A/N: ALRIGHT!! So plot over super steamy random sex has won!! Thanks to all who replied!! I had both circumstances played out in my head, I just wondered what you all wanted XD. The beginning of this chapter is set a little before Katara sealed the deal with unconscious Princey over there XD (also watch out some limey bits added XD)
Iroh wearily sat down and poured himself some tea. He really HATED to pressure someone into doing something that they didn't want to, but Zuko was really going to die. Katara was the only one to save him…what was he to do? Iroh, you're really living up to your fire nation upbringing, black mailing people just to get what you want…Iroh sighed deeply. He knew it was wrong and vowed that when the opportunity presented itself, he would beg for Katara's forgiveness. He dropped the tea cup in disgust; he'd even lied to her! He scoffed at his own thoughts. Three days? Zuko would be lucky to hold out for longer than two days…I'm so sorry Katara…
Zuko was having the most excruciating dream. He felt as though he entire body was slowly being cooked in an oven with no where to run. He was screaming for someone, anyone, to come and save him. Then he heard the voices. Katara? He thought through the pain, and focused on her voice which helped shut out the burning torture. Her voice is so soothing…but why does she sound angry? Zuko started listening to what she was actually saying. Something about a choosing fire…? As Zuko kept listening, he felt his heart clench and ache for Katara. He knew what his Uncle was doing. Zuko wept bitterly for Katara, in his dream. She would bond with him to save other people. Sure, he wanted her for himself, who wouldn't? She's beautiful, smart, resourceful…and not meant to be mine. Zuko railed desperately against the heat in his head so that he could wake up and tell her not to bond. He knew it would trap her in the fire nation, away from family, friends and everything she stands for. She would hate him far all eternity for forcing her into this bond. Besides, didn't she have a thing going on with the avatar? At this thought, Zuko's dream shifted and he was back in his own room. Katara was in his arms looking lovingly into his eyes. Zuko closed his eyes and kissed her, brushing his lips hesitantly against her soft ones. Katara returned his kiss slightly opening her mouth and gliding her tongue against his bottom lip. Zuko moaned softly and gently stroked her body down to her waist and massaged her hips. He started to kiss and nip at her neck and relished her mewls and moans. Katara's finger tips caressed his hair and drew circles on his chest. Zuko was wondering if he had died and gone to heaven when Katara started feeling lighter and lighter. Zuko hugged her to his body tightly to his body, feeling the warmth from her body slowly flee. Panting slightly, he felt his body heating up as he looked at Katara's face. Her lifeless eyes stared past him as she started disappearing like fine mist. With a great roar, Zuko's body burst into flames. He wanted her back. Hell, he needed her now! And dragons protect the person who tried to keep her from him! Zuko's room also faded until all Zuko could see was flames. Then came the most curious words, "Heart fire from the Choosing, Cease."The fire stopped as abruptly as it came, and all Zuko could feel was the pleasant coolness of watery velvet stroking his skin and the sensation of lips brushing against his lips and his chest. Zuko's heart leapt in his chest as it recognized it's newly bonded mate. All he felt after was a weight that sank unto his bare chest and the cool darkness claimed him as well.
Katara's eyes fluttered open and swallowed down a frightened scream when two very very golden eyes stared back at her. They stared at each other for a few minutes.
"Why did you do it?" whispered Zuko, closing his eyes briefly.
"I couldn't let you die, Zuko. So what happens now?" Katara tried to act flippant when her stomach and heart were fluttering crazily and she tried to keep down the bile in her stomach.
"We marry."
"What?" a tortured whisper ripped out of Katara's throat. Zuko sat up and pulled Katara beside him.
"Katara, I know the idea is repulsive to you, but this is ultimately what my Uncle was also implying when he told you about bonding. I cannot marry anyone else, and neither now, can you." Zuko cocked his head to the side a little. "Actually, I'm not to sure what will happen to you, since you are water nation…but usually when you bond, there is no escaping it."
"Wait, you heard me and Iroh?" Katara was trying to handle the small things first.
"Well, sort of. I only heard bits and pieces." Zuko turned to face Katara, "Katara, thank you for saving me." His golden eyes were soft and so hypnotizing. Katara couldn't avert her eyes from him.
"What else could I do? I'd rather bond with you than let you die." Her words hit Zuko hard. His eyes hardened and became narrow as he glared at her.
"So you'd only bond with me if I was dying?" Zuko hissed. Katara blinked, wondering why he was so offended. Wasn't it obvious?
"Um…duh? What did you think, Zuko? If you weren't going to be burned to death by your own body, why would I have to bond with you? I'd help you get over it…well me, but I wouldn't become your freaking other half!" Katara let out her grief on Zuko without thinking of the force of her words. "Because of you, I can't find my true love! How do you think I feel, you bastard? You know, I thought I was starting to be able to stand you, being good and teaching Aang fire bending and all, but even when you're unconscious, you RUIN MY LIFE! First you take away my family and home, kill my friends and now," Katara's voice broke. "NOW YOU TAKE AWAY MY DESTINY!" Katara screamed at him.
Zuko felt his heart hardening to stop him from feeling pain. He slid layers of iron and ice in-between his heart and his true emotions and let indifference and stoic mask slide into place on his face.
"Is that all?" Zuko said imperiously, gazing down coldly into Katara's eyes, watching her sputter and swallow the shock. "Well let's take a look at my side of the story, shall we? My treacherous body decided to chose you. A water peasant who doesn't know how to respect the crown prince of the fire nation or her future husband. Consider this union a blessing, peasant. Marrying this far above your station is like a real Cinderella, and a demotion to me."
Katara balled her hands into fists and shook with rage. How did she just know that Zuko could never change his nature? No matter how many good deeds he would do, he was still a fire nation royalty; happy to trod down the lives of others just to get the squishiest of the salted squishes. Katara forced back the threatening tears and just sat there for thirty seconds, listening to the laboured breathing of Zuko. Katara sat up straighter and stared Zuko down, "my apologies, prince, but I was giving as much respect as you deserve. None." With that, she drew back her arm and punched Zuko, the royal ass in the face. "Don't ever think that you own me, you little spoiled brat. And in this story, this Cinderella will not attend your balls to become another bowing servant in your castle." Katara turned on her heels and ran out of the room, slamming the door open and pushing aside a surprised and dismayed Iroh.
Katara stormed through the palace, not really seeing where she was going, and running into a number of servants without stopping to help them pick up scattered paraphernalia. Katara knew she was angry, but she still had to come to terms with what she was really losing. I probably won't be able to visit the South Pole…hm…that's too big of a start. Dad and Sokka…well I'd only really miss dad. Um...let's try for really small scale. No more whale blubber cakes? Katara felt overwhelming sadness wash over her. Yup, that hit the nail. Damn. Katara found a small garden with a small quaint pond hosting fuzzy little turtle ducks. Katara crouched down and wrapped her arms around her to try and contain her pain and failed. Tears streaked down her cheeks. She had to marry Zuko and her world as she knew it was going to change completely. The fact that she accepted it so easily was a testament that the bonding had worked. A baby turtle duck waddled over to her to see what the matter was. It gave a little quack and nuzzled Katara's knee. Katara gave a watery chuckle and sniffed. The duck sat at looked at her inquisitively, like it was asking 'what was the matter?' Katara just pet it with two fingers, concentrating on the softness of its fur. The duck let out a pleased quack which brought out all of its siblings waddling out of the pond for a head scratch of their own. Katara giggled and obliged them all. Then she proceeded to name them all.
"I'll call you Aang," She declared, pointing at the first turtle duck that greeted her.
"You will be Sokka and you can be Toph." Right after she said this, 'Sokka' gave a mocking quack which he quickly swallowed as 'Toph' hit him over the head with an outstretched wing. 'Aang' waddled over to his siblings and placed himself between them, effectively ending their little squabble.
"Oh, you are definitely Aang!" She giggled a little louder and spent another contented few minutes stroking her new friends. Katara bend water from the pond into another mini pond and set it closer to the ground and watched as 'Aang', 'Sokka' and 'Toph' gingerly stepped into the bended pond. Katara then raised the pond with her hands as she stood up. The turtle ducklings quacked happily at the change of position. Katara spent a few more hours playing with the turtle ducks until exhaustion finally caught up with her. She turned to leave, when she realized that she was hopelessly lost. Katara glanced down at the train of ducklings behind her and shrugged. She lay down on the soft grass and laughed as the ducklings poked themselves into her arms to cuddle during the night. In scant minutes, she was asleep.
Zuko glared at the door long after Katara left. Then he felt the wall he put up in his heart fade and felt the rush of emotions take him. Anger, sadness, and hurt, trapped in a torrent of jumbled emotions in Zuko's head. Why did he have to ruin everything? Of course he knew that Katara never wanted him in the way that he wanted her. She had that damn Avatar. He cursed his nationality and his rank in the fire nation. If he was born an earth bender or a water bender, she wouldn't have a problem with him! Hell, he'd even be a normal human! Zuko groaned and massaged his temples, He had to fix this. He threw off the blankets and stood up, earning himself a dizzying headache and shaking limbs for his trouble. Forcing his legs to obey him, he tried to follow Katara…which was surprisingly easy; all he had to do was follow the trail of destruction and KO'd servants.
Wow, she's really pissed, thought Zuko. He found Katara sitting in his mother's garden. He stifled a gasp when he found her there. She was crouching with turtle ducklings surrounding her, demanding attention from all sides of her. One tugged gently at her hair, making her twist around to pet it, as another duckling poked her with its bill on her other side. Zuko smiled gently as he committed the sight to memory. Katara's tender smile on her small face with a few tendrils from her let down hair curling around it. There was a beautiful sunset behind her with a soft breeze ruffling her clothes. Zuko swallowed as he really took in her clothes. It was what she had worn when she first came into the fire nation and the only thing she would wear. Her long flowing neck smoothed out above two swells on her chest that rose and fell with her breathing. Zuko's eyes wandered to her stomach; flat and smooth like her legs that were peeking out from her skirt. He knew that she was saying something to the ducklings, but he couldn't hear properly. He just watched her lips, full and luscious, forming words and curve into perfect smiles. Zuko watched contentedly in the shadows until she stood and looked in his direction.
Zuko started sweating, thinking that she saw him, but then she lay down on the grass. He felt his lips curling up when he saw the turtle ducklings vie for her attention again by crowding into her arms. Katara's laugh made his heart jump. One day, she will laugh like that for me. I vow it. Zuko slipped off his opened shirt and draped over her, motioning to the ducks to remain silent with a finger to his lips. He knelt down and brushed the hair out of her face, while leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Sleep well, my intended," Zuko whispered, gazing down at her for a while, before heading back into the palace.
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