Yes I am back with a new chapter after what seems like FOREVER! - this stuff happens when one has too many things to juggle. But I do apologize for my lack of daily updates, but I can promise you all this that this time around I am going to finish this story this summer. Therefore that means 1 chapter updated EVERY WEEK! (I'll try my hardest!)

So without further interruptions here is chapter 4 :)

The Burning Desire

Chapter 4

"KATARA Where are you!" Sokka screamed as he walked through the dense forest. He was cutting down the large leaves with the sword Katara had dropped when she vanished into thin air.

Sokka was sweating to the point where his sweat was blinding him, as it dripped down his brow into his eyes. His arms ached with all the slashing he was doing, and he was frustrated that his sister had vanished into thin air.

Sokka dropped the huge sword onto the ground and sighed. He had gone past the point where Katara was last seen, and he knew she could not have gone this far on foot that fast.

Sokka looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun, hunting for a bison to fly over him. While Sokka looked for Katara on the ground, Aang was looking for Katara in the air, Sokka shook his head, whipping the sweat on his brow in the process. He didn't know why Aang wanted to look up in the air, there was nothing there but clouds and a whole bit of nothingness.

Sokka picked up the sword off the ground and started cutting through the leafs and branches once again as he pushed forward, hoping wherever he was going he would find Katara at the end of it.

"Katara where did you go?"


"Appa do you smell her? Do you know where she went?" Aang asked his trusted companion, his bison Appa.

Appa yawned and snorted, to a stranger it would seem like nothing but to Aang Appa was speaking to him through his actions and by the look on Aang's face, it wasn't the answer he was looking for.

Aang slid back further onto Appa's neck, getting comfortable and holding Appa's reigns tighter. Aang didn't like the fact that he had left Katara and Sokka alone to go find out what that roar was, but something had spooked Appa, and that meant a lot.

Aang was flying pretty high above from the ground and the clouds were getting in the way, it was distracting to him and it was getting in the way of his vision, so using his air bending skills he removed all the clouds away from where he was travelling creating a clear passage and a clear view of the grounds.

Aang sighed, "Where are you Katara?" he spoke into the wind.


There were two figures sitting in the dark side by side. One hugging her knees to her chest and the other with his hand to his cheek.

"You know, you didn't have to sla-"

"SHUSH! I don't want to hear it Zuko! That was my fir... uhh... anyway you should never have kissed me! How could you! ARGH"

Zuko was starring at his mate, a small smile gracing his face. He felt a small pride bloom up into his chest. HE was her FIRST KISS.

Well someone is feeling proud of themselves

Zuko could feel the smirk on Zurel's face and chuckled – bad idea. Katara heard Zuko's chuckle and thought he was laughing at her because he might have caught the slip of the tongue. Katara face turned as red as a tomato, she thanked god for the darkness so Zuko couldn't see her face.

She pushed herself up from the ground, wincing as her toe throbbed with pain. Ignoring the pain she started to walk away from Zuko.

"Where do you think you're going?" Zuko asked, as he too got up and started to follow her.

Katara stopped mid step, turned around and pointed a finger in what she thought was Zuko's direction and said.

"Listen here mister. Unlike you I don't plan to spend my time here sitting and doing nothing. God knows where we are, and Sokka and Aang are probably looking for me right now. So unlike you I would like a way out of here, so I can find my friends" with that said Katara turned back around and tried to feel her way out of this cave.

Zuko stood there, watching her try to find her way, when an idea struck him. "Katara.." he called.

"What!"

"You're going the wrong way..."

Katara froze and slowly turned around. Zuko didn't have to able to see her face to know that she was boiling with anger.

I told you. You should have told her you knew the way out. Now face the consequences of your act-

Oh shut up Zurel, you are not helping in any way!

"You knew the way out this whole time and you failed to mention it to me!" Zuko could hear the grinding of her teeth as she spoke. Zuko stepped back slowly, as Katara took long strides towards him. Zuko could hear the sloshing of the water - Katara was bending.

You better calm our mate down Zuko, before she goes and kills you...

You think I don't know that Zurel, just shu- "WOAH!" Zuko dogged, as Katara bended a water whip towards his face.

Zuko dogged left "Katara sto-" Zuko dogged right "-p please! Wait I have to te-" Zuko ducked "-ll you something important!" Zuko grabbed Katara by her waist, dogged another water attack, slipped behind her and grabbed her hands and twisted it behind her back.

"Let go of me Zuko." Katara was panting, the anger had taken the toll on her.

Zuko could feel Katara trying to work her way out of his grasp so he tightened his hold on her wrist.

You might be hurting her you know

I know, but it is for her own good Zurel. She won't listen to me otherwise.

Understood

Zuko thanked Zurel for understanding. Tuning his attention back to Katara he pulled her close to his chest leaned forward close to her right ear and whispered

"Katara..."

It almost seemed to have worked. Just the simple utterance of her name from his lips in his husky voice had caused pleasurable shivers all over her body.

"Katara..." he said it again. Katara closed her eyes and moaned.

Zuko heard the moan and growled. His canine teeth elongated as it tried to pierce through his bottom lip.

Bite her. Complete the bond Zuko. Bite HER!

Mate...

Yes mate...our mate...your mate

My mate...MINE

Zuko let his elongated canines escape from within his mouth, slowly descending onto Katara's neck, when suddenly quick flapping of wings snapped him out of his daze.

Zuko's head snapped up towards the roof of the cave, where he noticed the outlines of bats fluttering around.

"Stupid bats..." he uttered. Not noticing Katara's left elbow as it made contact with his ribs.

Zuko stumbled backwards, holding his left side and groaning in pain.

"You imbecile! How dare you...try to...try to SEDUCE me?" Katara was red in the face not because of embarrassment but because of the anger that was boiling within her. Not only for Zuko but on herself. How could she have let a man she hates cause pl-plea-pleasu...THAT to her.

Zuko was nursing his left side; even though it hurt he had a small smile on his lips.

So I have some sort of control over Katara's emotions

Yes, it comes especially handy when you need something from your mate

Zuko could picture the naughty smirk that would have harboured Zurel's face after he said that.

"Listen to me Katara.." Zuko could see the look on Katara's face that she was going to interrupt him again, but before she could utter a word, Zuko continued on.

"...Didn't you find it awkward that you had someone or something talking to you in your head? Didn't you find it weird that I could hear your thoughts? No..wait..before you say anything let me explain everything to you. I am a dragon Katara, and no I am not joking and this is not a trap so that I can capture the Air Bender.

I seriously am I a dragon. My mother was a dragon but she married a human and therefore gave birth to me in human form. That is why I was born a human and not as a dragon. You're probably wondering why am I telling you all this huh?" Zuko saw Katara nod lightly.

He took a deep breath and said. "Because my dear Katara you are my mate."

Katara stood in front of him as stiff as a stick. Until what seemed for forever to Zuko she uttered words.

"What do you mean I am your mate?" her voice held no emotion, nothing to give out what she was really feeling and it seemed even Zurel could not gain entrance into her mind.

Zuko she has build a shield around her mind, I cannot enter.

Can she do that?

Yes, but not so soon

So...what does this mean?

It means we are in a very bad situation

Bad situation? Please tell me you're joking...

No my friend. This means that our fire bird here, knows more about us than even we do

What do you mean she knows more about us?

It means this isn't the first time she has heard about dragons and only a few know about dragons in this world

Who?

Hunters. Katara is a hunter.

Hunter? Hunter of what?

Dragons.


So what did you think? Suprised! Well do tell me what you thought and if you like where this is headed. Please excuse any grammatical mistakes because it's only me going through my work and I tend to miss a lot of stuff.

I would really appreciate a beta reader if anyone is interested, just send me a private message or even a review if anyone is interested.

Thanks

mixedfic