Anxiously Zuko paced the kitchen waiting for his brother in-law to arrive. He was not found of the childish Sokka, but desperate times called for desperate measures and for him to put a side his personal opinions. Zuko was angry, confused, and worried all at once he never thought it possible to feel so many things at one time with out exploding or feeling imploding upon each other, but he did. Zuko jumped up when he heard the door open and saw Sokka walk into the kitchen. "So what's the big deal?" Sokka whispered as everyone else came in. How could he have been so stupid, he forgot everyone else was coming... "First have your girlfriend get them all outside and get the party going," Zuko commanded. Sokka opened his mouth to protest, but Zuko silenced him with a death glare. Sensing the change in Zuko's heart beat Toph came over. "Hey Hothead," she offered. "Not now," Zuko replied. "Where is Katara?" the girl asked ignoring Zuko. "Upstairs, now please go outside," he offered trying kindness instead. But as luck would have it the Earthbender was going to make a bee-line for Katara. Sensing an impending doom Sokka was able to stop her and draw her attention to Temperance. Great, she's going to corrupt my sister was his response but he was grateful. Once everyone was outside Zuko and Sokka sat down at the kitchen table. His amber eyes narrowed as he scratched his head.
"So what's the problem oh Lord Hothead?" Sokka said in jest laughing to himself. Now was not that time. Zuko rubbed his chin in thought thinking of the best way to go about this. "Where is my sister?" Sokka demanded grabbing Zuko by the collar after a moments silence finally realizinf she was missing from the picture. "Upstairs, " Zuko said. Sokka got up and started heading up the stairs, he knew it was full moon last night, she would not be in a good state now. She never was. "Wait!" bellowed Zuko and the offender stopped in his tracks. "Tell me what is wrong with my wife," he demanded. "What did you do to her?" Sokka spat back. "Nothing," Zuko said explaining how she reacted last night and this morning. "If she won't tell you why should I?" he remarked. "Because, I love her, and I am worried about her. I don't know what to do. I can't help her or talk to her about it if I don't know what it is," Zuko replied rubbing his temple getting increasingly annoyed. "Fine," Sokka caved. "It is not something I try to remember, or even like to think about. But, it is something I'll never forget. When she was younger we had a Waterbending nomand staying in our village. He use to take Katara on full moons telling our father he was teaching her how to use the tides to bend. But you know how the full moon effects Waterbenders puts them in heat? Well, he used Katara as his play object," Sokka recalled tearfully not proud of what he had admitted. Zuko was crushed and remained in silence. "How did you find out? What did you remember?" he said his voice eerily cold and distant.
"I remember it like it was yesterday, our Gran had just returned from a three year voyage to the North Pole and was suspicious. She is a waterbender and knew of the moon's powers. So on full moon our father set out to look for Katara. I begged him to let me go, I knew where they were he took her outside our village to a lake. So I was allowed to go. Then we found him inside of her like some animal. I'll never forget it. Since then every full moon she's never the same. Our healers said he had been doing it for years she wouldn't say how long but they said probably five or six. Now since she can heal, she was able to heal and undo the damage and present herself as a virgin, but she wouldn't tell anyone. I didn't want you to marry her because if you found I figured you'd leave her because she wasn't a virgin," Sokka admitted the last part with guilt avoiding Zuko's eyes. "You don't know me then, I love your sister and want what is best for her. You don't think seeing her like that kills me? I'd die if it would make her happy or take that pain away. Or drain the tears from those eyes," Zuko roared, he meant it Katara was his world. "What is this guy's name?" Zuko demanned flames coming from his ahnds scorching the walls as he slammed his hands on the table. "He went by Karl rumour was he was a bender from the swamps," shrugged Sokka. "Why is it so important?" he asked. "Because, I am going to hunt him down and murder him," vowed an infuriated Zuko. "Just don't tell Katara I told she will kill me," begged Sokka. "I can't make that promise. Now I am going to check on her," Zuko said pushing past him to see his wife.
Zuko paused at the bedroom door he could hear Katara weeping. He knocked on the door and hurder her sniffling. "Yeah?" "It's me can I come in?" he asked fighting the urge to kick down the door. He heard the lock unclick and she appeared from behind the door. Her appearance was dishevceled she was a mess, but she hugged him still. "Everyone is here," he whispered not wanting to let her go. "How about Sokka?" she asked. "Yeah," Zuko replied his eyes not meeting hers and taking a special interest in the floor. "What?" she said suddenly annoyed. "Don't be mad, but he told me everything," Zko said holding her as she weeped. Katara stared at him blankly and her mouth formed an o shape before her gaze was diverted. "We can talk later. I just want to help, I promise. Just please come down stairs," Zuko begged. Katara agreed to all terms, she knew she needed help, and was relieved Sokka had told him the truth so she did not have to. Zuko went outside and joined in the festivities. He along with Toph Aang and and the nitwit(Sokka) were making sand sculptures. Suki was tanning and laughing at Sokka, more so the last than the afore mentioned. Ursa was cooking with Iroh while watching Temperance. Hakoda was surfing along with Torrance and attempting to teach Lysander how to do sow(Torrance had caught on quickly). Moments later Katara came down, her eyes were now longer red, her hair was silky and straight, she wore an elegant blue silk robe as she strode over to her brother and hugged him and whispered her thanks. He nodded kissing her cheek. "Gran and Pakku will be here within the hour, guards sent word," Sokka told her. She nodded thankful to have such great distractiopns around this horrid time. Her next victim was Zuko, she snuck up behid him wrapping her arms around his waist kissing his neck. He turned to face her. "Feeling a little better?" he asked. She nodded. "Want to talk?" He offered wiping the sand off of his hands. "Not now my Gran is coming, later. I promise," she said before leaving to see what Aang was doing. She laughed when she saw his sand sculpture of Zuko with flames coming out of his oluth. "Come here honey," she yelled embarassing Zuko. When he saw the sculpture he laughed and began to mock causing Katara to laugh harder. "It is missing something," Sokka stated scratching his head than he had it. "Let the master artist work," he exclaimed making Katara nearly die of laughter, even Suki laughed. Sokka added the scar to the eye and riddculously spikey hair. Zuko growled. "Come on, I do not look like that," he whinned in mock horror.
"No, you look much better," Katara whispered to her husband who had delicate ego. "Let's swim," Sokka suggested stripping down to swim trunks and everyone followed suit except. "Hello, blind can't see, yeah let me just jump in the ocean..." she yelled after them and went to join Urs and Iroh and play with Temperance. She was bent on teaching her to call Zuko Hothead instead or Lord Hothead, she hadn't decided which would anger him more. Katara began bending some awesome waves as she pulled out a surf board and showed up Hakoda. Her father was impressed as was Zuko. His mouth was agape staring. He didn't like the fact Katara was surfing, he watched as Aang was studying her body and he grew jealous, he swore even his brother was checking her out. Maybe he was just becoming dellusional like Azula who knows...
As soon as everyone came in for lunch Katara's Gran arrived along with Pakku. Zukko liked them instantly they were kind toward him and welcomed to the family, but took a reater interest in Katara as he thought they should. "When should I be expecting great- grand children?" Gran asked causing Zuko to choke on his tea and Katara to spit out her food. "Don't you think this conversation is best left in private?" Hakoda offered when all eyes turned to the royal couple. Zuko immediately agreed as did Katara and their guests did not see the point arguing in front of so many people and pushing the subject. "Enjoy the full moon?" Pakku asked devilishy to the couple with a wink causing Katara to leave in tears an Zuko to get angry. Apparently Pakku knew not of her past. "That is enough, it is a private matter. Please do not badger Katara," Zuko roared sending Fire bolts in the air at no one in particular. "What?" Pakku asked innocently. Gran took him off privately and told him the story, and he understood. Now they got why the couple was so angry. Meanwhile at lunch Everyone else except Sokka and Hakoda was baffled by Katara's outburst. "Wonder what is bothering her?" Aang asked. "None of your buisness," Sokka shot back. Sensing the tension and that things could get no worse Torrance asked what had been on Aang's mind as weel "What did they mean by enjoy the full moon?" he said innocently. "Nothing," Ursa said quickly, too quickly quieting her son. Awkward silence ensued.
Meanwhile Zuko found Katara hiding off a way from the house by the water crying. He held her close to him as she cried. "It will be okay," he promised. "I'm ready to talk," she whispered. He braced himself. "I just don't know what to do anymore. I need help. Every moon I relive it, feeling instead of the way I should. I hate it. It makes me want to die. I feel so dirty so useless," she choked out opening up making herself compltely vulnerbale to him. "I know, I will get you the finest medical care when we get back. I swear whatever it takes," he promised as she cried into his chest. "You are not mad?" she questioned. "Not at you. I could never be for this, I just want to help you. I love you with all my heart. I want you to be okay and happy. I don't want you to wake up one day hating your life and resenting me. I want you to be okay with everything and then from there we can work on our family," Zuko said placing his hand over hers kissing her cheek. "What if I wanted children now?" she insisted. "Then I would tell you okay, but let me at least let you be seen by the doctor to make sure you are okay. And you have to promise to talk to me," he offered just wanting her to open up. She nodded. "Do you want talk about it maybe tonight will be easier if you do?" Zuko offered. "I never told anyone," she protested. "Maybe it is the guilt that haunts you then," he offered wisely. She nodded and promised to talk to him latter, but felt it was important she apologize for ruining lunch first. "You can't put this off!" he yelled after knowing she was avoiding him.
True to her word Katara returned moments later with a cup of tea for each of them and a blanket to warm them, the ocean breeze was chilling her, or maybe it was the memories. "I don't know I guess it all started when I was about three maybe four my mother was still around. The guy he was a friend of the family and offered to teach me waterbending on the moons. My parents agreed they trusted him. When he saw how the moon affected me at even the young age he took advantage me of me. Waiting until my body burned up so bad and made me beg for him to fuck me to relieve the pain. I hated it, it made feel so dirty so disgusting, but if I didn't he would hurt me beat me and make it so much worse when he did enter. Not to mention how bad my body did burn up for someone and I was too little to know what it meant or how to deal with it. My little body couldn't take it as he ravaged through me whenever he entered. He was violent, a kid could hardly accomadate a full grown man who wasn't small to begin with had a very big hard on. I never told anyone, it went for years until I was about eleven and they discovered him inside of me one moon. Naturally I was mortified and told them it was just the one time. A first time ordeal. And then, I just kind of locked it away and pretended it had never happened. He said I would probably be stuck with the memories until I found my soulmate some kind off ancient waterbending trick," she cried. Zuko did know what to say or do. He doubted she'd be stuck with those memories forever, but he couldn't tell her he doubted her. She wiped away the tears as she sipped her tea. "It will be okay," he said as she burried her face in the crook of his neck. "I know," she mumbled wrapping the blanket around herself. Zuko ran his hands up and down her sides warming her as they sat watching the waves crash against the shore. Once she had regained her compusre and sure assured him for what seemed like the millionth time only then did he allow her to rjoin the oarty. She immediately went into the water and began swimming playing with Zuko's brothers, Suki, Sokka, Aang, and Hakoda. Zuko began building a mini Fire Nation kingdom out of sand, he was bored. Pakku had came up to him and apologized, Zuko had bit his tongue and accepted the apology rather than telling the old man where he could get off.
Sensing the Fire Lord's bordem Iroh joined him bring him a cup of tea. "Hello, Lord Zuko," said the familiar voice extending him a cup of tea. He accepted as he invited the man to sit. "Hello Uncle," he said kindly. "Lovely whether," Iroh noted, Zuko nodded though he could careless. "Why so glum Lord Zuko? Today should be a cause to celebrate," Iroh offered imparting wisdom and going on about the joys of marriage and leadership and the honor, something Zuko had once desired now he couldn't care less about. "It is Lady Katara," Zuko offered as he busied himself sculpting the sand, Iroh helping him. "Ah," his uncle replied knowingly scratching his chin. "I suppose between that, the reurn of your mother, Katara's family, your siblings, and the death of Azula you have a heavy burden, young Lord. But sometimes you have to find the silver linning in your troubles," he offered. "I know uncle, but it is easier said than done," Zuko replied his temper rising. "Well said, but things worth obtaining are never found easily," Iroh said offering his nephew to mull over the new information. Zuko appericiated Iroh's wisdom, he did, but sometimes it could be down right annoying when you just wanted to vent. Zuko sighed in frustration knowing his uncle was correct, he'd have to work hard to achieve what he wanted to. But it would be worth it. He wanted to see a peaceful time where the Fire Nation could be respected and not feared. He wanted some respect and more than his respect he wanted his wife to feel better. And she would, the curse would be lifted with time as she talked more with Zuko because they were soulmates.
Sensing Hothead's dismay Toph thought she would cheer him up in her own special way as she dragged along temprance. "Hey Lord Hothead," Toph said sitting next to him. Zuko grinned though she could not see and asked her to stop calling him that. "Fine Sparky, but your sister has got something to say," she replied trying not giggle. Man, he was going to kill her after this. Toph nudged the little kid and she said "Brother is Lord Hothead. He is annoying." Zuko found it amusing, his sister had the attitude and mean streak of Azula. She would be a worthy advesary one day with the aid of Toph. "Grr, why do you have to corrupt?" Zuko roared pretending to be angry. The girl just shrugged, "Why not? I would teach her to make fun of you and Sugar Queen but you know how that would end. Besides since Azuala is gone I thought you needed a sister to pick on you,. See ya, Scarface." Why did he bother asking questions? Scarface, honestly? He was now seething, but as long as Temperance did not upset Katara right now he was okay with it. He found it amusing even though he would never admit to Toph this fact and give her the satisfaction that came with it. Zuko sat there playing with his sister, she was gorgeous, she looked like his mother and Azula, the resemblance was almost freaky. If he did not know better he'd swear it was Azula in toddler form. His mother had come to collect his sister and take her away from the sun, her pale skin would burn in the heat. Moments later Zuko was joined by his brothers.
"Hey," Torrance said sitting down next to Zuko. Lysander sat on Zuko's lap not saying a word, he still was shy and uncertain about his big brother. "Hey," Zuko replied distantly his eyes focused far away. Katara watched as he interacted with his siblings knowing he'd make a good father when his day came. "What's up?" Zuko asked not really in the mood for company. "Well, you are good with girls right?" Torrance asked. It was all Zuko could do to not laugh, his seven year old brother was asking him for advice on girls. "I guess," he replied, he wouldn't say he had been good with girls, just blessed when it came to Katara. "Well, what do you do when you like one?" Torrance asked innocently. "You are too young, besides does she like you? How old is she? And you have only been in the Fire Nation for a day," Zuko said teasingly sounding like a father. "I was just curious," he said looking sadly at his brother. "Talk to her ask her out. You know? Haven't you talked to mom about this kind of stuff?" Zuko said growing uncomfortable. He shook his head no, and Zuko laughed. Interuptting the awkwardness Katara came wrapping her arms around Zuko kissing his neck. He groaned lowly. "What were you talking about?" she asked plopping down on the ground to sun bathe in her two piece, showing off her curvy figure. "Girls," Zuko replied. Katara giggled at the thought of him giving advice to the child. "What?" Zuko said looking at her angrirly. "Oh nothing Prince Charming," she teased and then Zuko got that hint that maybe he wasn't Mr. Romantic. But he was preoccupied, he was watching his brother study Katara's curvy exposed figure. He was mad, maybe she was the girl he was yapping about?
Zuko whispered quietly trying to convince Katara to cover up , but she refuse especially when he told her his suspicions. That just made her laugh and more determined not to cover up. He was being unreasonable, how could a seven year old possibly like her? After his brothers went off to get dinner Zuko was left alone with Katara. "I am telling you he has the hots for you," Zuko argued. "He is seven for Agni's sake Zuko, seven. It is not like anything would happen anyway," she replied tossing her hair back revealing her bare neck for him to plant a line of kisses on. "I know, but he shouldn't be oggling you like that. Your my wife. Your his sister in-law," he argued. "But I am also hot," she added as a joke but he nodded his head in definite agreement. "And a woman in power, and if he is anything like my mother he will be attracted to someone in power," Zuko added with sexy comment in regards to Katara and disgust to his mother. "If I have so much power than do I control you?" she asked teasing him and he had an idea where this would lead later or eventually. 'Yes, of course. I live t serve you," he replied devilshly. "Yeah, not very believable. Work on that," she said winking at him then smacking his ass as a joke. He agreed and saulted her making her die of laughter.
Everyone was sitting around eating when the two arrived, somewhere still leery about Katara out of worry for her. And most excepted for the gang were uncomfortable around Zuko, the just did not know what to make of him. Zuko grabbed himself some chicken that was loaded in the hottest sauce that coud be found in all the land and ate it like it was nothing, Katara on the other hand stayed away from spicy foods and joined Aang in munching on a wide range of exotic fruits. Zuko vowed he would get her to indulge in spicy foods, they were not bad and could be quite erotic if used properly. At least that was his arguement. "How are you feeling?" Sokka asked elbowing his sister rather hard in the stomach. "Better, until you did that," she said only half joking as she rubbed her stomach. Sokka grinned sheepishly and stuffed his face with food instead of a joke, he could tell she was still in no mood. After dinner Zuko announced that he and Katara must leave for the palace because Zuko had meetings to attend in the morning of utmost importance but everyone was welcome to stay the night here. They ppacked up and left in silence. "Go shower, and then when you are done I will have the healers check you over. Then we will discuss our plans for tomorrow," Zuko said leaving saying something about a meeting of the elders in his study.
Katara was grateful to be left alone to draw an icy cold bath, her body was still on fire and much too tired from the days events to do anything but soak in the icy water. The cold water helped ease the burning and soothe her tired muscles as she closed her eyes. She thought about the das events and how Zuko had been so understanding, so kind. And then she laughed mentally at Torrance who had crush on her, and Zuko's jealousy. Katara had not even told him the funniest part, that his brother had been hitting on her all day. She found it amusing, all in all it had been the best da after a full moon she had ever had, and she would have to properly thank the Fire Lord at a later date. Once done, sand out of her hair Katara dried herself and dressed for the night in a blue silk nightie that was not as revealing as the one on her wedding night, but hugged her nicely. Over it she wore a red silk bath robe common of the Fire Lady and returned to her room to find the healers waiting for her.
"Lady Katara, good evening," one of them said. "Evening she said sitting on the bed. "Lord Zuko has told us about your story and the horrors you endure. We are just here to make sure you are okay and then give you something that will relax you when that time comes," the healer explained as he examined her. She hated them poking around and prodding inside of her, but she just remained silent. "It seems you are okay physically, but mentally stressed. Some damage has been done to your reproductive organs but it appears your body is healing and we can't do nothing abpout it. We will monitor and see how it effects your ability to bare children. Normally we would tell you to rest but, we know you are anxious to get on with helping the war efforts. So we bid you to be cautious. We will be back to check you over again in a few weeks," the healer said before leaving. Damage to her reprodiuctive organs? This could not be, impossible she had her montly flow like normal and was healing according to her own healers. Could they be mistaken, or maybe it was a sick joke? She did not know but it urked her as she laid in bed for quite sometime pondering it.
She heard the door creak open Zuko appear. "Hey, I heard what the healers found," he said his voice was kind and comforting as he held her in his arms. She was not going to cry for what seemed like the umpteenth time today, no she had to be strong. She told him of her suspicions and he just nodded and promised they would get a second opinion if she wanted. "So how was the meeting?" she asked her voice near cracking as it was distant holding back tears. "Troubling, we hae a problem of famine and sickness as you know in the homeland and we are trying to fight it head on, but the problem is all of our healers and most excess rations are being sent to other nations," he sighed it was quite a problem because they couldn't pull out from other nations to help themselves, it would ruin them. Katara nodded knowingly. "So tomorrow would you want to join me in council? Most wives of Fire Lordds don't but I thought I'd ask," he offered stripping down to his boxers and crawling into bed. "Where is the village you speak of?" Katara asked ignoring the question at hand. "Why?" Zuko said suspiciously he knew what she was up to and it was he had hoped for. "Well, I am sure they told you about my efforts during the war. I could help these people out tomorrow, before we get another opinion. I could start being a change for the better," she offered. "I knew there was a reason I married you," Zuko replied kissing her burning hot forehead as he hugged her. "And why is that?" she asked coyly. "Because you're brilliant and sexy," he mumbled his arms around her waist drawing in her scent. She smiled, and he knew she had played him but he could not care less.
Katara had turn to face Zuko who was whispering everything she had wanted to hear in to her ear making her smile. She ran a hand through his hair as she used her other hand to snuggle against him, she could feel him pressed up against her. His arousal pressed up against her, hard through the thin fabric as he groaned lowly. "Good night," she whispered to him teasing him as she moved closer yet. He closed his eyes and vowed, he would make her pay for this act later.
Zuko had woke early that morning to shower before Katara had woke, he had a lot on his agenda. He had a meeting before breakfast and then he needed to lead Katara to the village and update the elders of the situation, they would be most pleased. Katara did not know what her helping meant, no wife of a Fire Lord had ever helped the nation or ever taken an interest in the people. She was well loved and respected, and it would be in her favor. The rest of Zuko's day would be filled with meetings and signings of treaties, all official nonsense that he could careless about. He'd much rater spend the day with Katara helping his people. After his shower and meeting Zukow found Katara waiting and escorted to the villae which was in worse shape than he could have imagined. The houses were delapitating, the water murky, the food scarce, the people dying, and it was just sad. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked. "Yes, I need to help these people," Katara said and there was something in her eyes that told him to back down that she needed this for her. He nodded and left her with his most trusted guards and threatened to slay them all if anything happened to Katara.
Once alone Katara's work began. She went to the sickest people in the village who were on their death beds and healed them, draining herself in the process. She had medicine for those who were in better shape. She had food and lots of it for the people who welcomed her like some kind of hero. She used her waterbending to clean the water and promised to return with Earthbenders to help rebuild homes. She was exhausted, but seeing the satisfaction of the people was reward enough. When she returned to the palace more healer's were awaiting her and examined her and came up with an alternate theory. "Lady, it is either damage or you are possibly carrying. At this point it is too early to tell. I won't know for a month or so. But either way you will be able to carry," the old woman, a healer from the outskirts of town and a well repected one at that told her. Katara nodded and told her to tell Zuko the news while she bathed. Katara relaxed in the hot water. Letting it take over her tired body, she just had one more thing to do before visiting Zuko, and that was speak to Aang and Toph, They should be back by now. Once bathed and dress Katara set out to find her friends. She explained the perdicment with the village and they agreed to return tomorrow and Earthbend some homes. Katara thanked them and set off for Zuko's study.
She knocked on the door and a deep voice bade her to enter. "Hey sexy," Zuko greeted her happily slamming the door behind his wife. "Hey," she smiled kissing is cheek. "How did it go at the village?" he asked sitting down at his metal desk. Everthing was metal in the Fire Nation or so it seemed, it drove her nuts. Wooden stuff was more tasteful and fun. "Great, made lots of progress. Aang and Toph are going to help me tomorrow," she said sitting on his desk. He nodded his eyes on her and not the doccument he was signing. "You get the news?" she inquired leaning over seductively her chest inches away from his face teasing him. "Mhhmm," he nodded. "And?" she demanded. "That's great," he replied though he did not what it was in regards to anymore. Katara slid off the desk and headed toward the door to leave. "Oh yeah I got the news from the healer. It is fantastic,"he said overjoyed really hoping she was carrying. Katara giggled as she explained to her husband she had attempted only moments ago to have this conversation with him. "Sorry," he said huskily sneaking up behing and wrapping his arms around her waist kissing her collarbone. "What brings you here anyway?" he asked curiously waggling his eyebrow as he presssed his arousal firmly against. "Not that," she teased smacking him playfully. Just then Iroh had opened the door carrying in tea for Zuko."See how she treats me?" Zuko pouted laughing. Iroh raised an eyebrow at Katara who was laughing: "I saw nothing." He promised winking at Lady Katara and setting down the tea. "Have a good night. I hope to see you in a meeting soon Katara,"Iroh said before vanishing. "No fair he likes you better,"Zuko whinned playfully. "Of course he does, I am irresistbly charming,"she giggled. "Besides it seems to run in your family an attraction to me,"she added teasing him. He shook his head mad still about yesterday and he still did not know the half of it. "I came here to see what you were up to," she said truthfully sitting down with a cup of tea as Zuko resumed the tedious task of pouring over treaties and signing his name to the ones that were reasonable. "Paperwork,"he replied stiffly pointing to the sizable stack on his desk. "Do you have to get through all of that tonight?"Katara asked her hopes falling, she had really wanted him to just come to bed with her so she can lie in his arms feel those muscles. Feel loved. "No, but I should. Why what do you need?"he asked looking up searching crest fallen face and then he understood she needed him. She truly was one in a million, she didn't need his money or his stuff but just his company. "Give me about thirty minutes and I'll come to bed," he said kissing her head as he rose. She nodded and disappeared. Zuko was one in a million, no one had a husband as kind and caring as she did.
Once in her room Katara changed into a tee shirt of Zuko's and slipped into a pair of his boxer she was certain if anyone saw it would considered scandlous but she did not care they were the closest thing to her and the most comfortable. They had his scent on them and were far to big for her as she wrapped herself up in them and pulled the covers up to her chin sighing to the warmth it brought her. She felt herself nodding off to sleep, but fought to stay awak until Zuko returned. True to his word he was there within the hour, in bed his body pressed against hers for warmth as he tried to steal the heavy comforter from her. "Why are you wearing my clothes to bed?" he questioned he didn't mind he thought she looked sexy anything he was just messing with her. "It gets too hot sometimes to wear real clothes. Besides these were comfortable. Would you rather I wore nothing?" she mumbled half asleep pulling the blanket off of him. "Actually yes I'd rather you did," he replied huskily in her ear before kissing right below her earlobe. She giggled and pretended to be offended, but she expected him to answer that way. "Will you stop hogging the blankets?" he yelled at her in the darkness for like the umpteenth time that night. She goraned and rolled over in his arms relinquishing some of the blanket in question. Finally when she was sound asleep, he was able to move her so he could get his half of the comforter, it was an abnormally cold night in the Fire Nation. Zuko had trouble sleeping that night a lot was weighing on his mind. Thoughts of pilling up paperwork haunted his mind and family issues. He woke up the next morning cranky and tired well after the sun had risen. It was the first time he had slept past sunrise since he could remember, no one woke him they figured he was sick. When he opened his eyes he saw Katara was still asleep sprawled out across the gigantic bed forcing him on the edge. He smiled, Waterbenders so perdictable, you never see them up early. He shook her awake. "What?" she moaned obviously as tired as he was and feeling sick. "I don't know I just woke up. It's so late we should have been up hours ago," he said getting up. "Uggh, Aang and Toph went to the village and Iroh is filling in for you. They woke me, when you wouldn't," she yawned turning over burrying her head back in the pillow.
"Get up," Zuko said pulling the blanket off of her. "Just because you can't sleep doesn't mean I can't," she complained but got up nonetheless. He began tickling her and she got up immediately and surrendered. She took note of Zuko he had stubble coming in on his face from not shaving he looked gruff and sexy. She ran a hand over it, it was rugged looking. Zuko went off to go see what was going, he had news to deliver to his mother. He wanted to find out about Ozai and have her keep Torrance away from Katara. He was back later with breakfast in hand and plopped on the bed. He began digging into his hearty breakfast of Fire Flakes. "You can't possibly serious? That is your breakfast?" Katara said raising an eyebrow. Zuko nodded offering her one. "Didn't your mother teach you any better to eat nutritious?" she questioned suspiciously. "I am the Fire Lord I can eat whatever I want," he smiled. "Really," she questioned seductively. He nodded. "What if I said no?" "I'd say to bad?" he laughed. Katara raised an eyebrow at her husband, he made it too easy. "What if I were to do this?" she said summoning water to cuff him to the four poster bed. "I'd say do what you please," he said huskily with a devilish grin wanting to see what she'd do before he'd firebend to breakfree. She released him. "Tease," he mummbled. "Maybe later," she whispered in his ear.
Later on a few weeks down the road, the day of the next full moon, Katara set out to find Toph she needed to talk, to someone who wouldn't report back to Sokka or Zuko. Toph was just the girl for the job. Katara approached her friends room and knocked on the door. "Come in," Toph ordered perturbed. "Hey," Katara said hugging Toph. "Hey Sugar Queen?" Toph questioned. "Yeah, who else," Katara said plopping down on the bed. "It doesn't sound like you," Toph stated. "Well it is me," she replied getting aggravated. "Your heartbeat is different. Your not, are you?" Toph asked all kidding a side. Katara's heart skipped a beat, was she? "I don't know the healers said I might be," she shrugged. "You are!" Toph proclaimed ignoring the listener at the door. "What have you and Sparky been doing? I want details," the Earthbender demanded. "Nothing. Well not nothing, but I obviously have not been sharing a room with him for his taste in decor," Katara joked and Toph chuckled. The listener had hear enough. He had impregnated his sister, and then Katara had the guts to joke about it..."What are you going to name it?" Sokka asked revealing himself. Katara was beyong angry at her brother for listening in, now he was just being an ass. She shrugged jer shoulders. "Sparky probably wants to name it some insane Fire Nation name," Toph said sniggering.
Katara had not even thought of names if it was a boy or a girl, but she was sure Zuko had and they would be insane as Toph had put it. It also made her wonder what if the child wasn't a firebender... What if Zuko's first born was waterbender or couldn't bend?She laughed at Toph's comment pushing her personal thoughts away and Sokka was horrified. "Just keep it a secret Sokka we will talk later," Katara said rushing him out of the room whispering to him not to do something crazy. "Why keep it a secret?I thought Sparky would want to shout it from the rooftoops," Toph asked. "He doesn't know I am definately pregnant, and we don't know if I will keep the baby to term," she replied explaining the risks of miscarriages and still-births that often plagued younger couples and people who were trying to concieve. Katara and Toph had their girl talk, Katara educating the younger girl about sex and relationships. All the while trying to reassure it wasn't gross or as bad as it sounded and that Zuko really was a good guy and she shouldn't try and kill him regardless of what Sokka and Aang told her. "What is today?" Katara asked suddenly as the day grew later. "I don't know, full moon I think," Toph remarked off hand. Katara let out a low groan, that is why her insides had been on fire all day. Toph looked strangely at Katara who had to explain the moon cycle's importance to Waterbenders. "Eww, too much information," Toph complained when Katara told her how she felt. "So that means no sleep for me to tonight," Toph whinned since her room was closest to the lovebirds. Katara giggled. "Not funny Sugar Queen. You and Sparky aren't exactly discreet," Toph said bluntly with laugh that made Katara blush. "What?" Katara said defensively. "You are loud in bed. The two of you keep the whole place up. Not like we can complain though we are guests and you two are in love and all. He being the Fire Lord and half nuts," Toph said much Katara's dismay. Not exactly what she had hoped to hear from her friend, Katara had always thought they were rather quiet. "I am kidding, you are not as loud as Sokka and Suki," Toh said grinning and Katara just clicked in disgust, she didn't want to know what her brother did behind closed doors.
Katara had left to go seek out Zuko and see how things were coming along, in the past month she and the gang had visited many cities in the nation trying to restore order while Zuko worked diligiantly over seas. She walked into his office and sat down his desk which now was wooden, she had gotten her way on that matter. "Yes?" he said peering up from the paperwork at his wife. She dangled her feet as she sat there, "You do know what today is?" she remarked playfully nipping at his earlobe. He hadn't a clue, was it a birthday? A holiday, some dinner? He shook his head his shaggy hair covering his eyes. "Full moon," she smiled seductively feeling better than she had in ages. Zuko grinned devilishly. "My, my so it is," he said running a hand across his stubble. Katara had whispered in his ear all the plans she had for him that night, her eyes burning with desire her body hot with intention. He too was aroused but there was a damper on their plans. "While your offer is tempting, I am afraid I can't. We promised to watch my siblings. They are staying in our room tonight," Zuko said reminding her of the promise they had made a week or so ago. She sighed a waste of a full moon, but Zuko wasn't going to let this full moon slip by as he all but ran to the bedroom with her in his arms.