A/N: Hello, my loyal readers. This is my first Avatar fic. I am and will always be a Zutarian. That's why I was sad to see that Zuko and Katara didn't end up together in the movie. So I decided that I would end it the way I pictured it. This is also my first M-rated fic. The only lemon is in this chapter and has warning signs posted. So if you don't like...don't read or read around them. That's why the warnings are there. Well...hope you all like it. Read and enjoy!

I Promise

It had been coming for the longest time. He had felt it, swelling and sweltering beneath the surface like a volcano ready to blow. He knew sooner or later he would have to come to terms with this realization; that he would have to face this truth head on. It would be his biggest challenge, the greatest undertaking of his entire life. Zuko, crown prince of the Fire Nation, would have to admit that…he was in love. Yes, Zuko was in love and with the most unlikely person he would have ever had imagined. He was in love with a waterbender named Katara of the Southern Water Tribe.

From the very beginning, he had been captivated by her, something about her setting her apart from all the other women he had known. Even while he had been chasing after her little group that followed the Avatar, Zuko had always been attracted to her. At first, he blamed it on teenage hormones…from being away from Mai for so long. It seemed logical for him to be lusting after anyone of the opposite sex. But everytime he caught up to them…everytime he even set eyes on her, Zuko began to believe that it had less to do with hormones and more to do with genuine attraction.

When this realization came to his mind, he had dismissed it at once. He could not be infatuated with the enemy! He, the prince of the land of fire, could not have feelings for that…water peasant! It was absurd, out of the question. Zuko merely told himself he was just attracted to her looks and nothing more. For of course, Katara was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. She was exotic and new, so unlike the pale beauties of the Fire Nation. Yes, she was simply something nice to look at. But in his heart, Zuko knew this was a lie. As time went on and he had eventually joined the Avatar's forces, Zuko came to terms with his true feelings for the waterbender.

After spending that night with her in the Crystal Caves as prisoners in Ba Sing Se, Zuko knew he could no longer deny that he really felt something for Katara. They had talked, shared other-wise private memories, without wanting to kill each other on the spot. And when she had offered to heal his scar out of the pure kindness of her heart, he realized that there was no one else like her…that she was the one. But of course, he had ruined any chance of him ever being with her by choosing to side with his sister, only so he could reclaim his "honor" and return to his homeland without disgrace. Though, no amount of honor was worth the pain of seeing the hurt and betrayal that flashed through Katara's eyes when he turned on her and the Avatar. For many nights, that look had haunted him, keeping him from the sleep he so desperately wanted and deserved. Even the comfort of being back in the Fire Nation couldn't sway her from his thoughts…not even being reunited with Mai. Just the sight of his old flame made his heart ache. Her eyes were not the vibrant shade of ocean blue that he had fallen so deeply for. Mai's skin was pasty white instead of a rich cocoa brown. And her hair…so raven black and straight, not the thick, chocolate waves he longed to run his fingers through.

The added pain of betraying his uncle didn't help ease his suffering. There was only one solution to right all the wrongs he had made…and that was to join the group he had hunted with such determination for so long. And so Zuko had joined the Avatar, agreeing to teach him the art of firebending. His acceptance into the group had been gradual, but worth it to know that he was finally doing the right thing. Katara had been the last to believe that he was no threat to them any longer; that he would not betray them…or her again. The time he spent with Katara he now considered precious, knowing at any moment it could be taken away again. He could now admit openly to himself that he loved her; he always had, but had just been too stubborn and bull-headed to admit it.

Katara could never be replaced; there would never be another for him. He admired her above all others, even his uncle. Zuko loved her valor, her determination, her strength, her compassion, and her unfailing hope in everything and everyone. And as he sat in his tent that he shared with his uncle in the White Lotus camp, Zuko couldn't help but regret that Katara herself knew none of this. He couldn't find the courage or the strength to openly confess his feelings to her. After helping her find the man that had murdered her mother, their differences had finally been settled and now they were friends. And Zuko sure as hell didn't want to ruin that. But when he saw the way the Avatar looked at her, the same look he himself gave her, Zuko could feel a jealousy as strong as a dragon burning away at his insides. He knew if he did not act…she would become the Avatar's and he would lose her again.

And that he would not allow…

Zuko stared at his reflection in the mirror, running his hands stressfully through his now shaggy black hair, his golden eyes staring back at him with so much confusion and conflict.

What am I supposed to do? He wondered to himself. How can I tell her how I feel when I don't know if she'll accept me? After all that I've done…all that I've put her and her friends through, would she still even have it in her to feel the same way for me that I feel for her? In the name of Agni, how am I supposed to over-come this trial?!

Zuko knew if he chose to confess to Katara, it would have to be tonight. They would be going off to face his sister tomorrow, he and her. He had been genuinely shocked when Katara had agreed to help him defeat Azula. She knew the risk she was taking; Azula was a very formidable firebender and could very well kill her if she wasn't careful. But this didn't seem to faze Katara when she answered firmly and without hesitation to his request. This was why he was so torn up about this inner conflict. If one or even both of them were to indeed die tomorrow, Zuko wanted Katara to know how strongly he felt for her, that he loved her so passionately that he would undeniably give his life for her without thought or question.

Zuko sighed heavily, kneading his eyes with the palms of his hands.

"Agni, give me strength…" He murmured, softly. "Give me guidance…anything to make me see more clearly the path that I am to choose."

"You are in need of advice, Nephew?" A voice called from behind him.

Zuko whirled around, looking straight into the aged face of his uncle Iroh. The old man smile wisely, amusement gleaming in his cloudy gold eyes at the look of shock on his nephew's face.

"Uncle, you know I hate being sneaked up upon!" Zuko growled, hands clenching at his sides.

"I called to you before I entered." Iroh replied with a simple shrug of his shoulders. "It's not my fault you weren't listening. Now, tell me, Zuko…what is it that troubles your heart so?"

"I…it's nothing." Zuko assured him, looking down at the ground to avoid that knowing gaze. "You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, wouldn't I?" Iroh questioned, a smirk playing upon his lips as he approached Zuko slowly. "Something has changed about you, my nephew. Yes, something has changed indeed. You seem…happier, more…at peace with who you are and what your purpose has become."

"You can see all of this, can you?" Zuko whispered, trying to sound like his old detached self, trying to put up the walls that he knew no longer existed.

"Yes, it is in your eyes, Zuko. They glow with a new feeling of hope and…could it be? Perhaps even…" Iroh trailed off, musingly.

"Yes…Uncle?" The young man asked, quietly.

"Love, my nephew," Iroh answered, confidently, "You have found love."

Zuko's eyes shot up, looking straight into his uncle's. His body stiffened; his face void of all emotions.

"And yet…you are conflicted with this love." His uncle went on, reading his blank expression like a map. "You suffer greatly from it."

"You sure know me well, Uncle." Zuko stated almost bitterly with a shake of his head. "But your reading does me no good. It gives me no solutions to my problem."

Iroh smiled warmly up at his nephew, putting a weathered hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko stared down into his uncle's wise eyes, letting all of his confusion show through those two golden orbs.

"I gave you this bit of advice awhile ago, but it seems you might need to be reminded of what it was." Iroh told him. "Look into your heart, Zuko, and see what it is that you truly want. Let your heart be your guide. Trust it for it will never deceive you."

Zuko continued to stare down at him for awhile longer before a weak smile of his own softened the sharp features of his face. He leaned down and embraced his uncle warmly, who returned it with all he had.

"Thank you, Uncle." He murmured before pulling away and walking towards the opening to the tent.

Iroh watched as his nephew left, shaking his head as he turned and went to pour himself a glass of water.

For nearly a year, I have watched him pursue that little waterbending girl. Iroh thought. If all goes well tonight, maybe I just might have some waterbending great nieces and nephews in the near future.

Zuko walked across camp, his mind firmly set on seeing Katara and confessing everything to her. But it seemed as if the whole world was set against him talking to her…well the whole group at least. Sokka stopped him, wanting his opinion on his sword techniques. Zuko assured him he'd work on it with him later that night before brushing past him and continuing on her way. Not two seconds later Toph popped up in front of him, asking if he wanted to spare with her too. With a flat "no", he walked on by her, not noticing when she stuck her tongue out at him. Zuko was sort of glad that Aang wasn't at the camp with them. God, knows what he would have come up to ask him? Suki was the last to approach him, and he didn't even let her get out the question she was sure to ask him when he told her, "I'm busy…ask me later." Suki stared at his retreating back before shrugging and muttering to herself, "I was just going to wish him good luck for tomorrow."

Finally, Zuko reached Katara's tent. He stopped at the door flap and stared at it uncertainly for awhile. Should he really even be doing this? It was the eve of battle, and Katara really didn't need this kind of pressure on her shoulders. But Zuko knew if he kept his feelings in for too much longer he was going to explode. With a heavy sigh, Zuko cleared his throat and called in a hoarse voice, "Katara?"

He heard someone shuffling around inside the tent before a soft voice called back, "Yes?"

"It's Zuko. Can I come in?" He asked, nervously running a hand through his hair.

"Yeah, sure…come on in." She replied.

Zuko lifted the flap and stepped inside, allowing it to fall back into place behind him. And there she was…his beautiful waterbending angel. Katara turned towards him from her seat at the mirror in front of her. She held a brush in her hand, and her long wavy hair was draped over her shoulder like a blanket. The young firebender swallowed nervous before schooling his face into a blank, indifferent expression. Katara's brilliant blue eyes stared right into his, causing shivers to run throughout Zuko's body. Their intensity nearly took his breath away.

"What did you want, Zuko?" Katara asked, settling the brush down and flipping her hair behind her shoulders as she turned towards him fully.

"I…I just wanted to say," Zuko paused, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly and avoiding her intense gaze, "I wanted to thank you. Yeah, thank you for agreeing to help me confront my sister tomorrow."

"Oh," Katara replied, looking a little put out, "I see. You're welcome, Zuko. It's the least I could do for you helping Aang with his firebending."

"That was no problem." Zuko assured her. "He's a quick learner when he puts his mind to it."

"Yeah," Katara sighed, looking at the ground pensively.

Zuko studied her distant manner and his heart sake slightly. She hadn't been herself since Aang went missing two nights ago. He wondered if she had already fallen for the Avatar, if he had indeed waited to long to tell her how he felt.

"You miss him, don't you?" Zuko asked in a soft tone.

"Yeah, it's just different not having him around. You grow so accustomed to his jokes and care-free attitude." Katara replied with a weak smile.

"Yeah, I have to admit I miss him too." He stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Wow, I never thought I'd ever hear you say something like that." Katara laughed, her eyes rising to meet his again.

"It is kinda out of character for me, isn't it?" Zuko remarked, chuckling slightly.

"Yes, it is, but that's not a bad thing." Katara told him, getting to her feet and walking towards him. "I like the man you have become, Zuko. You've changed so much and it's all been for the better. You're not as cold anymore. You've shown that you are capable of caring about people other than yourself."

"Thanks…" Zuko trailed off, running a hand through his hair again. "I've tried to be better."

"You are." Katara assured him with a warm smile. "And I'm gratefully that you've been so good to everyone, especially Aang. It means a lot to me."

Zuko looked her back in the eye again, feeling his throat go dry.

I want to tell her everything I have done was for her. Zuko thought, desperately. I want to tell her that I changed for her…but for some reason, the words just won't come out!

"I know." Was all he was able to say.

Again, something in Katara's expression fell and she looked down at the ground again. The air between them was tense and uncomfortable. Zuko knew if he was going to tell her…it had to be now. He couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Katara…I…"

She looked back up at him, her eyes searching his. Zuko noticed the confusion in her eyes that mirrored his own. He noticed how she too looked troubled by some inner conflict. Could she be wanting to say the same thing as him? Could she feel the same way?

"I…um…" He continued to stutter.

"Yes?" She asked, her tone sounding almost hopeful.

Neither of them noticed how close they had drawn to each other. Their faces were just mere inches from each other. Zuko stared deeply into her eyes, struggling within himself to get the damn words out. He brought up a hand as if wanting to touch her cheek. Katara's eyes fluttered close, waiting for the skin on skin contact. But it never came. Zuko sighed heavily, his hand dropping back down to his side.

I just can't do it. He thought, despairingly.

No matter how much or how desperately he wanted Katara, something inside of him told Zuko that he would be no good for her. Maybe he should just let the Avatar have her. He'd treat her the way she needed to be treated. After the war was over, the Avatar would be able to make her happy in a way Zuko knew he couldn't. He knew he'd have to struggle to get the Fire Nation back on track once he became Fire Lord. He knew that he wouldn't be able to give Katara all that she deserved…and she deserved everything and more. When his touch didn't come, Katara opened her eyes, confusion written so plainly across her face. She saw the pain in Zuko's eyes, the suffering he was enduring. But she just didn't know what was causing it.

"I'm sorry, Katara. I…have to go." He told her, lowering his gaze as if in shame as he turned to leave. "Get some sleep. You'll need to be at your best tomorrow."

She watched him turn to go, leaving her…just like he always had before. Katara was tired of watching that man turn his back on her. So, she wouldn't allow him to do so anymore… Without hesitation, Katara reached out and grasped his arm, pulling him to a sudden halt.

"Zuko, wait…"

Zuko froze, his heart rate escalading when her skin met his. Ever so slowly, he turned to face her, his eyes locking on hers immediately. Katara closed the distance between them, standing so their bodies were just a hair's breath away from each other. Then with his heart hammering against his breastbone, Zuko watched as her hands came up to palm his cheeks. Their eyes never left each other as Katara stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips lightly against his. Zuko's eyes flew wide open, and he felt all the air leave his lungs. Katara continued to gaze up at him, waiting for him to respond. And finally he did…

Zuko bent his head and deepened the kiss. With a sigh of relief, Katara's eyes fluttered shut as she accepted his kiss with vigor. Out of instinct, Zuko's arms wrapped themselves around Katara's slim waist, holding her small form against his. Katara's hands moved up to entwine her fingers in his hair, feeling how soft and thick it had become. Zuko opened his mouth a little under hers, allowing his tongue to come out and glide tentatively over her lips. He begged for her permission to let him enter, and Katara smiled into the kiss as she parted her lips slightly. She let out a shaky moan when he slipped in and started to explore the inside of her. Zuko pulled her even closer to him as he fed off of her mouth like she was the very oxygen he breathed.

This is what he had wanted, what he had craved for so long. As he kissed Katara, Zuko felt like he had found himself again. This is who he wanted to be…he wanted to be the man that had finally won Katara; the man whom Katara had changed in more ways than one. Finally the two broke away, breathing heavily as they stared up at each other with satisfied smiles.

"Zuko…" Katara sighed, snuggling into his body with her head laid comfortably on his chest.

"Hmm, Katara…" he replied, holding her protectively to him as if to say he'd never let her go again.

"Zuko, I love you." She murmured, gazing up at him sincerely.

At first, he was sure his heart had stopped. She loved him! The woman he was sure he could never have loved him! Zuko smiled warmly down at her before saying softly, "I love you, too, Katara. I always have."

Katara's smile widened and she embraced him that much fiercer. He returned it gratefully, just content to hold her in his arms for all eternity.

"I kept it inside…for so long." He told her, quietly, stroking her hair tenderly. "I've wanted to tell you, but I…I was so scared, scared that you wouldn't want me. I didn't know if I'd be able to handle your rejection, Katara."

"Who would have though…Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation was scared to tell a mere water peasant that he loved her?" Katara teased, playfully.

"You aren't a mere water peasant to me, Katara. You're my waterbending princess…the love of my life." Zuko whispered.

"And who would have thought that Prince Zuko had a corny romantic side too." She giggled, smiling up at him.

"Hey, I try." He chuckled, kissing her forehead before cupping her face and turning serious. "I want always to have you by my side, Katara. I've lived without you for so long…I don't know if I could stand to be without you any longer."

Katara felt her heart melt at his declaration. She placed her hands on top of his and whispered sweetly, "Well, you don't have to anymore. I'm yours, Zuko, for now and forever."

With that, Zuko leaned down and captured her lips with his. Katara moaned and pulled herself flush up against him. Zuko felt his need for her turn desperate at an alarmingly fast rate. As their kiss intensified, Zuko began to make Katara walk backward, guiding her towards the bed. When the back of her legs hit the cot, Zuko swept her up into his arms bridal style, never allowing his lips to leave hers as he laid her gently down onto the mattress. He joined her swiftly, covering her body with his taller, leaner one. Katara moaned at the weight of Zuko's body pinning her to the bed. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, playing with the short hairs at the back of his neck.

Zuko's hands roamed around Katara's body, taking in her womanly curves and saving her sensitive spots to memory. Then, he broke the kiss, gazing down at the woman beneath him with hungry, lust-darkened eyes. Katara felt her heart flutter as she took in the molten gold color of Zuko's eyes. She could clearly see the desire in the depths of his eyes that mirrored her own. Zuko tried to catch his breath, gasping through his labored pants.

"Katara…I," He said, breathlessly, "are…are you…can I…"

"Ssh…" She cooed, palming his cheek as she smiled up at him lovingly. "It's okay…I want this. Zuko, please…make love to me."

Lemon starts here

Zuko gave her a smile of his own and nodded before bringing his lips back down to hers. Their tongues entwined in a passionate dance; their bodies fighting over dominance. Katara fisted her hand in Zuko's hair as her other one worked on the ties to his outer robe. Zuko followed her example and supported his weight on one hand while the other busied itself with getting rid of her clothes as well. Soon, they were both topless with the exception of Katara, who still wore her breast bindings. With another quick kiss to the lips, Zuko trailed his lips lower, planting hot, open-mouthed kisses to the side of her neck. He felt the vibration of her weak moan through throat and smirked into his kisses.

Katara got him back by running her hands down his smooth, muscled chest, letting her fingertips tease his skin lightly and coaxing a guttural moan from Zuko's mouth. Her fingers drifted over the muscles in his arms before going back over the tiny scars that marred his otherwise perfect skin. She let out a surprised gasp as she felt his teeth nipping playfully at the sensitive skin on her neck, arching her body up into his. Zuko let his hands start to work on undoing the binds around her chest. It took a little time and a whole lot of his patience, but finally the binds came unwrapped and he threw them to the floor moodily. Propping himself up on his arms, Zuko looked down at the beauty that was his Katara. A blush settled over Katara's cheeks and she looked away, bringing her arms over her chest to try and cover herself.

Zuko saw this and grasped her arms firmly, pulling them away so she was free for him to look at. He leaned down and nuzzled her cheek tenderly, causing her to look at him uncertainly.

"You don't need to hide yourself from me, Katara." He whispered to her softly. "You're beautiful…more so than I could ever have hoped to imagine."

She looked up at him fully when he said this and smile weakly.

"Really?"

"Of course…I would never lie to you," He assured her, kissing her lips gently, "never again."

Slowly he released her arms, seeing if she trusted him enough to believe her. And sure enough, Katara wound her arms about his neck and smiled up at him warmly. She brought him back down to her aching lips, taking in his fiery taste. She swept her tongue into his mouth, teasing his tongue lightly. Zuko moaned into her mouth, crushing his lips to hers. His hands trailed up from her hips to rest gently upon the swells of her breasts. Katara arched into his touch, pushing more of her soft skin into his hands. Zuko smirked into her lips before once again kissing his way down to her neck. He listened as Katara let out some of the most beautiful sounds as he caressed her tenderly with his fingers. He sucked hard on her collarbone as his finger flicked lightly over her hardened nipples.

Katara bit her lower lip, unable to describe what she was feeling at that moment. Then, through hooded eyes she watched as Zuko's lips descended even further down, coming closer and closer to the place where she craved for his kisses the most. Soon, his hand on one breast was replaced with his warm lips as Zuko kissed her skin lovingly before taking the nipple into his mouth. Katara cried out, her back arching all the way off of the bed and her pelvis rocking into Zuko's. A strangled moan escaped Zuko's mouth, sending the sweet vibrations to her sensitive skin. Zuko pressed her body further into the soft mattress, grinding his hips into hers desperately. As he continued his assault on her breasts, his free hand slipped down and removed her leggings, exposing her undergarments. Not wanting to be alone in the matter, Katara did the same with his pants and revealed his small shorts that did little to help conceal the growing problem he had in his lower regions.

Feeling that he had done enough pleasuring to her chest, Katara entwined her fingers in his hair yet again and pulled his mouth back up to hers. Zuko shifted on top of her, trying to find a more favorable position. He didn't notice that one of Katara's hands had unwound itself from his hair and was now slowly working its way down his chest. It wasn't until her small hand had slipped into the band of his shorts did Zuko realized what she was doing. When he felt her slender fingers wrap around him hotly, Zuko tore his lips away from hers and let out a whining moan. His arms began to tremble as he struggled to hold himself up. Katara smirked at the pained, yet lustful look on her lover's face. She gave him a rather hard stroke and he couldn't suppress the growl that was released from his throat.

Suddenly, he dove back down to her lips, grasping her wrist and pulling her hand from the already throbbing part of his anatomy. Zuko grabbed both of her wrists in one hand and held them above her head, restraining her against the bed and grinding into her aggressively. When he pulled away from their heated kiss, Zuko smirked down at her mischievously. Katara hadn't seen domineering side of Zuko before, except in battle, but she had to admit…it was incredibly sexy. Then suddenly, she felt Zuko's free hand slip down into her undergarments and his finger began to play with the juncture between her legs. Katara whimpered pitifully and writhed desperately underneath him.

"Do you like that?" He asked, the tone in his voice seductively teasing.

"Uh hu…" She moaned, helplessly.

"Do you want more?" He purred, leaning down and flicking his tongue out at her earlobe.

"Ye…yes…" She whined, loudly through another moan.

"Yes…who?" He taunted her, increasing the pace of his teasing.

"Yes…Zu…Zuko!" She cried.

"Alright if my lady commands…so it will be done." Zuko replied, pulling his hand out of her undergarments, his fingers glistening in some kind of fluid.

Katara watched as he brought his soaked digits to his mouth and sucked on them passionately. She found this incredibly hot. Then, Zuko brought himself back down to capture her lips with his again. Katara could taste herself on Zuko's lips and found it rather tasteless…maybe a little salty. When he pulled away again, Zuko released her arms and looked down at her lustfully.

"Are…are you sure this is what you want, Katara?" Zuko asked her one last time. "I can't guarantee it's not gonna hurt."

Katara smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly in response.

"I don't care. I love you, Zuko. Please, make me yours." Katara told him, softly.

Zuko smiled and kissed her back, but this kiss was more gentle and loving than his others. He wanted to show her how much he truly loved her, how much he cared. While he had her distracted, Zuko's hand slipped down and removed her undergarments swiftly. Then with a little help from Katara, he was able to slip his own shorts down his lean legs, sighing from the relief of not being restrained any longer. He pulled away from Katara's lips and carefully parted her thighs so he could settle in between them. Katara's eyes glanced down and found herself very impressed by what she saw. Agni had smiled down upon this firebending prince. Zuko let his eyes drift over Katara's form briefly before his eyes fell back upon hers.

"You're so beautiful." He told her, his tone almost choked up.

Katara reached for him, and Zuko leaned down into her embrace as he nudged her opening.

"Ready?" He asked, kissing her lips tenderly.

Katara nodded her head and pressed her lips more firmly to his. With her permission given, Zuko pushed forward and felt himself being consumed by her heat. Their breath was caught in both of their throats at the instant rush of sensations that was sent throughout their bodies. Once he was buried deep inside her, Zuko pulled away and examined Katara's expression intently. She looked like she was having trouble breathing. He leaned forward and nudged her cheek with his nose affectionately, asking her silently if she was okay. She looked up at him, taking in the look of pain on his face. His whole body was shaking from being held back. Katara offered him a warm smile and leaned up to kiss the smooth skin of his shoulder lightly.

"I…I knew…you could ne…never…hurt me." Katara whispered into his ear.

Zuko smiled with relief, his eyes staring deeply into Katara's as she pulled back. He held her protectively in his arms as he laid her back down upon the bed and rocked into her gently. Twin moans entwined in the air as they rocked together passionately. It was so amazing what they were experiencing. They were one in that moment, connected as man and woman. Katara shakily wrapped her arms around Zuko's broad shoulders and clung to him helplessly. He smiled down at her breathlessly as his rhythm gradually began to increase. Just as they both were reaching the pinnacle of their pleasure, Katara leaned forward and kissed the scar that covered his left eyes lovingly, and Zuko was sure for a split second that she had healed it. He brought his lips back to hers just as the first waves of their climax hit them.

"Ka…Karara!" He cried as he spilled himself into the woman beneath him.

"Zuko…oh Zuko!" She sobbed, clutching him to her as she milked him for all he was worth.

Lemon ends here…

As their high began its descent, the two held onto each other as if their lives depended on it; their bodies trembling from the intensity of their passion and from the drying sweat that covered them. With what little strength that he had left in him, Zuko pulled the blankets over them that had been pushed to the ground during their activities. Katara snuggled into Zuko's warm body, resting her head against his chest. Zuko snaked an arm around her, holding her close. They both would have been perfectly content to stay like that forever and wished that it had been an option. But even as they relaxed in the comfort of each other, Katara and Zuko knew that when tomorrow came, they would have to leave the security of that tent and face Azula. Tomorrow they could very well lose each other, even though they didn't even want to think that was an option. Zuko stared up at the top of the tent, idly drawing circles in Katara's skin.

"I wish tomorrow would never come." Katara murmured, stating what they both were thinking.

"I know," Zuko sighed, heavily, "I know."

"You promise me that you will be careful tomorrow, alright?" She told him, looking up at him with all seriousness in her expression.

"I will. I've come so far and I will not lose you now." Zuko replied, cupping her face gently. "I will protect you with whatever it takes. As long as you are not harmed, then I will be fine."

"Okay." Katara said with a nod, though it was not the exact answer she wanted to hear.

"Katara…" He whispered, his lips caressing her forehead.

"Yes, Zuko?" She asked, a content smile upon her lips.

"Once this is all over and I become the Fire Lord, I want you to be my Fire Lady." He told her, staring intently into her eyes.

"Oh, Zuko, I…"

"No, let me say this." Zuko interrupted her, firmly. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else. That's why I want you to be by my side and help me rule the Fire Nation. Together…I think we can make it great again."

"But…but what about Mai?" She asked, uncertainly.

"I don't want her. I want you, Katara, you and no one else." He told her with so much passion. "Please, Katara, please tell me you'll be my Fire Lady?"

Those beautiful, ocean blue eyes stared into his molten gold ones for what seemed like ages before a warm smile blossomed on her lips and Katara leaned up to place a tender kiss on his lips.

"I would love nothing more than to be your Fire Lady, Prince Zuko." She murmured, softly.

Zuko felt like his heart was going to leap right out of his chest. He swept her into his arms and kissed her with everything he had. Katara giggled against his lips and returned the gesture. When they parted, the two settled back down onto the bed, wrapped comfortably in each other arms. Katara felt her eyes becoming heavy and she let an exhausted yawn escape her lips. She knew she would sleep very well that night for never had she felt more safe and comfortable than in that moment in Zuko's arms.

"I love you, Zuko." She murmured, sleepily as she drifted off into a pleasant slumber. "Promise that you'll never leave me."

"I love you, too, my Katara." He whispered, lovingly, planting one more kiss on her head before snuggling down next to her. "And I promise…we'll be together for all eternity."

And as he lay there in Katara's arms, basking in the afterglow of their love, Zuko felt like he had finally found where he belonged. He had finally come home.

A/N: I almost thought about making this a one shot, but I think it would be good if I continued on with it to the end. I'll try to update soon. Well, please click that little blue review button down at the bottom please!