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Slow Heat	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 77367 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 12
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- 14
Slow Heat

Chapter 13 – The Heart Burns, the Blood Freezes

This chapter follows 'The Puppetmaster' but with a dark (and more realistic) twist. As you read along, remember that the original episode was part of a kid's show, so they could only show so much darkness/abuse. I have treated this chapter in a more realistic way, considering terrible things that have been done to others in real-life wars, and the effects that such atrocities could have on their victims. Please keep that in mind when you note the changes/additions I made to 'The Puppetmaster'. Feedback is always more than welcome and appreciated.

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One Month, 24 Days BSC
(Late July, 1101)
Zuko

The field of fire lilies brought back memories. At the Palace in the gardens, they would bloom in profusion at this time of the year. I would sit out there with my mother every summer. When I went into exile, I had not seen them anymore since they only bloomed in the warmer Fire Islands.
My fingers idly fiddled with the petals of said flower after I plucked one. It was hard to not think of my mother at this time, and how she had loved the fire lilies, putting them in her room so that their perfume hung in the air. I would pick them out for her, and her eyes would shine, her appreciation heartfelt for the son who wanted nothing more than to see her happy. Part of me wanted so badly to go back to my childhood, where things had seemed so perfect. Grandfather was the next thing to Agni, Uncle was happy, Lu Ten was alive, my mother was home, my father was my idol, and Azula was well... Azula.
But would I trade what I now knew for a life of bliss rooted in ignorance? It was one of these questions where the answer was obvious if not too comforting. Life was hard right now, but if we won, then it would be worth it. That was what I had to look forward to.
And you will become the Fire Lord, and we'll never see each other again, Katara's voice rose from the depths of my memory. My grip tightened on the fire-lily I had in my hand. I hated feeling so... bothered at that.
Speak of the devil. Katara and the old Waterbender were now in the field of lilies, apparently oblivious to my presence. I had been sitting at the edge of the field under the shade of a tree. Neither of them seemed to notice me, and I was glad for that. Lately, Katara had been more defensive around me, clearly not wanting me to watch her bend. Why should she be so bothered if I wanted to watch? She certainly felt free around the others in our group. I had apologized to her and proven to her that I was one of the good guys, that I was on her side. Did my presence pain her so much?
I thought about the times that we had exchanged heated words, or even just looks. It was as if we were doing our own sort of dance. Sometimes I provoked her with a comment just so I could see the fire in her eyes, and have her attention fully on me, rather than anyone else. I knew that wasn't a healthy thing to do, but I just couldn't help myself.
After a while, I left. While I enjoyed watching Katara bend, there was something about the old woman that bothered me. I didn't think that Katara was in any danger, but Hama unsettled me greatly for a reason that I was not able to place my finger on.
It had been a long day. Katara and Hama were still apparently Bending. Aang, Toph, and Sokka were all off doing their own activities. I was going to go up to my room and meditate for a while before dinner. I will admit, it was nice to sleep in a real bed again and I was grateful for the hospitality. As I climbed the stairs and went down the hall, I realized that I still had the fire-lily in my hand. I looked down at it, admiring the intense reds and golds of the petals. What was I going to do with it?
I looked up, and saw the doorway to the room that Katara was using. I could tell because I recognized her water skins at the foot of the bed, along with her bag. And then I looked back at the fire-lily.
I walked into her room and approached the bed. My pulse seemed to be racing by leaps and bounds as I slowly set the flower down on her pillow, where she couldn't miss it.
When I was settled in my room, my thoughts kept returning to Katara. What would she say when she saw the flower? Would she wonder if it was the Avatar who had left it for her? I hoped not.
I had to meditate without candles or any other source of flame. I had the feeling that letting Hama know that I was a Firebender wouldn't be the best idea, so I settled for just clearing my mind as I sometimes did without focusing on any kind of fire. My breathing and pulse slowed, and I was grateful for the calm that followed. How ridiculous it had been that I got so worked up over leaving a flower...
A sharp rapping brought me out of my thoughts. I looked over my shoulder to see Katara standing there. I was surprised to see that she had the fire-lily in her hand. Did she know it was me?
“Hama made dinner.” Katara stated simply before retreating from the doorway. I scrambled off the bed and hastily went after her. I stopped myself just in time from bumping against her since I had been stepping so quickly. She looked over her shoulder, her eyebrow raised as she looked at me questioningly.
All I could do was shrug as I caught the faint scent of her hair. And I liked it. I would have leaned my head down and caught another whiff if she didn't know I was there.
Damnit. I had to stop obsessing over Katara. If she knew what I had done with myself the night before while I had been thinking of the time I saw her naked... an angry slap to the cheek would probably be a kind thing compared to what an angry Waterbender was capable of. The thought of her anger rapidly quelled the stirring of heat I felt in my lower regions as I followed her downstairs, something that I was grateful for at that moment.
I was gratified to see that she placed the fire lily in her hair as she sat down, so her hands would be free. I don't know why it touched me so, but she looked lovely with it in her hair. Suddenly, I imagined her laying nude in a field of fire lilies, ready to be taken.
This time, it took the memory of that time that I had stumbled across Uncle in the hot spring to quell the heat that threatened to flare up again. I let out a soft sigh as Hama used her Watebending to place soup in our bowls.
The meal was a silent but pleasant affair. Katara and Hama exchanged a few words about their Waterbending practice together. I could tell that Hama had taken a special liking to the younger Waterbender. She was lonely, that much was apparent. If she was so lonely, why didn't she go back to the South? There didn't appear to be much for her here, except for this old inn which didn't get too many visitors. I was certain that she would be welcomed back to her Tribe. Of course, later, I would be finding out why...
“Is the lotion I gave you helping?” Hama's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up and stared at her for a moment, my left eye obscured by the padding that Katara had placed on it. Though the need for lotion had long gone, I still nodded, knowing that saying no would make her curious.
“Yes. Thank you.” I replied simply before biting into a warm roll. I had received lotion from her the night before – a paste made from aloe – after she had asked about my face and I had told her a fabricated but short story of my wound. I had ended up simply putting the salve in my bag, for it could come in handy for something else later.
How well I remembered the aloe being put on my face after I had been burned. I would never forget the agony as the scarred flesh healed, and the twice-daily washings I had endured, the water stinging my sensitive flesh as I washed and wiped away pus and old lotion from my face, only to have fresh salve applied. At least that was over, and I hadn't gone blind in my left eye.
But I honestly hated wearing the bandage. Even if I couldn't open my left eye all the way, I could still see through it. Seeing through just one eye again was rather disorienting, and I couldn't wait until we left this village so I could take the Agni-damned thing off.
“Lee, would you be a dear and haul in some firewood before you go to sleep? The pile in the kitchen is getting so low.” Hama said as she looked at me. Again, I nodded. She was letting us stay here for free due to Katara being a Waterbender and Aang being the Avatar. The least I could do was help her with the firewood. Infact, we all helped her out. Katara helped with cooking and cleaning, and so did Toph. I and the other boys helped out with the yardwork and other such chores. Honestly, there wasn't that much work when it was split between us five guests and I could see how it helped Hama. Doing the work gave me a greater appreciation of what the servants at the Palace did. I wonder if my father or sister ever stopped to think about what was done for them, how these people they considered insignificant were so instrumental to the comfort of their lives.
“I'll be happy to help you out, but we'll be leaving soon. You should find someone to help out with the yardwork and such. Lots of people would be willing to do that for food and a room.” I offered, hoping that she didn't take it the wrong way. I saw Katara regarding me with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, and I merely shrugged.
In the end, Toph came with me to help with firewood. As I was hauling my first armful to the kitchen, I saw her walking towards me.
“Is something the matter?” I asked. She shook her head.
“I'm here to haul wood, too.”
“I'm fine, really...”
“So you think I can't do it, Sparky?” she asked with a small scoff.
“I never said you couldn't. But it's late, and I'm sure you're tired. I don't mind doing this.” I replied, not wishing to lose face before this little girl. Honestly, I had never seen anyone with such a... blunt attitude. Between her and Katara, I could see how strong girls could be... and not in a cruel way like my sister.
“Aww. You're concerned that I might be tired. How sweet.” she replied sarcastically before she took some wood into her arms. I shrugged. Let her help if she wanted. I'd be able to take a quick bath and go to bed sooner, then.
After we had filled the bin in the kitchen to fullness, I sat back outside for several moments on the pile of remaining logs. To my surprise, I saw Toph coming towards me. She stopped, standing but a couple of feet away from me, and wondered what it was that she could possibly want.
“Hey, Sparky.” she said softly. I sensed that she had something to ask.
“Yes?”
“I want to see your scar.” Her voice was soft, and I was surprised to hear a bit of nervousness. I had never heard any kind of shyness from her before.
“Why?” I asked.
“I dunno. I mean, I've heard about it. But there's only so much I can see with my feet. I wanna see for myself.”
“No, you don't.” Admittedly, it'd be nice to remove the padding from my face if just for a while, but having someone touch it...
“Come on. Do you think I'm going to throw up or something that's... all sissy? You know me better than that!” Toph replied, sounding bolder. I let out a quiet sigh.
“No.” I replied, shaking my head.
“Then you're the sissy.” Toph replied, taking a step back.
“If not wanting people to poke or prod at my scar makes me a sissy, then fine!” I replied defensively.
“I wasn't going to actually... poke it, you know?” she replied tartly.
“I just don't want people touching it.” I couldn't help but think of the way that Katara had gently touched my scar when we had been in the crystal catacombs. I felt my pulse quicken.
“Your dad really did a number on you, huh?” Toph asked, her voice now quieter. She must have picked up on my quickening pulse. Let her interpret it as she had said it. I wasn't about to tell her what I had really been thinking about.
“I don't want to talk about it.” I replied.
“...Sorry.” she muttered. I was surprised to see her actually humbled, even just a bit.
“Look, Toph. Just forget it, okay?” I said quickly as I rose from the woodpile.
“Good night, Sparky.” she said, sounding hurt. I sighed softly.
“It's okay, honestly. Let's just forget this just happened. I'll see you in the morning and we can spar, okay?” I asked. I honestly meant what I said, and I knew she sensed it. This seemed to perk her up, and she smiled just a bit.
“Good night.” I added as I walked away.
There were three wooden bathtubs in the bath house, each hidden from sight from the other with rice-paper walls and sliding doors. I pumped some water into a tub and when it was filled enough, I heated the water with Firebending before stripping down and sliding in. The hot water soothed me, and I closed my eyes.
I was startled out of my reverie when I heard water splashing as it filled a tub. I remained silent, wondering who it was. I honestly hadn't thought that someone would want a bath this late. It was late even for me, but I had done my part by carrying firewood. With the ease that years of martial arts training gave me, I slipped out of the tub and crept over to the wall. I had sat in the darkness, with the moonlight as my only source of light, so there had been no burning lamp to alert Katara of my presence.
Was it fate or sheer luck that revealed the loose flap of a corner of a panel, enabling me to peek into the other chamber? By the time that I found the flap, she was already starting to undress. I watched as she slid her red wraparound off before sliding down her skirt and pants. My breath hitched as she undid her chestwrap and lowered her undershorts after undoing its drawstring.
I was more than pleased to notice that she still had the fire lily in her hair. Before she went into the tub, she slowly pulled it out of her hair and stared down at it for several long moments, apparently deep in thought. I could not help but smile a bit. I hope she was pleased – even though I knew she would be surprised – to find it on her pillow. She brought it up to her nose, inhaling the scent as she closed her eyes.
I enjoyed the scent of the lilies as well. Sweet and spicy, rolled into one. Many ladies used fire lily perfume, but to me, it smelled best from a real fire lily, not some dilute of its nectar.
My head was swimming as I watched her set it down gently on top of her clothes. Her body was cast in shadows by the single glowing lamp she had brought with her, and her nipples were taut as she slid into the tub, easing herself into the cool water.
Oh, only if I could warm that water up for you... and share a bath with you, I thought. I had to bite my lip to keep back a moan. It took all my willpower to keep my other hand from wandering to my lower regions. Agni damnit, why did I have to find this so entrancing? My body ached with need, and I let a hand slide down my body, no longer resisting the urge.
The old imaginings that I had of faceless lovelies sharing pleasure with me were nothing compared to the thought of Katara reciprocating my desires. I could not help but imagine her hand around my need, rather than my own. I envisioned slender but strong fingers pumping me and sliding along my flesh.
You'll become Fire Lord and we'll never see each other again, she had said. In a few months, when everything was righted, I'd have pretty girls tossed at my feet, a Nation of lovelies of all varieties to choose from. I could have young blushing virgins, ready for the plucking, or experienced and skilled courtesans who would bring me to bliss with their expertise. Any and all of my sexual appetites would be attended to and sated.
Yet that thought gave me no comfort whatsoever. Every time I tried to imagine one of the lovely girls I had seen in Court in days past, they always metamorphosed to Katara. My dreams and fantasies were haunted by her rich dark skin and luminous blue eyes. Her bath was quick; swimming and wading in cool water was one thing, but sitting in a small bathtub? Definitely not as pleasant.
I had to hold back a hiss of appreciation as she climbed out of the tub. For what seemed like the millionth time, I imagined her naked body against mine, warm under my hands as I explored the smooth planes of her flesh. I watched as she rubbed herself dry with a towel before putting on a robe.
When she was gone, I returned to my tub, immersing myself into the hot water and imagining her sitting there with me, taking comfort in my heat. My head rested against the edge of the tub as I continued the administrations to myself. I hissed out softly, breathing out a spark of flame as I thought about her doing things to me that I was dead certain she would never be willing to do in reality.
Slowly, I tugged down the foreskin, my swollen crown coming into view. I imagined her looking down at it with appreciation and pleasure. I pressed my thumb against the head of my shaft, imagining that it was her tongue pressing against it. I pictured her between my legs, lapping at the head, her little pink tongue flicking along the slit. I had tried to banish Katara out of my head so many times, but at this point I was in no mood for any sort of mental battle. I just wanted to feel good, even if it was just for a while.
My other hand gently squeezed my sac and I envisioned her doing it, exploring my manhood as if it were a succulent piece of candy that she couldn't get enough of. I let out a frustrated chuckle as I closed my eyes, surrendering to the visual of myself laying on red silk sheets, the lamps burning low and Katara as naked as I, her dark skin looking stunning against the deep crimson material.
What I wanted to see in her eyes was desire for me, and in my dream, it was so. I heard her whisper my name. I heard her tell me that she wanted me. I saw her touching and exploring me with no compunctions, her gaze open and hungry as her hands slid along my body before settling on my manhood, squeezing, stroking, massaging.
“Yes.” I hissed softly. My head was propped up on a velvet-encased pillow. I reached out to touch her head, toying with her silken locks. Her hair was loose and wavy, just the way I liked it. Past her and the foot of the bed, I saw clothes discarded on the floor – black and red silks, clothes for both male and female. My attention was quickly pulled back to the Waterbender as I felt my finger – no, her tongue! – swirl around the head of my throbbing need. I could not help but arch upwards, and I saw her smile around what was in her mouth.
Fingers massaged up and down my shaft, pumping firmly as her tongue did its magic on the head.
“Katara...” I murmured, rumpling her hair gently. Her attentions increased, the hands and tongue becoming more insistent, and I felt the hot pressure deep within my gut as my loins tensed. The pressure was dizzying, the ministrations becoming more heated as I growled. My vision went blurry, everything melting together into a blissful haze though the image of Katara remained as sharp as ever, her blue eyes seeming to bare my soul with their gaze.
I hissed out small burst of flame, everything exploding with a white-hot flash as my body reached the release that it sought. I trembled almost violently, my breath coming out in a soft stream of smoke.
It was dark and I was alone. I heard the distant yowl of a cat-owl, and nothing else. At first, I wondered if I had simply imagined everything. But my orgasm had been all too real. The burst of flame that had escaped from me was a testament to just how pent-up my own desires were.
With a frustrated groan, my head lolled forward to see my hands around my manhood. Slowly, I let them go. The vision of Katara pleasuring me had been so vivid. It had been such a beautiful dream, us both surrounded by warmth and red silk, bared before one another, sharing ourselves. Since I had imagined her tasting of me, I could not help but imagine what she would taste like, her legs spread open for me in a alluring mental image that sent my pulse racing again.
“Agni damnit.” I murmured as I climbed out of the tub.
I made sure to pull the drain, my seed washing away with the water down the wooden tube. The dream had exhilarated me, but it also left me feeling empty because it had been nothing more than that – a dream.
My sleep tonight was no better than the last. Katara stirred something within me, a certain heat that at one point in my life I was sure that I would never possess. Sure, I had felt physical need before, but this went beyond that. When she looked at me, there were no words to describe the feeling that shivered through me. Even that first time, when I had come to Katara's village in search of the Avatar, her blue eyes had been as luminous back then...

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One Month, 23 Days BSC
(End of July, 1101)
Katara

I heard the screech of a cat-owl as I stood in the clearing with Hama. I had already learned so much from her. How to take water out of the air and from plants... it made me feel better about my Bending. I didn't have to feel so helpless if I had no waterskin. I felt stronger than before. And I would become stronger with what she was going to teach me next.
“What I am about to teach you next... it saved me from being locked up forever.” Hama whispered. She had not said much when she had told us her story. It had clearly hurt her to talk about it, and none of us pressed her for details. I couldn't help but wonder what she was going to talk about now. If she was going to teach me something that helped her escape, then I was all ears.
“Do you think we were simply kept in the cages to sit around?” Hama asked. Her voice had taken on a pained but dangerous tone.
“Being captured was the least of our worries. What they did to us...”
I stared ahead, listening to her words.
“They beat you?”
“Worse. They played games with us. The young women... were often raped.”
I didn't have to be told that Hama was one of these women. Unconsciously, my hands balled into fists. It was as if Hama's anger was infecting me. Fire Nation scum, abusing Water Tribe women like that...
“They often denied us water, to hear us beg and plead for it. A few of us died that way. They amused themelves with any kind of misery that they could inflict on us. By the time I escaped, many of us had already died... and others were waiting to die.”
I could imagine the cages, and the Waterbenders, deprived of their element and at the mercy of the Fire Nation guards. My fists tightened further, my nails digging into my palms. Other memories flashed before me. My mother's death. The stories told by my people of invasions in the past. The bodies of the dead Airbenders at the Southern Air Temple. The Earth Kingdom cities held by Fire Nation, their people exploited and worked to the bone. The Avatar, struck down by Azula. All because Fire Nation wanted to be the best.
“Yes, that's it. Feel the strength that comes from your anger. It was my anger that helped me survive my imprisonment. I saw what they did to my brothers and sisters. And what they did to me... came back to them tenfold.”
Tenfold? She had gotten her revenge against the guards?
“My sweet child, water is all around us. I have shown you that. But water is also inside of us.” she hissed. Her eyes were filled with an almost feverish glint as she stared at me.

o0o0o0o
Zuko

“I know that I heard screaming under the mountain before Hama found us.” Toph stated firmly as I followed her up the mountain. The talk about spirits, and the answers we had gotten from the people in town only spurred us on. But I had a feeling that what we would find wouldn't be pleasant. What malevolent spirit would snatch up people during the full moon?
We would never have found the hidden passageway if not for Toph. She forced the outer door open with Earthbending. What secret resided within this hill? As soon as the inner door was opened, the vile scent of decay poured out, overwhelming me with its stank and causing me to stagger back a step.
“What the...” Sokka stated, pinching his nose, his face wrinkled in such a way that I imagined my own was.
“That's nasty. Smells like someone died in there.” Toph shot out, pinching her nose immediately after these words.
“Wait. Someone did die in there. A lot of someones.” she added quickly. I stilled and stared at her.
“... Seriously?” Sokka whispered.
I stepped forward, my hand out in front of me as I created a flame over my palm. I didn't really want to look, but I had to.
“You sure this is where the scream came from?” I called back.
“Yeah.” Toph nodded, before starting after me and Sokka followed her, holding the lamp high.
It was all I could do to not simply vomit at the smell of decaying corpses. At first, all I saw were very old corpses, little more than rotten skin stretched over bones. But I noticed that some of the corpses looked... well, more fresh. More flesh, less decay, facial features still visible on some of them. Ugh.
“Who would do this?” the Avatar asked. It was the first time he had spoken since we found the cave.
“Why would spirits do something like this?” Sokka added.
“Not spirits.” a voice croaked from the darkness. I moved forward again and caught sight of a emaciated woman chained to one of the earthen pillars. I recognized a Fire Nation guard uniform on her, though it was now filthy.
“Toph. Unchain her.” I stated as I moved closer.
“Who did this to you?” I asked as Toph reached up, manipulating her armband in her palm so the woman wouldn't see her Bending it.
Behind me, Sokka and Aang were silent. Not that I could blame them. I was still trying to process my surroundings. Corpses in various stages of decay, the stench of death in the air, the haggard and wavering voice of the woman that was apparently the only person alive out of all these prisoners.
The woman fell to her knees as soon as she was unshackled. I decided to not ask any more questions right now, and let her regain herself.
“Do any of you have any food or water on you?” I asked the others as I took another glance around. Many, but not all of the victims here were in the uniforms of guards or soldiers. The others appeared to be simply innocent townsfolk. When no one came up with any food, I sighed softly.
“Sokka. Carry her outside.” I stated. Though I felt bad for the woman, I just couldn't stand the idea of carrying that filthy woman outside. I had never liked dirt and grime.
There was a stream nearby, and the woman took several long, greedy gulps of the water before trying to speak. Her voice was still weak, but no longer so thin or wavery.
“It was that woman. The old innkeeper. She has the power of demons!” she gasped.
“Her?” Sokka asked incredulously. I had to agree with him. Yes, Hama seemed a bit... odd. But taking people prisoners and letting them die?
Some more water was given to her at this point. I knew enough that she would need to take it slow at first, and not guzzle down all the water she wanted right now. I wasn't sure where I remembered that from. Was it something one of my tutors or my Uncle had told me?
“She controls the spirits... I was out on night guard duty when I felt a force pull at my body. I started walking and tried to stop but I could not. Something was pulling at my legs. I was forced into the mountain and my hands went up to be chained. The last person before me was still alive, but he died not too long after I was put in there.” A violent shudder passed through her body.
So Hama had captured all these people? How was she able to command the spirits in such a way? What spirit would follow her commands to such an end?
Katara. My eyes widened as I quickly rose to my feet. She had said that she was going Waterbending with Hama. Would Hama hurt her like she had done to all of these people in the cavern? No. She clearly adored the girl. But my sense of foreboding did not abate.
“I have to find Katara.” I muttered quickly.

o0o0o0o
Katara

“You want me to help destroy the Fire Nation?” I asked in a thin voice.
“And why not? Your mother was killed in a raid, wasn't she? Did she deserve that? Did you deserve the loss of your mother? Did my brethren and I deserve to be locked up in cages, merely for being Waterbenders? Did anyone who was not Fire Nation deserve to die, simply for not being part of the Fire Nation's so-called magnificence?”
I shook my head slowly. No one deserved to die just for being different. She grinned as I nodded and went on.
“Your Avatar says that he wishes to bring balance to the world. But the Fire Nation will never settle for that! They wish to enslave or kill the Avatar so he cannot do this! They must be destroyed, before they can destroy anyone else! What I do now is what they did to us.”
What they did to us... My eyes widened as I looked at her. The rumors of the missing people...
“You did it. You did something to all these missing people.” I murmured.
“Indeed. My revenge started with the guards who watched over the Waterbenders.”
“And what happened to the Waterbenders who were left?” I whispered.
“Unlocked their cages and never looked back. I cannot tell you where they are now. We scattered to the winds. And I made a vow that night under the full moon that I would make the Fire Nation pay for what they had done. Perhaps I did not have an army, but that did not mean I could not have my revenge. And that is how it has been ever since. But you... you're young. And you're allies with the Avatar. Make him understand that his desire for balance is but a useless dream. He should hate them as much as you, for the genocide of his people.”
Hama's words were almost hypnotic. I understood what she was talking about. The Fire Nation was responsible for so much death and destruction. Could the world ever be the same again, as long as Fire Nation remained?
“How did you escape?”
“Remember the fire lilies. Every living being is filled with water. All you have to do... is concentrate hard enough and seek the water within. It took me a while to realize this... and to understand just how to do it. I practiced on the rats first... and once I mastered that, the guards became fair game.” A cackle escaped from her throat as the wind picked up.
“They started hacking at one another with swords, not understanding what was happening to them.” Her tone was one of pure amusement as she recalled this memory. A couple of cat-owls yowled in the distance, but Hama ignored them as she continued.
“It was what they deserved. And it was all the sweeter to see the shock and terror in their faces as they found themselves being killed by their comrades. I would have stuck around to find out what had happened, but I didn't want to risk it. All of us Waterbenders disappeared, leaving that place full of the corpses of these men. I can't help but wonder what the reaction was to that place.” Again, she laughed.
In my mind's eye, I envisioned what she had just told me. Even then, I reeled at the idea that one could Bend another's body to their will. Was such a thing possible? Yes. Hama wouldn't make up such a story. I looked down at my own hands. Was I capable of such a thing, also?
“Avenge us, Katara. I will teach you ultimate vengeance. For our people. I share my power with you.” I felt her hands on my shoulders, was surprised that I had been so lost in my thoughts to not notice her approach. Her gaze seemed to burn into me. They glinted with a manic desire, and I felt her fingers dig into my bare arms.
“You will do what I was unable to do. Fate brought you to me, so that I could form you into the avenger for our people. Embrace your destiny, Katara.”
I imagined doing what she said, seeing myself turning the Avatar against Fire Nation by whispering these dark words into his ears. All the Waterbenders and others who had been imprisoned or killed would be avenged. My mother, Hama's dead brethren, the men who died at the Siege of the North and Princess Yue...
But that would bring about more deaths. Deaths of innocents, and good people who were not responsible for the War or had any desire for it. Vengeance might be sweet for some, but eventually the reality of its consequences brought about more pain.
“Destruction to the Fire Nation, as it deserves!” I heard Hama hiss.
No. That would only make things worse. If Fire Nation was brought down, people would rip at it like vultures at carrion, and then start fighting one another. And the toll of dead innocents would only go higher. Besides... was Iroh a bad man? Jeong Jeong? Zuko? Granted, he had been a brat when I had first met him, but it turned out that he had been lied to all of his childhood. Piandao had taught Sokka sword-fighting despite knowing that he had been Water Tribe all along. And there were many decent Fire Nation citizens in the towns we had passed through, who wanted nothing to do with the War.
“No.” I murmured.
“No?” Hama asked, her grip loosening just slightly in apparent surprise.
“If I do that, that will only make things worse. No. I can't. I won't!” I gasped, jerking sway from her.
“They tried to wipe out our culture, like they did to the Air Nomads! You and I are all that remains of the Southern Waterbenders. It is my duty, and yours, to make sure that this does not go unpunished!”
The glint in her eyes was bothering me a lot now. Before I could take another step back, I found my feet rooted to the spot, my arms pinned to my sides.
“Dear child, you will learn to Bloodbend, like it or not. You were brought to me for a reason...”
I tried to speak, but the invisible vise on me tightened.
“Let... me... go!” I managed to choke out after several gasps.
“See, this is the power that I held over these men. The power that my element gives me. Can a Firebender do this? Water is the element of life, and even a Firebender cannot deny this fact. But it can also being death, which is all they deserve...”
I found my knees buckling beneath me, and was forced to kow to Hama, my face near the grass.
“All you have to do is say yes, my dear.” I heard her murmur.
“NO!” I heard someone else shout. A ball of fire exploded in front of Hama at her feet and she jumped back in surprise. The grip on me disappeared, and I scrambled to my feet to see Zuko with his fist stretched out.
“Lee?” Hama asked in shock. “You're a Firebender?”
Her bony hands shot out, and Zuko's fist went down, his hands pinned to his sides like mine had been not long ago, and his face registered shock.
“Hama! Let him go!” I begged.
“No. He's a Firebender! Why would you be in the same group as him?”
“He's not evil! He was teaching Aang Firebending! Let him go!” One of her hands shot towards me, and I was as immobilized as Zuko was.

o0o0o0o
Zuko

I had never felt anything like it. Being unable to move or struggle. I hadn't heard everything that Hama had said, but I had heard her telling Katara she would learn to Bloodbend, like it or not and everything afterwards. I had been terrified that Katara would willingly agree, for she had appeared to be seriously considering the older woman's words.
Thank Agni that she wasn't going to join this insane old woman.
“Now, Katara... watch what I shall do to this boy. See what Bloodbending can do.” Hama cackled. I found one of my hands being lifted up, its fingers finding the handle of my swords and gripping it tightly. As much as I tried to fight, my other hand joined the first, pointing the blades at my stomach. I had felt that something was off about this woman when I first met her, but not this off!
Katara's eyes were wide, and she was shaking her head, apparently unable to help herself any more than I was. The blades pressed closer to my stomach, the cold metal tips now pressing into my skin.

o0o0o0o
Katara

I had to fight. If I didn't, then I would watch Zuko kill himself. Hama clearly wasn't going to listen. I had to fight her myself. I felt the pull on my body, understood exactly what she was doing. Concentrate, Katara...
I felt the water around me. In the air, in the trees, in the grass... and in Hama's body. I couldn't move my arms, but I knew that I could Waterbend without these if I had enough concentration. I closed my eyes, focusing on that water. And as hard as I could, I pushed with my mind.
My body came free, and I opened my eyes to see Hama on her knees, shivering slightly. Zuko's blades were no longer pointed at himself. I wouldn't be subjected to the sight of his insides spilling out on the grass. Thank the spirits.
I felt Hama try to take control of me again, and I fought. I pushed her arms down, keeping them at her sides. I had done it. I had Bloodbended.
“Congratulations, my dear. You've just learned how to Bend blood.” Hama's grin was that of victory, and I staggered back.
“Good girl. I'm so proud of you.” Her voice was a soft hiss before it turned into a loud cackle.
“You killed all of these people.” I heard Zuko say. What people?
“It was what they deserved.”
“They didn't do anything to you! They were innocent! They had nothing to do with what happened to the Waterbenders!”
“And did the Waterbenders do anything to the Fire Nation? No! Your people invaded our land and took us captive for no real reason other than wanting to prove that Fire was a better element!”
“I know, and my people were wrong to do that. I apologize. But...”
“Screw your apology!” Hama screeched. Zuko was jerked backwards, hitting a tree. Then he was jerked forward again, his arms flailing wildly, the swords glinting in the moonlight.
“No! Stop!” I screamed as I lunged towards Hama before she could try to make Zuko harm himself again. For an old woman, her strength was surprising. Her sharp nails dug into my arms, and we rolled around on the ground. I felt her try to Bloodbend me, but I pushed back with the same force.

o0o0o0o
Zuko

I felt a surge of anger and protectiveness when I saw Hama and Katara fighting, and when I thought about it later, it surprised me how concerned I felt for Katara's safety. Without a second thought, I jumped into the fray. I felt Hama's nails rake along my arms, and she even went so far as to try to bite my face. With a quick blast of Firebending, I pushed her off me.
“You will pay for that!” she screamed as her shawl caught on fire. She flailed around, her hands slapping at it, and I quickly backed away, my attention now on Katara to make sure she was unharmed. Her hair was a mess and I noticed the scratches on her arms, but she seemed none the worse for wear.
A loud shriek brought my head up from Katara, and I saw Hama lunge at me. Thinking quickly, I pulled us both out of the way. The old woman stumbled on the hem of her skirt as she was caught off-guard, and she fell forward with a loud crack. At first, I thought it was one of her old bones breaking from the fall, but I noticed a rock jutting out of the ground just under her head. The light of the full moon illuminated the blood seeping from the side of her head, and I was silent, unsure of what to say or do at this new development.
“Oh, damn. Is she...” Katara murmured, trembling in my arms. I slowly set her down and cautiously approached Hama. She did not appear to be breathing, and when I nudged her with a foot, she did not move or make a sound. The blood continued to seep, infusing her snow-white hair with an eerie shade of red.

o0o0o0o
One Month, 22 Days BSC
(Early Morning)
Katara

I sat there in the constable's office silently. The cup of tea in my hands was cold. Zuko had protected me from the questions when he led me back to town. He had taken the constable's questioning. The village would now know that it was Hama responsible for all of these missing people. The woman rescued from Hama's dungeon was now in the infirmary, from what I had overheard.
“Just one more thing... and I am sure this is the most important one.” the older man asked, reclined in his chair, slightly tugging at one of his sideburns as he glanced at Zuko, “Why would she do such a thing? How did she do it?”
I waited for Zuko's answer.
“She was an insane old woman. I do not know why she would do such a thing. But she would call upon the spirits to do her bidding. There is no accounting for why some people do what they do.” he explained. Not a word on the fact that she was a Waterbender or her history.
“Well, your friends were lucky to find Meishan. She is being taken care of now. It's unfortunate that there was nobody else alive to rescue... but something's better than nothing, eh?”
“Yes.” was all Zuko could say.
“Well, you and your friend are free to go. We appreciate your help. You can go now and rest.”
Zuko approached me, and his hand went under my arm, gently. I felt a tug, and I did not resist, letting him help me to my feet. All of Hama's words echoed in my mind. I had actually considered siding with her when I had been reminded of the pain. Was I really that kind of person?
A guard came into the office, breathless. He leaned against the wall with one hand for several moments. It was clear that his news was urgent.
“The old woman...”
“You have her?” the constable asked.
“...No. We found the spot. Lee's directions were good...” he nodded towards Zuko, “We found blood and a trail of it... but the trail ended after a while. She's gone.”
“But she was dead. She wasn't breathing, and she didn't do anything when I tried to rouse her.”
“The body's gone, I swear it. We looked, but the only thing that's left is a trail of blood.”
I gasped softly as I felt my knees buckle under me. Zuko quickly grabbed me around my waist.

o0o0o0o
One Month, 22 Days BSC
(Evening)
Zuko

I hadn't mentioned the fact that Hama was a Waterbender, for that would only bring more violence against Katara's people, and that was the last thing anyone needed. The fact that Hama was still alive – if an animal had not dragged her off – floored me, but I didn't know what I could do now. There was no way that Hama could ever show her face in the town. Someone else would take over the inn, just as Hama had taken over from the previous owners who had mysteriously disappeared. Their fates were now known.
And it was time for us to leave. The town could handle things by itself.
I glanced over at Katara. The wind was blowing through her hair as she stared out at the sea. I wanted to hold her, to touch her and reassure her, tell her that things would be fine. I remember how she had felt against me in the constable's office after I had grabbed her to keep her from falling. Her body had been warm, and I had been comforted by it.
I scooted a bit closer, waiting to gauge her reaction or see if she had noticed. She had not said much all day, her mind apparently elsewhere. I wanted to ask what Hama had told her, for I had only caught the end of it. Whatever it was had clearly shaken Katara badly.
Before I could say anything or move closer, the Avatar closed in. Sokka was steering Appa, leaving the boy free to do this. My gut clenched hard as I saw his arms wrap around Katara. I should be doing that, I thought to myself.
My hand formed into a fist as I saw the Avatar hug her tightly, guiding her head to his shoulder so she could bury her face in it. I had to concentrate on my breathing so I could calm down. But I couldn't help but imagine her in my arms, taking comfort from me. We had been through the fight with Hama together, not her and the boy.
As if she read my mind, Katara looked up from Aang's shoulder to look at me. Our gazes locked for a long moment before she slowly looked down again.
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