A/N: Salute, really really sorry to make you guys wait so long :( but here goes nothing. Currently looking for a grammatical beta if interested please let me know

Warning: The lemon is off set by an * its not bad but for those of you who would rather skip it.

Disclaimer: I own all of my ideas and none of Avatar

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How To Save A Life

The beautiful women carried Zuko's body up into the tree tops and disappeared, the woman with a slender frame and gold eyes hosted Katara into the trees along with herself. Faren had been restrained with vines anchoring her arms to the ground. Aang who was really confused now, sat to talk with Huu maybe the swamp leader could help clear his mind a little. Toph walked over to the restrained girl kneeling down in front of her. They just stared at each other for a moment. Thick drops of water still ran down Faren's pale face, on this untainted ground Toph could feel the flow of energy much clearer.

"Was anything you said true?" Toph's cold white eyes pierced through empty space. But the little girl wouldn't answer, she wouldn't mumbled or chirp or even twitch. The blind master looked at her; Faren's eyes were filled with a heartbreaking sorrow. The little mute girl had failed the one thing she was supposed to accomplish, the one thing that would have made her father proud of her. All that was gone, she might as well die now. Toph could feel the fleeting light in her eyes, her head flew down she looked away facing the ground. Toph raised her hand from her sides and placed them on either side of Faren's head then brought her head closer till their foreheads lightly rested on each others. The pulses from Faren's brain gave Toph a shaky illustration of what was going on in the mutes mind. The history was true but the conclusion Faren had given her was not. She was just a little girl, who was lost and scared, who wanted a family and love. The older girl wrapped her arms around her,"you're not alone anymore." Toph whispered as she held her.

In the thick dense treetops Katara was brought to a complex system of intertwining tree houses, they were brought into a large house only Zuko, the golden eyed woman and herself were left there. The roof had a large opening at the very top for the sun it also allowed a light breeze to come in. Zuko was stretched out over thin blankets on the floor, his pants had been removed.

"You will have to be the one who heals him." She turned to the girl and took her by the shoulders.

"But there's no water here?" Katara's blue eyes turned questioningly across the room. The woman gave her a sad smile.

"His life force is not strong enough to bring him back to us; if he is to live you will have to transfer apart of yourself into him." Her hands moved down to Katara's, "You'll have to make a physical link with him a connection that will link your life force or he will die,"

"What do I do?" Katara's face was harsh with realism.

"I'm afraid you might not understand, Katara... you will have to copulate with him to create a link." When the words meet Katara's ears her head turned to the naked man that lay before both of them. This went beyond attraction she would be giving him a part of her life and giving up her virginity. "The longer we wait the weaker he will get." The woman moved away from the girl. Katara began to take off her thin shield of clothing; the older woman looked away and prayed that all would go well.

The Princess felt the humid thick air settle on her skin, as she climbed on top of Zuko. His skin was turning blue he felt cold and dense taking her hand down to his soft genitalia she slowly stoked it the anxiety that build within her was overwhelming, her stomach quaked and churned as he slowly hardened just enough for her to place him at her entrance. Katara swallowed hard and quieted her breathing she let her own body weight slip him inside of her. 'Just breathe, just breathe.' She told herself as his length moved into her tiny tight warmth, continuing so far before it all came to a stop. Katara closed her eyes sucking in a large gasp of air and dropped her hips onto his breaking her hymen. Time froze the energy inside of Katara swirled in her loins and pasted into his lifeless form. Zuko's body relished in the new strength it flowed into his muscles and mind, his heart beat strengthen by their connection. At the same time Katara's own life force was being milked out of her body. Reality began to play once more Zuko opened his eyes he could feel the power whelm in him as well as feel that he was gaining something out of the figure over him. He focused his golden orbs on the mocha skin sitting on him anger, sadness and panic shot threw him, she was dieing. Zuko pushed his torso upwards on his elbows taking Katara's head behind one hand he reached for her lips and made another connection.

The energy rushed from the awakened Zuko and into the fading Katara. It surged back and forth between the two of them her river filled him changing into fire; his fire shot threw her morphing back to soothing life. They created their balance within each other sharing the others life, Zuko broke the kiss and lifted Katara off of his engorged member. His eyes were locked on her face it had changed from pain stricken to soft and intoxicating as he released her body from his, his bright golden eyes drew imaginary lines down every detail of her body hoping to memorize every tiny aspect as well as the large ones. His head stopped at the trail of trickling blood. Zuko's face fell serious he looked up at her concerned.

"Katara, you're a virgin." the words fell out of his mouth as a gasp.

"I was a virgin," her blue eyes held a mixture of excitement and fear. He just looked at her for a while she had given herself to him her life force lived in him .

"Katara I love you, let me be the one to take care of you for the rest of your life. The one thing that all of this has taught me is to value what you have." Katara sat in front of him her loose hair hung over her shoulders and framed her face. "Become my wife." Her eyes opened wide and her mouth fell open. The woman walked up behind Zuko his senses strangely acute at that moment felt the movement and energy of someone familiar. He pushed Katara behind his torso as he turned to look at the figure. "Who the hell are-" His mother smiled as she gazed at her son for the first time in nearly seven years.

"My son," Thick tears filled her eyes. Her bright smile spread across her face as her hands shook she waited standing there with her messy hair and particularly clothed body. Zuko froze was this real was he dreaming if he touched her would she disappear.

"Mother you're your, naked?"the twisted confused overjoyed expression flooded his face.

"And so are you," her smile grew wider as she laughed at her son. He was so big now he had grown into a fine man, Ursa keeled down to the level of the two younger adults and sat in front of them.

"Mother, What happen, how did you get here ,where is here. I'll take you home finally, finally." Zuko stopped in his rant, his mind was riddled with questions yet wanted to be speechless. "And this is Katara he reached for her hand looking at her happily the idea had finally set in at just how exposed they all were sitting there together. A thick rouge blush covered the brown skin of the girl.

"There is so much to discus so many things to talk about and explain. If I only had one desire in my life it was to see you again." Her hand reach up to Zuko's face she brushed the fallen hair away from his left eye and over the new pink flesh where his scar use to rest. Go back to the palace. That is your place."

"Of course Mother but you're coming with me. I won't let go of you,"

"Please Zuko, I've found my place as well. In this village in this swamp, I will always be here waiting for you my son I'm so proud of the man you have become."

"But I don't understand come home Mother," Katara placed her hand on Zuko's shoulder

"She is home now Zuko."

"Go Start your own family now and make your future beautiful." Ursa's eyes drift to the blue orbs that belong to the girl. Silently Zuko agreed but he would be back. He had found his mother in her banishment and would never lose her again. Zuko now had this strong determination he knew the promise of a meaningful relationship with the woman he loved was no longer a fantasy but something he could accomplish. Katara dressed in her blue robes as Zuko looked away politely he wanted to drown in the sights of her body but remained a gentleman. Ursa returned to the couple with a knee length clothe for Zuko She guided the two back toward the men's camp hugging her son in a long tight hug. She had a feeling that she would see him soon.

The two walked back to the camp as evening surrounded them, their awaiting party stood there they had been talking about the truths and lies of the situation at hand. They talked about how Zuko had been fighting a family inherited demon recently and he and Katara had traveled here to dispel that evil. When Katara and Zuko arrived they walked hand in hand making their friends notice their closeness. Aang ran to Katara despite his inner hurt and hugged her; he was more ashamed of the way he had been behaving. Faren stood beside Toph, cylinders of mud handcuffed the child, the water had been drained out so they were as hard as rocks. Toph approached Katara with an apologetic look in her face.

"Listen I guess," She started being humble wasn't her best trait.

"No need Toph, we have to get back." Katara and the younger girls all walked toward the bison it was the night of the last day of the festival, Zuko's note said they would be back by then. As they walked away thanking Huu and the other swamp dwellers Aang walked with Zuko.

"Aang, the memories from these past few days are hazy but I remember something happening between you and I." His pale face turned to the avatar, "Did I hurt you?" Aang's gray eyes looked at Zuko in his bare form, his lean muscles, the skin on his face grew rapidly he was truly handsome. Aang sighed as he looked away from his second crush to his first.

"No Zuko. Everything's ok." They exchanged smiles and climbed on to Appa, Zuko wasn't the only attractive guy in the world and the young boy was sure somewhere, there was someone else like him. They took off into the sky Aang sitting at the front of Appa, Toph and Faren sat at the back of the giant beast communicating in half silence.

'Are you going take me to jail.' The mute turned away looking over the edge, Toph's hand rested on Faren's shoulder communicating the vibrations from her body.

"No, you're gonna live with me. I'm bringing you back home you want a family you got it, but don't except much." The small gold eyes turned to her. Lunging forward she nuzzled her torso against the Earth Kingdom noble as tiny tears peaked at her eyes. "Come on dammit, all this affection." The earth-bender smiled and let the child hug her. Zuko wrapped Katara in his arms and smiled, but Katara still had worries on her mind.

"Zuko do you really want me to marry you. She turned her head to his slightly, he squeezed her closed to him.

"Yes Katara, I can't think of anything that would make me happier."

"And Mai?" His grip loosened from her torso.

"Your right, I forgot. I will never love her. I can't marry her and let you walk away from me but I can't abandon my child."

"What if it wasn't your child,"

"I would help her the only way I know how. She would be banished so no one would know of her adultery she could hide the pregnancy and maybe start a life somewhere new. I don't see any other way."

"So you would have to marry her for Mai to have any hope of a normal life. Zuko, I don't know if I love you, but I care for you much more then I ever realized. Marriage is a big step and I can't just rush into it based on a whim, once we get back and everything is figured out. You and I can see what options are left for us." she rationed.

The group flew on toward the palace or at least some part of the Fire Nation, the group had to let the Fire Nation know they were back safely. When someone finally walked into the Fire Lord's room they found the man no where in site but had not searched to find the note. They assumed that the others missing meant a kidnapping had accrued, but with no proof the United Water Tribe Prince and his wife were put in house arrest while more information was gathered. No one other then the royal advisors knew of their Lords absence. The group returned Appa to the ranch where he was being held, then walked back to the main entrance of palace. They were on the offensive at first worried about the reaction after being gone for such a long time. As they walked through the halls no one seemed to act any differently their eyes averted from the almost nude Lord and bowed deeply just like any other day. Zuko walked into his room as the others returned to their own quarters undisturbed, once he was dress he stepped into his sitting room and was surprised to find the council in the middle of a discussion.

"My Lord what happen, where have you been. It was those traitorous pitiful excuses for noblemen who took you wasn't it." The advisor's surrounded him four men in heavy Fire Nation robes. Zuko looked at the man that had spoken, and slapped him with the back of his hand.

"Lets not speak so ill of my guess, hm." his face held no emotion. His gold eyes flickered as if sparks were in them. "I'm perfectly fine, we all had business to attend to and I give my deepest apologizes from making you all worry, it was very irresponsible of me. But I did leave a note." He explained matter factly. I'm aware that the firework show will close the ceremonies tonight correct, this should commence in a few hours. Make sure everyone gets there on time please." Zuko smiled at the other men and turned out of the room he had to find Mai.

…

Katara walked into her room exhausted from the past few days, all she really wanted to do was crash on her bed and go to sleep, a nice bath wouldn't hurt either. As the princess tried to clear her mind and bask in the comfort of the blue sheets underneath her, Suki had just been released from her room arrest. The Kyoshi warrior kicked open the wooden door that hid Katara's room from view.

"Katara! You've gone some 'xplain to do!" With her hands on her hips she marched straight to the younger woman and waited with her scowling face. "All of a sudden they lock us in our room and tell of its a political matter. Tell me what's the point of being married to the next Grand Chief of the United Water Tribes and I can't even know what's going on? So I sneak out to find you and your gone! That's when it hit me, what did you do to get everyone's panties in a bunch?" Katara laughed at her friend's out burst but it was uplifting to know someone cared even if Suki did show it in an odd way. She told her the majority of what happen leaving out unnecessary details here and there. Soon they would have to get ready for the last event and then they would be headed back home.

...

Zuko arrived at Mai's family's estate instead of knocking directly on her door he stunk into the empty dark bedroom through the window, he sat on her bed and waited for her. He played with a tiny flame in his hand, everything seemed so clear now everything was so calm so simple. The battle inside of Zuko was over he had no need to hold anything back, he had no need to second guess himself, if he was angry he would attack if he was scared he would hide and if he was aroused he would fuck. Things would be good for him now that his restraints were gone. Mai walked in the dark room and stopped when she saw the light flickering.

"Zuko," she questioned "your here, I suppose she told you?" Zuko rose from the bed and walked over to Mai standing in the door way. He brushed his hand over her face, "Your scar is gone. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but the baby isn't yours." She looked away.

"Good, it'll make this easier." his hand wrapped around her throat and tighten. Mai's eyes grew wide and her hands tried to pull and scratch and tug. He was too strong for her, her legs flew in all directions as Zuko lifted her off the ground. "This is your only way out Mai. You wouldn't be able to survive in banishment. No need to thank me." He continued to squeeze the rest of her life out of her pores till nothing was left of the girl, her life force seeped out of her mouth and absorbed into her murder's body. Wrapping Mai in his arms she jumped back out the window and walked into the forest to cremate the corpse.

...

The fire works climbed into the sky and exploded, sparks spread through the night, cries of wonder and excitement filled the beach many spectators had gathered after the feast to watch. Katara noticed something strange within her as well something that she couldn't quite place. A hand touched her shoulder, and drew her attention to it. Zuko was there with a concerned expression on his face.

"I talked to Mai, she told me the truth and now she's gone." Katara turned from him and continued to look into the sky her mind dazed for an unexplainable reason.

"I'm so hungry." she whispered.

"Come with me, I know what you need." The night seemed like a dream cloudy and perfect. The two walked into the darkness away from the crowd and farther away from the lights that decorated the sky in fire filled images. Katara's eyes stared into Zuko's his were the brightest gold that she had ever seen, they sparkled in the fading moon light. With his scar gone his radiating pale skin made his eyes almost shine silver, Zuko's black hair was pulled half way up while the bottom hung freely. They spun in circles in each others arms letting their mind surf untamed in the night. Katara began to take off his robes they fell in thick puddles on the ground, Zuko tangled his fingers in her black autumn hair and drew her head closer as the last piece of fabric descended his body. He brought her lips to his and breathe out just barely letting the stolen life energy pass into and intoxicate the waterbender's senses. As she inhaled the energy flowed into her as well making her mind dizzy she fell forward having Zuko catch her with his lips locking on hers, massaging her mouth open against his own his tongue slipped into her mouth and the life force with it. Katara's own eyes began to shimmer and grow brighter as they deepened their kiss. Zuko's hands roamed her body adding much of her clothing to his under them, their body pushed together in the intimacy of the night. The images of Zuko's actions filled her mind she felt what he had done, his strength and his determination. As if she was the one killing Mai she saw the light fade out of the girl's eyes and it rode through her.

As she came out of this vision the passion inside of her grew wildly, Zuko's touch was so warm his fingers pressed against the skin on her lower back then her thigh, the back of her neck then on the side of her breast all while his lips consumed hers. Zuko similarly felt the erotic beat of Katara's heart as it sped up taking in the energy, he could smell the warm liquid that would be dripping from her lower regions soon. Her cool flesh awoke his every nerve as her delicate fingers traced his muscles, her nails lightly scratched at his rough skin. They finally broke the kiss, Zuko's eyes returned to normal he could see the last of the fleeting shimmer in Katara's blue silver eyes.

"You know what I've done, and you know I enjoyed it. I can't explain but this is who I am somehow. Could you possibly love me knowing that every time we kiss you will have to feel that." She wrapped her arms around his neck jumping she encircled her legs around his torso.

"Some how I think I could love this, I could love you."

He held her up over his face her loose hair was a perfect cascade and the moon her halo. Zuko lowered Katara onto his fully hardened dick, her entrance was still tight squeezing his member to her walls there was no room for error. Her reaction was all he needed, Katara writhed in his arms her hand tangled in her hair she rolled her head back in ecstasy, her moans came out her mouth in melodious tones. He smiled at her as her eyes finally returned to him, laying her down on the pile of clothing under them. He pulled out of her causing her lips to part in a gasp, Zuko lowered his head to her wet pussy and licked her lips savoring her sweet taste. Kissing her aroused clitoris he lead a trail of hot fiery kisses up her thighs gently spreading her legs apart, he licked up her chest till he arrived at her breast suckling at her nipples gently passing his tongue over them and using his other hand to massage the other breast. He continued up to her neck and began to nibble at the flesh there as well biting and sucking, Zuko was careful not to rest his body weight on his love, he did not want her to feel over powered. His ministrations were perfect Katara let her senses take in every pleasurable feeling, his hot body rose her core temperature and began melting her from the inside.

"Zuko, give it to me. I want it I need it." She rose her head and looked him in his eyes he slipped his tongue around her bone belly ring and over her clit causing her legs to jerk her fluid was coming out of her in floods, how sweet it was to the Fire Lord as his tongue pushed inside her entrance Katara gasped and her body rode the wave that coursed through her. She ripped his top knot off and pulled his head up from between her legs, "Don't fucking tease me." she said it as threatening as possible but her whimpers made it sound like a plea.

"Yes my Jewel" he climbed on top of her body and placed himself slowly inside of her, Katara's moans filled the air once more. He pulled out causing his tip to pop out of her entrance then reinserted it pushing half his length into her then pulling out, again he entered her pushing two third of his way in then pulling out Katara's hands were spread across his back clawing at his flesh. Her body screamed for more she wanted more. Zuko finally pushed his whole staff into her holding it there for a moment he then began moving, stroking back and forth, his hand rubbed the side of her hips and helped her to move in rhythm with him. It was painful for Zuko to go this slow, but he was more concerned that she orgasmed hundred times before he came once. And as he increased his pressure and drove deeper and harder Zuko would accomplish his goal. He picked her up so that they faced each other Katra's arms wrapped around the Fire Lord's neck her legs around his waist, he continued to thrust into her in this new position.

"Zuko, oh La! Zuko, YES YeS!" Her voice cracked she had lost count of how many times she had came, the fact that so much of her personal juices could have come out was mind blowing. He laid her back down and raised one of her legs skyward getting on his knees, his speed found a new ferocity he rammed into the tight space teaching it to open wider forcing his dick all the way to his base. Zuko's balls bopped at Katara's anus in and out he filled her. The intensity of Katara's pleasure reached its peak, "OH ZUKO FUCK ME!" it was her last scream before her body broke, she squirted out over his lower torso more of her fluid flooded out onto Zuko. The feeling pulsed over his dick finally bring him to cum his thick white seed shot towards her cervix filling her up on the inside. Letting all of it find shelter inside her vagina, a deep throaty growl resonated from his throat. He had never come that hard in anyone. Pulling out he could see Katara's lips were swollen drops of his cum spilled out of her. She lifted herself onto her elbows and took what was left of Zuko's cum on her fingers taking it into her mouth, she moaned at the taste. Katara tried to stand but collapsed on top of her lover, she giggled in her exhaustion. Zuko held her almost freezing flesh to his burning body, small trials of steam rose into the air around them. As Katara slept Zuko picked up her limp body and carried them back to the palace in the fragile hours of the morning.

Zuko had to many broken memories of things he had done in his chambers, he wouldn't put someone so precision in something so filthy. They instead spent the rest of the night sleeping in her bed. When the morning came the Fire Lord couldn't help but sit up and wonder, was it possible for him to make Katara happy he wanted to leave the politics and responsibilities behind and just spend his life in a blissful wonderment with her. Zuko stroked Katara's head her soft hair fell over his fingers, he stood up from the bed and covered himself with a thick red bed robe. The other guest awoke around noon there was no need for them to awake early today, the only thing on their schedule was their departure. Suki knocked on her friend's door once she awoke she wanted to ask more questions about what had happened in the swamp. She opened the door and found a messy water tribe girl spread out in her bed. Suki ran to the bed and began jumping up and down on the mattress.

"Wake up, stop wasting time girl. We're finally getting out of here! Gosh it's no wonder everyone here is crazy this place will make anyone go mad after a while." Katara had woken up but couldn't bring herself to look at Suki the reality of last night settled into her deeply. Zuko wanted to marry her and he would kill anyone that kept him from that.

"Hey Suki, about that going back thing." Her eyes glanced up at her sister in law, maybe if Katara told her more of the truth the older woman could give her better advise. Suki sat down for the evening and talked to Katara, as she finished packing.

"Listen, I know it's not the lady like think to do but you have to look at this as just sex. If you don't feel the same way about him then you have the right to take things slow. Come back home for a while and tell him you just want more time to get to know each other. If he's in love with you as much as he says he is he'll understand and let you have the time you need. But you knew he was fragile, especially after all the stuff that just happen between you guys. I mean, I don't want to sound like a mother but Katara, what were you thinking." The blue eyed girl cast her eyes away in shame, what had she been thinking. It seemed that during the whole thing she was just so hungry. Suki and Katara separated and to finish gathering anything they might need, Katara found herself in Zuko's sitting room with new traveling clothes on. When he walked in to find her there his serious face, completely healed, now took on a new light, he was so happy to just look at her. Behind Zuko's back he held a gift for her, he wanted her to agree to a proper marriage and not just sweep their love under the rug.

"We should talk," Katara stood to face him.

They walked back to the docks together all the councilmen where there to bid their farewells, Zuko and Katara had discussed having a long distance relationship to smooth things over and then perhaps things would progress to their union. The Fire Lord hated the idea, he wanted her to be with him now and always but he would give her the time she needed. As everyone boarded the large vessel he stood there fingering the gold chain link choker in his hand a tear drop jewel hung from the middle a sapphire and ruby stone had been molded together to create the tear drop. He would give it to her one day and share their linked energy for the rest of their lives.

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A/N: Fin! My apologies for taking a month for this one chapter. Review please and thank you. ^_^

Currently looking for a grammatical beta if interested please let me know