Spoils of War
Chapter 9
Zuko's dreams were haunting and metaphoric. He didn't understand why he kept stealing the glass of water from the Avatar; all he knew was that he loved every sip of it. Just as he was going to finish it the Fire Nation attacked, calling him a traitor for drinking the water, Azula leading the battalion as the new Fire Lady.
He awoke confused and sweating, wondering what the hell it all meant. As he wiped the sweat off of his brow, he noticed Katara asleep next him, her eyes red and puffy. She was curled-up into his body, clinging to him for dear life. He looked at her covered, naked form, admiring the way the blankets hugged her.
He traced his fingers along the creases in the cloth, just barely feeling the basic shape of her body. She shivered as his finger traced up her back, sighed and curled into him more.
He felt sudden warmth run thru him, like small flames spreading through his veins, he looked at the window to see the first rays of the sun. He leaned back, letting the feeling wash over him, his skin heating up and his pulse increasing.
"Mmmm" Katara hummed as she pressed her cheek harder into his chest
I wonder what they feel when the moon rises, Zuko thought, is like a refreshing coolness or a cold chill?
He pondered this as he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep, hoping his dreams would be more peaceful this time.
"Oww, that hurt's!"
"Stop complaining peasant"
Zuko heard voices in the distance, slowly pulling him back to the waking world.
"Don't call me a peasant!"
Is that Katara?
He opened his eyes and found the guard dragging Katara out of the bed by her hair.
"What do you think you're doing?" Zuko snapped
"Prince Zuko, I'm sorry we woke you, the girl wasn't waking-up so I"
"Who said you could take her?"
"It's morning sir" the guard said
"Is that supposed to mean something to me?" Zuko asked "Did I say I was done with her?"
"Well no, but breakfast is being served and"
"So have our breakfast brought to us, is that so hard?"
"No sir, but she should be returned to her cell what if she tries to poison you or"
"I thought I made it clear last night that she was not to be put in a cell again."
Zuko's calm tone frightened the guard more than any threat, the prince was not losing his temper but calmly commanding, something no one was used to.
"My apologies Prince Zuko" the guard said as he bowed "but her room is not yet ready."
"Then leave her here."
The guard stared gaping at Zuko.
"But she could try something, what if she"
"Place guards outside my door" Zuko replied seriously "and at the end of every corridor leading form this wing of the palace, or is that too difficult for you?"
"No P-Prince Z-Zuko"
"Good, now have breakfast brought to us and get every earthbender in the palace, I want her room done by sundown."
"Of course"
"Oh and Lieutenant" Zuko called
"Yes" the guard said
"Knock first"
At that, Zuko grabbed Katara and kissed her long and hard, pressing her body into his. To his surprise Katara played along and returned the kiss. Her eyes closed, she let him run his hands down her body until the guards left.
