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Kiss of Fire	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 75165 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 1
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
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Kiss of Fire
Chapter Eighteen – All That’s Wanted
About 3 months have passed since the events of the last chapter, Zuko and Katara have been married for about half a year now.
o0o0o0o
Katara
19 Years ASC (Late February, 1120)
I learned during the winter that it never snowed in Sozun. It did snow in the northern and the southernmost parts of the Fire Nation and in some of the mountains, but not on the islands that were considered the heart of the lands that my husband ruled over.
The winter days did grow cool enough for me to require a cloak or a thick robe when I went outside, but it felt strange to see the winter solstice come and go without any kind of snow. In Omashu it had snowed, and even more so in Water Tribe lands.
I missed my parents, and we exchanged letters and gifts often. Strangely enough, as I spent time here, I found myself missing the city of Omashu less and less despite the fact that I longed to see my parents again. Enki was becoming a distant thought as well, and the feelings I had for him… I realized that it was nothing more than being flattered that a handsome and powerful man had taken notice of me.
I had a husband who never stopped desiring me. Ever since we came here, we shared the same bed every night, whether his or mine. It was half a year since we had met, and he never took any concubines. And even when he simply held me or lay next to me, I could feel his need for me. I could not help but respond to that with my own need. I needed a husband who cherished me, and Zuko did just that. He did not have to put it in words, and he rarely ever spoke of his feelings, but I could see it in his eyes.
He was generous with me, making sure I had a good allowance and a suitable staff of servants, he often gave me gifts, whether it was a simple flower from the garden, a new book, or an exquisite robe or piece of jewelry. He put opportunities in my hands, including an education many men would envy. Knowing how to Waterbend was one thing, but it was exciting to learn how to use my body to fight, and to become strong. I was flattered and honored that my husband encouraged this from me.
Every time I prayed, I prayed for my husband to always cherish me, among other things. I hated to admit it, but I cared for him deeply. I was glad when he would take me in my arms, and I felt safe in his presence. Sometimes I was overwhelmed by my feelings for him, the familiarity that surged through me at times, but he remained secretive about that as he had always been.
Kuzon and I grew closer. I cared for him as much as a mother could care for her child, and in a way, he was. An Mei and I were close, and I gave Kuzon the same affection that An Mei gave me. It warmed my heart to see the joy in his eyes when I came to visit him, or invited him to my suite for lunch or a game. I still tried to get the Fire Lord to pay more attention to his son, but every attempt I made was rebuffed or ignored. I tried to make up for Zuko’s lack of attention by giving him my own, but I was no replacement for the father he needed.
The Winter Solstice and the New Year’s celebrations went off smoothly, with reveling out in the city on both festivals, and gifts exchanged among the Palace servants. My husband seemed to enjoy the celebrations, and we even went to an Agni Odori dance for the Solstice celebration. On the New Year’s celebration, I was treated to the most spectacular display of fireworks I had ever seen, and Zuko seemed happy that I was so delighted. Kuzon was with us both times, but Zuko's attention to his son was the same as it always was, and it was I who made sure that he had fun.
In midwinter was Kuzon’s sixth birthday. I wanted to make it a special occasion for him, and met with Kamas to see how it should be done. I learned that Kamas, as the master of Kuzon’s tutors, had abbreviated the lessons so that the Prince would have more time to play and relax.
I already had a few gifts for the Prince, and I placed an order to the kitchen for a very special lunch, one that I felt he would enjoy.
When I knew he was finished with his lessons, I went to his apartment with a few wrapped gifts in my arms. There was one more gift in my room, but I was saving it for later. As I expected, he ran to me and hugged me, wrapping his arms around my hips as I laughed and tried to not drop the packages in my arms.
“I missed you, my lady.” Kuzon stated happily, barely noticing what I had in my arms as I set them down. It warmed my heart to see that Kuzon was happier to see me than the packages. I knew that children often went for the prizes if they knew there were some.
“I missed you too, my Prince. Happy birthday to you. Do you feel older and wiser today?” I teased as I sat down in one of the plush red chairs. Kuzon stood silently for a moment, seeming to ponder my question.
“Should I be?” he asked, all seriousness in his tone. I laughed and held out my arms to him, inviting him to snuggle in my lap.
“No, you don’t have to be. I was just asking.” I replied after the Prince had ensconced himself into my lap, his head against my chest as I stroked his hair. I looked up to see Mara scowling at me a little, as if she disapproved of me socializing with Kuzon. I stared back at her challengingly.
There was friction between Kuzon’s nurse and myself, and had been since my arrival at the Palace. She was a fair nurse to Kuzon, seeing that his needs were attended to and she did her job well. But I later learned that she looked down at the other nations. Even though I was Fire Lady, I was no exception because of my heritage.
I waved my hand in a sharp and dismissive gesture, and she whipped around to leave. I knew that Kuzon did not like her, and I took Kuzon from Mara as often as I could, even if I just had to balance the household accounts within my apartments. Kuzon would sit quietly nearby and play Pai Sho with Hinode or play cat’s cradle with her or one of my other servants while I was at the books while I kept an eye on him. Since I was Fire Lady, I could do that, and Mara was resentful of her charge spending so much time with a Water Tribe woman and clearly favoring the company of what she considered to be a savage.
Kuzon snuggled more into my lap as I kept my arms around him. I cherished the bond he and I shared, and I placed a kiss on his forehead before he beamed up at me.
“Are you hungry?” I asked softly and he nodded.
“Good, because I have a special lunch planned for the two of us.” I stated, and he gave me an eager smile. I had already placed the order for it, so it would be up shortly.
“It should come soon. Why don’t you open the gifts I brought for you?” I coaxed as I helped him out of my lap.
I had tried to pick out the best gifts that I could. He did not need new clothes or decorative trinkets, and I wanted to give him something he would really appreciate. He liked to paint, and sometimes he would use his calligraphy supplies to do so. I knew enough about painting from An Mei to know that this was not enough, so I had found watercolors along with paper and brushes for him, and had this all wrapped up in the packages I brought.
Kuzon stared curiously at the paints I brought for him, and I pointed out to him that he could now paint in colors, and he had extra paper and different sized brushes to make any kind of picture he wanted. My reward for this was a fierce hug from Kuzon and I could not help but smile at his heartfelt appreciation.
For lunch, I had ordered the Prince’s favorite foods and treats. We sat on the low table near the fireplace, where a fire cheerfully drove away any cool air that sneaked in from outside.
He had received other gifts as I saw after lunch. Clothes, books, some more miniature figures for his toy Palace among other things. But the Fire Lord himself was nowhere to be seen, nor had he given the gifts to his son in person. I was sad that Zuko could not take out some time from his schedule to personally celebrate with his son.
We spent the afternoon together, and I showed him how to mix paints and prepare them. An Mei had offered to teach me to paint and I had tried to learn, but it was not one of my talents. But I did not forget the way she had shown me how to prepare my workspace, and I smiled as the Prince played with his brushes, making experimental strokes on a piece of paper as he painted swirls and lines and a few words.
There was a gentle knock on the door to Kuzon’s apartments, and the nurse went to answer it. It was Kamas, with a package behind his back. I was surprised to see him, but I beckoned him to come in after he bowed and gave the Prince and me the proper greetings.
“How are you today, my Prince?” Kamas asked with a deep bow, and Kuzon smiled.
“Very good!” Kuzon replied cheerily. Kamas was one of Kuzon’s role models, and I liked Kamas as well. I grew closer to him during my time here and respected his opinions and advice. Zuko’s chief adviser was an open-minded man who encouraged Kuzon to think and use his imagination and ask questions, and welcomed my own inquiries as well.
Kuzon waved his arm for Kamas to sit and the older man did so, almost looking out of place at the low table in his armor and cloak.
“I have a gift for you, my Prince. Can you guess what is in it?” he asked, procuring the package and placing it on the table. It was rectangular and as deep as the length of my finger, about the length of my forearm and hand, and half as wide. The Prince handled the package curiously, turning it over in his small hands as Kamas and I watched. He shook it lightly, and I heard rattling inside.
“Go ahead and open it.” Kamas offered. Kuzon untied the string and unwrapped the red and gold paper, seeing a lacquered box inside. On one side, I could see a small golden clasp, and wondered what was inside.
“Is it a game?” the Prince asked as he looked up at Kamas.
“Perhaps it is.” Kamas replied cryptically, and Kuzon ran his fingers along the edges, fingering the clasp.
“A puzzle… I think?” he asked, rattling the slender box again.
“So sure of that?”
“It feels like one.” Kuzon replied as he set it down on the table to open it.
“Ahh, but many games are puzzles… in a way.”
“A game that’s a puzzle?”
“If you want to call it that. Go on, open it.” Kamas replied with a small but kind smile. It was clear that he was fond of the boy. He had no children of his own despite his efforts with Peony, and it made me feel sad, for I had no doubt Kamas would be a excellent husband and father. But it was none of my business, so I left Kamas and his wife alone on that matter.
The Prince undid the clasp, and the box opened into a perfect square, with smaller light and dark squares running along its entire face. There were figurines too, light and dark, and some of them resembled people.
“For a most brilliant student whose curiosity matches his desire for learning.” Kamas stated as Kuzon picked up a few of the pieces to examine them.
“What is it?” I asked curiously. I had never seen such a game.
“It is an old game, older than anyone knows, but it valued for the things it can teach and the pleasure that it gives. See, both sides have the same amount of pieces and can use them in a set of orderly moves. Each piece has its own set of moves, and the goal is to capture the other side’s King.” he explained to Kuzon, picking up what was obviously the piece he had just been talking about. I nodded silently as Kamas set the pieces on the board at either side.
“Do you want me to leave?” I asked. As Fire Lady, I could stay if I pleased, but I had no desire to interfere with Kamas and Kuzon, and I never interrupted the Prince’s lessons. I remained out of men’s affairs unless personally invited by Zuko, and advised my husband privately.
“Oh no, my lady. It would be my pleasure and honor for you to stay with us. And you would enjoy this game as well, I am sure of that.” Kamas stated. When he looked at me, I could see that he truly meant it. I smiled, and watched as Kamas pointed out various rules of the game, helping Kuzon to decide where he could move his pieces.
The game ended in a draw, and Kamas gave the Prince a few more pointers, promising to teach him more during their next lesson together.
o0o0o0o
Kuzon
When Kamas left, Miumi took me into her arms again. I liked to sit in her lap and cuddle with her as she would tell me a story or sing to me. Sometimes I told her about my day. But sometimes we just said nothing. It was always nice to be with her because she was so warm and snuggly. And she always listened to me. And she told me to call her Miumi, not Lady, when we were alone.
We took a walk outside. It was a sunny day but it was cold and Miumi put a soft and warm robe on me. I was a little sad because there were no turtle-ducks in the ponds.
“I have one more present for you.” Miumi said to me. She always looked so nice when she smiled. What present did she have for me? I was happy with the paints she gave me and I couldn’t think of anything better.
“Come with me, Kuzon. We’ll have dinner in my rooms. I’m hiding your present there.”
We went to her rooms. “See if you can find your present.” Miumi said as she sat down, smiling at me. I looked around the parlor. There were so many places to hide something! I looked under the sofa and table and behind the armoire. Miumi continued smiling at me.
“You’re getting colder… no, warmer…” she teased me, giving me hints as I walked around the room.
“Warmer!” she laughed, clapping her hands as I walked towards the folding screen. I walked around it and saw something wrapped in red paper.
“Why don’t you bring it out here?” she asked and I put it on the table. It was large and flat and had been a little hard to carry. But it was pretty light.
“I hope you enjoy the present.” Miumi said with a smile, and I smiled back before I opened the paper.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Kuzon’s eyes lit up with delight when he saw the kite that lay there for him. I had gone to the artists’ quarter of the Palace grounds, where fine works of art and ornaments were made for the Palace.
I had put my proposal to the master of this guild, and in a few days, he had created this kite with his own hands. He was a skillful man, and warm and kind to me. He had presented the finished product to me with a flourish, and I had rewarded him well.
The kite was in the shape of a phoenix, with a long tail of silk feathers that would trail behind it as it flew. Thin but firm bamboo sticks gave it its form, and the silk that covered it was exquisitely hand-painted in various shades of red and gold. When it was in the air, it would truly be spectacular.
“Tomorrow, I’ll take you out to fly it. Would you like that?” I asked. He nodded eagerly.
He crawled into my lap and I sang him a song that my mother sang to me before she died.
“Thank you.” Kuzon murmured softly after a while, and I looked down at him.
“Thank you for what?” I asked curiously. He looked up at me with these golden eyes, so much like his father’s.
“For being here.” he replied simply and I smiled, kissing his forehead.
It would soon be time for him to go to sleep, but I held him still, knowing he liked being in my lap, and this was his special day, after all. I closed my eyes, resting my chin on the top of his head.
I heard the door open and opened my eyes to see my husband. He stared at the two of us silently for a moment, and I quickly bowed my head.
“Good evening, my lord.” I stated calmly. Kuzon opened his eyes and repeated my greeting.
“I trust you received all of your gifts and enjoyed them.” Zuko said to his son in a calm tone, as if discussing the weather. Kuzon nodded.
“I am most grateful for the gifts, my lord, and I shall cherish them.”
“Very good, Kuzon. You earned the gifts. They are yours to enjoy.” the Fire Lord stated in the closest thing to a compliment I had heard directed from him to Kuzon in a while. I waited for him to wish his son a happy birthday, or give him such belated words.
“It is getting late for you, Kuzon. Time for bed.” Zuko stated, motioning for his son to leave.
Without a word, the Prince crawled off my lap and bowed to his father, wishing him a good night. Zuko inclined his head slightly.
“Remember tomorrow.” I called out after him. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at me before leaving my apartments. The Fire Lord closed the door. He was dressed more casually, without the stiff robes he wore in Court. I could see that this meant we were to spend the night in my apartments.
“Let’s go to bed.” the Fire Lord stated. The tone in his voice made it clear what he wished from me, and I usually agreed to it, unless it was my time of the month, which he always respected. Should it be that time, he remained affectionate to me, but he held back his needs and showed me a respect that few men had regarding feminine matters.
It wasn’t my time now, but I decided to refuse. I had had it with my husband’s cold treatment of his son, and the pain that I saw in Kuzon’s eyes whenever his fatherdenied him the affection or approval he desired. Something stirred in me, along with my defiance, something that I had not shown in a long time, and my resolve strengthened as I went to my washroom to get ready for the night.
He lay in bed waiting for me, and I emerged from the washroom wearing a very modest nightgown. I did not remove it as I settled in bed.
“Take that off.” Zuko whispered, staring at me hungrily.
“No.” I replied. He looked surprised, and I had to hold back a smirk. It felt good to stand up to him.
“Why not?”
“Because I hate the way you act.” I stated firmly.
“Come again?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.
“You don’t treat Kuzon like your son and sometimes I feel as if you are a stranger to me.” I replied, thinking about the times he had been aloof or secretive to me. “But how you treat me, is the least of my concerns now. What I'm more worried about is Kuzon. You say nothing to him all day and then when you see him, you barely say anything to him. You don’t wish him a happy birthday, and you just dismiss him. It's like you hate him.”
“I don't hate him.” Zuko replied indignantly, propping himself up on his elbow.
“Then why do you treat him like that? Have you ever hugged him or said anything nice to him?”
“He is well cared for and has his needs met. And I have a Nation to run.” he said stiffly.
“He doesn’t need your attention all day. Is it so much to ask for a gentle touch or a kind word here and there? He's your child!”
“He is my heir, and I will decide how he is raised.” he replied. I glared at him hard.
“You know, if you continue treating him like this he will grow to resent you. He will give up trying to get your attention. Have you ever stopped to consider how he feels?”
“He is my heir and I make sure he has what he needs.” my husband stated.
“I know he is your heir, but he is a child as well. He is your son… Zuko.” I whispered.
He stared at me silently, and his expression was unreadable. I climbed out of the bed and moved to the other room, picking the phoenix kite off the table and placing it behind the screen so it would be out of the way. I turned to see him standing in the doorway, clad in nothing but black silk hakama. The loose pants looked good on him, but right now I was too upset to visually appreciate him.
“I do not mistreat him. He is cared for.” he stated as he stared down at me.
“I do not deny that he is provided for. But what he lacks is the love of his own father. Have you seen how hurt he looks when you ignore him? It breaks my heart to see him pine for your attention. Is there something so terrible about Kuzon that you cannot stand to give him a kind word or touch?”
“He's from the union I had with my concubine to produce an heir for the line of Agni.”
“I can understand if you did not love your concubine but this is your son. He needs you. I see how he looks at you. He longs for your love.” I stated. I saw a glimmer of something in his eyes, but he remained silent.
“So you have no love to give anyone? Fine.” I said coldly, turning my back to him.
“Don't say that.”
“Don't do this to me, my lord... please.” I whispered as I turned back to him. He clenched his fists.
“Do what to you? I'm the man who married you and I brought you here to be with me."
“For what?” I demanded.
“For me." he stated calmly. I glared at him, and he glared right back at me.
“Fine. That’s all I'm good for, warming your bed.” I snapped. He stared at me challengingly, before a small smirk crept across his face.
“Go to hell!” I screamed at him. I knew that I was playing with fire, literally and figuratively, but I was fed up and frustrated. If there had been a suitable amount of water nearby, I would have literally drenched him in it. I had to stifle a laugh at the mental image of a soaking wet Fire Lord, and I bit my lip when I was suddenly struck with the mental image of him encased in ice. That mental image was eerily familiar, as if I had actually done that to him before.
“Been there, done that.” Zuko growled.
“Whatever.” I huffed, rising from the chair and stalking past him to go to bed, slamming my door shut. He did not come to bed or demand that I open the door, and I figured he had gone to his own bed. It would be the first… time in our marriage that I had slept alone, and I felt apprehensive.
It was a while since I had been so… defiant, but I felt that I had to stand up for Kuzon. My husband was… an arrogant and insensitive bastard! I mentally raged at him, hating his attitude. My defiance and anger bubbled up inside of me, and if he came back, seeking my affection again, I would turn him down. Let him see what it was like to have affection denied him!
o0o0o0o
Zuko

It had been a while since she was defiant, and I found it refreshing. I tried to encourage her to be strong, by having giving her a few tutors to continue her education, and encouraging her to advise me. I liked to watch her Waterbend, and I had shown her countless times that I cherished her.
But I did not like it when she was defiant to me in the way that she had just been. I kept her past a secret from her because of the pain that had been in it, and I simply wanted to protect her. I felt that I owed her that, at least. It had been so painful for me to lose Katara, and now that she was back, I was determined to keep her safe and happy. I felt content when she was close, and I loved having her in my arms. There was no way that I was going to lose that again.
I was jealous of my son, though I did not realize it. Katara lavished him with affection, and clearly liked being around him. It reminded me too much of the Avatar and how Katara had treated him so warmly back then. I remember the times when they would laugh together, or he would help her with a chore. He had looked at her so adoringly, the same way that Kuzon did, and I had hated it that she would look at him affectionately and not at me.
I let my jealousy turn me against my son. I gave him what he needed, made sure that he was well cared for, but I refused to see that he also needed the attention of his parents. My mother left when I was young, and my father scarred me. I had no idea how to be a parent, and without my uncle around, I had no confidence in my parenting abilities.
I was deeply unsettled by my wife’s words, and her angry defiance. I wanted her to accept what I had given her, and to stop trying to dig up her past or give Kuzon attention that she should be giving me! I was the Fire Lord – ruler of the Nation. I had worked hard for all I had, and I would be damned if I lost my wife.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I had expected to wake alone. But the Fire Lord was spooned up to me. I held back a dry smirk at this surprise. When I stirred, so did he, and he placed kisses along my neck. I started to stiffen, determined to punish him by withholding my affection.
He caressed my arm, continuing to kiss me, but I started to wiggle away.
“It’s okay…” he murmured, pulling me back.
“Okay?” I repeated.
“Everything is fine.” he stated simply, rolling over onto his back, seemingly having no concern in the world. I stopped my struggle, wondering what he meant. Did this mean that my words had gotten through to him and he would change his behavior? I lay there, letting him snuggle with me when he pulled me close again, so that I was partially on top of him. It felt good to have him hold me like this, and I shifted around, rolling over to face him. He kissed my forehead, but I had already stiffened. When I moved, I felt something under the bed.
I pulled the blankets away and stared at the sight before me. Around my ankle was a thick golden shackle… with a chain leading from it to the bedpost.
o0o0o0o
I apologize for the lateness of the update of chapter 17, I had a lot on my plate for a couple of months. To make up for that, I decided to go ahead and post this chapter ahead of schedule. As always, reviews are much welcome and appreciated.
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Kiss of Fire