He cursed the Waterbender for the hundredth time that day. He had lost count how many times he cursed her in his life so far, but today had to be around a hundred. First it started with her making the tea. How long had he been trying to make tea? At least three years by this point. She had succeeded in making a better batch. She didn't even bend! At least she swore she didn't. She was getting better at bluffing. Then he broke two tea cups and a plate trying to help her cleanup breakfast. This was not his fault since Katara accidentally brushed up against him.

Katara took a perverse joy in watching him screw up. Every girl he had known loved watching him tumble over his words. But the one time he tried to show his worth through action, it wasn't working. He would try and help her with the chores, but learned quickly not to butt in. No one ever helped her. And she wanted it that way. It was her way of keeping watch over everyone. "Being a fussy mother boar-hen," Toph had whispered to him one day. Katara was insistent that they sent all the servants away. "This trip had to be just like old times," she said once they arrived at the villa, she sounded sweet and chipper but there was a threatening undertone if she did not get her way. Zuko was thankful for this, his fear-me reputation wouldn't be tampered with.

But the reason for the cursing changed. She learned how to make him blush and stutter like Ty Lee did. It didn't help that Toph and Suki also saw this. Only Ty Lee had learned when to stop; and her flirting was never serious. He couldn't tell how serious Katara was. He never suspected her as being much of a flirt when she would be so direct on the battlefield, or any time she was around him. But she was. She would sway her hips, let her fingers linger around her lips, and if he was lucky (or unlucky, he couldn't decide) she would do the washing in her undergarments.

One time she did that while he was training with Aang. The young Avatar got blasted by one of Zuko's fireballs. It wasn't until Katara started to chastise him did he notice her outfit. He looked at her feet; it was the only safe place to look. He hated that he was too nervous to let his eyes travel up her body to meet her eyes. It made him feel like a child. He couldn't help it that she was attractive; and that Aang had the attention of a bee-gnat.

That night at dinner Katara sat down next to him. She wasn't teasing him thank god. Things had calmed down considerably since Sokka yelled at her to behave. It was a fight that didn't go well between the siblings, but there was a compromise reached. Katara would stop teasing Zuko, if Sokka and Suki agreed to use a safety word for when they wanted to have "private time." Too many times the couple forgot everyone else was around; and Katara was having a hard time keeping Toph from "watching." Zuko would try not to look at the couple, since they only brought back memories of Jin.

The peasant girl had quite a bit to teach the then refugee prince about sex. Lessons that consisted of her pulling him down an alley and pushing him against a wall. Or, there was the time she came over when his Uncle was out. She understood that if she told him what to do in moment he would try his best. Her giggling at his confusion would irritate him, but would never take away from the satisfaction of watching her face relax after "blossoming" (her word for it, since she called her lower body a peach. Ty Lee had never gotten him comfortable with the actual names).

Katara cleared her throat as Sokka and Suki got too handsy for her approval. "I hope they do it on the floor again," Toph laughed. Her comment only got her sent to her room, not like it would have made a difference but it made Katara feel better.

She decided tonight she would leave the dishes to Zuko and Haru, simply because they never got up clear their dishes. They couldn't get up without blemishing their pride. It didn't help matters that she announced she would be taking a bath. Toph's laughter could be heard after the boys' legs twitched. Aang jumped at the chance to heat up Katara's bath water. Only to be told to go to bed. And Zuko tried to remember if Katara could bend the water hot. It made some sense, if she could freeze it.

Once Zuko and Haru finished their chores they headed to their rooms. They awkwardly said goodnight. Zuko walked down the long hallway hating the distance but enjoying the fact that he had the largest room. He could hear Katara swishing the water around, humming to herself. He imagined her arms tracing graceful patterns through water and air. What did she look like when she was completely relaxed? He could offer to heat the water for her, but he decided against that. It was a stupid and very dangerous idea.

He heard her laugh at something. She then sighed and the sound of water falling off her body told him to move out of the hallway and into his room. But he couldn't move. The idea of seeing her calm and relaxed after a hot bath was too much of a temptation.

She walked out of the bathroom, a small smile on her face. She wore one the soft blue robes that had been specially made for the trip, with nothing underneath. He could see the round firmness of her breasts and how the cold air teased her nipples. Her long thick hair wet, clean, and clinging to her back.

"What?" She blushed at seeing him. She went to look down, but her eyes locked onto his crotch. Her face becoming redder. She was a little proud that she could get this response, but embarrassed by it at the same time.

"I…uh…" Zuko stuttered, cupping his hands in front of him.

"You could have let me know you needed the bathroom," she offered him the excuse. Shaking her head to keep herself from staring at what she had created. It wasn't much of an excuse since he had his own bathroom

He cleared his throat. "Yeah…sorry…"

"Night."

"Night."

He watched her walk away. The water from her hair caused the robe to cling to her rear-end. Quickly he ducked into his bedroom when she turned to look at him. He tried to enjoy his bath; the only problem was that a wet Katara was going through his mind. He hated nights when she got him this worked up. Especially when he didn't have another body next to him to help relieve his "hummingbird" (he hated this name, but it was still better than Ty Lee's suggestion of fruit worm).

So there wasn't really any change to this chapter. But it's still naughty. Oh well. Please review.