AN: This story is my long overdue present to Spleefmistress. Her writing is spectacular and her art is cool too. She has inspired me to continue the short song fic "Hellfire" and with her encouragement, my small oneshot evolved into a very long sequel. This has been a project of many months. I began planning the basic outline of this back in May 2006. I've worked very hard and I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed toying with our favorite couple! A bit of this story is too zesty for ffnet so I'll post links to fichaven in my profile so those of you interested can read the story in its entirety. But just not to get your hopes up, I'll tell you that Zuko does not have sex with Katara. Don't worry, there's still plenty of steam…

Disclaimer: (says flatly) I make no profit from this story and the characters belong to their respective owners at Nick and Viacom. (winks) But when Spleef finally gets that whole world domination thing going I'm sure she'll seize ownership and generously share it with everyone but those awful suethors.

Alright, quick set up. This story takes place after episode 115 and before 118. Prince Zuko's just engaged himself and his crew in another battle with Aang and company. However you want the circumstances to have arisen, Katara was captured and hauled to Zuko's ship while Aang and Sokka got away. Zuko has ordered his crew to pursue the Avatar while he "handles" the Waterbender.

Into the Inferno

Zuko locked the door and turned to face his prisoner. She was on her feet again and looking at him murderously. Those ice blue eyes could freeze even a firebender's blood, the Prince thought with some amusement, she'll be quite a challenge.

"Let me go, Zuko," she commanded firmly. Zuko felt a strange rush as he heard her say his name. He liked the way she said it.

He smirked coldly at her as he leaned coolly against the door with his arms crossed. "You didn't say 'please', Katara." He wouldn't have complied if she had said "please" but it amused him to coil her spring tighter. The release would be most interesting.

And oh, did that make her mad. Her flushed cheeks turned crimson and her clenched fists shook as she balled her fingers tighter. "It wasn't a request, Zuko," she yelled. "Open that door and let me off this ship!"

Zuko's smirk vanished and he stood up straight. He took a few steps toward her as he replied icily, "Nobody commands a prince."

Katara was still riled up from the night's battle and she wasn't put off by his intimidation. "Well I guess I'm Nobody because I just did," she screamed. Her anger left her breathless and he watched her breathe raggedly, blue eyes full of fury as they stared pointedly into his gold eyes. Always the fighter, he thought exasperatedly as he waited for her heaving chest return to its normal pace of rise and fall. She gulped and said relatively calmly, "And you wouldn't be interested in a nobody, so you have no reason to keep me here."

"No reason?" he said as he arched his one eyebrow. "I have two reasons for kidnapping you. The most obvious one being that you are bait guaranteed to lure the Avatar onto my ship." No, that's just a bonus, Zuko told himself.

"Aang won't fall for that. He knows I can get away by myself and he won't put his mission in danger just for me," she spat. Zuko thought he sensed some uncertainty in her voice. He himself felt satisfaction. The Avatar would come. The boy cared too much about this young woman to leave her to her own devices. He'd feel an obligation to save her and it would be his downfall.

"Are you so sure?" Zuko asked haughtily, his eyes glinting seductively. Katara lowered her eyes and bit her lip. Zuko let the silence linger while his eyes moved up and down her curvy body. Beautiful.

Katara turned away and walked toward his meditation table. "What's the other reason?" she asked softly.

Zuko smirked at her back. "You have to ask?" he said playfully. He saw her bristle. She looked over her shoulder. When she saw his smirk, her expression became fearful.

"You…" she gasped, "you can't be serious!"

"I'm always serious, Katara," he answered.

She turned to face him. "But we're enemies. You're supposed to hate me!"

Zuko cocked his head. "That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to appreciate beauty when I see it," he cooed.

"I'm a virgin! I can't…" she trailed off.

"If not now, I'll have you another day," he said matter-of-factly. "If you wish my pursuits to stop, it'd be best to give yourself to me now."

She looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "You'll stop pursuing Aang if I do this?"

Zuko felt a pang of jealousy. She'd give her virginity to save her friends, but not because he could please her? "I meant I'd take no further interest in you," he explained with a slight sneer. "The Avatar's capture will always be my mission."

"Forget it," she shouted. "I'm not a prostitute for you to partake of! My body is my temple and I shall only share it with my future husband."

How sentimental, Zuko thought cynically. "I'd never call you a prostitute," he said.

"No?" she asked harshly.

"You're not expecting payment when I'm done with you, are you?" he teased.

If he thought she had been mad before, she had now escalated to livid. "Leave me alone! I hate you!" Katara screamed.

"You keep a civil tongue in my presence!" Zuko censured her. He wasn't looking to win her concern but the hate remark had still stung.

"NO!" she shouted. "You're anything but civil. I refuse to respect you! Now let me out of here, you bastard!"

The curse word sounded strange coming from such a lovely creature. But how dare she call him such a thing! Zuko had lost all sense of teasing her now. Now the waterbender had to be broken. And she certainly wasn't escaping from him unspoiled now.

"I will have my way with you, wench!" he growled. "I can see now we'll have to do this the hard way."

"Do you have trouble filling your bed?" she asked acrimoniously. "Is there no woman with a price? You have to resort to rape?"

"How dare you! I can have any common whore, but I want you!" he rebuked. "You should be honored!"

"I see no honor in sleeping with such a monstrous, ugly, scarred FREAK!" she screamed.

Zuko's temper snapped. He snarled and closed the distance between them instantly. Grabbing Katara's waist he tore her sash off before slamming her against the wall. He put his face up next to her own and could smell the scent of the outdoors wafting from her hair; pine, wind, wood smoke, and rain. The Prince pushed it from his mind. This girl had to see what could happen to those who tested his limits.

"Respect is a lesson everyone must be taught," he growled. He filled his free hand with flames. Katara's blue eyes widened with fear. "I think I shall give you a lesson."

AN: Wow that was a short chapter! But I didn't spend almost a year on this fic to give all of it to you right away.There's more to come and it's better than this little teaser you just read... Review please!