It was later that day, Zuko had just helped Katara and Kaiya settle into the bedroom attatched to his on the ship as they set sail for Ba Sing Se. His mind was heavy with memories of the past as they flooded his mind. He flung himself on his chair. It was more of throne. A tall, rgal high, backed chair fit for king- literally. He poured himself a large cup of the finest fire whiskey on the ship. It was aged beyond his years the bottle was strong, and worn with time from the beggining of Sozin's regin.

Zuko took a deep gulp of the sanguine coloured liquid and gasped as it burned his throat on the way down. But, the pain was worht it. If it would drive the memories from his mind, it would be worth anything. His mind was hazy. Hazy and clouded with love. Love for Katara. Something he hadn't felt in so long, that he was unsure, almost of how to deal with the overhwelming feeling of it. He knew she was there in the next room just mere feet away. But, things were not the same.

Time had changed their situation and circumstances as well. Zuko knew a lot had to be sorted before he could even begin to think about embarking on relationship with her. But, the idea and the memories didn't seem to stop. He craved her, needed her. He was not sure if things would ever be the same between the two of them. Furthermore, he wasn't sure if that was for the good or not. A tired hand ran through his shaggy mane of hair as he sighed.

Five years was so short of time, Zuko argued he had barely scratched the surface in the things he needed to do. But, in terms of changing people it could be an eternity his mind argue. Look at how Azula had turned life around in just a matter of five years. In self- development that amount of time could be lifetimes if used properly. In a mixture of fusteration and confusion Zuko forcefully blew his bangs out of his eyes as he downed the rest of his glass of fire whiskey. He was starting to feel the alchol ease him some as it warmed him. Mentally, he cursed time.

Zuko was starting to feel depressed the more he thought about his own daughter and how he hadn't been there for her first four years. He was the very thing he hated, a bad parent. Which led him to think about his mother. Was she still out there? Was she still alive? He truly loved her. She was everything the Fire Nation wasn't. Lady Ursa was kind, loving, fair, compassionate, and honesy. She was gorgeous and elegant yet so approachable and down to earth. Though she was wealthy she was never stuck up and always modest. She never boasted of rank, maritail status, society position, blood status, or anything except her children.

Zuko, had been so focused on getting Azula help and protecting her and finding Katara that he had not devoted the effort he needed to into finding Ursa. He quickly scrawled a note to his uncle about increasing forces for finding his mother. He begged his uncle for input and handed the letter off to one of his men who came to bring his dinner. He gave General YinShao strict orders to put it on the fastes messanger hawk to General Iroh. Feeling guilty about not being the father he should have been, Zuko rinised his mouth a scented wash and knocked on Katara's door.

Katara opened the door just a creak sticking her head out to see who was knocking, forgetting only Zuko had acess to her. When she saw his face, her heart skipped a beat and she swore it attempted to leap from chest. She stepped outside the doorframe quietly closing the door behind her. She could feel his eyes searing into his skin, only the eye's of a Firebender could truly leave the sensation of burning. Katara blushe slightly as he drank in her appearance.

Everything from the fact that she had place the beads in her hair and done the hair 'loopies' as Sokka called them yet left her hair down was strategic. So that it was long, flowing, mysterious, and sexual. Her clothes were fine silk robes of the purest Southern Water Tribe blue they fit her well. Rather too well, they huggged her every curve tightly, perfectly and fit snuggly around her rather large breasts exposing a decent amount of clevage.

She could tell he liked it, she had worn it for him, yet she felt his envious vibes. She knew he was going to say it was too revealing for her to wear on ship of men, or now that she was a mother. But, what he didn't get is she was young still. Just because she was mother didn't mean she wasn't gorgeous or had urges. Or had the need to feel sexy. Then again, men never took into considertation such things because they rarely had the urge to gussy up. The other reason being when they became parents they were glorified as brutes, as protectors. They were expected to be raw, physical, and sexual where woman were expected to be dainty, petite, and virginal even if she had a thousand children each one by a different man.

"You look stunning," Zuko noted noted with delight, his eyes were seductive as he sank down onto the couch gesturing for her Katara to join. She smiled warmly, her body leaned against his, she could smeel the scent of fire whiskey on him as he wrapped his arm around her. She mentally sighed knowing her return and this new information of daughter must be hard on Zuko. It must be killing him inside. She knew family was the most important thing to him as well as honor and she had hid this making him a disgraced father.

But, things had been hard for Katara. Harder than she had anticipated. In her five years of absence, she had only gotten a handful of letters from her brother maybe five. She didn't know he had married Suki or had children. She was out of the loop. But, no one knew of her life, the only on she had written to was Sokka and all he had been told was she was fine. Alive and well, happy but missed home.

Katara had laid eyes on Aang once about five months after she left. She saw him when she was in Ba Sing Se, but he didn't see her, or maybe he didn't notice her very pregnant figre. Either way she had not spoken to him in five years or seen him since that day. She had not seen Suki or Toph since early the day of Sozin's Comet. She missed them dearly and wondered how their lives were going. If they thought about her... She missed her father, and her Gran-Gran. There was always Pakku she had never really got to know him. Then she hadn't seen Zuko since early the morning after the comet except everytime she closed her eyes, everytime she slept, everytime she looked closley at Kaiya she could see the blue turn gold and the hair how dark like Zuko's, and Kaiya's skin how it was lighter like Zuko's.

Zuko could tell her mind was focused on the past as her heart beated slow and sad. Her eyes looked far away, and she tensed up. "What's wrong, love?" he asked his voice a gentle comfort as he pushed the hair from her face and kissed the spot where her had been leaving a burning sensation. "Just thinking," Katara replied her voice distancing herself from him, it was close to full moon she could feel in her body. Many senses were heightened leading up to the full moon, and insanely powerful on the day of the full moon. She guessed they were maybe two or three days from a full moon. She could feel the lust bustling about inside of her.

"What about?" Zuko pushed, his tone was sincire and Katara could tell he was trying to make up for time gone by. "I'm wondering about our friends. My family. What has become of them?" she asked deciding to leave out the part about how she felt about wronging him, that was a conversation for another day. "I could tell you, if you like," he offered as he positioned himself on the ocuch getting comfortable. "Yes, yes I'd like that," she mumbled in agreement placing her head in his lap, she could feel his bodyy temperature spike.

"Well, Azula has gotten loads better. She's normal, nice..er, but with a sick sense of humor. She married an Earthbender named Haru. They have three sons, two are Firebenders and one is an Earthbender. Their eldest is five, and the youngest a couple of months. They married as soon as Azula was healed after the comet. She was already carrying his child then," Zuko said with a small chuckle as he thought how odd it must be for Katara to picture Azula being motherly. The more he thought about it, it was odd for him still to even whitness it. Or when she was nice, and when she hugged him or when she would display love and affection to Haru. "Wow, I never thought Azula would be a mother. And, Haru of all people," Katara smiled. Zuko grinned, "I know I had the same reaction, but she really has changed."

"Aang has grown a lot. He is tall now. Shorter than me, but nearly as tall as your brother who has grown. Aang travels around a lot still. But, last year he married Toph and just weeks ago she gave birth to two sons Gusto and Gyatso. They live in Ba Sing Se where Toph heads the new reformed Dai Li. She scares the hell out of the soldiers and the Earth King. I think she enjoys it personally," Zuko added with a small grin. Katara nodded, good Aang had moved on. She was glad he found love and especially with Toph. Toph maybe all "tough and rough" on the outside but inside the real Toph was a sweet kid, a lovable girl. She was truly gorgeous and worthy of everything. She smiled at the thought of Toph having control over soldiers, she had no doubt the tiny earthbender enjoyed frightening them. Infact, Katara was certain it gave her the utmost pleasure. The idea of Toph as a mother was odd to her though, yet it semmed fitting. "How does she do it with being blind?" Katara pondered aloud not realizing the rudness until she spoke. "Aang helps her. She has been woking with healers and can see, some," he remarked leaving out the horrifying story of how he had found out.

Zuko had just goten out of the bath he was stark naked, at Toph's house in Ba Sing Se. He was their on business, Aang had left and told him to bathe and meet him for dinner. Anyway, with the house to himself Zuko hadn't bothered to cover up as he walked all of maybe two feet down the hall to his room. As luck would have it he ran in Toph, who no one had told him had been regaining her sight. She got to see Zuko in all his glory. "Hey Zuko," Toph said nonchalantly not letting on that she knew. And, like an idiot Zuko stood and conversed and it wasn't until he turned away to enter his room did Toph say "Next time, wear a towel at least Sparky." That is when he found out, most embarassing.

"Sokka has grown into a taller, more muscular, fierce water tribe warrior and leader. He married Suki two years after the comet. They live in the South Pole with your family. They visit Kyoshi Island often. Suki is trained by Ty Lee and is even more unstoppable. She is the lead Kyoshi warrior in charge. They have a daughter and a son. Jade and Kenji. Your father is still the chief, but Sokka waits to take over soon,"Zuko said. Katara nodded and smiled she was an aunt, and would be bringing them a cousin. "I can't picture Sokka being a serious father figure. I think Suki has three children to watch," Katara mused and he nodded, Zuko knew this to be true.

"Do you think they'll forgive me?" Katara asked using all of her energy not to let her voice crack. "I know they will, because they always ask me if I have spotted you. And when I told them I had and was going to talk to you whether you accepted my proposition of a meeting or not, they were estatic and wanted to know everything about you I could find out. They all wanted permission to write and visit, but now I am bringing you to them I was going to suprise you, but in my letter I told Iroh to tell everyone to go to the South Pole. This way I am not mugged for details by hawk, and you can see them all," Zuko replied his voice so soothing as he lifted her head up and his lips quickly brushed hers. It was just a light kiss, but the spark was there. He could see the tears of sadnes at what she had done, but the ones of happiness as well in her eyes.

"Thank you, ZuZu. Really, you have no idea what it means to me, to have them all meet me at my home land. How can I thank you?" she said wiping away her tears, the happiness a jittery excitment was now in her voice. "I can think of a few things," he grinned mischiviously his eyes darting toward the bed. "That is a reward for us, not you. Unless you want something in there that I wouldn't do, or you wouldn't normally let me," she smiled playing his pervocative game. There was a long sielnce that follwoed almost an awkward. Because she was sure he was figuring out wat he could get her to do in bed, or something. Not that she minded being bedded when the moon was coming to power, it is just who would watch their daughter and she didnt want to be that easy girl. "So what about that cute firbender?" Katara asked trying desperately to break the silence not wanting to be left to her thoughts.

Zuko grinned inside but it came out as a smirk. He knitted his eyeborws togther in confusion before he spoke. "What aabout the Firbender?" he asked playing coy. "What's his story? Will he forgive the Water Tribe girl in the end?" Katara inquired interested in his answer. "Well, the Firebender in his total sexiness(he was joking and she rolled her eyes at him) missed you. So he spent the last five years devoting almost all of his efforts to finding you, when he wasn't rebuilding other nations, restoring peace, and rebuilding his own nation. Also, I sent out a search party for his mother, but no luck has come of it yet. In the meantime, I was riddiculed by Uncle as well as the elders and my people for remaining single and heirless. So after they voted and decided that if I did not seriously look for love they would give Azula the throne, I had to take Mai as my girlfriend. She was merely a figure head to my people. A symbol I was fine and going to continue the bloodline. But, behind the scenes i didn't love her, never slept with her. She on the other hand loved me, but slept around. Last year I dumped her as her behavior went public, and since then have been playing the part of searching for love, when actuality I was searching for you," he summarized. Katara smiled their bodies embracing one another he kissed her cheek. "Yes, in the end he forgives her," he whispered huskily in her ear, his breath warm in her ear as it made her shiver on her tender flesh.

Zuko wanted to ask her if she had dated, slept around, but if she had he did not want to know. So he remained silent, until she spoke. "I never was with anyone else, just so you know," Katara replied almost as if reading his mind. Zuko nodded his grin widening, he was about to suggest she get some rest when Kaiya came out. "What's wrong?" Zuko asked as he got up and scooped up his precious daughter. "I can't sleep. The movement, and this place is so unfamiliar," she said in a tiny voice. He looked at his daughter's sad eyes as she stood in her blue sleeping wear, pants and an oversized shirt. "Can I lay with you guys?" she asked. Zuko was going to explain they were only talking, but Katara spoke. "

Sure sweety, go grab a blanket and pillow," she said. "Zuko, can we just stay in your bed tonight? She gets reall uneasy about new places and situations, but she seems to have clung to you," Katara asked. Zuko nodded as he grabbed a pair of silk sleep pants that bore the royal Fire Nation logo on them. He took them and changed into them, leaving his torso bare. He looked at his chest, his fingers ran over the scar from Azula's lightening it was still pink and red like the on on his eye, but he was not ashamed of it. He wore both of them with pride. He emerged and laid ontop of his blankets with katara next to him, her eyes staring at his tanned, muscular chest and his scar. She smiled at him remembering how tender his flesh was the night they had made love. "Behave yourself, Sparky. Only because Kaiya will be here," she added the last part in a low mumble and he grinned kissing her ear before helping his daughter on the bed in-between them.

Zuko felt his daughter snuggle in-between him her arms hugging him. He smiled at Katara lovingly once Kaiya had fallen asleep. "Thank you," he whispered his long fingers running through Katara's hair. "For what?" she whispered. "This moment. My daughter, coming with me. But this moment in specific," he whispered his voice so hopeful and estatic with love and a future. "I should be thanking you," she whispered her hand reaching over tracing the scar on his chest. "Do you remember that night?" she asked, there was no catch in her voice as the night flashed before her eyes. "Only like it my life depended on it," he smiled his lips kissing her hand softly. Katara squirmed her body wanted him so badly as she withdrew under the blankets and rolled away from him. Zuko froown as he too rolled away his mind on the night they had shared as was hers.


The next morning, Zuko awoke with his daughter and smiled as Katara lay their in a deep slumber, unmoving. "Does she always sleep so deep?" Zuko asked of his daughter as she leaped out of bed. "Yes, she perfers nights. She always says the day reminded her of loss, that it hurt too much. Daddy can I go bathe and then play?" Kaiya asked refering to the toys she had with her, Katara had brought everything they had owned with them, but the furniture that she gave away as well as the house to homeless war refugees. It was always lioke Katara to put others first. "Sure," he smiled knowing Katara had taught her child to be self-sufficient. Kaiya knew how to draw a bath and dress herself, more than most kids her age could do.

Now that he was alone with Katara, Zuko scooted behind his wrapped around her waist as his lips sucked on the tender flesh of her neck. He knew Katara had always enjoyed this, or at least when he did it. He grinned as he heard Katara let out a low, soft moan of pleasure. "Five more minutes," she whispered obviously still asleep. Zuko then began running his hands up and down her sides as he heated his finger tips. He could almost feel the chills he was sending pulsating down Katara's spine. "Hey Zuko," she moaned reluctantly opening her eyes to find him hovering over his lips just inches from hers. "Morning love," he whispered. "Where is Kaiya?" Katara panicked releasing the position they were in was intimate. And, she could feel her own wetness and feel his hard, pressed up against her body. "She is bathing and playing in the other room. She told me you wouldn't be up for awhile, but she didn't know what I am capable of," his voice was husky and seductive in a low almost purr at the end as she grinned.

"Awflully full of yourself, aren't you Fire Lord Zuko?" she teased in jest. "Perhaps, you would like to be awfully full of me as well?" he teased as he whispered in minute tone in her ear. Her body was now alert and pulsating, she certaintly would like to be. Before she could even think of a snarky reply, his lips were on her like a smothering fire. She couldn't breathe, he had stolen her breath as he eased her down on the bed his hands undoing her clothing as her hands ravashed his already exposed torso. His hands stopped at her sash and he looked at her lustful eyes for reassurance.

"We shouldn't do this with her in the nex room," Zuko said withdrawing. "I know, but I need this. I need you. Do you have a trusted official who could watch her?" Katara offered. Zuko nodded he allowed Katara to fix herself and dress Kaiya as he got General YinShao and explained that the General must watch katara's daughter. Zuko explained Katara was Water Tribe royalty and her child needed to be watched at all times, and no harm was to come of her. If anything happened Zuko would personally have his head. Zuko trusted the general entirely so he made him swear to keep it a secret that the child was a firebender and to entertain the child away from the shipmates. Keep her in the cafeteria and play toys with her.

Katara came out of the room wearing a robe closed tightly over her, night clothing. "Thank you for watching her General. I apologize for not being decent, but I just woke. I need to bathe and prepare for the day and then talk to Fire Lord Zuko about trade, so the Fire Lord could not help me," she explained lying through her teeth as she extended a hand. "No problem, Master Katara. It is an honor to help you, and meet you," General YinShao replied before leaving with Kaiya and some toys. Once they were alone Katara shed the robe and Zuko pushed her back on the bed and his lips were on hers as he smothered her. "Your such a liar," he remarked in jest in-between kisses. "So?" she replied with a shrug. "Its a turn on. Good girl gone bad. I think you need to be punished," he remarked the last part was a joke and Katara giggled as did Zuko as he rolled off of her.

Katara lay next to him a hand running through his hair as he smiled playfully. She never could take him seriously, he always made her relax when she was nervous. "You sure you want to do this?" he whispered to her again his voice deep and comforting before he nibbled on her earlobe. "Spirits, yes!" she exclaimed her breath quickening in excitment as she pulled him on top of her and began untyng her sash. "What about precautions?" Zuko asked suddenly serious as his body tensed and ceased all motion. "Huh?" she replied confounded until it dawned on her what he was talking about. "I don't have any," she mumbled quietly. "Well, neither do I, it is a ship full of men. There isn't exactly a need for them," he replied rather stiffly. Katara thought for a moment, was a rompe with Zuko really worth te chance of pregnancy, when there were no garentees? Her mind said no, her body said yes, and her heart said yes. "Don't worry about it," she replied strongly in a tone that told him to drop it as he ressumed his position on top of her. His lips on hers, his fingers removing her clothings as she stripped him of his.

Both of lover's hands ravashed the other's naked body thirstily. Zuko's lips roamed freely forming a line from Katara's lips that stopping at her naval and doubled back again. As she wiggled and moaned in delight, Katara's nails dug into Zuko's back as her legs entwined with his, her eyes following his every movement. Once he was done, it was her turn as she playfully nibbled on his lip before sucking it. Then taking his tonge into her mouth as she kissed him as he had never been before, with such a passion and vibrant feeling. Then, her lips moved to his collarbone as they worked over the tender flesh, her tongue danced lightly over it sending chills pulsating euphorically through them both.

Unable to take it anymore Zuko poitioned himself over her and with a simple nod of okay from Katara he slow entered her. Slowly at first, he pushed his erection in and out of her wetness working his way into her depths as their hips moved rythmatically, her mouth working the magic on his. As he began pushing deeper inside of her this time more forcefully as he gained speed she began clenching and unclenching her muscles around his throbbing member. As he hit her warm core she gasped in euphoric exstacy her muscular legs tighetining around his waist as she pulled him down harder and further inside of her. Together, their hips moved as one, they fit together perfectly as they rythmatically moved. "I love you," he panted his lips teasing her ear. "Love you, too" she gasped back swallowing a moan of delight. She felt him as they climaxed together. She felt him erupt inside of her, his body ejaculating inside of her as he emptied into her core truly making them one as they reached their peak and orgasmed. Tired, sweaty and broken they rolled off into each other's arms. His hands running through her hair, catching the knots as she messed up his hair.

Deciding that it was time to prepare for the day and General YinShao would e rerning within the hour Katara quickly bathed and dressed. As Zuko drew a bath and dressed Katara changed the bedding with a sigh. What if she were to become pregnant as a resulat of this? What if he left her? What if? She sighed depositing the soiled linnen in the laundry basket and placing new in its place Zuko returned fully dressed and dry. Katara smiled at him thoughtfully as he left to go get Kaiya. Her mind drifted to her family, she truly missed them. But, it would take at least three months to get to the South Pole if they only lingered in Ba Sing Se a day, and traveled at grueling pace. But, Katara had no doubt Zuko would do that if she asked.

She sat down on the couch and smiled lvongly when Zuko came through the door carrying Kaiya piggy-back. She laughed as he launched her softly on the bed and Kaiya came running toward her with Zuko in toe who was grinning his mind obviously on what had transpired just moments ago between himself and Katara. "Hey baby. Did you have a nice breakfast?" Katara asked her daughter lovingly as she scooped her up. Kaiya nodded sitting herself between her parents. It wared her heart to watch Zuko play with his child. It seemed so natrual yet it saddened her to think of the time they had lost out on.