A/N:

Dear Readers,

First, I want to apologize for my short absence. Recently I started a new job and it's been taking a lot from me, both physically and time wise. It's higher stress than my previous one and the schedule is completely opposite. I haven't forgotten you or this story. I'm thinking of the story and plot all the time. Hopefully within the next week things settle down and I can work into a new posting schedule and be regular again. I'm sorry! Hah.

I hope this chapter is okay. I wrote it in the little downtime I have. I meant to publish last weekend but I was called out of state and drove around 1200 miles in 2 1/2 days... I'm home now so it should get better!

I just want to say I love and appreciate you all. The follows, reviews, and feedback mean a ton to me. Reviews let me know how the story is going and how receptive people are to it. If you have comments, please reach out. I'm all ears and receptive to communication.

With that said, I hope you read and let me know what you think.

Flameo, hotman!

Iset Black

The Sacrifrice

Chapter 10: Heat, Part 2

Isle Ceren, House Fukai, Garden of Serenity

The party raged deep into the night. Drinks flowed, they danced. Throughout the night Sokka and Suki danced together, energetic a first, and then slowly. Holding each other, the couple swayed to the music, next to the dying firelight of the makeshift fire pit.

Zuko, a vial of fire whisky in hand, lounged in his canvas chair as he watched the embers of the fire smolder. He rose from his seat and took a few more logs into his hands, tossing them into the fire as he moved. Drawing a deep breath, he brought the fire back to life.

Toph lounged on her own Earthen throne as she downed another mug of beer. Beckoning to an attendant, she swapped her empty mug for another frosty one filled to the brim with brew.

"Should we look for them?" Zuko asked absently as he continued to stoke the fire.

With heavy movements, Sokka collapsed into is seat, his mug sloshing as he fell. "I don't think so-" He paused, a hiccup leaving his chest.

Toph, ever the sober one, spoke. "I agree with Captain Boomerang." She stated, taking a swig from her own mug. "Leave them be."

Isle Ceren, House Fukai, Willow Grove

"Remember when..." Her breath was short as she spoke. "You said you'd rather kiss me than die?" Her voice came out in a gasp as she spoke.

A deep laughter left his chest as he moved to position himself over her. Tightly, held her smaller form to his "I'd rather die than not have you."

His words shook her for a moment. Katara brought her hands to his face and brought him close, her lips brushing lightly over his before bringing him into a deep kiss.

Breaking away from the kiss, he rested his forehead on hers. "Remember when I gave you a necklace made from fishing line?"

Katara let out a squeal of laughter. She buried her face deep into his neck, trying desperately to silence herself. Despite her attempts, she continued to giggle savagely.

"I still have that necklace, thank you..." She laughed as she moved to look up at him.

A flush overtook the Avatar as he looked at her, surprise coloring his face. Holding her tightly, he drew a deep breath. For a few moments, they sat like this, deep in each other's embrace. The moon shone bright over them, casting them in a silver glow.

Aang's breath hitched in his chest as he slowly drew one hand to his chest, searching the folds on his cloak. Once he found what he was searching for, he paused. "I- Would you..." He trailed, voice low as he looked upwards at the sky.

Katara stifled a yawn as she leaned into him, bringing the Avatar back into reality. "Maybe we should get back to the party..." Her words were stifled as she spoke.

Aang folded the necklace back into his robes, moving deftly to take the waterbender in his arms as he went. "Yes..." He spoke breathlessly as he leapt through the forest, dodging low tree limbs as he moved.

Isle Ceren, House Fukai, Garden of Serenity

Within moments, Aang found the clearing where the tents had been set up. With a few graceful movements, he rested the waterbender into a chair next to the fire, the flames glowing against her skin.

In a world of her own, Katara snoozed for a moment, her limbs melting into the contours of the canvas chair. Across the banquet someone let out a peal of laughter followed by the crashing of a crystal goblet against the stone.

With a start, Katara gasped as she was woken from her slight slumber. The smashing of glass against a stone paver woke her with a panic. Adrenaline pumped through her veins, bringing her into the moment as she sprung from her seat, moving to draw whatever source of water to her she could. The gathering stared at her as she groggily moved, the water splashing to the earth around her as she stumbled.

Without a word, Aang moved silently to take the waterbender in his arms. No words left Katara as she felt Aang take her into his embrace. Any thoughts of self-defense left the waterbender as she sluggishly brought her arms around his strong chest. "Why don't we take a walk?"

His words muffled as he spoke, Aang drew his arms around Katara's shoulders and drew her towards the villa. He knew she had a lot going on, internally. He didn't expect her to go into an internal monolog here. Hopefully, with rest he hoped, she would find some sort of peace.

Silently, the pair traveled up the property and towards the villa. Before finding the house, Katara paused. She brought one hand to her face in a desperate attempt to clear sleep and exhaustion from her eyes. "I'm fine. We should go back."

Still silent, Aang brushed a few errant strands of hair from her face. He gazed down at her, watching as the waterbender was focused on the dark forest around them.

The pair stood silent for a few moments, neither spoke a word. "I want to show you something." Katara's voice was low as she spoke, an invitation for Aang, and Aang alone.

"Katara-"

"Please." She pleaded, her voice wavering as she took one of his hands in her own, twining her fingers with his.

Her voice melted him. There was nothing her could do to deny her. She owned him, body and soul. With a desperate, feeble attempt, he continued weakly. "You need sleep."

"Please."

His defenses fell around him, her pleading voice wrenched at his heart. There was nothing in the world he would deny her. Aang wanted to see her happy, if nothing else.

Without words, she tugged him towards the willow grove. Deep within the brambles and furls of the forest, she knew of something. Drawn to her, he followed silently as she led him through thickets and tangles of branches. Before he could register his surroundings, he found himself alone with her in a clearing. At the center of the clearing was a deep natural spring.

The moon shone bright overhead, tree limbs rustled with a soft balmy breeze. Still silent, the waterbender shrugged her red robes over her shoulders, letting them fall to the ground. Silently, she moved to untied her skirts, those falling too. Katara turned to face him, dipping her form as slowly pushed her leggings off, leaving only her undergarments on.

Aang turned away from her for a moment. He knew if he continued to watch her, he would lose control. His mind fogged and in a daze, he busied himself with gathering branches and logs of wood to build a fire. Slowly, he stoked a small flame to life. Aang closed his eyes, focusing all of his energy on the flame before him.

The spring itself was beautiful, a true wonder to behold, even in the dim light of the full moon. Out of the corner of his eyes, he watched as the waterbender lazily held her body below the gentle swell of the waves.

Closing his eyes, Aang stooped next to the fire and drew his hands together in meditation. Deep breaths of air left him as he gave a silent prayer up to whatever god or spirit that was listening. The woman in the spring drove him to the brink of insanity.

From the surface of the water, Katara watched as Aang stoked the fire and then took on a meditative stance. For a moment she watched as he steadied his breathing, as he gave life to the fire in front of him. Beneath his loose clothing, she studied him, his muscular form. Even with his eyes closed and kneeled in silent thought, she could make sense of the strong lines of his body.

A warm feeling pooled in the pit of her stomach as she watched him for a moment, her limbs felt heavy. "Hey," Her voice was small as she spoke. Katara moved towards the bank of the spring and slowly drew herself from the water.

Still in a meditative form, Aang listened as she approached him. He felt the woman wrap her arms around him, slowly he drew his arms around her, drawing her close to him.

Next to the fire, the couple sat wrapped in each other's embrace, comforted by the warmth of the fire. Aang shifted slightly as he moved to take his own tunic off. Once the orange fabric was over his head, he moved quickly, covering the semi-nude waterbender with it. Katara drowned in the fabric of the tunic. Over the past few years, Aang had grown into a large, sturdy man built of strong muscles and sinew.

Tightly, she wrapped her arms around him and inhaled deeply. Something about his scent brought her peace. The unmistakable notes of citrus, cedar, and his own musk drove her to a place of both comfort and longing. For so long she had fought against her feelings, both physically and emotionally. For the first time, truly alone with him, she was scared and excited all the same.

For years their relationship hadn't gone past child-like emotions, filled with excitement and quarrels. Jealousy was a constant companion for them both, but seemed to eat away at her more. Of course, she knew he had eyes only for her, that much had been obvious since the day they met. However comforting his devotion to her was, she still couldn't help but feel jealous at the attention he received from other women. Even if the attention he did pay them was nothing more than an amusement for him, something about watching him interact with the opposite sex chipped at her heart.

Here in the clearing, alone with him, she battled her own emotions. "I love you, so much..." Katara whispered as she burrowed her face into his bare chest, drawing him tighter and closer to her.

Aang smiled weakly and placed a kiss onto the top of her head. To be alone with her was pure paradise. It was a rare treat for both of them.

Slowly, Katara moved her hands to trace over the strong muscles of his back. Brushing her fingertips over his shoulders, she moved to gently push him onto his back. The Avatar relented at her touch, completed engulfed in her. Katara brought her lips to his and kissed him fiercely, a fire raging deep inside of her.

A hunger overtook them both as they continued to kiss. Aang moved his hands over her body. With a swift movement, he took hold of the waterbender and brought her to sit atop him, her legs straddling his waist. For a few moments, they continued their loving assault upon each other. Neither could get enough.

With a gasp of air, Aang pushed Katara away from him and then sat upright. Slightly stunned and dazed from his affection, Katara looked down at him with confusion.

Trying to focus, Aang spoke softly. "If we keep going, I won't hold back."

A moan of frustration left Katara as she moved herself to flop onto the Earth next to him. "I know, me too..." Her words where a breathy gasp.

"I want this... I want you. Not like this." He paused, taking one of her hands to his lips and kissing it. "Not now."

Frustration welled within the waterbender as she clenched at his hand and brought it to her chest. "But-"

Aang stopped her as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "It should be... special." He spoke, his voice a low hiss as he kissed at her neck, leaving a hot trail over her collar bone as he went.

Katara gasped at feeling his lips on her body. "You are special..."

"And so are you." He paused, moving to rest next to her, his head propped up on one had. "This isn't the right time. Or the place."

The waterbender sighed, conceding to him. He was right, she thought to herself as she moved to snuggle next to him.

Neither of them could pretend to not have had thought of that special time previously. Thoughts of it consumed them both, something unknown and exciting.

Until recently, Katara had buried those thoughts deep into the recesses of her mind. She knew she was both ready and unready at the same time. She knew that act was something neither of them was ready for, but both of them dreamed of and wanted deeply.

Slowly, she moved to settle in next to the crook of his body. As she moved, something within his tunic moved against her body, sending a cold shock over her. Moving to find the intrusion within the fabric, she searched the folds of the oversized tunic until her fingers met cold stone and silky fabric.

Katara removed the intrusion, revealing a pendant attached to a silken strip of deep blue fabric. Within her hands, she looked down at the necklace and let out a choked sob. Within a moment tears welled in her eyes as she studied the jade pendant, emotions overcoming her.

Aang flushed as he watched the waterbender study the necklace. He gently took the pendant from her and sat up.

"I wanted to ask again, one more time..." He spoke, his words stifled.

Before he could continue, the waterbender moved quickly, overtaking him in a hug.

"Yes." Was all she could muster between gasping for air and her own sobs, a mixture of emotions overtaking her.