My arm still wrapped around her neck as I squeezed tightly. My body released my seed deep inside her.
Softening up my grip I heard Katara's panting body as mine did the same.
"Just admit you stole it... and I could stop tomorrow," I whispered in he...
"Z-Zuko did he brand you!? Isn't that the brand used for slaves, for the prisoners of war?! Who-What-" Unable to formally my questions correctly my lips babbled out words trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
Zuko's shoulder blade had a deep red swelling around the large maze-like mark. His fair skin had started the process of blistering, his amber eyes weighing heavily. Looking at Zuko's new developing scar my eyes glanced over to his face. Sweat. His face was covered in it. The whole upper body had been cold and sweating since he came back, and I didn't even notice.
"Water!" I scream out concluding. With the idea landing in my mind, my body reacted standing up without hesitation. "I'm going to get water and try to heal you-"
"No!" Sitting up immediately Zuko reaches out grabbing my wrist quicker than even I would have expected. Turning my attention to him, his grip loosens as the sudden burst of energy rushed away from his limbs. Slouching back into his bed, I could tell just how weak Zuko's body was.
"Why not!? Zuko! I've never seen you like this! Your cold is sweating! Why don't you want me to help you?"
"Katara..." His voice merely whispered out, but enough to capture my attention, silencing me. "I promised Sokka I wouldn't allow you to heal me. My body will have to do that on its own... just like the others".
"What others?! Why y-you let my brother brand you?!" Full of rage my blue eyes revealed the untamable ocean storm I felt within. I couldn't believe this was how my brother wanted him to prove himself. "wait! .....what else happened?!"
Shaking his head slowly Zuko didn't want to answer as his eyes closed. His weakened body beginning to drift off into a needed rest. "It's not important."
A few days later...
A few days had passed sailing across the calm sea. The main vessel and smaller ship sailed near each other, heading back to the mainland of the Fire Nation. Zuko's body had been weak the first three days at sea, unable to remain awake for more than half an hour. I kept my promise to not heal him although I still brought him water. Constantly soaking and ringing out the cloth I used to rest on his forehead.
I didn't sleep much, my days and nights all run together at his bedside. Sitting in a chair near him for hours on end, I often forgot to eat. Whenever he turned around I would just stare at the deep marking on his shoulder blade. Soon I noticed something else, darkening against his fair skin. Welt marks.. across his back in every direction.
Did Sokka do this too? Did Zuko allow my brother to go through with this? Just for me? In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if this had been the đê tiện markings.
I remember the đê tiện marking so faintly from all those years ago..... After the men in my village left for war, the đê tiện punishment was hardly used. The only composed memory I have of it was once during my childhood. One of my father's friends Hadur had been accused of being the Fire Nation spy right after the last raid. Kira a gorgeous southern woman who was betrothed to marry him, confessed she had spotted him a few nights ago sending off a hawk near the shore.
Flashback to Age 8....
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