#devoured

“Firelord Zuko,” says the monk presiding over our ceremony. “You have a duty to your kingdom, to the people of this nation. But above all, you now vow yourself to this woman-” He turns to me, and I feel the stares of almost all of our loved ones. Sokka -seconds away from blubbering, barely holding it together clutching a tissue-, Toph – who’s looking fondly in our direction, a vision herself in Emerald green and beige robes, Katara – who’s openly crying, albeit silently, looking upon us with the utmost of contentment, happy that her sister in all but blood and one of her best friends, finally get the happy ending they deserve. And Aang – holding Katara’s hand, with Momo sitting regally on his right shoulder, beaming at us excitement plastered on his features.

“-Cari. Cherish her above all else, and nothing can overcome the pair of you. Let no one come between you, and you’ll be an unstoppable force.” He turns his attention to me. “Cari. Men are stubborn creatures. Be his rock, as he is yours. When his burdens become too much to bear, be his source of shelter, as he is your source of warmth. You were two souls,” He lifts our hands up, our fingers intertwined, revealing our tied wrists with red silk. “-but are now one. And must move together in life, as such.” A tear drops down my face, as Zuko reaches up with his free hand to wipe it away, mimicking the same gesture I did for him moments before.

“I hope that’s a tear of joy.” He quietly jokes in that deep rumble of a voice that I love so much. A puff of air forces itself from my nose before I can stop it. “Definitely not.” I tease. He fakes a pout and I bite my lip and smile, forcing the sound of pure joy back down into my chest. “Do you take each other as your Beloved, to have, cherish, protect, and love, above all else?” “We do.” We say in sync- never straying our gaze away from the other. “You may now kiss.” The monk releases the red silk, and Zuko immediately steps forward, grabs my face with both hands, leans down, closes his eyes and takes me in a kiss so deep, I can feel it sear itself into the depths of my soul. I reach up, my eyes slipping closed as well, tilting my head up and standing on my tiptoes, grasping my husband’s wrists in mine. My mind quiets, all cheers, clapping and general celebration falls deaf to my ears.

Wrapped up in the moment with my husband, I don’t even feel him release my jaw and sneak his arm around me. So it’s a shock when suddenly my body is molded to his, our atoms converging into each other, wanting to merge into one just like our souls. I come back to when I hear wolf whistling, and feel my husband lightly touch my lips with his tongue, hands feeling the curve of my waist. Tongue seeking entrance into my willing and welcoming mouth but trying to be somewhat elegant about it in front of his -our- subjects. He is the FireLord after all. We’ll have a separate reception with just friends of course, where we’ll likely get into all types of debaucherous activity. My cheeks warm at the thought, mischievous thoughts immediately filling my brain. Zuko chuckles lowly, and my body reacts to it. My breath hitches and my stomach flips. Gods, that chuckle of his is so sexy.

He looks at me with so much fondness. The warm golden brown of my skin seemingly glowing in the warmth of the sun. My mahogany eyes sparkling with wonder in the light of the sun. His thumb traces the curve of my jaw as he gazes at me, his almost alabaster skin a contrast to my warm sun-kissed skin. Suddenly he ducks down and knocks my knees out from under me and cradles my back, and my breath escapes me in a surprised gasp. Holding me bridal style, he walks down the aisle, beaming with pride and a rare -to everyone but us- but radiant smile gracing his sharp, pale features. I trace his jaw, taking him in. His ebony hair falling down his back in waves, with his little topknot sitting neatly atop his head, affixed with a fire emblem. A rain of rice and cherry blossom petals surrounds us, the cheers of our friends getting closer and closer until-

“Cari!” I start, flinching as I quickly rise from my day dream. “What?!” I lash out, annoyed at the interruption of what seems to be the only peaceful time in my day nowadays. “Sheesh, what turtle duck crawled into your rice porridge and pissed?” Sokka pouted, coming up to rest his elbow on my shoulder, standing at an angle. My eyes go dead and a comically large sweat drop begins from my hairline down my face, a sigh falls from my lips before I can catch it. “Sorry Sokka. I’m just lost in thought.” “Thinking? You?” He snorts, and I drop my head a bit, a dark shadow falling over the top of my head, obscuring everything from the nose up. “Kidding, kidding.” He falls onto the bench behind me, pulling me down with him.

“Seriously though, what’s up? You seem kind of droopy lately, even for you.” I straighten, my countenance twisting into something of displeasure. “I don’t droop!” “You’re the definition of black cat energy. With a dash of golden retriever when drinking fire wine.” “Oh shut up.” I mush him and rise, gazing longingly at the sky before I turn, giving Sokka my full attention. “What did you need?” “Need? Neeeeed?” I roll my eyes at the upcoming theatrics and turn, heading back knowing full well he’ll follow me. As always. I tune him out, some of his comments filtering their way through, his voice becoming white noise. Sokka has been like this since we were kids. Letting his mouth do the talking to fill the silence or mask his emotions. Whether it be nervousness, anxiety, anger, whatever. But I can always count on him when it comes to it.  His quick thinking, insightfulness, and I hate to say it…genius when it comes to inventions, has gotten us and the gang out of numerous deadly occasions.

“ I can’t come visit my favorite freaky water bender?! Anyway, Katara needs you. She has a client at the clinic she needs you to look at, after the speech.” “Jesus don’t say that so loud?? People are gonna get the wrong idea. Anyway, thanks Sokka!” I rise up on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek and start off in the direction of the heart of Republic City. Had I stayed a second longer, I would have noticed the faint warmth coming to his cheeks. “Y-yeah sure.” His fingers were lightly touching the spot where my lips just were. Faint giggling from the bushes causes him to freeze, turning in a rush, his hand forming into a fist. “Get out of the bushes! What are you guys even doing following me?!” “Sokka and Cari sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” “Alright that’s enough! Don’t you kids need to be in school?!”

J quickened my pace, breaking out into a jog. Damn. I got so caught up in myself, Katara’s speech slipped my mind... The capital building finally entering my vision, I break through the tall red and orange doors, Katara appearing in my view. A sigh of relief escapes me, knowing that I’ve made it on time. Katara turns at the sound of the ginormous doors bursting open, and upon seeing me, relief is shown in her expression as well. “You made it!” We walk toward each other meeting in the middle, and embrace. Breaking apart we hold each other at arms length, her shoulders in my hand. I take her in, a vision covered in various shades of blue robes, a small orange belt around her slim waist. Her long dark brown hair pulled back in an elegant braid, a white and sky blue band surrounding her forehead and tying off in the back. Her forearms are covered in what seem to be grey cloth bracers. Her normal staples like her satchel of water around her waist, and her mother’s betrothal necklace, present as always.

“You look great Katara!” “Me?! Look at you!” I shrug her off, wearing my normal attire almost identical to hers, but gold with accents of black instead. I come from a distant land, though not totally different from the Water tribes in this land. My people bend water, but we don’t need a source to pull from. I was an outlier in my village at first, my bending taking a little longer to manifest, but when it did, we found that not only could I bend water without needing a source, I can blood ben, without needing a full moon. Hence Sokka’s “freaky bender” comment. Word got out, and outsiders came looking for me. They burned my village to the ground in search of me, but I was already gone. Snuck out in a fishing boat, watching my village get smaller and smaller, while the plume of flames grew higher and higher.

My mother knew it would happen eventually, so she shipped me off to a distant land, different from us, but still family. A woman she met in her travels, and spent a significant amount of time with, the pair becoming fast friends, and eventually best friends. Separated by time and duties. Kya, Katara’s mom. So although we may not be actually blood related, she’s my sister in every sense of the word. Always looking after me, (even though I’m a few years older than her) with Sokka always coming along with us, determined not to be left behind. Even if it was his little sister and her weird new friend. As children, we’d sneak off to practice our water bending. Thankfully my mother had time to teach me the basics and a bit more before she…well..

I shove those thoughts aside, my arms falling from her shoulders to hold her hands. “I’m guessing my brother found you, then?” She asks and I snort. “Yes, yes he did. He said that you have a patient that you need me to look at?” She nods. “Yes, I think he has a sickness in his blood. Can you perform a scan on him, and see if there are any abnormalities?” I shrug, hearing an attendee give us the signal that the main doors are about to open. “Sure. I’ll head out after the speech. I know Baldy is coming back tonight, I don’t wanna be anywhere near y’all or your room.” I smirk, both of us turning to face the opening doors. She shoves my shoulder real quick, her brown cheeks tinging with a hint of red.

“Oh please. Like if Flameo Hotman weren’t on his way back from a weeks long journey you wouldn’t try to jump his bones.” “Shut up Katara!” I looked around, hoping no one heard her. She snorts. “Tch. You both are about as subtle as two saber-toothed moose lions mating. Even Toph can physically see the sexual tension rolling off you two in waves. The only people who’re unaware seem to be you two.” I roll my eyes, starting to tune her out as well, it’s a skill I’ve developed over the years. Please. Even if it were true and Zuko harbored a fraction of the feelings I had…have…for him. What could we do? He’s the Firelord. It’s not like he can marry a woman from a foreign and completely wiped-out tribe… “Hey.” I look to my left, and Katara is looking at me with those eyes that see too much.

“Stop. I can-“ “Oh look at that, it’s time.” I interrupt her before I can start spiraling. The doors open, and we step forward. The people of Republic City before us, cheering once we step into vision. We walk forward with smiles on our faces, and I look out into the crowd. Katara’s speech is becoming white noise in the background, I’ve listened to it so many times I know when the signal is coming. My mind wanders to my friends, the only family I have. It gets depressing sometimes. Not knowing where you come from, who your people are…were. But I have found my own family, and I know my mother would be happy.

“We remain united! As council representatives, we are honored to be here today, celebrating the anniversary of Republic City. And the opening of Unity tower, a symbol for all people!” I take a deep breath and raise my arms, feeling the molecules of water and oxygen in the air,and bend them to my will. Creating a water scythe, I twist my body while walking a few steps forward, moving my arms in alternating circles and gaining the momentum needed for my scythe to slice through the ropes holding up the banners of all nations about 100 feet above us. On the left side, I release the Fire and Air banners, and Katara releases the Water and Earth banners on the right. We turn to thunderous applause and cheers and give each other and the citizens a smile. “Look! It’s the Avatar!” We heard a tiny voice from the crowd. We look up to the sky, and see none other than Appa. A smile graces both of our faces and we run forward while Appa lands. “Momo! Appa!” We say in unison. Momo flying around chittering above us before he lands on my shoulder. I snuggle his cute little lemur face, and hear a deep grumble behind me.

“I could never forget about you big guy!” I ran to Appa, Momo breaking off and flying to Katara. Jumping up into the air as high as I can, and land on Appa’s fur. All tension leaves my body as I cradle this gentle giant, his fur as soft as a cloud. “God, fine. I guess I’m just not here.” I laugh and open my eyes, Aang already at Katara’s side, both of them giving me teasing looks. “Oh. Aang. Hello.” He rolls his eyes and opens his arms, and I shoot into them as well, while laughing. My arms wrapping around his neck, and his wrapping around my waist, squeezing me tight and lifting me slightly. “What took so long Baldy?! Did the little stone statues give you a run for your money??” He chuckles, patting my head like an actual old monk. I screw my face up at him and brush his hand off. Doesn’t he know not to touch a woman’s hair? I know he be pulling Katara’s but…

“Actually, I ran into a militia group. The Denied. I wanted to talk to you both about it.” He says, turning to Katara. I tilt my head to the side. “Sorry Baldy, I’ve got a patient that needs scanning. How about y’all come find me…after?” I say with a knowing smirk on my face and lilt to my voice, cutting my eyes to Katara, who’s looking anywhere but at us. Aang goes as red as someone of his complexion can get, and he starts rubbing the back of his neck. “A-After what? I don’t-“ I laugh and shove him good naturedly. “Uh huh. Come find me later!” I turn and begin making my way toward the hospital. 

Though they’ve come a long way as a people, it still unnerves some. The way I can bend both water and blood to my will, without help. So when Katara has a patient who needs…blood work…she comes to me. Not everyone is as accepting, but no one seems to be prejudiced enough to let themselves die. Funny that. My ability not only gives me the chance to bend blood, but I can identify abnormalities in it as well. Whether it be poison, plain old sickness, pregnancy, or too much oxygen. I can feel it. It comes in handy in times like this.

Arriving at the tent I begin to make quick work of my patient. A middle aged bearded tan man, a light sheen of sweat covering his face. I give him a small reassuring smile. “Hello sir, my name is Cari. I’ll be doing a quick body scan if that’s ok with you?” His eyes open as much as they can, and he looks over at me. He tries to muster up a smile, even on what he thinks is his death bed, and shrugs. “Can’t see how it’ll do much good, pretty lady. But do what you must.” I give him a reassuring smile. “No need to give up so easily sir.” I move closer to his cot and raise my hands to his head, concentrating on him. Feeling the platelets, white and red blood cells, mitochondria -the powerhouse of the cell- cytoplasm, plasma, everything. From head to toe, I identify the problem. Keeping my face neutral, I pull away, moving to grab ahold of the chart that Katara keeps for every client.

“That bad huh?” I exhale a puff of air from my noise, not exactly a laugh but an amused huff. Katara prefers to coddle her clients. I have the opposite approach, and she isn’t here to stop me. “I won’t lie, it’s bad, but not life threatening.” He sweat drops. “You’ve got a bit of venous congestion. But. Thankfully we caught it early. You will have to endure at least 3 rounds of leeches, and blood transfusions to reup. You need plenty of rest, food and water.” He attempts to give me a smile, some of the tension leaving his body. “Th-thank you.” “Just like that? No questions?” He shakes his head. “You…I know you. I know what you can do. There’s no one better.” I raise an eyebrow at him. “Your people…” I almost drop his chart. “What…what do you know of my people?” He gives another smile that looks like it takes all of his energy. “Healers…killers…warriors…protectors…” He reaches a hand out to me, and I grip his sweaty hand, while my own shakes.

“S…S…Sonem…” “Sonem?” That’s all I get before his body gives out, and he faints. I feel like screaming and tearing my hair out, but also jumping for joy. Never…I’ve never encountered anyone who had knowledge of my people and where I come from…but can this man be trusted…Before I can spiral too deep into thought, Katara enters. I give her his chart, and quickly bolt, ignoring her calls for me. Keeping my head down and doing my best to not be seen or stopped, I hightail it to my house, slamming the door shut behind me. I sprint to my bedroom upstairs, into the bathroom. Ripping my clothes off, my robes and sashes suddenly feeling too constricting. My skin is on fire and I can’t breathe. I-I…someone finally can give me some kind of insight! Answers to over 2 decades of questions! What if there were survivors? And I haven’t even bothered to look, content with the peace accomplished with my friends and some other nation, while my own could be struggling…or thriving…

A pang of hurt hits my chest, and I scrunch my eyes closed, shoving a fist into my chest trying to relieve the pressure. I take a deep breath and shakily run myself a cold bath, hoping to shock my body into clarity. I sink into the tub quickly, the almost frigid water prickling my skin, sinking into my bones and making them ache. My mind has no choice but to quiet down. I can breathe again, the fog starts lifting from my brain. I hear clicking... I look up, toward the window above my tub, and see a welcome presence. “Momo?” He spreads his wings and jumps, gliding fully into my bathroom. Gazing at me with his big round eyes, sparkling like emeralds, he chitters again sadly. I raise a hand up, bending the water off my hand, to avoid getting him wet.

“I’m alright buddy…just a bit…shaken.” He chirps happily, flying up to my head, perched on the messy bun of locs atop my head. While I spend a few seconds petting him, his twitching tail catches my attention. There’s a white scroll attached. “Mm? What’s this?” I unfasten it, freeing him and quickly reading over the note. “Ah fuck!” I exclaim, and clamber out of the tub. Momo in a tizzy because of my sudden upheaval screeches and flies back out the window he came in. I rush out of my bathroom, a fluffy towel encasing me. Running into my closet, I grab the first outfit I find. A golden off the shoulder crop top with a sash and black flowy breathable pants with cuffs at the ankles. I grab a black hooded cloak lined with gold, and fasten it right underneath my collar bone. I take a satchel and pack the essentials as quickly as possible. Aang is alone, and about to do something questionable…

Chapter 2

Thank you to @uraeus56 for beta reading for me <3 If you enjoy it, please leave a comment, like, or reblog.

Cover art by: @sinizade