Chapter 10

Katara's POV

I'm alone…

That was the first coherent thought that went through my mind as I woke up once again in that conniving bastard's room.

How long has it been since he first kidnapped me?

Are the other's worried about me?

Are they coming for me?

Probably not, I wouldn't hold it against them if they didn't, especially Aang. All I've done is cause more trouble for him. He has the world to save not some girl who betrayed his trust. There's no point even lingering on the prospect that he's going to come save me so I might as well stop playing the victim and figure something out.

After all, how many kidnapped people have the opportunity of escape and don't take it? Not a single one.

Sitting up in the bed I couldn't suppress the shudder than ran through my body as I realized that I was inexplicably cold. That probably had to do with the fact that I was stark naked.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried my hardest not to remember the way Zuko had held me. The way he had made me feel things that I shouldn't was too intoxicating. They were those emotions that could get me thinking of him in a way that I definitely shouldn't.

'I have to snap out of it. He was the reason that Aang hated me right now, probably Sokka as well by now. Now that I'm stuck here I'm just his prisoner. But, not for long because as soon as I find my damn clothes I'm out of here,' I thought ferociously pushing the silk sheets aside.

"Now where in the hell are my clothes?" I said aloud and realized how scratchy and dry my voice was once again. "Damn him," I muttered looking around the room before grinning happily at the sight of a pitcher of water on the table by the far wall.

Jumping up and ignoring the tingling in between my thighs, I made my way across the room and over to the pitcher. For a moment I thought it must be a trick because how could he be so unbelievably stupid as to leave water around me alone?

Did he think I wasn't going to try and escape? Did he honestly think I was going to patiently wait here like a good submissive prisoner? Taking a crystal goblet, and disregarding the thought that his lips might have touched this very glass, I poured a generous amount inside and drank it down in one gulp.

Satisfied that there was a sufficient amount left for me to escape I returned to my earlier pursuit of my clothes. I may have been crazy to drink anything aboard a ship belonging to the enemy, but I wasn't stupid enough to try and make my escape completely naked when the ship was probably full of sex-deprived heathens.

I almost shouted my delight at seeing my clothes lying neatly on a chair as if waiting for me. This was almost too easy, too simple. Was he expecting me to leave?

Well I wasn't going to sit around and miss a great opportunity. If I had to swim to shore I would. Heck, all I need was something flat and durable and I could use my water bending to shoot me across the water.

I picked up the shirt and remembered that my clothes actually consisted of just Aang's shirt and my underwear. Bringing the shirt to my nose I could still smell his earthy scent. It was one of those heart-warming smells that filled you with this sense of security and I loved that about him. He was so gentle, kind, and easy going that being around him just put me at ease.

However, his scent was nothing compared to Zuko's. His scent was exotic and manly. It intoxicated my senses and made me think crazy things, and yet I lusted after it. It filled me with this uncompromising need for something. Something that I knew Aang would never be able to give me no matter how hard he tried.

'I've wasted enough time already. The last thing I need to be doing right now is comparing them' I thought bitterly placing the shirt over my head and tugging it down. 'Just great it only covers my behind! Well, it's better than nothing I guess.'

Tugging on my underwear, I went back for the pitcher of water and decided that it would be too much trouble to carry the pitcher around with me. So summoning the water out, I swirled it around me for a moment to get my mind set and ready.

Approaching the door, I realized slicing the door into pieces would cause too much commotion. Instead I brought the water up to resemble a long blade and sliced down the side of the door where the lock was. I was surprised at how little noise it made but I told myself not to get too excited just yet.

Forming the water into a ball, so I could use my other hand, I opened the door as silently as I could. Praying this door didn't have a smirking prince behind it, I eased it open and sighed a breath of relief that there weren't any guards stationed outside.

Creeping into the darken hallway, I had no idea what time of day it was. I hadn't thought of opening the heavy draperies from the window to gaze out at the sky. The darkened corridors gave me no indication whether it was day or night. Slinking against the wall, I practiced my imaginary stealth skills and crept down the hallway, praying no one spotted me.

Despite it being dark, I could tell that the walls were painted a deep blood red and many cherry wood doors lined them. That was strange seeing as I thought they wouldn't have something flammable aboard a fire nation ship. I could see golden torches lining the top every few feet but they were spaced so far apart that it never illuminated much past what was in my face.

I rounded a corner and was intent on speeding up my pace when the sound of deep voices filled the air.

"…and I says to him… why all this trouble over a peasant? And cap'n was like She's not a peasant she's a princess!..." a burly voice slurred to another.

"A princess? But how?..." another man's voice asked amazed. I crouched down low and attempted to blend in so that I could continue my quest. Some unknown princess was none of my business. However, I did feel bad for the poor soul. I had more important things to worry about. Like how was I going to take down two oversized baboons without causing a scene?

"Are you having fun?" a low voice rumbled in my ear before nipping it lightly. I knew who it was without even having to turn around but that didn't stop my body's natural and yet embarrassing reaction. My mouth betrayed me as it shrieked and my body lost my trust by jumping forward and landing on my stomach in front of the two conversing soldiers.

"What the hell?" one of the men yelled grabbing at his sword.

"Put your swords down and step away" the same drawling voice ordered, and the guards quickly dropped their swords.

I scrambled to my feet to face the man that matched the voice. The fact that I knew who he was just by his smell sent shivers down my spine as well as the fact that he had snuck up on me without making the slightest noise.

"Well, well, well…what do we have here? Did you get lost?'

Bracing myself defensively, I erected a shield around my mind. I was not going to fall weak to his seductive drawl or his tantalizing eyes. I remained silent and waited on pins and needles for him to come closer so I could attack. The guards I could handle but with this arrogant bastard I would need to concentrate if I wanted to escape.

"Not talkative are we?" Zuko chuckled as he stepped closer to me. "There are ways around that" he added mischievously.

I concentrated on my fighting stance and dared with his eyes to attack. Controlling the water into a shape of a ball I held it back with both of my hands.

His eyes went to my face, then to the ball water, then they flicked behind me, before returning to the ball of water. Then his eyes found mine and he smiled slightly before nodding his head.

I had no idea what he was thinking but I was concentrating all on him that I completely forgot about the two guards behind me. That proved to be a terrible mistake.

The next thing I knew a huge shot of flame had extinguished my one last hope of escape. The water burned my hands as it evaporated and I was left swearing as steam bellowed around me. One day I was going to train myself to be able to work with steam because this seemed to be happening a little too often.

"Return to your posts" Zuko ordered to the guards. "She's harmless now" he smirked as I heard them shuffling away hurriedly.

"How long has it been?" I gritted out glaring at him still.

"How long has what been?" he asked calmly. That damn smile never leaving his face.

"You know what the hell I'm talking about! How long have I been stuck here?" I demanded heatedly.

"Oh, hmm, let's see... three days" he said nonchalantly folding his arms.

"Three days!" I yelled, "I've been here for three whole days?" Where were Aang and Sokka? Did Aang think I ran away? Are they looking for me?

Zuko watched the myriad of questions flash across my face and must have known where my thoughts were headed because he said, "If you think the Avatar and your brother are coming for you then forget it. We've been sailing since I brought you here. The ship is even designed not to look like a Fire Nation ship on the outside. There is no way they are going to catch up with us anytime soon."

None other than Zuko's sneaky ways instantly cut the last string of hope that I had been holding on to for dear life. "I hate you" I stated as my shoulders slumped in defeat. I would just have to think of another plan later.

I turned to retreat back to wherever it was that he was holding me captive when he attacked me. No sooner had I turned my back then I was pushed forcefully up against the wall off to the left.

The sudden attack knocked the breath right out of my lungs. I struggled to push myself away from the wall. I realized that something, or should I say someone, was pressed directly against me locking me in between the wall and with their arms stretched out in front on each side of my face.

"You should never turn your back on someone you declared your enemy," he growled nipping at my neck roughly. I winced and reflexively arched and the action pressed me back into his chest.

"I never thought you were so cowardly that you would attack someone from behind," I countered trying and failing to free myself. His deep, throaty laugh resonated off the walls and right down my spine as the familiar flicker of arousal sparked through me.

"Cowardly huh? Well I play to win and if the object of my desire gives me an opening I take it," he replied seductively pulling the bottom of my left ear into his mouth.

Not allowing him the satisfaction to see me whither, I refrained from speaking. His lips trailed lower down my neck and to my shoulder and it took all my pride and will power from collapsing in his arms. He must have sensed my reaction because he moved back to my ear and with that ungodly sexy voice of his whispered, "Now take it back."

Too weak in the knees to comprehend what he was saying and so ashamed of myself I still chose not to speak. He then turned me around and his mouth was on mine before I could even register the change in positions.

I instantly berated myself for responding to his kiss as roughly as he did, but the flicker of arousal had spread like a wild-fire into a soaring flame of need and want. When his tongue probed my lips none to gently, I reacted without hesitation and opened to him, letting my desperate need flood into him. His hands had left the wall and were now caressing my hips.

He pulled me even closer to him and I was able to feel his arousal immediately. My tongue battled with his ferociously and with a passion I didn't know I possessed. I took just as much as he gave and still wanted more. My mouth fed off his and even though I should have been satisfied I wasn't. I still wanted more contact. The longer we kissed the more I wanted him. The more I wanted him the more I realized I was in deeper than I thought.