A/N:

I'm back!

Part 2:

~Six Months Later~

Summer months had come to a halt as autumn rolled in. Most of the Fire Nation was still warm but temperatures were dropping. Many of the residents of the palace were getting excited for the autumn banquet that the Fire Lord put on for those of the upper class and nobility. It was the banquet where everyone dressed their best and many of the highborns mingled. The royal family was currently preparing for the season's banquet. However, there was an issue.

Azulon addressed the entire family and let them know that the Water Princess would be attending as he noticed that she had been completely hidden from the public. This caused a few members of the family to voice their opposition to her attending the banquet as they felt the nature of her being here was scandalous enough. While they knew and understood Ozai was at fault, they just didn't want to publicize their family's shame. Specifically, Azula, the Crowned Princess, and Ozai. They were extremely against it while Iroh, Zuko, and Ursa didn't mind her being present. Leaving Lu Ten to be on the fence. But this was not up for debate.

The Fire Lord scolded his son for his coldness towards his second wife and pointed out that it was a shame that a woman so young had to be condemned to isolation because he had fooled her. Ozai tried defending himself by stating that he saw to it that Katara was taken care of but his father pointed out that he was not clueless to how he treated the girl within his domain. Several servants of his domain had gossiped about how he shouted at her, berated her, refused to let her leave the domain most of the time she asked, he'd viciously shove her out of his way in passing, and spoke horribly about her amongst other things. Not to mention, the nobles were all fed a lie that she was merely his guest that he was hosting, none of them knowing she was his second wife that he had an affair with in the South Pole while he was supposed to be working on the treaty.

When it was decided that she would attend the banquet, Ozai returned to his domain with his family and spotted Katara waiting outside his chamber doors. He knew she was there probably wanting to ask if she could leave the domain again but it just really irritated him to see her. Storming off from his family to confront her, they all watched her roughly grab the Water Princess and shake her as he barked some insults at her. She cried as she normally did and pleaded with him to let her leave the domain but he refused, shoving her as he shouted for her to go back to her rooms.

As the Water Princess ran off crying, Ursa furrowed her brows as her children eye their father cautiously as they were aware he had a temper but only ever heard about it until the Water Princess arrived. They weren't used to witnessing him go off on another person. Honestly, it was sad to watch the interaction but they never said a word, afraid their father would turn on them.

Ursa entered her husband's chambers and saw him pouring himself a glass of whiskey as he plopped down on the sofa.

"Why are you so reluctant to allow her to leave the domain all of a sudden, Ozai?" Ursa asked with her arms folded.

Ozai sipped his liquor, "Lord Okumura was asking me about her at a meeting a month and a half ago. He spotted her looking around with her servant and approached her, curious about her origins." He rubbed his temple. "Long story short, he likes her and wants to court her despite her refusal."

"Then tell him she is your wife."

"Why would I tell him that when I can just prevent her from going out in the first place?"

Furrowing her brows, "He'll find out at the banquet just like everyone else."

"Well, she can't go to the banquet if she has nothing to wear to it." Ozai scoffed.

Visiting the Water Princess in her chambers the morning of the banquet, Ursa had several servants follow behind her with everything she'd need to attend the event. She could see the young woman was surprised but the Fire Princess let her know that she was invited to attend the banquet by the Fire Lord, so it didn't matter what Ozai said. As her servants got the Water Princess dressed and prepared for the banquet, Ursa could definitely see why her husband pushed the girl into sleeping with him. She was beautiful and exotic and she couldn't see her husband resisting someone as beautiful as her. It almost made her envious as she had always been regarded as the most beautiful woman in all the Fire Nation. Funny how her husband had both the most beautiful Fire Nation woman and likely the most beautiful Southern Water Tribe woman as his wives. Yet, he was behaving like he had the worst hand a man could have. So ungrateful.

Ozai saw Ursa was dressed beautifully as she typically did for events like this and that their children were equally as presentable. However, as he was about to leave the domain to head to the main palace for the banquet, Ursa stopped him and let him know that they needed to wait for his other wife. Their children eyed their mother strangely as they saw his father was caught off guard.

"There she is." Ursa beamed as she looked over her husband's shoulder and waved her hand to the Water Princess. "Katara, darling, we're over here!" She called out to her. Katara smiled at the Fire Princess and lifted the skirt of her dress to hurry over to them as Lona followed behind her with her daughter in arm.

"What the hell is this, Ursa?" Ozai tried to maintain his composure.

Ursa continued to smile, "Your father invited her to the banquet, Ozai. Don't you think he will know you are to blame if she does not show up? Besides, I already came up with a cover story for why she's your second wife."

The Water Princess reached them and tried avoiding eye contact with the Fire Prince as he had his eyes on her. She couldn't tell what face he was making as she addressed the Fire Princess.

"I'm sorry I was late." Katara apologized to Ursa.

"It's fine, dear." Ursa said as she placed her hands on Katara's shoulders and turned her to face Ozai. "Look, Ozai, she was a part of the peace treaty agreement. That's why she is your wife. That is what we will tell anyone who is curious."

Ozai looked from Ursa down at the Water Princess, who was meekly avoiding eye contact, and looked her over some. As much as he didn't like this damn princess, he'd be a blind fool to think she wasn't the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he was sure many more men would agree. Not only that but Ursa had come up with a cover story that would explain why she was his second wife. It made perfect sense. But even more, as he looked her over a little more, he realized he was looking at this situation all wrong.

Returning his gaze to his first wife, "Are you really so eager to have her participate as a member of the family, Ursa?"

Ursa nodded her head, "I think it's only fair considering she lost her family because of you."

Ozai sucked his teeth as he bit his tongue and offered her his arm.

Ursa took it and told Katara to take his other arm. She timidly looked up at their husband and saw his arm was being offered to her. She took it and looped her arm with his.

"Okay, now we're ready."

When arriving at the main palace, all eyes were on the second prince and his family. Many were mostly focused on the Water Tribe woman on the second prince's arm as well as the Water Tribe servant walking behind his family with what was clearly a baby. As they reached the banquet hall, they continued to be eyed curiously as they made their way over to the rest of their family that sat on the opposite side of the Fire Lord.

Pulling out the chair for his first wife, Ozai greeted his father while the others took a seat. He kissed Ursa's cheek before taking a seat between her and his father.

The Fire Lord addressed all his guests formally and told them to enjoy the evening with dancing, mingling, and merry. As they all went on to do so, Azulon sat back down and glanced to the side his youngest son's family sat on. His old eyes went to the Water Princess and smirked.

"You have quite a lovely wife, son." Azulon commented.

Ursa smiled at her father-in-law and thanked him.

"I was actually referring to your second wife." Azulon chuckled.

The couple looked from the Fire Lord to the Water Princess that hadn't heard the comment but was staring out at the room full of people.

"Katara." Ursa tapped her shoulder gently. "Our father-in-law was addressing you."

Katara looked up in surprise at the Fire Princess and then to the Fire Lord who was smirking at her. She bowed her head slightly to him. "Thank you, your majesty."

Chuckling some more as he continued to look her over, "I see how my idiot son got himself wrapped up in the sheets with you. You could make a nation's leader fall weak to you."

Blushing, the Water Princess cast her gaze to her lap and thanked him again. She felt super uncomfortable from that comment. Even the Fire Prince and Princess were uneasy due to the comment. As his wives tried turning their attention away from the Fire Lord, Ozai could see his father was still staring at Katara to which he felt a bit annoyed by. He side eyed him as he picked his glass of wine up to drink. But he was soon further irritated by the sight of Noble Okumura walking up to their table to greet his father and then his brother. After the nobleman greeted him, Ozai watched him turn his attention to Katara and asked her if she wanted to dance. Katara politely declined and came up with an excuse but the man was not done making a pass on her.

"Then how about I take you out some time, show you around the city?" He offered.

Katara glanced over at Ozai to see if he was going to intervene but before he could do so, the Fire Lord laughed as he budded in.

"Oh Nobleman Okumura, don't you know she's spoken for?"

The nobleman looked surprised at this fact. "She is?"

"Yes," Ozai looked at the man with disdain. "She's my wife."

The nobleman was taken aback by this as he looked from the Fire Prince to his first wife back to the water tribe woman. "She is?"

Azulon nodded. "Yes. While forging the treaty in the South Pole, my son-"

"Was given the Chieftain's daughter as part of the treaty agreement." Ursa quickly cut her father-in-law off.

Seeing that a cover story was developed, Azulon smirked and pointed out that the two had an infant daughter together.

"We were married in the South Pole." Ozai quickly stated. "Of course before I could leave, we had to consummate."

Laughing harder to himself with amusement, "Some consummation that had to be for her to get pregnant right away."

"Yes, well, I was told that Tribal women are incredibly fertile." Ozai side-eyed his father.

Feeling embarrassed and ashamed, the nobleman apologized to the Fire Prince before hurrying off. When the noble was gone, Azulon commented that his son shouldn't be ashamed that the Water Princess was his wife and told him to go have a dance with her. When Ozai tried to refuse, his father made it clear that it was not a question, he wasn't asking.

Standing up from his seat, Ozai walked over to Katara's seat and offered her his hand. She took it as it was clear that if he couldn't refuse, neither could she. When the two took to the dance floor with the other guests, Ursa heard her son and daughter muttering at the sight of their father with his second spouse. She sighed as most of the banquet hall was even more curious of what was happening as it would be news to many that the two were married.

"I don't remember you being this rigid back when we danced in the South Pole." Ozai remarked as the Water Princess was tense against him.

Katara tried to ignore the eyes on them, "Things are different."

"How so?"

"You know how." She replied as she tried to loosen up.

Scoffing as he spun her around and pulled her back to him, "We had an agreement. You were to keep your mouth shut and wait for me."

"My father was going to kill our daughter. I know that means nothing to a cold hearted bastard like you but it means everything to me." Katara finally met his gaze. "I don't have the luxury of caring about no one but myself. It must be so nice to detach yourself from others. I wish I had been blessed with such an ability. You haven't a clue how fortunate you are."

Finding himself unable hold back his smirk, "I hadn't a clue that all it took for a Water Princess to fall for me was to fuck her to kingdom come. Agni, you're such a pitiful woman, princess."

Katara furrowed her brows and forced her gaze from him, "If you want me gone so badly, I'll go. Lona and I have already come up with a plan to leave. I won't force you to put up with me."

"Too late for that, princess." Ozai dipped her and stared down at her harshly. "If you leave, it won't turn out good for either of us. Even more, it would stir up conflict with our nations all over again and then everything we did would have been for naught."

"I don't care anymore."

"And why not?"

"Because what good has caring about others done for me?" Katara asked him.

"Good point." Ozai snorted. "However, I can't have you making me look any worse than I already do to my family. So if you think I will allow you to leave, then you've lost your mind."

Katara told him that perhaps she had lost her mind.

"You can't be that miserable just because I told you I don't have feelings for you." Ozai scoffed.

"I'm miserable because you don't have feelings for me and I'm stuck with you for the rest of my life, never knowing what it's like to be loved." Katara explained. "I'm miserable because I wasn't trying to fall for you but you were unforgivably affectionate when you took me and it confused me and messed me up and made me feel what I didn't want to feel."

"Ah, it's my fault for being good in bed. I've been called wicked for many things but never for that reason."

"You're not wicked, Ozai. You're pure evil."

"Pure evil for being good in bed. What a crime."

Katara glared at him, "I hate you."

Smirking as he looked her over, "And I hate you too, princess."

The night ended at midnight, leaving everyone exhausted and ready to retire for bed. Katara walked alone back to her chambers on the other side of the domain as Lona had retired earlier due to her caring for the baby. It was unbeknownst to her that she was being followed by the Fire Prince as his wife and children had already retired for the night shortly before the end of the party. Katara would have retired early too if it had not been for the Fire Lord telling everyone that she was the second wife of his youngest son. It was hard being crowded by noblewomen she was not familiar with that were not at all. Ursa had warned her that because she married one of the Fire Princes, she would be sought after by noblewomen in order for them to have superficial friendships for the sake of them being able to feel close to the royal family. It was somewhat similar in the South Pole, however, Katara felt that the women here were laying it on a lot thicker.

Sighing to herself, Katara mumbled to herself that she wished she was a bird and could fly far away from all her problems. As she reached her door and was about to slide it open, a hand slammed it shut from above her head. Startled, she backed away from the door and turned around to look up to see the Fire Prince looming over her.

"What do you want?" Katara furrowed her brows at him.

"You know what." he replied as he smirked down at her.

Katara shook her head at him but he didn't care. He just grabbed her hand and tugged her along with him until they reached his chambers where he pulled her into before shutting the door behind them. She tried pushing him off of her as he tried kissing her while he undressed her but he was persistent and she did miss him. Giving in as his lips finally captured hers as he had her completely naked and shoved her into his bed.

The following morning, Ozai woke and felt that the Water Princess was not in bed with him. He opened his eyes and sat up a little to see she was gathering her clothes from off the floor.

"Where are you going, princess?" Ozai groaned sleepily.

"Back to my chambers before anyone sees me here." Katara said as she was desperate to leave before anyone caught her with him.

Yawning, "We're married now, princess. It doesn't matter."

"It does."

"How?"

"I hate you. That's how."

Ozai's eyes narrowed on her.

Several minutes later, Iroh and his son were hoping to find Ozai was not hung over. He had missed the early meeting this morning and even Ursa was confused as to why he missed breakfast. As they approached his chambers, the two watched his door slide open to a naked tribes woman being thrown out and falling over the outdoor railing into the pond below. They both watched Ozai step out with his bed sheets around his waist as he threw the woman's clothes down into the pond with her.

"You bastard!" The tribes woman cursed.

Scowling down at her, "I'm the best fuck you've ever had, you ungrateful bitch!"

"You're the only fuck I've ever had, moron!"

Scoffing as he turned away from her, "And it had better stay that way." Ozai spat as he turned back to his chambers but noticed his oldest brother and nephew were standing right there.

Iroh told his son to hurry and help the Water Princess out of the pond as he glared at his brother.

After Lu Ten covered the Water Princess up and quickly returned her to her chambers, he met back up with his father, who was scolding his uncle. They were aware that his uncle was not very kind to his second wife but as far as they knew, he hadn't as much as touched her outside of shaking and shoving her since she had been here. They wondered if it had to do with it now being public that they were married.

"That is no way to treat your wife, Ozai! You don't do Ursa like that and you've admitted that you only see Ursa as your companion! Why are you mistreating that poor woman?!"

Ozai would admit that he didn't actually know why he disliked that little water bitch so much but she got under his skin really bad. Aside from her being beautiful and a good fuck, she was unbearable. He knew she didn't do much wrong and she only responded callously to him because he was callous first. However, he was very easily ticked off by her. Maybe it was because they were opposite elements and maybe it was because he might actually like her but he was fighting it. He didn't know. All he knew was he wanted to fuck and strangle her.

Rubbing his temple, "Why is liking her such an issue for you, uncle?" Lu Ten asked as he was severely confused.

"Because! She's a water bitch!"

"How is that a reason to not like someone?" Lu Ten tilted his head as if to try and understand his uncle to some degree.

"You've never been to the South Pole, nephew. You've never had to deal with her infuriating father. You've never had to daydream about slaughtering whole entire room full of Water Tribe idiots. I don't like those people. I will never like those people." Ozai expressed.

Iroh raised a brow, "Brother, I never took you for a racist."

"Yeah well, things change." Ozai scoffed.

"Clearly." Lu Ten snorted.

Sighing, "What will it take for you to be a little kinder to her?" Iroh asked.

"I don't know. I think I should just keep my distance from her." Ozai scoffed. "It was a mistake going to bed with her last night."

Iroh and Lu Ten sighed as they shook their heads.

…..

~Three Months Later~

It was her hope that with everyone coming to know the truth about her presence in the Fire Nation that she would be treated a little better. That maybe things would change for the better. However, due to the Fire Prince mistreating her so publicly, it set the tone for how others would treat her. The noblewomen found it was not beneficial to befriend a wife scorned by her husband. The servants felt that despite her being of royal blood in her own right, that she was anything but royalty here due to how the Fire Prince didn't bother with her. And to make things worse, the Fire Princess didn't even look her way anymore after she found out about what took place after the banquet. It was miserable and Katara didn't know what to do to make things better. She was not allowed to leave, given very few rations to split between her, Lona, and the baby. They were growing thin and the servants hadn't brought any coal or padded quilts or anything to keep warm as winter was in full effect.

Katara had tried to ask Ozai to allow her to leave the domain or even just allow Lona to leave but he ordered the guards to make her kneel in the courtyard for six hours as punishment for bothering him. Things had gotten so bad as far as neglect and isolation that Katara decided to write to her father and brother, begging them to forgive her. And if forgiving her was not an option, if they could allow Lona and Yukino to return to the South Pole so they didn't have to suffer with her. She wrote every day for two months but received no response. Eventually, the Water Princess and her water maiden had come to accept they were not going to make it to spring, though they planned to find a way to save Yukino.

However, the night that they had planned to leave the Fire Prince's domain in order to get Yukino to safety, Katara noticed Lona had fallen asleep. She tried to wake her friend but the woman wouldn't wake up. She figured she was tired and so Katara figured they would be able to execute their plan another night. But morning came and Katara found her friend dead, she froze to death. Horrified and distraught, the Water Princess cried over the loss of the only friend she had.

Out of grief, Katara strapped her baby to her chest and pulled her friend's body out of the chambers into the courtyard that was covered in snow. As she laid Lona's body by the tree, the Water Princess went to the gate that divided this part of the domain from the other part. She was about to open the doors in order to get help but the doors were locked. Katara banged on the doors and screamed for help but no one came. For four days…no one came. The only thing the Water Princess could think to do was try to climb the tree that hung over the domain wall. She had to get out of here.

Nearly falling to her death, Katara caught herself and pulled herself up by the sturdy tree branch. Once she collected herself, she carefully and cautiously climbed her way down the other side of the wall. As soon as her feet touched the ground, the Water Princess took off running and she ran towards where she could feel the ocean. She knew if she got to the docks she could find a way to get on a ship and a boat to return home. It seemed as if she was about to get away but just as she turned the corner, Katara saw the Fire Prince's son and he saw her. She didn't bother saying anything in her defense or try to play off how she had gotten out here. She just took off running. Hopefully, he didn't chase her and instead went home to report she had left. By then, she should have snuck herself on a ship.

When Katara finally reached the docks, she saw that it would be impossible to seek on but she couldn't give up now. She had to do something.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" an elderly woman asked.

Katara turned around to see the elderly woman was of tribal descent. "I-I I-"

"Deary, you're not wearing a coat. From the looks of you, you should know better than to be out in the cold like this without the proper attire." The elderly woman said.

Nodding her head as she felt panic upon hearing men shouting to search the area, "I'm sorry to burden you but would you be on your way back to the South Pole?" Katara asked.

The elderly woman nodded.

"Wonderful." Katara unstrapped her daughter from her chest and held her in her arms. "Can you take this child to the Chieftain? This is his granddaughter and she needs to get somewhere safe. Can you do that for me?"

Confused, the elderly lady was about to ask some pressing questions but Katara could see guards from the Fire Prince's domain had spotted her.

"Please, ma'am! I'm begging you!" Katara cried as she panicked.

Before the woman could take the child for her, Katara was apprehended and taken away with her daughter still in her arms. Back at the Fire Prince's domain, Katara was forced to her knees before the Fire Prince as his first wife and children stood off to the side to watch.

"Where's your servant?" Ozai asked impassively as held their daughter in his arms.

Katara's teeth chattered as she spoke, "Lona died several days ago from the cold. I banged on the gate doors for hours and no one came for days."

Ozai's attention turned to the baby in his arms, "I was going to let things slide and just send you back to your chambers but my father has been notified, so I have to answer to him. For that, I have to punish you." Snapping his fingers for his guards. "Flog her." He ordered.

Katara looked at him with wide eyes as the guards forcibly lifted her to her feet. She tried pleading with him but he didn't care to look at her and though she saw remorse on his son's face, he along with his mother and sister remained silent as she was taken away. To receive her punishment. After her flogging, Katara was tossed into her chambers and the door was slid shut. She laid on the floor weeping and begging for salvation.

One day, Katara had come up with a plan to steal more rations for herself along with coal and firewood to keep them warmer as the worst of winter took effect. She slipped out of the area of the domain that she had been isolated to and poked her head around. As she did, she found the kitchen and storage area. She quickly whipped out her bag began stuffing it before anyone could see her. She made sure to get plenty of bread and dried meat along with wood and coal. As she turned to leave, she was spotted by the Fire Prince's eldest daughter, Azula.

Thrown at the feet of her husband after being caught while he, his brother, and nephew had tea together on his patio, Katara kept her head down and refused to look up.

"Caught her stealing food and coal from the kitchen and storage area." Azula said as she folded her arms. "You sure this moron was a princess, dad?"

Ozai scowled at his second wife while his brother and nephew looked at the Water Princess questioningly.

"You dare steal from my domain!" Ozai raised his voice at her.

Keeping her head down, Katara timidly explained that she and their daughter were freezing due to the lack of coal and firewood they've been given. That, and they didn't have enough food to eat either. She was just trying to help them.

"Then why didn't you come to me about it?! Why resort to theft?!"

Katara's eyes slowly lifted to him as she felt he was being unbelievably cruel to pretend he would have helped her had she asked him.

Seeing the expression on her face as she refused to answer, Ozai took his teacup and tossed the tea from it into her face. "I asked you a damn question!"

"You hate me and therefore will never help me even if I beg. I'm not so stupid as to ask you." Katara said bitterly as she could not hold it back.

"Why you little bitc-" Ozai got up and was about to kick her when his nephew stopped him and his brother hurried in front of the woman, blocking his way.

"Brother!"

"Move aside, Iroh!" Ozai hissed.

Iroh shook his head, "The fact that she resorted to theft says enough. You are not properly looking after a woman that is your wife!"

"She gets enough ration like everyone else!"

"If that were true, Ozai, she wouldn't look so frail." Iroh pointed out. "I promise you, if anything befalls this woman or your daughter I will report you to father."

Ozai scoffed, "How about you get out since you want to tell me how to deal with my wife?"

Iroh sighed and looked pitifully as the young Water Princess. He never felt so horrible for a person in his life but something had to be done. His brother needed to be put in check.

When the crown prince was gone, Katara trembled as Ozai glared down at her with a loath she had never seen before. Why did he hate her so much? What had she ever done to him?

"Listen here, only way I'm going to increase your rations and take better care of you is if you do as I say! Got it?!" Ozai hissed at her.

Katara nodded.

"Now run along. I have more important things to deal with. I'll have the servants bring you whatever it is you need." Ozai scoffed in annoyance as he turned to leave with his hands in his sleeves.

Over the following weeks, Katara and Yukino were a little more at ease about their living situation as they were better looked after. However, it came at a cost as the Fire Prince took it upon himself to humiliate the Water Princess in front of his courtly friends by making her serve them sake whenever he hosted a small get-together in the courtyard. He'd make crude comments about her and tell the others what their previous relations were like. He bragged to his friends about what really happened in the South Pole and how he got off on making a fool of her and her father.

One evening while pouring more sake for her husband's closest friend, Shin, Katara was yanked into the lap of her husband and held there as he kissed her shoulder.

"When are you going to let me visit your chambers again, princess?" Ozai drunkenly asked her.

Squirming to get out of his lap, Katara turned and slapped him on impulse. Her eyes widening at what she had done as everyone got quiet around her. Ozai stood up and scowled down at her before slapping her so hard that she fell to the ground with a busted lip. She whimpered as she held her mouth and he proceeded to kick her down the steps of the veranda before spitting on her.

"You good for nothing bitch!"

Just as he was about to descend the steps to continue dealing with her, the Fire Lord had entered the domain and was approaching them. Ozai mentally swore through his teeth as he saw his father immediately notice Katara on the ground and scowled in his direction.

"What is the meaning of this?" Azulon demanded.

Ozai clenched his teeth as he explained what took place.

Snorting a chuckle, "Can't be blamed. I wouldn't want to sleep with you either if I were her."

Balling his fists, "I'm disciplining her and that is not something anyone else should interfere in as I am her husband and it is my right."

"The right of a good husband. You are not one." Azulon pointed out. "You think I don't know how you mistreat her?"

Ozai didn't say anything.

"Nothing to say, huh? Very well, I'm rather sick of the reports I get about you being hostile and vicious towards the woman." Azulon stated before ordering his men to take his son and have him receive fifteen lashes.

Ozai tried protesting the punishment as his father's guards apprehended him but his father helped Katara up and asked the woman what she felt was a fair punishment. To his and everyone's surprise, Katara asked that he be left alone. The Fire Lord demanded that she decide on a punishment and she said that he should be forbidden from the harem as well as be suspended from his duties at court, locked here on house arrest for a month.

"He'll just be trapped in her with you." Azulon pointed out.

"And if he's cruel, the sentence can have an additional month added." Katara pointed out.

Smirking, "Very well." Azulon agreed to her terms..

As Azulon allowed his son to be let go of before leaving out, Ozai scowled at Katara as he guests were advised to leave. She averted her eyes from him.

"You think sparing me will make me feel any differently about you?" Ozai hissed.

Katara shook her head, "I'm not wicked the way you are, Ozai. I don't have to want something in order to be fair. I just am. Besides, the worse your punishment is, the more likely you are to vent your anger on me by slapping me around or humiliating me."

Ozai narrowed his eyes at her, "I'm glad you understand that much."

Shoving past her, Ozai skulked off to his chambers and plopped on his sofa. He could care less about this stupid house arrest would be a vacation. Banning him from the harem wasn't so much an issue as he wasn't really allowed in the first place due to his 1st wife not approving of it. So no sneaking there made it less troublesome for him. Ozai felt like it would be a month's vacation without too much to worry about as he still had his 1st wife to spend the evenings with. However, Ursa received word from her parents that her mother was sick. She decided to take Azula with her to go see her parents, not knowing how long it would be that she was gone. This sort of put Ozai in a sour mood as he tried to convince her not to leave as their son was out with his girlfriend half the time. Now he was stuck in the domain with his 2nd wife, whom he hated.

When Ursa left, Ozai sulked around his domain and had a few drinks before noon as he lazed in the courtyard placing pai sho by himself. He figured it wouldn't be too bad as he now had time to himself. However, as he was trying to study his own move, Ozai noticed his 2nd wife holding their daughter as she walked along the outdoor walkway.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ozai spoke up as he eyed her numbly.

Katara turned around to see him sitting at the veranda with a gameboard of pai sho. "I was going to see the gardens. Your father invited me." She told him.

"Invited or summoned?" Ozai asked.

"Invit-"

"Then you decline. Come here." Ozai told her as he rested the side of his head on his fist as he stared at her boredly upon her arriving in front of him. "Do you know how to play pai sho?"

Katara shook her head.

Ozai sucked his teeth, "What are you? Useless?" He raised a brow at her.

Holding the baby to her as she was a little confused as to what he wanted from her, "I'm not useless."

"Then what's something you're good at that can entertain me? I'm bored." Ozai said as he shifted his eyes to the jar of sake in front of him.

Katara sighed as she went down the list of things she was educated in as well as proficient at.

"The erhu? I haven't heard music in a while. Play some for me. I'll tell you if you're crap or not." Ozai told her.

Katara furrowed her brows at him, "I can't hold the baby and play the-"

"Hand her to me." Ozai held his hands out for the child.

There had literally only been two occasions she could recalled where Ozai held their daughter and both times were situations where she did not hand Yukino to him. She hadn't dreamed of it. She didn't care if he was her father or not, the man hated them. She really wished Lona was still here. However, Ozai gave her a long to hand Yukino over or he was going to get upset, so she did.

Holding his daughter in his lap, Ozai seemed surprised by how heavy the baby was since the last time he held her. Looking his less than one year old daughter over, the Fire Prince chuckled. "Well aren't you a chubby girl, you cute little fatty?"

"Don't call her that." Katara said.

"Shut up and get the damn erhu, woman." Ozai hissed at her as he held Yukino in his lap.

Biting her tongue, Katara hurried off to get the instrument to play for her estranged husband. As she returned quickly with the erhu, the Water Princess sat down on the floor of the veranda and began playing for him. She hoped it was sufficient enough to get him to not insult her performance as she knew he never had anything nice to say to her.

As his 2nd wife played the erhu, Ozai admitted to himself that she was pretty damn good at it and wondered if she was as good at the other stuff she mentioned as she was at playing the erhu. When she finished playing three songs for him, Katara was asked to cook for him since she claimed she was a good cook. She looked from him to their daughter he was holding, clearly wanting to take the baby back.

Rolling his eyes, "You hold her all the time, let me hold her for a change. Now go fix something good. I want to see if you're really good at everything you claim you are."

Katara reluctantly did as he asked her and it took a few hours, no more than three. She had thought he'd pawn their daughter off on a servant as Ozai never show any interest in Yukino, however, when she returned she was surprised to find the man play with their daughter in his lap, letting her hold the sash of his yutaka to chew her baby gums on.

"Ah, so you're teething, are you?" Ozai said as he smirked at his cute baby girl. "Chew as much as you like, I have more sashes from where that came from."

Walking up the steps of the veranda with the tray of food, Katara saw him look up from their daughter to her. His expression went from a delighted one to an annoyed one. "Took you long enough. We were practically starving. Looke at her, she's hungry."

"I'm sorry." Katara apologized as she pulled her hair behind her ear, "The ovens here are differ-"

"I don't want to hear your excuses." Ozai spat. "Let's see if its any good."

Katara stood as she watched her husband try her food and seemed to enjoy it as he fed small bites of the food with Yukino. She was going to stop him as Yukino was barely able to eat solid foods but her daughter seemed to like her father feeding her, so she didn't interfere.

Eating the quite delicious food of his 2nd wife, "You're pretty good at this, hmm?" Ozai lifted his eyes to her as he continued to eat and feed their daughter.

She merely nodded.

"From now on you'll show your usefulness by cooking for me and playing the erhu upon request. Got it?" Ozai eyed her in a way that told her to agree.

Katara nodded her head again.

"Excellent. As for your other talents, like dancing, healing, and so on, I'll assess them at another time. Just be sure to have dinner ready for me before or at the time I am to eat. I don't like waiting."

Katara nodded once more.

When Ozai finished eating and feeding their daughter, he ordered the servants to clean up as he held Yukino in his arms. The little girl was full and dozing off. He approached her mother and towered over her with an indifferent look on his face.

"You do as told and not get on my nerves and we can get along, princess. I would enjoy eventually visiting your chambers again but in order for that to happen, you need to make me like you again." Ozai told her as he began handing her their daughter, who hd fallen asleep.

Not really interested in him visiting her chambers, Katara didn't say a word as she averted her eyes and told him she would do her best to not upset him but he didn't need to force himself ot get along with her if he wasn't interested. She didn't want to piss him off or get in his way. She'd do what he asked of her and that would be the end of it.

Ozai looked his 2nd wife over and knew he'd be a huge liar if he said he wasn't impressed today. That, and actually interested in making this arrangement finally work since she wasn't as useless as he originally assumed. He looked forward to them getting along as they had in the South Pole. He would never tell anyone because of his shame but he wanted badly to fuck her brains out again. Pretending like he didn't was getting him nowhere. Just thinking about how her wet sex hugged his cock, squeezing it with each strock was killing him. Well, Ursa was going to be gone for some time. No reason he couldn't get her to remind him what it was that got him into a world of trouble.

Katara saw the Fire Prince grinning suggestively at her as he reached for her face and caressed it. She shivered a little as she held her daughter to her.

"You know what, princess? How about you let Yukino rest and come back to my chambers for me, hmm?" Ozai tilted his head at her as he purred, caressing her face.

Katara swallowed hard as she looked back up at him, "I'm on my cycle."

Sucking his teeth as he pulled his hand from her, "How inconvenient."

Katara didn't bother letting him get out another word as she took off with Yukino and hid herself in her chambers for the rest of the day.

…..

Ozai was not a stupid man though he often made stupid decisions. He knew the Water Princess was avoiding him in a sexual light. She pretty much had an excuse everytime he tried convincing her to come to his bed. It was starting to irritate him as he had finally began letting it settle on his thoughts that she was his wife and he legally could fuck the dog shit out of her if he wanted, which he did. Katara didn't understand but the hanfu dresses she was made to wear like all the women of the upper-class here hugged her wide hips tight. Motherhood had shaped her out even more than she already was. Her hips were far more spread than when he last had her. It was killing him to try out her motherly body. Just knowing how he had been inside her before so much so that he planted a piece of himself inside her, Oh Ozai could take it no longer.

Finding her on her side of the domain with Yukino, showing the small child how to take her first steps. It was touching that she was a nurturing mother but Ozai did not linger on this thought for much longer as his loins were raging from a need that only she could satisfy.

"Katara." Ozia called her as he marched over to her.

Looking up at him, Katara noticed he looked frustrated and she didn't have to wonder why. He had been trying to take her to bed for two weeks and she had wormed her way out at each turn. Tui and La, she didn't want to sleep with this man again but just as importantly, she didn't want him lashing out at her.

"Your cycle has been gone a week, you don't look like someone suffering from a headache, and you're not sick." Ozai pointed out. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't upset me."

Katara picked up Yukino and cast her gaze down, "I'm sorry. I just don't want to sleep with you again, Ozai. You have Princess Ursa and I-"

Ozai cut her off as he scowled at her, "Are my wife too." He hissed. "I need you to act more wifely towards me. Its about time you did. Hand Yukino to a servant and come with me back to my chambers. I'm not going to tell you again."

As much as she wanted to tell him to go to hell, Katara knew this man was likely going to put his hands on her and probably force her. It was just for the best that she agreed to for now and hopefully when Princess Ursa returned, he'd lay off of her. Doing as he said, Katara handed Yukino to a servant as she followed the Fire Prince back to his bed chambers. She was nervous. Incredibly so as he shut the door behind them. This was worse than the first time they were together. At leas back then, she didn't know him enough to hate his guts but she utterly despised him now.

"Take your clothes off, princess." Ozai told her as he began undressing.

Katara cast her gaze away from him and started undressing. However, she was moving all too slow for him and he decided to tear her clothes off for her, literally ripping them apart. She squealed as he grabbed her around her middle to lift her over his shoulders once she was naked and carried her to his bedroom. She hoped he was quick about this and let her go free shortly after but if she remembered correctly, the Fire Prince had incredible stamina and vigor. It was unlikely to be over quickly.

"Yes, take it." Ozai moaned as he plunged his rock hard member into the wet depths of his Water Princess wife. Agni, he had been craving this.

Katara held her fist to her mouth as she bit back her moans. He had her standing up with one foot on the floor and her other leg up against his shoulder. He wanted to see how truly flexible she was after she relayed all her qualities to him. Tui and La, he was deeper than he had ever been and she was struggling to take him in so deeply.

Reaching to toy with her cute little clit, Ozai watched her cry out from behind her fist that she used to stop herself from making any pleasurable sounds. "Look at you, pretending like you don't miss this."

"I don't." Katara whimpered.

Ozai told her to look at where he was entering her and reluctantly she did, he took it slower so she could really get a good look at him probing her still very tight sex open. "You're practically gushing around me, princess. Taking me all the way in." He said as he went very deep into his lovely little Water Princess. "Fuck, this is what I've been wanting, princess. Your pretty little cunt sucking me in." He hissed in pleasure.

Katara shut her eyes tight as Ozai hugged her leg to him before plowing away at her pussy. She was gasping and crying out as her hands fell on his chest to try and slow him down.

"No! Put your hands down!" Ozai hissed and he fucked her stupid. "I'm about to cum! I need you take me deep inside you!"

"My gods!" Katara shouted as he was annihilating her.

Pouring every ounce of his seed into her gaping sex, Ozai watched with delight as he pulled his cock out slowly as his cum spilled from her pussy. He decided to stick his finger into and attempt to slip it back in. "I've got more for you, princess. You know this isn't over, right?"

Oh, Katara wanted it to be over so badly.

Taking her some more, Ozai vented all his pent up frustrations on her and fucked her senseless. He watched her eyes cross from how crazy he fucked into her, reaching her guts and getting her spot in different angles. Talking her through the nasty things he was doing to her. Propping her ass with his thumb, filling her throat up with his cum, and molding her puckered up asshole into the perfect fit for him. He had her face down in the bed as he held her ass cheeks apart, dipping his juice coated in and out of her ass. She was taking it very well after he instructed her to relax or it would hurt more like before. Ozai filled her ass up, emptying his sack completely for the time being. It would take a few days to recover after all he had done with her. Agni, her body was what he needed. He felt he was in a much better mood.

Katara had fallen asleep with cum covering her mouth and leaking from her ass and pussy. He smirked at his handy work and figured he'd go throw on a robe to get something to eat while she rested in his bed.

As he exited his chambers to order the servants to make him something, Ozai noticed the gates of his domain opening and in coming his son. He saw the young man had clearly just returned from his girlfriend's estate and looked as if he was sated from his activities over the few weeks he had been gone to the northern province. Waving to him as a greeting, Ozai watched his son come over and tell him he had finally proposed to Mai.

"Congratulations, my son." Ozai patted his back. "Your grandfather will see to it you have your own domain like your cousin. You'll become a man of your own household. I look forward to it."

Zuko smiled and nodded at his father's approving words.

Seeing his son head off to his chambers, Ozai order the servants to bring his and Katara's lunch to his chambers before re-entering them. He found Katara was not in bed but instead in the bathroom vomiting. He grinned and folded his arms as he saw her looked up at him.

"Figured that sort of protein wasn't really up to your standards so I have the servants bringing our lunch her."

Katara furrowed her brows, "I'll just take it in my chambers."

"I'm attempting to spend some time with you, princess. The least you can do is indulge me."

Katara rolled her eyes, "You only mean to fuck me some more."

Smirking, "I'm spent after the delicious performance you gave me, darling. You'll have to give me a few days."

"Then what do you want?" Katara was now confused.

Ozai shrugged, "Quality time."

Furrowing her brows, "Huh?"

"Indluge me." Ozai told her.

…..

Katara laid in bed staring at the sleeping Fire Prince as she laid under the sheets naked after an evening of some pretty heated sex. She hated to admit it but it was as good as it had been before. They clearly had amazing sexual chemistry. Must have been an opposites thing. They collided like waved on a sandy shore but when they mixed and mingled, it was easy to get swept away. However, she couldn't let that happen again. As enjoyable as the sex was and the obvious signs of him coming around to her, Katara knew as soon as Ursa returned, things were going to get weird again and then she would be hit with him hating her again. She figured out he was pretty much ashamed of her. Ashamed of them. She was afterall a Water Princess, the exact opposite of him, couldn't be helped that he'd feel some shame towards them.

Deciding to remove herself before she ended up getting her feeling shurt again, Katara climbed out of bed and grabbed her clothes. As she threw them on, she snuck of of Ozai's chambers and slid the door back quietly. However, as she turned to head back to her chambers, Katara gasped as she saw the Fire Prince's eldest son looking at her with confusion and then disdain.

"What are you doing leaving my father's chambers at this time of night?" He asked her in a demanding tone.

The Water Princess meekly told him that his father had her over for the night and had been since a few weeks ago. "Besides, I'm his 2nd wife. I don't see why it is a big deal." Katara explained.

Growling, "You're a whore of a princess that seduced a married man! You're only married to him because you got knocked up and now you think you can just sleep with him whenever my mom isn't around!"

Katara was about to say something to her defense when the door slid open behind her and Ozai stepped out.

"What's going on here?" Ozai asked as he saw his 2nd wife trembling as his son scowled at her.

Zuko hissed as he looked from the Water Princess to his father, "What are you doing with her, dad?! If mom saw this then-"

"Katara is as much my wife as your mother. I can do with her as I please." Ozai told him sternly. "Now head off to bed and mind your business."

Zuko sucked his teeth before storming off.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ozai raised a brow at Katara.

Katara turned to look at him, "I was heading to my chambers. Getting out of your way for tomorrow. You begin your duties again."

Ozai eyed her funny and figured there was more to it but he wouldn't pry. "Very well. Be on your way." He told her nonchalantly.

The following morning, Katara got up to a servant laying a small box down on the bed. She rubbed her eyes and stared at it for a moment before the servant stated the Fire Prince had gotten it for her, expecting her to wear it since she didn't have many nice hairpins. Opening it, Katara saw that it was a cute phoenix bird hairpin where the tail had ared and blue gems in it. As she was prepared for the morning, Katara had the servants do a half up, half down hairstyle before placing her new hairpin in her hair. She stared at it in the mirror as it stood out pretty well.

Exitting her chambers with Yukino, Katara figured she'd ask Ozai for permission to leave the domain. She figured he might agree due to him now being allowed to leave due to his punishment being over. As she headed to his chambers, she saw him spot her right away and grin at her as she approached.

"Come to send me off, Princess?" Ozai asked smugly as he noticed his gift to her nestled nicely in her hair.

Katara shook her head, "I wanted to go into town or see the palace gardens. Leave the domain. Can I?" She asked.

Ozai reached for Yukino and cooed at the small child, "Do as you like. I just hope you'll save some energy for me later." He said as he kissed his daughter on the cheek, complimenting the cute little girl on how beautiful she was.

Sighing as she looked to him, "Ozai, I think it best we didn't continue doing that. Ursa will be just as angry if not more than your son was."

Sucking his teeth as he thought about Ursa being upset, as much as he wanted to say the woman needed to face it as Katara was as much his wife as she was. However, he knew Ursa would never go for that and would raise hell. He wasn't sure about Katara enough to risk messing things up further with Ursa.

"We can stop once she's returned. Until then, I say we continue enjoying the obvious good sexual chemistry we have." Ozai smirkd at her as he looked her over. "I might be the only man you've been with but you're more pleasing than the experience women I've had my feel of."

Katara blushed and furrowed her brows, "She could come anyday."

Ozai smirked at his pretty little water princess as he reached to caress her face, "Go visit the gardens or whatever it is to enjoy yourself. You keep me happy and I'll return the favor."

The Water Princess was about to protest but her Fire Prince of a husband kissed her lips and whispered that he'd see her tonight before heading off. As she stood there with an uneasy look on her face. She knew he'd probably say something like that to her. She was kidding herself if she said the sex wasn't incredible. It was and honestly, she knew this would eventually confuse her again because the last few times, Ozai had kissed her even after she told him not to do so again. He was either uncaring of the consequences and how it would make her feel or he didn't care because he wanted her to fall for him again for his own selfish gain. La, she hated him.

Another week went by and Katara was clawing the sheets as her husband fucked her viciously from behind. Ursa had wrote to him that she was returning in a day's time, so he felt he needed to really get as much satisfaction from her before he had to go back to not sleeping with her. He told her he still wanted her to cook for him, play the erhu, and let him bond with their daughter but it was all they could do when Ursa was back. She didn't understand why he was so obsessed with appeasing a wife that she was starting to realize, he didn't actually love or even like.

As he flipped her on her back, her thigh pulled to his middle as he fucked her hard into his bed sheets, Ozai told her they'd have to act like they still hate each other. It was the only way to convince Ursa that nothing like this was transpiring between them.

Cupping his face as he piercing gold eyes stared into hers, Katara tried telling herself that this man was evil and only wanted to use her body for his own gratification. He didn't love or care about her. Same as he felt about his 1st wife. They were both here solely to serve him in whatever way he wanted. Handsome as he was, good fuck as he was, prince as he was, she would not let herself forget this fact.

After he finished with her, Katara climbed out of bed before he could force her to cuddle up with him. She didn't know why he wanted to do stuff like that seeing as they were not on good terms. They were more cordial and having sex again but that meant nothing. She didn't want to pretend to be lovers with him like they had in the South Pole, they were already married and there was no love in any of this.

"You're upset." Ozai said as he laid on his side and watched Katara get dress.

Katara sighed, "No, I'm just keeping in mind that this is no different than before and that I shouldn't forget that."

Smirking, "Falling for me again?"

"No, I'm just reminding myself not to in case I haven't learned my lesson already."

Laying his head on his pillow, "You're welcome to fall if you'd like. I may not return them but I promise I'll be kinder to you about it than I was last time."

Rolling her eyes, "Let's just go back to how it was before. I hate you and you hate me. That simple. I don't want to fake like there's something more than sex between us when we both know there isn't."

"Sex not enough for you, princess?" Ozai's smirk fell away as he sucked his teeth. "Fine, we'll figure something out."

"No, I'd rather you be honest with yourself and with me." Katara said as she hurried out of the room.

The following morning, Ursa arrived and Katara watched from the courtyard where she was playing with Yukino, who now could walk. She saw Ozai kiss his 1st wife on the lips and smile at her. It was a warm simple smile. No mischief or lust. Just the look a man would look at a woman that made him happy. That had to be it. Ozai might not love Ursa but he sure did enjoy whatever happiness she provided him. It must be nice.

A few days went on and everything was about the same as it had been before Ursa left. Ozai avoided her and she stayed out of his way. Only difference was that he had the servants let her know she could leave the domain as she liked so long as she was back before the sunset. That and he stopped by her chambers to take Yukino for a little while on his lunch breaks as well as giving her new clothes in preparation for the summer garden party that she was surprised that Ozai was allowing her to attend along with their daughter.

When the day of the garden party arrived, Katara decided she'd wear the blue and gold hanfu dress Ozai had sent to her along with the phoenix hairpin he sent back with a letter telling her to keep it as it was a gift. Her arms were dressed with gold bangles and matching shaw to go over the bend of her arms. Makeup was done lightly as her lips were red and her eyes lined in thin black liner. She hadn't looked this nice since arriving here. Her daughter had her hair in a cute bun as she was made to wear a cute yukata that had matching colors to hers.

As the two of them left their chambers with two servants following them to accompany them to the garden party, she spotted Ozai with his 1st wife and their children. She nervously approached them and saw Ozai's eyes catch hers. She could see his eyes roaming her in appreciation before Ursa noticed and furrowed her brows.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ursa asked sternly.

Katara looked at the woman but before she could say anything, Ozai spoke up.

"Father wants her at the party. It can't be helped."

Ursa sucked her teeth as Zuko glared at the Water Princess.

Arriving at the garden where the party was about to begin, Ozai and his family sat to the other side of his father as his brother's family sat to the right. Ursa and their child were on his right as Katara and their daughter sat to his left. Many of the nobles looked to him and his wives as it had been a while since the 2nd was publicly allowed to be seen with him. Though many couldn't understand why the younger and prettier wife was obscured, they all deduced the it was likely she didn't get along with the Fire Prince or Fire Princess from what rumors said.

The party commenced after the Fire Lord greeted his subjects and performers began dancing for them as they were all served food wine with the food that conveniently sat on all their tables. Katara ate some of the fruit as a servant approached with a basin of wine. She held her glass up to be poured into but Ozai placed his hand over the top of it causing his father to smirk while both his wives were confused.

"You should try not to drink." Ozai whispered to her.

"Why not?" Katara was confused.

"Yes, why shouldn't she? It's a party. People drink." Ursa looked at her husband in confusion. "If you want to tease her and be restrictive, try not doing it in the public eye."

Ozai was about to say something to that when his father burst into laughter before addressing him.

"Seems your concern is ill placed, my son. I'm told she has her cycle as of this morning." Azulon said.

Ursa was confused for a moment until it dawned on her and she stood up abruptly, slapping her husband across the face before storming off. Everyone managed to catch what had happened and were taken aback as the Fire Princess ran off with her children tailing behind her. Embarrassed and afraid this would somehow be her fault, Katara scooted herself further away from the Fire Prince as she didn't want him taking his anger out on her throughout the party. However, to her surprise, Ozai had a completely different reaction to Ursa slapping him.

Calling the servant back over, Ozai ordered them to pour both their drinks. "I don't see the big deal. Ursa is out of line."

Katara reached for her wine glass and drank from it as she watched him from the corner of her eyes. He made the servant leave the basin and poured himself some more.

"Drink up, princess, these parties are a bore. The alcohol will entertain you much more." Ozai said as he downed the second drink.

As the party went on and then concluded, Katara would admit that Ozai was right, the party was a bore. Back home these would have been called glacier parties and they'd begin at sundown. Those parties were lively and wild, typically on the night of a full moon when everyone would feel the pull of the moon. They were wonderful. She only got to attend once as she was tossed away from her tribe a year after coming of age to attend. She really missed her hope.

On the way back to the domain, Katara told the servants to take Yukino back as she'd help the Fire Prince back after all the drinking he had been doing during the party. He seemed to have drunk the entire basin and could barely stand on his own. The Water Princess helped him into his chambers and laid him on his side in bed. As she was about to head back, Ozai caught her wrist to stop her.

"No, don't go…I need to tell you something." Ozai said as held her wrist.

Katara turned to look at him, "What is it?"

"When I was leaving the South Pole…the night before, you said you had fallen for me." Ozai did his best to steady his voice in his drunken state. "I didn't say anything back, just kissed you and put you on your back but…-"

"It's fine. That's in the past. You already told me you didn't feel the same."

Ozai sat up on his elbow and looked at her, shaking his head. "I'm a coward, Katara. The worst kind. I can only say this because I'm drunk and I'll just take it back when I sober up but I need you to know I never hated you. Never. I hated getting caught with a Water Tribe woman again. My father already mocks me for the first one and Ursa never really forgave me for it either. Then you showed up and I had to be confronted with it all over again. I was angry and stupid and you lost everything already and I added insult to injury. I'm sorry, princess, I didn't want this to be your reality. Not after I cost you so much already."

Katara stared at him numbly, "Why does it even matter?"

Shutting his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his brows, "Because you weren't alone in falling."

Snatching her wrist from him, "That's pretty sick, Ozai."

"Huh?" He reopened his eyes in confusion as she went onto slap him.

"You don't have to lie to me, you sick bastard!" Katara shouted at him before storming out of his chambers.

"I promise, it isn't like that." Ozai told Ursa as he knelt in front of her, pleading for her to not be so angry with him. "At the end of the day, she is my wife too and I was only doing it because I knew she felt neglected. We hadn't been together since the fall banquet and it's nearly a year later. Can I really be blamed here?"

Ursa had her arms folded as she sat on the courtyard bench and tried to give her husband the benefit of the doubt. She was sure that Water Princess seduced him once again with her innocent act. And he was right, she was his wife but so long as she knew her place, Ursa would let it slide. He could have her as he pleased but she swore him to never neglect her. Never.

Ozai agreed to this and kissed her hand as he caught sight of Katara hurrying pass them with Yukino. He decided he'd try to talk to her later since he now had Ursa onboard with him treating her more like a wife.

Later that day, Ozai watched as Katara re-entered the domain holding Yukino's hand while the little girl held a stick of candied fruit. Clearly, they had went into town. He wondered where she got the money seeing as he never gave her an allowance. He made his way over to her and paced himself to walk along side her.

"Can we talk?" He asked her.

"About what?"

"About us."

"Then there's nothing to talk about because there is no us."

Ozai furrowed his brows, "Well, I want there to be."

Katara paused and turned to look at him with a deadpan look on her face, "What you want is to fuck me without feeling shamed or restrained. You want full access to me and you want it without giving more than your cock will unload into me. No thank you. I much rather you hump someone else than to hump me like I'm a damn tool to help you reach completion."

Ozai balled his face in anger at what she was saying to him. "This is what I get for trying to be kind to you?!"

"Kind?" Katara sucked her teeth. "You have never been kind to me, my lord. You have always been cruel."

The Fire Prince lost his temper and slapped her across the face. "You fucking bitch! Fine! I won't fuck you! But because you don't put out, don't expect shit from me!"

"Very well."

"And I don't want to see you at all!" Ozai spat. "You stay locked away on your side of the domain!"

~One Year Later~

"I didn't ask you, Ozai, I'm telling you." Iroh scowled down at his brother. "This is an order as your Fire Lord."

Ozai sucked his teeth. He knew as soon as their father died and Iroh took the throne that he would do something like this. He was always jumping down his throat about how he treated his second wife so badly and neglected her so terribly that the woman befriended a squirrel that made its nest in the tree outside her chambers' window. Sure, it was odd as all hell and he did feel bad for her but he wasn't really interested in having to be the one to fix it.

"Can't you just divorce us?" Ozai asked his brother.

Iroh sighed as he pinched his brows, "That is not happening. If we do that, the Southern Chieftain will have cause to attack us for the mistreatment of his daughter."

Rubbing his temple, "I haven't seen that woman in a year's time. Only reason I even know that she and the baby are alive is because the servants that enter periodically inform me what she's up to. I'm horrified at what she might look like."

Iroh wanted to hear no more and ordered that his brother move his second wife and child to the main part of his domain. He was also told that anything he did with his first wife and children, he needed to extend that same kindness to his second wife and child. Otherwise, he would remove him from his position at court and his salary would be cut in half.

Returning to the domain, Ozai gave his servants orders to follow him as he entered the side of the domain that he left restricted for only his second wife. Entering, the Fire Prince saw the Water Princess playing with their daughter in the flowers. She was smiling as she placed the flower in Yukino's hair. He watched as her blue eyes lifted to him and while Ozai knew she was beautiful from the day he met her, he felt he had forgotten just how beautiful she was while he had her locked away in this area of his domain.

"Katara." He addressed her as he stopped a foot from her and Yukino.

Katara climbed to her feet as Yukino turned around and looked up at the man she didn't know was her father. "Yes?"

"I'm having you move to the main part of the domain. My brother has ordered that I not continue to mistreat you and seeing as he's the Fire Lord now, I can't disobey him." Ozai explained.

Tilting her head, "He's Fire Lord now?"

Sighing, "Yes, our father passed away last month."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Katara offered.

Ozai scoffed, "Trust me, no one is mourning that old bastard. You think I'm horrible, that bastard was a hundred times worse. Hell, half of why I locked you away in here was because that creep was eyeing you."

Katara furrowed her brows at this but didn't comment as she had no idea how to respond to that bit of information.

"Anyways, the house rules have changed." Ozai stated. She was to eat her meals with the rest of the family, leave the domain but only with escorts, and outside of that, the only things he warned her against was entertaining other men and speaking ill of him. "Also, there are certain expectations you have as a wife of a Fire Prince. In exchange for all that I provide you and our child, you are to obey me. Always. Understood?"

Katara nodded her head.

"Excellent, now follow me."

The new chambers were beautiful compared to the ones she was given before. They came with a set of servants that would wait on her hand and foot. In addition, she had a new wardrobe with clothes that finally suited her social status. Katara was a bit confused as she and her daughter had their few things brought in. For over a year, she had been living like a peasant within this domain and was treated like a prisoner. Why was the Fire Prison suddenly taking new liberties with her? Sure, it was on his brother's orders but he didn't have to do all of this. But regardless, she wouldn't think too much of it. Ozai was not a kind man. She knew that when she met him and he only continued to show her just how unkind he was. Truthfully, after spending a year out of his presence following his mistreatment of her, Katara felt it would be an adjustment being around him now.

As the servants were dismissed, Katara looked throughout the chambers to find that Yukino had her own room and wardrobe. Behind her, she heard the Fire Prince quietly follow her. When she went to slide the door she thought led to another bathroom, the Water Prince found that it was another bedroom or rather, more specifically, a nursery. She lifted a brow and turned to him.

"Yukino no longer sleeps in a crib." Katara pointed out to him.

Sighing as he clasped his hands behind his back, "I'm well aware of that. These rooms are not for her."

"Then who are they for?" She was confused.

"Our son." Ozai told her as if he wasn't really interested in further explaining himself.

Katara lifted a brow, "Umm, we don't have a son, Ozai."

"Not yet, we don't." He clenched his teeth.

"I don't follow."

Groaning as he rolled his eyes and turned away from her, "As the wife of a Fire Prince or Fire Royalty, you have to contribute to the line of succession. This typically means having a male child, preferably a firebender, with me. I don't see the need for you to do so since I already have a son but my brother insists that you follow tradition like all the other wives of royalty here in the Fire Nation."

Katara was a bit put off by this, "But what if I don't want to do that?"

Pinching his brows, "Trust me, I don't want you to have to. However, my brother will remove me from my position at court."

"So?"

"So?! My position at court is what pays for all this!" Ozai pointed out.

Tilting her head, "Don't you get an allowance as a prince?"

Looking at her like she was the stupidest woman he had ever met, "Of course, a princess wouldn't understand as you don't have to earn your allowance but for princes, we have to earn it. I'm sure your brother doesn't just freely receive money."

Now that Katara thought about it, that was probably definitely a thing because her brother always seemed pressed to commit to his duties to their nation. She thought it was just because he was dedicated when he came of age but perhaps, he was just trying to earn his allowance like Ozai said.

"I don't want to do this anymore than you do but we've done this before without any intentions of having a child. We could very easily get this over and done with." Ozai explained.

Sighing as she nodded, "Very well."

Dinner came around a few hours later and it was awkward. For everyone. Ozai was used to his family just chattering amongst one another and him listening to them, only chiming in when necessary. However, tonight was quiet and no one seemed to want to break the silence. Ursa had long stop advocating for the Water Princess after he slept with her for over a year on the night of the banquet. He wouldn't lie, he thought it was petty seeing as Katara was his legal wife too, but then again, she was always the woman he had an affair with. His children had nothing to say because they could feel the tension between their parents and the Water Princess. As for Katara, she wasn't going to say anything to begin with.

When dinner ended, Katara was the first one to flee and as soon as she was gone, Ursa turned to him with a look of lament.

"Iroh won't yield?" Ursa asked him.

Ozai shook his head.

"Why does he have such a bleeding heart?! She already has a child with you!"

"I know that, Ursa, but I can't disobey him. He's Fire Lord now."

"But what if she doesn't have a male child? Or what if the child is a waterbender instead of a firebender?! How many times are you expected to get her pregnant until she has one?!"

"Enough!" Ozai hissed as he turned to face Ursa. "Look, I don't like this anymore than either of you do but I'm the provider for this family and I can't provide for you if I lose my position at court. Now, I'm sure my brother won't torture us both in order to follow this dumb tradition. So, as long as he sees we have tried, I think that will be enough for him."

Ursa sulked at this. "Ozai-"

"I will do my best to get this over and done with."

Katara was being prepared for bed when the Fire Prince showed up at her chambers and let himself in. He dismissed the servants while they were in the middle of wrapping a towel around her. When they were alone, Ozai grabbed her by the arm and yanked her with him to her bedroom. There, he pulled off her towel and turned her to face the bed, bending her over on it. He didn't bother warming her up or easing her into the act, he just took her and he took her with the only goal in mind being that he had to cum inside her. It was quick. No more than a few minutes. When he finished, he pulled out of her and told her to not get up or his seed would spill from her. Ozai left immediately afterwards and Katara laid in her bed trying to figure out how she was going to get through this. This was far worse than her experience with him on the first occasion. At least when she lost her virginity, it felt like they were both enjoying it but this just felt like a soulless act that neither of them took any pleasure in.

The next few nights were the same deal and each night she felt more and more like cattle. She clearly had no other duties but have another child with the Fire Prince. However, one day while playing in the courtyard with Yukino, Katara saw the Fire Prince bump into a servant he didn't see and fall over the outdoor railing into the courtyard. She stood to her feet instinctively as she went over to see if he was alright but she paused when she heard him yell at the servant, firing the poor woman on sight while he shouted in pain. It wasn't until he spotted her and he yelled at her to come help him up. Katara nodded and hurried over to him, trying to assist him in standing. But when she got him to stand, Ozai cried out in agony as he crippled back down to the ground. Katara called for help from the guards and they quickly came to help.

Ozai was carried back to his chambers and Katara followed them to make sure he was okay but he yelled at her to leave after ordering the guards to get the palace Physician.

"But I can help." Katara tried telling him.

Not wanting to hear it, "Get out! I'm already dealing with this! I don't want to be in an even worse mood!"

"Please, I just want to help."

"Help how?! You're a useless pathetic water slut! Get out of my room!" Ozai spat at her.

Furrowing her brows, Katara decided to ignore him as he went on to shout more at her. Bending the water from the plant near his nightstand after pulling open his robes to his bare skin, the Water Princess let the water glove her hand and went to place them down over his chest. She refused to listen to him as she felt demonstrating what she was trying to do was the better option. As soon as her hands touched his skin and she began working her bending through his body, Katara heard him react to what she was doing and at first, he cried out some more in pain but little by little she could hear sounds of relief escape him. Just as the physician showed up, Katara finished what she was doing and the palace physician raised a brow at her.

"A water healer?" The man said as he seemed familiar with what she was doing when he walked in.

Katara nodded her head.

"Then I guess I'm not needed." The Physician chuckled.

Ozai sat up and growled, "Why not?!"

"Because of that." The man pointed at the Fire Prince and how he was sitting up after a back injury that left him unable to move. "Water healers are far more effective and quicker in their healing methods than the best physicians in the world. You're fortunate that your wife here knows how to heal with water. It is a very useful skill." The physician turned to the Water Princess. "How proficient are you, your highness?"

Katara explained how she could heal most illnesses with the exception of anything chronic or terminal, those she could only treat the symptoms. She could heal bones and muscles pretty well. She could also stop bleeding and repair damaged organs.

Impressed, "Then you're a high level healer it would seem."

"I learned in the North Pole from the best water healer currently in either tribe." Katara stated.

"That is obvious it seems." The Physician smiled at her before looking at the Fire Prince. "Your wife would be quite useful if you allowed her to assist me in the infirmary. I could teach her traditional/formal medicine and she could work on some of my patients that are in critical condition."

Ozai looked from Katara, who looked excited, to the physician that was hopeful. "She can do so after she's fulfilled her duty to contribute a male heir. She doesn't have time to waste playing doctor."

The Physician nodded as he understood this and let the Water Princess know that he looked forward to working with her in the near future. When he and the servants left, Katara figured she would leave too but the Fire Prince told her to wait right there. He got out of bed and walked over to her.

"Ursa and I have plans tonight. I won't be seeing you this evening." He told her.

Glancing over her shoulder, "Good to hear." Katara replied before trying to leave again.

"Good to hear?" Ozai eyed her funny. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Turning around to face him, Katara tilted her head up at him. "It means that that's good. Now we don't have to force ourselves in that soulless act for a night. It's kind of miserable don't you think?"

"Soulless?" His lip twisted in a snarl.

Nodding her head, "We had better sex when we were strangers. Now all the bad blood and the task of having another kid just makes it feel horrible. I don't even get off, which is fine, I normally finish myself after you leave but the sex is awful. So one night without having to do that is a relief. That's all I mean."

Not even a minute after she explained herself did Katara find herself in the pond outside the Fire Prince's pond. She looked up at him and saw him scowling down at her.

"I don't know what I said wrong." Katara said as she tried to get up from the pond.

Ozai grabbed the pole that the servants used to scatter the lily pads in the pond and pushed her back into the water with it. "Then how about you sit in the pond and think about it."

Falling back into the water, Katara was forced down by the pole pushing her back down and she saw a sadistic smirk on the Fire Prince's face as he continued his assault. She sat in the pond letting him continue to hold her down as he laughed at how she was in her natural habitat since she was a Water Princess and all. It didn't really bother her too much as she learned in the year of isolation not to give way to negative feelings all the time. Truthfully, she didn't care that he didn't like her and made it his business to make her life a living hell. As long as she got to live and raise her daughter, she didn't care about this miserable old man. He clearly wasn't happy with his own life and wanted to make her equally as miserable. But he would remain alone in his misery as she didn't give a rat ass how mean he was. She just really felt sorry for him.

Seeing the woman was not at all phased, "What's wrong, princess? Not having fun in the water?" Ozai chuckled.

"Nope." Katara said as she sighed and looked at him. "It's kind of hard when the only joy you seem to get is when you're hurting me. It's honestly kind of pitiful."

Ozai's smirk melted off as he stopped hitting her with the pole. "What did you say?"

"It's pitiful that you only get fulfillment in trying to make me feel bad all the time. I haven't done anything to you. If anything, I've healed your injury, followed your rules, and stayed out of your way. My only offense is that I told my father you were the man that I slept with in order to save our daughter's life. However, you have been cruel from the very first day I met you, unprovoked. You talk about how I ruined your marriage but from what I've seen and heard, you don't have feelings for Ursa nor are you even slightly attracted to her despite her being a very beautiful woman. You're always being forced to do things you don't want to do and in order to get what you want, you submit. Everyone in this domain walks on eggshells around you because you're just one wrong step from blowing up on someone and I think a part of you knows you're miserable and unhappy with your life because you look at me and all you want to do is tear me apart when I've done you no wrong. It's pitiful."

Ozai scowled at the Water Princess before calling for the guards and ordering them to have her punished for disrespecting him.

Iroh was beyond himself in anger. Servants from his brother's domain reported back everything that had happened in the last few weeks that she had been moved into the main part of the domain. Apparently, his brother punished his second wife frequently after she referred to him as pitiful for being so miserable that he wanted her to be equally as miserable. He saw to it that she got less food during all her meals, that she knelt from dawn to noon, could only bathe outside after midnight in the cold pond, and if she said anything out of the way at him, he had the guards whip her wrists as she was forced to hold them out. However, things only became worse in the Fire Lord's eyes as the physician was brought to his brother's domain to find that she was pregnant but the fetus was weak and unlikely to survive. Right now, they had the princess on bedrest and tried to ensure that she received the proper nutrition.

Arriving at his brother's domain with his entourage of guards and eunuchs, Iroh ignored the greeting that his sister-in-law, Ursa, gave him as he proceeded to see the second wife of his brother. It was there that he found the young woman resting in bed with a book in her lap. She lifted her blue eyes to him and Iroh saw a small smile pull to her lips as she greeted him. However, he was unable to return the gesture as he saw her bare wrists and the marks from her whippings visible. He watched the young woman try to get up from bed to bow but he insisted that she remain in bed.

"Your majesty, it is good to see you." Katara greeted him.

Iroh continued taking in her form, "I wish I could say the same. I've been told by servants what you've endured under my brother's wrath."

Katara tried to keep her face pleasant, "Yes, well I think I thoroughly piss him off sometimes."

"That is no excuse for his behavior and actions against you." Iroh told her as he furrowed his brows. "You are a princess in your own right and you shouldn't be suffering his abuse. You're with child and the physician has informed me that you are not likely to carry to term, even with your own healing abilities."

The facade faltered a little as she looked away from the Fire Lord, "I don't see it as a bad thing that this child is unlikely to take his first breaths into this world. I already have a child and her father cares nothing for her. He rarely ever sees her and speaks to her. Why would I want to bring another child into the world just so they can be scorned by their father? I know that is what you have asked your brother but could you concern the child? Is it fair to them?"

Iroh sighed and shook his head, "That is precisely why I am here. You are no longer required to contribute a male heir. I will not let you suffer that burden if this child does not survive."

Katara thanked the Fire Lord.

Just as the Fire Lord asked where his brother currently was, Ozai entered the chambers as it seemed he was informed that his brother was present here. Iroh scowled at him.

"You didn't say you were coming for a visit." Ozai pointed out.

"Because I didn't come here to see you, Ozai. I came to see my sister-in-law. I received word that she was pregnant and on bedrest."

Glancing over to his second wife that didn't bother to look his way, "Yes, well the physician says the fetus is weak. So, if it doesn't make it, we will-"

"I've just informed Princess Katara that she is no longer required to contribute a male heir." Iroh stated. "It would be too cruel to force her to have another child with you. Besides, I've already decided to deduct your salary."

"What?! Why?! I did as you asked me!" Ozai raged at this news.

Iroh scowled at him, "Because, brother, you are a horrible man and Ursa is no better as she has been complicit. Once we know what will become of the child she is carrying, I will have her moved from this domain into the main palace. My guards will remain here to see that she remains unharmed until it is time to relocate her."

Ozai glared at both his wife and brother. "Fine! It'll be good riddance!"

A few weeks went by and the Physician confirmed that the child the princess was carrying would survive so long as she continued to take care of her health. She was moved into the main palace, given even nicer chambers for her and her children. Iroh assigned her an allowance and gave her servants he knew would take good care of her.

However, as things were starting to become good for the Water Princess, the Fire Prince and his family had half their servants removed, Ursa's allowance was taken away and half of Ozai's salary was deducted. Their children were not at all happy about this as they expressed that this was all their father's fault for not just owning up to his part in the Water Princess having to move here and for treating her inhumanely. Now, they all had to suffer. Ursa refused to see her husband as she felt all the blame lied with him as he could have just been cordial but resulted to being cruel.

It was several months later when the Water Princess went into labor and gave birth to a son that took after his father but had blue eyes. The Fire Lord had him named Kazuto and presented him, along with his sister, the titles of Fire Prince and Fire Princess. Titles that had not been given to his older niece and nephew. This would allow them to be regarded more highly than their older siblings as well as put them on equal footing with their father.

~Four Years Later~

"Is this supposed to make me feel sorry for him?" Katara asked as her brother-in-law told her how her husband's first wife and children fled the capital to get away from him. Apparently, Ozai wasn't alone in his lack of feelings towards his spouse. Ursa held no feelings for him either. Their marriage operated off of a mutual benefit and since they stopped benefiting from their marriage to one another, Ursa decided to leave.

Iroh chuckled and shook his head, "No but he's been alone for a few months and hasn't bothered reporting in for his duties in the last few weeks. I thought that maybe you could check on him and see how he is doing."

"Absolutely not." Katara quickly replied. "That man has never liked me. Ever. Even after I was out of his way, he still saw fit to slander me and give me evil eyes anytime he saw me around the palace. For all I care he can rot."

Sighing, "Yes, I understand that is how you feel, Katara. You have every right to feel that way. However, you are a compassionate woman. I have seen that with how you truly dedicate yourself to taking care of your patients with the palace Physicians and spend time with the orphans and homeless people here in the capital. You've managed to maintain your warm heart after all my brother did to try and make you as miserable as him."

Katara furrowed her brows as she looked away from the Fire Lord she was having tea with in one of the royal gardens while her son and daughter played tag nearby. She glanced over at her children and sighed.

"They know their father's name and who he is. Yukino doesn't recall his face and Kazuto has never even met him. Ozai would only be able to recognize him for his blue eyes." Katara said scornfully but slowly calmed herself and her anger. "I will go check on him. Make sure he's alive and somewhat well. But that is all."

"And that is more than most would be willing to do, Katara. Thank you." Iroh smiled at her.

Deciding to have a few servants escort her, Katara arrived at Ozai's domain and the Fire Lord's chief eunuch informed them that she had orders to see the prince. They did not object and let themselves in. When inside, Katara could see the domain was no longer the elegant and beautiful place it had been when she first arrived in the Fire Nation. It had become dusty and cobwebs decorated the crevices of every corner. The courtyard was overgrown and untamed. Some of the panel windows and doors had been patched from someone clearly breaking it. And as she quietly made her way to where Ozai's personal chambers were.

"My lady, do you think it is wise to enter?" one of the servants questioned.

"I'll go in first. Once I see that he's okay, we'll leave, okay?" Katara tried assuring her servants.

They all nodded to her before she slid the door open and entered the chambers. Katara looked around and saw everything was a mess. There was glass everywhere and things torn apart. She could see that Ozai clearly didn't take well to how things had been going for him in the last four years. Not that he didn't deserve it but she did feel bad that he was punished so badly that his wife and kids left him.

Reaching his bedroom, Katara had finally found him but he was sitting on the floor against the wall. His hair was disheveled and in his face. He was passed out, seemingly from drinking too much as he had several bottles empty beside him. He wore only his baggy night pants and a torn pale red tunic. She walked towards him and accidentally kicked a bottle over causing him to stir from his sleep. Katara paused as she saw gold eyes slowly open to her. She expected him to become angry at the sight of her but just stared impassively at her.

"I need to stop drinking…." Ozai lulled his head to the side and looked over the bottles that lay beside him. "I'm seeing shit."

"Oz-"

Groaning over the sound of his name as he ran his hand into his hair, Ozai tried to get up and nearly fell but managed to get good footing. He slouched a little and took slow uneven steps towards her. Katara just watched him like he was the most pitiful sight she had ever seen. When he reached her, the Fire Prince cupped her face and pressed his forehead to hers as he shut his eyes.

"Ursa left…" He said in a somber tone. "She said I'm going to rot alone."

Sighing as she wanted to agree with that statement but couldn't bring herself to kick a man while he was down, Katara slowly patted his back as some form of comforting. He dropped his head into the nape of her neck and started drunkenly sobbing. The Water Princesses saw the servants staring strangely at the odd sight of the Fire Prince. She, too, was not expecting this.

An hour later, Iroh decided to go check on his sister-in-law and see if she was alright. However, when he got there, he was surprised to see that his brother was with her in the sitting area of her chambers. He had a blanket over his shoulders with a hot cup of tea in his hands as Katara was pouring her own cup. The Water Princess glanced up at him as she sipped her tea.

Seeing the look on her brother-in-law's face, "He's not been looking after himself. So, I brought him here."

Iroh could see that. His brother looked awful. However, the Water Princess was clearly good in nature and at heart seeing as she was wanting to look after him it seemed. "Wonderful, Katara. Would you like me to inform the caregivers to bring the children here or should they take them elsewhere?"

"They'll have to take them elsewhere." Katara replied.

Iroh nodded, "Very well."

When the Fire Lord left, Ozai lifted his gaze from his cup of tea to his wife. "You and my brother seem close."

Nodding her head as she sipped some more tea, "Yes, well, Iroh has been good and kind to me."

"Of course he is." Ozai scoffed. "Iroh's not a blind man."

"It's not like that, Ozai."

"It doesn't seem that way."

"What does it even matter, Ozai?" Katara tilted her head at him as she set her cup down. "You have never liked me. If anything, you've only ever hated me. So, I don't care what you think is going on between me and your brother."

Ozai furrowed his brows and dropped his gaze. "I never hated you, Katara."

"Somehow I doubt that." Katara snorted.

"Doubt it if you want but I never hated you." Ozai told her. "You were a mistake I made that ruined the marriage and family I had. Everything I had before you showed up I had worked hard for and I was happy. You were the one that ruined it."

Katara narrowed her eyes at him, "I wasn't the married man that wanted to take the virginity of a maiden princess. I offered you something else but you made it clear that you wanted nothing else from me."

Ozai narrowed his eyes back at her, "And you were still willingly."

"And I don't deny my part in all of this. However, you continue to not see how you were equally, if not more, at fault." Katara didn't let up her gaze from him. "I lost my family, my home, I was punished by you, and I lost my best friend who froze to death because you wanted me to be punished for an affair that we both participated in. I suffered for my actions and now, it's your turn. The only difference is I'm not cruel enough to punish you on top of losing everything like you did to me."

Ozai sucked his teeth and looked away from her, "I don't need your charity, princess."

Rolling her eyes, "It's not charity, you moron. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to escape like Ursa and your children. So, I'm stuck being your wife even though we've been estranged for four years."

Standing to his feet, Ozai tossed the blanket off of his shoulders and scowled down at the Water Princess. "Fuck you, you damn bitch!"

Katara stood to her feet and stared at him impassively, "You can leave, Ozai. I only checked on you as a favor to Iroh and because there is some part of me that wouldn't mind being a genuine wife to you. But you don't want that with me and I'm okay with that. Me and the children have been just fine living in this part of the palace. We won't burden you."

Ozai was about to retort something when the caregivers showed up with the kids. He watched as the children ran over to their mother and hugged her leg. She greeted them warmly as she crouched down to kiss their foreheads.

"Mama, Uncle Iroh told our caregivers not to bring us here but we wanted to see you anyway." Yukino spoke with a smile.

Kazuto nodded as he suddenly noticed the man in the room and looked at him curiously, Yukino soon did the same.

"Who's this, mama?" Kazuto asked.

Katara looked over to Ozai and saw him just stare at the children with an unreadable expression. He looked as if he didn't know what to say to the children and since he wasn't going to introduce himself, she felt she should do so.

"This is your father, Fire Prince Ozai." Katara told the children. "He came for a visit but he's about to leave."

The two kids were surprised and excited. If it hadn't been for their mother pulling them back, they would have gone over to greet him.

"He's a busy man. He doesn't have time for you two. Now go onto your rooms and get ready for our trip into town. We have to help out at the orphanage today."

"Yes, mama." The two children said in unison before running of to their rooms.

Katara saw Ozai stare in their direction and sighed, "See, we are living our own lives separate from you. You don't have to be hostile towards us. I'm sorry that you think I ruined your life but it was never my intention to do so."

Ozai looked back at her and furrowed his brows, "Do you tell them about me?"

"They know your name and after today, they know your face. But there's not much for me to tell them. I don't actually know you outside of you being an asshole and I rather not let them know that half of who they are is a monster."

Averting his eyes from her, "Am I allowed to see them?"

"If that's what you want, Ozai. I've never been against you seeing them. I just accepted that you didn't want anything to do with us. But you're welcome to see them whenever. I'm sure they'd like that."

Ozai said nothing else as he left and Katara didn't expect him to. She just wondered if he was actually interested in their children as he had never shown any interest in them before.

A/N:

Will be back with more in a day or two