Disclaimer: I own none of these characters! They are mere figments of another creator's imagination; characters in which I use as my muse.
Note: Please excuse any spelling or grammatical errors…

Behind Amber Eyes
CHAPTER ONE: The Iron Prison

(Prologue)
Aang, Katara, Sokka, and the rest of the gang camp out in a forest just off the shore line. Katara is left alone while everyone else goes to a village a few miles away to resupply. While she is alone, Prince Zuko fallows their trail and stumbles across Katara. A great battle ensues and, after Zuko became fed up with how long and difficult the battle became, the Prince over powers the water bender and takes her as his captive. Katara is now being taken onboard Zuko's ship; the Prince deciding to bring her to a Fire Nation owned island and use her as a lure for the Avatar.

(Katara)
His tight grip didn't loosen in the slightest as he dragged me aboard his ship and down the long, dark corridors of this iron prison. He was so strong that my struggles to get free seemed like those of a mere child. He was stronger than the first stages of our battle in the woods, his strength obviously fueled by his determination and rage. His grip had my skin burning at his touch… but not in a painful way. I couldn't describe it.

It feels almost… soothing. Almost… good. Wait what? Snap out of it Katara! I thought to myself as we continued down the long hallway. The heat from his skin is just radiation from his flames of destruction.

He finally came to a halt when we came upon a room rather secluded from all the others. The Fire Prince opened the door and shoved me in, locking it behind him. I looked around the room in confusion. There was a large bed to the right covered in red silks with lavish embroidering and a poster of the Fire Nation symbol hanging above the frame. To the left were two doors; one slightly ajar so I could see that it was a closet and the other I assumed to be a bathroom. In the front right corner of the room was an altar with dozens of candles casting shadows against the wall, giving the cold metal an almost welcoming appearance. And finally, on the far wall, about 10 feet from the ground, was a small window viewing the outside world. This was definitely not a prison cell.

"While you're under my imprisonment you will be residing here." The Prince said coldly as he leaning against the door, eyeing me with a frightening look.

"This doesn't look like a typical prison cell," I said to him.

"That's because it's not." He walked over to the altar and removed his armor, putting it on a stand just beside the shrine.

"Wait a minute," I exclaimed in realization. "Is this your room?" I turned to Zuko, ready to demand and explanation, when I saw him turn to face me. The shirt he wore under his armor was skin tight, revealing his perfectly formed abs and fully sculpted chest. It was at that moment I realized just how lean, muscular, and completely sexy he was. Aside from the scar that covered the skin around his left eye… he was flawless.

"Yes," He said, jolting me from my trance. "This is my room. And unless you want to be… assaulted by my guards everyday by staying in the prison cells, I suggest you be grateful."

"What do you mean 'assaulted?'" I asked after hearing the fluctuation in his voice. He just stood there, with his arms folded across his chest, and closed his eyes. I could almost sense shame as he sighed deeply. "… oh…" I knew fully well what he was he was insinuating, and the thought sent shivers down my spine. It completely changed my mind frame; I now knew what kind of a danger being onboard this ship was. I could have something taken away forcefully, something that I could never get back. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder and immediately flinched away.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed at Zuko.

"I'm not going to hurt you if I don't have to." He scoffed back.

"Oh and I'm supposed to believe you? How do I know you don't plan to do exactly what you're supposedly saving me from your guards from?"

"Because you're of no interest to me in that way."

"Oh sure. You probably would assault me as soon as I fall asleep! I wouldn't be surprised; you're just a spoiled prince with no honor!"

I shouldn't have said that.

Suddenly, Zuko's amber eyes shot open, looking as though they housed a wild inferno. The flames on candles surrounding the altar behind him grew ten times in size and began to swirl in a dance of fire. His fists clenched in rage and he lunged for me, knocking me to the floor. I lost my breath for an instant at the impact, letting out a quiet gasp. He pinned my wrists to the floor and glared at me with a gaze that could pierce solid steal walls.

"Would you rather I treat you this way? Huh? I would never think of forcing myself upon you but if you rather I treat you like the guards would I'll be happy to comply." He shouted in a deep voice, only centimeters from my face and imbedding my very being with all the terror he could ensue. "Well?" He yelled, demanding an answer.

I stared at him with all the courage I could muster, trying my hardest to not let him see my fear. I felt his knee graze the inside of my thigh, causing me to squeeze my eyes shut. "No… I wouldn't"

"That's what I thought." He said in a stern voice, loosening his grip and rising to his feet.

At that, he went to the door and exited, leaving me alone in his chambers. I was in complete shock at what just occurred. I wasn't only terrified… I was grateful. I saw how much control the Fire Prince actually had. He could have taken me on the cold floor, but he had enough self control not to. Now that I thought about it, he could have killed me during our battle in the woods, but he didn't.

I was feeling another emotion too, though I couldn't quite put my figure on what it was. I was terrified, knowing how dangerous Zuko really was and what he could do. I was furious, after all the prince put me and the group through these past months and how he held me as his captive; I completely hated him. But, there was still something else. Something that made my breath catch in anticipation when his knee grazed against my thigh. I didn't completely hate the thought as I replayed the moment over and over in my head. It confused me; I hate him… right?

(Zuko)
I leaned against my door, breathing heavy in anger... and adrenaline. I hated her. She was the friend of the Avatar, and was the enemy. She had caused both physical and emotional pain. She was a Water Tribe peasant, a member of a rival nation. And she probably felt the same about me. I had to be rough with her to teach her a lesson. But still, being that close to her, seeing how beautiful she really is… it got my heart to skip a beat.

Her burning personality is almost fire nation. I thought. And her caramel skin… when I touched her… AGH! Snap out of it! She's a stupid Water Tribe peasant! The enemy! She had better be careful of what she says… or the next time she doubts my honor she'll see just how cruel I can be.

First chapter of my story… tell me what you think! :)