Author Note: as promised :D Here's the next chapter. Which I actually totally sat down and wrote this time... even though i have like 4 hours of AP English homework, followed by 3 more hours of AP Chem homework and so on xD Anyways. i totally noticed that FF keeps spacing my documents weird... and it kind of annoys me. SO um. i just had to mention that, i don't purposely make my story chapters all close together. In my mind, i envisioned a beautiful purple and blue story book! LOL.

i do not own avatar(: they just get the luxury of being in my twisted plot.

X x Chapter 4 x X

Katara's eyes fluttered opened as she heard voices in the hallway. It was too early for all of this. The sun probably wasn't even up yet, but what could she have expected? Fire benders rose with the sun while water benders thrived in the moon. She slowly got up when she noticed that she was alone. Replacing Zuko's spot was a beautiful silk dress. Of course, seeing as she was Katara, she took this two ways. One, Zuko didn't trust her to dress herself and two, the Fire Lord thought she was a lowly peasant who couldn't afford clothes. Hmph. Her hand ran across the material. It was a soft satin dress that had beaded flowers running across the chest area. No matter how much she hated the blood red of the fire benders, she loved the Fire Nation's fashion sense. It was a dress unlike the Water Nation. It was strapless and scandalous with a hint of sex appeal.

"Sokka would definitely protest if he saw this," Katara mumbled, But she suppose what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him- or her.

"Lady Katara?" A voice called suddenly

"Ah, Yes?" Katara asked, her voice soft as she opened the door.

Yet the moment it opened, Katara let out a small yelped and shut it, her heart beating fast as she faced the familiar Skeleton masks of the guards. She seriously thought about it for a moment. Why the hell would the Fire Nation make their men dress up like that? All the Water Tribe requires is the nation's color, blue. Everything was just creepy here. The rooms were practically made of iroh while the bath was a self heated water system.

Knock Knock

"Katara, can you open the door? I Ah, took the mask off,"

Katara hesitantly cracked opened the door, slightly embarrassed by the fact that she just yelped and angry at herself for being so rude.

"Oh Jin, I'm sorry, I'm just not use to waking up to your... uniform"

"No problem, Zuko asked me to come get you for breakfast, are you ready?" He questioned noticing her interesting choice of fashion.

"Let me just get dress first," She said as she quickly ran into the bathroom, the forgotten dress laying on the floor.

"Oh and Lady Katara," Jin said through the wooden door

"hm?" Katara answered wondering why he was suddenly in Zuko's room.

"I like your shirt,"

Katara looked down at what she was wearing and cursed. She had forgotten that Zuko leaned her his shirt last night. Great, she must have looked like a slut now. The water bender quickly threw off clothes as she slipped the dress over her head. She had to admit, Zuko had nice taste. The dress was a classy strap less and the design was breathe taken. She had heard that the Fire Nation's national flower was one of a kind. Petals as red as blood with hints of yellow peaking through the steams. The beaded work did it great justice. Given that she would have to get use to wearing red, Katara looked over at the blue material sticking yearningly out of her bag and sighed. She decided that she would let her hair down today considering Jin was waiting outside for her. She took a deep breathe as she stepped out of the bathroom, a small gasp escaping Jin's mouth as he looked at her with pure hunger, gross.

"Ueh, Shall we go?" She asked, clearly wanting to get away from any bed.

"Right..." He said as he lead her out, his hand gliding dangerously close to her butt every so often.

Katara kept glancing around. The fire nation ship was pretty big considering that it was just a ship. Jin kept glancing casually at bender, his eyes lingering down her body as he noticed how she kept running her hands through her hair. Even though she did nothing to it, it still held it's full, wavy locks.

"Why is the ship so busy today?" Katara asked suddenly

"General Iroh is hosting one of his famous musical celebration today before we reach the Fire Nation. It seems to be the only way that Zuko wouldn't run off," he answered, amusement in his voice as Katara let out a soft laugh

After a few minutes, Katara and Jin stopped in front of a door.

"Where are we?" She asked, looking around for anyone she knew

"Oh, we're at my sleeping quarters. We'll head down to Zuko once i finish getting something," He said casually as he inviting her into the small room.

Katara was always good when it came to her instincts, or so she thought. The incident with the blood bender was totally different... same with stealing the water bending scroll from the pirates. She knew she shouldn't going in, but she thought that it would have been rude. After all, Jin was one of Zuko's best friends. How much trouble could he be? She hesitantly walked in, missing the look of mischief on Jin's face as he made his way to the small dresser next to his bed.

"Katara,"

"yes?" She answered, her voice a little higher than usual.

"Tell me, did you and Zuko do anything last night?"

Katara looked at the back of his body as her breathe got caught in her throat, "no, why would you say that?"

"Well, you were in his shirt this morning. That's something couples normally do after they have sex."

"Oh, i didn't have anything proper so he leant me something...and we're not exactly a couple after all."

Katara suddenly began feeling very small as she stood in the center of the room. In a split second, Jin made his way to her side, his hand on her wrist as he tilted her head up.

"You're right, you're his financee which makes it even better. Tell me, do you fantasize about him? Do you lust over his body, fantasize over his stick?"

Blue eyes became bigger as Katara went into shock. Was this the same person she met yesterday who talked to her about flowers and dogs? No, she doesn't fantasize about Zuko. She was only 16 anyways! Katara was about to turn around when Jin tightened his grip on her wrist, a small yelp escaping Katara's mouth. Zuko suddenly appeared in the door way with papers in his hands.

"Jin, I thought i told you to get Katara for-"

Zuko looked at the two and mentally analyzed the situation in front of him. Almost as though it was a normal habit, he stalked over to Katara's side, his hand reaching out for hers as he gave her a light tug.

"When i say bring her to breakfast, I mean no pit stops." He said with anger in his voice, "you're dismissed for now."

Jin knew better than to cross Zuko. Who was he to go up against the Fire Lord and a master fire bender? He may have been stupid, but he wasn't an idiot. He simple nodded and apologized saying that he just had to have his daily piece of sugar before he noticed that the two benders were already gone.

"Damn." Jin cursed as he licked his bottom lip, "She was starting to crack too..."

x x x

Zuko kept his hand around Katara's as they walked down the hall. Was she suppose to say something? Or perhaps she was suppose to thank him. That event was turning badder by the moment anyway...

"Did he do anything?" Zuko asked

"ha?"

"Did Jin do anything to you?" He said again with more urgency in his voice

"Oh, no... we just stopped by his room for a moment and he asked me a few questions as to why I had your shirt on this morning," She said softly, it wasn't technically a lie.

"Good."

The rest of the walk was quiet before they reached the deck. As Zuko opened the door for Katara he quietly whispered into her ear, "You look nice by the way" and proceeded to go greet his uncle.

Breakfast last for an hour as Iroh ran through tonight's celebration with Zuko. Katara found it amusing on how the two relatives interacted. Whenever Iroh mentioned dancing, Zuko gave an unpleasant look on his face. Whenever Zuko mentioned quietness, Iroh literally cursed him for being so uptight. It was almost as though they had reversed the role in the family. Zuko was the more mature one while Iroh wanted to live life.

"Katara, you will be coming tonight right?" Iroh asked as he sipped his tea

"Of course, Uncle Iroh, I wouldn't miss it for the world," She said smiling

"Like she has anything better to do," Zuko muttered as he got up to train.

Katara was about to smack in with a water whip when iroh stopped her.

"He seems annoyed, but Zuko really likes these celebrations, he's just to stubborn to admit it,"

x x x

The night preparations went on smoothly. Katara just had to sit there and stay out of everyones way. It seems as though everyone had gotten into some type of habit. Zuko just hid in his room all day while Iroh and the crew fussed about. Katara found it comforting to just sit by herself in a room and read a little. After all, it wasn't as though she had someone to talk to. Zuko was the only person she knew and that was definitely not an option.

"Katara,"

By now Katara knew Zuko's masculine voice. It was unique in it's own way. She looked up to acknowledge him.

"Does Water tribe peasant not answer to people?" He asked jokingly.

"First of all, if i'm a Peasant, than you're marrying a peasant," She stated in a cocky way that made Zuko twitched every so slightly, "and seeing our past history, I don't need to answer you."

"Well, you should answer the Fire Lord," he stated.

"and sooner or later i'll be the Fire Lady..."

An awkward silence filled the air as the two of them pondered about what to do.

"So, what is it?" the water master asked as she closed her book and got up.

"Here, wear this tonight."

Zuko tossed yet another beautiful gown into Katara's hand, only this time it was more of a form hugging party dress.

"Seeing as you're a man, until further conformation, where do you get all these clothes?"

Zuko stared at her, "If you must check if i'm a man, go ahead. I'm as male as you will get." Katara mentally blushed at this statement while her hand twirled a strand of hair around her finger, "and if you must know, these clothes were my mother's when she was a teenager. Uncle Iroh figured that walking into FIre territory in pale blue would caused the people to look down at you."

Katara mentally processed the information. So he hadn't been picking them out because he wanted to see them on her. Psh, Fine. Wait, why was she so upset by this? It's just Zuko after all. Who cares if he found her attractive!

"Besides, i thought red was always a nice color on you. Party's in about 2 hours. Feel free to call upon any maid to help you, but mind the guards. They aren't use to seeing... someone like you around the ship."

Katara looked at the clothing in her hand and examined it. It was another strapless dress, Zuko's mom must have loved to party. The bottom of the dress had a threaded bird sown into it as it poof out ever so sightly.

"this probably won't even make it past my knee..." Katara thought as she closed the door to change, "two hours ha... i guess it wouldn't hurt to just get ready now and walk around a bit."

Katara was never one to get dolled up. When she first had to meet Zuko, it took the maids 3 hours to capture her. Luckily she was the only female water bender and made a nice home for herself in the middle of the ocean. However, once her father got home her little experiment was ruined. Katara put on a little make up and sprayed her hair with a sprinkle of water. It was after all, naturally wavy and so it looked good up or down. Tonight was another "down" night. She examined herself in the mirror. She had on a light blushed with a rosy pink lip gloss. Her eyes had a tint of pink on them as she managed to place a flower neatly in her hair.

"I think i clean up pretty good!" katara complimented herself as she noticed the length of the dress, "i was right, barely even pass my knees,"

She walked out of the small bathroom before wondering the hallway, numerous glances on her as she begin to feel nervous again. She suppose Zuko was right about his men. Every so often she would hear a dog whistle and wince at the vulgar display.

"Maybe i should find Zuko or something," She thought idly

"Katara!" a jolly voice called out as she passed a big room

"Uncle iroh," she smiled

"aren't you at the party yet? you look beautiful,"

"Doesn't it not start for another hour?" she questioned as she looked at the man holding his french horn, "That's what Zuko said"

"Zuko always comes late to these things, it started 30 minutes ago," he laughed as he noticed the water bender's annoyed expression., "i figure by now half the crew is drunk rotten."

Katara never liked being around drunk men, but she felt safe near the Fire General and softly nodded before the two made their way to the deck. Silently she was plotting ways to kill Zuko for making her fashionabley late.

Iroh was right, half the crew was already Drunk silly. Many of them tried asking her to dance, but she silently declined. After another 20 minutes, she noticed Zuko slip through the door and the two nodded slightly at eachother, Zuko being dragged off by some of the younger guards. Katara felt lonely at the party. There was barely any decent women there who weren't trying to get into someone's bed. As she turned to look at the night sky she felt a hand fall on her back.

"Oh... Hi Jin," She said, their previous encounter still strong in her mind.

"katara, you look stunning tonight, i'm surprise these men hasn't tried to dance with you."

Katara could smell the alcohol on his breathe as she let out a small laughed and made small chat. Jin kept trying to touch her every so often, his hands slipping on her shoulder or gliding across her kept his eyes close on his fiance, his mind worried about her as he mentally questioned why. It had only been 2 days since they have spend time together and in two days, Zuko was beginnign to act like a hormonal teen. He wanted to hold her hand, to smell her hair, to do things that the Fire Lord wasn't use to doing! He couldn't, under any circumstance, fall in love with Katara. He wouldn't allow himself too. He was Zuko after all. He never needed anything, he never wanted anything but honor. Now here comes one girl, one woman, and suddenly he wants her.

He had to admit, a few years ago she had caught his interest. She was nothing like the Fire Nation women. She wasn't interested in sleeping in someone bed. She held her own in the battle field as well as everyone's else's. Her beauty was unique. Her power was incredibly and she was his. Officially and whole, or at least by law.

Jin kept falling slightly on katara, his mind formulating a plan slowly. Earlier that evening, he had talked the others into distracting Zuko. Jin slyly glanced toward the fire bender and noticed how he was being surronded by gaurds encouraging him to drink, of course Zuko wouldn't because it "clouded his mind." He was always such a prune.

"Katara, i feel kind of sluggy, can you walk me to my room? I don't know if i can make it by myself," He asked with innocence in his voice.

"Sure," Katara said, her kindness taking over as Jin softly put an arm around her neck and lead her away.

Katara didn't remember where Jin's room is. Why would she even? She just let Jin lead the way hoping that he knew what he was doing - and he knew exactly what he wanted to do. With a small smirk appearing on his face he lead Katara further away from the party. Away from the sound and cheering and away from Zuko. It didn't take long for him to noticed that she was missing from the deck, however. She was afterall, the only decent woman there. Panic began to run through his mind as he noticed all the drunk men around him.

"Do you think Jin is really going to do it?"

"man i hope he gets that chick good. It'll be his last one i bet."

A Fire ball launched in their direction before a very angry prince faced them, clearly demanding that he knew what they known.

"I swear to god FIre Lord, Zuko we didn't have anything to do with it! Jin said that he knew you closely and would get us fired if we didn't help him" A coward scream yelled

"Tell me where is she?" Zuko screamed, his hands burning with heat as he punched the man in his stomach, "and pray to god that i don't kill you afterward."

"Jin said he was going to take her to the dungeon and have his way with her, i swear that's all we know!"

Zuko dropped the man down, fear across his face as he ran from the deck. The entire time Iroh had caught the conversation. He had grown angry at the crew and canceled the celebration, yet a small happiness tugged at his soul when he realized that Zuko was caring for their new lily. He summoned the two men and ordered them to clean up the deck making it dangerously clear that their punishment was not over.

"Hurry up Zuko..." He prayed silently

x x x

"Jin, where are we? it doesn't look like this was where we went early." Katara said as she went down her second stair case

"It's not," Jin said as he pushed Katara against the ship wall, "it's right where i want you."

Jin's lips went to Katara's neck, his arms grabbing her body. Katara's eyes went wide with fear. She tried to water bend something to hit him, but the sudden realization came first. The ship was made of METAL which meant no water. Seeing as she was always a smart girl, she knew exactly what Jin's voice intended to do and it sickened her.

"I swear to Yui, if you even touch me I will scream,"

"My dear Katara, everyone's at their party and we're all alone. You're walking around the Fire Nation ship in your hot little dresses, do you honestly believe that no one will try to make a pass at you? We're in the only part of the ship that's entirely made of Metal. The one place no earth bender, air bender, or water bender can defend themselves."

"I'm not a water bending master for nothing," She stated, fear written in her eyes, but confidence riding in her voice.

His hand struck her across the cheek as a tear rolled down her face.

"Seriously, you'll like it with me a lot better than with Zuko. All of the others did after all."

Jin grabbed Katara's arms, his strength overcoming hers and he attempted to tie them together. Katara was beginning to grow scared, and being scared was never a good thing in this situation. She tried to kick him down, but his free arm stopped her. Clear amusement in his voice as he told her how resistance turned him on even more. Sucessfully getting her hands bonded, Jin began to knead her left breast, His finger trying to harden her nipple as his lips met her neck once more. Even drunk he was incredibly powerful, Katara's body begin to froze. She felt the heat from his hands and realized that he was planning to burn her clothes off.

"Jin, get the fuck off of me!" Katara yelled as she struggled against his body, desperation in her voice.

"that's right baby, struggle some more,"

"You sick freak, go give yourself a hand job!"

Jin punched katara in the stomach as she fell down, anger in his eyes.

"If you're a good girl, it won't hurt as much," he said as he began to unzip his pants.

Katara was screaming, she didn't want her first time to be like this, anything but this. She didn't know what to do and the fear was clearly interfering with her bending power. As she closed her eyes she mentally pictured Zuko coming to her rescue and saving her from this sudden nightmare. Even if she dislike the jerk, she wanted him to save her. Hell, she would even settle for MoMo right now! As Jin climbed onto of Katara tears fell from her eyes.

"ZUKO," She cried, her voice trying to escape the iron walls of her surroundings. The weight on top of her disappeared. Her shut eyes began to slowly open, fearing what she would see, she hesitated when she heard that familiar masculine voice.

"You Sick Bastard. How dare you force yourself on MY finance!"

"Come on man, you weren't going to do her," Jin said trying to calm his friend down.

"Unlike some people, i rather wait for her to fall in love with me first," and with that he send a fireball crashing into his stomach, a painful scream erupting from the ship as he passed out from pain. Zuko kicked his body as he pulled it into one of the cell. Guards ran down the stairs as Iroh quickly followed.

"watch this disgusting traitor. he shall be put on trial for disobeying his Lord, no food or kindness is to be shown, GOT IT?" he screamed

Everyone watched the young fire bender with fear in their eyes.

"GET OUT."

Once everyone was gone Zuko turned his attention toward the water bender shaking on the floor. He noticed how peices of her dress was ripped and took off his own shirt, pulling it over her head as her eyes began to softened toward him.

"katara...?" he asked as he softly untied her binds.

Her arms reached out to hug him, her soft sobs filling the air as Zuko stroked her Hair. He didn't know what to do. He was never put in this position before.

"Did he...?"

"no... y-you came b-b-before he could..."

"i'm so sorry, katara," he said, remorse in his voice as he hell the small girl in his arms.

"Why should you be sorry Zuko? you saved me and you don't even like me. You hit your best friend for your ex enermy and i'm not even - "

Zuko's lips crashed onto Katara's as she froze in his arms. Her body relaxing more into the kiss. Passion flood into each of them as their lips locked onto one another seeking something that had been ignored for a long time.

" Katara, you're not my enemy and if a friend tried to rape someone i cared about, i wouldn't hesitate to kill them. Ever. You're my finance, Katara. and i will tell you this now, if we must get married, i want to fall in love with you. it's only been 2 days, but love's crazy right? and i shall wait for you to love me. for now, please... please, forget this" he asked with sadness in his voice as he rubbed her wrist from the bonded marks

Katara was too shock beyond words to do anything anymore. Only she could ever almost get raped and then confessed too all at one time. She wasn't scared, she faced more scarier things in her life. She saw her own village get raided, her own mother die beside her. She wanted to just reach out and hug Zuko for everything he was doing. Maybe he wasn't as bad as she thought. It was like a mental battle in her head. She was a strong girl, and surely when Jin woke up he would meet her wrath.

Softly, so soft that Zuko almost didn't catch it, she finally said, "i wanna marry for love too..."

Zuko didn't really know what to do, he wanted to protect this girl in his arms. slowly, he picked her up bridal style, her small form light in his arms as he headed for his room. With every step he took he felt her breathing settle. Looks were glue onto the two teens as they disappeared into the darkness of the fire bender's room. With a small kiss on her forehead Zuko set her down softly. Not even bothering to change, both of them held each other. Katara fell asleep feeling the safe presence that Zuko held. "i won't mess up this time, Katara... I promise."

x x x

Author Note:

p.s sorry for any mistakes :C

for some reason i kept mixing personalities together xD at one point, Zuko became Neji and started throwing ninja stars before i went "oh wait, wrong anime!" i think school is beginning to make me miss anime and drawing a lot. it's taking away my ultimate love! Anyways there you go folks(: like i promise, sunday! muhahahaha. i literally almost killed myself writing this. I really want to like ... push Zuko onto Katara and make them fall in love, but it is Zuko and Katara. that would never happen... SO quickly. I'll try to have the next chapter up by sunday once more. xP Possibly earlier.

Chapter 5 Preview

"Haven't you ever made time to visit your people, Zuko? Have you ever gave them a gold coin before and saw their face light up? Tell me, When have you ever did anything outside of your tiny little office!"

"Do not EVER tell me what to do Peasant. You will learn your place." Zuko yelled, his voice irratated at the truth Katara was spilling

"No, you will fix yours."

Katara walked out angrily, her voice agitated as she slammed the door shut. How the hell did they ended up lovey dovey one moment and angry the next?

"Stupid arrogant Fire bender, Cocky Prince."

"Stupid Water tribe peasant freaking princess."