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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
- 42
- 43
- 44
Kiss of Fire
Chapter 43 – Escape
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Agni preserve me. I had never forgotten the sight of Azula striking Katara down, and every thought of this memory was like picking at an old scab, bringing forth fresh pain and blood. Yes, I would have to talk about this, but... I was interrupted in my thoughts as I felt a hand on my stomach, where my scar – one of them – was.
“The mark on your stomach.” she whispered. I felt my heart pounding.
“Mmm.” I murmured. I saw Azula's malicious smile as she leered at me, Katara dying in my arms. Agni had given me the strength to bring my sister down. But the pain that had followed my victory was worse. I had lost the woman who was supposed to be at my side forever.
“I try and try to remember what happened there. I usually remember the other dreams and memories I have, but this one. It... makes me feel scared inside. I know something bad happened. Something that... hurt both of us.” she whispered. I stared at her before I nodded slowly.
“Why do you think I have refused to speak about it... about anything else? I... I thought, if I left that in the past, we would be happy. I thought you'd be happier not knowing. Not remembering.”
“I am happy with you, but I am not happy with this... not knowing who I am. I find it... difficult to deal with. And then when I found that I was pregnant, I was so worried. I had no idea what to do.” She looked down. I took her hands into mine.
“Tonight. After dinner. We'll sit down and talk. About everything.” I whispered. I lifted her hands so I could kiss them. She gazed up at me for a few moments.
“Promise?”
“I swear upon my honor.” I replied in a soft but firm tone.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I was ready to be angry again, but then I thought about what had happened at times – the dizziness, the fainting. And how would I react once I knew everything? Would I be stunned into silence? Would I be in sufficient condition to go down to dinner, or give Kuzon the attention he needed? I hated to admit it, but he was right about waiting.
“Very well.” I said, with a slight nod. All I had to do was wait a few hours. For now, I would just enjoy the afternoon and relax. I knew I would need to be collected for what was sure to be a revelation. So I played the gracious hostess, having a pleasant and relaxed dinner with my family and our guests Kamas had a couple of riddles for Kuzon, and we all laughed over them. Afterward, Kuzon wanted to play a game with him and Kysh, so the Fire Lord and I decided to take a stroll on the beach. I did not ask questions right there, because it was so nice outside and I wanted to clear my mind a bit more. I thought about the pieces of memory I already had. I remembered us here a long time ago, laughing and enjoying ourselves here, and hiding from...
I blinked as I saw the Avatar again. The pain and anger in his eyes, the guilt I felt... No. Not now. Save the questions for later. Think of something happy.
“I have memories of us being here before. When you and Kuzon and I were on our way here, I remember feeling déjà vu when I saw Ember Island. And this morning when I was meditating, I saw you standing here. With your hair still growing out.” I reached out to gently grab a lock of his hair, rubbing it between my fingers. “You looked good with a mophead.” I said lightly. He smirked faintly.
“Don't I look good now?” he asked.
“Oh, you do.” I cooed appreciatively. Oh spirits, he always looked so good when he let down his hair, letting me run my fingers through it. And it looked good flowing down his bare chest and back. “But I remember rumpling your hair. It was fun.”
“Being here with you was fun. And still is.” Now that we were talking about a happy memory, I noticed how visibly relaxed he was. I hooked my arm around his, and he smiled before raising his other hand, letting it rest over my own, keeping me tied to him, not that I could complain. I felt him squeeze my hand gently as we walked along.
“Sometimes I feel like we've known each other. Always. That... we've been together in the past.”
“We have been.” Zuko replied.
“Yes, but I wasn't talking about that. I meant before. Like perhaps you and I have shared other lives together. Does that make me sound crazy?”
“No.” He looked down at me, his expression soft. “Not at all.”
I let out a quiet sigh as we continued walking.
“I could just stay here forever.” I commented softly. “The sunsets, the waves, the peace...”
“Peace.” Zuko repeated. He nodded slowly. “Sometimes I felt like setting aside my crown and just moving here. But I have a country to run, a nation to watch over.”
“Of course, Zuko. I certainly don't begrudge you your duties. But do promise me we'll come at least once a year.”
“I promise, not just for you, but for me and Kuzon too. This will be our little paradise. Where happy memories are made and cherished.” He pressed his lips to the side of my face.
Kamas had been invited to stay the night, but he insisted that he had to return to Sozun. He was such a diligent man, but he certainly needed to learn how to relax!
I lay on Kuzon's bed as he cuddled up to me, his head on my chest as I sang to him, gently stroking his hair. His breathing became more regular as he relaxed against me, lulled into sleep by my voice, his sleepy face showing the contentment of a little boy who knows he is loved.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I smiled to myself as I listened to Katara sing one of her Water Tribe lullabies to our son. Not surprisingly, he was cuddled up to Katara, her arm loosely draped around him. Katara didn't have the lovely voice of a highly skilled and trained singer, but her voice was soft and warm, filled with love whenever she sang for Kuzon or for me. And that, to me, made her voice the sweetest in the entire world. I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the doorpost as I listened, letting her voice wash over me like a soothing wave.
Katara. My beloved Tara. I opened my eyes as her voice wound down to a graceful silence. Kuzon barely stirred as she gently extricated herself from his grip, and kissed the side of his face before rising to her feet, glancing up at me.
“Kuzon's lucky to have such a wonderful mother like you.” I whispered as we walked out of his room. And I was lucky too. If Katara had never come back to me, who knew where Kuzon and I would be right now? Unhappy, distant from one another, lonely. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders tightly, reassuring myself that she was indeed here.
Our balcony had been set with two comfortable chairs and an end table where a teapot and two cups sat waiting for us. As I led Katara through the apartment to the setup that I had arranged, I thought about how best to go about this. Soothing jasmine tea would help. And I knew that Katara liked looking at the ocean and listening to it. So did I. I wanted us to both be relaxed for the conversation that would ensue. To my relief, she didn't seem to be in a hurry. She let me pour her a cup and sipped it as she stared out at the ocean, leaning back.
She looked beautiful in the red and gold silk dress she had worn for dinner. It was one that had belonged to my mother, and I was happy that the dress was now being worn again, instead of gathering dust in storage somewhere in the royal treasury. A pair of dragons were embroidered along the front, one at either side of the opening of her robe, slithering from the hem to just below the collar, ornately sewn in gold thread. It was one of my favorites.
“So... what was my full name?” she asked. I took a sip of tea before I answered.
“Katara.”
She was silent for a few moments, closing her eyes.
“Katara.” she repeated softly before opening her eyes and staring at me.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Katara. Yes. There was not one slightest hint of doubt in my head. It just felt... right. And when I said it, it rolled off my tongue naturally. And my memories became more coherent, visible, as if saying and hearing my name helped to dust off these old memories, making them seem brighter.
Kanna, Hakoda, Kaya, Sokka, Aang, Zuko, Suki, Bumi, Yue, Pakku, Toph... All of these names and more flowed through my mind like a crystal-clear stream. But there were still a few missing spots, a few memories that remained obscured in shadow.
“What happened to the Avatar? I hurt him somehow... when I was out there on the bluff in the rain, I saw him crying, holding out his hands to me...” My stomach wrenched at that memory.
“He had... feelings for you. And when he discovered that you and I were together, he did not take it too well.”
Flashes of Zuko and myself raced through my head. Finding places to hide, dodging Aang and his questions, sneaking away from everybody else, feeling guilty when Aang expressed his feelings for me and I would change the subject or divert his attentions elsewhere... And then when he had found out, and begged me to give him a chance, that I let him express his feelings the way Zuko did, and I had said no, that Zuko was the one for me, he had been so hurt... I saw the anguish in his eyes, his need for my love, and I had been unable to give him what he wanted.
A soft sob escaped my lips.
“Oh, Aang...”
“Katara, no. You have nothing to feel guilty about.” Zuko slid from his seat, kneeling before me, taking my hands into his and nuzzling them as he looked up at me. “We did our best to hide it from him, and when we had to tell him the truth, he wouldn't accept it. He chose to react the way he did.”
“But he disappeared and then...” It was the last time I saw him. “What... what happened to him?”
“You know he defeated the Fire Lord.”
“Of course. Everybody does.”
“After that...” He sighed. “He traveled the world for a while, responding to conflicts here and there and helping me keep things organized between the Nations.”
“Not for a while, right?”
“Not for a while now, after things settled down.” he agreed with a nod. “He will answer an emergency call, but there hasn't been any for a few years now. And that gives him time to... ensure that the Air Nomads are not lost forever.”
“I'm sorry?” I murmured. Wasn't Avatar Aang the last Airbender? As far as I knew, there had been no other Air Monks or Nuns who had escaped Sozin's assault, or had come out of hiding with the end of the War – provided that any had escaped. I learned from Zuko – who had discovered his great-grandfather's private documents – that an Air Monk named Afiko had betrayed his nation, telling the Fire Lord just how to attack the remote Air Temples. But because the Avatar himself hadn't been among the countless Airbenders exterminated, Afiko himself had been executed by Sozin after the start of the War. That monk had betrayed his entire nation because he was jealous of a child, or tempted by what the mighty Fire Lord could offer him, and an entire culture had been lost.
What would make an Air Monk betray his entire Nation like that? It was bad enough what Sozin did, but he couldn't have done such a thorough job without Afiko...
“Well, it's the Avatar's job to keep balance between the four nations, right? And to do that, he has to make sure there are four.” Zuko raised his eyebrow. “He was only thirteen when the War ended. But now, he's a grown man, and restoring the balance for the Airbenders means...” he tilted his head a bit, smirking ever so faintly.
“He's no longer the last Airbender?”
“Plenty of women have made sure of that.”
I blushed. Sweet little Aang and a harem of women, these two things just didn't go together, at least in my head. I blushed, trying to tell myself that he had grown up, just like Zuko and the rest of us.
“He's now living quietly with the help of the Kyoshians. They have... dedicated themselves to his cause.” Zuko added. Kyoshi? Suki? Wait a minute...
“Sokka? He married Suki, didn't he?” I asked. Suki had mentioned her husband's swordsmanship.
“Yes. They're happily married, and you have a couple of nephews and nieces. Not exactly sure how many now, though.”
“And let's not forget Toph.” I added dryly. He looked down.
“You and Toph.”
“We were both young and bored and frustrated...” He sighed, “And a little drunk too.... Ahem. It was a rash decision. I apologize...”
“What are you apologizing for? I was dead.” I replied flatly. He winced.
“Katara, you're the only one I ever loved. There were women like Toph or Kuri that I respected, but my heart always belonged to you. And it still does. When I thought I would never see you again...” His voice was tight with emotion, and I was surprised to see his eyes actually watering.
I had been intensely jealous of Toph at first, but I had started to set that jealousy aside. After all, this was before we married, or even met in Omashu. And it was clear that he loved me. The women he had been with in the past had merely been there to fulfill a physical need, a need that only I was able to satisfy fully along with fulfilling his emotional needs. That thought made me smug. I was the only one who made him happy.
There were other people I wanted to ask about, but right now I had a much more pressing question.
“Zuko. What happened to me?” I asked, point-blank.
“Oh, Katara...” he sighed and rose to his feet, turning away and placing his hands on the railing. I sat there patiently, understanding that this was incredibly painful for him. I closed my eyes, thinking of the very, very last memory I had of Katara. Zuko and I were in the old plaza, and then Azula had attacked him...
“Zuko.”
“Yes?”
“Come here. Stand in front of me. Open your shirt, please.” I asked. He slowly turned around, unbuttoning his red silk shirt. His pale and muscled chest exposed itself before my appreciative gaze, but I didn't pause to admire the muscles. My eyes immediately gravitated towards the pale scar on his upper stomach.
“I want to see the scar on your hip too.” I murmured. He hooked his thumb into the right side of his pants, pushing it a couple of inches lower to reveal the sinuous mark. I rubbed my finger against it lovingly, remembering when I had done this to him.
“That night... it was special.” I murmured as I looked up at him. I placed my other hand to my breast, where my birthmark was.
“Tara.” he murmured, smiling wistfully. I lowered my head to press my lips against the mark. My hand lifted from my breast and slid upwards, touching the one on his stomach.
“And this one...” I closed my eyes, thinking of what happened. Azula, Zuko, myself... I remember Zuko twitching on the ground after Azula hit him, and the terror I felt at the thought of losing him. Zuko, my love. And then I had healed him after chaining Azula... Zuko had looked up at me with such love, and then he looked past my arm and his face had turned to shock and then anger as he tried to get to his feet.
“...Zuko.” I hissed, gritting my teeth, feeling my heart pound. He dropped to his knees and shook my shoulders gently.
“Katara! Katara, look at me, I'm here!” I heard him whisper into my ear fiercely, his breath hot. I let out a weak cry as the memory continued. I didn't know why Zuko looked so angry, and started to turn around when a blinding heat hit my back. A strangled gasp escaped my lips as my eyes widened. I heard Zuko's roar and saw him in slow motion, seeing his eyes widen. I started to reach for him when everything went black.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I was now shaking her more firmly, frantically trying to break Katara free of the nightmare she was in, hoping the memory of her own death wouldn't cause her mind to snap.
“Katara, Katara! I'm here! Everything's okay!” I whispered into her ear, nuzzling her fiercely as I wrapped my arms around her middle to keep her from jerking around. Strangled mewls escaped her throat, and I rocked her, trying to soothe her. Suddenly she stopped, her face buried against my chest. She was quiet for a long moment before she started sobbing quietly.
“Tara?” I asked, rubbing her back. She whimpered softly, and I felt hot tears on my stomach.
“Tara.” I said more gently, continuing to rock her as I rubbed her back. “It's okay. You're here with me. Everything's fine.” I squeezed her, bending down so I could kiss her forehead.
“Zu.” she whispered. I let out a quiet sigh of relief before I rose to my feet, scooping her up into my arms. It was late, so I figured the best thing to do was put her to bed. I lay her down on the thick comforter, taking the little pointed shoes off her feet. I brought the tea inside, setting it at the end table next to the bed and poured her some more.
“Katara.” I sat down at the side of the bed, her stomach against my hip. I draped an arm across her and rubbed her back. She groaned softly and curled up against me.
o0o0o0o
Katara
No wonder it pained him so much to think about it, much less speak of it. I let out a quiet sigh as I felt his fingers trail along my hairline, gently stroking my forehead.
“I love you.” I heard him say. I nodded, still shivering just a bit from the memory of being struck down by Azula's lightning. Oh spirits, how everyone must have grieved. Aang, Sokka, Dad, Iroh, Zuko...
“Here's some tea. Do you want it?” he whispered. I opened my eyes and nodded, letting him help me sit up. The tea was soothing, and I welcomed the warmth. I couldn't help but think of Iroh, and I let my head rest against the headboard, feeling his hand idly rub the top of my thigh in a soothing gesture. My memories, old and new, were a confused jumble, and I was glad that Zuko didn't say anything right now. I just needed to collect my thoughts, and relaxed as he stroked me gently. Soon enough, my tea was gone, and I set the cup down.
“How do you feel, Katara?” he asked softly.
“A bit... mixed up. But I'm okay.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
“How about some medicine to help you sleep?” he asked. I frowned and shook my head.
“I'm done with herbs. I'm not taking anything anymore.” I replied in a stubborn tone. He raised his eyebrow.
“But the herbs are there to help you. Have you decided that you're not going to listen to the royal physician anymore?”
“I'm just done with medicines. I don't need any. I'm tired of drinking tea that's bitter. I'd much prefer another cup of jasmine tea. Iroh would be horrified at the teas Sylid wants me to drink.” I replied firmly. He smiled faintly before pouring me another cup and handing it to me. I took it, savoring the flavor. Not quite as good as Iroh's tea, but close enough.
“Would you like to get ready for bed?” he asked. I nodded. Without a word, he started to gently unbutton my dragon robe, and I relaxed, letting him attend to me. My silk trousers also came off, and I sat there in a white silk chemise with matching breast wraps and underwear. He draped my clothes at the foot of the bed and sat next to me, taking me into his arms and hugging me tightly.
“I have to admit, it felt good... to let go.” Zuko murmured as he stroked my hair. I nodded in agreement. I was still in shock over what I had just learned, and it would take me some time to deal with it. But I would be okay.
“What happened to Ozai?” I asked. Zuko hadn't killed Azula directly, but he had battled his sister and she had died from her injuries – injuries inflicted from my husband in self-defense. There was no doubt in my mind that Azula had tried to kill Zuko, just as she had killed me. But for the former Fire Lord, his fate was a lot more sketchy. Nobody liked to talk about him, and he was talked about as if he was dead, but I did not see a death date for him when I was studying the history of the Fire Lords.
“Completely stripped of his Bending, and kept in the Royal Dungeon, where he is never to see the sunlight again. I pay him a visit once a year.”
“Does he know about me?”
“Yes. He rages that his son has soiled the royal name by taking a Water Tribe woman as Fire Lady. And doubtless Sozin is also spinning in his grave.” For such a serious topic, we both chuckled softly.
“And your mother?” I murmured. He was silent for several long moments, and I gazed up at him, seeing a stricken expression.
“Ozai... he...” Zuko sighed and shook his head. “My mother was a victim of his greed.”
“Oh, Zuko. I'm so sorry.” I remembered how much he had wanted to find his mother, and to have that taken away from him. How well I knew the pain of losing a mother.
“Don't be sorry for something my sire did. Just be glad you're here. Agni knows I am.”
“How did I get here?” I asked. He chuckled softly.
“Does it matter?”
“I was just wondering.”
“After you died, I prayed to Agni to bring you back to me. I didn't think he heard me... but apparently, he did.”
“Was it worth the wait?”
“Katara, I was always yours. The last two years of being with you have been wonderful.” he replied as he stroked my cheek. I sighed contentedly and snuggled up to him.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
It was indeed like having a weight off my chest, no longer having this secret between us. I could call her Katara or Tara, at least when we were alone. And she now remembered all the happy times we had before. Our ninja mission... the time we worked together as the Painted Lady and the Blue Spirit... the first time I met her, our fights and bending duels, our travels together. Over the next few days, she was still quiet and moody, spending a lot of time by herself, but she also asked me a question here and there, and we would talk about our time together. I understood that her moodiness came from having lost our child. Sylid said it was normal, and that all that was needed was for an eye to be kept on her. All evidence of what had happened to Katara was destroyed, and the servants and guards were told that it had simply been a sparring match which had ended up on these slippery rocks – we had sparred enough before for this to not be an unusual occurrence.
I was afraid to ask her if she wanted another child, so I remained silent, letting her ask questions or speak to me whenever she wanted. An arm slid around my middle as I stood on the balcony, watching the sunrise. I smiled faintly as Katara's other arm wrapped around me, her hands clasping over my stomach. I picked up her hands and lowered my head, pressing my lips to her fingers and knuckles.
“Mmm.” I heard Katara sigh softly, pressing her body against my back as I gripped her hands gently.
“Good morning.” I murmured, happy that she had come out to join me.
“The bed was empty. I was lonely.”
“Mmm.” I kissed her hands again. “I was lonely out here.” I teased. I felt her nuzzle my back before I let go of her hand and turned around to take her in my arms. I practically crushed her form against mine, hugging her tightly, remembering how frightened I had felt when I saw her injured.
Thank you, Agni, for saving her. I stroked her hair, feeling her nuzzle my chest.
“What do you have planned today, Zuko?” she asked as she peeked up at me.
“Well, if you're up to it later, we could spar.”
“Sounds good. It's been a while since we had a good sparring match.”
“Our duels were the best.” I replied as I stroked her cheek. “Remember the one at the North Pole?”
“Yes, I do. Oh, you looked cute in that padded ninja outfit of yours. You look good in white.” She smiled at me, and I returned with a grin of my own.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Over the last few days I had been formulating a plan. As far as Zuko or I knew, my coming back like this seemed to be an answer to his prayers to Agni. Since my body was dead, he might have placed my spirit into the next available womb of a Water Tribe woman so I could come back to Zuko. It was romantic, in a way. I had been wooed, courted – in different ways, of course – and in what could be seen as a humorous twist, had lost my maidenhead to him twice, though I was also smug in now knowing that I had been his first. Now I remembered that night, the fierceness and heat between the two of us, the intense way in which we had taken one another.
It was almost as if my memories as Miumi had been pushed into the background, and the memories of my old life were fresh, there for me to play back and recall however I wished. But there was still a question I had left. And something that I had to do. But that was later.
“I'd love to spar later, but could we go for a morning swim?”
“Of course.” He was smiling at me again. “Let's go now!”
“Let's.”
I welcomed the icy bite of the water against my flesh, now clad in a slender black tunic and matching shorts while Zuko wore a pair of knee-length red shorts. Both of us were powerful swimmers, and he kept up with me as I pedaled against the waves. Swimming in the lake in the Palace City was nothing compared to going to the ocean, and I welcomed the firm and steady assault of the waves as I kicked my legs.
We ended up on the shore a good while later, our muscles burning from the exertion, making us feel satisfied. The waves crashed at our feet, and I lay there on the sand, an arm slung across my face to keep the sun out. I took long, deep breaths, reveling in the ocean swim.
“We really must come here more often. I love the Palace city, but the lake's got nothing on this!” I commented, and heard a soft chuckle.
“I did make you a promise.” he reminded me. I looked over at him and smiled faintly.
“I know. I just had to say it.” I reached out to touch his arm, and he leaned down to give me a kiss.
“I love you.” Zuko said before he pressed his lips to mine again.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
The small bonfire blazed cheerily on the sand as I sat on a blanket with my wife and son. Kuzon was curled up in her lap as she stroked her hair, Kuzon rubbing his eyes with his hands as he tried to stay awake. The night was cloudless and crisp, and I inhaled the cool air. Before me were the remnants of some graham bread and marshmallows, a spun, puffy white treat, and some soft chocolate. Marshmallows was a popular treat among the upper classes, especially when toasted to form a crispy, caramel-colored crust. It was something that Uncle had introduced me to many years ago, and it wasn't until tonight that I decided to have some. It'd been so long since I'd tried this treat, and found it highly enjoyable. These sweet little finger-sandwiches made from the combination of the three ingredients made for an inexplicably wonderful treat, and Kuzon had loved it. I eyed Katara as she sucked a smear of chocolate off her finger. She had a light blanket wrapped around her shoulders, covering Kuzon as well.
“How about another one?” I asked as I roasted the remainder of the marshmallows, making a few more little sandwiches from everything we had left. He nodded and reached out with a grasping hand, and I smiled as I gave him another one. He nibbled on it contentedly, and I raised my hand, lifting one to Katara's lips. She smiled faintly and took a bite before clamping down, pulling the entire thing out of my hand with her teeth.
“Hey!” I chided playfully as she grabbed hold of it, enjoying the rest of the treat. We stayed on the beach for a while longer, simply listening to the waves crash on the sand as the fire slowly died down. Kuzon had fallen asleep, and I scooped him up in my arms, hearing him murmur softly.
“I'll put him to bed.” I offered. She smiled and nodded.
I wasn't used to taking care of a child, but I could see why Katara thought it was so important to spend time with Kuzon before bed. A set of pajamas was already put out by Kuzon's nurse, and I helped him into them as he stared up at me sleepily. I held his hand and led him to the washroom and waited outside patiently. I then tucked him into bed, sitting next to him as I looked down at him.
“I like when you put me to bed.” Kuzon murmured as he wiggled around a bit to settle down for the night.
“I like putting you to bed.” I shot back as I lightly rumpled his hair. He flashed me a toothy grin.
“Good night, Father.”
“Good night, Kuzon. Sweet dreams.”
Katara was relaxed in a chair as her hair was being combed and braided by one of her servants. Her eyes were closed, but as I approached she murmured a greeting just before the servant noticed my presence. She knew I was here despite my quiet footsteps. I remembered the technique that Katara and I had discovered together so long ago.
Peekaboo, I see you.
The servant finished her job and bowed out after asking me if there was anything I needed. There was, so tea would be brought up shortly.
“Peekaboo.” I murmured.
“Your warmth is radiant, and shines through the water that flows through your body. How could I miss it?” she asked as she brought her head forward, opening her eyes. “It's something I've been able to do for a while now, though I didn't quite understand it until I remembered.”
I held out my arms as she rose from her seat, and pulled her into them, wrapping them around her tightly. I thought of the wistful and slightly sad expression I had seen on her face in the light of the fire as Kuzon cuddled into her lap. Doubtless Kuzon made her think of what had just happened.
“I know you're sad about what happened. But I hope that you don't let this change what you have with Kuzon. You're his mother. You already have a child that loves you very much.”
“Of course. I know that..I love him too. It's just... part of me was really excited about having a baby, and...” she murmured. I sighed and nodded.
“All these years ago, I imagined you ruling at my side and I thought of the children we could have.” I said softly as I stroked her hair, running my fingers along the thick braid. “I imagined Uncle playing with them and spoiling them.”
“Oh, doubtless he would have.” Katara chuckled quietly.
“I still think about it.” I whispered. She glanced up at me, and I nodded slowly.
o0o0o0o
Katara
We would be going back to Sozun in just a couple of days. I had to leave now, because I had more of a chance of slipping away and putting more distance between Zuko and myself as I set forward to complete my mission. I didn't want him involved, and hoped that I would find the answers I needed.
The sedatives that Sylid had prescribed for me would now serve a different purpose. I had managed to slip some into Zuko's chili tonight when we were having our dinner. I could move around and pack without waking up my vigilant husband, and with my memories as Katara, I had the practical knowledge I needed for travel. I packed the simplest of my clothing, a mix of blue and red, mostly linens but with a couple of plain silks, so I could pass more easily as a commoner, or add something nice when I needed. I had a generous allowance, and kept some of it in my purse, and some more in my jewelry box. And should someone try to attack me, I was a master Waterbender who could draw water from the very air itself or plants. Thank you, Hama. I wondered what became of her.
Of course, I could not simply disappear. Zuko had to know that I was safe, and that there was no foul play involved. I sat in his study and wrote a short letter for him.
Zuko, my lord and love.
There is another answer that I seek, that neither of us know. I have gone to find it. Rest assured, I am safe, and will hasten my every step to come back to you.
Love you always, Katara
I moved across the bedroom floor, looking down at my husband. He looked so peaceful, and I pressed my lips to his cheek, giving him a fond nuzzle and inhaling the scent of his warm flesh. I ached for him. And my heart ached when I sneaked into Kuzon's room, taking him into my arms and kissing him along his sweet little face, murmuring words of love and reassurance.
With the memories of being the Painted Lady and a ninja, I was able to shimmy off the balcony and disappear into the night.
o0o0o0o
Kuzon
I remember opening my eyes and seeing that it was still dark outside. I felt something warm pressed against me, and the faint smell of Mama's fire-lily perfume.
“Kuzon, listen to Mama. You know I love you very much, right?” she whispered. I clung to her and nodded.
“Please don't be afraid or worried. I have to do this. I love you and your father very much. Know this always.”
“Yes, Mama.” I felt her rock me gently, stroking my hair. I fell asleep in her arms, and didn't even know when she was gone.
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Kiss of Fire