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.
The wheeling pigeon gulls cawed in the sky. Suki snuck down to the shore. Her bare feet gripping the roots. A Kyoshi warrior knew how to be silent. She paused and ducked beneath some foliage. The trees were starting to change their color.
Upon closer inspection the three children were a motley trio. One of them had on a heavy collar. The other two could have been related. Simply because of how they were arguing. Suki never had a sibling. But she had seen siblings before in the wild. And this duo were pretty nasty to each other.
The girl with the collar was seated in the water, even though it must be freezing she sat in it. She looked backwards at the ocean. Longingly, her eyes were filled with curiosity and confusion.
"Your fault! You should have held on harder!" Azula shouted shoving Zuko hard in the chest. He stumbled and fell. His night robes were ruined. His bare shoulders were slipping out. He had lost his robe sash somewhere in the sea. So he had to keep on readjusting himself.
"My fault?! It was an accident. If Katara hadn't been there to save us—" The two paused and turned to their pet. She had her chin on her knees. Her arms wrapped tightly around them. She stared at the water, then up at the two of them.
"So….now you know." She said simply. She wiggled her toes in the sand. Zuko frowned, she looked so small. And sad, and alone, and just not how he liked seeing her. Zuko walked into the deeper water and splashed down beside her.
"Why didn't you tell us?" He said. His voice sounding a little hurt. Azula rolled her eyes. He was obviously just pretending to care.
"I was…I was told not to." She said soflty. Her hair was a flat brown blanket against her back. The water was swirling around her harder and faster. Echoing her emotions, her fears, her insecurities. Little floating chunks of ice began to form. She had never caused this to happen before. She wasn't even moving. The water was just reacting to her.
"I was so scared when I first arrived. Growing up they told stories, about how the other water benders had been stolen so many decades ago. That the Fire Nation took them, took them to a giant iron kettle. Where they cooked them and fed them to demons with golden eyes. Even back in the south I was told not to do it. Otherwise they would find out, they would learn. And I was told to keep it a secret. I was told to keep something so ingrained in me a secret…. I thought that they would take me away from my mom. Then I worried that they would take me away from you guys. I…I couldn't live like that. I didn't…I couldn't….And now you both know and you're going to tell because you have to—"
"We've known for about two weeks now. We haven't said a word." Azula snapped. She marched into the water and plopped down beside her brother and Katara. She tried to do it with a bit of dignity. But her robe swirled around her, making her look like a flower loose in the tides.
"You…but how—"
"You were sick. You made the water into ice. Right in front of us." Azula was studying her nails. Clearly disinterested, clearly trying to make them think she was disinterested. Katara looked like she had swallowed a fish. She let out a croak and then a gasp. Then she laughed. Her wide eyes got wider, hysterical, she snorted and some snot dripped down her nose.
"You…You…You knew…HAHA! You knew! This whole time! You both knew! For weeks! And you…HA! HAH HAHA!" She slapped her hands to her temples. Her fingers rubbing her hair, yanking and pulling at it in amazement and fear.
"You both knew! This entire time! You both knew what I could do! And you said nothing! Nothing!" She was muttering and repeating herself over and over. Her body shook, she rocked in place. How she viewed the world was rapidly starting to spiral. She pitched forward into the water and shrieked at the top of her lungs.
She finally pulled her head back out of the waves. Eyes puffy and face red and running.
"Are you going to tell?" She whispered. Zuko and Azula glanced between each other. Then shifted closer to her.
"We would never." Zuko said purposefully.
"If we did then Fire Lord Azulon would take you away from us. And you are ours. From now until forever." Azula said firmly. Zuko nodded, giving her shoulder a squeeze. Katara grinned down towards her toes, her skirt was starting to get gross.
"So…now that that's out of the way, we're stranded on a deserted island." Azula stood up and marched out of the surf. Zuko and then Katara stumbling after her. The three stood on the sand and glanced back towards the ocean. Then back towards the interior.
"Well I claim this island for the Fire Nation. It shall be called Island of Azula. And everything on it is mine. Mine by right." Azula took a few steps towards the underbrush. She shoved some of the brush out of the way roughly.
Suki started to step behind a tree. Then shrugged and stepped forwards. After all this was more or less how she met Sokka right?
"Hey. Welcome to Kyoshi island." Suki said waving a little. Azula's eyes widened. Zuko pushed Katara behind her, holding up a hand in surprise.
"Wha-I…who are you?!" Azula snapped angrily.
"My name is Suki."
"Oh…good…people." Katara collapsed exhausted into the waves. She was snoring before she even hit the surf. She was still a little kid. And she had just water bent them out of a massive storm. That was bound to get anyone exhausted.
Katara sat up on the sleeping mat. The wooden floor was rough and hard and her shoulders ached. She felt like she was covered in a thousand different bruises. She winced as she slowly came back awake.
The scent of baked goods filled the room. She blinked tiredly around herself. The room was plain compared to the Fire Nation palace. But it was old, the wood was oiled to a sheen. The green and yellow rice paper screens let in a nice bit of sunlight.
A low table was set up with a half a dozen pillows scattered around. Large trays of steamed and baked goods were scattered around the table. Along with a large jug of goat milk and another two filled with water.
Zuko and Azula sat on opposite ends of the table. Plates piled high with their treats. Zuko was sniffing each one skeptically. But he still bit into each bun with excited hungry zeal. Azula was focusing exclusively on two plates. The other's completely ignored.
"You're awake good. I want more milk." Azula shook her empty glass at Katara. She stood up and stumbled forward. She took a little sigh, then she looked down at her outfit.
She, Zuko and Azula were wrapped in green tunics, with white pantaloons and long sleeved comfortable white shirts on as well. There were golden coin symbols sewn along the sleeves and the back.
"They're not very comfortable. But we were filthy before." Azula said casually. Her hair was in a neat bun on the base of her neck. Zuko had a messier bun on the top of his head. He was practically useless with self grooming.
"You look nice too Azula." Katara picked up the jug and awkwardly poured the milk. She kneeled down to the side. Not even using a pillow. Zuko frowned and then gestured.
"You haven't eaten all day. Dig in, there's plenty. But this one is mine." He pulled a plate filled with rolls closer to himself. Katara picked up a bun and bit into the side carefully. Her eyes widened. It was so sweet! A thick shot of cream jetted into her mouth.
She chewed and relished every bite. Her stomach tightened and she ate the next one slower. This one had a sweet cheese with dried figs rolled into it. The next was an almond and pecan paste. She poured some milk into a glass of her own and chugged it. Coughing a little, her stomach and throat rolled against the sudden chug. But she forced herself to keep it all down.
"These are so good!" Katara said in amazement. There was a thick sweet potato like stuffing in a flaky roll. And another with a sort of rice bun but with purple yam. She shivered at the hardy meal. Katara sighed and sat back. She burped and covered her mouth in embarrassment.
"Excuse me!" She squeaked. Zuko took a bite of another roll, a long string of half melted cheese slapped to his chin.
"Now this is what I call a vacation. We get fine food, new clothes, great view" He gestured towards the window. The room looked out over the entire village. And the well trodden wheelbarrow track that lead to and from the bay. A massive fish, easily the size of a sea monster jumped into the sky. Katara blinked in amazement. She had never seen an animal like that before.
"Ha! Prisoner's is more like it. I promise you they have guards on the other side of that door. And at least two men hiding in the walls to listen to us as we talk. There is only a matter of time before they come in with axes or spears or something else to cut us down. The only way to get home will be to take a hostage and a boat. I propose that we—"
The door slammed open and Suki came rushing in. Her hair was bouncing around her shoulders and chin. Her eyes were bright, her face was red and a little sticky with sweat. She had two fans tucked into her belt. She was wearing boots with metal tacks on the bottom. And she had a little bit of lipstick trimming down her lower lip.
"Oh good! You're all up!" She said with a big grin. Zuko glanced over his shoulder and finished chewing. Azula looked amazed then perturbed.
"And what are you doing here?" She asked warningly. Suki marched in and snatched up a roll from in front of Azula taking a healthy bite right from the side. She licked a bit of the cherry jam center off of her upper lip with a cheeky grin.
"I wanted to see how you guys were settling in. It's rare to get any visitors to Kyoshi island. Let alone some kids. You three are the talk of the entire village. But no one is allowed to come talk to you because well. You know."
She plopped down next to Kayara and crossed her legs. She sat like a little warrior. Her legs crossed, her back straight, her shoulders squared. She glanced between the three kids with an open and honest look on her face.
"Did I interrupt something?" She asked nervously. It had been much easier being friends with Sokka. The boy had been easy. He threw a punch, he said something sexist, she kicked his butt until he was in submission.
"We were just talking about the accommodations." Zuko said cautiously. Suki looked around the room herself.
"Biggest on the island! Nice right?"
Azula snorted and studied her fingernails in disgust.
"For a common peasant maybe. But we are used to more….royal accommodations."
"Lala." Zuko said warningly. Azula shrugged with pursed lips and raised eyebrows. Just trying to be as unassuming as possible.
"What? They deserve to know when their social betters are around."
"Social betters? What like royalty?" Suki said in amazement. She stood up, hands slamming on the table. "That's so cool! You three are like Prince's?"
"Heirs." Azula said warningly. "And Katara is just our friend and waiting servant."
"Waiting servant?" Suki turned to Katara. She shrugged herself. It was the first time that she had heard that term. She thought that she was their 'pet' or 'toy' or 'slave' or any other crazy term that Ursa and the kids flung around.
"It means that she is a confidant and a bodyguard in training. She assists us by making our beds, organizing our rooms, a constant companion. Only the elite of the elite can afford one."
"Lala you're bragging." Zuko said warningly. Azula shrugged again. She was surrounded by peasants. They deserved to know whose presence they walked among.
"You guys get bodyguards? You get to learn how to be a bodyguard?" Suki said turning to a now embarrassed Katara. Katara grinned and pulled at her collar anxiously. She was glad that was still there. If it wasn't she probably would have had a panic attack. Clothes were just clothes, but losing her collar felt like an invasion of privacy she was not prepared for.
"Well I'm going to go eavesdrop on the adults. You three wanna join me?" She grabbed another bun off of Azula's plate and took a bite. Zuko stood up sharply. Azula beside him in a moment. Katara awkwardly got to her feet. She was still tired and strained from the storm.
"Come on. I know a perfect place, you can hear everything but they don't know you're there." Suki grabbed Zuko's hand and Katara's and pulled them along.
"Ugh she is as bad as Ty Lee." Azula complained. But she still followed right after the others.
"Why are you so sweaty?" Zuko asked Suki as they rushed down one empty hallway and then another. They stormed up some stairs and then tip toed past some open doors. Suki smiled and spun, still running. She was amazingly athletic. As if every fiber of her body was familiar to her. As if she had spent a lifetime getting comfortable with her bones, muscles, sinews, every last inch of her body was under her command. And command it she would.
"I was training. I'm a Kyoshi warrior. Or at least a cadet. In a few years though who knows. I've got my eye on being a commander in the island barracks." Zuko and Azula exchanged a shrug. They had never heard of a Kyoshi warrior before. The name Kyoshi rang a distant bell. But they couldn't put a name to the face.
Suki held up a hand and then gestured to another section of the wall. They slid the door open and popped in one after the other. She then brought them to a small chair that was seated beneath a opening in the wall. She scurried in first. Zuko helped Katara up, then Azula. He scrambled in last, kicking as he shouldered himself some room.
It was an outcropping that looked down into a small meeting room. There was a tiny hole that they all crowded around. Suki shushed them and the quartet put their heads together and stared down into the dimly lit meeting room.
The bickering had devolved into arguing and random gesturing. The old men were mumbling to themselves. The mayor turned to his protégé and whispered excitedly to her. Trying to explain everything but also clearly befuddled as to the next course of action. It was never clear how much of his befuddlement was true and how much was an act he put on to make the locals underestimate his cunning. He could not have run the village for this long if he was a complete fool. And a cunny politician was an elected one.
Syutti snorted and shook her head. She was in complete regalia befitting her rank. Even including the helmet of her warrior idol Kyoshi. Her fans were folded peacefully in front of her, but clearly at the ready as well. She clapped her hands roughly to get everyone's attention. Once she was sure even the oldest fence sitting was paying her her due she began.
"I will be brief. I will be to the point. We have three new castaways on the island. What is to be done with them?" She stared from one representative to another to another. Waiting for someone to step forward and show their leadership skills. When no one volunteered she continued herself.
"Our island has been getting multiple visitors recently. I repeat, I will be blunt. We are not ready for the world. Kyoshi island has been isolated from outsiders for centuries. We have received brief information now and again, but we don't know how the war goes. Just that there is one. We don't know who or if there is a new Avatar. We don't even know if the Earth Kingdoms are still an independent entity. All we know is that we have Fire Nation children on the island. That could give us a strong advantage. Or it could put a target on our backs. As a Kyoshian warrior I will defend our village to my dying breath. Every woman and cadet under my command will lay down their lives as well. But we are not stupid. If we can avoid unnecessary bloodshed then we must. I will follow the orders of the elder's of the island."
She leaned back. Her arms folding underneath her impressive bust. Even with the metal armor on she was still pretty stacked. The mayors of the surrounding villages all began muttering to each other. Finally the mayor's protégé raised her hand.
"Syutti has many points. We don't know who these children are. We don't know who they belong to. We don't know if they are representatives are a larger army, or if they are just fishermen who got caught in the storm. Historical precedent dictates keeping them imprisoned or executing them. That was the normal procedure for dozens of years, that being said I am not comfortable having children executed simply because of historical precedent. Returning them to their families should be a consideration."
"Why should we do anything at all? Give them to a childless woman and let that be the end of this." An old man from another section of the island insisted. He even slammed his hands on his meaty thighs to drive his point home.
Syutti snorted and shook her head.
"You've seen their hands, those three are pampered beyond belief." Syutti stated. "I doubt that they are fisher folk."
"What else could they be then?" The mayor snapped in irritation. Syutti took a deep breath. She was a practical woman, and she did not believe in jumping to conclusions. So she was going to be practical about this.
The room dissolved into a fit of arguing. The loudest voices drowning out the more rational ones. Some of them were going as far as to advocate an execution. Syutti glanced up towards the small hole in the ceiling. She could hear something rustling around up there. She would need to teach that Suki subtly among her other trainings. That being said it was pretty impressive that the little girl had even thought to spy on them. Someone sneezed up there, followed by rapid shushing. Then some shuffling. Not a single member of the room seemed to notice. Except for Syutti of course.
The children were down by the bay. Katara kicked some stones into the water. They plopped one after the other, she stared introspectively at the ocean. She didn't know why the ocean spirit had saved them, or why it had taken the form of a bald young man covered in arrow tattoos. But she had to trust it. Clearly something was happening.
Azula and Suki were chattering away. Azula bragging, and Suki eating it all up. Sometimes interjecting a word or two. But she mostly just seemed interested in hearing the other girl speak. Zuko pushed himself up and away from Suki and Azula. He walked to where Katara squatted beside the water.
"What is it?" He said sitting down next to her.
"It's the ocean. I feel like it's calling to me. Like it's trying to tell me something. Or that it wants to get a lesson across. But I'm just too dumb to understand what it wants with me." She pouted and stuck her tongue out.
"Bleh. I sound crazy."
"You sound like a water bender. We can get you more time and training when we get back home. I'm sure that Azula will let you train with her. Maybe you two can even spar. I know that I want to try my best against you." He grinned at her shyly. Katara remained staring at the ocean. The waves were splashing at her toes now. She stood up and cracked her neck.
"I'm going back in again." She lunged forward. She splashed awkwardly. Knees kicking, hair flicking, and she finally belly flopped into the surf.
Suki stood up and stared in surprise.
"What's she doing?"
"Don't worry about it. Now let me tell you about the glories of the Fire Nation." Suki frowned and sat back down next to Azula.
"Glories? I've been told we've been at war for over one hundred years. And that the Fire Nation began the conflict." Azula scoffed at this absurd notion and gestured widely.
"Be logical. The Fire Nation is a long island chain with one large one. Rather similar to your own home. You know how precarious living on an island can be. The Fire Nation is the exact same thing. We must be proactive if we wish for our culture and people to survive. You can understand that can't you? Especially with the Earth Kingdoms who are known for their petty squabbling and war mongering." Azula grinned disarmingly at the little girl. Suki frowned and thought.
Azula did have a point. But it was weird, Sokka had told her that the Fire Nation was constantly attacking and conquering people. But Zuko and Azula seemed so…normal. Sure a little weird, a little spoiled, a tad selfish. But just like a pair of relatively normal kids. She had met kids her own age on the island who acted much worse.
"Is she alright?" Suki asked. She stared at Katara, who was squatting in the water. Taking deep breathes, and then shoving her entire head under the waves. Sometimes she would pull her head back out coughing and sputtering. Sometimes she would just spit out a long stream of salt water.
"Oh she's fine. She's having fun. Now tell me more about this Kyoshi this island was named after." Suki instantly began to happily chatter away about the history of the island. Azula, little history nerd that she was, kept her mouth shut and listened intently.
Katara, floating in the waves, fingers clutching the sand, also listened.
Hello?
She called out to the ocean.
Hello? Please? Are you there?
A deep sense of joy came to her. Something with only love, something with only compassion, a feeling of wholesome completeness. It was like a warm blanket on a cold evening. A fresh soup after a cold. It was so invigorating. It felt like hope.
Hello Katara.
The voice sounded so old. So mature. Similar to Lu Ten in a way. Katara opened her eyes, the figure was far off in the waves. An off blue with white light shining from it. Or an off white figure with blue shining off of it. The figure stared at her. The figure, although something that gave joy, seemed sad. Sad and deep, sort of like a patch of rotten ice.
Who are you?
She called to him. He only smiled and shook his head.
Can you teach me more? More waterbending?
She asked hopefully. Again the smile, again the shake.
Are you okay?
She asked him. He touched his hand to his chest quizzically.
Are you a spirit?
She called to him.
Again the smile, this time with a little chuckle.
I am something much older then a spirit. And no. I am not okay. I'm sorry. For what's to come. I'm sorry that I won't remember it either. If I could…If it didn't fade into the dreaming…But that's why I've got to set as much up as possible. You aren't supposed to be here Katara. But you are, so I've got to make sure that it all turns out right in the end. Even if I don't remember it. Even if you don't know me. It will turn out alright in the end. It will just take a long time to get there.
The spirit chuckled. Arrows were snaked down his arms, over his hands, on his forehead. Katara cocked her head. He was inching away, back into the deeper waters. She reached out, and then sputtered to the surface.
She didn't understand what had happened. She didn't understand who that was. But she felt as if she had touched something very old. Something that had suffered immensely.
The days on the island flew by. The children explored every corner of it. Although Katara tried many times, she was unable to contact the arrow headed spirit again. Suki was their self appointed tour guide and body guard. She introduced them to her closest friends, to her favorite sensi's and chatted their ears off about the island.
They in turn told her about life at court. About Katara and Kya's relationship with the royal family. And the countless cultures of the Earth Kingdoms. The four of them were playing beside the bay when they saw the massive yacht slowly pull in.
Katara had been the first to spot it. Zuko was the first to recognize it. And Suki had wisely gotten the entire village to greet them. Much to Syutti's immense displeasure. And she expressed said displeasure by striking the young warrior hard once across the back of the head.
Suki sprawled in the sand. She whipped around and stared at the large muscled woman in terror. Her eyes wide and hair disheveled.
"A true Kyoshi Warrior does not give up the element of surprise." She scolded the young girl. Suki bowed submissively. She knew that she would be punished for screwing up so badly. But there hadn't been anything this exciting in the bay since forever! She had wanted to share it with her friends and neighbors!
A few dozen warriors were cleverly hidden in the trees. Some in sand traps. And a few dozen more spread evenly through out the crowd. All of them were purposefully as inconspicuous as possible. Whatever was going to come out of that boat was not going to catch them unaware.
The yacht lowered a landing party. Katara, Zuko and Azula pushed themselves to the front of the crowd. Big smiles on as they waved to the regal woman riding on the prow of the boat.
"Hi mom!" Zuko shouted excitedly. The boat came to a creaking landing on the soft sands of Kyoshi island. Ursa, in her finest regal gown, stepped barefoot from the wooden barge and onto the island.
The mayor stepped forward, adjusting his belt of authority. His thick white top knot bobbed a little. He had not gotten his job for being the tallest man, or even the strongest, his wits were his powers. As was his frank nature.
"You've come to receive your children I take it?" He asked.
"Yes." Ursa responded. She glanced at the three of them. "I've been worried sick about the three of you."
The crackling of the bonfire made Katara sleepy. She lounged on a small fur blanket. She basked in the chilly night air. They were further south then the furthest southern fire nation island. The air wasn't as bitterly cold as back in the South Pole. But it still felt fresh and familiar.
Zuko was napping beside her. Katara fanned his face. Keeping any of the mosquitos and other night bugs away from his chiseled features. He would grow into a fine young man one day. She could already tell.
"What is taking them all so long?" Azula said impatiently. She was leaning against another log. A dozen pillows cushioning her royal head. She had insisted on taking a good number from her bedroom on the yacht and placing them on the ground. Seemingly to assert dominance. That was not the only item taken from the ship. A few of the servants had cautiously taken a strange lantern like device into the meeting hall. They had carried it carefully, cautiously, as if they were frightened of it.
"They're probably just talking grown up talk. You know how they go around in circles repeating the same things over and over?" Suki had put a rolled sausage on a sharpened stick and was roasting it on the fire. A dribble of fat spurted out of the end and plopped into the fire.
"Ah dang it." She mumbled taking it back out and blowing on it. She bit into the sausage and chewed thoughtfully. Not right, the inside was still raw. She had to focus more on patience. A skill that was well valued among the warrior generals.
"Still, what's to know? We have a fine jewel in the Fire Nation's collection. Kyoshi island is given military might. And maybe we even open up a nice new summer palace here." Azula said with casual indifference. Suki frowned and nudged the princess smugly.
"Hey! Who said our real estate was for sale? Besides a trading port would do better right? Or maybe some kind of trade deal? Although I don't know what the Fire Nation has that we would want."
Azula looked shocked at that. But before she could begin arguing a thick round of clapping came from inside of the building where the meeting was taking place. Then more and more clapping joined in.
"Sort of sounds like the party in there." Katara said offhandedly. She felt a lot more informal out of the palace. Sure she still had her thick collar on, but otherwise she felt like Azula and Zuko had shed some of their crueler ways being out in the woods like this.
"You guys have parties too? Huh. Maybe we're not so different." Suki said reflectively. She chuckled and sighed, watching the stars. She tried to find a few that made stories. Or played important parts of navigation.
"I would love to see a Fire Nation party. Or a Earth Kingdom mainland party. I'm sure that they are both elegant."
"Well why don't you come with us?" Katara said with an excited smile. "It would be great to have another friend at the palace! You can even be a sort of bodyguard to Zuko and Azula! We can train together!" Suki perked up and looked at the two royals eagerly.
"Really?"
"I doubt that your teacher would appreciate a pair of Fire Nation enemies kidnapping you from your duties." Azula said a little testily. "Besides how can a little girl like you defend us? We have full grown men who can't even defend us. You would just get in the way."
Suki deflated scuffing her bare toe into the dirt. The hard part was Azula had a point. While romantic, 'kidnapping' her and spiriting her off to the Fire Nation probably wouldn't turn out well in the long run.
"Although…perhaps we can get a hawk messenger system going between our nations. We can become pen pals." Azula said as she studied her nails. Somehow not a single one had split or snapped while she had been in the storm. Suki looked up at that with a massive grin.
"That would be great! I would love to!" She smiled into the fire. Fire wasn't just destruction and pain. It was light. It was warmth. It brought friendships together. She wished Sokka was here, maybe he would have been able to convince them to be kinder to the South Pole. Or had learned to meet the Fire Nation halfway. She wished that she had a way to contact him. She knew they would see each other again. Although their time together had been brief…It had been deep.
She stared at her palm, she could still feel his spit there. She squeezed her hand into a fist. Her blood sister Sokka was still out there. One day she would travel to the south pole and see him again. Maybe with the help of her new friends the Fire Nation she would be able to go all the faster! Maybe…maybe they could all end this senseless conflict.
A massive green flash shot from the building again. Bursting from the windows and the cracks in the walls. This time it was even brighter.
Ursa sat in front of the lantern. The beam was powerful, and it filled the entire room. There were around three dozen of the highest ranked village members in the room. They ranged from Kyoshi warriors, to traders, skilled craftsmen, to boat builders, a few of the 'richer' members, and a select few savvy politicians.
Ursa pulled the lever down and rubbed her eyes. She didn't think she could get any blowback from this device. But even being near it made her senses fuzzy. She knew exactly what it was doing to their minds, and she hoped that this hare brained scheme she and Kya had worked up.
"Now then. Is everyone relaxed?" She asked carefully. She wished that they had gotten more of those damned Kyoshi warriors into the room. But that scar covered woman Syutti seemed suspicious. She was keeping Ursa's servants and yacht under a strict watch. Not a single one was to be left alone on the island.
It couldn't be helped, but still Ursa seethed. They would need to find another way to keep the population under control. Although there was definitely a lot more division on this island then first met the eye.
It was bound to happen. It was in the Earth Kingdom's nature. While they shared a similar culture, they also believed wholeheartedly in 'personal freedoms' and 'independence' and 'self determination'. They didn't even mandate military service. You could be conscripted in some of the kingdoms. But others just paid their generals handsomely and let that sit as an incentive. A commoner could rise up the ranks if they tried hard enough. So even a place as small and remote as Kyoshi Island was bound to develop the strange free thinking personality.
Ursa was just happy that they had packed Kya's lantern. It would hopefully help ease tensions some.
"Yes." The mayor and his protégé mumbled out in unison. A few of the warriors merely nodded. A few others gave thumbs up.
"Excellent. Now here is what I propose. The Fire Nation is not interested in your island. It is just another island. We do not want land. We want you."
"What?" Someone mumbled. Ursa flipped the lever again, faster this time.
"No interruptions. Now listen. And pay attention. The Kyoshi Warriors are fabled for their strength and determination. They are living legends. And they are being misused on this island. Protecting it from random pirate raids. Or worse, being left to rot on the vine like so much fine fruit. I propose this. Kyoshi Island will be left in peace, to self govern and self tax. But the Fire Nation will open up a trading dock here, and a squadron of Kyoshi warriors will fight on the front lines of the war. And we shall create a light house with this nice green lantern to power it." That last one was mere insurance. She wasn't sure if this would work, but having more light shine on the island might make them more susceptible to suggestion later on.
"And in return…Kyoshi Island will receive military might from the Fire Nation. And assistance in establishing trade with the Fire Nation. And assistance in setting up their own colonies on the Earth Kingdom."
The mayor hemmed and hawed. He scratched at his beard in confusion. Kya leaned down to whisper to Ursa.
"Is this wise? Why don't you just put that thing on full blast and force their minds to your heel mistress?" Ursa slipped a pinky through a ring on Kya's collar and pulled her close.
"We have done enough experiments to know that won't work. Forcing a complete rewrite for obedience only lasts a set amount of time. On top of that a big enough shock will break the brainwashing. If we brainwash the leaders and put them in positions of power again we would never be able to trust them. We would always need to be watching them for any signs of breaking. If however we just relax their brains, encourage their submission, and then give them a good reason to trust us…."
"You would increase loyalty over blind obedience." Kya smirked in awe, she had to hand it to Ursa. Her mistress was clever.
"How about we demonstrate a bit of culture that the Fire Nation can share with your people?" Ursa smacked Kya's round ass and encouraged the young woman forward. Kya went without a second thought. Shedding clothing like a snake sheds skin. She wiggled and squirmed and soon was front and center, nude, the candle light flickering off of her nipple rings, her collar, and her fire nation tattoo.
Then she began to twerk. She clapped her ass cheek slowly, making the ripples like waves. Her toes curled, she bit her lip as she admired her thick perky ass. Her breasts bounced a little. Not too high, not too much. She pressed her palms to the top of her teats to keep the all natural udders in place.
A few of the women in the room leaned forward. Their jaws dropping, their lips wetting, their tongues drooling. One stood up awkwardly and joined Kya. The mayor's protégé watched the Water Tribe beauty nervously. Her shoulders wiggling a little as well, trying to keep up with Kya's pace. And failing, even at that slow even metronome like pace, she was failing. Kya playfully knocked their hips together. Making the fat assed Earth Kingdom woman laugh in delight.
"And she can teach you all so much more. Can you imagine it? Your wives learning this dance move? Learning to love their curves? To love themselves and you so much that they wish to celebrate it publicly? And all you need to do is give up a few warriors, and let us leave a few ships in your harbor. So then." Ursa turned to the room. A few of the men were sporting obvious stiff erections. A few others were licking their chops. Not a single one could look away. "Do we have a deal?"
The end of summer arrived when the yacht pulled into the harbor. The palace courtyard was swept clean, the servants lined in neat rows. The carriage stood in all it's finery. Azula stood on the step leading up to the darkened interior. The smell of pickled cherries was ripe. The trip would take her at least a day. Not because it was far away, but traffic at this time was absolutely atrocious. Even for someone like a Fire Nation Royal family member, she would still need to sit most of the day in traffic before getting into orientation.
Zuko stood at attention. He had his stern no nonsense face on. The one that he said made him look emotionless. Ursa was beside her son. A hand on his shoulder. Azula didn't know why they had come to see her off. She was practically a grown up at this point! Sure she hadn't hit double digits yet….But once she did she intended to be a force to be reckoned with!
Kya and Katara were standing behind Ursa and Zuko. Katara was fidgeting, stepping nervously from one foot to the other.
"Well. Good bye then." Azula said, she began to turn to the lonely carriage.
"You have your clothing?" Ursa prompted. Azula frowned and nodded over her shoulder.
"And your scrolls?" Ursa prompted.
"Yes mother. I am not an idiot." She snapped peevishly. The clicking of high heels on cobblestones caught Azula's attention. Kya kneeled beside the little girl and handed her a small box of snacks.
"I know you already have plenty, but you might want to share this with your friends when you arrive." Kya smiled lovingly at the little girl. Which made Azula go weak in the knees. She had been attending the academy for over three years now. She had never had any sort of send off before.
This was unusual. She felt unusual. Sort of fluttery, uncertain. She would never describe herself as anxious. That was a silly word meant for silly little girls. And she was a member of the fire nation royal elite! She was fire made flesh! A goddess on earth! And she was going to miss her Kya….
A pattering of feet interrupted the two. Azula let out a little oof of surprise. Katara wrapped the other little girl in a smothering hug. Squeezing her tightly. Azula stared down in surprise. Ursa gave a little gasp. Kya paled, her heart beating out of her chest.
"I'll miss you." Katara sniffed against the royal. Azula balked and shimmied and finally got an arm free.
"You will see me during the break. I'll only be gone for a few months." She tried to protest more. Tried to keep herself aloof. And she was failing.
"I'll still miss you." Katara responded sadly. She finally pulled away and bowed stiffly. "Until we meet again Mistress Azula."
Azula stared at Katara and then awkwardly patted her head. Then wrapped her arms around Katara. Poorly. Azula did not have much practice with hugging. Or touching others. The touch starved little girl gripped Katara for a few heart beats and then stepped into her carriage.
Azula watched them as the ostrich horses pulled her towards the city. And the academy that awaited her. She pulled out a letter from Suki. The Kyoshi Islander had been true to her word. And now the four were pen pals.
Azula poured over the letter again, and again, and again some more. The carriage bounced on its way to her education. She reached into the smartly prepared box of snacks made by Kya. She munched on a cookie, brushing the crumbs from her fingers.
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.