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The plum that blossoms in autumn	By : MaiLee Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 16840 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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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The Warden’s heavy stomping awakened some of the prisoners from their daydreams, and Mai glanced along the thin slits in the metal doors, meeting the men and women’s eyes burning with hatred and spite. She followed her Uncle to the top level of the building, holding her breath.

She could barely remember how she got on an airship, which took her to the Boiling Rock, and she was definitely not thinking about Azula or Ozai. All that burdened her mind was a plan of slow, humiliating, cold and calculated torture – the things she wanted to do with Zuko before his sister laid her hands on him.

The only thing she took with herself was the scroll. She held it carefully, trying not to tear or crumple it, so she could shove it into his face. She wore all the stilettos, blades, knives, all the small armor she could carry, unsure of what exactly she’d like to use.

The room, her Uncle had taken her to, was small and furnished with a single chair. She guessed it was deliberately made into a torture chamber - how thoughtful.

- Wait here, Mai. Prince Zuko will be here any minute, - he gestured her to enter. - I have some important things to attend to. You’ll be all right?

She glanced back at him and nodded. The man stood at the door for a while, before walking down the corridor to another cell.

Mai looked around the cell and headed towards the dark corner, where she leaned against the cool metal wall. She knew Azula wouldn’t approve of her actions, but she had to know for sure that it was over between them, because if there was the slightest chance of Zuko coming back, she could… wait.

Of course, Prince Zuko never said he loved her, and there were a million times he made it clear – he had other things that were more important, issues he wasn’t ready to share. But ever since he returned into her life, all the chaos dissolved, and she felt safe and sound, like everything fell in its right place.

Yet Ozai was a powerful man, the mighty Fire Lord that chose her among the many women he had at court. Despite the pain he caused, somewhere in the corner of her mind, she kept thinking of him constantly: after all, he was the first man that made her feel like a woman. He was her torturer and lover, giving pleasure and comfort, taking pain and tears as his reward.

The right choice wasn’t that obvious.

- I didn’t do anything wrong! – With a loud bang, a young man was thrown into the room. She had only a second to snap back to reality, his words made her smile bitterly, and she spit out:

- Come on, Zuko. We all know that’s a lie.

And the Prince of the Fire Nation looked up, instantly turning white, as if he’s seen a ghost.

That stupid soldier jumped up to save me from Zuko - he didn’t know that the Prince hurt me so deep I wouldn’t care if the fire ate up my body. That idiot didn’t stop him from fleeing, knocking me to the wall.

Everyone expected me to be meek: Mai needs protection, Mai is weak, Mai should stay back and watch how life passes by – it’s too dangerous, she will make a mistake! How could he of all people think of me that way? How could he leave me behind, and shut the door in my face?

Yes, we never spoke of love, because we felt anything but. It was a childhood crush, a teenage infatuation, even if it seemed greater, bigger, magnified by our youth. So why did I do all of those stupid things? Being Ozai’s mistress, Azula’s dog, Fire Nation’s loyal soldier, and the perfect daughter of the Diplomat.

The slit in the door was open, and he looked inside, glaring down at me with his big golden eyes.

Strange… I thought I lost my senses and my heart stopped feeling anything - I couldn’t even cry. So why was there that excruciating pain piercing me inside-out? It felt so beautiful and reviving, as if spirit came back into the empty shell; something hot burned my eyelids…

Zuko closed his eyes, shutting them tight, as if forcing his self to turn away, and then ran down the corridor to the iron stairs. I rather felt his heavy steps resonating in my body, than heard it. At that moment life rushed back into my veins, real air pushed inside my lungs. And if you cut me then I would bleed, because I was finally alive.

I shifted my attention to the hot sensation now against my cheeks and chin – those were tears. Real tears that I swore I’d some day cry, ripping the parchment apart. I looked back at the letter on the floor – it was so meaningless now.

The guard got to the door fast, crying out for his colleagues to get us out.

I just thought to myself, that this was the moment – to turn my life around. Stop doing what is expected, stop obeying, and give myself wholeheartedly to what is to come.

At that moment I knew the answers, I didn’t have to think twice. It’s only because he really cared for the world - he did that. Only because he wanted to be better - he did it. It’s just that the world I lived in all this time was imperfect.

The swishing sounds of my blades and stilettos, the heavy rumble of the gondola, the deaf thump of Azula’s body falling to the ground, and I was free, with all the bridges burned behind, and only one left in front of me:

- I Love Zuko…

The cell was located on the sunny side of the tower, and Mai kept gasping in the heat of the stone box. The chains attached to the cuffs didn’t let her sit down, and the best she could do was lean against the wall on her knees. Her clothes were torn and dirty, soaked in sweat.

They weren’t careful when she was captured, and tore off the armor along with some clothes. Now her wrists were bare and swollen from the constant friction of the metal cuffs. Her delicate skin wasn’t accustomed to such harsh surroundings, let alone treatment.

Ever since she was transferred to the Palace prison, guards didn’t even come by to give her some water. Her body ran dry and she fainted or fell asleep from time to time, hoping she could just pass out through all of it. Until Zuko came…

The idea became her fix in the Boiling Rock, when she sat with Ty Lee, she would constantly blabber that Zuko knew they were captured and would definitely come rescue them.

Somehow, it seemed their roles were switched: Ty Lee kept sitting in the corner, looking sadly at her friend, and Mai kept making optimism speeches. It made her feel weird, but she knew that it was somehow harder for the acrobat – making such a life turning decision in a split second. Now all she had to do is cheer her up, and herself – in any case someone had to do it.

She kept talking, watching how Ty Lee returned to normal, little by little. Mai always regarded the acrobat with faint amusement. Although she was her peer, Ty Lee was like a little sister: kind, warm-hearted, caring, even when being downright irritating.

So she kept speaking to her friend, because Mai understood that their time was running short – any day they could have been transferred to the capital. Then she would definitely be separated from Ty Lee. The Fire Lord would want to see her alone.

That was the thought that should have stopped Azula, when she wanted to attack Mai, not Ty Lee’s chi-bending. Without her friend’s help she would have been dead by now – she has never seen the Princess so angry, hot-headed and fierce. She wasn’t even calculating the consequences – just acting at her own accord.

But she understood what made her loose the balance – her pawn, little puppet Mai, misbehaved and disobeyed her order. Treason was the worst crime in Azula’s eye, and Mai promised to be loyal. But nobody said Azula was the only one to tell lies.

And that was where her lie had brought her – a filthy cell, without any water, food, not even a thin mattress to put under her knees. It seemed even torches have become luxury items in prisons - only bare stone walls and metal bars became her company. Ty Lee was put into some other part of the building, maybe she was even allowed to take small walks in the courtyard.

Every night was a small blessing: even if the walls remained warm from the intense heat of the sun, the cool wind blew into the cell, brushing her wet forehead, and the dark that engulfed the small chamber brought peace. Because she didn’t see the bruised wrists and torn sleeves of her shirt, the pants that were ruined and the dirt that surrounded her.

One of those nights, when she was enjoying her time of tranquility, the door opened with a heavy squeak. There was just one figure at the entrance, and she could already guess the person by his height, majestic posture and the royal hair-piece. The light from the corridor caught her broken body in its orange glow. Mai screwed her eyes, trying to see his expression, but soon there was no need anymore, when the door shut behind him, and he lit the fire in the palm of his hand.

- You disappointed me, girl, - he shook his head with a frown on his face, making another flame in the other palm. – You betrayed my trust for a worthless boy. Maybe you were overpriced after all.

- Well, - she was surprised at how her voice cracked the silence of the stone room, - they don’t give refunds anymore. Find yourself another twelve year old.

- As bitter and sharp-tongued as always, my little Mai, - he came closer to the cage and opened the door, slipping inside.

The metal lattice squealed behind him, as he hovered over her body splayed against the wall. Her eyes widened, when he leaned closer, biting at her dry lips. The fire was so close, sweat trickled down her temple; her whole body went limp with fear and anticipation – she didn’t even notice blood dripping from her torn lips.

- Do you know what I’m going to do with you? – he looked at her, bringing his palms closer to her face. She closed her eyes, pressing the back of her head to the stone, as far away from the fire. Horrible, disturbing images rushed in her mind, as she imagined what he could do to punish her.

- I don’t know… - she breathed out. Her own voice felt like emery against her dry throat.

- Oh, it’s not like you to give up so easily! – Ozai stood on one knee in front of her, holding the flame closer to the tender skin of her face. – There are a lot of guesses you could try…

The Fire Lord cocked his head, looking at her trembling lips:

- For example, I could burn the right side of your face, - he snorted at the thought, - then you and Zuko would make a perfect couple.

- Please… - she bit her lip, whimpering at the pain.

- Oh, I forgot, Mai. Your face is your currency – your money and status, - he bent his head lower, licking at her cheek, salty from the tears and sweat. – Such beautiful cheekbones and pale texture of skin.

He brought the fire closer, burning some of the stray hair off. The teenager breathed in loudly, trying hard not to scream.

- On one hand it is unfortunate, but on the other… I don’t need your beauty distorted, - and he took out the fire in one palm, dimming it in the other. Mai opened her eyes and looked up at him, still shuddering with fear. – I want to use it later, and you’ll let me.

He stood up from the knee, and put his hands down, extinguishing the fire. Now it was pitch dark in the cell and Mai couldn’t figure out where Ozai had gone. She heard some noises that she couldn’t make out, behind her heavy breathing and the loud beat of her heart.

But soon she felt the Fire Lord’s breath on her face – he was leaning down, trailing his hands against her hair. He was behaving strangely, and she no longer knew what was to come.

- I have to punish you, because you betrayed me. You betrayed… me, - he pressed his lips against her forehead, breathing in her scent: dirt, sweat and fear. – I hope you’ll learn your lesson.

And Mai’s eyes widened, when amidst the darkness a blue charge fired into her body.

- Aaahh! – she breathed in hard, as water poured onto her. Her eyes flew open and she looked around frantically. The sun was already up, and in the light of the day she could make out a figure of a guard walking away from her, bucket in hand. – Wait!

- What? – he turned around and looked at the young girl. The man had a daughter, and he felt a tinge of pity for the prisoner, but he had strict orders from the Fire Lord himself.

- Could you bring me some water? – her voice cracked, as well as the skin on her dry lips. The water on her face stung the open flesh.

- I’m sorry, - he closed his eyes and turned away, walking to the door. He knew that even the walls had ears, let alone the other guards, and he feared the punishment. After all he had an unmarried daughter to take care of.

- Please! Please… - the sounds died in her throat, as she didn’t have the power to scream anymore. She had already yelled her lungs out yesterday.

She often wondered what it would’ve been like if Ty Lee didn’t stop Azula from shooting into her. Now she knew a little how it felt, with the only difference being that Ozai didn’t intend to kill her. It was just a punishment.

She couldn’t even properly remember what happened, except for the clear sensation of pain. As if a thin sharp metal cord was surging through her body. A small pause, Ozai’s soft whisper in her ear, then another charge, and again and again, until she was knocked out.

She gritted her teeth pulling at the chains again. She pushed herself to repeat the mantra again, though her belief - in Zuko coming and saving her - grew weaker with each moment, as the remaining strengths leaked out of her body.

The end of the summer approached and with the Sozin’s comet, Ozai would have all the power in the world. She repeated her mantra once again before fainting.

When she woke up, it was night. A small rain poured onto the ground and Mai hungrily breathed in the smell of the misty air. She no longer knew how much time passed by, with each day being identical to the other.

If only they released her for a minute or two and let her walk around the cell, she could take a look at the sky outside. Her eyelids fluttered as a small drop of rain accidentally fell into the small window and landed on her cheek. She held her breath, wanting to savour the feeling of water on her skin. She thought of autumn…

Mai hated summer, and couldn’t wait for autumn to settle in. She strongly believed that the chilly wind would bring back peace into her life, just like it brought chaos and uncertainty so many years ago. As soon as the comet passed, it would’ve been over.

The door opened slowly, giving out the usual squeak, and Ozai walked in - this time carrying a torch, which he put into one of the handles at the opposing wall.

Mai wanted to repeat her mantra again, look him in the eye and laugh, but at that moment she felt how little hope was in her soul, and how little courage and strength lingered in her body. Would Zuko really be coming back? Why hasn’t he done that already?

- How are you? – the Fire Lord opened the cell door and came inside. The hem of his robe brushed her feet. She was leaning against the wall on her right side, so she turned her head to the left, and whispered:

- Z…su… - but her own tongue didn’t follow her will. So instead of putting up another useless fight, she wheezed, - Water.

- You want water? – the man raised his black eyebrows, and then sighed, smirking, - Oh, right! I forgot to tell the guards you were allowed water. I’m so busy preparing for the end of the summer, I absolutely forgot about such casualties.

He bent down to pat her cheek with his fingers. Her skin was a bit dry, but remained quite soft to the touch. He smiled at her powerless body, mesmerized by her open lips and the hard breathing that escaped her mouth.

- I didn’t forgive you yet, Mai. I believe you still have to earn even a droplet of water, - he squeezed her cheeks in his hands, making her look at him.

She wanted to jerk away, but couldn’t: her whole body got out of control, her mind went numb. She couldn’t even remember what mantra she repeated over and over again. There was only one word:

- Waa…ter, - and she closed her eyes, letting his tongue slip into her mouth, his hands roam her body and his manhood rip her apart.

It was only closer to morning, when Ozai got up, to leave her chamber. Before walking off he ordered the guards to bring the prisoner a decent mattress, blanket, water and release her from the chains. When everything is done quickly, he looks down at her thin body, crouching over a bucket with water:

- I will come back, Mai, - when she looked up at him, face wet and just the slightest bit cleaner, Ozai added, - soon, very soon.

- Why don’t you just take me to your rooms? – she sat down, wiping her chin with the torn sleeve of her red robe.

- I don’t want any accidents to happen, you - doing stupid things. For the time being, I’ll feel better if you are locked up in a cell, - he frowned at her scowl, and left the prison.

She woke up, but remained lying on the mattress – as her eyelids slowly fluttered open, yawning at the good sleep she got. Still on her back, she stretched her muscles, reaching her arms and legs. The bones crackled in the silence of the dark chamber, still acquainting to freedom.

Anyway, there wasn’t much she could do now – from what she has heard, the Comet was arriving tomorrow, and the Fire Lord had some vicious plan up his sleeve. Rumor had it that the attack would end the war permanently.

Mai shuddered at the sole thought. She never gave war that much attention, her whole life engrossed in everyday troubles of a high-society rich child. Even when traveling the world, nothing made her pay attention to the importance of fighting a war. It seemed fair enough that whoever was more powerful should have been the one to rule the world.

Then everything had changed, but it was too late. All Mai could do was lay back and wait for someone to come and open the door in front of her. So she slept until the evening.

He came by as usual – when the sun set down – and although he was dressed and groomed the same way, that night he looked different. His head was held up high, and his eyes glinted with a nasty hungry light, anticipating the arriving day. He looked like someone who had won the war, not the one preparing for a battle.

- You look arrogant and too sure of yourself. Sozin’s comet isn’t even here yet, - she spoke out, pushing the blanket away and sitting up to meet the Fire Lord.

- And you look like you haven’t learned your lesson. Miss the chains and cuffs? – he sniggered at her shudder, watching her hands shake. – Good girl. So you know what day is coming?

- Everybody knows that the Comet is tomorrow, and you’re planning a massive attack, - she pushed her luck with another spiky comment.

- Yes, rumors do spread quickly these days, - Ozai sighed and took off his heavy red robe. – But massive is the wrong word here.

After the robe, his shirt fell down to the floor, revealing his naked torso. She looked up at him, lying down on her back. The man’s eyes widened, when she started unbuttoning her shirt. He was usually the one who started foreplay – this was something new.

- I prefer calling it the Final Battle, - he sunk down to his knees, and bent over her body, catching her lips in a quick kiss. – Our army will burn out the whole Earth Kingdom, so there will be no more stubborn earth peasants to fight.

- What? – she breathed out, rising up on her elbows. Her free breasts bobbed slightly at the sudden movement. – How can you completely burn down a continent? That’s insane!

- It’s Azula’s idea… - he frowned, pinning her down and catching a nipple in his teeth. – So it really is no wonder.

- Aahh… - Mai pressed her fisted hand to her mouth, wishing she could be less responsive. But even though she tried to ignore the annoying tickle at the bottom of her stomach, it refused to go away, intensified by Ozai’s gentle touch. – You will be defeated, do you understand that?

Ozai gave another chuckle at her rebellious mood, kissing a path down her navel:

- Oh, but who will bring it upon me? – he ripped her pant’s belt off, slipping his hand inside the garment. – Did Zuko tell you he’d do that?

At the mention of the Prince’s name, Mai tried pushing the Fire Lord away. This infuriated the man, and he pulled the dark red cloth down, revealing the girl’s sex. The young woman inhaled sharply when he forced a finger inside her. She wasn’t really wet at that point, and it wasn’t pleasant. But he kept pushing it in and out, biting at her breasts.

- The Avatar is alive, and he will slay you, - she was breathless from the torturing strokes of Ozai’s hand. But he kept sliding it in, as wetness seeped down her entrance. The man’s lips quivered in a smile, and he kept nibbling at the swollen pink nipple.

Mai arched her back, as her Lord added one more digit inside, and started rubbing her clit with the finger of his other free hand – she didn’t need to be pinned down anymore. Every time her moans went a pitch lower, he knew she was blinded by pleasure, and halfway to her orgasm.

- Now, Mai, I want to tell you a secret… - he whispered leaning down to her ear, - about my aim.

She closed her eyes, trying hard to concentrate on his words, although he added a third finger inside her throbbing womanhood.

- Tomorrow, I will take over the world, as its sole ruler and King… Phoenix King, - he watched her eyes widen for a second before fogging again. – And when I am the King of the world, you’ll become my Queen…

She whimpered, when he gave a strong pat to the sensitive nub, kissing her hard and deep. She tried to think his words through again, but was taken off her track, when he bit her lip.

- And since Zuko is no longer my son, you’ll bear my heirs, my sons, in your womb, - and he slid his pants down, pushing his penis inside.

Mai sighed at the sudden intrusion. She still felt a bit sore from their previous night, but she was so sensitive at that point – she felt that any given moment her body would explode.

And Ozai kissed her, rocking his hips smoothly into her warm and humble body. He hasn’t felt so good in a long time, it was like going home and being welcomed and loved. Her body was so sweet, her sweat smelled like spice, pepper and cinnamon, as if she was fire herself.

The way she moaned and clung to him, how her eyes rolled back, and her legs encircled him, helping him push inside and tear her apart… It was his to take, his to enjoy, now that the war was just a corner away. If the widowed Fire Lord had to keep his lover a secret, the Phoenix King had no boundaries to follow – and was free to announce her, what she should have been.

The kiss was deep and intense, just like their sex. Every inch of flesh that touched, burned and rippled with pleasure. It seemed that just one more contact would set them on fire in the wildest kaleidoscope of pleasure and sheer ecstasy. But it didn’t happen, just kept building up, until each one of them had begun to suffocate.

But they were clinging to the kiss, holding each other in a strong embrace. Their bodies had already begun trembling with the close climax – Ozai fastened his pace, pushing inside of her to the hilt, and Mai opened up even wider, digging her short nails into the skin on his shoulder blades.

Suddenly, they pushed even closer, and both shook with the strongest orgasm, suffocating on the sensations, as the world exploded around them, caught up in flames. They couldn’t breathe in, their bodies still quacking, as Ozai kept rocking, spilling the last drops of his seed inside Mai’s slender body. It was only after a few more moments, that both inhaled the night air, muscles slacking and both bodies falling down to the floor… exhausted, sated and breathless.

The girl felt dizzy, and she was happy that his weight crushed her into the floor. Otherwise, she would definitely have fainted. Her body felt light and warm, like a feather drifting in the air.

She expected Ozai to stand up and leave, but the Fire Lord kept lying on her, hungrily gulping the cool air. And Mai let her head fall back, her hands went through the long strands of her lover’s black hair. This gesture was so personal, it made the man shudder.

He looked up at her, trying to read the woman’s expression, her eyes still dark with arousal. Her breath had evened and she kept sliding her long fingers through his hair. Ozai kissed her shoulders and collarbones, as his cock still remained buried in her body.

- What about Azula? Did you tell her? – her voice was smooth and raspy, as she spoke out her concern.

- She’s a big girl. She’ll understand, - the Fire Lord answered her, slightly lifting his body.

- But… - Ozai put his index finger on her lips, silencing her.

- Shhh, - and he slowly slid out of her, without breaking their eye contact. Then folded his shirt and put it under her rear, the girl’s pelvis now higher than her body. Ozai looked down into her eyes and then slowly bent down to kiss her tummy, slowly and gently, before moving up to her lips and planting a soft kiss on them.

Mai’s eyes widened, as she understood the significance of the Fire Lord’s actions. She froze in her place, watching him put on his robe and leave her cell. When his footsteps died in the silence of the night, she reached for his shirt. Her hands trembled, and after some self-reassuring she put away the fabric and stood up.

The cold air had bitten at her sweat-covered skin, making her shake slightly. The girl walked up to the bars and turned around, looking out at the dark navy sky. Stars twinkled down at the earth, and the thin clouds drifted by. Autumn was coming, and all she had to do was wait one more day.

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The plum that blossoms in autumn