OKAY GUYS this one is a little bit lemony, so be warned. As always I own nothing but my original characters! Please read and review and tell me what you think!
***Lemon***
Zuko laid back in a scalding hot bath, reveling in the heat. The delectable scent of Jasmine swirled around him in clouds of steam and somewhere nearby music was being played for him. He was home again, within the imperial palace of the fire nation, in his old rooms. Zuko sighed languidly as he sunk deeper into the enormous tub. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath. He was home, back in the luxury and honour that he deserved. He stood atop the world once more, and there was nothing that could hold him back. The sound of a door opening interrupted his reverie and prompted him to open his molten eyes and discover the source of the intrusion.
Kitsu stood by the door, a gentle smile on her face, clothed in a long silk robe that hugged her figure at every curve. Golden dragons snaked up the shimmering silk that embraced her body fondling her figure deliciously, and atop her head her lovely black hair was piled into an intricate bun that was topped with a fire nation crown. He could not help but notice how ravishing she looked in crimson. For a long moment he surveyed her covetously, tracing every inch of her with his gaze.
Zuko smiled broadly at her and lifted his hand out of the water, beconning for her to join him. Now the moment was truly perfect. Kitsu grinned broadly and a flush graced her tanned cheeks as she approached the bath. She paused near the opposite side and smiled teasingly at him as she twirled the tie to her robe in her fingers.
"Come here." Zuko requested, waving for her to join him. Kitsune chuckled at his insistence and tugged on her ties just hard enough that they were nearly undone. Zuko clenched his jaw as desire began to crawl up his spine and pool in his stomach.
"Say please, my prince." She replied in a sultry tone that made Zuko shiver. He burned his gaze into her mesmerizing eyes, and she returned every ounce of desire with them.
"Please." He conceded. Kitsu smiled so broadly her teeth showed and gave the gentle tug that released her robe. Ever so slowly she hooked her fingers into the hem and pulled the robe off her shoulders, exposing her body to him. The gossamer robe pooled at her bare feet. His eyes fondled the delectable curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts and the pucker of her nipples, even the hollow of her neck that he so desperately wanted to mark with his lips. His chest began to rise and fall with tension as he hardened at the sight of his beautiful bride. Kitsune stepped into the bath, her strong, shapely legs disappearing below the water.
She crossed the bath and settled herself in his lap, allowing him to cradle her body against him. Zuko reveled in the silky smooth sensation of her skin. He traced the line of her scar lovingly and she did the same to his. Their faces were mere inches apart and he succumbed to the desire to kiss her deeply. Kitsune wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kisses tenderly.
His grip tightened on her hip as they kissed and he paused to press their foreheads to one another. "You are so beautiful." He murmured.
Kitsu cupped his scarred cheek with her hand and kissed him slowly. "And you are handsome." She answered gently as she pulled away to study his face. "I want you to take me, Zuko." She whispered to him.
Zuko felt a fire light in his loins and he growled as he began to kiss her hungrily. Every motion he made she returned eagerly, running her hands down his chest to the place where his passion grew. Kitsune gasped as she touched his erection and stroked it. Zuko let out an animal groan as she caressed him. It was more than he'd ever dreamed of, it was perfect.
Their touch became a blur of lust as their hands explored each other and their mouths worshipped each other's flesh. Zuko's heart was pounding in his chest as Kitsu straddled him and took him inside of her. The way her lips parted in a cry of pleasure and her eyes pinched shut made him come completely undone.
***End Of Lemon***
Zuko's eyes snapped open and he panted as his heart thundered in his ears. There was a weight on him and it took him several moments to realize that it was Kitsu fast asleep on his chest. Zuko groaned and swallowed hard as he turned red with shame. He felt as though he was on fire he was so hot. Zuko put his hand to his forehead and pushed his hair out of his face as he stared at the ceiling of the tent. It wasn't the first time he'd had a lustful dream, but they had always been about imaginary girls whose names he never knew. Now Kitsu had slipped her way into his fantasies and he was thoroughly rattled. There he was, hard as a rock with a sleeping woman pressed into his side. It was more than he could handle, but he did not want to wake her by slipping away.
As gently as he could, Zuko tried to inch away from her but the instant his chest pulled away from her cheek Kitsu opened her eyes and blinked at him sleepily.
"Are you alright?" She asked roughly as one hand reached up and rubbed her eyes. Kitsu felt so delightfully warm, and the thin pocket of cool air that had appeared between them was an unwelcome development.
"I-I need to go to the bathroom." He spluttered quickly as he pulled away from her and stood up. Kitsu blinked and nodded as she tried to fill the empty space with blankets so that the heat wouldn't escape. He must really need to go, she thought.
"Oh." She replied dumbly. "Well hurry back. You were keeping me so warm." She mumbled as sleep threatened to take her again. Her eyes fell shut and Zuko grunted his agreement before rushing out of the tent.
The cavern was silent and the cook fire was nothing but embers. Zuko could feel the sun below the horizon even through the thick stone walls of the cave. Dawn would come soon and he could spend his day riding, well away from the sleeping woman who thought she was his wife. He sat on a rock by the cook fire and stared into the hot embers as he rubbed his neck. The dream had seemed so real. When he shut his eyes he could still see Kitsu in the throws of passion, clinging to him. He shook his head roughly and tried to push the image from his mind but it lingered there, taunting him. Usually he would dispatch himself when the need arose but there was nowhere private that he could tend to his desires. All he could do was wait for his blood to cool. How he wished he could practice his fire bending forms. It always helped him to focus his mind, but it was simply too dangerous.
An aggravated growl rose in his throat and clenched a hank of his hair. "What the fuck am I going to do?" He asked the quiet cavern.
It was nearly an hour before Zuko could return to the tent. He crept inside and did his best not to look at the sleeping woman as he pulled back the covers and warily slipped into bed next to her. His shame flared anew as he observed her peaceful face. Kitsu was balled up in a bundle of warmth beneath the blankets and the heat welcomed Zuko after the chilly air of the cavern.
The moment his head met the pillow he was enveloped in the smell of Kitsu's hair. She smelled warm and clean, with hints of peppermint lingering on her dark tresses. Kitsu groaned and rolled towards him, immediately snaking an arm over his chest and wrapping a leg over one of his before snuggling into him and sighing in her sleep. He could smell her scent before, but now her hair was just below his nose and he was steeped in her essence. Zuko swallowed hard and cursed himself. This was not going to get any easier.
When Kitsu awoke a few hours later it was with a long yawn and a cat-like stretch that abruptly reminded her that she was in no condition to be stretching. Kitsu winced and groaned at the sharp tug in her calf. To her relief the wound did not feel as searing as it had the day before.
"How are you feeling?" The low voice that rumbled beneath her cheek reminded her of her temperamental human pillow.
"Better." She mumbled as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. Zuko sighed in relief and rubbed his tingling arm. It had fallen asleep ages ago and now that he could finally move it, it felt like a thousand little needles were pricking his skin.
"Good." Zuko swung his legs over the edge of the cot and stood. Kitsu watched him stretch his arms high above his head and roll his neck with a groan. She envied the way he popped up like a spring daisy, as though he was awake for hours.
Zuko was careful not to face Kitsu, unsure of whether he would be able to keep the desirous thoughts from his mind. "Will you need help with your bandages before we set out?"
Kitsu examined the back of her husband's head, sensing a minute shift in the atmosphere around him. She couldn't place it but something felt weird in the tone of his voice. "I can manage it on my own." Kitsu answered honestly. Zuko grunted a response with a curt nod and exited the tent.
Kitsu was left in confusion. Had he just rushed to get away from her? She scoffed with aggravation and pushed loose strands out of her face. Was she ever going to understand that man?
As if on cue Ai slipped into the tent with a broad grin that would put sunflowers to shame. "Goodmorning!" Ai chimed as she set a new Kimono on the cot where Lee had just been. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did actually." Kitsu responded after a moment, a far off look in her eyes. "I don't think I even dreamed I slept so deeply.
"It's no wonder, Kitsu." Ai answered conversationally as she began unfolding the new kimono in preparation of helping Kitsu dress. "Your body is still working hard to heal." The younger girl puttered about, humming cheerily, more happy than she had ever been. In another day they would be on the ferry and on their way to Ba Sing Se. Her dream would come true, and even her moody employer couldn't bring her down.
Lee's outer coat still hung loosely from Kitsu's shoulders and his warm scent clung to it. Kitsune lifted the collar to her nose and inhaled the masculine odor she found there. She couldn't place an herb or any other aroma beyond the faint smell of sweat and leather.
"I suppose you are right." Kitsu said with a disinterested nod before pulling back her covers, releasing all the stored heat, and mentally preparing for the day.
Years ago in the fire nation…
Soo Ming lay in the grass of the imperial gardens, stretched out on her stomach. The sun warmed her skin and heated her Kimono while turtle ducks babbled in the pond. In her hands she leafed delicately through several marriage proposals from lords all over Caldera City and the colonies. Twenty two scrolls were rolled into one, displaying her beauty and value for anyone to see. She could have her pick of any of them. Of course she had organized them, by wealth, attractiveness, and prestige. Soo Ming sighed and sat up as she rolled the scroll up and gazed at the sky. She would be a fine lady, with a powerful husband, land, and titles. The opulence was so close she could taste it. Her bridal gown would be the deepest crimson and she would have her maids braid fire lilies into her hair. Would she wear diamonds or pearls? And what food would be served? So many decisions to make, and she hadn't even decided on her groom yet.
Soo Ming caught sight of her eldest brother, standing in the shadow of the cloistered walkway, watching her.
"What do you want, Lee?" She sighed moodily. "I'm busy."
"I can see that." Lee responded dryly as he drifted into the garden and stood next to his sister, looking down at her. "I have unfortunate news." He stated grimly.
Soo Ming rolled her pretty black eyes and flipped her hair behind her shoulder flippantly. "What is it? Is the price of komodo-rhino meat going down again?" Lee was always fanatically preoccupied with the economy, and foreboding news to him could be a shortage of Sheep Pigs on the eastern rim. She could hardly be bothered to keep up with his ridiculous worries.
"Our brother has abandoned his post in Ba Sing Se." Lee thrummed without any hesitation in his tone.
"What!?" Soo Ming snapped acidly. "That is ridiculous! Ogedai would never do such a thing!"
Lee looked at his sister with a heavy air of impatience and withdrew a scroll from his sleeve. Soo Ming's lip began to quiver as she snatched the scroll from her brother and read it. Her eldest brother's seal had been cracked open, and within lay a letter that made her blood run cold.
Dearest Brother and Sister,
I know you will not understand my actions. If I am honest, I can hardly understand them myself. I can only say that I never planned for this to happen. My life has belonged to the imperial army for as long as I can remember, but I cannot give any more of myself to this terrible cause. I never planned to fall in love, but I have. Now I must think of my wife and child.
By the time you receive this letter I will be gone, having abandoned my post. I am sorry for the dishonor I will bring upon my family, but a life of shame is far better than a life of empty purpose, devoid of love.
Your Loving Brother, Ogedai
Soo Ming's hand shook as her eyes slid from the scroll up to her oldest brother. "What does this mean?" She whispered, but she knew all too well what it meant. They would be dishonored, outcast. The luxurious future she had envisioned disintegrated before her eyes, and she felt a dizzying anger building in her stomach. "What has Ogedai done!?"
"He has acted foolishly." Lee answered flatly. "Our brother is a fugitive from the crown now." The tall man folded his hands behind his back and looked down his nose at his little sister. "I may be stripped of my position on the council, and you will most likely be stripped of your titles." Lee turned on his heel and faced his back to his sister as her world crumbled around her. There was no affection to be found between the two. No encouraging embraces or reassurances were shared.
"No!" Soo Ming cried. "This can't be!" But the appearance of imperial guards at the entrance of the garden made her fall deathly still.
"Councilman Lee, Lady Soo Ming, you are hereby ordered on the authority of firelord Azulon to come with us to the throne room at once." The guard barked like a riled dog, a tone Soo Ming had never heard directed at herself before. Lee nodded, serious and silent as always. He grabbed Soo Ming's arm and dragged his limp sister to her feet. She was in a daze, unbelieving as he hauled her towards the throne room in the center of a throng of guards.
Before her eyes, Soo Ming's life had ended at the tender age of 16.
Modern Day
Iroh sat across from Kitsu and Ai in the carriage. Luckily for Kitsu Ai was too busy looking out the window of the carriage at the strange new sights to bother her much. Kitsu had managed to entertain herself for a short time by listing all of the animals they encountered on the road, or how many travelers wore brown instead of green, but if she was honest with herself she found that she spent a good bit of time watching Lee through the carriage window. The way he had rushed away from her earlier, and avoided her while the caravan was packing up bothered her. It was like he couldn't get away from her fast enough and she had to admit it rubbed her the wrong way.
His moods were impossible to predict. One moment she was comfortably nestled against him, the next he was cold and distant. It was maddening. What was worse was being forced to sit in the damn carriage for hours on end with nothing productive to do. All she wanted to do was halt the caravan and stick her toes in the dirt or collect some wild herbs she saw on the roadside, but she couldn't bring herself to speak up. It would be selfish to endanger everyone just because she was bored.
"We are nearing the East and West lakes." Iroh announced suddenly, and the two young women turned to him curiously.
"How do you know?" Ai asked in wonder. She was fascinated by the well traveled old gentleman and was excited to learn anything she could.
"Listen carefully and you can hear the water." Iroh answered sagely. The two women exchanged curious glances. Neither had ever been near a large body of water, and Kitsu found herself feeling just as curious as Ai. They remained silent and Kitsu strained to hear the water. At first all she could pick out was the rumble of the wagon wheels, and the tread of the ostrich horses the soldiers rode alongside them, but then from beneath the familiar sounds she heard a sort of crashing. It was like a jug of water being dumped into a stone basin over and over again.
"I hear it!" Ai exclaimed before leaping to her feet and leaning out the window of the carriage like an excited child. Kitsu yelped and grabbed Ai's Obi before yanking her back into the carriage.
"Be careful, Ai! You could fall and hurt yourself!" Kitsu scolded, but Ai only smiled at her broadly.
"Have you ever seen the great lakes, Kitsu?" Ai's acorn colored eyes were sparkling with wonder as she looked at Kitsu.
"I haven't." Kitsu admitted, softening at the sight of how happy Ai was.
"Then why aren't you excited? I have always wanted to see that much water! I've never seen the ocean either, but Mother would tell me stories of water as far as the eye could see and waves taller than ships!" Ai grabbed Kitsu's hand in her own as she spoke and shook it gently to emphasize how elated she was.
"The great lakes will be a similar experience." Iroh chimed in. Kitsu and Ai turned to him and he chuckled at their shared look of curiosity. It was the first glimpse he had seen of Kitsu without a stormy, thoughtful look since she awoke. "The waves will not be as ferocious as the sea, but there are parts where you cannot see land no matter how hard you look for it." He smiled knowingly at Kitsu and Ai as their eyes widened.
The carriage lurched to a halt and the three occupants shared confused glances Kitsu pulled the curtain to her window aside and caught sight of Lee approaching with a dower look. He pulled Poki to a stop next to the carriage and did not meet her eyes.
"There's a security checkpoint up ahead. They will ask for your credentials and then we will be allowed through." Zuko drew her Beifong coin from his sleeve and handed it to her, making an obvious effort not to touch her in the process. "Just flash this and act important and we'll walk right through." Without another word Zuko turned Poki and began to ride away.
"I wonder what crawled up his butt." Ai mused under her breathe. Kitsu frowned and looked at the heavy coin in her hand as she flushed in embarrassment. Even Ai had noticed how he was treating her. Kitsu gripped the coin and glared at Lee's back before giving a sharp whistle. Poki ground to a halt and spun around, carrying a confused Lee right back to her.
"What the hell?" Lee cursed with an angry glare in her direction.
"What is your problem?" Kitsu spat out. The soldiers surrounding the caravan could tell a storm was brewing and all made an effort to look anywhere but at the noble couple.
"My problem!?" Zuko growled.
"Yes you!" Kitsu snapped. "You've been cold and short all day!" Lee looked at her surprised but quickly hid it beneath his hallmark scowl.
"This is not the time or the place." Zuko attempted to turn Poki away but the ostrich horse didn't move a muscle.
"Then when is?" Kitsu responded stubbornly. She was never happier to have such an obedient bird.
"Later!" Zuko barked as he covered his face with his hand, trying to stop himself from exploding. Kitsu was trying his patience.
"Promise?" Kitsu countered. Zuko growled and glared at her through his fingers.
"Fine! Now let me go, we have to keep moving!"
Kitsu eyed him for a moment longer before giving Poki's beak a loving pat. "Go ahead boy." The bird chirped and this time did not protest Lee's direction.
Kitsu leaned back into the carriage and caught Mooshi shaking his head in amusement. "What?" She asked innocently.
"I am glad to see that my Nephew's moods do not deter you, Kitsu.
Zuko fumed as he resumed his place in formation and gestured for the convoy to move out. For the majority of the trip he'd ridden between an older man with graying hair and a young man not much older than himself. The two had piped up periodically to announce changes in the trail, but all in all they had remained largely silent.
"Ooo found yourself in the dog house huh?" The older man inquired jovially.
"It's nothing." Zuko growled as he wished to be anywhere but riding along some backwoods road in the godforsaken earth kingdom.
"Certainly didn't sound like nothing." The younger man added as he rode up alongside Zuko.
"When did you two get so nosy!?" Zuko snapped in frustration.
"We've been riding for more than a day." The younger man countered unphased. "A man's gotta talk or he'll go nuts." The man held out a hand to Zuko with a knowing grin. "The name is Lin, not that you asked. That old coot is Ip." Lin pointed to the older man riding just ahead of them who waved an absent minded hand at the two younger men.
Zuko scowled at the young man's hand but shook it nonetheless.
"So you and your wife are having a bit of a lover's quarrel huh? No surprise there. Newlyweds always go through a rough patch. You'll get through it!" Lin expounded confidently. Zuko flushed and looked away from the man.
"It's not like that!" Zuko snapped. He didn't need some earth kingdom commoner getting nosy in his business. "And how did you know we were newlyweds?"
"You two kowtow around each other like a pair of nervous elephant mice." Ip grumbled in a low leathery voice. "Plain as the nose on your face."
Zuko swallowed his simmering anger and did his best to focus on the road ahead of him.
"Your lady isn't expecting is she? My wife was always bossy when she was carrying our son." Lin shared as he watched Zuko blanch and turn varying shades of red and purple.
"No!" Zuko snapped, appalled by the idea that he could be an expectant father. "That isn't even possible! We haven't-" Zuko stopped his sentence in his tracks as he realized what he was revealing. His hackles stood on end as he feared he'd blown their cover.
"Geez I didn't realize you two were that new to wedded bliss." Lin clapped Zuko on the back nearly unseating the scarred young man and gave a poorly hidden laugh. "What's the hold up? She's a looker, it can't be that you don't go in for a highborn girl like that?"
"Watch it, Lin." Ip warned. "I doubt the young lord appreciates your comments about his wife." And the old man was right. Despite himself Zuko felt a fire in his belly when the man spoke so flippantly about Kitsu. Ip turned to Zuko with a placid grin. "Don't mind my son. He speaks without thinking most of the time." Before Zuko could respond, Lin piped up again.
"Hey don't sell me so short!" Lin waved a fist at the old man before turning to Zuko once more. "Want some advice?"
"Not really." Zuko grumbled. Somehow he had a feeling that wasn't going to stop Lin.
"You gotta romance her! You know, flowers and all that stuff." Lin cracked a cocky grin and elbowed him in the ribs. "You two will be in tight quarters on the ferry. You should make your move then! But you gotta be sure to butter her up first if you don't want to wind up sleeping on the deck with the riff raff." As Lin droned on Zuko tuned him out and remained in tumultuous silence. It was the only way he was going to survive the embarrassment of enduring relationship advice from a guard. That would be the day. Zuko rolled his eyes at the thought and scoffed. He could handle women just fine on his own, but it was clear he wasn't playing the role of doting husband very well. If the ruse was to continue he would need to do better. Zuko grimaced and berated himself as he imagined what the might entail.
Unbidden, the image of his dream slipped back into his mind and Zuko shook his head violently as though he could toss the thought out if he shook hard enough.