Review. Faster updates for this and other stories if this and other stories get more reviews. Would love to see art work of this or any of my other work. Faster reviews for my other less popular stories means that more updates at a faster pace. Or just more stories like this one.
Also any requests in reviews will probably be ignored.
Also just to be clear. I do not do pedophilia, all characters are aged up in this stuff or aged down depending on the character, no loli, no yaoi, no shota, I don't do watersports (Shit/Piss/fart fetish shit)I don't do stuff like vore or entire bodies getting shoved into places (Shrink play) I don't do blood play or torture (Ball/cock crushing etc) or certain old people, (Yes I am a fucking hypocrite) . Also if you ask for something in reviews that normally means I won't do it. So anyone who asks for that will be disappointed. If you have questions/requests/suggestions PM me instead.
Also have an ao3 account under the same name. and same titles.
Kya stood in the center of the garden. She was holding a brass ring above her head. Some fire nation sparrows were circling high overhead. She stared at them absentmindedly. They seemed so tiny and so far away. They looked lovely.
A knife was thrown through the ring. Kya bit her lip. The ring was very large, at least the size of a large basket. But still those knives were far from toys. They could easily cut her or worse if they actually hit her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Another one whistled through. Then another.
"This isn't fair. You have an unfair advantage!" Azula shouted in her high pitched piping voice. Kya looked again. Azula and Zuko were standing a good distance away. They each had a dozen more knives spread out beside them. A few were tied with blue ribbons for Azula, and some with red ribbons for Zuko. He rolled his eyes and hefted another blade.
"Come on. I thought that Mai taught you how to do this." Zuko responded teasingly. Azula frowned back at him.
"Mai is an idiot! She couldn't teach anyone anything! You are the one obsessed with metal all the time! This game is stupid anyway. You're stupid." She plopped onto the ground and snapped her fingers.
"I demand something to drink. Fruit juice." She ordered Kya. Kya looked between the two fire nation siblings. Zuko was frowning, annoyed that his game was being spoiled. And Azula was frowning because she wanted to ruin the game. It was impossible to tell who would be angrier if she refused.
"Yes Mistress Azula." Kya decided to go with the safer option. Zuko was much quieter then his sister. He might frown and pout, but she doubted that he would get physically angry. She had seen Azula fling fire bars at servants who displeased her. Zuko would merely pout or tattle to his mother.
Ursa described Zuko as being a sensitive boy. One who was emotional and reserved. Kya just saw a spoiled brat. The kind who was used to getting his way. And unable to help himself if he didn't receive what he wanted. Azula…well she was spoiled too. But she acted out and lashed out more then he did.
Kya moved with a grace and speed and filled up a goblet of fruit juice and added some shaved ice from a small bowl. It was hot in the fire nation. And the summer only made it hotter. Kya found herself sweating more and more. She doubted she was getting enough water. This land was strange, and the heat had pro's and con's. On the one hand it was oppressive and her body wasn't used to it. On the other hand it was also very freeing to be running around in nothing more then a loin cloth and tube top and high heels. It made her feel borderline naughty, like she would be disciplined for bad behavior.
Azula took the glass and sipped at it. She frowned and stared at Kya, who was kneeling down beside her. Azula smirked before turning to Zuko.
"I have another game that we could play." She purred. Zuko quirked a skeptical eyebrow.
"Most of your games are terrible. Need I remind you of punchies? Or smash the mirror? Or how about 'lets be air benders?'"
"Oh they weren't all that bad."
"They were all catastrophes. That poor boy lost the use of his legs."
"If he flapped harder he would have been fine." Azula shook the accusations off. She smirked and shook her head. "No no no. What I am talking about is this. Have you ever wondered why Mother and Father never permitted us to have pets?"
"I know why they won't let us have any pets. The first time you interacted with a turtle duck you yanked out the poor cygnet's tail feathers." Azula flushed and poked him aggressively in the chest.
"I was a toddler! It hissed at me!"
"After you attacked it." He responded. His jaw was set and he was trying to stare his younger sister down. She tossed her hands up in surrender.
"Ugh! Very well! It is entirely the turtle ducks faults that we cannot have any pets! Are you happy now? Happy that I said it?" She snapped. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"What's your idea?"
"Well we might not be able to have a pet ourselves. But what if…." She nodded her head towards Kya. "We improvise?"
Kya sat on her knees and panted. Eyes wide and hands up near her face. Her tongue out and eyes wide. Her mind was shrieking in annoyance. She strived to keep the anger and humiliation out of her eyes. She made them big, she made them soft, she forced her mind to relax.
Her toes were curled underneath her. Azula was snickering. And Zuko had even worked out a little smile. He was holding up a piece of shredded cow pig meat above her face. She had to squat down pretty low. She was still tall even when she was kneeling this low.
"Do you want the meat? Want the meat?" Zuko said teasingly. She licked her lips and whimpered. She scooted forward. Nearly pushing her fingers against his chest.
"Want the meat girl?" Zuko asked again. He pulled the food back suddenly. Some of the gravy drippings splattered her face and neck. Kya whimpered some more and bounced forward. Zuko danced away. Kya put her fingers into the soft springy grass and began to run forwards. On all fours. Her high heels made it difficult but she had not been told to remove them. And she needed them to order her to remove them right?
She almost stumbled over a rock and had to jump. Her biceps and thighs winced and sung under the exercise. Her thighs and back ached with bruises. The amount of abuse she received from the people 'training' her was wild. They tossed her wooden spears of varying length and weight until she could grab them with ease. She did squats and push ups until she collapsed, she was forced to sprint for hours at a time. And then they began the hard training, the dueling with spear, staff, pole ax, halberds and military forks. She enjoyed the trident the most. It had a elegance about it. A smoothness. It reminded her of home. It reminded her of her father, it reminded her of Hakoda going hunting.
She managed to outpace Zuko and get in front of her. Zuko came to a skidding stop with a laugh. He shook his head and dangled the meat.
"Come get it girl!" Kya narrowed her eyes and jumped for it. Telegraphing the move and purposefully moving too far to one side. So that he was easily able to jump to the side far before she caught him. Zuko continued to chuckle.
"No! You're doing it wrong!" Azula marched forward. She was frowning again. Zuko raised a skeptical eyebrow. He held the shredded and flavored meat out to Azula with sticky fingers.
"Alright then you do it." She snatched the meat from his hands with a sickeningly sweet smile.
"Thank you so much darling Zuzu." She said with a little head bob. Zuko scowled, grinding his teeth together.
"My pleasure." He grumbled. Kya had to cough down a snort. Zuzu? That was adorable. It was actually very precious. She got a slap across the cheek with the meat for her trouble.
"Now then, be a good puppy and beg." Kya got onto her knees and whined. Azula stomped her foot. "No! Bad puppy! On your back! Puppies beg on their back!"
Kya got onto her back and whined some more. Her legs curled close to her. Her collar grinding up the grass. She continued to whine and blink upwards. She just had to think of these children as her children, that she was just playing a game. Sort of like the games that she played with Sokka and Katara back home. She could do that. She could pretend that these two were her children. And that they were just having a cute little game.
"Good girl. That's how a good puppy begs. Now go get the meat!" Azula tossed the meat further onto the lawn. Kya got onto all fours and ran for the meat. She got there and stared down at it for a moment. She then did what any good dog would do. She leaned down and took it in her mouth. She chewed and then she swallowed. And she was only a little ashamed of herself.
"Oh puppy." Azula said in a sing song voice. Kya looked over her shoulder. Just in time to see Azula throw a stick. Kya saw it fly, and much to her surprise she launched herself into the air. She felt like she was staring at someone from down a long hallway. And they were performing amazingly. Her fingers curled, her toes pointed, her mouth opened, and she snatched the stick right out of midair. She landed lightly and trotted over to Zuko and Azula. She plopped the stick at the staring duo's face.
"Woof. Woof." Kya said. She then dropped her head and wagged her hips like she was wagging a tail. Her tongue rolled out and she panted some more.
"My turn!" Zuko said, he grabbed the stick and flung it out towards the garden. Kya did not hesitate. She spun and she sprinted for it. Not thinking, if she thought then irritating memories would come back. And this was so much kinder. This was so much simpler. Just keep the memories down, keep the thoughts down, suppress her dignity and she could do anything.
She ran and she scooped up the stick. She did this a few dozen more times until Zuko and Azula tired of the game. Then they ran around the perimeter with her, they made her beg for more meat. They pet her head and called her a good dog. And Kya took every last pamper that they gave her. And tried to ignore the knot of anxiety and humiliation squirming in her guts.
The carriage came to a shuddering stop outside of the museum. Lady Ursa stepped out first, a stepping stool being provided for her. She walked down with a demure smile. Katara stuck her head out after her and looked around at the massive monuments around her. The stone was large and bright blood red. There was a massive bronze statue of a frowning man who was bathed in fire. He looked cruel.
"Who is that?" Katara asked pointing upwards. Ursa smiled and pinched Katara's ear painfully.
"Only speak when spoken to. That is the way to be a good servant. But that is fire lord Sozin. My husbands grandfather. A great man, he defended the fire nation during the beginning of the one hundred year war. And managed to save the fire nation against her enemies. Including the Avatar. Twice." Katara looked up at the statue. It was not a very flattering statue. It made him look cruel. And angry.
"I wonder when she will return?" Katara mused. Ursa prepared to pinch the girls head again, but stopped her hand. Instead she just ran her palm across Katara's lovely thick hair. It almost felt like petting seal fur. It was so thick, and slightly warm, and amazingly soft.
"Yes. Sometimes I wonder that too."
The entrance to the Fire Lord Taiso art museum was made out of bamboo, weaved so tightly and so expertly that it was impossible for a drop of rain to get through. But gave the lobby a cheerful breathless feel.
"We are going to be going through many different rooms. So I expect you to remain close to me." Ursa said pointedly to the little girl. Katara nodded, her ringlets bobbing. Her collar clicked a little. She rubbed the back of her neck. Even with it adjusted to fit her the chain still felt too thick and heavy. It threw off her sense of balance.
The bright lobby had a single guide at the front. She bowed low to Ursa before gesturing grandly to the next room. One filled with flickering orange lights. Lanterns that illuminated the art pieces.
"My lady. We are honored with your prescence here today. We have prepared the tour and humbly offer you these first viewing pleasure. It will take you in an even counterclockwise circle from the lobby and all around." The guide began to stride forward and Ursa held up her hand. Politely yet very firmly.
"I wish to view the art by myself. If we are to host the party here then we must first see what it is like empty. You shall wait here. Katara and I shall go in alone." The guide gave a funny look at the name. Then saw the water tribe child and a bit of realization got through. The guide bowed even lower, forehead almost touching her pointy boots.
"As you wish my lady."
Ursa began walking at an even clipped pace. Katara ran to keep up with her. Ursa stepped into the place of art and culture with a deep breath and a smile. She walked a little ways and then felt a tug at her sleeve. She looked down in surprise.
Katara had taken a hold of one of them. She held it tightly in one hand. Her other balled up fist bouncing along at her thigh.
"Oh…okay then." Ursa said in surprise. Katara looked up at Ursa and smiled cheerfully. The big full toothed grin of a small child. Ursa felt her mind churn out a memory. Of Zuko at her age. Afraid of his own shadow. And only comfortable near a family member. Holding onto her dresses in a similar fashion. Less to keep up, and more to make sure she didn't sneak away.
Ursa cleared her throat and stopped in front of the first portrait. It was a massive one, much larger then life. It showed a comet streaking overhead, a mountain range billowing beneath it. And around the mountains figures darted through the air.
"This one is called TRIUMPH. Are you able to read this?" Ursa pointed at the plaque beside the picture. Katara looked at it and nodded.
"It's in the common script."
"What does it say?"
"It describes the fall of the air nomad army. And the death of the avatar along with them." Katara said. She ran her fingers over the words. They were stamped in bronze. And were very new and fresh. Ursa smiled and took Katara's hand.
"Come. There is much to see. I want you to know more about the fire nation. I want you to see how glorious your new home can be. Every little bit of our culture is now a little bit of your culture." Ursa pulled Katara along further into the museum. The lights dancing bright soft beams on their faces.
Katara paused at a massive picture frame. This one was just singed parchment paper all wrapped together. She looked at it from one angle and then another. She stepped back and cocked her head to the side.
Ursa walked up to Katara. The little girl was almost standing on her head she was so bent over. Ursa joined her in the odd pose. Their long hair trailing to the floor. The two looked at it silently for a few moments.
"I think I like it better this way." Ursa finally said. Katara stood back up and shook her head. All the blood rushing downwards. She snorted and blinked.
"Why isn't there a picture there?"
"It's abstract. It's supposed to be your interpretation." Ursa responded. She then put a hand over her mouth, and pinched Katara's ear severely.
"I told you to only talk when spoken to." She said sharply. Katara rubbed her ear and frowned in response.
"But you said you wanted me to learn about the art. How am I supposed to do that if I don't ask question's Miss Ursa?" Ursa rubbed her eyes.
"By the spirits you are as hard headed as Azula aren't you? And you are to not call me Miss Ursa. I am your owner, you may call me Mistress Ursa or your highness or mistress." Katara wrinkled her forehead.
"But isn't Miss Ursa just as long as mistress? Why can't I-?" Ursa held up her two fingers again in a playful threat. Katara closed her mouth. Ursa smiled softly and took Katara's shoulder and spun her towards the next hallway. They were nearly through. And this was the hall that Ursa was really excited about.
Katara's eyes widened when they got into the next room. The lanterns were replaced with blue paper, the orange faded right on the edge of the doorway. And scattered through out were water tribe artifacts.
Long poles and kayaks, canoes and large fur bearing whale bone beams. There was even a stuffed juvenile fur whale taxidermized and hanging from the ceiling. It was a green and yellow striped one too! She walked in mouth agape and eyes drinking everything in. If she ignored the heat she could almost convince herself that she was home!
"This is the second to last room on the tour. We shall finish the earth kingdom next. It is meant to show the extent that the fire nation has gained, the cultures that we have domesticated and the people that we have brought into the fold. Eventually I hope that they will all live in this museum. So that people can come from all over and see what they used to be. After seeing all that we have accomplished."
Katara walked past a wolf head helmet. It was similar to the one her father would wear on warring parties against other clans. There was one for hawk eagles, one for snow jaguars, even one for the far interior polar bear dogs. She stopped in front of a polar bear dog pelt. Next to it was a chieftains white bear pelt as well. Almost to show the distinction. She frowned and read the bronze inscriptions.
"Well that's certainly not true." She mumbled to herself, she felt Ursa looking over her shoulder and reading along with her.
" A white bear's pelt was only gifted to the greatest warrior of the clan. A symbol of great strength and fertility. Typically worn exclusive by kings, lords and the finest of warriors, or slain by one. What is incorrect?" Ursa sounded curious. Genuinely curious, Katara pointed towards the white bear's pelt, the eyes were replaced with red rubies. To make the snarling face all the more powerful looking.
"A white bear was gifted to the finest commander. Not the finest warrior. Someone who came up with the best battle or raiding plans. And you never killed one yourself. They are herbivorous and keep far away from human settlements. You would need to track an old one for months until it died peacefully. Killing one would be a grave insult to the spirits. And the southern water tribe doesn't have kings or lords. And if a common warrior wore that he would have to prove himself in combat. I don't think your museum has the facts right." Katara said with a small condescending smile.
"What do you mean finest commander? You keep on insisting on that instead of warrior."
"All men are warriors. And the fiercest isn't the best commander. If you fight on the front lines and your entire tribe came home safely every single time, then maybe you will have earned the right to wear a white bear pelt. But you don't just get one for beating someone up in a fight." Ursa and Katara were walking further down the hall. And Katara was starting to cast a critical eye on the items around her.
The southern water tribe must have been bad at communicating with other nations if this is what it told them! Half of these kayaks had burn holes in them. Probably from some dunderhead setting a fire in the bow. The helmets were knocked around and had dents in them. And the weapons were chipped. There was even cooking utensils mixed in with the weapons!
"I don't know which part of the south you got this stuff from but they did a bad job of keeping everything clean. I think the fire nation might have gotten conned." Katara said critically. Ursa chuckled at the naivete of children. Almost everything had been taken during raids. Violent ones too. Most of the original owners were dead in the snow.
"What do you mean you don't have any kings or lords?" Ursa asked curiously. Katara shrugged in response. An older more experienced servant would have wailed and yanked at their hair to see such behavior. At the casualness of Katara. After all others had been executed for less.
"We just don't. We elect a chief who serves for life or until we can't trust them anymore. Or he decides to retire. Most do so when they are too old to hunt or fish for themselves or a bad interclan battle hurts the tribe Then he can join the elders fire and can raise the youth or tell stories. Some give advice to future chiefs. But not many. My father is a war leader. But he isn't a chief. He might be one by the time I get back. I don't know." Katara paused in front of a large blue and white shawl. It was made with hundreds of small shells arranged in a complex weaving pattern. Little beads were mixed in here and there.
Ursa smiled as Katara gazed at it in slack jawed wonder.
"Some of these items we are very proud of. This was taken over fifty years ago. We aren't sure what it was used for. Only in the southern water tribe could they make something so useless. After all how is that supposed to keep you warm?" Katara snorted then giggled, and soon she laughed. She looked at Ursa with small tears pricking her eyes. Ursa frowned severely. She did not enjoy being left out of a joke. Or worse being turned into one.
"That isn't for warmth! It's a story shawl! It's from jaguar deer clan! You can tell by the beads!" Katara giggled again and wiped her eyes. "You are meant to wear it and do the Founder's Dance."
"The Founder's Dance?" Ursa kneeled onto the floor. Katara looked reverently upwards at the blanket.
"It is a dance to tell the story of the first tribes who reached the south. They all split up into different clans and families. This is from jaguar deer clan. Who was lead by a woman. I don't know her name. But she was short and had a big mouth. You can tell from the beads here and here. And the way the shells flow you can tell she was a water bender." Katara pointed at the shells. Her fingers never once touching. That was a terrible taboo. Touching another clans story shawl.
"A shawl to tell a story?" Ursa said critically. Katara frowned back her little chin jutting out.
"Better then going to some big old building to look at everything." Ursa pinched Katara's cheek. Katara winced and looked away. She was starting to get that the fire nation royals could sass each other. But she was not permitted to sass them.
"This building will keep culture safe. It will stand until the end of time. Your culture was left lying around. Can't you see how that ultimately failed?" Ursa spoke the way a teacher would to a student. Katara sniffled and nodded. She did have a point, maybe the southern water tribe should have kept the shawls and other things locked up. Then they wouldn't have been taken so far away.
"So you put on the shawl and dance in it?" Ursa asked. Katara nodded. Then shook her head.
"Oh?"
"You also sing the Founder's song." Katara said with a little smile. "My Gran Gran knows the entirety start to finish. I know…."
Katara closed her eyes and began to hum. She started low. Then began to pick up pace. Slowly growing higher and higher pitched. Her head tilted upwards. She tapped her heels in unison. And then her hands. Then her palms to her sides. Then her elbows against her ribcage. Then she began to move from side to side. As a song with many tilting parts came tumbling from her young mouth.
She stumbled over some words. She got others mixed up. And she forgot a few. And she finished only halfway. Ursa was standing her head down. Ursa promptly wiped at her eyes before offering her hand to Katara.
"Well. That was certainly something. Come though. It is lunch time. And you need to learn how to properly serve a cup of tea." Katara took the palm. It was still wet with tears.
The carriage came to a rattling stop in the courtyard. Ursa had stared out the window during the entire ride. Her mind was spinning. There was something magnetic about this little girl. What she told her….
Ursa was a loyal member of the fire nation. She had no qualms with what they were doing to the earth kingdom. Or the southern water tribe. After all the histories taught that the air nomads were gathering for some sort of demonstration. It was conquer or be conquered. And the fire nation was obviously the one that must win right?
Water would flow. The earth would sit. The air would blow. But fire could be snuffed out so quickly. For them to survive they had to act first and act decisively. So why…why did Katara's words resonate through her. She had been taught the north and south poles both had kings who ordered their people about remorselessly. They didn't even permit women in the military!
But…Katara said they didn't have a king. And they chose their leader? It all seemed so so strange.
However what greeted her in the courtyard was just as if not more odd.
"Mom?" Katara asked in surprise. Ursa snorted and covered her mouth in amazement.
"Mother. Katara." Azula said from her perch on Kya's back. Kya had a long golden riding bridle shoved in her mouth. Azula held the reigns loosely in one hand. Kya's hands were handcuffed to her collar. Pulling her forwards and downwards a little. Azula was holding a riding crop loosely in one hand. And had a riding helmet on as well. Her riding boots clicked at Kya's sides until the mother trotted forwards. She was going at an impressive pace.
But not fast enough to Azula's liking. She brought her riding crop down smartly and the meaty thwack of leather on ass made Kya run faster.
"Now what is this?" Ursa said shaking her head at her daughter's antics. Katara let out a yelp of surprise and then a whoop. Zuko had snuck up from behind and picked her up. She was holding onto his top knot like it was a riding horn. Her position on his shoulders nowhere as secure as the saddle on Kya's back. It had to have been specially ordered.
"Well you never let us have any ostrich horses. So we improvised." Zuko said with a grin. He then ran off after his sister and Kya. Katara laughing on his shoulders the entire time. Ursa touched her chin and chuckled. The scene just looked so ridiculous. Yet endearingly adorable. Those two were such a fine addition.
Sokka scuttled over the pebble snow. It was the size of fists here. He could see the shipwreck burning along the shoreline. No one else had been this far out on the fishing trip. His two fur bearing trout were slapping his side as he went.
He dug in his spear and frowned. Not a single person could have survived that. The one good thing about the fire nation ships is that they sunk fast and they had a nasty habit of exploding this far south. It was too cold for the metal, it would contract too fast.
He didn't know what he was looking for. Washed up boots. Weapons maybe. Food if it wasn't salty and waterlogged.
There were a few dead bodies. But most had sunk with the ship. Thick greasy smoke drifted upwards into the sky. It would soon be blotted out though. He knew that Nutha would not let him hear the end of it if he came back with just two fish.
The younger girl could just be downright rude. He was the oldest boy left in the tribe. That should have carried a bit more respect then what he got. There were dead bodies in the surf. Most were too crisp to tell if they were man or woman.
Something stirred to Sokka's side. He turned carefully. His spear up, it wasn't much of a weapon, but it would do. There was a fire nation solider. She was on her stomach. Her helmet was laying a few feet away. Her long black hair was in a tangle across the slick rocks and thick snow.
Sokka frowned. Only the woman's chest was moving. Something was pressing it upwards and downwards. Maybe a bird was trapped beneath her….Or maybe she wasn't entirely dead. He flipped his spear around and nudged her shoulder with the blunt end. A small brown snout poked out from beneath the young woman. The snout sniffed the air. A long inquisitive tongue shot out.
Sokka stepped forward. The star nosed shirshu growled deep in it's throat. While small it's teeth were no joke. And Sokka had been on the wrong end of a snapping turtle owl before. He knew size didn't mean anything if you fought hard enough.
"I guess I can eat you." He said skeptically. His spear spun around. Sharp end now pointing towards the tiny beast. It showed him it's teeth some more. Sokka started to bring the spear down.
A hand shot out and grabbed the spear right behind the point.
"Don't you…don't you dare hurt her. Or else I'll…I'll kill you." The woman lifted her head up. Her long black hair fell over one eye. Her teeth were bared like her pet. A long gash was beneath her shoulder blade. She glared at Sokka and then slowly fell over in a dead faint. Only managing to mumble out- "Nylaaaaa."
The small brown creature began to whimper nervously around it's master. Sokka put down his spear. He looked at this woman, this woman garbed in fire nation armor. This woman who was hurt. This total stranger who had never done him any harm…
"You better not make me regret this." Sokka grumbled. He dug his spear into the ground and draped the injured women's arm around his shoulder. The young boy stood up with a grunt. She was denser then she looked. And might have been earth kingdom? He couldn't tell. Most foriegners looked the same to him. He started to march back home. Nyla grumbling around his feet as he half carried and half dragged this found woman with him.
Review. Faster updates for this and other stories if this and other stories get more reviews. Would love to see art work of this or any of my other work. Faster reviews for my other less popular stories means that more updates at a faster pace. Or just more stories like this one.
Also any requests in reviews will probably be ignored.
Also just to be clear. I do not do pedophilia, all characters are aged up in this stuff or aged down depending on the character, no loli, no yaoi, no shota, I don't do watersports (Shit/Piss/fart fetish shit)I don't do stuff like vore or entire bodies getting shoved into places (Shrink play) I don't do blood play or torture (Ball/cock crushing etc) or certain old people, (Yes I am a fucking hypocrite) . Also if you ask for something in reviews that normally means I won't do it. So anyone who asks for that will be disappointed. If you have questions/requests/suggestions PM me instead.
Also have an ao3 account under the same name. and same titles.