Hot Water

Afterword – Bonus Scenes and Epilogue

Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to DiMartino, Koneitzko, and Nickelodeon. Thank you to all of the friends I have made, and all of the people that have left me reviews! I love you all!

Contained within this chapter is a bonus scene (for mature readers, since I know my readers love the Zutara smut) as well as the epilogue scene that wraps up this story, but I have firstly included an Author's Note to explain some of the things I have used in the story. It's up to you whether you want to read it or not.

o0o0o0o

Names – I felt it would be fun to explain the names that I chose for the OC's in case you were wondering…

Shi-Ryuu – this literally translates to Death Dragon. I figure that while many Fire Nation citizens are patriots, there are some who care only about themselves. Jun has made it clear she is willing to work for anyone, and naturally, she wouldn't be the only mercenary out there. Likewise, Shi-Ryuu feels no compunctions about killing anybody – Fire or Earth citizens – for the right amount of money.

Hana – Katara's loyal handmaid/attendant, Hana is Japanese for 'flower' and I felt it fit her well because Hana is a sweet and pleasant person – entirely unlike her brother – and is very loyal to Zuko and Katara.

Lan Yu – This name means 'honorable abundance' (also spelled Longyu) and was also the name of one of the Qing Dynasty empresses, the wife of the Kiang Hsu (Guangxu) Emperor (she r. 1889-1908, then as Empress Dowager until 1913. She was also niece of the infamous Empress Cixi) I liked the sound of the name, and decided to flesh out this character a bit, as she would be replacing Hana as Katara's primary attendant.

Yi., Ze, Kiku, Natsumi, and Min – This is a mixture of Chinese, Japanese, and a Korean name that I chose for Ozai's other concubines. None of them were chosen for any special meaning.

Iyashii Taam – Katara's adversary! Iyashii is Japanese for vulgar/mean, and taam-sam is Chinese for greedy. Fits her well, no?

Yan Jue Sylid – Yan Jue is Chinese for 'careful' which I feel describes Sylid well, he is a careful and cautious man who is attentive to his surroundings and the needs of his patients, and he also serves Zuko in a military capacity by giving him advice. Sylid itself is just a made up name.

Si Seung Kamas – Kamas is another made-up name, but Si Seung is Korean for 'mind' and I felt it was a good name for one of the men that Zuko chose for his Council because Kamas is a very analytical person.

Peony – Often, when girls became of age or became wives or concubines, they might have to take a new name if their husband desired it of them. This is why Peony was originally introduced as Lily. I chose the name Peony after reading the novel Peony in Love by Lisa See (a beautiful and heartbreaking novel) and in the novel, Peony was also to have her name changed for her marriage, so this inspired me for the name change.

Various other names that have appeared through the story such as Heit, Kodo, and Carsk are all a mixture of Asian-inspired names, and have no special meaning.

Shyu – who makes his appearance later in this chapter – is the same Fire Sage who helped the Avatar in Avatar Roku's temple in the Winter Solstice episode. He is also the grandsom of Fire Sage Kaja, who trained Avatar Roku in Firebending.

Mao – The 'Bully Guard' is actually from the show, he was in the Boiling Rock and he is the one who provoked Chit Sang to Firebend in 'The Boiling Rock'. On the show, he is never given a name and is simply called 'Bully Guard' in the credits, so I thought I'd give him a name.

It's clear from the images of the Fire Palace in Season 3 that it's much like a city of its own within the volcano, surrounded by complexes and buildings along with orchards and a couple of lakes, so I decided to just treat this place like the Forbidden City in China. (The Earth King's Palace in Ba Sing Se was directly inspired from the Forbidden City, according to the official information for the show) The Hall of Supreme Harmony really is the name of the main building in the Forbidden City that housed the Dragon Throne, so I decided to use this name for my story. (In the actual Forbidden City, it took a long time to walk from the front gate of the City to the Hall of Supreme Harmony)

The original version of Hot Water had 37 installments, but I cut out quite a bit and polished many parts, as well as rewrote some parts to make this story more fluid and coherent. Even though this story was written during Season One, I incorporated a few bits of canon information from Seasons 2 and 3 for this edit. I was actually cringing at some of the old crap I wrote, and this final version of HW feels much more smooth/fluid/better to me.

And now… the bonus scene for y'all! Some of you wanted to know if the secret book Katara found would be coming back… and so here it is! If you're on FFN, you can just go to my profile to find a link to the uncut scene, or you can just read on to the other bonus scene (non-smut) and Epilogue.

o0o0o0o

(Zuko and Katara naughtiness! Oh my!)

o0o0o0o

Even though she could feel the sand under her feet, it was almost hard to believe that she was here, the ocean but a couple of steps away with nothing standing between her and this enormous expanse of her element. At the Palace, she could go up the volcano wall and enjoy a view of the ocean from the smooth clearing on the lip of said volcano. But nothing could ever compare to the feel of the waves crashing around her ankles, and the scent of the saltwater.

Zuko looked at her with a faint smile as she took a step forward. Though he was not a Waterbender, he could understand the appeal of his surroundings. It had been far too long since he took a vacation on Ember Island. Call it her birthday present if he would, but this was more of a present for both of then.

The serenity of this place welcomed them like a mother wrapping her children in a loving embrace, offering peace and security. Zuko could – at least for a while – put concerns of the Nation aside knowing that his uncle was a more than capable regent, and concentrate on just having fun.

He sat down on the sand, idly scooping it up with his left hand and letting it run between her fingers as he watched Katara wade into the water. She was an enticing sight, her lithe and curvy form bound within a two-piece swimsuit, deep crimson wrapped around her top and clinging to her pert rear end. It sometimes amazed him how an innocent movement or gesture on her part could cause a searing desire to engulf him. Never did he feel anything even remotely like that around any other women, even those at Court who flirted with him.

Katara looked over her shoulder at him, flashing him a warm grin before she dove into the water, a wave crashing all around her. The waves were thick and strong, and he remembered such days when he and Lu Ten would stand in the water and simply let the waves crash against them. The blow and current of each wave was like a massage, so days when the water was like this was always a treat. Katara let out a delighted laugh as she swum out further, moving through the water with the ease only a Waterbender could possess in this element.

The Fire Lord reclined on his elbows, content to sun himself as he watched Katara swim. After a while, he sat up again and started digging with one hand in a languorous pace, making a small pile of sand and patting it every so often. When Mother was still alive, the family would come here to enjoy themselves. He would go swimming with Lu Ten or build sand-castles with his cousin, and Uncle would even help sometimes. Mother would too. But Ozai had never deigned to participate in such an activity.

Zuko reminisced about past times here as he continued to dig and pile sand, sometimes simply letting it run through his fingers or from his fist.

A shadow appeared above him, and he looked up to see Katara, her swimsuit plastered to her body, droplets of water scattered along her skin and glistening in the afternoon sun.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she looked down at him. He glanced down at the pile next to him before returning his attention to his consort.

"I'm building a sand-castle. Would you like to join me?"

"Absolutely."

o0o0o0o

Epilogue – Three Years After Sozin's Comet (Beginning of Year 4 of the Reign of Fire Lord Zuko)

Katara gazed at her reflection, seeing a image completely different from the poor Southern Water Tribe girl she had been several years ago. Vivid blue eyes shone from a face that had lost its soft, girlish planes, leaving behind a regal-looking demeanor that spoke of wisdom. She sat with her shoulders pulled back, her chin raised regally as Lan Yu combed back her hair and pinned it before placing the ornate headdress on her head.

She was bedecked in a set of robes that had been specially made just for her, for her coronation ceremony, rather than use one that had been worn by previous consorts. Rather than the usual motif of dragons, flowers, or fire as was usual for consort's coronation robes, the Waterbender's outfit had been designed to resemble a phoenix.

The intricate gold embroidery along her outer robe had been done in a masterful, flowing design, resembling feathers but in such an artful manner that to Katara, resembled the sinuous movements of water. The clothing came in a modest cut, but due to the lightness of the silk, it complimented her figure well and was comfortable for the warm weather. Her choker, bracelets, headdress, and earrings all matched the motif of her outfit, intricately studded with sunstones and fire-rubies. Normally, Katara preferred simpler clothing to wear, but she had to admit, she liked this outfit a lot. She looked so regal and majestic that it was hard to not admire her reflection as Lan Yu added the final touches.

The headdress came with a thin silk gauze veil down the back, of the same color as her outer robe. Both were also intricately embroidered with gold thread, and when she walked, the thin material would flutter out behind her, light catching in the threads.

The final touch were her slippers, which were made of red satin with gold phoenixes embroidered on the outside of each. Lan Yu gently slipped them onto her waiting feet.

Katara rose gracefully from her seat. Lan Yu could not help but smile in admiration.

"You look especially splendid, my lady. After the coronation, everyone will be saying that you are the most beautiful Fire Lady ever crowned."

"You flatter me." Katara replied, but her eyes twinkled and her tone was warm. Over the last three years, she had changed from a miserable and imprisoned concubine to a happy and confident consort. Life was by no means perfect, but there was plenty to appreciate.

She strode out of the royal chambers, the gold-studded silk trailing before her much like a phoenix's tail, and Lan Yu followed her closely, holding the edge of the robe and train to keep it off the ground as several guards fell in step before them.

Just outside the Palace, her palanquin waited. It was a beautifully-crafted vehicle with padded seats, retractable wooden walls, silk and velvet curtains, and a gilded phoenix at each corner of the roof. She climbed into it as Lan Yu carefully tucked in her train, making sure nothing snagged on the ground or on the sedan. The curtains were drawn, and her bearers picked up the palanquin, bringing her forward.

o0o0o0o

The Fire Lord stood on the podium, hearing the dull roar of the crowds as he waited for his love. Surrounding the podium were his guards, and within that perimeter were the Fire Sages, along with several other dignified guests. His eyes slid over to Hakoda and Sokka, dressed in their best Water Tribe clothing, bone and ivory jewelry gleaming against their dark flesh. Avatar Aang stood with them, clad in robes of orange and gold. He had grown since Zuko had set him free, and was now nearly as tall as the current Fire Lord.

Katara had been right, the Avatar was integral in helping keep the peace in the world. The alliance had been a bit shaky at first, given past events. The Avatar had even tried to convince Katara to leave with him, but fortunately, the Waterbender had maintained her vow to be loyal to her Fire Lord. And Sokka hadn't been on board with the entire matter in the beginning, not that Zuko could blame him. But now, they had accepted Katara's union with him.

Her palanquin moved into view, and Zuko felt his heart skip a beat. He couldn't wait to see his beautiful Waterbender in her Phoenix robes. He had been waiting for what seemed like almost forever to crown her as his Fire Lady. The bearers set down the ornate vehicle, and he felt almost light-headed as Lan Yu moved forward to help Katara out. The curtain opened, and a red and gold slipper slid out, followed by an enticing peek of a dark-skinned ankle before the soon-to-be Fire Lady stepped out, standing still for a moment so that her attendant could straighten out the veil and robes. Across the podium, their eyes met.

Katara felt a bit dizzy, but maintained her composure, using this pause to catch her breath as she felt Lan Yu fiddle with her train, arranging it neatly. She stared at the Fire Lord for a moment before looking around at the rest of the people that waited for her. She could not yet see the crowds, but she saw the Sages standing in a neat row, Shyu at the forefront with the crown in his hands and a faint but encouraging smile on his face.

And there was Dad and Sokka, looking so handsome and dignified in their indigo and white robes, standing tall and proud with Bato and two other Tribesmen, The Avatar was staring at her, his expression quietly guarded, but he smiled at her when she made eye contact with him. Chit Sang and Sylid stood nearby, looking dignified in black and red formal robes, along with several other trusted noblemen and advisers dressed in similar colors. Though it was not advertised, all of these trusted noblemen were part of the Order of the White Lotus, which gave its silent but firm support to the peace that the Fire Lord wanted.

Peony stood next to Kamas, her cheeks dimpled as she smiled at the Fire Lady-to-be. Normally, she would have stood near Hana and Ty Lee, but it had been too long since she saw Kamas, and wanted him to notice her. The Royal Consort wasn't the only one happy to see the man she cared for, after all.

Hana shot her mistress a small smile as she stood near Hakoda, wearing the elegant robes of a noblewoman. It had always been understood that she would not remain in the Palace forever, and Lan Yu had replaced her as Katara's primary attendant, but the two women had remained close friends. As a noblewoman, Hana helped maintain contacts with other noblewoman, increasing the support base for the Fire Lord and his lady, and was now one of the Fire Lord's most prominent courtiers, serving well in her position as Lady Zhao. Katara knew that without this woman, she wouldn't have adjusted to life here as quickly.

Next to her, Iroh stood, tall and proud, looking every bit the dignified Dragon of the West that he was called. An active and happy Palace life hadn't curbed his love of the good times, but he was fitter than before, his robes revealing a thick but no longer portly build. Like everyone else, he regarded the Waterbender with a smile.

She walked past them all, acknowledging them with a graceful nod before she took her place, trying to ignore the throngs below her as Shyu and the Fire Lord came forward. The people cheered as Zuko came into view, and the bright scarlet banners waved in the breeze as the flames danced in the ornate braziers. Zuko looked regal in robes that had been made by the same tailors who had made the Phoenix robes, only his own clothing carried a dragon motif, and the cut of the material was distinctly masculine. He looked so handsome, and she felt a faint blush creep across her cheeks as he gazed at her. She could see the admiration in his eyes and the faint smile on his lips. He turned towards the crowd, taking a step forward to come into better view as Shyu announced his presence, and the crowds fell into a unified bow, a sea of backs lined up neatly in the large and open space.

"It is my honor to announce His Imperial Majesty, by grace of Agni, Fire Incarnate, King of Kings, Beloved of the Gods, Master of all He surveys, Dragon Monarch, the Hand of Agni, The Lightning of the Spirits, Keeper of the Eternal Flame, Messiah of the Unquenchable Flame, Ruler of all the Sun Touches, Bringer of Peace and Harmony, Defender of the Faith of Agni, Conqueror of all His Enemies, Holder of the Dragon Throne, the Supreme Judge and Lawgiver, Father of his Nation, Infinite blessings on His name!"

The cheers rose as the throngs rose to their feet. Zuko let this go on for several moments before he raised his hand for silence. Katara stood patiently, having already been coached, and waited for her cue. Zuko moved off to one side, nodding to her. She came forward, and felt as if she would faint as she gazed across at the masses. They fell into another bow.

Zuko could see the nervousness in her eyes, but he also saw strength and determination. She stared at him for a fleeting moment before gracefully dropping to her knees in front of the Fire Lord.

"I, Katara of the Water Tribe do become your liege woman of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth I will bear unto you, to live and die at your command. I am your humble servant, my Lord, and do swear to serve you and no one else." she said as the Sages and her family and friends looked on.

Shyu stepped forward, the crown in his hands. The headdress she wore was specially designed to accommodate the crown, which would become the centerpiece.

"I am pleased to announce her Ladyship, the light of our Lord, Lady of Infinite Virtue, Rose of the Fire Nation, Vessel of the Phoenix, Consort of His Majesty, Fire Lady Katara!"

She remained silent, head bowed as Shyu placed the crown on her head. She did not move at all, and stared out at the kowtowed masses before her. They rose again after Katara rose to her feet.

After several moments, Shyu turned back and bowed to her. The Fire Lord knew several of the Sages did not approve of the Waterbender, but Shyu kept them in check. When he had become Fire Lord, he pulled Shyu out of the dungeons that his sire and Zhao had incarcerated him after Avatar Roku's temple collapsed. As such, he was one of the Fire Lord's advisers and a trusted member of the council, presiding over the religious activity and all the temples in the city.

All of the Fire Sages bowed to the Fire Lord before he gently touched my Katara's sleeve. She looked up at him before bowing to him. He offered her his hand, feeling the slight tremble as he squeezed it lightly. He would never forget the sight of her in her coronation robes, looking stunningly beautiful and majestic, as befitting a true Fire Lady.

The fireworks shot up into the air, filling the sky with brilliant flashes of red and gold as the Fire Lord and Lady stood there before their Nation.

o0o0o0o

The city partied and feasted that day, and the Fire Lord held a huge banquet within his Palace for all the dignitaries that came to visit. Many prominent Earth Kingdom figures were there, such as King Bumi, and the Beifong clan. Zuko was certain that many of them had come simply to confirm the fact that he was indeed marrying a Waterbender, but regardless of the reason, his union with Katara could also be seen as a diplomatic gesture. After all, if people were not certain that he truly wanted peace, all they had to do was ask Katara, who was always ready to speak positively of him and Iroh. She had already met with each and every one of the guests, welcoming them and making them feel at home.

The reception seemed to last forever, and he was more than eager to have it over with. Even now, three years after becoming Fire Lord, he didn't like these social events, and kept them to a minimum. He glanced over at Katara, who was chatting amicably with a Kyoshian warrior sitting near her. Sokka sat at the Kyoshian's other side, glancing at the auburn-haired warrior with admiration.

He turned his attention to the Avatar, who was eating quietly as he sat next to Bumi. They stared at one another for a moment, and Zuko gave him a respectful nod. The younger male nodded slowly before resuming his meal. Peony sat next to Kamas, her eyes twinkling at something he had just said to her, and Zuko saw a rare smile on his adviser's face. Everyone was engaged in some sort of conversation or was listening to one, enjoying themselves and the fine food. Even the usually solemn-faced Jeong Jeong was smiling faintly as he listened to something Lady Zhao was saying.

Dessert was brought out, and a small volcano-cake was set in front of the couple. Katara's eyes twinkled as she shot Zuko a smile before digging her chopsticks into the spicy confection. He smiled back before she offered it to him, and he graciously took the offering before giving her a bite of her own.

Finally, the banquet was over, and the Fire Lord let out a sigh of relief when he exited the ornate hall after a short chat with his advisers, moving through the darkened halls as the lamplight illuminated his path.

"My lord." Lan Yu approached him, bowing. "The Fire Lady awaits you in the garden."

"Very well." He was surprised that Katara wasn't in the royal apartments, but he would hardly complain about a visit to the garden. Though there were several, he knew exactly which one Lan Yu was referring to.

The Fire Lady sat on the bench near the koi pond, still bedecked in her phoenix regalia, her headdress and crown glittering under the light of the moon. She looked up as he approached, and he sat down next to her, touching her hand with his own.

"Tara." he whispered, squeezing her hand.

"Zu." she shot back gently.

"You looked absolutely stunning out there, standing tall and proud in these robes of yours. Not that you don't always look beautiful, of course."

"I could say the same about you. Seeing you in Imperial robes always sends a nice little shiver through me."

He chuckled softly as he studied her. "That's definitely good to know." He eyed the intricate embroidery of her robe, idly taking hold of the loose, flowing sleeve and examining its hem.

"I'm just glad that you don't expect me to know how to sew like a prim and proper noblewoman. I wouldn't have the patience to do ten stitches, let alone this entire outfit." she commented with a smile as she saw his scrutiny. "Especially with such beautiful work as this. I never felt so regal."

"There's other occasions where you can wear this outfit again."

"Good. I'd hate to wear this just once. I must admit, I've become quite spoiled from wearing so much silk and satin."

"Enjoy it, you deserve it." He ran his fingers along her cheek, and smiled as she leaned her head into his touch. He lowered his head to press his lips to hers, and felt her hand slide along his shoulder. Even now, his passion burned for her as hotly as it had ever. She was as alluring to him as she had been when he had first encountered her, and only grew more beautiful as she matured. He cupped her face with his hands, seeing the moonlight shine in her eyes.

"It's getting late. Why don't we... go to bed, hmm?" he murmured, his voice warm and soft like velvet. She smiled at him and nodded.

He rose from the bench before offering his arm, and she hooked her own through it. They made no rush to go into the Palace, walking along the garden path at a languorous pace, enjoying the faint scent of fire-lilies that hung in the warm summer air. He paused, sliding his arm from hers as he approached a clump of the fire-lilies, plucking out an especially robust specimen and bringing it back to her.

She smiled as he bowed gallantly, offering it to her. Her fingers brushed against his as she took it, inhaling deeply of the scent. The blossoming of the fire-lilies was something she had come to look forward to, and for as long as they bloomed, a vase full of them would be waiting for her as she retired to bed so that she could fall asleep with their sweet scent.

He slid it from her fingers and tucked it behind her right ear, making for an alluring sight. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it, and she batted her eyes at him, blushing like a shy maiden. He could not help but recall a heated night last summer when she had come to the royal bed wearing nothing but a hand-woven crown of freshly-bloomed fire-lilies. A soft sigh of content escaped his lips as he gazed down at her, savoring that memory. He was eager for such a vision again, but tonight, she would keep on her crown. As befitting a Fire Lady.

As they resumed their stroll down the path, he draped his arm across her shoulder, holding her close as he inhaled her scent mixed with that of the flower.

"I love you." he whispered, pressing his lips to her temple.

"Love you too." she shot back softly, regarding him with a warm smile as they entered the Palace. And the Fire Lord could swear that he felt Agni smiling down at them as Katara's own arm draped around his middle, holding onto him just as lovingly as he was with her in his embrace.

o0o0o0o

I would like to thank all of my loyal reviewers and fans for supporting and encouraging me to write this story, whether the first time around or for this! I honestly appreciate your support and feedback – it is what keeps me going! I would like to list all of the wonderful people who have enjoyed this story, but goodness, that would be a LONG list!

Thank you all for taking the time to read this story and telling me what you think, thank you for the kind words and praise, thank you for the constructive criticism and taking the time to point out what I did best and what I could improve on. I could not have done it without you. Editing this story was a long and sometimes frustrating task, but the end product was well worth it, and I am content. I hope you are too.

MM/Spleef/Spleefmistress/CultOfStrawberry – Started June 2005, Completed (First version) May 2006, Final Edition completed October 2010