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Kiss of Fire	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 75165 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Kiss of Fire
Chapter 40 – Trust
o0o0o0o
Katara
I woke up the next morning to the Fire Lord's lips traveling along my now-bare shoulder and back. My robe had been nudged open, but I was the last person to complain when I felt these loving nuzzles and kisses. I wiggled lazily, showing him that I was awake.
“Good morning, sunshine.” I whispered, before I felt him press his lips firmly to the side of my neck. I smiled to myself as he wrapped his arm around my middle, holding me tight.
“I was wondering if you'd like to join me this morning for meditation and exercise.” he replied softly.
“Oh, that's what you woke me up for? What about the kissing?” I shot back lightly.
“There'll be more kissing later. And more than kissing too.” he said with a soft chuckle.
“Is that a promise?”
“I swear upon my honor.”
The morning air was crisp, and I felt calm and relaxed as I went through the slow, measured movements, concentrating on my breathing and chi. I had my eyes closed, but I could sense his presence, due to both my familiarity with him, and the water that coursed through his body. It was an ability that I had discovered unexpectedly not long after I had learned of my healing abilities through Kuzon's fever. I was able to sense the presence of other people through the water in their bodies, and through meditation, I had honed this ability. With my eyes closed, I could tell how many people were around me, and approximately how far away they were.
Like with my healing abilities, I remained mum about this one. Both abilities felt familiar to me, and I wasn't sure how the people around me would respond, especially Zuko. As I went through the exercises, my mind remained on the vision I had the night before. It was one of the most relevant ones I'd ever had, and I thought about it entirely until I had fallen asleep. The mark on Zuko's hip, the mark on my breast... I was absolutely certain that these two were connected in some way. I was so close to figuring it all out, and I was excited and afraid. I just hoped that the stress wouldn't affect me too much, or be obvious to my family or servants. I didn't need Zuko or my servants hovering around me, not at a time like this, not when I was so close. My husband would just try to keep me distracted so I wouldn't ask questions.
We wound down, letting out slow exhales as we stood there on the sand, the waves lapping gently at our toes. I felt energized and my mind was clear. I couldn't help but feel a bit smug. Zuko didn't suspect how close I was, it'd been months since I had even broached the subject with him. As far as he knew, I had given up.
My stomach rumbled hungrily, reminding me we hadn't eaten yet. Zuko placed his hand on my shoulder and we walked up to the house, where breakfast had just been set out for us – along with our son. Kuzon smiled up at us and greeted us as we sat down.
“Kuzon, there's a play tonight. It runs late, but I'll allow you to stay up late tonight if you wish to see the play with us.” Zuko stated after we had started eating. Naturally, his face brightened up. Due to Palace and court life, we were unable to spend as much time together as a middle-class or peasant family could, and always cherished our time together. Ember Island gave us plenty of opportunities to be together as a family and have plenty of fun, too. It was nice to see Zuko so relaxed, and to see him enjoying his time with his son.
“That would be so wonderful!” Kuzon exclaimed softly. Being with my family like this helped me to forget my stress, and I wondered, with my life so happy like this, was it worth trying to find out what the secret was?
After breakfast, Zuko and I sat individually and then together for more paintings, this set to go back with us after our vacation had ended, to hang in the Palace. It was not an unpleasant affair, and when Kuzon asked to paint us, we smiled and obliged him.
His painting was actually rather good, his constant practice and the tips he had received from Hsian had clearly honed his talent. When the Fire Lord saw what his son had painted, he smiled down at Kuzon warmly.
“May I have this painting?” he asked. Kuzon looked surprised, but he nodded.
“Good. As soon as we get home, I am going to have it framed so I can hang it in my study.” This was no small honor, as my husband's decoration preferences were sparing. His apartment had comfortable furniture, few wall hangings, and just a couple of golden Agni statues. The painting would be a constant reminder of his son and his talent, and deservedly so.
“Now, all you have to do is sign it.” Zuko said gently, gesturing to the corner of the painting. Kuzon picked up a small calligraphy brush and stirred it in the black ink bottle as he stared at the painting thoughtfully. After several moments, he brought the tip of the brush to the paper.
To my honored father, with love, from your always-loyal son. He set down the brush, and I smiled at that sentiment. Respectful and loving, not too mushy, since other people would see the painting.
“I am indeed honored to have you as a son.” my husband murmured, bending down and wrapping his arms around Kuzon in a tight hug.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
We settled down comfortably in the seats as the music for the play started. Servants had already set out treats for us on a low table in front of us so we had refreshments during the play.
The backdrop and costumes were spectacular. It followed a popular but sad tale of two lovers, turn apart by various circumstances however hard they tried to come together. I had heard the story as a child from my mother.
The male protagonist, Kang Hzu, was the eldest child (and only son) of a nobleman. He was handsome and smart, and was sought after by many ladies (or their male guardians) for betrothal. But he was unhappy with these choices, and bemoaned the lack of passion or truth in his life, where his relatives and the ladies were hollow to him. Kang Hzu's actor played his role well, and the actress selected for the part of Ruby filled her role as well as her counterpart.
Unlike Kang Hzu, Ruby was from an extremely poor family, her value as a wife practically nonexistent due to the fact that her father was a drunkard who could not hold a job. Despite her horrid circumstances, she was a beautiful maiden with a sweet voice, Ruby a fitting name for the character – the fire-ruby being the Fire Nation's most treasured gemstone.
A chance encounter in the marketplace – Kang Hsu sneaking out of the manor he lived in disguise to mingle with the peasants – brought these two characters together. Of course, the nobleman was captivated by this diamond – or in this instance, ruby – in the rough.
The play progressed as Kang Hzu arranged more meetings with Ruby. He brought her gifts and promised her a life free of poverty. As a nobleman, he of course could not simply just marry her as he desired, this being a commentary on some of the strict rules of nobility. Kang Hzu delivered an especially moving monologue on this matter and lamented the boundaries keeping him from taking just the action he wanted, while his parents and everybody else pressured him to take one of the pretty noblewomen that were eager to be his wife and enjoy the riches and privileges that came with having Kang Hzu as a husband.
I smirked to myself faintly, glancing over at my wife. How glad I was to not be tied down to such rules. I was the Fire Lord, and would have whom I pleased as my wife. I reached over and gently squeezed her hand. She regarded me with a soft, loving smile.
Kang Hsu decided to take Ruby regardless of the rules, and started making arrangements to have the girl brought to him, and he would build a new house for her and himself, so he would not have to deal with meddling relatives. It would be a new start for them, a place entirely their own. He sang of his love to her in a fine bass voice in front of a starry backdrop, getting on one knee and offering his heart to the maiden. They ended up in a passionate embrace and kiss before the curtain fell, making the implication clear, and several members of the audience oohed or tittered.
Of course, this story was fraught with difficulties and sadness. One of the noblewomen, by the name of Ok-Soo, was more tenacious than her competitors, and she was determined to have her prize at all costs. The actress in Ok-Soo's role clearly loved her part and was having fun with how evil Ok-Soo could be. The noblewoman delivered a monologue about how she would have Kang Hzu, and be one of the wealthiest, most powerful women in Court, with endless riches and privileges, along with status. She bribed servants to spy on Kang Hzu.
A wealthy old man – by no means noble, but very successful as a merchant and landlord – saw Ruby in the marketplace as he was checking on one of his stores, and was inflamed with desire. The fact that her family was dirt-poor was of no matter to him, in fact it would make his acquisition of Ruby easy.
Ok-Soo tried to seduce the man she desired, appearing at places he visited, offering herself to him, teasing him, even trying to get him drunk. But his love for Ruby was his steadfast defense against Ok-Soo's manipulations. Kang Hsu was planning to move her immediately into his new house once construction was complete. He paid his workers and servants extra to get it done quickly. The sooner the better – how well I understood that sentiment. And Ok-Soo was just as impatient to seduce him. She tried a drug that cast him into a deep sleep, causing him to wake up trapped in her house.
The old man bought Ruby from her father, and the scene where Ruby was carted off by the merchant's bodyguards was heart-wrenching. She cried and begged for help, beseeching her father to not let her be taken away, for she did not like the merchant and was afraid of him. She was taken to the merchant's house to be his pretty little toy, hidden away from Kang Hsu.
Ok-Soo continued to drug Kang Hsu, giving him potions to make him forget things. He started to lose his memories, including Ruby, as Ok-Soo bewitched him.
Things seemed doomed for the young lovers, separated by schemers and conspirators, prey to the desires of others. But fortunately, Kang Hsu broke free of the spell and escaped Ok-Soo's prison with the help of a servant who had been mistreated by the noblewoman. When he went to Ruby's family, she had been long gone. In a dramatic scene, he drew his sword at the drunkard, who had spent or gambled just about all of the money he had received for Ruby, leaving the family no better off than before.
Ruby was miserable with the merchant, who only saw her as a toy. He dressed her up in fancy clothes, trotted her out before his friends so she would sing for them, and demanded pleasure from her whenever he desired it. No thought was given to her own happiness or freedom. Thinking that Kang Hsu had forsaken her – she had heard from her owner that Kang Hsu was with Ok-Soo – she obtained poison and drank it, seeking to end her misery.
Kang Hsu came to the manor too late. He found her dying, and took her into his arms, lamenting the circumstances that had separated them. He told her of his love for her, the wickedness of Ok-Soo's plan, and how in a memory of being together with her, he had broken of the noblewoman's spell.
I heard Katara sobbing quietly at this heartrending scene, and pulled a kerchief out of my sash, offering it to her. She dabbed her tears as we watched Kang Hsu and Ruby declare their undying love for one another.
When the woman in his arms died, Kang Hsu, in a fit of grief and rage, set himself on fire, cremating himself and Ruby so they would always be together, while the merchant's house burned down, a fitting fate for the greedy and cruel old man, and 'flames' of red silk fluttered across the stage before the curtain fell.
When Ok-Soo learned of Kang Hsu's escape and death, she lamented her fate, but she refused to kill herself, and merely set her eyes upon another handsome young nobleman, for it was money and status that Ok-Soo wanted, not love.
And to give a bit of hope to the sad ending of the play, Kang Hsu and Ruby were reunited in the afterlife, together at last. I enjoyed the theme of everlasting love, beating death to be with the one you loved. I wrapped my arm around Katara's middle, placing a kiss on her cheek as she blushed prettily.
Kuzon let out a big yawn as the curtain went down for the last time before revealing the cast who bowed, accepting the flowers and gifts thrown on the stage. I hoisted my son up into my arms, realizing that my wife was right when she said that Kuzon was getting bigger. Soon enough neither of us would be able to pick him up like this, and the thought actually saddened me. I considered my wife's words about having another child, and couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have one with her, another little one to snuggle with when Kuzon grew even bigger. I shook my head free of such thoughts as I eased the Prince into the sedan before climbing in with my wife. Kuzon was slumped against me, and I placed my arm around his shoulders as Katara sat across from me, a gentle smile on her face.
“Thank you for such an enjoyable night, my love.” she whispered as her hand slid along the velvet to touch mine. I squeezed her hand back.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I lay there in the comfortable bed, wearing just a sleeveless nightgown of blue silk, my braid draped across my shoulder as I watched the Fire Lord approach the bed. I smiled up at him and held out my arms. This rewarded me with a fierce hug and nuzzle, and I cooed softly in pleasure before letting out a yawn. It had been a long night, indeed.
“Why don't you go to sleep? I'll join you in a bit.” Zuko murmured.
“Where are you going?”
“Just to the balcony. I feel like meditating for a bit.”
“Sure. Good night, love you.”
“Love you more.” Zuko pressed his lips to my forehead.
“I don't think so.” I shot back quietly.
“It is no use to argue with the Fire Lord.” he teased back. I blew a quiet raspberry and he chuckled softly before kissing my forehead again, tucking the soft blanket under my chin. I looked up at the man I loved and trusted, giving him a gentle smile. In no time, I had closed my eyes, welcoming sleep.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I stayed on the balcony for a while until it started to lightly rain, before I returned to the bedroom, carefully opening the armoire where my wife kept her clothing and jewelry box. With the stealth that came from years of practice, I did everything noiselessly as my wife slept, only her head visible amongst the pillows and blankets.
Did I trust her? Wholeheartedly. I wasn't doing this because I suspected she might betray me. No. I knew she would be upset if she knew I had snooped into her things, into a place where people held their most private thoughts. The jewelry box felt heavy under my hands. I'm sorry, Katara. But I just have to make sure.
I closed the door to the study and sat down at my desk, lighting a lamp as I opened the jewelry box, lifting the various trinkets in there until I found the small book I was looking for, at the bottom of the container. What would I find in there? I knew I should put it back. My conscience was practically screaming at me. But with the journal in my hand, the temptation was too powerful.
I opened it to the first page. A few scribbled words, a couple of Water Tribe names I did not recognize. Relatives? This page was dated last spring, not long before her eighteenth birthday. The next few pages were just as sketchy in detail, but as I progressed, the pages became more organized, the entries longer. I recognized names, and details from what Katara had told me of her life before we met, even a few things that Sokka had told me. The pages went on, the scenes becoming more vivid. All were in first person perspective. As I read on, the pattering sound of raindrops hitting the roof became a bit louder, and it provided an oddly appropriate background to my perusal of the journal.
My blood nearly froze when I read one scene, recognizing it as the night I had tied her to a tree, offering her mother's necklace in exchange for her help. More and more on her adventures with the Avatar, and her time with me, along with other scenes from her life. She still showed some confusion though, writing questions on the pages, some of which were answered with further entries.
The last entry described our time here on Ember Island so long ago, and her wondering if our marks had anything to do with one another. The entry was dated... last night. Her feelings about Ty Lee were also in here. Fortunately, I saw nothing anywhere that indicated she knew her real name, or what had happened to her.
The journal remained open as I closed my eyes, steepling my fingers as I thought about my next course of action. Fess up? Pack up and go back to Sozun immediately? Throw this journal away?
I opened my eyes and looked up. I stilled as I saw my wife standing in the now-open doorway, staring at me, her eyes filled with a fierce mixture of emotions. I could not speak, and sat there with the open journal before me, caught undeniably red-handed, my heart beating wildly.
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Kiss of Fire