Chapter 10

Zuko kneeled to the floor and gently shook her shoulder "Katara? Katara answer me!" he said as panic rose in him. He cursed under his breath and lifted her into his arms before rushing off to their room. He knew he had pushed her to hard that day as he thought back over the last twelve hours….no wonder she passed out. There's only so much one person can take.

He carried her as fast as he could up the spiral staircase and through a few hallways before rounding the last corner to his wing. He jumped in surprise after nearly plowing into his father in his haste to get back to their room. "Zuko!" he nearly shouted "What…?" He stared at his son with wide eyes. Zuko wasn't sure what to say as he stood there holding Katara's unconscious body. Her clothes were filthy and her hair hung freely towards the ground while minor cuts and bruises marred her skin.

He waited with baited breath for his father to start yelling or to tell him off for finding him in such a state. Instead, when he looked at his father he noticed a sly smile had formed across his usually stern features. "I see you took my advice…good. I'm glad you have grown to be a man I can be proud of. What did you find out?" It took Zuko a minute to realize his father thought he had tortured the information about the Day of Black Sun out of her before causing her to faint. He decided not to correct him…it's better he think he had hurt her rather than train with her.

"She didn't have any new information. She informed me they were working on a plan with the Ba Sing Se generals, but as we know Azula stopped all of that. She said she was thrown into the catacombs where we fought and she only got away long enough to fall from the bison back into my clutches. So, there's no new information." He paused, "She fainted as she swore it that was all she knew." His father grimaced before smiling.

"At least you found the truth" he leered at Katara's limp form "and at least she was able to provide you with some entertainment." He chuckled and turned to walk away "Enjoy your evening." Zuko exhaled slowly before readjusting Katara and finishing the walk to their room.

He kicked the door shut as he rushed into the washroom. Setting her on the side of the tub he quickly stripped her. Pulling her close to him he dipped his hand into the water letting the heat course through him before setting Katara in the warm tub. Turning he pulled off his pants and slipped in behind her. Gently he rubbed her shoulders and down her upper arms as her head tilted back onto his chest.

Zuko could feel his patience slipping as each torturously slow minute passed while he waited for her to stir. Over fifteen minutes ticked by before he heard her murmur something unintelligible. "Katara" he spoke softly as he turned and cradled her in his arms against his chest. "Katara…" he started again, his voice nearly cracked from relief as her hand slid to his chest.

"Zuko?" she said as her eyes slowly opened "Where? How'd we get in here?" She was looking around the washroom in confusion.

"You passed out after we spared and I thought a hot bath may help rouse you" he didn't want to explain his panic or the encounter with his father. He focused on her health and her needs instead.

"I don't understand...why? Why would I have passed out? I slept most of today I shouldn't have been that exhausted" she inquired.

"It's my fault. I pushed you too hard" he continued on, cutting her off before she could contradict him. "Bending takes a lot of energy, even if you train every day and I…well…I haven't exactly allowed you to use your abilities for over a month, not to the extent of which I demanded tonight. I forgot how taxing it can be and when coupled with the stress and exertions from early today...well I'm not surprised you collapsed. I'm so sorry Katara...I won't push you so hard again...not until you've worked back up to your mastery levels again." Katara sighed against his chest and curled in closer.

She didn't know what to say…or if she should say anything at all. Zuko seemed to decide she would train again and she didn't want to say anything to spoil her opportunity. She had noticed how over the last several weeks he had slowly granted her more and more freedom. Each day that passed she found a new layer to Zuko, he wasn't the cold hearted entitled prince she thought he had been. Instead she found him to be strong willed, compassionate, and calculated with his decisions. She didn't think he was anything like his father…but she knew she couldn't tell him that...not yet. He still had his bull-headed moments where he would slide back but after they would fight he usually ended up apologizing and would try harder the next day.

So Katara leaned up and kissed his cheek trying not to wince in pain as her sore muscles screamed for her to lay still. She moved and straddled his waist before arching back into the water. She felt Zuko's hands gently grasp her knees as she closed her eyes to concentrate on healing herself.

A faint blue glow encompassed Katara's body as she laid submerged before him. Zuko couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from her. He found her to be the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he loved having her all to himself. These past few weeks had been a new experience for him. In many ways she listened to him but when he pushed too far or was a complete jerk he found her putting him in his place….and he liked it.

He liked the way she kissed him, the way she felt in his arms, how they could sit and talk for hours or say nothing at all and still feel comfortable, he liked everything about her. He found himself wanting to give her things…wanting her to be more of an equal. But he couldn't give her the freedom she craved. He was afraid she would turn and run from him...maybe that's why a small part of him was still wary of her. He wasn't sure how much of the affection she showed him was real and how much of it, if any of it, was to gain his favor and her freedom.

He pushed the unpleasant thoughts from his mind to focus on the here and now as he watched Katara sit up, fully healed. He found himself aroused just by the way her wet hair clung to her shoulders. The way it fanned away from her body as it dipped into the water and obscured the view of her voluptuous breasts.

Within a breath she was wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him with a slow burning passion. His hands wrapped around her back as he leaned in and deepened the kiss. Zuko opened his eyes as Katara broke the kiss. Her luminous blue eyes stared deep into his as she placed her hands on his shoulders and lifted herself slightly above the water.

For the briefest moment Zuko thought she was going to get out...and then she slowly lowered herself onto his harden shaft. Inch by inch she slid down refusing to tear her eyes from his. His breath caught in his throat as he felt her slick heat envelope his member. She held tightly to his shoulders as his hands moved to her hips and she began a slow sensual rhythm of pulling herself nearly to his tip before sliding back down to take him deep within her folds.

Each stroke stoked the slow burning fire between them, neither spoke, the passion and desire said everything words couldn't describe. Their breathing came in ragged short breaths as the flames flickered in the torches around them. Katara leaned forward to capture Zuko's lips with a trembling kiss. She could feel the pleasure building deep within her loins as she rode him.

Zuko observed the wanton expression upon Katara's face as she drove herself onto him over, and over, and over again. Seemingly unaware as her breasts dipped in and out of the water with each thrust. He slid his fingers gently over her pebbled nipples making her moan and tilt her head back, arching them into his hands. Her pace began to increase as he leaned down and swirled his tongue around one peaked mound as his hand fondled the other.

Her thrusts and moans came faster now as she spurred them closer to the precipice. Zuko continued to devour her delectable supple nipples. He slipped a hand beneath the water down to the apex of her thighs, to the bundle of nerves that drove her wild. Using his thumb, he began small circular motions that swiftly sent her over the edge. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she cried out in sheer pleasure. Her core pulsed tightly around him causing his control to slip as he released her nipple and exploded within her.

Their eyes met as the pleasurable waves of their orgasms slowly subsided. Raw emotion danced within their eyes as Katara stroked Zuko's cheek. Leaning forward she placed a sensuous kiss upon his lips and attempted to pour her heart into it as her fingers threaded his hair. Her heart stuttered as he reciprocated and kissed her unabashedly, holding nothing back.

Katara wasn't sure how long they stayed in the tub joined as one, kissing with fervent need. They found it was still dark out when they retired to the bed, snuggling intimately before drifting into a peaceful sleep.

Katara found herself blissfully happy as days passed. Ever since she and Zuko had made love she woke to find a beautiful fire lily on her pillow with a scroll informing her of where he would be if she needed him. He had kept his promise and brought her books and scrolls about gardening, flowers, art, and waterbending. She was currently attempting to learn all the names of the plants in their garden. Each evening they would talk as they ate dessert before slipping down to the dungeons to spar...which usually culminated with them making love. Before she knew it, a fortnight had passed.

She lounged on a sofa in the sitting room, outside the sky was dark grey and cloudy. An abrupt knock came to the door interrupting the chapter she was reading. For a moment she wasn't sure what to do, no one came to Zuko's chambers…not unless he was here. Marking her page, she stood and crossed the room before tentatively opening the door to find a perturbed Azula.

"Took you long enough to answer the door" she snapped as Katara bowed and she strolled into the room. "Is Zuko here?"

"No, your highness he was invited to a war meeting with the Fire Lord" Katara said in a humble manner.

"Hmmph" she seemed perturbed "he's barely back two weeks and already has won father's favor." Pure anger flared in her eyes as she looked around the sitting room taking note of the horticultural book Katara had been reading. "I see you've made yourself comfortable here. Thinking of making it a home?" Though her question seemed innocent Katara sensed an ulterior motive.

"I'm trying to make the best of the situation" she said flatly.

"By reading books on flowers?" she said gesturing to the abandoned book. "It was my impression you were to clean and service my brother...not learn about snapdragons and cherry blossoms."

"I manage all of my duties perfectly and have been awarded with a little free time to read" she had to fight not to lose her head and snap at the princess that it wasn't any of her business what Zuko allowed her to do once her chores were done. Though her tone had been polite Azula seemed to read between the lines.

"Listen here peasant" she snapped "You may be my brother's favorite plaything for now but when he gets bored with you there are only two ways out." She paused before continuing "Freedom isn't one of the choices...it's either off to the concubine den or the execution podium" she laughed wickedly as Katara's face paled.

"Did you honestly think we would let you go? Even if we did, where would go after being a Fire Nation whore?" she laughed maliciously before adding "Home? You think your family would accept you? Think they would look at you the way they did before? That is of course, if there's even a Southern water tribe after this war is over."

"Face it," she huffed "we took your family, your freedom…Zuko most certainly has taken your virtue...all that's left is to take your life" her sinister grin spread as she watched the reality of her words sink in. "It's not a matter of if Zuzu gets bored...it's when...and as you know he's not known for his patience" she cackled as she left, swinging the door shut, while her laughter and words rung in Katara's ears.

Tears gently slid down Katara's cheeks before she brushed them away. She tried to push what Azula had said from her mind, telling herself Zuko wouldn't do that...he's not that cruel. Unbidden images of her family crept into her mind, fishing with Sokka, cooking with her Gran Gran, laughing with her father, and listening to her mother singing.

Tears welled up in her eyes recalling the last moments they had shared with her mother 'Run and get your father Katara.' Turning she fled into the garden to sit under the weeping the cherry tree. Her arms curled around her legs as she began to sob into her knees as thunder rolled overhead. Pain from the loss of her family, her freedom, and the fear of never seeing them again rose up inside her and spilled down as tears. Azula was right, she would die here...there wasn't a place for her outside of these walls...not anymore.

Zuko opened the door, hoping to surprise Katara with an early lunch. His meeting had been cut short when his father received an urgent scroll from one of his commanders. Looking around the sitting room he noticed one of Katara's books laid open face down on the sofa. He wondered into the bedroom looking for her, as an uneasy feeling crept over him. He quickly looked in the washroom and the dressing room before moving outside. He glanced around the court yard but couldn't see her.

Just as he turned to go back inside and the panic started to set in, he heard a muffled sob. Turning he swiftly headed towards the weeping cherry tree. As he rounded the trunk he found Katara sitting hunched in a ball, her arms wrapped around her knees as she sobbed into the golden yellow dress she wore.

"Katara…what happened? What's wrong?" Zuko inquired as he crouched down and reached for her shoulder. Upon hearing his voice, she jerked back and glared at him.

"Don't touch me Zuko…just…just go away" she said, her voice hoarse from crying. Zuko looked perplexed at her reaction.

"Katara, please, what happened?" he asked with a gentle voice, fearing someone had hurt her.

"What happened? What happened!?" she said angrily getting to her feet "You happened! I have nothing left!" she screamed as thunder clapped above and lighting split the sky. "You and this war have taken everything from me….my friends, my family, my freedom! All that's left is my life. Which you get to decide how to end!"

"End? What? I know you're mad about me not letting you go…but Katara I don't plan on ending your life. Where…why…what?" he asked confusedly.

"Well your sister made it pretty clear as to what will happen…maybe not today or even tomorrow…but the truth is it's the 'concubine den or the execution podium'" she spat "as your sister so kindly informed me. When were you going to tell me that's how this ends? I thought someday you'd let me go…or…or" her voice trailed off as she buried her face in her hands fresh tears streaming down her face.

Zuko stood stock still as anger and hurt pulsed through him. His mind whirled around what she said from knowing his sister was there, the cruel things she said, and the fact that Katara still wanted to leave. His heart dropped with that knowledge, he had foolishly thought that they had…something here. "Katara" he began softly "I never planned on turning you over to the den or to the podium…I swear it. I know..." he choked out trying to suppress the pain of losing her "I know you want to leave…but right now I can't let you go. I…if I do…well I just can't." He knew part of it was him being selfish but he was concerned for her safety too.

"Don't lie Zuko! Azula told me everything! Those are the only two ways out! Even if you did let me go, my family wouldn't take me back…not after being a Fire Nation whore! You might as well kill me...just like those soldiers killed my mother! There isn't anything left for me out there." The rain had started falling.

Before he could think, Zuko closed the gap between them and wrenched Katara's hands away from her face. His blood boiled "You are not my whore!" he stated in a low menacing tone "You aren't even my slave. You and I both know there is more here than that. Don't ever call yourself that again!" Katara's eyes had gone wide.

"But Azula said…"

"Azula always lies!" he said his voice rising "She's angry because father invited me to this vile war meeting and wanted to lash out at someone…you were probably an easy target because you can't fight back here." He cupped her face with both hands "you mean so much to me I can't stand the thought of losing you, I've never treated you like a whore. I care so much about you…and I think she's noticed." Katara gasped at his confession.

"Zuko you mean a lot to me too" she said through tears as she threw her arms around his chest, her heart fluttering with the touch of his warm body through his cold rain-soaked shirt. "I'm sorry, I know you aren't like that…she just...well I guess I got scared about never leaving here."

"Katara" Zuko started cautiously, after a few minutes as he held her in the light rain "do you remember who killed your mother?"

"I remember the man who did it, he was the commander on a ship with sea raven flags. I'll never forget his face" she said in a hushed voice before she leaned back and asked "Why?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering…is there anything else you remember?" he asked as the rain started to come down heavily, soaking their clothes.

"I don't really want to talk about it Zuko…I'm sorry…I…I'm just not ready."

"I understand." He squeezed her tightly "are you ready to go back in? Lunch should be ready" he said kindly before she nodded and they headed back inside.

"Zuko what happened in the meeting?" she tentatively asked as she stopped, noticing for the first time his change of demeanor as he stared at the ground.

"I can't talk about it...not yet. There are some things I need to figure out…once I do we'll talk" he reached out to tilt her head up to him. "I promise" he said before claiming her lips in the pouring down rain.