Hey guys! I know it been like a year since I've updated this story? I'm really sorry! I moved and I only just got the internet which is bloody slow dial up. It sucks living on the farm L. Anyway this chap is heaps longer than the last so I hope you enjoy it! Please review!

Apologies for any mistakes and this story is rated M.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Chap two

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Zuko ran swiftly through the forest with the water tribe peasant slumped over his shoulder. After he had picked her up, she had fallen back into oblivion which he was thankful for. I wouldn't want Azula to here her scream, even though I don't know where she is, there's still a chance. I don't want to ruin this chance of capturing the Avatar he thought. He knew what Azula would do if she found out he had fallen upon the girl. Knowing his sister well, she would take her away and inform their father that she had found the girl. His anger started to fume again, so he quickly pushed the thoughts of his sister to the back of his mind.

Zuko slowed down to a walk as he approached the outskirts of the camp. He was too tired to hear his uncles ranting about the peasant, demanding that he should take her back to her friends, so he decided to leave him to sleep peacefully.

He placed the girl carefully on his sleeping mat and quickly gathered what he needed to tend to her injury. He found some bandages and leaves of a plant that his uncle had come across earlier that was used for severe wounds. He kneeled beside her unconscious form and studied the gaping hole the branch had left behind. It had not fully pierced through her leg, though it would leave a dreadful scar.

Zuko dampened a cloth and dabbed carefully around the edges of the wound, cleaning the dry blood and dirt. He cleaned what he could and squeezed the leafs juice into the bloodied flesh, then found a needle, preparing for the worst part. Zuko knew that stitching through flesh would surely wake the peasant up. He was aware of what the pain would feel like, when he obtained his fathers wrath that day, and he knew how a scar could carry dreadful memories.

He inhaled nervously and jabbed into the bloodied flesh. Her eyes shot open instantly from the pain. She peered around the campsite in fright. Tears cascaded down her as she tried to scream out, but Zuko had left the cloth in her mouth so what could be heard was muffled. Suddenly, her cerulean eyes locked onto his. Fire met water. They widened in shock or fear, Zuko wasn't sure but he was not happy. Great. Now I have to deal with her kicking and screaming. Like he thought, instantly she started kicking with all her might in an attempt to escape (well what she could manage since she was bound up) and in the process, causing her leg to be even more painful for her

Zuko roughly pushed her legs down, not caring whether he hurt her because his patience was wearing thin. The last thing he wanted was to wake his uncle up. He glanced over to where his uncle was resting and thanked the gods that his snoring had become louder.

"Stop it peasant!" he whispered demandingly "Do you want to die of blood loss? Or do you want me to save your life?"

She stopped in her struggles and met his gaze again. Her thoughts running a million times an hour in her head How in the hell did I get here? She wasn't sure in what to do. Should she try and find water to aid her in her escape? Or should she accept Zuko's help? Something in the back of her mind was telling her that he wasn't helping to be generous, especially if he was calling her by his nickname he had conjured de up a few years back.

"So, you do want my help?" He asked impatiently again. A minute passed by and she finally nodded to his offer.

"I have to stitch this wound up or you will gradually die of blood loss ok?" she nodded again and prepared for the pain she would have to endure.

He grabbed the needle hanging from her leg and pierced through her flesh again. She bit the cloth down hard and swallowed down a scream, not wanting the fire prince to see any weakness, yet it was extremely hard not too. The one thing she couldn't hold back was the tears. They streamed down her face like a waterfall.

After Zuko had finished, he had to admire her courage in not screaming. Though maybe her tears replaced them since it had streamed down her neck and almost soaked all her shirt. He looked down at her chest to see her nipples had hardened and were visible through the fabric from tears and the cool nights breeze. Gah, what are you thinking? She's your enemy. He looked away while his face turned crimson, embarrassed that he had actually thought of the peasant that way.

Her eyes were closed shut and her hands were clenched while she waited for the pain to subside.

"I'm finished now peasant" he spat at her. She snapped her eyes open and gave him an evil stare. Does he know how much pain I am in? She tried to shoot back an insult but the cloth was stopping her from sounding normal. Her tears had stopped which she was grateful for since she was already appalled at herself for showing weakness in front of him.

"I will only take the cloth out if you promise not to scream and yell. And if I catch you trying to escape, well you can consider the pain your feeling now tripled" she gave him another icy glare and nodded before he scooted up towards her head and removed the cloth from her mouth.

"Let me go-"

"Uh, uh, ahh" Zuko had quickly covered her mouth with his hand "Now what did I say? Keep quiet or this-" he hovered his other hand over her freshly stitched wound "-will be squeezed so hard that you'll pass out from pain". He slowly removed his hand from her mouth when she complied.

"I hate you. You're such a pig" she managed to whisper her insult as quietly as she could.

He stood and stared down at her form. "Now little girl. Remember who saved your life"

"You only saved me to use me to your advantage"

"Well, I guess so, but you don't blame me do you? How else will I capture to the Avatar?" he smiled manically and walked over to the fire. She watched his every move while remembering what had happened a few hours ago. She couldn't even remember hurting herself but that didn't matter. She needed to go find some help before that bitch Azula hurt the gang. Tears formed at the corner of her eyes but she blinked them away. Now's not the time to cry again Katara. You need to go find help.

"No insult or nothing? I'm surprised". He squatted down at the fire and lifted his shirt over his head since it was drenched in her blood and he wasn't about to sleep in it.

Katara couldn't help but stare at his fantastic muscled back and wondered how someone so mean could look so good. She mentally slapped herself at her unruly thoughts. What the hell are you thinking you idiot? He's your enemy and your admiring how good his back looks?

She didn't really comprehend what he had said, since exhaustion crept up on her body quickly. She also couldn't be bothered arguing. She didn't want to fall asleep but her body thought otherwise. After a few minutes, her eyelids slid closed and she was soon breathing heavily.

Zuko glanced over his shoulder at the peasant. He wondered why she was being so quiet and not calling him every name under the sun. She had fallen asleep. She's probably exhausted. After he scrubbed out as much blood as he could out of his one of two shirts, he rolled out a spare sleeping mat. He checked the ropes on the peasants legs and arms just in case she decided to pull a disappearing act. Zuko looked down at her sleeping form feeling some pity for the girl, then quickly ignored his stupidity of his feelings and went to sleep.

***

Katara woke up with a jolt. She had just had a horrible dream that Azula killed Aang, Soka and Toph. Sweat formed above her brow while she took in the unfamiliar surroundings and noticed a excruciating pain in her leg. That's right. I was captured by that damned arrogant bastard. She recalled all the memories from last night in head and sighed heavily.

"What's wrong little girl? Have you already forgot of your adventures?" Katara swung around to find the prince leaning against a tree with his arms crossed over his chest. He was topless again. In the sun, his pale skin shone from the droplets of water that were dripping slowly down his incredibly muscled torso. He had obviously been swimming in the river. Katara tried to avert her eyes but they wouldn't let her. "Like what you see?" he asked as his lips formed a smirk. She quickly looked away while a blush rose upon her cheeks.

"Zuko! Stop being so rude to the young woman!". Katara looked behind Zuko to find his Uncle walking up behind him. Zuko mumbled something under his breath and walked over to his sleeping mat angrily. "I'm sorry about my nephews behaviour. He sometimes get a little moody and tends to take it out on other people" he said stopping just in front of her, then showing a warm, gently smile. She couldn't help but like this old man, even if he was her enemy. He always seemed to be polite and cheery.

"Uncle! She is our hostage!" Zuko shrieked "we are supposed to treat her like dirt, and I'm certain she would do the same to me if she had the chance"

"But Zuko, how is it going to help you in your mission? It won't make any difference other than making this poor girl miserable" . Zuko didn't reply because he knew his Uncle was right, in a way, but he enjoyed the pleasure in annoying her. "Now. How is your leg feeling this morning? Zuko told me of his adventures and how if found you in that terrible state"

"It's ok I guess. It's feeling a lot better since the prince tended to it last night" she said sarcastically while glancing in the direction of the prince. Zuko scoffed behind her, obviously sensing her sarcasm.

Katara lied about her leg. She was actually in a lot of pain, especially with her arms and legs bound tightly but she wasn't about to announce that to her enemies. That would be the worst thing, to confess that she was in pain. It would make her look weak and pathetic.

Zuko's Uncle couldn't help but smile at the two fighting. They would perfect together as a couple he thought.

Katara pulled at the ropes around her wrists and ankles. They were starting to sting like crazy since they had cut through the skin.

"Here let me free you from those ropes" he untied them and Katara rubbed her wrists.

"Thankyou-"

"What are you thinking Uncle? She will escape or try to bend her way out of here!" Zuko ran over to Katara but his Uncle held his hand up.

"Nonsense nephew. She won't be able to escape with that leg of hers and there is not enough water around here to bend". His uncle was right. There wasn't enough water to bend and plus how could she win a fight with her leg injured, plus two grown men. I'll have to try and escape tonight while they are sleeping she thought.

He gave up in arguing with his Uncle and went to go fetch something to eat.

Zuko's Uncle gave Katara water (not enough to bend) and some food. She stayed put on her mat, not wanting to be near the prince, but also because she couldn't move her leg without being in pain. Throughout the day she and his Uncle chatted while Zuko didn't utter one word. She learned his name was Iroh and she told him hers. He told her that they were trying to avoid Zuko's sister Azula since she was after the same prize at them (well Zuko)- the Avatar. Iroh also asked how she got herself injured. She lied and told him she had become lost in the forest and couldn't find her way back to the camp. Katara didn't want to give away any evidence that would help the prince in succeeding to capture the Avatar, even though he was already captured.

After dinner, Iroh forced Zuko to check on Katara's stitches. Both were not happy but they didn't argue.

He cleaned the dry blood with a wet cloth. She forced herself not scream because even dabbing was incredibly painful. She muttered a 'thankyou' before he headed off to bed. He didn't reply.

***

Katara waited a couple hours to make sure they two men were both in a deep sleep (she gathered from Iroh's loud snoring). She planned to escape tonight and go find help, not sure where to find it but she wasn't going to give up.

She heaved herself into a crawling position while trying not to scream at the pain from her actions. Before crawling into the forest, Katara glanced over at Zuko making sure that she didn't wake him. He had his arms crossed over his chest while he was lying on his back as still as a log. She breathed out quietly and began her journey into the darkness.

Each movement was agonising but she kept on going, instead she tried thinking of the Gang in an attempt to take her mind off her pain. Don't give up Katara. You can do it she kept repeating in her mind.

She had been crawling for what seemed like ten minutes before she heard the sound of a river near by. Katara quickened her pace towards the sound of running water. She had missed her own element and was happy that Zuko and his Uncle had camped near water.

Each movement was carefully made to make sure she didn't snag her leg on any sticks or rocks, but she thought too soon. A small stick caught itself in her stitches which caused her to whimper out loudly. Tears welled up in eyes as she took the stick out of the stitches.

"Didn't get far did you peasant?" Zuko said while appearing out of the darkness. She jumped at his sudden presence. He hadn't actually fallen asleep since he knew the girl to well, knowing that she would try and make a run for it. Through the forest he had followed her quietly to see how far she could get, and when she hurt herself, Zuko decided it was enough.

"Please leave me alone" she whimpered while wiping away her tears that were spilling freely now.

Zuko pitied the girl that lay helplessly on ground. He couldn't help feeling sorry for her and would try keep his insults to a minimum, although it would be hard. "Why are you crying?" he asked while kneeling down beside her.

She looked into his eyes then quickly to the ground "Why do you care? I'll probably die anyway if you succeed in capturing Aang, or I'll be treated like crap. Either way, my life is nothing anymore" she said through sobs. She was on the verge of giving up.

Zuko couldn't deny it. If he did capture the Avatar and presented him to his father, his father would most certainly make her a slave or a concubine for the soldiers. He sighed at her glum future.

"Let me look at your leg"

She didn't say anything while he inspected her leg which was now bleeding. Some of the stitches had come loose and it looked like an infection had started. "Your going to have to soak your leg in the river. Some stitches have come loose and it looks like the wound is infected". She just nodded. She was exhausted from all the pain she had endured and didn't really care what happened to her anymore. I can't even escape. What am I supposed to do?

Zuko decided the only way to get her to the river quickly was to pick her up and take her over himself. She wouldn't like it but it was the only way for her not to feel as much pain. He didn't ask when he scooped her up bridal style, although she acted like she didn't mind at all, which was unusual.

Her lithe body was as light as a feather and feeling her warm flesh against his chest kind of felt…good. He peered down at her face while walking through the forest. He had to admit she was actually quite beautiful. Her tanned skin contrasted well with her cerulean eyes and her dark brown hair was tied in her usual braid, with two whispery strands hanging about her face which she always left untied. He had thoughts of how soft it would be if he was able to touch it. What the hell are you thinking?

They had finally reached the river. He strode to the bank and set her close to the water so she could dip her leg in, then sat down beside her.

"You can dip your leg in now" he said after she didn't make a move. Her head was hanging as she continued to cry. Until now, he hadn't noticed she was still crying

She sobbed. "I…can't…it hurts too much to move". Zuko sighed and grabbed her leg gently, then stretched the long limb into the river while moving her blue robe up her thigh to keep it from becoming soaked. His groin suddenly became very uncomfortable as his eyes lingered on the long, slim thigh that lead up to heaven. He didn't know why he was aroused at the sight of her bare skin. He had seen a dozen naked woman lying before him as he made love to them, but she ignited something in him he couldn't decipher.

Katara couldn't help crying and hated the fact that she was doing it in front of the Fire Prince. All that had happened to her was too much for her to take. She was worrying immensely about the gang. What was happening to them she knew wasn't pleasant, and the thought of her not escaping the Prince was running her down. Her mind was saying that she should stay here with prince, but she didn't know why in the hell her conscious would be telling her that.

He had actually been nice to her tonight, not even insulting or arguing with her once but she wasn't about to let down her guard just yet. While he carried her to the river, she discreetly snuck looks at his face. Katara couldn't deny it, he was extremely handsome. His scar added to his mysteriousness which lured her in somehow, wanting to know everything about him but she knew that would never happen. They couldn't even have a civil conversation.

She was bracing herself up by her arms when they suddenly felt like jelly. Her body was so exhausted that she felt like she was about to faint. Before soon, her arms gave way and she was about to fall head first into river when two strong arms grabbed her quickly. She lent against his side for balance and he bent his arm around her shoulder to brace her.

"I'm…sorry" she whispered breathlessly before she fell against him heavily into much needed sleep.

As she slept into his side, he breathed in the scent of her hair. It smelt natural, like the forest all around. He then lightly touched her face with his finger tips, brushing the two strands of hair behind her ears. The moonlight illuminated her exotic, dark skin which made her even more beautiful, and his pants even tighter. Zuko never thought of her this way until he come across her in the forest. There was just something about her he was intrigued by. After a few minutes, Zuko picked her up and started towards the camp. He reached the camp in no time and placed her down on the sleeping mat, then went to sleep himself.

In the morning, both Zuko and his uncle inspected Katara's leg while she was fast asleep. Iroh said that the wound needed to be re-stitched which Zuko was not looking forward to. Iroh also told Zuko that he would stitch it seeing as he had more experience. The infection had seemed to have become a lot better.

Iroh woke Katara and told her what had to be done. She nodded in agreement, not really caring. Iroh removed the old stitches and started sewing the new ones in.

She was whimpering in pain and tears streamed down her face. Without a thought, Zuko reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. She stopped in her movements, regardless of her pain, and peered into his golden orbs. After that, instead of whimpering, she squeezed his hand and stared into the eyes of her enemy. Iroh noticed the entwined hands but said nothing about it.

Katara fell straight to sleep after Iroh stitched up her wound…again.

***

"Zuko. I have to go into town to buy supplies" Iroh declared "We only have two pieces of cheese and a little amount of bread. It will be about two days before I return, seeing as the nearest town is far south"

"I should go then Uncle. I am fitter and will be able to return within a day" Zuko announced while throwing more wood into the fire.

"No, no nephew. It is fine" he grinned and took a sip of his tea "I want to get these old legs moving and you will look Katara better than I will. You two seem to bet getting along better". It had been three days after Iroh had re-stitched Katara's wound. Her and Zuko hadn't said much to each after that day, both keeping to themselves. The two of them were embarrassed at their intimate moment.

Iroh was astonished that his nephew didn't argue at his last comment. Maybe this young girl has more influence on him than I thought.

"When I return, we will be moving camp. I don't want Azula on our tail, considering what happened last time" Zuko looked away from his uncle embarrassed "I was thinking that we could leave Katara at the nearest village with a doctor. They will be able to look after injury better" he said with a hint of hope that his nephew would comply to his suggestion.

Zuko snapped his head towards his uncle and stood, towering over him. His voice was low but vicious "This is probably the only chance I will get to capture the Avatar and you just want to throw it away?"

Iroh looked up at his nephew without any fear. "Is that what you really want, Zuko? Or is it only to win back your fathers love?"

He looked away from his uncle, his expression turned to sadness. He knew that was the only reason for his life risking journeys to capture arrow head, but what else was he to do? His life surrounded only one thing, and that was winning back his fathers love.

It was just before mid day before Iroh left on his journey.

"Make sure she gets plenty to eat and drink. We don't want her too weak when we move camp. If I'm not back within two days, retreat to the nearest cave or deserted house" Zuko nodded to his Uncles orders, then Iroh was off.

He was peered into the fire, watching the flames licking at the wood, when Katara woke.

"Where is Iroh?" she asked while she heaved herself up.

"He went to the nearest town to buy supplies. He will be back within two days" he left out the part that there was chance his uncle wouldn't return because he knew she would fuss and whine. He looked over to her and saw she was eying the bread that was sitting upon his bag. He grabbed it and threw it over to her.

She caught it and instantly started to eat the small amount bread like it was the last thing she would eat. "Thankyou". He nodded in reply.

"Zuko, I have to go to the river. I haven't bathed myself in three days"

He huffed and stood up from beside the fire. "Ok then, but I am coming with you. I don't want you escaping like you failed to do last time" he said. He watched her expression turn angry at his comment. He didn't argue with her demand since he decided he wouldn't mind a bath himself.

"Well you didn't have a friggin stick stabbed into your leg!" she retorted. Her eyes were lit with blue fire as she looked at him fiercely.

A deep laugh bellowed from his mouth "You were the one who decided to get lost and fall clumsily into a stick" he crossed his arms over his chest stared at her amusedly. She's so cute when she's angry.

She glowered at him for a few seconds then tried to stand up. It was no use. Her leg hurt every time she strained the muscle around the wound.

Zuko sighed and walked over to her, then slung her over his shoulder. She shrieked at his sudden actions "Do I have to do everything for you?" he asked. She started punching his back widely but he hardly felt a thing.

"Put me down you bastard!" she shouted while he started towards the river.

"Do you expect me to watch you crawl through the forest at an extremely slow pace, then have to restitch your wound again?" he asked, tightening his grip around her.

He has a point she thought and it feels good to be this close to him…wait. What are you thinking? Katara stopped he childish thrashing and waited until they reached the river.

Zuko set her down close to the water and grinned down at her "Now don't you try and bending because you know it wont be any use". He placed her down on the bank. In his actions her robe hiked up just under her hips. In that moment, his lust was out of control. He couldn't help it. He hadn't been with a women for months and all his bottled up hormones were coming out at once. Is that really the reason?

Zuko braced each arms on her shoulders and gazed down at in blue orbs.

Her lashes swept to her cheeks, then her blue eyes flashed up at his "What are you doing!?"

"What I want" he said, grinning wickedly down at her. Before she could protest, he lifted her close to his body and took her mouth in a teasing kiss. Power and forcefulness emanated from him. He had enough muscle to make her feel completely dominated. Before she could close her lips to deny him, his mouth came down hard on hers, silencing her objections with a devouring kiss. Waves of sensation were sweeping through her body, but she ignored the feelings and quickly pulled her mouth from his. Their eyes caught each others but they didn't utter one word.

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Well guys I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and tell me what you think. Next chap will be up soon and I promise there will be more kisses and other…stuff. *Grins*

DarcyLouise