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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-Eight – Safety
Avatar: the Last Airbender does not belong to me. Its characters are the property of DiMartino and Koneitzko, and I do not make profit off this fic. Now, onward to a substantial Author’s Note explaining some of my research. Feel free to skip and/or ignore. I won’t be offended if you want to get right to the story. :3
In Asia and Arabia, the practice of concubinage and harems was not uncommon, and was the norm for royalty. A man who was not rich, but comfortable in his finances/position – such as a merchant – might even have a wife, and a mistress on the side, although a woman didn’t have the same right. Of course, in today’s society, this hasn’t quite died out (rolls my eyes). Currently in Saudi Arabia, a man can have up to four wives. In the Joseon (Choson) Dynasty of Korea (r. 1392-1910), there were 10 official concubine ranks, excluding that of Queen, and the 11^th and 12^th ranks, which were palace girls and personal maids, respectively, which comes to a total of 13 possible ranks for the wife of an emperor.
The Chinese Imperial Concubinage system (the one used in the Manchu Qing Dynasty, which ruled until 1912) is the one I used as a framework for Enki’s harem. It’s also interesting to note that in Ba Sing Se, many of the things/details there were taken from the Ming Dynasty (r. 1368-1644 until they were taken over by the Qing) But, there were also many things taken from the Qing Dynasty, such as the queues worn by Long Feng and countless other men, women’s clothing – including the boards and flowers they put in their hair, and the Earth King’s own outfit, especially his crown and string of green pearls. The ranks are as follows…
Empress Dowager (while the Emperor was the head of the Kingdom of Chi’n, the Empress Dowager would be in charge of the Imperial household, leaving the Emperor to be free to concentrate on matters of state. If there were no Empress Dowager, the Empress would do this task. The Dowager was usually the Emperor's mother or grandmother)
Empress Consort (or simply ‘Empress’)
After Empress, the ranks were as follows… Imperial Noble Consort/Imperial Honored Consort, Noble Consort/Honored Consort, Consort, Imperial Concubine, Concubine, Worthy Lady, Pleasant Lady, Female Attendant, Serving Woman. There were only a few women in the upper ranks of this system… there could only be two Imperial Noble Consorts, four Noble consorts, six Consorts, and so on. This did not necessarily mean all positions were filled, some Emperors might have dozens of concubines, others might only have a few. For the sake of this story, I decided there would only be one First Rank concubine beneath Queen, not two.
Japanese culture had similar but different practices, and women had more rights in Japanese society than they did in Chinese society. Of course, women were still second-class, and a woman having an affair could be executed. Wow, men sure got away with a lot of shit, didn't they?
As you can imagine, being part of a harem of many concubines – which could even be a hundred or a thousand in Imperial harems – meant that one girl might never get a chance to sleep with her husband – or only sleep with him once. After the initial selection process, she might never see her husband again except for formal occasions, where she would be at a distance from him and never be acknowledged by him. Talk about an unhappy marriage! She would pass away her days in solitude, as she could never marry or even be involved with another man, even when her husband was bored with her and had turned to one of his many other concubines. These women were considered property of their husband, for his sole use – whenever he wanted to use them or not. This was Katara’s primary concern in the beginning when Zuko said he wanted her as his wife.
Lucky was the girl who was actually able to catch her husband’s eye, and keep it long enough to become his favorite or was shrewd enough to manipulate herself into a higher position by learning what her husband liked or enjoyed and just how to keep him happy. It certainly didn’t hurt for her bear a child – preferably a son – for him. For many families who actually cared about their daughters, having their girl being selected for the Imperial harem was NOT always good news, especially when the harem was rather large. The girl might be fed and cared for, but for many, the accompanying boredom, loneliness, and restrictions were not worth the security.
Also lucky was the woman who was able to actually leave a harem without shame or dishonor and find herself a more substantial husband or lover. I decided to give Kuri, Kuzon’s birth-mother, this happier fate, since it seems the kind of thing Zuko would do.
While I see Zuko as being a one-woman man, I see Enki as taking whatever he wants, not knowing (or wanting) to commit himself to one woman. The more women he takes, the more ‘manly’ he feels, and he simply sees women as toys, treating them well as long as they keep him amused. He would also be one of these men who sees a woman’s cycles as something ‘dirty’ – which was sadly a common perception in the past, and still is in some parts of the world today.
If you chose to read the Author’s Note, then you probably learned a few new things today! Don’t you feel smarter? And as always, reviews are the kindest thing you can give an author after they have given you a good read!
o0o0o0o
Kuzon
I was tired and hungry. I tried to sleep in the corner but the floor was hard and dirty. I missed my soft and warm bed, where Mama would come to tuck me in and good night. I missed my nurse too, she was nice and not grouchy like the old one. The men outside laughed a lot too. Some of them made fun of me and called me nasty names like Fire Nation whelp. When I tried to sleep, they would yell or hit the wall.
My head hurt and my body was achy. My stomach growled because I was so hungry. The sun was outside. I could feel it. My lord told me once, that Firebenders rose with the sun. I wanted to feel it on my skin. The lamps outside were a weird green color. The guards were little more than shadows. I couldn’t really see their faces, but I imagined them to be ugly. They said ugly things, after all. I had no clue what would happen to me, but I knew it wouldn’t be good. What would happen to my parents?
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I needed to be calm. My heart was pounding so much. I was so scared. But I knew I had to collect my thoughts. I counted silently to myself, clearing my mind in the way that Master Jeong Jeong taught me. Perhaps, if I cleared my mind enough, I could figure out a way out of here, and to make sure that Mama was okay.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I was lucky to be allowed outside on the deck. My heart was pounding when I heard the frantic announcement by the guard, but I struggled to maintain my calm, acting as if I were concerned for Enki, something I did not relish. I hated acting like I was relieved to be away from the Fire Nation, and was surprised that I was actually pulling off a convincing performance. My thoughts constantly remained on my husband and son. How was Kuzon, down in the brig? And my husband – was he afraid or angry? No, I knew that answer. More angry than afraid, that was for sure. His wrath would fall heavily upon everyone responsible for this. He was a fair ruler, but he ruled with an iron fist.
“Oh dear, I never imagined that they would catch up so quickly!” I said with a gasp, making sure to not dramatize it too much. We were out in the open sea, well past the Gates of Azulon. I was surprised that the gate had not stopped us. My stomach sunk at thinking about what must have gone on behind the scenes. Were the gates damaged, or someone had been stopped before they could raise an alarm? No doubt an investigation would be pending. At least my husband was quick to respond to the situation.
Fire Navy engineering was superior to Earth Kingdom ships, but there could be lots of fighting and loss of life. I wanted to avoid that.
“Put more fuel in the engines. We will get to Omashu quickly, and the Fire Lord shall bow to us.” Enki stated confidently, looking through his telescope. My fingers itched for that spyglass and to look through it, but something told me that he would not give it to me. Why let me look at what the King of Omashu considered to be my ‘former’ husband? Why would I care to look at the Fire Navy when I was apparently relieved to be out of Fire Nation?
“Oh, are you sure your ships are fast enough?” I asked breathlessly, hating every moment of my act, “The Fire Navy is rather fast, and I would hate for them to catch you!”
“Don’t worry, Miumi. You’ll be safe once you’re in my Palace. And the Fire Nation will get what it deserves. This has been a long time in coming. I shall be hailed as the Hero of the Earth Kingdoms!” he stated, his green eyes glinting merrily, his broad chest puffed out arrogantly.
I found myself unable to respond to his pompous bragging. Hero of the Earth Kingdoms? As if my silence was a cue for him, he continued.
“Such glory! After I bring the mighty Fire Lord to his knees, the other Earth Kingdom leaders will bow to me and hail me for the justice I have brought!”
“What about Avatar Aang?” I found myself unable to help but ask, though I remembered to modulate my voice in one of ‘admiration’ for his harebrained plot. He shrugged and shook his head.
“He’s not active anymore. He’s in seclusion somewhere. Apparently he thought his duty was over when he ended the War. Which is just as well. Besides, the Fire Nation killed his people, so why should he care?”
I nodded, pretending to agree, as I thought about what he said. My husband did not speak much of Avatar Aang. I know that he had been the one to teach the Avatar Firebending, and that they helped end the war, along with several other people. From what I understood, they had respect for one another, and the Avatar apparently did not hold a grudge against the Fire Lord for the genocide of his people. Zuko had told me that the Avatar was now in seclusion, working on creating a new generation of Airbenders. Despite this fact, I somehow had the feeling that if it came down to a fight, the Avatar would not hesitate to step in. Would things have been different if Zuko had invited him to the summit?
“Worry not about such matters. Let the men take care of it. And you and I both know who’s the better man.” Enki said jokingly, though there was no mistaking the tone of pride and arrogance in his voice, “Why don’t you go back to my cabin and have some breakfast? I am sure you are hungry, since we did not get a chance to finish our meal.”
“You are most gracious to be so concerned for me.” I stated, wanting to punch him as I bowed to him.
May Agni smite you ten thousand times over with his fiery wrath, I silently intoned as I made my retreat.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I stared through my telescope at the biggest of the three Omashu-bound ships. There was the King of Omashu, conferring with one of his men. Near him, I saw my wife. I set my jaw when I saw that she was clad in green robes, and my fingers tightened around my spyglass. Enki said something to her, and she bowed before she left his side. I narrowed my eyes and felt my jaw tighten. Had she joined them? Even though I should have known better, I let what I saw get hold of my temper.
A swirling maelstrom of emotions swept over me, with the undeniable undercurrent of wrath that had been there ever since I found out that my wife and son had been stolen from me. Could it be possible that my wife had plotted to run away with him? I remember her odd behavior when she learned that the King of Omashu was coming to Sozin for the summit. After all that Katara and I shared, she still had feelings for him? And what about Kuzon? Had he been taken to punish me for forcing her hand in marriage? Could she be so resentful towards her life here, and towards me? Would she take it out on a child? I knew all too well that her anger could be like a tsunami, and that when she felt truly hurt, forgiveness was very difficult for her.
“My lord?” a familiar voice cut into my thoughts. I let out a soft hiss, smoke escaping my lips as I turned my head away from the glass. Kamas stared back at me calmly, impeccably attired in his military garb, his hands clasped behind his back. Most of my servants would at least have backed away when they saw me this angry, but Kamas regarded me with silence for a few moments, his head bowed slightly.
“What is it?” I asked tersely.
“We will be upon them in less then an hour, and preparations have been made for apprehension and what will inevitably be an… engagement.”
o0o0o0o
Katara
The ships drew nearer and nearer. I knew that Enki’s ships were going as fast as they could. While the ships were of good craftsmanship, they would never be able to rival the Fire Nation and Water Tribes, who each held their own kind of mastery over ocean navigation.
Breakfast was over and I was outside again under guard, as if I would fall over the railing without being watched. I bristled at being treated like a helpless woman, but if they thought I was one, then I could play that assumption to my advantage, when the time was right.
I took out the fan that had been given to by the maidservant, a flimsy thing made of green and gold silk, and fanned myself with it, feeling a bit warm. The heavy Earth Kingdom satin was not as cool as the thin Fire Nation silk designed for summer-wear. I wanted to take off the outer robe, but that would have been very inappropriate. Some people might think it was fun to be a Lady, but the truth was, peasants had certain freedoms that the nobility were lacking in. I remember the warm days when An Mei and I would wear nothing but our underwear and a loose tunic or short robe over that and relax in the privacy of the garden, drinking cool tea or reading scrolls or wading in the pond.
Despite the Fire Navy closing in on us, there was no huge alarm. Yes, there were soldiers bustling about, making preparations for an engagement, but Enki seemed so confident that victory was his. And despite how angry my husband must be, he would not blow up this ship, for Kuzon and myself were on it. He could easily gain another wife or concubine and sire another child, but I knew him too well to think that he would ever do that.
Enki would not know of the depth of Zuko’s love for Kuzon or me, but one thing he would know was that losing us would cause the Fire Lord to lose face. It would look very bad if the Fire Lord blew up a ship and lost the Fire Lady and the Crown Prince in one blow, even if it meant killing the King of Omashu as well. This was what Enki saw, and what he thought was his advantage. It was an advantage for me as well. Zuko never showed Kuzon or me, warmth in public, and all displays of affection were private, giving us the appearance of a proper noble family. This emotional coldness in public was necessary, and I enjoyed the warmth that was seen only by me and our son, behind closed doors.
Spirits, allow my husband to win quickly, I prayed, not wishing for the fight to be long or drawn-out. Even though I had been born after the Great War ended, there was something deep inside that gave me an understanding of what war could do, and I felt an intense dread at the thought of another one being started.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
The deck of the ship was littered with several projectiles thrown from the Earth Kingdom ships, but there seemed to be no casualties on our side. We had already started firing back at them, though the most important thing was to end this quickly.
“The smaller ships are in position for the next step of the engagement.” Kamas stated calmly. I nodded slowly, having seen these ships move up to the Omashu ships. These ships would fire out heavy chains with thick harpoons that would penetrate the hull of the ship and disable it.
I saw two small bursts of flame shoot up into the air from the smaller ships, and shot a flame of my own in response. The cannons from the two ships fired their thick harpoons, and I heard the distant crack of wood as the hull was pierced.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I saw the smaller metal ships approach Enki’s ship, but it seemed almost surreal when I saw the ships fire. A length of chain flashed in the sunlight for a moment before I felt the crack. It seemed to reverberate through the ship. By now, I had already been ushered back into the cabins for my own safety, and saw the fight through the window. I knew that the side of the ship had been pierced, and worried for Kuzon.
“No!” I cried out, running through the corridors. I made it down a couple of flights of stairs, certainly Enki’s guards had not thought I would move so fast. I stopped at a thick door that was guarded by two men. The hallway was illuminated with golden-green lamps, and I heard someone crying.
“Please let me see him!” I begged, going to the door. I was about to open it when I was pulled back firmly, although with care.
“He is to be kept down here. And you are to be kept up there.” one of the guards stated. He was tall and muscular, and I knew he could easily take me down if I wasn’t quick enough.
“He’s just a little boy!” I begged, struggling against my holder.
“He is Fire Nation scum, and you need not be concerned for him. You’re safe, thanks to His Highness. Go back to his cabin.”
“I want to see him!” I demanded, struggling against the guards as I heard my son cry.
“Kuzon!” I cried out. I heard him scream louder before a gruff voice told him to shut up.
o0o0o0o
Kuzon
I heard Mama calling out to me. I banged on the door and cried. I had tried to be brave. I had tried to not cry. But it was dark and scary and the men had threatened to hurt me. They had said that Mama was better off with the King of Omashu and that my father would never be able to have her again. I wasn’t sure what ‘have’ was, but Mama and my lord were happy together. They drank and laughed and sang songs about wenches and men who could ‘rock their world’ and other things that I couldn’t understand. When they were bored they made fun of me and called me names.
I couldn’t take it anymore. I tried so hard to be brave, but then I started crying. And then the men laughed at my crying. And then the ship shook. I heard a big crack.
“Mama!” I screamed, hitting the door again as I heard her voice.
“Someone shut that kid up!” I heard one of the men yell. There were loud footsteps and then the door banged open. The man who had come had a long brown beard, and he had big hands.
“Stop hollering, ya little brat! I’m not afraid of hitting a kid!” he snarled. He reached out for me with one of his big hands. I screamed and shot out fire from my hand. It made him very mad because my fire hit his palm. He yelled in pain and I heard someone else come down the hall.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I struggled against the man holding me, when I sensed water nearby. Not from the ocean, but far closer. Infact, it was just on the other side of this wall. I concentrated on that water, sensing it. It was several large cisterns of fresh water, for drinking and cooking.
I concentrated hard. I could feel the water, a good amount of it, pushing against the container as I pulled at it. I refused to give up, just because it was trapped within a solid container. Water was a versatile element, it could go anywhere. It flowed into other places naturally, and it could break through barriers with enough force.
Come, I mentally commanded. I felt by body strain with concentration, as my chi called out to my element, seeking its aid.
I heard loud cracking as the cisterns broke and water lashed against the door, breaking through it. The man holding me was so startled that he lost his grip, and I broke free. I had to act fast. Like my element, I moved quickly, my movements flowing as water whipped around me. These men were away from their native element, and I had the advantage. One man before another became frozen to the walls or the floor, and still the water flowed. I slammed the door open, marching down the hall where more of these men came to stop me.
Come and see how strong a woman can be, I thought as I ruthlessly lashed out with water whips, knocking men unconscious or freezing them so they could not move.
I heard someone cry out. I whipped around and saw the Prince, staggering out one of the doors, climbing over the body of an unconscious man and staring at me tremulously. I wanted to take him into my arms, to comfort him, to tell him that things would be well, but several more men came down the corridor.
“Stop, Lady Miumi! Lay down your arms!”
“NO!” I yelled, the sound of water striking flesh meeting my ears. There were thuds as their bodies hit the walls and the floor. I leaned against the wall for several moments, my pulse racing as I caught my breath. My health and fitness were both good due to my training, but to actually fight, rather than spar, had caused my blood to race in such a way that made me a bit dizzy. The corridor was silent.
“Mama?” I heard Kuzon ask softly. He stood near the unconscious man, and I mentally applauded him for keeping his distance while I dealt with the men.
“Come here.” I whispered, raising an arm. He needed no further encouragement, and ran towards me, wrapping his arms around my middle. I saw that he was a bit dirty, his hair and clothing disheveled. His cheeks were wet with tears.
“Oh, Kuzon.” I sighed, looking down at him as I stroked his hair. How frightened he must have been. I had heard the men yell at him. My first urge was to go to the deck, but I could hear the distant sound of fighting. Ironically, the best place to hide would be in Enki’s cabin. I took him in one arm, placing him at my hip as I made my way through the corridors. The sound of fighting got louder, but I remained away from the outside. I had Kuzon to think of, and I had no desire to provide any distraction to my husband or his men.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Many of the Earth Kingdom catapults and other on-deck weapons had been destroyed, thanks to the precision of the Fire Navy cannons. I could not help but smirk at how well this was going, though I knew better than to hold my breath and sit on my laurels. We were a long way from winning.
The large wooden ship was unable to move forward, due to the two smaller metal ships, and my ship approached it easily. My men quickly boarded the wooden vessel and many shots were fired. The ship had been supplied with dirt and rocks and my men were attacked. But my soldiers were also highly trained, and knew to anticipate this attack.
More of my men boarded, outnumbering the Earth Kingdom soldiers. I watched from the bridge of my ship, putting out orders as I watched through my telescope, deciding to give a bonus to every man involved.
Several of these men had been ordered to find the Fire Lady and Prince. Quickly, one by one, the Earth Kingdom men were taken down, put in cuffs or knocked unconscious. I boarded the ship calmly, looking around. My men remained alert in case someone stirred, but they remained attentive to me.
“Half of you, go down below! Smoke out anyone that remains down there and take them all as prisoners. Bring the King of Omashu and my family back to me.”
No sooner had I uttered those words that angry shouting emerged from just below the deck, before my adversary was shoved into the light. Enki and I were both royals, but my men gave him none of the courtesies that they gave to me every moment that they were in my presence. It took several of my men to hold him down. Had he been an animal, he would have been foaming at the mouth and snarling. Had he been so confident in his plan to think that I might never catch up with him and punish him?
He had been willing to risk another war just to satisfy what he thought was owed to him. How could anyone be so petty? Every day, I made decisions that affected my entire country. I weighed each decision I made carefully, knowing that countless lives were at stake. That was what came with being a leader. I had worked so hard these last two decades for the good of my own country, as well as the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes. The King of Omashu truly was a spoiled child – the kind of person who was the least fit to be a leader.
I stared down at him impassively as I approached him. My men had to shove him down into a bow, and I heard him mutter various curses and oaths under his breath as he tried to twist away from the soldiers holding him.
“Unhand me! I am the King of Omashu!” he roared. I had to hold back a small smirk at this.
“And I am Lord of the Fire Nation. I am the husband and father of the woman and child that you kidnapped from me. You violated the laws of peace, for an imagined offense.”
“It was not imagined!” he shot back.
“What offended you? The fact that I returned Omashu to its people after the war ended, with no strings attached?” I asked icily, “Now… where are my wife and son?”
He remained silent, glaring at me. I stared back coolly, knowing that my men were looking for them. “Round up all the prisoners and take them down to my brig. Strip this ship of all its supplies and treasure.” I ordered calmly.
“You can’t!” Enki yelled.
“I am.”
o0o0o0o
Katara
I was barred in Enki’s cabin, having managed to lock the door by dropping the bolt across the middle of it. There were a couple of maids cowering in the other room, but I ignored them and held onto Kuzon, rocking him and stroking his hair as I listened to the fighting. If the ship actually sunk, I had the advantage of being a Waterbender. I could simply bend a small platform of ice for Kuzon and myself, and propel us to safety. But I knew that once the fight was over, men would come looking for me.
I wanted to cover my ears to the fighting. I heard yells and blows being landed, whether from hands or swords. Even though I had never heard, much less seen, a battle, I had flashes in my mind of other battles, battles that I know I had never seen. Yet, these flashes felt all too real to me.
“Why are you wearing green, Mama?” Kuzon asked softly as he looked at my robe. I sighed and shook my head.
“The King of Omashu made me put it on. I didn’t want to.”
“It’s a yucky color!” he stated firmly. I smiled a little at that. Many shades of green were pleasant to my eye, but the particular shade I had on was a green tinted with ochre, and it was a most disagreeable hue.
“You’re right. It is a yucky color. I can’t wait to wear red again.”
“Blue’s nice too.” Kuzon replied as he snuggled in my arms, his head on my breast.
“Thank you.” I said with a soft smile, feeling buoyed. Kuzon always knew what to say to make me smile. I heard someone try to get the door open, before there was loud rapping. I looked up, though I did not approach.
“Who’s there?” I called out.
“Fire Nation!” I heard a voice call out. I couldn’t place the name, but it was definitely a voice I had heard before. It was impossible to remember the names of every Guard that I met.
Without hesitation, I rushed to the door, lifting the bolt. I tugged the door open and saw several Fire Nation soldiers just outside. The leader had a face that I had seen before, though the others were new to me. I still had Kuzon in one arm. All of them inclined their heads to Kuzon and me.
“My lady. The King of Omashu has been apprehended, and our men are flushing out the last few Earth men and stripping the ship of its supplies and valuables. You are safe.”
“Yes, I am.” I murmured.
“Now, if you will come with us, milady.”
Along the corridor, I saw several Omashu guards knocked out. Fire Nation soldiers moved through the halls, going in and out of rooms. I prayed that my green robe would not arouse rumors. The last thing I needed was to have my virtue questioned. I had been unable to find my red robe after a quick scramble through the rooms, and assumed that it had been taken out of Enki’s cabin.
I came out in the sunlight, still holding onto Kuzon as I gingerly made my way along the deck. I was relieved to see that there seemed to be little loss of life, though I would not hold my breath. My husband stared at me coolly, and I kept my head bowed in deference to his position, grateful that I didn’t have to look into his eyes.
“My lord!” I heard Kuzon cry out. I kept walking.
“Get the Lady and Prince on my ship.” I heard the Fire Lord command someone. A couple of guards hastened to my side. I saw Enki in the corner of my eye, forced to his knees and held at bay by several Fire Nation guards. He turned his head to look at me. I stared back, my eyes hard. He deserved to be on his knees for what he did, and tried to do.
The frustration, anger, and fear within me that had started ever since I had been snatched boiled to a head and before I knew what I was doing, I had pulled some water from the side of the ship and aimed it at him. It was an instinctive movement, an almost unconscious flex and flick of my free arm. Enki was knocked to his side and slid several feet along the deck.
The silence on the deck was so thick that I almost regretted what I had done. What I had just done was definitely within the category of ‘unladylike’ behavior.
After a moment, Enki stumbled to his feet, appearing dazed for a moment. His eyes fixed on me, and his face turned into an ugly scowl. I stared back icily, refusing to be cowed.
“This is how you repay me?” Enki asked with a scowl. Repay him for what? Trying to dishonor me, by terrifying an innocent child, and risking another War?
“You did nobody, including myself, any favors by doing such a dishonorable thing.” How dare he think I was doing him any favors? I saw him try to lunge at me, but Fire Nation guards jumped on top of him, pinning him down. He was very wet, and I stared down at him coolly, still holding onto Kuzon.
“Bitch!” he yelled. This time, the silence was even thicker. My eyes flicked over to Zuko. He was now scowling, and several of the Fire Nation soldiers who were not wearing masks were clearly stunned. To insult the Fire Lady to her face, with such a raw debasement, was an offense punishable by death, or at the very least, whipping or imprisonment. Quickly, I put the Prince down and nodded for a guard to watch him. With both arms free, I was able to summon a larger amount of water. The men on top of Enki scrambled back just in time for me to give him a good dousing, knocking him in the air before causing him to land with a heavy thump.
No one stopped me when I lashed Enki with several more water whips. I moved closer, striking him over and over as he tried to get up. I was surprised that Zuko didn’t ask me to stop, but also glad. When he was thoroughly doused, I curled my fingers and concentrated, causing all of the water covering him and surrounding him to turn to ice. It wouldn’t kill him, but it would create a very uncomfortable situation indeed. Ironically, only the Firebenders could give him any relief from the cold that surrounded him, unless they decided to simply drag him onto Zuko’s ship like that, and let the ice take its time to thaw.
Only then did my husband speak.
“A most fitting punishment for him. Haul him onto my ship, like that.” He glanced at me, finally. His eyes were unreadable, and I swallowed thickly.
“Go. Take Kuzon with you.”
I needed no more prompting. I had just given the King of Omashu a whipping in front of Zuko and his men. No doubt it would be talked about for a long time.
As I climbed onto the ship, I saw the royal physician waiting for me. I gave him a quick nod as he ushered us inside. He asked us several questions, to make sure we were unharmed. He gave Kuzon a quick physical examination, and when he was done, he looked at me pointedly, though his expression was also discreet. I shook my head. He gave me a brief nod.
“You both look tired. I recommend that you both wash up and eat, and take a rest. Doubtless I will very soon have some injured men to attend to.”
o0o0o0o
Zuko
“Your wife was most impressive out there. I must admit, it was satisfying to see Enki given that treatment.” Kamas stated as we walked down the corridor. All the Omashu men were secured in the various holding cells, and the Earth ships were being towed back to Sozun so they could be stripped, studied, and then retooled or recycled.
“Not what I expected her to do, but…” Or was what she did so unexpected? After being called a bitch, Katara would never tolerate such a thing. In a way, I was glad that she had lashed out the way she had. And if anything, it had proven how loyal she was to me, in front of these men.
“We also found many men knocked out in the lower corridors. All from Waterbending. There was water everywhere, and several broken cisterns in one room.” he added. I had to hold back a laugh as I walked down the hall.
I heard the rattle of chains, and yelling. I narrowed my eyes, seeing the King of Omashu by himself in a cell, parts of his body still covered in ice. The Firebenders had only melted off just enough ice to put chains on him.
“This is how you repay my hospitality and my willingness to talk to you?” I asked coldly.
“You deserve it!”
“For what my ancestors did? I have worked hard to make the world a better place. Avatar Aang knows it. The King of Ba Sing Se knows it. The Water Tribes know it. So do the Kyoshians, and other Earth Kingdom cities. You however, seem to want another War.”
“Another War wouldn’t have happened.”
“It would have… if you made it back to Omashu. Did you think you could get away with this?”
“Fuck you, Fire Nation bastard!” he snarled. I refused to be fazed.
“You thought you could get concessions from me by holding my family hostage, didn’t you?”
I know he expected me to make concessions to him rather than lose face for not being able to keep my family safe.
“Well, guess what? Because of what you have done, I have every right to take Omashu as my own. I can simply add it to the Fire Nation lands that I already have on the Continent. I am fully justified in doing so, and the other nations would stand behind me. You were willing to risk the start of another Great War, because of your own petty desires and imagined offenses. And that… is something that nobody wishes to consider, much less even accept. What do you think will happen when everyone else learns of what you did? With your dishonorable act, you have sealed your fate. And the leaders of the Tribes and Ba Sing Se and other important groups will help me decide it.” I said coldly.
“You can't get away with this!”
“I just did.”
o0o0o0o
Katara
A couple of my servants had been taken aboard the ship, for the personal use of the family. I set them to getting us tea and food, while I put Kuzon in the bath. He seemed much relieved to come out clean from the dirt and grime of Enki’s ship. A fresh set of clothing had been put out for him. While he was in the bath, I looked down at my bracelets and tried to pry them off, with no success. While Kuzon put on his clothes and lay on Zuko’s bed to rest and wait for me, I took a quick shower, scrubbing myself all over furiously before I put on some comfortable red silk.
We ate together, and I relished in the comfort and familiarity of the Fire Nation dishes and furniture. Kuzon was famished, and I let him have some of my food. sickened me to think that they had refused to give Kuzon any food or water in the brig, and also berated and mocked him just because he was Fire Nation. It spoke volumes to me of Enki and his men that they would let a child be treated in such a way.
Feeling tired after a sleepless night, I lay in Zuko’s bed. Kuzon crawled up to me and snuggled at my side. I smiled, welcoming his small and warm body as I wrapped an arm around him, freely offering him the comfort and reassurance he needed.
I closed my eyes, thinking about what had happened yesterday and today. It was almost comical to imagine that a year ago, I had been terrified of being with Zuko, being in the Fire Nation. Now, I welcomed my husband’s attentions, and was happy in his Palace. I had… simply let things flow. Instead of trying to resist the new things in the Fire Nation or doing the opposite and trying to conform to them to fit in, I had just let things go. Like water, I flowed where it best suited me.
And even when my husband’s element was opposite of mine, he seemed to understand what was best for me. He let me be myself, and it was one of the things that I would always be grateful for.
My element had also guided me in dealing with Enki. Seeing that outright defiance hadn’t worked for me, I had flowed to the path of least resistance, waiting for the right moment. Just as water could be still, or peacefully flowing, it could become a raging tsunami at the right time. Enki certainly had been surprised by it.
I thought about Zuko and what he would say when he saw me.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
After listening to the reports and ensuring that things were going along well, I walked down the corridor to my cabin. It had been a long night – and day. I had not slept since sunrise of the day before. How could I have slept?
I saw Katara and Kuzon lay in my bed, the latter in the arms of the former. I allowed myself a small smile to see them snuggled close, safe and happy under my care. As if my wife sensed my presence, she opened her eyes, and took notice of me.
“My lord.” she murmured softly. I gave her a brief nod.
“Come. We need to talk.” I whispered. I lifted my hand in a beckoning gesture.
My wife slowly rose from my bed, careful to not rouse my son. He whimpered and started to reach for her, but she murmured softly to him and stroked his forehead. He calmed down, and she placed a kiss on his cheek before climbing off the bed and approaching me. Her eyes did not meet mine, but I did not call her on it.
We moved to my sitting room, and I closed the door so that Kuzon would not hear us talk. Without a word, my wife moved over to the window and stared outside, her hands clasped loosely over her stomach. The thick wristbands were an offensive sight, and I set my jaw. If I needed to do something right now, it was to remove them. I approached her, and she turned her face towards me, stiffening a little. I grabbed her wrists, and she did not resist as I lifted them up.
“He put them on me against my will. Believe me, I don’t want these things.” she stated simply. I did not respond as I slid my fingers into the gap of one of the bands. Using both of my hands, I pried it open and slipped it off her wrist – thank goodness gold was not as firm as steel. Doing the same to the other one, I let her hands drop back down.
Katara was staring through the window again, and I held back a soft sigh. I would decide what to do with them later, and I set them aside before returning my attention to the woman I loved. She looked so calm and serene, as opposed to the fierce display she had shown on the deck of the Earth ship, furiously bending water against the man who had kidnapped her, and his guards. I had no doubt that none of Enki’s men, especially the King himself, expected such a display of anger and power from my wife. I felt guilty for having even considered the suggestion that she would have seriously plotted running away with her former suitor and kidnapping my son as revenge against me.
Even when I was older and wiser, I still had my temper. I shook my head, clearing my thoughts as I looked down at her.
“Is something troubling you?” I asked tentatively. It was clear that her thoughts weighed heavily on her. She merely shook her head. It was clear she needed to talk about it. She could be very reticent when she wanted to, and I knew that all too well. I remembered the cold silences she would regard me with whenever she was upset with me, especially after what had happened in the catacombs of Ba Sing Se so many years ago.
I stared at her for several moments. Was it possible that she missed Enki at all? No. That was stupid. I had already entertained such thoughts before, and I would not do so again.
Katara might have a different name now, a different life, but her personality was intact. She had not truly changed. She was fierce and loyal. I doubted she would ever remember who she really was, and perhaps it was better that it remain like that. That way, she couldn’t remember what had happened so long ago. She was happy now, cared for and loved. And I was happy to have her with me, regardless of her state. That was what we needed. No bad memories of the past to dwell on, that's what I kept telling myself.
“Something troubles you. I can see it.” I said softly. She was silent for a moment before speaking, keeping her eyes on the window.
“I hope you don’t think I had anything to do with what happened.” she stated simply. I stiffened slightly, and she looked at me.
“You did, didn’t you?” she asked. I was unable to respond, and she whipped her body and head around to glare at me.
“How could you think I would do such a thing?” she cried out, her eyes glinting as she took a step toward me. I did not move back.
“I was looking through my telescope, and I saw you with him. You talked to him, and bowed to him. I… I wasn’t sure what to think at that moment. I swear it. I was simply surprised by what I saw. I have no doubt of your loyalty to me.” I took another step closer.
“I had to act. I was surrounded by guards who kept me away from the water. I had Kuzon’s safety to think about, and I was hoping I could learn enough from the men around me to figure out what I could do. All the while I acted demure, I was praying for Agni to strike him down.” Katara replied as she looked back through the window, trembling slightly.
I held back a sigh and nodded. I knew all too well that it was sometimes better to bite back one’s anger. Katara had been right to hold her anger back and to try to assess her situation, and to think about my son’s safety…
“You were wise to do so.”
“I hated it.” she replied vehemently, showing the first emotion she had in a while, “The men took Kuzon and I… we were forced onto the ship. I tried to bend, but I had Kuzon in my arms and the guards blocked my movement. They… tore him away from me, even when I tried to hold fast onto him. He screamed for me, and… and… Enki, he didn’t care. I begged for Kuzon to be returned to me, but he said that Kuzon was just a worthless Fire Nation child. Then he said that I was going to be his concubine and…” She was now trying to hold back a sob.
I reached out to place my hand on her arm. By Agni, the King of Omashu was going to pay. Katara would get her wish. I was Agni incarnate, and I would smite him for what he had done.
“I was so scared that I would never see you or Kuzon again. The very thought of being his concubine, and never knowing your love again… it was far too terrible to contemplate.”
“I’m sorry.” I murmured as I pulled her into my arms.
“It’s not your fault…” she whispered. I shook my head. I had lost her once, and to think that someone had tried to take her from me, to deny me her again… I had almost failed to protect her. I could not slip up again. She was – and is – my love, and I had vowed to always protect her.
“You are my wife. It is my duty to keep you safe. I shall never let such a thing happen again.” I vowed. My embrace tightened, and I felt her place her hands on my chest. The warm scent of her flesh as well as the slightly sweet smell from her damp hair reassured me.
“You acted quickly. Everything is okay now. Kuzon and I are safe. And the Fire Nation is safe as well. And Enki will get what is coming to him.”
“I still should have known…” I stated self-depreciatingly.
“What matters is you acted quickly. But…” She paused, biting her lip. I glanced down at her.
“There was someone on the inside, helping them out. Am I paranoid for saying something like that?”
I nodded, happy that she felt comfortable in speaking about such matters to me.
“I agree with you. There is already an investigation underway, and as soon as the Omashu men are secured in our prison, they will be interrogated as well.”
“I have a feeling that the invitation to tea was part of it. To get Kuzon and I out of the security of the Palace City.” Katara added as she stared up at me. I nodded again.
“You will get your wish. The wrath of Agni shall fall on those involved.” I stated firmly. She smiled a bit at my statement, and nodded.
“I am glad to know Agni’s warmth, and not his wrath.” she responded. I let out a small chuckle at that, and nodded, happy that things were well between us.
“You will always know my warmth.” I stated as I rubbed her back. She gave out a content sigh, and nuzzled my throat.
“Nothing makes me happier than being with you.” she admitted softly, her arms now wrapping around my middle. Her voice was pondering, and I knew that she was now thinking about something else.
“Is something the matter?” I asked as I looked down at her. She looked up at me for several moments.
“No… nothing’s wrong. But there’s something I want to say.” Katara said I nodded patiently, gazing down at her.
“Ever since you saw me in Omashu, you made your desire clear for me. At first, I thought that was all it was. Since then, you’ve proven it to be much more than that. And I have no doubt that you mean it when you tell me that you love me.”
I nodded slowly and placed a kiss on her forehead, choosing to not say anything. It was clear she had more to say.
“How long have you loved me? Sometimes… it feels as if I have known you forever.”
“That’s because I have loved you forever, and I will always do so.” I replied softly. We were meant to be together. Agni blessed our union. I had the feeling that we had been together in past lives. Some might think that odd, but it was what I truly believed.
“Most people would think such a statement is silly. But you know what? I can’t help but feel that you’re telling me the truth.” she replied, matter-of-factly. I nodded slowly and reached with one hand to stroke her cheek.
“I love you.” she whispered. I paused for a moment, hoping that I had not imagined it. I had told her that I loved her often, but she had not returned that sentiment, though she had told me she cared for me. I had been patient, waiting for her to open up to me. It thrilled me to hear these words come from her, and I touched her chin, stroking it as I kept her face lifted upwards.
“I love you.” I murmured, seeing her smile gently at my words. Her eyes were slightly glassy, and I kissed her cheeks gently, rubbing her back. Her words were the soothing balm that I had needed for so long.
o0o0o0o
Katara
It felt good to say these words. I had been considering them for a while, but had been unsure of how, or when to say them. I had been unsure of how deeply I felt for him at first. I had no doubt of my feelings now. I still had the feeling that there was something he was holding from me, and I would find out what it was one day, but now was not the time to press on that matter.
I felt his fingers run through my hair, and I buried my face against his chest, taking comfort in his scent and presence. This was my lord and husband, and I belonged with him. After a bit, I looked up at him.
“May I go to bed, Zuko? I did not sleep at all last night, and after what happened today…” I sighed. He looked down at me and nodded.
“I didn’t get any sleep last night, either.” Zuko murmured. I nodded. There was no way he would have slept while another man was stealing his wife and son.
“Should I have Neomi take Kuzon?” I asked. He was silent for a moment before shaking his head.
“He can stay with us. My bed is large enough, anyway.” His voice and expression were noncommittal, as if it was no matter whether his son was in his bed or not. But I saw a glint in his eyes that told me more than he was letting on. I smiled just a little, and let him lead me back to our bed.
I lay on one side of the bed, gathering the Prince into my arms. He whispered ‘Mama’ before snuggling close, clearly happy to have me back. I smiled and stroked his hair, as the Fire Lord took off his outer gear and settled down at Kuzon's other side. I felt his hand rub my arm in a soothing way, and his lips gently press against the side of my face before his hand moved down to touch Kuzon's head and back, as if checking to make sure he was really there. His hand remained on Kuzon's arm as they dozed off. I smiled to myself.
I was back with my husband and son. This truly was where I belonged.
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Kiss of Fire