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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
- 37
- 38
- 39
Kiss of Fire
Chapter 38 – Heated Nights
o0o0o0o
Katara
As I glanced at Ty Lee, my guards stood nearby, protective as always. It was the rule that should I go anywhere, I always have at least one guard with me. My safety was a paramount issue with my husband, and I had accepted his decision – though not without a bit of argument at first.
I was silent as I regarded Ty Lee. I didn't feel so shocked now as I had when I first saw her, but I did feel my pulse pick up a bit. I waited for her to speak, to explain why she had sought me out instead of just enjoying the garden as she waited for dinner. She glanced at me almost shyly, eyeing me as if looking for something. Her eyes lighted on my necklace, the one that I had received for my anniversary. It was my most cherished piece of jewelry.
“I just wanted to... comment on that lovely necklace of yours.” She smiled. My hand fluttered up to touch the sunstone pendant, the feel of the stone reminding me of the love that the Fire Lord had for me, to pick out this gift for me himself to symbolize our bond.
“Thank you.” I replied automatically even as I registered that her comment wasn't what she really wanted to say. I remained silent, prompting her to speak further. I would not react until I had assessed her and my own feelings of déjà vu. It wasn't hard to do – as Fire Lady I was well aware of my position as much as anyone else, and whenever I met someone new, I assessed them as I was doing right now.
“Um, I also came out here to give you an special invitation.” she said quickly.
“An invitation for what?”
“Well, I was thinking that perhaps you and the Fire Lord would enjoy a night out at the circus. On the house, of course.” Her grin was wide and almost infectious. When I saw that smile, I wondered how I could feel that she was any kind of threat. Did she have that effect on everybody?
“You're an acrobat, right?” I asked, remembering the information that Ming had introduced her with.
“And an aerialist.” She seemed rather proud of herself, but not in a vain or arrogant way. I couldn't help but be curious.
“Sounds impressive. Why not try a demo here, if this space is amble enough for you?” I asked, making sure that I sounded regal and commanding. I wouldn't let Ty Lee know that part of me was unnerved by her presence.
Without a word, she winked at me before flipping over – and landing on her hands. She kept herself like this, and lifted one hand so that she was balanced entirely on one palm. I had done flips and cartwheels before – as part of my martial arts training – but standing on one hand was something that was beyond me.
“How do you do that?” I asked.
“Oh, it just comes naturally.” The way she said it so calmly left no doubt that this kind of thing did come naturally to her.
“How did you come to join the circus?” I asked. I had never imagined that a noblewoman would become part of such a lifestyle, but then I thought about the constraints of being one – something I had to deal with every day.
“Well, when you’re one of seven sisters who all look alike…”
“Seven babies at once?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Haha! No, but we all looked the same, just varying ages. I saw that I didn’t have much of a future – I’d just be given to some minor nobleman or whatever – so when I was thirteen, I ran away after I had seen the circus perform. They needed a aerialist, and I already had the skills, so…” She shrugged and smiled good-naturedly.
“Sounds like quite an experience. I bet you had a lot of fun. Still do, right?” I smiled. The smile she returned was one of the warmest and most brilliant I had ever seen.
o0o0o0o
Ty Lee
It was so weird seeing her sit there in Ming’s parlor. At first, I thought I was seeing things. Then I told myself, no, it’s just a Water Tribe woman. After all, most of them had dark skin and blue eyes, right? She sat there prim and proper, dressed in red and black silk with the fire comb in her hair that was reserved for royalty. Could this woman who was married to the Fire Lord really be Katara? It just didn’t seem possible. It had to be some relative of Katara’s. After all, she was dead. I had been saddened to hear that Azula killed her.
I knew Azula was capable of being vicious. Mai and I knew this all too well. When we were younger, we had thought that being companions to a Princess was a good thing. It made our families look good, and who knew what advantages that Mai and me had to gain from being tied to the granddaughter of Fire Lord Azulon.
Azula had been pleasant enough at first. She was charming and sweet, respectful towards her elders, and from what my parents had told me before my first ‘play date’ with Azula, a Firebending prodigy. I was only seven at that time, and saw it as an opportunity to distinguish myself from my six sisters. How many of them could say they knew the Princess personally?
Of course, the more I knew Azula, the less I liked her. But there was absolutely no way I could express that. How could Mai or I have predicted that this charming and pretty little Princess was a sociopath? I remember the first time I had guessed something dark lay underneath Azula’s exterior.
Azula was a prodigy in Firebending, but I had an talent of my own. Ever since I was little, I had never liked to sit still. I liked tumbling and playing around. When I was four or five, I saw my first circus, and knew that I wanted to be like the people in the air. We girls had an tutor that taught us how to exercise and stay fit. One of the things he did was have us go outside for our sessions when the weather was appropriate, because he strongly believed in fresh air when our bodies needed it the most. I always enjoyed going outside whereas my sisters would complain that the sun would darken their skin or that it was always too hot or cold or what not. But I lived for these sessions, and when my tutor noticed my enthusiasm, he went further with me. He taught me new ways to stretch myself, and exercises for agility and flexibility.
I didn’t learn pressure points until I joined the circus, but by the time I met Azula, I was adept – at least for someone my age – in manipulating my body the way I wanted. Azula wasn’t able to do a cartwheel, and I was able to. So she shoved me down. It didn’t hurt, and I wasn’t hit or anything else like that. When it happened, I thought it was just her playing around. My sisters sometimes might push and jostle me or one another. So I put it out of my mind.
Over the next couple of years, such incidents were small and isolated. Kids played around and sometimes pulled pranks. I figured that since Azula was a Princess she was just used to having her own way. Lots of noble-born children were the same.
For whatever reason, she didn’t tire of Mai or me. She didn’t ask for new companions or as far as I know, seek out anyone else. I figured it was an honor that she wanted us to stick around. My parents were of course enthusiastic, and I have no doubt Mai’s own parents were, due to her father’s political ambitions.
The first time I had felt genuinely disgusted or afraid was when Azula had caught a little hedgehog-mouse in the garden. We had all been playing in the Imperial gardens, and it was a beautiful day. Hedgehog-mice were pretty much harmless, and I thought they were cute. They were a concern for the gardeners because they enjoyed certain flowers, so when one was caught it was taken away. Some pests were destroyed, but hedgehog-mice also ate weeds and were considerably more appreciated in vegetable gardens than flower ones. When Azula came to me with one in her hands, I cooed over it and stroked the bristles on its back. I assumed she was going to just hand it over to one of the gardeners.
But Azula had a glint in her eyes that frightened me when I looked up at her face. Instinct told me to take the creature out of her hands, but she pushed my hands away.
“I found it. I’ll do with it as I please.” she whispered. My heart was pounding. I wanted to grab that poor little hedgehog-mouse and run. I would have, if she had waited a few more seconds before hurting it.
“This thing doesn’t belong in the Imperial Gardens. It’s nothing but a lowly creature digging around in the dirt.” she sneered. I wanted to say that dirt wasn’t bad. After all, everything that we ate or enjoyed came from the dirt in one way or another.
“But that’s what it does.” I said quietly. Earthworms lived in the dirt, and without them, gardens wouldn’t thrive so much. And this hedgehog-mouse wasn’t hurting anyone. There were plenty of flowers here, what was the harm in letting it eat a couple? Why should it have to die?
Die. If my heart had been pounding before, it seemed to stop now. I stood there, frozen at the realization of what she was going to do. I heard Mai come up from behind, and I looked over my shoulder. She said nothing. I wondered if she had heard anything Azula had said. Her face was expressionless. I turned back to the Princess and the unfortunate animal in her right hand.
From the fingers her left hand came flame that was tinged blue.
o0o0o0o
Katara
The dinner was a pleasant affair, and Ty Lee did not hesitate to ask me if she could sit next to me before we went back inside. She proved to be a pleasant companion, and I enjoyed the night overall in a atmosphere that was considerably less formal than the meals I usually had with ladies of the court.
As I was helped into my sedan, she appeared again, keeping a respectful distance. I settled myself into my seat but did not close the drapes so that I could see what she had to say. I motioned for her to come closer.
“My lady, it was a pleasure and honor to meet you.” Ty Lee bowed gracefully – I’d have been horribly surprised if she didn’t – before she looked up at me. I learned she had a daughter, but Ty Lee really looked too young to be a mother of a child my son’s age. When I had first seen her, it really wasn't that difficult to think she might only be a couple of years older than I.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ty Lee. I will see you tomorrow, then.”
“I look forward to it and enjoy it.” She bowed again. “Good night, my lady. May your journey be safe and happy.”
o0o0o0o
Zuko
“My lord, the lady has returned.” a servant informed me as I was at my desk with several papers.
“Send her in.” I commanded. He bowed out. Several minutes later, Katara entered, looking relaxed and happy.
“How was it?” I asked. She smiled and came around the desk, standing behind me and placing her hands on my shoulders. I sighed in content and leaned my head back against her breast.
“It was a lovely affair. I met a few new people. I had fun. Oh by the way, we got an invitation for tomorrow.”
“… We?” I asked. My wife was free to accept whatever invitations she wanted. As her husband I was free to control her social calendar, but I had no desire to. Accepting an invitation for me on the other hand…
“Well, at Ming’s house, one of the guests is an aerialist. Her circus is performing tomorrow night, and she issued an invitation for us to come. I was thinking you and Kuzon would enjoy it, but I’m not going to drag you along.” Her voice was gentle as she stroked my hair. The circus? That wasn’t a bad idea as a diversion. Kuzon and I had spent the evening on the beach while Katara was out, and I had enjoyed myself immensely. But we had also come here to experience new and fun things, and I know my son had never seen a circus.
“Who’s the performer?” I asked casually.
“Ty Lee.” Katara’s hand was still toying with my hair, but I pulled it out of her hand to turn around to look at her. Ty Lee? Here, on Ember Island at the same time Katara was here? She stared back at me, looking puzzled. I had to remain calm.
“Is something wrong?” she asked after a few moments. I shook my head. I could act like nothing had happened, but she would only become curious.
“I’m just wondering if it’s someone I knew from a long time ago with the same name.” I replied. It wasn’t quite a lie…
“It’s not someone you disliked, is it?” she asked. I shook my head. It had been many years since I had seen Ty Lee.
“So will you come? Will you let Kuzon come?”
“I don’t see why not. It’ll be a nice treat for all of us, hmm?” It’d also give me a chance to see Ty Lee and make sure that… things were fine.
Katara smiled and wrapped her arms around my neck. I nuzzled her throat contentedly as I inhaled her scent before I pulled her into my lap. She giggled softly and curled up in my lap as I rubbed her back.
“It’s been quite the day and I’m ready to turn in. Are you?” I whispered. She nodded.
“But before I go to bed, I will need a bath.” I commented.
“Oh, you just want me to give you a bath. Whatever happened to the mighty Fire Lord?” She grinned as she swatted my chest lightly.
“What if I bathed you in return?” I purred. The idea of us in the large tub together, hands roving along our wet, naked flesh… Well! Sometimes our baths together were just that – baths. Other times it became more, and tonight promised such a prospect. I could tell by the playful gleam in her eyes that she had the same idea.
It’d been a while since we had a bath together, and I was determined to enjoy it. The washroom here had a gorgeous view of the ocean and beach – the entire master suite was built with the best view in mind – and the bath was already filled. I turned around to smile at Katara as I closed the door. The gauzy drapes were drawn over the windows, fluttering gently in the breeze.
“Perhaps a few candles, my lord.” Katara offered. I nodded before she opened one of the cabinets and took out a couple of scented candles. The scent of cinnamon and spice along with firelily perfume wafted through the air as I heated the water to our satisfaction.
“Should I undress you, my lord?” Her head was bowed slightly, but I could see her smiling faintly. So I decided to play along.
“Attend to me.” I replied regally, lifting my chin and staring down at her imperiously. She moved forward and turned me so that I faced the mirror. I stared ahead calmly as she reached up to remove the golden fire ornament in my hair, placing the pin and comb reverently onto the counter. After that, she combed out my hair with her fingers, the pads of her fingers lightly stroking along my temples and hairline. I watched all of this in my reflection with no small amount of pleasure.
I was turned around again and stood there as she undid the gold buttons of my robe, sliding the garment off my shoulders before she folded it neatly and set it on the counter. My shirt came off the same way, and I was the last person to complain when my chest was gently stroked. Dear Agni. My desire for her was even stronger than it had been twenty years ago. Doubtless she had noticed my need. But she kept her eyes averted demurely as she undid my belt and lowered my pants. Her hands were as nimble and graceful as ever as she lowered my underwear as well.
“If you would sit, I could take your boots off, my lord.” She kept her head bowed, but I could see a faint blush on her cheeks as well as the appreciative glint in her eyes. Obligingly, I sat on the steps that led up to the tub, and she made short work of my boots and stockings before she slid the rest of my clothes off.
“You are now ready for your bath. May I help you in?” Her fingers gently stroked the top of my foot.
“Ready? How can I be ready when you’re still dressed?” I scolded lightly.
“Oh, I beg forgiveness, my lord! Allow me to remedy that.” She rose to her feet and undressed herself, not going too slow yet putting on an enticing show for me, swaying her hips gently as she did so. She posed before me naked.
“Does this meet your satisfaction?” she asked with a coy smile.
“The Fire Lord is most pleased.” I murmured. “Come.” I beckoned to her before I went into the tub. She climbed up the steps and stared at me calmly as she stood there, the steam curling up around her naked limbs. I watched as she slid into the tub and approached me, her eyes twinkling warmly as she picked up a sponge and worked some soap into it.
Her hands were firm and gentle as she rubbed the sponge along my limbs. I would teasingly stroke or grope her here and there, and though she would blush and pretend to be offended, she never moved away when her soft and warm flesh fell under my languid assault. In a bit, I felt the hot water massaging me, rolling along my body in kneading waves, and I let out a pleased groan, staring up at her with half-lidded eyes.
Tara... Such happy memories we had here on Ember Island as summer neared its end almost twenty years ago. These were some of the happiest memories I had ever had with Katara, or in my life overall. We had grown closer in so many ways, and I had resolved to never let her go when the War ended. I would not tolerate the thought of being separated from her. And here we were again, reliving the joy that had been so long ago.
“I love you.” I murmured, my hand gently gripping her wrist. Her eyes softened and she shot me a sweet, gentle smile.
“I love you too.” She leaned down to kiss my forehead, and I lifted my face, puckering my lips ever so slightly. She grinned slightly before pressing her lips to mine. The water massage lasted for a while longer, and by the time the kneading had gradually come to a stop, I was completely limp, my limbs floating in the water. Katara had attended to every part of my body... but for one.
“Mmm, that massage was supposed to relax you, and look.” she murmured with feigned disapproval. Her hand slid down to cup my sac and squeeze it gently, and I arched and groaned softly as her thumb rubbed the underside of my erect and throbbing shaft at the base. My erection broke the surface of the water, rearing its head proudly, and I shivered as water crept along the length, massaging and cleaning it.
Having a Waterbender as a wife has many benefits.
The water flowed down and was replaced by Katara's hand. I felt her fingernails stroke up and down the length, and watched her with half-lidded eyes as she played with my foreskin a bit, tugging at it gently so that it covered my manhood completely before she gently pinched the skin closed. I wiggled around a bit as she massaged my swollen crown through the foreskin. She had such unique and exciting little ways to tease me. She looked up at me with a small smile before tugging the sheath down gently, kissing the tip of my manhood. My loins felt as if they were on fire. No one else had ever excited me so much. Ever. Only Katara had the ability to make me surrender myself completely.
I let out a groan of delight as I felt warmth surround the head of my swollen need. A strong and slick tongue swirled around it firmly, and I let out a quiet hiss, using my sheer willpower to not thrust up into that pretty little mouth of hers. She winked at me, and I smirked back as she continued to use her skillful mouth to tease and please the most sensitive part of my manhood. She looked like a mermaid come out of water to seduce me, with her long, dark hair drifting through the water like seaweed. She could pull me into the depths, and I wouldn't complain.
When I felt something prodding my rear end, I raised my eyebrow and lifted my head. She was still at work, one hand massaging my sac. Her other hand was nowhere to be seen, and I arched as I felt something wiggle between my cheeks to rub at my rear opening.
“I'm supposed to take you, not the other way around.” I teased as I felt the small water whip work its way in.
“You know you love it.” Katara replied, lifting her head to say this before she went back to my member, lavishing it with her attention and tongue. Just a moment later, that water whip prodded that hidden spot deep within that caused me to arch and groan softly, and I let out a soft hiss of smoke. And then I felt fingers massage my perineum firmly, hitting that hidden spot from outside as the water whip continued working me. I felt her arms and shoulders against my inner thighs as she sat there comfortably, attending to her husband. All coherent thought flew out the window as my wife worked all of my most intimate and sensitive parts, and it was truly a feat of superhuman strength that kept me from whispering her name – her true name – in the throes of pleasure. How awkward that would have been...
I let my head loll against the folded towel that Katara had considerately placed under my head at the edge of the tub as we had settled into the hot water and closed my eyes, my loins on fire from her thorough attentions. She could do anything, ask anything of me, and I would have eagerly granted it.
“Nnh. Yes.” I murmured as the sucking became stronger, and her fingers and the water whip kneading my intimate parts also became firmer in their attention. I loved how confident Katara had become. She had been such a shy bride at first, reluctant to share herself with me, and now, over the last year and a half, we had shared a myriad of pleasures freely, just as we had twenty years ago, having fun and exploring. I'd never forget that night that Katara dressed as an naked Painted Lady and I had taken her wearing my Blue Spirit mask. It was something I'd like to do again with her, but without her memories, she wouldn't understand the significance of my request.
My eyelids fluttered open as I felt my orgasm approach. She gazed back at me, and it was clear that she knew how close I was. She slowed her pace a bit – I growled at her playfully – but her attentions were still ardent. Katara was well-rewarded for her attentions as I spat out a bit of flame upwards, my climax burning through me with white-hot intensity that left me speechless for what seemed like eternity.
I closed my eyes again, feeling her suck on me gently, her fingers and the water whip now working at the same languorous pace as her mouth, causing pleasurable ripples to course through my body like little orgasms. Finally, she withdrew, slowly and carefully, her mouth and hands and water whip sliding away from me and leaving me floating there in the tub, comfortable and sated.
“You're incredible.” I breathed. I heard her soft giggle.
“I do try.”
I felt her fingers stroke my hand, and I grasped hers. We were like that for a few minutes, relaxing as the intense heat of my pleasure became an comfortable glow. When I felt coherent enough, I opened my eyes and gazed at her.
“Now it's my turn to attend to you.” I said as I sat up, pulling her into my lap. She smiled up at me sweetly as I reached for a sponge. Her body was lovingly attended, given the same care that my own body was. I relished scrubbing her limbs, having decided to start with that first. As I washed her inner thighs, I made sure to not touch her intimate areas – saving the best for last – and I heard her coo softly at me.
“All in due time, love.” I whispered before my hands slid over to her front, working on her neck and shoulders before moving down to her torso. Her breasts received a good amount of attention – it was hard to resist lovely, full breasts with nipples the color of chocolate – and I teased her by sucking on each erect nipple in turn.
Next on the list was her back – an area I always liked touching. I rubbed her back and smiled to myself as she wiggled around in pleasure. She smiled at me over her shoulder, and as always, I felt loved and appreciated. There was no better feeling in the world.
After I had washed every area but for one, I shot her a wolfish smirk.
“Stand with your feet in the water. Place your hands on the edge of the tub.” I commanded. She obeyed without question, and after she had positioned herself, her pretty rear end and womanhood was in full and glorious view from her bending over. I did not hesitate to attend to her, and heard her gasp softly when I held the sponge in the air, squeezing out water so that it dribbled down the cleft between her firm rear cheeks and along her womanhood. This was repeated several times, and I grinned as I lowered the sponge, rubbing her lightly.
“Zu...” she murmured, dropping her head and wiggling her ass.
“So impatient.” I teased.
“Look who's talking!” she piped up, and I laughed. After she was clean, I dropped the sponge and ran my finger along her slit, feeling how warm she was. A soft whimper escaped her lips when I slid in a finger, and I placed a kiss on her lower back. As always, I relished the feel of her tight warmth, wiggling my finger until I found that secret inner spot of hers. With a bit of internal Firebending, I warmed my finger up a few degrees, hearing her give out a soft sigh as she arched slightly. Damnit. I was becoming aroused again. Concentrating on my wife, I started to rub that spot with my finger, feeling her shudder slightly as I added another finger. I felt her clench around me welcomingly, and I rained loving kisses along her back as I slowly but firmly fingerfucked her, rubbing the pad of my thumb against her hooded clit and teasing it out of hiding.
“Zu...” she pleaded, arching her back. It was all too clear she wanted me to intensify my attentions, but I kept up the languid pace, hearing her quiet little mewls as I teased her and savoring the feel of the velvet sheath that was swallowing up my fingers.
“Want more?” I asked.
“Yes.” Her voice was a husky whisper, and I removed my hand. Before she could say anything else, I started to lap at her slowly, savoring the juices that had gathered there due to her arousal and my careful attentions. Her clit received a few flicks of my tongue, and I delighted in her shuddering gasp.
Before she could climax, I pulled away and climbed out of the tub.
“My lord.” Katara whimpered, looking up at me pleadingly.
“Out of the tub. Rub me dry.” I replied, resuming my lordly manner. She looked up at me for a moment before climbing out of the tub, her cheeks flushed. I stood there quietly as she took one of the fluffy towels and attended to me, patting and rubbing me dry as I watched her. When she was done she took a step back, the towel draped across her arm.
“Now it's my turn.” I said, my voice now less imperious as I picked up another towel. She smiled at me softly before I draped the towel across her head, rubbing her hair dry. I rubbed her firmly, even tickling her a bit as I dried her.
“You're still heated down there?” I murmured, more of a statement than a question. She nodded.
“Don't worry. I'll feast upon you. Ask and you shall receive.” I grinned.
“I can have what I want tonight?”
“Indeed.”
Katara picked up one of the candles with a glint in her eyes.
“I'd like to play with a candle tonight.”
“Certainly.”
Katara was no masochist, but she did enjoy having hot wax dripped on her body every once in a while. She spread herself out on the bed and I smirked as I pulled out a couple of silk scarves.
“Do you wish to be tied up?” I asked with a purr.
“Oh, why not.” She flashed me a brilliant smile before I tied her wrists to the bedposts. The sight of Katara lying there, tied up and waiting for me, sent a fresh surge of arousal burning through me, and I nuzzled her fiercely.
“Blindfold?” I asked.
“Mmm. Not tonight.”
o0o0o0o
Katara
I gave out a soft hiss as the first drop of hot wax hit me, just below my right nipple. Usually, hot wax isn't something I or anyone else would consider playing with, but the brief flash of heat only made the ensuing pleasure feel even better. I strained against my bonds in mock struggle as he turned his wrist slightly, tilting the pale and creamy candle, more wax falling down around my nipple.
“I like it when you wiggle around.” Zuko said with a small smirk as he dripped some wax onto my stomach. In response, I wiggled around more.
“Struggle all you want, Water Maiden.” he teased.
When he was done, he gently peeled off the wax, kissing the areas that he had dripped it on. My nipples fell under the gentle assault of his lips and tongue before he moved down to my stomach and thighs. I gave out a soft groan as I felt his hot breath on my womanhood. This time, there was no teasing. He put all of himself into pleasuring me, feasting on me just as he had promised. I didn't bother holding back my cries as he shoved his fingers and tongue inside, eating me out almost mercilessly. In the throes of my orgasm, I strained against the scarves, crying out his name as I felt his hands move to my hips so he could clean me good and proper since I was wiggling around so much from my climax. My entire body shuddered as I felt him lick and nibble every bit of my cunt, letting not one drop of my juices go wasted.
My head lolled back on the pillow as he lifted his head, and I shot him a faint grin.
“I always love to hear you crying out for me.” he murmured as he looked up at me before lowering his head to nuzzle my stomach. I cooed softly at him, wishing I could reach down to stroke his hair.
“You don't think I'm too loud?” I teased. He lifted his head again, his golden eyes fixed on me in that intense gaze of his.
“I expect to hear more from you tonight.” He lifted himself to his knees, proudly displaying his arousal.
Oh, it would be a long night, indeed. But I would be the last person to complain.
o0o0o0o
I lay there, spooned up against Zuko, my wrists now free as I felt him lightly rub my arm. We lay there, basking in comfortable silence for a long time, listening to the waves outside. Finally, he spoke.
“I am a blessed man. I have a powerful and prosperous nation. I have a beautiful and loving wife. I have children any man would be honored to have.” His hand was on my stomach as he said this, and I stiffened. He couldn't possibly know, could he? I had feigned symptoms of my moon-time the last two months, though I knew that the truth would have to come out in a couple of months when my stomach began to swell.
“My lord?” I murmured.
“Speaking of children, I was thinking that when Adi comes this summer, we could all come back here.” he replied. Thank the spirits. He didn't know!
“Marvelous idea.” I remembered all too well the summer heat that seemed to pound relentlessly at the Fire Nation islands. How nice it would be to come here and cool off in the waves! And I didn't mind at all taking care of Adi when she was here. Her mother as regent would remain in Omashu along with the council and run things, and Adi needed time with her father. “I will definitely be looking forward to a summer vacation. I find it almost crazy that you're not bothered by the heat.” I smiled. Zuko certainly fared better than I did, and he chuckled softly, nuzzling the side of my neck.
Speaking of children... I could ask him right now, while we were relaxed and talking about pleasant matters, what he thought of having another one. It would help me to decide what I could do...
“My lord? Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“What would you say to having another child?” I asked. I heard a quiet sigh.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just wondering.” I loved Kuzon like he was my own child. But I was now pregnant despite the tea that Sylid prescribed for me, so what could I do now? This child wouldn't eclipse Kuzon for my affection, but there would be changes. I could only hope they'd be positive.
“I already have a daughter and a heir.” His voice now had an slight edge to it. Not anger or displeasure, but something else. Was he thinking of the rivalry that had existed in his family in the past?
“What if I wanted one?” I asked hesitantly. We were talking about it now, there was no backing down.
“I have Sylid prescribe these herbs to you for a reason.” His tone held finality to it, and I blinked back tears. It was on the tip of my tongue to blurt out the truth. But hearing the edge in his voice caused the words to die before I could speak them.
o0o0o0o
My dreams were filled with a hodgepodge of images. Usually, my dreams were centered around one scene or memory, and in the morning I'd write down what I could remember. But the dream I had tonight was confusing, scenes from different points in my life mixed with the memories of the other life that I was just beginning to understand. I saw my husband as the mighty Fire Lord and as a mop-headed teenager. I saw the Avatar – a person I had never met in my life! I saw two different women – one the mother that had died from illness when I was four, and another woman who had been killed by a Firebender, and my feelings for her were surprisingly the same as I felt for my own mother. I even saw Iroh – a man who had died before I had been brought to Fire Nation to be Zuko's wife. In the dream we shared tea, and he was such a kind and wise man.
I woke up with a small start, and immediately collected myself. Hesitantly, I glanced over at Zuko. He did not move or speak, and his breathing was slow.
I carefully slid out of bed and made it to my armoire. I pulled out my mother's jewelry box and sat down in the study, unlocking it before opening it and rummaging past the few treasures I kept in there. My fingers brushed past the cool stone of my mother's necklace. My father had carved a moon and star on it, and before she died, she had given it to me. Yet somehow I sometimes felt as if it didn't belong to me, almost as if I had the wrong necklace. This was something that was a fairly new sensation. This must be noted in my journal as well. I reached the bottom of the box, where I kept it.
I lit a small candle and opened a bottle of ink, quickly writing down everything I could remember from this night. The feelings I got from Ty Lee, the flashes of the other memory, my dream... The more I wrote in here, the closer I was to finding the truth. I was both excited and afraid.
I looked up quickly. It almost felt as if someone had been watching me. I listened carefully and heard nothing. I sat there for a while, thinking about what I had just written. Toph and Suki had left before I could ask them questions. But Ty Lee was here. My heart pounded in anticipation of seeing her again.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I was quiet as I watched her open her box and pull out a slender object which revealed itself as a small book. My wife seemed almost feverish, as if she was excited about something. She filled several pages of that book, her eyes still glinting as she wrote the last word. I had no idea she had been keeping a journal, and I narrowed my eyes. My wife deserved privacy, I had no need or desire to snoop through her things. I trusted my wife, yet that journal was now something I couldn't get out of my mind.
I was already in bed by the time she had blown out the candle, and when I felt her weight settle into the soft mattress, I did not move. I lay awake as her breathing became soft, and stared up at the ceiling, wondering what she had written. I also wondered at her asking me about having another child. We had never spoken about it. The herbs she was given made it clear that childbearing wasn't one of her duties. It wasn't hard to imagine what a child born between the two of us might look like, and it was a nice prospect to have a child with her. But Kuzon was her child too, and the painful experiences with Ozai and Azula had taught me a bitter lesson about how some people could think so little of blood ties. The three of us were a happy family, and I saw no reason to give Kuzon something to worry about, or put my wife's health at risk. Women died in childbirth. I would be damned if I gambled with her life for the sake of having another heir. And my thoughts wandered back to her journal and what she might be writing in it.
She murmured softly and rolled over, snuggling against me. I took her into my arms, holding her tightly.
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Kiss of Fire