Disclaimer: I dont own Avatar.
K. P. O. V.
They day started pleasantly. I met with the woman who had been overseeing the day to day affairs of the palace and asked her to bring me scrolls with most of the information on them so I could review them and see if I could find any improvements on expenses. She seemed put out at my request and glanced to Zuko, but he just raised his eyebrow and looked at her.
Next we went to the stables where I was familiar with many of the hands from the trips with Aang.
"Would you like your rhino or a lizard Sire?" The head groom asked, I think his name was Aki.
"My Rhino for me and two lizards for Lady Ty Lee and Mistress Ming." Zuko said. The man scurried to do as he asked.
"Where am I riding?" I asked confused.
"With me." He laughed at my expression. "What did you really think I would let you ride a rhino with absolutely no experience in the countryside where anything could happen? Nope. Actually, Aki, be sure to put the double saddle on for Princess Katara" I shot a glare at him.
Minutes later Ty Lee and Ming were settling some small packs onto their mounts backs. I was pleased to see that Ty Lee had found Ming some nice tunics and robes that would be easy to fight in and still look sophisticated and save her from the scornful looks of the women in court.
"What is in the packs?" I asked.
"Lunch" Ming replied securing the last bag.
"Ready?" Zuko asked standing next to his large rhino. When everything was confirmed and his two men mounted I walked over to Zuko and proceeded to examine the animal.
"He can carry us both right?" I asked eyeing the double saddle cautiously.
"Yes. Hold on though." Zuko mounted quickly and settled himself in the saddle and reached down for me."Take my hand."
"Maybe a lizard would be best. I've ridden those a few tim-Ah!" He reached down grabbing my arm and pulled me up into the saddle in front of him. I screeched wrapping my hands around the saddle horn he wrapped his arms around me and took hold of the reins.
"Zuko!" I could feel him pressed against my back. Ty Lee smiled brightly at us and went to speak with one of Zuko's guards who had been watching her for a while.
"Yes?' He asked innocently.
"Is there a reason you slung me up here?!" We were moving out the back gates that led to the back side of the island. I examined the saddle more closely. It provided and extra pair of stirrups that were exactly the length I needed and was longer allowing Zuko to be extremely close.
"Well you had to get up somehow. And we couldn't waste the time it would take for you to get on by yourself."
I huffed. "Fine."
We headed out the back gates that led to the back side of the island. It was where most of the farmers lived and few nobles. The countryside was more beautiful than the city. Rolling fields and the occasional cluster of tree's covered the land until the ocean hit the sand.
We rode down the side of the volcano going through a few tree's and relishing in the shade that protected us from the heat of the sun. Ty Lee was chatting with the guard telling him of her time in Boiling Rock. I felt a shudder course through Zuko at the mention of that horrible place. After the war he released most of the prisoners except those who really deserved to be there. He also sent his father there. Few knew that though. Our group mostly because we were partially responsible for his demise.
Zuko led us along various back paths and we ended up at the ocean before deciding to take a break and eat some of the food Ty Lee and Ming had brought with us.
I kept eyeing the ocean all through the meal. I hadn't been in the water for so long that I could feel the very push of the waves on the shore.
"The water is nice this time of year." Zuko commented. "To bad we didn't bring our swimming gear."
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"To swim?"
"Ah but we have a master waterbender remember. I can bend the water right out of our clothes. Come on!" I jumped up and ran to the shore line. Quickly removing my tunic and pants I splashed into the water hearing Ty Lee and Ming shriek behind me as they to stripped and jumped in. When it was deep enough I dove head first and propelled myself in the water with my bending.
Feeling the need for air I rose to the surface. The guards standing watch but Zuko wasn't to be seen. I swam to where Ty Lee and Ming were treading the water laughing.
"Where is –Ah!" Two hands wrapped themselves around my waist and pulled me backwards. Instinctively I moved to fight but familiar lips on my neck stopped me.
"Do you have any idea what watching you run into the water only clad in your undergarments did to me?" He pulled me close to him so I could feel exactly what he was talking about. Immediately desire coursed through me."Then knowing that my guards saw that?"
Damn I forgot about them and the girls. Quickly I looked around and saw a scantily clad Ty Lee sitting on the beach looking up at the guard and he was trying to look everywhere but at her and failing completely. Ming sat next to her laughing quietly at the younger woman's antics. They didn't seem to have noticed us.
"Later." I whispered. I twisted around in his arms and kissed him only allowing some of my feelings through. Just enough to tell him that I did want to continue this later.
Z. P.O.V.
"The water is nice this time of year." I said. "To bad we didn't bring our swimming gear." I recalled the last time I had been on a beach with Katara. It was the days leading up to the Comet.
"What are you talking about?" Katara had asked looking confused.
"To swim?" What was that girl thinking?
"Ah but we have a master waterbender remember. I can bend the water right out of our clothes. Come on!" She jumped up and ran to the shore line. Stopping a bit of a ways away to remove her clothing and ran into the ocean clad in her white undergarments. I was hit with a wave of desire for her and following Ty Lee and Ming into the water I quickly removed my own clothes.
She spent some time under water but when I saw her begin to come to the surface I ducked down and swam up behind her.
"Where is-AH!" She screamed as I grabbed her. I felt her body tense and begin the motions to bend me away but I kissed her neck and she relaxed considerably.
"Do you have any idea what watching you run into the water only clad in your undergarments did to me?" I pulled her close to me so I could show her exactly what I was talking about. "Then knowing that my guards saw that?"
She looked towards the beach eyeing the others carefully. "Later." She twisted and kissed me gently. Oh yes we would continue this later.
We swam to shore and after we got dressed we headed back to the palace. Ty Lee insisted on fitting Katara for a few new robes that she thought Katara would need. Katara asked Ty Lee about the gowns while we were packing up but Ty Lee just smiled and whispered something in her ear that caused Katara to blush.
Katara jumped up onto the rhino before I even had a chance to lift her. She laughed at my expression.
"I am perfectly capable of mounting a rhino on my own thank you." She smirked. I pulled myself up behind her settling in the saddle. That was the girl I fell in love with.
The ride back was uneventful and on a few straight roads I let Katara take the reins . She proved to be very good and once we were back in the palace gates she made me promise to take her out on him again.
"Come on!" Ty Lee grabbed her away from me practically jumping up and down with excitement. "We only have three hours until dinner and we still need to get you fitted for those robes." She dragged a horrified looking Katara inside. Ming stood off to the side chuckling softly.
"I suppose I should make sure Ty Lee isn't torturing her." Ming picked up her packs and bowed to me.
"That would be best. Katara likes shopping, but only when it's for things she really does need." I laughed remembering when Aang and the others told me how they got their Fire Nation disguises.
I walked to my study after saying goodbye to Ming. Not surprisingly Uncle was there going through some new reports that had come in from the military.
"How is your young bride nephew?" He asked
"Uncle she would hit us both for saying that. She is well though. We took a ride through the countryside and tonight is a quiet dinner in our room."
"Have you shown her the rooms we prepared for her?" I wasn't ready to do that yet. I wanted her in my bed a few more nights before giving her the option to leave.
"No not yet." Uncle looked at me and immediately I felt guilty but brushed it off. "I will in due time. We are supposed to conceive before the wedding." I reminded him.
"Just remember Zuko, this is a big change for her. She may need her own space."
"I know. And I know just the place."
Hey look an update!!! Hope you all like it. Some of the names are cheesy or corny. They also belong to their respective authors if I used them. Adurna Risa