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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.

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Kiss of Fire
Chapter Twenty-Two – A Mother’s Love
Disclaimer – Avatar does not belong to me, nor do its characters. All original characters do belong to me, as does the plot. Some of you have asked me questions, such as will other characters such as Aang, Toph, and Sokka be making an appearance? Yes, in due time. As always, PLEASE leave me feedback – it is what keeps my muse going.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I rose from my husband’s bed. I sensed that Kuzon needed me especially at this moment. Usually, I would check on him before going to bed, and check again in the morning. It was the middle of the night, but I rose from bed, putting on a robe before going to my apartments. Call it maternal instinct, if you will.
Kuzon was crying, and Hinode was trying to soothe him. I rushed forward and took him into my arms, rubbing his back as I roused him from his nightmare. He whimpered and clung to the front of my robe as I rocked him. He felt even hotter, and I despaired. I had some water brought to me, and I coaxed him to drink some after I had cooled it with my bending.
“This would not have happened if you had not indulged and spoiled him.” I heard the voice of Kuzon’s nurse come at me through the shadows. I had come to detest that voice immensely.
I planned to have her dismissed as soon as I could, and have a new nurse brought in. I suspected her of stealing things from my apartment since I had Kuzon brought in here, so I had Hinode search her sleeping quarters and indeed, a couple of my combs and a few other trinkets had been found. While I did keep most of my treasures locked in the Phoenix Room, I did keep a jewelry box for items I wore on a more regular basis. I was certain there would be more missing items had there been less traffic in my apartments. I did not come out to accuse her just yet, and had Hinode place them back where she had found them.
“Shut up. Or I will hit you again – harder, this time.” I stated, my voice steely. She scowled at me. I could have her punished for being so openly disrespectful of me, but I had bigger concerns at the moment. I let her make these scowling faces, for they were small compared to her other offenses.
“Is there anything you need?” I asked Kuzon.
“Sing for me?” he asked, and so I did. I rubbed his back and rocked him, looking down at his flushed face. He was young and strong, but he was human like anyone else, and could only fight for so long.
“I’m here…” I whispered soothingly as my hand rubbed his back in slow, gentle circles, “Fight it for me, okay? I will be sad if you do not.”
“Yes, Mama.” Kuzon murmured, “Anything for you.”
“Not just for me. For yourself too. You’re strong. I know you can fight.” I murmured. He smiled up at me weakly and nodded. I stroked his hair, feeling angry at the spirits for allowing this to happen. Why punish a sweet little boy like Kuzon? Why allow my mother to die?
“I love you, Kuzon. Do you love me?” I whispered. He nodded and reached up with his little hands.
“Love you, Mama. Don’t leave me.” I felt another sharp tug in my heart. He was my son, blood or not. The Fire Lord could not deny that. I hugged him more tightly.
I scooped him into my lap and walked over to one of my plush chairs, leaning back as I held him, trying to soothe him. I rocked him, holding back my tears. How could I help him when medicine could not? He was so warm, and he was crying again. I removed his tunic and he seemed relieved.
“So hot, Mama.” he moaned as he looked up at me. I nodded, remembering that a fever could cause a Firebender’s inner fire to rage if it went high enough, or went on long enough. I had learned that from Sylid.
“Bring me a bowl of water, a large one, and a few small towels.” I called out. The things I asked for were on hand in a few moments, and I shooed the servants away. I folded one of the towels and cooled the water when I dipped it, and pressed it against Kuzon’s forehead. He whimpered and nodded, and I smiled a little. I had a servant blow out all but one lamp, so the room would be darker and more soothing.
It felt nice to be alone, to not have to listen to the worried murmurs or feel the worried glances on Kuzon and myself. My servants had not tried to separate the Prince and myself, but they had warned me about getting ill or catching the sickness. I looked down at Kuzon, wanting nothing more than to alleviate the pain that he had done nothing to deserve. I thought about the healing techniques of my people. I had spent about half of my life in Omashu, but I had learned some of the art from my people. My grandmother was a healer, and said that water could be used to cool a fever. I had never learned how to do that though, since I was young when I had left the Northlands, and it would take weeks for my grandmother to get here if I sent her a letter.
I knew that there was not much time left. Kuzon’s earthly tenure would end soon if this went on much longer. My heart pounded with urgency even as I pressed the cool cloth to his brow.
You can’t die, Kuzon.
You can’t be dead, Aang.
I opened my eyes. There was no dark-haired boy in my arms. I looked around, seeing glowing green crystals. They cast an eerie light on everything, and I looked down. There was an older boy, with a blue arrow on his forehead.
He was not moving. I was filled with rage and grief. I had tried so hard, as had Sokka and Toph and Iroh. Did it all come down to this, the fate of this dead child?
I looked up, seeing Zuko. Betrayer. Liar. Deceiver!
I lifted water from the bowl, wrapping it around my hand like a glove.
The boy was dead. There was no breath or heartbeat. But I could not give up. There was one more thing. The oasis water.
The water was special. But it needed someone special to handle it as well. It would channel my energy through itself, so I could heal Aang – hopefully. I concentrated. I was full of life, certainly I could lend the Avatar some. His life was more important than mine, anyway. The unique properties of the water enabled me to connect with him, and it transferred some of my life to his.
I pressed it to Kuzon’s chest gently, feeling his pain. All I wanted to do was wash it away. He could not die. He must live, for my sake, for Zuko’s sake.
I concentrated hard, finding whatever spark of Aang that remained. I put a spark of my own life energy in there, and pushed it through him. I had no idea about the spirit world or if this would work, but I mentally called for him, praying to the spirits to bring him back.
Aang, please come back. You’re the world’s last hope. Come back to us. Spirits, help us!
And then I felt it.
I pushed my energy through Kuzon, concentrating on purifying him of the heat that was bad for him. In my mind, I saw the water move through him, washing him clean, making him new. The water around my hand was actually glowing.
The water spread across his chest and moved to his face as well, and I heard him whimper. I was afraid, for I had never done this before. What if I hurt him? I felt his small body shiver, and then the glowing stopped. He was still pale and weak, but I noticed that the flush was gone. Hesitantly, I checked his forehead. Dare I hope?
To my shock, the fever was gone. What had I done? How had I done it? I looked down at him, stroking his brow. He whimpered and snuggled closer to me, and I hugged him tightly, wrapping a blanket around him. He did not complain about being hot. I had no idea what to say. It was a miracle – the Prince’s fever had broken. I rocked him for several minutes.
“My lady?” I startled to hear that. I looked up, seeing Hinode standing there. Had she seen what I had done? If so, she did not reveal it.
“Should I bring some tea or food for you or the Prince?” she asked politely.
“Just some green tea, thank you.” I stated. I was alone again, and continued to rock him, stroking his hair. He was no longer crying or in pain, and was dozing peacefully, looking almost like a baby, wrapped in the blanket.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
It was still dark when I woke up, and my wife was not at my side. After several moments, I discerned that she was not in the washroom. There was only one place where she could be. I rose, dressed, and went to her apartments via the secret passageway. When I heard she had Kuzon brought to her apartments a few days ago, I had not objected. I felt too guilty about everything that had happened.
I silently slid into her bedchamber, expecting to see her in her bed, holding my son. But I saw her in a chair near the fireplace, a red bundle in her arms. I felt panic for a moment – had my son died? Had my wife wrapped him up for that purpose? Agni, no.
I took a step closer, and was relieved to see the bundle stir. My wife looked up at me, her eyes widened in surprise.
“How is he?” I asked simply. She nodded slowly and stroked my son’s face.
“He… seems to be better. The fever's gone. He’s not in such discomfort, and he is sleeping well. I just rocked him and fed him some water.” She was now looking at me wonderingly, and I did not blame her for being surprised I was here and asking after Kuzon.
I approached her. The chair she sat in was more of a sofa, and could seat two people comfortably. I sat down next to her, and pulled the bundle into my arms, pulling back the cloth to reveal his head. She stared at me with shock as I did this, but I said nothing as I glanced at her. She seemed uncertain of what to say, so I shook my head, indicating nothing was to be said.
I looked down at my son, rocking him gently as I had seen my wife do once when I watched from the doorway. They had been oblivious to my presence. I felt my wife’s eyes on me as I carefully swayed my son back and forth. I felt my son whimper and snuggle against my chest. That warmed me a little.
I had not held my son like this since he had been born.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Seeing my husband hold his son floored me. He had always been so cold and formal to Kuzon, as if his son was nothing more than some distant relative that he had the responsibility of raising, or even a stranger.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Usually, the Fire Lords were born during the summer, or at least their parents tried to ensure it. Azula and I were no exception to the rule. Since summer was the season of our element, it was considered auspicious for us to be born during these months, and even better when born at high noon, or on a sunny day. I had been born shortly after midnight, and Mother had a hard time giving birth to me. Azula had been born around high noon on one of the hottest days of that summer, which was considered most auspicious indeed. Mother had an easier time giving birth to her, and I had always felt bad about the fact that Mother struggled with me, as if it had been my fault her labor was so difficult.
As such, many Fire Nation citizens would try to conceive in the autumn, so their child would be born the next summer. I had disregarded that rule when I lay with the woman that I had chosen to be mother of my heir. She was strong and healthy, and a good Firebender as well. She was none too pretty, but she was not homely either, and her personality was suitable. I never loved her, but I did get along with her, and felt comfortable enough to at least get to know her somewhat – I didn’t want to sire a child with a complete stranger.
I had chosen her for anonymity. Many of the noblewomen who were considered suitable matches for me and mothers for my child or children were distant relatives of mine. Prestige would go to the house who could tie themselves closer to the throne by having a Prince who was related to them directly. I had no desire to play the silly game of ties or networking, and I also felt that my line would fare well with someone of new blood. Kuri had come from a middle-class family, with no connections whatsoever. Her father was dead and she had very few relatives. They did not even know of this arrangement, for a story was fabricated for them for her absence during her pregnancy.
The agreement was that after she had given me a healthy child, I would give her money, and an estate of her own, and that she was free to marry someone else or do whatever she wanted with her life. I knew that she had wanted to become a physician, and I encouraged her, giving her free access to my library so that she had her study to occupy her during her pregnancy. She would have been a excellent physician, had she lived.
She knew what I wanted from her, and so she held no illusions when I came to her bed. Our couplings had been satisfactory. I appreciated her companionship, for she did try to please me. I would visit her sometimes and have tea or meals with her as her pregnancy progressed. It was curious to see her swollen with my seed. But I would feel sad inside, since it was not Katara who carried my child within her.
13 Years ASC, Late Winter (Late February, 1114)
Uncle was giddy. I knew he was eager for a new grandnephew or niece to play with and spoil. The night before, Kuri had had labor pains, and I was informed, as per my order. Now it was the close of the next day, and I was finished with Court. I decided to go to Kuri’s apartments and check on her progress – though I would remain at the door, as most if not all men did when confronted with childbirth. Uncle saw me and laughed, hugging me tightly. I glanced down at him again, seeing his eyes twinkle.
“The midwife says it is almost over, and we should know any minute! I wonder if it will be a boy – a wonderful little boy like you or Lu Ten were!”
“And if it’s a girl?” I asked dryly. I was more concerned about having a healthy heir, than one of the ‘right’ sex. If it were a daughter, I would raise it as I would a son.
“A girl, as sweet and loving like your mother or grandmother? A fine idea!” Iroh smiled. I set my jaw. One of my deepest fears was that the child be like Sozin, or my sire, or sister. My Uncle seemed to sense this, for he placed his hand on my shoulder.
“This child won’t have any negative influences. It will have you and I to guide it, and Kuri should she decide to stay here after the terms are up.”
My sister had been born into privilege, yet she had been a cruel person, morally and emotionally retarded even if she had been a prodigy, intelligent, and beautiful. There had been no reason for her to be so cruel to me and to others, yet she had reveled in it and made it an art.
No matter what background a person came from, that was no guarantee to their character or personality. My own sire and uncle were as different as day and night. My child was a gamble. Would it be more like my uncle or mother, or like my sire or sister? I would not know for several years. And then, what if the child had darker inclinations, and turned out to be like the relatives that I had fought against and defeated? What would I do with it? Dispose of it? Move it away?
“Don’t obsess over it too much. We’ll take care of that if the time comes. But for now – let us simply rejoice!” Uncle said.
As if on cue, a woman’s scream, and a baby’s loud wail filled the air. I let out a slow sigh, when one of the midwife’s attendants poked her head through the door, bowing to me then to my uncle.
“My lord… it’s a boy. A fine, healthy one.” she announced. I nodded slowly as I sat down in a plush chair, hearing the sharp wails pierce the air. At least, I was here for the birth of this one, and I let my memory wander back to the letter I had received almost five years ago. It had been a short and simple message, straight to the point. I had rejoiced and felt sad at the same time. I think Uncle knew, but if he did, he never said anything.
Uncle’s hand on my shoulder cleared my head of these thoughts and I looked up at him.
“You’ll be a wonderful father, I know it.” he smiled. I did not smile back, and he took a deep breath, staring down at me with these eyes that knew and saw more than most people suspected.
“Come, Zuko. This is a happy day, rejoice with me.”
I was silent as several moments later, the child was brought out, swathed in a soft red blanket. It was still crying, and Iroh laughed.
“Hear that! Such a strong voice.” he pointed out with a smile, “Lu Ten was the same way when he was brought out. How fortunate I was to be there when he was born!” my uncle added with just a bit of sadness before he smiled again.
All I did was sit there, dumbly. He took the baby in his arms, approaching me. My son continued crying. I was sure he missed the warm confines of his mother, though Kuri had commented to me that he had constantly kicked when he was in there.
“Such a handsome boy!” he laughed as he lifted the flap of blanket to reveal the baby more. He was born with a head of soft black hair, and skin as pale as mine. I knew his eyes would be like mine. I watched as Uncle closed the distance between us to give me the baby.
“Come, Zuko. Hold your arms like I am. Hold your son!” he encouraged. Without a word, I positioned my arms and let the baby be deposited in them. My son squirmed a little, and to my surprise, his crying quieted almost the instant he was placed within my arms. I looked down at his small face, and his clenched fists. I had never held a baby before, and I was amazed at how something so small could grow into a complete human being.
I remembered being rocked by my mother, so I repeated the motion with my son, moving my arms just slightly as I stared down at him. Uncle beamed down at me and sat near me. I looked up to see one of the servants exit Kuri’s bedchamber.
“Is she well?” I asked simply. She bowed to me and nodded.
“My lord, she is tired, but there were no complications. The midwife says all she needs is a couple of days of bed rest before she can resume her normal activities. May I congratulate you on having a healthy son, my lord?”
“Yes. Good.” I stated simply. I would be in to see Kuri when she was ready, and turned my attention back to my son. He was sleeping peacefully, and I gently touched one of his fists with my finger. He looked so comfortable and warm.
My son, I thought to myself. I had sired this little being. I thought about the few times I had seen Kuri during the last month of her pregnancy, how swollen with my seed she had been. In the back of my mind, I had always wondered how Katara would look with my child within her. How bitterly I felt when I stared at Kuri, knowing it was her who was carrying my child and not the woman I loved. Katara should be here to share this moment with me and celebrate it. I let out a soft sigh, for this happy moment was also sad for me.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I wondered what he was thinking about as he rocked his son. He had an expression of gentleness on his face, one he usually reserved for me, during our private moments. I was afraid to say anything to break such a moment.
Kuzon whimpered a little and snuggled against his father’s chest, a small hand reaching out to cling to his father's robe. He seemed not to be aware of the change of hands, and remained quiet, his eyes closed. I remained silent, my hands folded in my lap, and my husband turned his head to look at me. I swallowed and stared right back at him. His expression remained gentle, and he beckoned with a slight nod to come closer. I did as he asked, our arms touching, and I rested my head against his shoulder. I felt him press his lips to my forehead.
The Prince stirred, and opened his eyes blearily. He stared up at his father for several moments. Zuko was just as silent, but he continued to rock his son. A flicker of confusion passed through Kuzon’s face, but he did not question the situation, and the rocking seemed to soothe him, for he closed his eyes again.
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Kiss of Fire