was not to be trifled with. He needed to not spark her anger and insight her wrath. It was probably best he tried to get on her good side. She had ties to his son somehow and he worried how easy it might be for her to communicate with Zuko.

Sighing as he made up in his mind that he needed to play his cards right with this girl, Kamishi averted his eyes from her and apologized. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"Then what did you mean?" Katara folded her arms.

Letting his gaze fall back on her, "Nothing to concern yourself over. I appreciate you not leaving me to freeze outdoors and seeing to my recovery." Kamishi made a slight bow in her direction.

Sighing as she rolled her eyes at the very Fire Nation way he showed his appreciation, "I'll overlook it since I'm somewhat flattered but seriously, don't get any ideas."

"I won't." Kamishi told her.

Katara decided to move on from the unsavory conversation to discuss the rules of the house along with showing him where the bathroom was and handing him an extra fur quilt to sleep with. She even told him what times she'd be cooking and let him know if he needed anything to come to her.

Eyeing the girl funny, "And what of my healing?"

"I will continue to work on completely restoring you and as soon as the season calls for it, I'll make sure the next ship to wherever you're trying to go takes you on your way." Katara assured him.

Kamishi appreciated this as the girl seemed to be straight to the point about things. She didn't want any conflict between them and would aid in seeing him off. Maybe she wasn't as much of a problem as he perceived her to be. Nothing like the stories of her being a pest that he recalled during his time on the throne. Seemed his sages skipped over the fact that she was easy on the eyes. He would have had Azula capture her if he had known.

"Thank you…Katara." He told her and gave a small grin.

"You're welc-" Katara paused as she saw the way he looked at her and her face flushed. "You're welcome."

As Kamishi shut his door behind him, Katara sighed and shivered a little. That guy is going to cause me so much trouble, I just know it. She mentally groaned.

When Katara's father returned home from his day working at town hall, Katara told him about their guest and how he'd be staying with them. Hakoda didn't seem to have a problem with this so long as his daughter didn't have any trouble with the man.

The following day, Katara had gone to the bathroom to bathe and ready herself for the day as she needed to get back to her students. As she was leaving out in her towel, she saw Kamishi at the door leaning against it. She yelped and backed up, hitting her back against the wall in the bathroom.

"I thought you waterbenders got up later in the day." Kamishi said as he eyed her.

Katara held her towel tight, "That's only on mornings after a full moon." She told him. "But do you mind turning your head? I need to get by."

Kamishi suddenly noticed she was not exactly dressed. He turned his back to give her privacy and heard her scurry off to her room, slamming the door. He smirked at this.

Later, Katara was about to leave to go teach her students when she saw Kamishi coming down the stairs in a coat.

"Mind if I tag along?" Kamishi asked her.

Eyeing him, Katara saw his long black hair was pulled back into a high ponytail and he was wearing the parka she got him. "You're still healing. You don't need to be out in the cold until you've fully recovered."

"Then I'll die of boredom." Kamishi told her as he wore an expression that told her he wasn't taking 'no' for an answer.

Rolling her eyes, "I don't care at this point." Katara huffed while putting on her mittens.

Kamishi came up beside her and began putting on his boots. While he laced them up, Katara pulled out an extra pair of mittens and handed them to him. When they were both ready to leave, Hakoda came down the stairs and saw they were about to leave.

"Sweetheart, heading out so soon?" Hakoda said as he walked up to them. "And shouldn't you introduce me to your friend?"

Katara turned to her father and exchanged looks with Kamishi, "This is Kamishi. My patient I've been working to recover."

"Looks plenty recovered to me." Hakoda said in a pleasant tone as he looked at the man and stuck his hand out to the Fire Nation man. "I'm Hakoda. Nice to meet you."

Katara watched Kamishi raise a brow at his gesture. "Dad, they don't shake hands where he's from."

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that." Hakoda chuckled. "Where are you two headed off to?"

The waterbender told her father about her plans to go teach the students today since the weather was mild and that Kamishi wanted to tag along out of boredom. Hakoda chuckled at this and told them to not have too much fun. In a flustered fit, Katara took Kamishi's wrist and pulled him out the front door with her. Once they were outside, the waterbender sighed and glanced over at Kamishi.

"Your father seems like a friendly man." The Fire Nation man commented.

Tossing her fishtail braid over her shoulder, "What makes you say that?"

"If I saw some strange foreign man around my daughter, I'd kill him." Kamishi told her.

Katara folded her arms, "Not everyone is a murderer."

"Sure but no one would simply allow a strange man around their daughter either."

Katara shrugged and let her arms down at her side, "Well…he knows I can handle any problems that might occur."

Kamishi wasn't buying it. Something was weird about her father.

"So do you have a daughter?" Katara asked him.

Kamishi nodded. "She's about your age." He told her.

"Went with her mother in the divorce, I assume." Katara said as she started walking towards her destination.

Glaring at her, "No, I raised my children without their runaway of a mother."

Katara snorted, "How noble."

Kamishi sucked his teeth as he buried his hands in his pockets and followed her, "I doubt you'll ever know motherhood with your poor attitude and smart ass mouth."

"Not like you should care." Katara scoffed.

"Well, you should. Isn't that something you girls want so badly for? To be wives and mothers."

Katara paused and turned around to look at Kamishi. "I don't want what other girls want. I just want what I want."

"And that is?" Kamishi asked with a hint of curiosity.

Sighing and looking around the bustling village she grew up in and had watched grow into so much more. "I want to leave this place. Explore the world like I did before. Only now, I don't have friends to do that with and everyone, including my father, wants me to settle down."

Kamishi eyed her funny. She was a strange girl. Figured he could make good of his current situation of being stuck here till the winter season passed by having her entertain him a little. Maybe he could even manipulate her into something more to his pleasure if he got that far with her but honestly, he just didn't want to be left alone for a moment more. After suffering in a silent cage for six years at the hand of his no-good son, Kamishi, or rather Ozai, didn't want to be left to his own devices. He'd get some sort of fulfillment out of this pretty little water girl. Whether that was to have her continue to peak his curiosity or something more. The winter season would take about three more months from what this girl told him. A lot could happen in three months.

…

Three weeks passed by and Tonra had to say, he didn't like it. Not only had he seen that Kamishi guy around Katara most of the time while she was out but the Chieftain seemed to like the Fire Nation man. He wanted to know what the hell was going on. Everyone knew Katara was his to pursue. It was common knowledge which is why everyone backed off of her for the most part. He had been a captain in the Northern Army and received high praise from both the Southern and Northern Chieftain. Typically, Chieftain Hakoda asked him about how things were going as far as his move on Katara as the older man seemed to want his daughter to settle down with him but lately, he was too busy talking about Kamishi.

Apparently, the Fire Nation man helped Katara keep the kids in line by scaring them into listening. He wasn't a kind or friendly man. Rude and cold, really. But somehow, he managed to have Katara soften up to him. Tonra didn't like this at all and decided he'd have to make more distinct advances on her for her to know his true intentions. He wasn't letting some Fire Nation asshole come and swoon her away from him.

Spotting Katara in the marketplace buying ingredients for supper with Kamishi holding her bags, Tonra decided he'd have to make an advance on her even with Kamishi there as the man didn't seem to back off.

"I don't know, Kamishi. I've never made dumpling soup but I'll give it a try." Katara told him.

Ozai simply pointed at what she'd need to buy for tonight's dinner, "You said the same about the five spice soup the other night and it turned out to taste just like I remember from youth."

Giggling, "Really? Well, I'm glad you like my cooking."

"You'll make an excellent wife someday." He told her. "If only you'd settle down."

Katara laughed and scratched her temple, "Yeah, well, once the right man comes along, I'll give it thought."

"Stubborn as you are, I doubt it." Ozai scoffed.

As the two continued shopping for food, they were interrupted by Tonra approaching them and Kamishi seemed immediately annoyed. He really didn't like this guy. The man clearly had it out for this girl and she couldn't be bothered to acknowledge the poor guy. He should just get a clue and leave well enough alone.

"Hey, Katara, I've been meaning to ask you something." Tonra said as he stood in front of the young tribeswoman.

Ozai rolled his eyes, what could you possibly have to ask?

"What is it?"

Tonra glanced at Kamishi, "I want to have dinner with you tonight. Just the two of us."

Katara stared at him awkwardly and then bashfully averted her eyes. "Tonra, I-"

"Please, Katara, just give me a chance. I promise you won't regret it."

Trying to worm her way out of it, "But I have plans to make Kamishi some Fire dumplings tonight. See, I'm already buying the ingredients."

Tonra looked from her to Kamishi with a hint of disdain. Ozai noticed this and tried not to smirk but failed.

"What's so special about him that you cook for him but can't have dinner with me?" Tonra asked.

Katara sighed, "Tonra, I-"

"You can always make them tomorrow." Kamishi spoke up. "Agree to have dinner with the man. He shouldn't have to beg, you stubborn woman."

Katara turned and narrowed her eyes at the Fire Nation man, "Kamishi, don't-"

"She'd love to have dinner with you tonight. I'll see to it she goes." Kamishi said.

Tonra was a little confused but wouldn't question it. Seemed Kamishi wasn't interested in her since he was urging her to have dinner with another man. That or he was playing at something else. Whatever it was, Tonra would accept it as it would only bring him closer to Katara and that's all he cared about.

Returning home, Katara tossed their groceries on the table in the kitchen and turned to eye Kamishi venomously as he smirked at her.

"Kamishi, how old are you?"

"Old enough to be your father." He snorted humorously.

Sighing as she bit back something she wanted to say and decided to proceed with her point, "Why would you push for me to go on a date with that man? That was childlike what you just did."

Shrugging, Ozai just liked stirring up trouble sometimes. It was one of many flaws he didn't outgrow as he got older and this girl was too entertaining for him not to get her into uncomfortable situations. Plus, he felt like making her suffer a little bit for being such a pain in his ass all the time. The girl mothered the hell out of him. Constantly on his case about every little thing. She didn't want him out of her sight. Didn't let him wear his hair like he wanted and braided it into a fishtail like hers. She didn't want him doing anything that would reinjury his ribs and made him feel like a fucking child half the time. He was literally the same age as her father. If she was going to patronize him, he'd get even. He always did.

"Kamishi, seriously, why would you-"

"Take my word when I say there's nothing worse than being my age and having no one." Ozai told her in a more serious tone. "As a woman, your youth and beauty is what will secure you a husband and a family for when you're old and brittle. Don't waste it chasing petty dreams."

Katara glared at him, "Cheap shit coming from a man whose wife left him."

Grinning at her as he took a seat at the kitchen table while she put away her groceries, "I'm a man. Things are a little different for us."

"How so?"

Ozai's eyes looked her up and down, "I'm nearly fifty years of age and even you say I'm handsome. Can the same be said about a woman once she's peeked in age?"

Scoffing as she placed the jars of imported fruit into the cabinet , "I said you would be handsome if you stopped with that 'kill me now' look. Besides, you've implied you have no one just now. So, good looking as you might think you are, your looks haven't made you any less lonely. Maybe it's your personality since you're a fucking asshole."

Ozai snorted a laugh, "Does your father not know how foul his daughter's mouth is?"

Katara rolled her eyes. She didn't have time for Kamishi teasing her. She didn't know why he was suddenly so playful with her. When she had first met him, he was such a racist prick but then, living with him these last three weeks, they began getting along. Now, it felt like she could almost call this middle-age racist man a friend.

Sighing to herself, Katara bashed that thought from her head, he'd be leaving in a little over two months from now. No need for her to get attached and when she would likely never see him again. Kind of upset her to know he'd be gone eventually and then she'd feel all alone here again.

"Shut up." Katara cut her eyes at him as he continued his laughter.

Simmering down from his laughter, Ozai wiped a small tear away. "I swear you're the first woman to talk to me like this. I must say it's charming."

Katara raised a brow, "What kind of hot shot were you for women to not tell you the truth about you being an asshole?"

Ozai smirked at her, "Don't worry about who I am, sweetheart. You probably wouldn't like it."

"Refine facial features, hands far less callous than those of the lower class, gold eyes that I know for a fact belong to only firebenders, and possesses racist ideologies. I know already." Katara said as she placed her hands on her hips and smirked at Kamishi as he furrowed his brows at her. "You forget who I am. I practically lived in the Fire Nation for a few months during the war and then for a year afterwards. I know all about you."

Standing to his feet, Ozai narrowed his eyes at her and stepped towards her. "Do you, now? Tell me, girl, who am I?"

Katara turned her back to him to finish putting her groceries away, not knowing the man behind her was about to jab her in her pressure points to disable her as he continued creeping up on her from behind.

"You're one of those noblemen that rebelled against Zuko the first year of his reign. Your bending was taken by Aang and you somehow managed to escape." Katara tilted her head to the side as she continued with what she was doing. "But don't worry. I haven't told anyone this. Despite you being a dick, I always did think it was a harsh fate nobles like you endured. How could you all so easily conform to a new way of things after a hundred years of thinking something different." Sighing as she turned around to see him towering over her, the waterbender smiled up at him as he eyed her cautiously. "Wherever you go is up to you when the spring comes and none of my business."

Ozai eyed this girl strangely as he couldn't believe that while she didn't know exactly who he was, she knew enough to know he was her enemy not long ago but was willing to turn a blind eye to him and his past transgressions. Oh, he liked her. Liked her a little too much.

As he continued to tower over her, he noticed she just realized how close he was to her and her face turned a tent red. He wanted to smirk but instead placed his hand on the side of her face to cup it gently. She shivered under his touch and just as he was about to lean down to kiss her slightly parted lips. However, just as he was about to do this, the two heard a throat clear and immediately pulled apart from each other.

Katara saw with wide eyes that it was her father, who clearly just saw them and was eyeing the two of them in curiosity, averting her eyes from both of them. "Kamishi, can you go get some firewood from outside?"

The man didn't hesitate and left immediately.

As soon as he was gone, Hakoda approached his daughter and chuckled awkwardly. "What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Well, it didn't look like nothing." Hakoda scoffed. "You two aren't involved, are you?"

"No! We're n-"

"I mean, if you were, I don't exactly have a problem with it. At least you're showing interest in a man." Hakoda said as he chuckled again.

Katara's eyes widened. "Dad!"

"What? I like him. He's my age, sure, but I think if things worked out in that way then I would be content." Hakoda explained.

Katara couldn't believe this. Was her father so desperate for her to settle down that he didn't seem to care that Kamishi was his age and Fire Nation?

When Ozai returned with firewood, Hakoda grinned at the man and asked him the same question causing Katara to die of embarrassment.

Setting the firewood down, "No, nothing is going on between us." He answered. "Besides, Katara has a date with Tonra. Dinner tonight."

Hakoda's eyes lit up. "Is this true, Katara?!"

Katara wanted to slap Kamishi so badly as he grinned at her.

"Sort of." Katara mumbled. "But it's not a date. Just dinner."

Tonra was all too happy to see she had shown up. However, dinner didn't go the way he wanted and Katara felt awful about it but she needed to be honest. She made it clear that she was not interested in settling down any time soon and that it was in his best interest to move on. Katara then returned home to see everyone was in their rooms for the night. Going upstairs to her room, the waterbender was about to head inside but glanced over at Kamishi's door. She sighed and went to bang on it as she had something really important she wanted to ask him.

The door opened wide and she saw a shirtless Kamishi had answered with a grin on his face, folding his arms as he leaned against the doorway. "How'd it go?"

Katara furrowed her brows, "I told him I wasn't interested but that's not why I am here. I wanted to ask you what you thought you were doing earlier in the kitchen?"

"What do you think I was trying to do?" Kamishi asked her.

Growling, "Seriously! What was th-"

Before she could finish, Kamish grabbed her and pushed her up against her bedroom door, smashing his lips to hers. Katara's eyes were widened at this. She remained stiff for a moment due to her shock but it didn't take much before she found herself kissing him back. The waterbender threw her arms up around his neck and moved her lips sensually against his as he pressed her harder into the door. Just as his hand cupped the side of her face, Katara felt him snake his tongue between her parted lips causing a small moan to escape her. She could taste the arctic ale he must have drank for dinner along with some sort of spice. He smelled of sandalwood bitten by the frosty air of the South Pole and it intoxicated her, reminding her of someone else's scent.

To Katara's disappointment, Kamishi broke their kiss and pecked her cheek. He pulled away from her and saw her face was flushed but there was a look in her eyes he hadn't seen for some time.

"You're not a virgin, are you?"

Katara's eyes widened.

"That's the real reason you don't want to settle down. You're afraid it'll be found out and that you'll be shamed for it." Kamishi smirked as he figured it out. "Dying alone isn't worth a moment of shame, girl. I'm just curious to know who the lucky guy was."

Ozai had to say, he was caught off guard by Katara slapping him across the face but then again, he wasn't that surprised. He did just call into question her virtue, something women took very seriously.

"You bastard!" Katara shouted at him before opening her room door and slamming it in his face.

The following morning, Hakoda went into the kitchen for breakfast and saw Kamishi had a deep red handprint on his face while his daughter was doing some angry cooking that he remembered her mother would do whenever she was angry at him. This caused the Chieftain to chuckle to himself a little. You two aren't fooling me.

"Morning, dad." Katara said as she brought his plate to him and placed it in front of him.

Hakoda smiled as his daughter kissed his cheek and walked back to get Kamishi's plate, slamming it down in front of him causing the man to flinch out of his thoughts.

"So, did I miss something?" Hakoda asked as he began eating.

"Nope." Katara stated in a fake pleasant tone.

Hakoda glanced over at Kamishi, who was glaring at Katara as she took a seat opposite to him and began eating. "You sure?"

"Yup." She said shortly.

Breakfast was quiet and Hakoda could tell something happened between them from how they were both acting. He decided to leave it alone and let things work out. As he left to head to town hall, Hakoda wished them well for the day.

When her father was gone, Katara snapped her eyes to Kamishi and saw him glaring at her too.

"What gives you the idea I'm not a virgin, Kamishi?" Katara glared at him.

"I just have a feeling." He told her.

"Well, keep it to yourself." Katara said coldly. "It's no one's business but mine."

Ozai couldn't help but grin at this, "So I was right?"

"Yes but that's not why I don't want to marry. If I found someone I was really interested in, I'd let them know the truth before they married me." Katara averted her eyes. "It was a mistake and I really would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone else."

Ozai raised a brow. Truly curious about who the man was that she slept with but didn't want to pry. She'd just snap at him and shut down and he would rather that not happen. There were more interesting topics for them to discuss. Like that kiss last night. She kissed him back.

Katara noticed Kamishi staring at her with a sudden grin on his face. "What?"

"So, that's the only thing you're mad about from last night. Not that I kis-"

"Shush! I don't want to talk about it!" Katara glared at him.

"Very well, Katara, but eventually, we'll need to discuss it."

Lessons with her students were difficult as she couldn't seem to focus. Not that that was her fault. Kamishi had followed her and the kids were no different from her father, making speculations about them. One student asked if they were going to get married one day. Katara really hated how fast things moved in the South Pole. It was totally normal for someone to marry someone they barely knew as marriage was oftentimes a survival tactic here but she didn't want things to go that way. She didn't need to marry for survival. Marriage for her would be something else entirely.

"Sifu Katara, can we take a break?" one of the kids asked.

Katara shook her head, "Not till you all get this basic stance down."

"Let the kids rest." Kamishi spoke up and walked over to her and leaned towards her ear. "Besides, that's not a water stance."

Katara furrowed her brows at him, "It is too! What would you know?!"

"That's a fire stance." Kamishi glanced at how her feet were positioned. "And it's not a basic one, either."

Katara fell out of the stance and flushed as she told the kids to take a break and to meet back up in an hour. As the kids left, the waterbender sighed and took a seat on the snowy steps of the area they did their training in. Kamishi sat beside her.

"No wonder me being Fire Nation doesn't bother you. You were involved with a firebender, weren't you? A master one too." Ozai narrowed his eyes on her. "Was it-"

Katara pouted as she stared off in space, "We were young and stupid. I let my emotions get the better of me. The Fire Sages were never going to accept a waterbender like me as Fire Lady. But I was hopeful." Sighing as she hung her head. "I ended things even though he wanted to keep fighting them. I just feared Zuko wasn't thinking clearly. The nation was already mostly against him. It would only make things worse if I stood by his side."

Ozai only stared at her as he was surprised to learn how serious her relationship with his son turned out to be.

"He got married last year to his girlfriend before me. I went to show my support." Katara shut her eyes as tears began to fall. "I didn't think it would hurt so much to watch after it had already been years since we ended things. And Zuko, he spoke to me like we had only ever been friends. Like what happened never happened."

Sighing at the story, Ozai placed his hand on her back and rubbed it. "You did the right thing."

"What?" She looked over at him with her teary eyes.

"Assassins would never stop coming after you, him, and whatever product might have come out of your marriage. It would have been a tragic turn of events." He told her. "You did the right thing."

Sniffling, Katara nodded. "Maybe in another life, huh?"

"Perhaps." Ozai had to say, seeing her cry bothered him. It dimmed the light and spark in her sapphire eyes. He didn't like that.

Wiping her eyes, "That's why I kissed you back. You remind me of him somehow."

Of course, I do. Ozai mentally rolled his eyes. He never thought his son looked like him until he saw him shortly before escaping and he had to say, if it wasn't for Zuko's scar, they'd look almost identical.

"I'm sorry for that." Katara furrowed her brows somberly at him.

"No need." Kamishi shrugged. "Doesn't matter what you were thinking in your head. I enjoyed it nonetheless."

Managing to giggle a little, "I will admit, I'm surprised that you kissed me. I thought you didn't like my 'kind'."

Ozai wanted to tell her that sort of thing didn't really bother him. He just repeated the rhetoric that everyone else in the Fire Nation would probably say to her. He didn't necessarily buy into it. However, he wasn't going to say that. In the end, he wasn't the type to comfort a girl her age over some petty romance she had with his imbecile son. Truly, the boy was even more of an imbecile than he thought now that he knew the story behind his son and this waterbender. If he were his son, he'd offer her a position as consort at the very least. She was pretty enough to be in a Fire Lord's lap as a pet. Just not the right nationality to be at his side as a wife. He'd give his son a point for getting this water girl under him.

As class went on, Ozai watched the waterbender teach her class full of hyperactive children and manage to handle the class all on her own. Every now and then, he gave the kids an evil stare when Katara struggled to get them all in order and they'd all fearfully fall back into line. When her lessons ended for the day, Katara patted each one on the head as they left and spoke with a few of their parents. Once she was ready to leave, Ozai got up and went to her side. The first thing he noticed was that they had someone tailing behind them and he didn't have to take a wild guess at who it was.

"Katara!" The two paused as they heard someone running up to them in the snow.

When will this man get a clue? Ozai wondered to himself as he saw Tonra approach Katara.

Sighing as she turned to Tonra, "Yes, Tonra?" She tried not to sound snippy.

"Katara, I know you said last night that you didn't want to settle down and that's fine but I must know why? Does it have to do with him?" Tonra asked as he stopped and looked over at Kamishi.

Katara felt a little embarrassed as a crowd suddenly looked around to see what was going on. This would be just my luck.

"I know you and the new Fire Lord were involved for some time and you haven't moved on. But I feel like you're only interested in Kamishi because he might share some resemblance to your former lover." Tonra tried telling her. "You should move past him and allow yourself to be with someone who you could have a good future with. I can give you that. Please, give me a chance."

Seeing the crowd all stare at her as if awaiting her answer, Katara wanted so badly to run and hide. However, it seemed she had some back up.

"The fact that you think that her former relationship is the reason she doesn't want to settle down tells me that you really don't know her all too well." Kamishi spat with folded arms over his chest. "No wonder she's not interested in you. You make your own assumptions and refuse to hear her reason for why."

Tonra snapped his eyes to Kamishi and narrowed them. He didn't know why this bastard had so much to say about him trying to win over Katara. Was he trying to take her from him?

Katara saw Kamishi come up by her side and take her hand before pulling her off with him.

"We don't have time for this shit, Katara." He grumbled.

The waterbender glanced at where Kamishi's hand held to hers and her face flushed as he tugged her behind him through the crowd. When they were home, Katara saw Kamishi let go of her hand and make his way up the stairs to his room. She heard the door slam and sighed.

A Month Later….

Katara had to say, Kamishi was quite the man and she wasn't the only one to think so. Half the single women in the village would agree. He was tall, incredibly handsome, and mysterious. Young women like her found that sort of thing attractive, even if she liked to not believe it. But it was hard for her not to look at Kamishi in that light, especially when he kissed her like he always did. They made out on several occasions and he even touched her in places she had never been touched. It aroused her and she hated to admit it but she wished he would just follow through on what he actually wanted. It sexually frustrated her whenever he toyed with her. But he would toy with her no more. She was done playing games.

Ozai heard a knock at his door and went to see it was Katara holding a tray of what looked like dumplings.

"I don't know if I did them right but hopefully, you could tell me." Katara held the tray of dumplings to him.

Pushing his door open, Ozai let the waterbender bring it into his room before shutting the door behind her and following her to the low table in front of his bed. As he sat on the floor beside her, it was hard for him to not notice she wasn't wearing her typical indoor clothes but something that he figured she might wear to sleep. It was a loosely fitted white gown and he could see her hardened nipples through the material. Not only that but her shapely figure was also apparent from the gown. He wondered why she'd wear something like this around him.

Picking up a dumpling with her fingers, Katara lifted it up to Kamishi's lips and told him to open up. He gave her a weird look but did as she told him to. When she watched him bite the dumpling from her fingers, she giggled a little and he narrowed his eyes on her.

"How's it taste?" She asked him in a tone laced with honey.

Ozai eyed her dangerously, "Exactly like it should."

Katara grinned up at him, "So you like them?"

Ozai didn't say a word as he watched her pick up another dumpling to offer him. He slapped it out of her hand and quickly snatched her wrists, pushing her down on the floor, pinning her underneath him. He looked her over and then trained his gold eyes on her blue orbs.

"What'd you come in here for?" Ozai asked her. "You're dressed for bed."

Staring up at him with a soft but startled expression, "To give you the dump-"

"Don't play coy with me, girl!" Ozai hissed. "You came here to seduce me, didn't you?!"

Katara bashfully looked away from him, "No, I just wanted to-"

"To what?"

Allowing her eyes to return to his, "Ask if you wanted to….you know? Since you know I'm not a-"

Ozai let go of her wrists and got off of her, turning his back to her. He had his eyes shut as he tried focusing on his self-control. This was not something he had expected. He thought it would be his move to come onto her but as of late, he didn't have the same desire as before. Toying and teasing this girl was one thing but leading her on wasn't something he wanted to do. Ozai had plans when he left here. He was going to find a way to get his bending back and make his son pay for what he did to him. Truthfully, he didn't want to drag this girl down into the muck with him. It wouldn't end well for her. However, it was hard to just let a moment like this go by.

Turning back to see the waterbender sitting on the floor looking at him with want, Ozai furrowed his brows and decided he wasn't going to refuse the girl. If she wanted him, regardless of the reason, he'd fuck her. But only if she knew what she was getting herself into.

"I'm still leaving here in the spring, girl. You do understand that, right?" Ozai asked her.

Katara nodded.

"And this sits well with you?"

Katara nodded her head.

Ozai grinned, "Very well, girl. Remove your clothes."

Ozai leaned back on his hands and watched as the waterbender undid her fishtail braid before removing her nightgown. When her naked body was in full view and her hair cascaded over her shoulders, he had to say she was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous. This was going to be one hell of a night for him.

"Go lay yourself on the bed." He told her as he stood to his feet and pulled at the tunic he was wearing, yanking it from over his head.

Katara laid on the bed propped up on her elbows as she watched Kamishi remove his clothes and unbind his hair. When he was equally naked as her, her eyes traveled from his chiseled torso down to the rest of him and she would admit she worried about his size. Was this going to hurt? As he walked up to the bed and climbed in over her, the waterbender laid flat on her back.

"You sure about this, girl?"

Nodding her head, Katara placed her hands on his bare chest and slid them up around his neck. "I am."

Those would be words she'd come to regret as Kamishi had her crying out into her pillow. She tried to keep her voice down but it felt impossible. This was more than she expected from him and he was unrelenting. Even so, it turned her on. Hearing him above her, groaning and hissing through his teeth as he fucked her. He was clearly enjoying himself. When he grabbed her hair and yanked her head back, Katara gasped and moaned loudly as he fucked her even harder.

"You like that, girl?" Ozai asked her as he thrusted deep into her.

Gasping for air, Katara whined that he was hurting her but this did little to stop him from fucking her harder from behind. He simply moved his hand down to her clit and rubbed it as he continued his brutal fucking. This seemed to cause the waterbender to get wetter as she was finally enjoying this herself. It was just what she needed for her to loosen up a little and not grip him so deathly tight. The two moved against each other in a heated fit of lust.

Saddling herself on top of Kamishi, he held her to him and the two grinded into each other. Katara cupped his face as they shared a sensual kiss, drinking each other in with a feverish desire. His mouth went to her neck and sucked on it as she raked her fingers through his hair. She was then rolled onto her back and fucked with an abandon she was unfamiliar with.

"Kamishi!" She cried out.

Pulling out of her, Ozai shot his load on her breasts and panted as he slumped off her. "My ribs hurt." He chuckled as he rolled on his back and held his side.

Katara giggled as she turned on her side facing him, "I can fix that if you want to go again, do ya?"

Ozai smirked at her, "How about you fix me up and then ride me?"

Smirking back at him, "I can do that."

"Good girl."

In the morning, Ozai woke to a knock on the door and was about to ignore it when suddenly he noticed the waterbender in his bed with her naked body curled around him. Shit. He didn't realize she fell asleep in his room. Shaking her awake, he saw her stir and open her eyes to smile up at him. He pulled his finger to his lip just as the knock came again and hushed her from speaking a word. Katara giggled and nodded as she slid out of bed to hide while he went to answer the door.

"Kamish, have you seen my d-" Hakoda paused as he saw the man was naked and didn't seem to care. "Ummm….my daughter, have you seen her this morning? She's not in her room." His gaze remained out the man's amber eyes.

Scratching his head, "No but I heard some feet go down the stairs."

Hakoda nodded and turned to leave, "Thanks. He replied awkwardly before leaving.

Shutting and locking the door, Ozai turned to see the chieftain's pretty little daughter make her way back to his bed and lay herself in it. "You're going back to bed?" He asked her as it seemed she was not bothered that her father was looking for her.

"It'll take him all morning to find me and when he does, it'll be after his duties at town hall. I'm not worried about him finding me here. The last place he'd think to look is in your bed." Katara yawned and wiggled her butt.

Smirking as he climbed into bed and ran his hand along her plump ass, "Could I propose we spend the time before he returns in here?"

"You could but what would we do?" Katara smirked back at him.

Gripping her ass in his hand, "Exactly what we did last night. It's been a while for me and I'm not so easily sated."

Katara rolled on her back as he climbed on top of her, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Well, you're in luck. I'm not satisfied so easily either."

…..

Tonra didn't know what it was but Katara and Kamishi had seemed even closer than before. She was always holding onto his arm and giggling at the man as he'd whisper in her ear. Something was up and he'd get to the bottom of it.

"Fire plum peaches?" Katara raised a brow at the fruit as Kamishi held it to her.

Nodding his head, "It makes a man's 'essence' taste more satisfactory to their partner."

Katara blushed, "Really?"

"Want to try it?" Kamishi raised a brow at her.

Katara was all for it. Their sexual chemistry was unbelievable and she had never felt so turned on by a person. Even Zuko. Even so, they still hadn't done much outside the realm of traditional intercourse. At least that was the case for now. Tonight, she wanted to try out oral with him. She had done it a few times with Zuko and she never heard any complaints from him.

Nodding her head to his question, Katara watched Kamishi smirk at her and she bought some of the fruit. Kamishi took one and bit into it as his gold eyes were trained on her.

Snickering, "Eager are we?"

"For you, always." Ozai told her.

This girl knew how to satisfy and he didn't doubt she would show him a good time tonight. Just thinking about those lips around his hardened member got him worked up. What was he going to do when he left here? Left her? Not only was she good in bed but she was a catch all around. She cooked, cleaned, looked after children, and had a gentle touch with everything she did. He didn't doubt that in time someone would snag her up. And while he told himself he shouldn't care as he had other priorities, he had to admit to himself that he in fact did care to some extent.

As the two of them returned home, Kamishi kissed Katara on the lips after shoving her into the wall. Her arms snuck around his neck as she dropped their things and hopped into his arms. Little did either know they were being watched from the frosted windows.

Tonra's eyes widened at this. He couldn't believe it. He watched as they pulled at one another's clothes in a fit of heated passion before Kamishi put the petite waterbender down. She then shoved him up against the wall and dropped to her knees before tugging at his pants.

Turning his gaze away, Tonra was speechless. They were acting closer because the two of them were fooling around. Katara was not a maiden. Not anymore. It shocked him. Maybe she wasn't a maiden even before now when she was with the Fire Lord. It would make sense. Especially for why she didn't want to marry him. She was afraid he'd find out but Tonra didn't care. She was a Southern woman, the rules were different for her people, and he could accept her past relationships if she allowed him to be her husband.

Having headed upstairs, Ozai hissed through his teeth as the waterbender had taken him completely into her mouth. He felt like he was in heaven. Never had a woman so skillfully worked her lips and tongue against his member, nearly about to extract every bit of his essence with each stroke. He gripped her hair and glanced down at her blue eyes as they gazed up at him lustfully.

"Fuck! I'm going to cum!" He clenched his teeth.

Katara gladly drank every drop and just like he said it tasted much better than what she was accustomed to. Ozai couldn't believe she was still sucking on him, trying to drink every bit of his seed from its sack. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he thanked Agni that he met this girl. She was an absolute freak.

Watching Kamishi pass out in his bed, Katara giggled and climbed into bed with him. She cuddled up next to him and drew circles in his chest with her finger.

"Winter ends in a week's time. Will I see you again?" Katara asked him.

Ozai opened his eyes and looked at the waterbender, "Do you want to?"

Katara nodded.

"Then you'll see me again." Ozai kissed her cheek. "Now. Come, sit on my face."

…

The week for Kamishi to leave was here and Katara realized she wasn't the only one to lament his departure. Apparently, he had plenty of admirers that had been eyeing him in the village. As Katara helped him carry some supplies with him to the docks, she knew she already missed him and would be alone once he was gone. The only thing giving her some consolation is that he said they'd meet again. She really hoped so. The sex was great and all but she had hoped more would come out of their relations with one another. Kamishi was definitely the kind of man she could see herself with in the future. She really did hope he came back for her.

"I'll write you and we can meet up somewhere." Kamishi told her.

Smiling at him, "You don't want to come back here?"

"No." He said flatly.

Giggling, "Kyoshi Island in 3 months?"

Ozai thought this over. Kyoshi Island was pretty close to where he would be meeting up with his associates.

"Three months, Kyoshi Island." He replied back.

Smiling giddily, "Yay! I'll see you then."

Turning to face each other at the docks, the two exchanged a kiss that a fee witnessed and were shocked to see.

"Take care of yourself, waterbender." Ozai kissed her forehead. "See you soon."

And with that, Katara watched him get on the ship and wave to her goodbye. As she stood there somberly, she felt a hand fall on her shoulder and turned to see it was her father.

"Sweetheart."

Turning to face her father, "Yes, what is it?"

"Are you and Kamishi courting?"

Katara's face turned red, "Ummm….-"

"It's okay, if you are." Hakoda smiled at her. "I'm glad some man has your attention. I was starting to worry."

The following day came and Katara was teaching her students more waterbending stances when Tonra showed up with a basket in hand. He asked her to have lunch with him as the students were heading home for the day but Katara declined. He insisted they had lunch together to discuss a serious topic but she didn't care, she knew what he wanted to discuss and she had no interest in it.

"But Katara, wouldn't it be a shame if someone discovered what you and Kamishi were doing?" Tonra said as he twiddled his fingers.

Katara narrowed her eyes, "So what? We were having sex. Nothing in Southern law that says I can't sleep with whoever I like."

Tonra scoffed, "But you care about your reputation, don't you? What will people think when they know you slept with the Fire Lord as well as that Kamishi person?"

"They can think whatever." Katara scoffed as she was about to leave. "You're not going to blackmail me into marrying you. I rather let people think I'm a whore."

When Katara returned home from a day of teaching her students, she noticed her father and Tonra were sitting in the kitchen together. She didn't have to wonder what they were discussing. Apparently, Tonra was following through on his threat. Not that she cared. Her father was well aware of her relationship with Zuko and that she and Kamishi had a thing for each other. Sure, he didn't know how far things went with either of those men but she doubted her father would try to convince her to marry Tonra to save her reputation.

"Katara, come here, please." Her father called to her.

Katara made her way to the kitchen and looked at her father. "Yes, dad?"

"Tonra has given me some information about you and Kamishi's relationship. Is it true?" Hakoda asked while looking up at his daughter from his seated position.

Sighing, "Yes, it is."

"But you two are courting, are you not?"

"Sort of."

"Well, I think you should be sure of something like that, sweetheart. You were sleeping with him." Hakoda looked as if he was uneasy about this whole topic.

Tonra decided to chime in, "You know, it wouldn't have been a 'sort of' if you had been with me, Katara. I'd have made you my wife."

Hakoda sighed, "Katara, tell me, you and Kamishi weren't just fooling around? Tell me, there was more to it."

Katara averted her eyes from her father, "I'm supposed to see him on Kyoshi Island in three months, dad. So, I guess it's not just some fling."

Sighing in relief, "Well, I guess that settles it."

"It does?" Tonra asked in confusion.

"My daughter and Kamishi have plans to meet again. So, I think it's best to let things play out as they are." Hakoda smiled at his daughter.

Katara was relieved to know her father wasn't pushing her to marry Tonra and that he wanted her to figure things out on her own. Which was all she could ask for. As time went on, Katara decided to leave for Kyoshi Island early so she could spend some time with her brother and Suki, as well as her nephew, Sato.

"Be safe, sweetheart." Hakoda kissed his daughter on the forehead.

"I will, dad."

When Katara reached Kyoshi Island, she was greeted by her brother, Suki, and their son. She was so elated to see them all. It had been a year since she last saw them and she was surprised to see how much they had changed. Suki was pregnant again and wearing her hair a lot longer than she remembered. Her brother no longer wore his hair in a wolf-tail. As for Sota, he was already so big for a four year old. She couldn't stop kissing her adorable nephew.

"How's it going, Katara?" Suki asked after giving her a hug.

Smiling gleefully, "It's going well. I've been getting pretty far with training the kids and many of them are ready to go to the next level. I'm really proud of those little ones."

"Speaking of little ones, when are you going to make me an uncle, sis?" Sokka asked as he had his arms folded over his chest.

Rolling her eyes, "You sound like dad."

"Yeah, well he wrote to me about how Tonra was trying to propose to you on several occasions but you refused." Sokka raised a brow. "This is still about Zuko, isn't it?"

Suki hit her husband, "Sokka! Don't bring up Zuko!"

"It's fine, Suki. And no, Sokka, this isn't about Zuko." Katara said as she smiled with a red tent on her face. "I'm actually seeing someone right now."

Both of them looked at Katara with a delightfully surprised look on their faces.

"Let's go inside and I'll tell you all about Kamishi."

"Kamishi?" Sokka raised a brow. "Isn't that a Fire Nation name? Have you been to the Fire Nation recently?"

"I'll tell you once we get inside."

Once the group was all settled into the house, Katar explained how she met Kamishi and how things went between them. She didn't go into details about their sexual relationship, trying to spare her brother from the shock he'd have at what she did, but she did imply they were physical with one another. Suki was so happy to hear this, as was Sokka. They had waited a long time for Katara to finally get past her former relationship with Zuko.

"So, he's about dad's age and he's not married?" Sokka questioned.

Katara drank some of her tea, "He was but he has since been divorced."

"Does he have children?" Suki asked.

"Yes."

Suki grinned, "Must be nice dating an older man, huh? He knows his way around the bedroom, doesn't he?"

Katara blushed and nodded as Sokka rolled his eyes.

"Good. I can't wait to meet him."

Katara felt a little giddy about finally having someone to discuss with her friends about. It made her feel like she was moving in the right direction and finally over Zuko. She wondered if Kamishi would want to meet her friends. Maybe she needed to see him first and talk things over with him before bringing him around. There was the off chance that he only liked her for the sex they had, in which case, made her suddenly sulk down in her seat.

Seeing his sister sulk in front of him, Sokka sighed. "What now, sis? You don't want us to meet him?"

"Not yet." She said as she twirled the ends of her hair on her finger. "I want to spend some time with him alone." She said without explaining why.

The next few weeks were the best weeks she's had in a long time. She and Suki went shopping and did the things Katara hadn't done since before moving back home. It had been so long since she did something for herself. She began wearing her hair down instead of in a braid, styling it into a simple topknot with a green and gold band over it. Her dress was a pale green floral dress with long sleeves with bell cuffs. Suki told her she looked beautiful and that Kamishi would no doubt propose to her when he saw her. Katara doubted it but it was a nice thought.

As it came time to see Kamishi, Katara felt a little anxious and worried that he might not show. They never did disclose what time or place exactly they'd meet, so maybe they'd miss each other. Sighing to herself as she was buying herself a pouch of fermented grapes. Just as she was about to pay for them, someone behind her gave the vendor the money and took her grapes.

"Hey!" Katara turned around and saw a cloaked Kamishi behind her. Her eyes widened as she jumped him without thinking, nearly causing him to fall. "Kamishi!"

Chuckling at her surprising greet, "Careful, Katara. You don't want me to drop your fruit."

"Sorry," Katara laughed as climbed off of him. "I was just excited to see you."

It was the first time someone had told him that and honestly, it made him like her even more. The last three months away from her had been a bit frustrating. He had gotten used to her taking care of him in a way no one else had. It was unnerving how much he had come to miss her as he never missed anyone. Not his parents, wife, or children. But this little water minx, his sworn enemy, happened to make him long for her long after their departure. She was an anomaly.

"I have a room down at the inn we can stay in, spend a few days together until I have to leave." Ozai purred at her as he gave a suggestive look.

Katara bit her lip at him, "Mkay. Let's go do some catching up there."

"I was thinking the same thing."

Back at the end, Katara was stripped from her clothes and lifted off her feet. She was then tossed on the bed and before she could sit up, Kamishi forced her back down after he removed his clothes. He took her lips and forced her down on the bed. It was long before he was buried deep inside her, making her cry out his name, and having her nails rake the skin of his back. He was in heaven again. His lovely little waterbender was taking him like the good girl she was. No complaining. No restraint. No backing out. She wanted him completely and he gave it to her.

Smoking a pipe after reaching completion, Ozai patted the waterbender's head as she was cuddled up to him.

"Ready to go for another round?" Katara asked him.

Chuckling as smoke left his lips, "Missed me, it seems."

"I did." She admitted. "I've been meaning to ask you. What exactly are we?"

"What do you mean?" He took a puff of his pipe.

Katara pushed herself up his chest, "Are we friends? Are we lovers? Or just acquainted in a sexual manner? I'm not exactly sure what to say when people ask if I'm seeing someone."

Ozai smirked at the girl, "You're cute."

"Seriously, Kamishi. I just need to know."

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "You're my woman." He told her. "My waterbender. We're whatever you want us to be."

Katara blushed.

"Agni, you're so fucking beautiful." Ozai looked her over.

"And you're incredibly handsome." Katara purred at him.

Smirking, "I say we get started on round 2." Ozai watched as she climbed on top of him.

…

Brushing her hair after bathing the following morning, Katara hummed to herself while Kamishi was washing up. They were going to leave the inn for a little bit and get some air after spending all of yesterday in bed together. She wanted to show him to a restaurant that she enjoyed while here. It would be their first actual date and she was excited for it.

"How I look?" Kamishi exited the bathroom and showed her his newly shaven face.

Katara's eyes widened at the sight of him. "You look…younger." She couldn't believe how much more handsome Kamishi was without his beard. She never would have thought. She had gotten so used him having a beard that she never imagined him without it.

"Is that a good thing?" He raised a brow.

Walking up to him and running her hands up his chest to his face, "It is." Caressing his face as he took her hand into his. "You're almost too good looking."

Smirking at her, "Think so?"

"I know so." Katara smiled at him.

Ozai grinned down at her before giving her a kiss on the lips. It was hard not picking her up and carrying her back into bed. He was utterly taken with this little waterbender and being away from her had only proved to him how much she had affected him in their short time spent together in the South Pole. Never had a woman or anyone made him feel the way she did. It was thrilling and intoxicating to be desired and cared for by this young waterbender.

Katara held on Kamishi's arm while walking through the streets from the restaurant. They both enjoyed themselves as it was something neither had done before, going on a date.

"Hey, my sister-in-law and brother live here. Said they wanted to meet you sometime. Think you'd be up for that?"

Ozai paused in his step. Her brother? The tribesman that was on his airship at the end of the war after his defeat? Oh, he definitely was not up for meeting him formally. Especially if he could identify him. He didn't want Katara to find out just yet or return to jail. He planned to eventually tell her the truth as it was something he made up in his mind that he'd have her completely one day, after he regained his throne.

"In time I will gladly meet your brother and sister-in-law but for now, I just want to keep this between us." Kamishi told her.

Nodding her head, "I understand. I'm honestly afraid of you meeting my brother. He's not like my dad. He's much more skeptical and less eager for me to marry."

"Marry? Your father wants us to marry?" He continued their walk back to the inn.

Katara nodded.

"As lovely of a wife you'd make, Katara, I can't marry you." Ozai told her. "It wouldn't workout for us. Not in that way."

"Why not?" Katara suddenly paused in her step.

Sighing, "You're Water Tribe. I'm Fire Nation. We-"

"My entire village seems to think we'll get married, Kamishi. They know we're opposite elements and don't care." Katara said as she stepped in front of him. "Can your people not do the same?"

Ozai sighed even more, "The common people wouldn't care but the nobles…they'd never accept you."

"And why should you care about that?" Katara tilted her head.

"Because I'm as a noble I can't marry whoever I like. There are rules and I plan on returning home some day."

"Then this ends when you go back home" Katara looked all glum as if her heart had broken already.

Cupping her face and caressing her cheek with his thumb, "No. I can't marry you but this doesn't have to end."

Katara wanted to tell him she really wanted to get married one day. That she wouldn't settle for less than that. However, she remembered what it was like giving up Zuko when she still loved him and she didn't want to feel that way again. Giving someone up because she couldn't marry them.

"What about children?" Katara asked him.

Chuckling, "You want children with me, do you, Katara?"

"I mean, I've always wanted to be a mother. I can accept you don't want to marry me because you're afraid to be judged for being involved with a waterbender but I want children, Kamishi. Cute little chubby babies."

"Fine." Ozai didn't see the problem with having children with a woman he'd make his consort. He wouldn't marry her but he wasn't marrying anyone to be honest. He'd make her his most favorite and prized consort. Have a few half bred children with her and keep her by his side till he is old and gray. "I can give you a cute baby now."

Katara blushed, "I mean, I didn't mean now."

"Why not now? You want them, I can give you them."

Bashfully looking away, "Kamishi."

Smirking at her, "Come on, now you've got me curious what our children will look like."

"Some other time, Kamishi. Not now. Just us for now, remember?"

Chuckling, "You're right. Sorry, I got carried away."

Giggling, Katara moved to wrap her arms around his neck. "But we can practice making babies, in the meantime."

Grinning lustfully at her, "I like the sound of that."

Sokka eyed his sister funny when she returned in the morning to get her things. Apparently, she was going to follow her boyfriend off to wherever he was going. His wife seemed happy for his sister but Sokka didn't know about this.

"I don't see why you want to go with this guy to some place he won't even tell you about."

Katara rolled her eyes, "Sokka, I'll be fine."

"I don't know if I like this guy."

"Dad likes him."

Sokka scoffed, "Dad just wants you to get married."

Katara sighed, "Whatever, Sokka."

"Good luck, Katara." Suki waved to her sister-in-law as she headed off.

Meeting up with Kamishi at the inn, she saw him with his ostrich-horse right outside, placing his bags on it. She was so excited to be traveling with him to where he was staying. It had been a last minute decision after they woke up yesterday morning and realized they weren't ready to part ways. Kamishi suggested it and told her to come with him. She immediately agreed and since she had no real responsibilities to get back home to.

Reaching him and his mount, "Kamishi, ready to leave already?"

Smirking as he saw his cute girlfriend approach him, "It'll take a day to get to our destination, so I bought a sleeping bag."

"Just one?"

"Big enough for two." He told her.

Katara giggled and watched him climb onto the ostrich-horse before offering her his hand. She was then pulled up onto it and sat in front of him, his arm wrapping around her middle before he took off riding. It was a nice ride through the mountainside and as they reached a place they figured they could campout for the night.

While Katara laid out the sleeping bag, Kamishi got the campfire going and went to get water from the stream they saw nearby. When they had all they needed, the two of them settled down by the campfire and Katara fixed them dinner.

"You really seem to like my cooking, sure I can't make you change your mind about marrying me?" Katara half-joked.

Kamishi smirked, "You'd really want to be my wife, huh?"

Nodding her head, "I always saw myself getting married eventually."

Ozai wanted to make the vision of hers a reality. However, when he took to the throne, there was no telling what he'd have to deal with. But, on the off chance he was received well without too much resistance, he'd think about forcing the issue of Katara being his wife but he highly doubted it. He'd know for sure when they got to where they were headed, his compound that he told her was just an old Fire Nation colony fort that was now occupied by those that were against Zuko's reign. She didn't seem bothered by the details regarding the kinds of people that would be there. She was more focused on them being able to spend more time together. Which he appreciated.

"Marriage isn't all it's cracked up to be, Katara. Sometimes it is best to leave things as they are." Kamishi told her.

Sighing as she stirred the pot, "Then what will I be to you, your girlfriend?"

"Concubine."

"Concubine?" Katara tilted her head. "Isn't that just for the royal family?"

Shaking his head, "Plenty of highborns have consorts and concubines. It's common amongst the higher classes."

"My people believe in partners till death." Katara told them. "Like otter-penguins."

Kamishi eyed her funny.

"What?"

"That's the dumbest thing I ever heard."

Katara laughed, "I know but it's cute. Anyway, I'm okay as long as I get to be with you and have a few babies."

"How many?" He smirked.

"Five."

"Five?!" He looked at her like she was ridiculous. "Three at most. You forget I already have children."

"How many?" Katara giggled.

"Two."

"Girl and boy?"

Kamishi nodded.

"Can't wait till I have mine." Katara giggled.

"I said before, we can get started now."

Katara really wanted to but was it smart getting pregnant now?

Kamishi moved towards her and Katara tried not to be seduced by the look in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to devour her and she wanted it too but his intentions were to impregnate her. Should she have a child with him now? All while she was still learning much about him already.

When he managed to pin her underneath him, Katara gazed up at him and cupped his face. "Not yet."

"Fine. More practice it is."

Giggling, Katara had her lips captured by Kamishi as his strong arms wrapped around her and rolled her on top of him. The two went at it in a passionate heat of love making and as she rode him at a rhythm, he sat up and helped her roll her hips. It was better than any other time they had gone at it.

Pulling on his hair as she saddled him, raking her fingers down his back, Katara cried out into the night air and told Kamishi she was cumming.

"Me too." He hissed through his teeth.

The two came at the same time and panted as they laid into the grass beside them.

"Kamishi, I said-"

"I know what you said but I couldn't help it." He said as looked over at her. "Every time I think about you pregnant with my child, I get excited and I couldn't help myself."

Katara sighed, "Alright, Kamishi, I guess if it happens, it happens." She told him.

The following morning, Katara and Kamishi got up to get back on the road to their destination. As they grew closer to the village outside the fort, Kamishi got her an inn to stay in and told her she might not be allowed in due to who she was. She accepted this and told him she'd stay in the village rather than go into the fort. Kamishi kissed her and told her he'd be back in a few hours before leaving her to her lonesome.

Reaching the fort, Ozai entered and everyone inside bowed to him as he ordered that his council meet with him immediately.

Sitting at the head of the long table in their meeting room, "I have her here now." Ozai told them. "At the moment, I'm trying to ensure a strong connection between she and I. She desires to have children with me."

The council all spoke amongst themselves before one addressed him.

"Your majesty, is it wise to involve yourself with someone so closely associated with the Avatar and your son?" A councilmen asked.

Ozai tilted his head, "I'm smitten with her."

The council laughed at this but quickly stopped when he gave them all a look that meant he was serious.

Clearing their throat, one of the councilmen spoke up and asked him what he meant by smitten. Ozai explained as if there was no point in denying it. He liked the girl. She was useful, beautiful, and he wanted her as a longtime companion. After he regained everything, he wanted her as a consort and she'd be his favorite.

This surprised the council and they all reminded him that she had been of aid in his descent from the throne. Ozai, of course, knew that already but he figured she could pay him back by being the mother of his child and being of some use to him.

"Once she is tied to me, it will be much easier getting her to do as I please. I will tell her who I am once she has my child."

"But your-"

"No buts!" Ozai hissed. "This is my plan that I've developed due to what I know of this woman personally. She will be less likely to betray me once she is with child. She's already so devoted to me as Kamishi. It will take some convincing but she will feel the same when she knows the truth."

"If that is what you wish, your majesty." They all bowed.

Returning to the inn where he left Katara, Ozai found her brushing her hair for bed and saw her eyes light up at the sight of him.

"You came back." Katara beamed. "I thought for sure that you'd stay the night in the fort."

Smirking at her, "Why would I do that when I can be here and sleep beside you?"

Katara giggled and pulled open the night robe she had and revealed her naked form, "How about you do more than sleep beside me?"

Ozai swore he was falling for this waterbender.

…..

A/N:

What do you all think so far?