-Hello my lovelies! I checked my email and saw that people were still reviewing and following this old story of mine! Due to the current events around the world I decided to update this story and maybe bring it to an end. Thank you guys for sticking with me for all these years. If you haven't checked out the ap.p Dreame, you should go on over and check out the steamy stories I have up there! (Stories on Dreame: First Female Alpha, & Mythical Rebirth). Thank you again for the support through the years and during my absence. You guys rock!

Chapter 27

~Katara Cont'd~

My eyes burn with the tears that formed. The cart is moving much faster than before, leaving me to grasp the floor and walls for some sort of stability. Every bump or hole in the road cause my body to tumble over. I'm sure I'd find a few new bruises tomorrow.

Tomorrow

The tears start to pool faster as I question my life.

What the hell is happening?...

After what feels like an eternity the cart finally pulls to a harsh stop, tossing me on my side for -hopefully- the last time.

I wipe away harshly at my tears, once again smoothing my cloths and hair. I sit up and straighten my shoulders. Whatever Shyu has planned, I will not let him see that I am afraid.

A shiver runs up my spine as I hear the sound of boots hitting the ground and grow louder as they reach the doors to where I'm sitting. The doors whip open and all I can see is a very distressed Shyu. His cloths disheveled, parts burnt from his encounter not too long ago. He stood in the soft glow of moon just staring at me. His eyes connected to mine for a few minutes before he reached a hand out to me. Without breaking the gaze, I took his hand and slipped out of the cart.

"Shyu.." I whispered softly, his hand still holding mine. I wanted to rip it away and run as fast as I could, but I have to be smart.

He shook his head and sighed.

"My beautiful Katara." He brought his other hand to caress my cheek, still holding my hand with the other, eyes still burning deep into mine. His words were dripping in sadness, and his eyes full of regret, but I refused to trust him.

"Please tell me what's going on, Shy.." I let my face relax into his palm, playing into his emotions.

"Let's go inside my sweet, before anyone sees us. Then I will explain further." He slid his palm from my cheek down the side of my neck, letting it fall to his side. Goosebumps covered my skin. Still holding my hand, he led me into the small home the cart had apparently stopped in front of.

I took a moment to look around. I have no idea where we are. The home is cute and small. It looks big enough for a small family or maybe just a couple. As we walked up to the front door, I looked behind us. The front of the home was surrounded by bare land that seemed to lead for a couple of miles. The only light coming from the moon.

Will anyone be able to find me here?

I felt Shyu give me a quick tug, pulling me from my thoughts.

I smiled up at him and entered the home, Shyu following closely shutting the door and locking it behind us.

~Zuko~

I storm out of my fathers office, absolutely disgusted with him. The way he had the audacity to speak her name. Or how he though the had any right to touch her. To touch MY Katara.

I stopped suddenly at the thought.

My Katara?

Well she was my slave. I was allowed to be possessive. I paid for her didn't I?

I shook my head and continued forward to the guards chambers, throwing the doors open, leaving burn marks on the wood. The men stopped what they were doing, obviously startled. They all stared at me, eyes wide, before standing in a line before me.

"Where is he?" The words escaped through gritted teeth. I could feel nothing but anger.

The second in command to Shyu stepped forward.

He bowed quickly before speaking, "May we ask who you are speaking of, Prince Zuko?"

I stepped towards the guard, coming dangerously close to him. I couldn't help myself, the need to hurt someone bubbling dangerously at the surface.

"Shyu." I spit the name at him.

The guards eyes grew large for a split second, the guard seemingly knowing something...

"Where is he." I stepped even closer, smelling the stench of alcohol on his breath.

"I-Im not sure.." He brought a hand up to scratch his head. His eyes fighting himself.

"Tsk tsk." I circled the guard now, small flicks of fire radiating off my body in a delicious manner. I noticed him wince at the heat, causing me laugh.

"Scared of a little fire?" The flames grew larger and hotter, not swirling menacingly around my palms and up my arms.

The guard took a small step back, staring at me as if he'd seen a ghost.

The Zuko before these men is one they haven't seen in a very very long time. But boy did I love this feeling. I could smell the fear in the room as the men wondered what had caused my rage. It fed the snakes of fire that danced around me.

Suddenly the doors swung open. I turned my head to see a very unhappy Mai.

"Zuko!" She raised her voice at me, her eyes darting to the show of flames I'd made.

"What." I spat at her.

She cocked a brow at me.

"Is that anyway to speak to your future wife and queen?" She shook her head in disappointment.

"Mai, now is not the time." Again the words escaping through gritted teeth. I was seething at the site of Mai.

But I didn't know why.

She hadn't done a single thing wrong, but her standing here before me while Katara is gone, heavens knows where. I couldn't stand to look at her. And with this sudden tone of authority she was speaking with, I couldn't handle it. Not the Zuko that had taken over me.

"Zuko, I need to speak to you. Now." She emphasized the last word, placing a hand on her hip.

My body and mind had linked up and moved on their own. I was no longer in control, my rage settling into my being.

I walked over to her calmly, standing inches away from her. She smiled sweetly at me but all I could manage was disgust.

"How dare you tell me, PRINCE ZUKO, what to do?" I inched closer.

"Though I may have invited you into my bed, that does not grant you any value my dear." Now I was standing so close, I could smell the sweet lavender and powder that always lingered on her skin.

I placed a finger under her chin, her eyes gleaming with a hint of tears. "Bow down to me."

She kept her eyes locked on mine. They were filled with a sweet combination of hate, and fear. My favorite if I'm being honest. She kept the gaze for a moment, testing me, trying to challenge me. I had to give Mai some credit. But she gave in and lowered her body, bowing to me.

I slid a hand into her soft black hair. It flowed straight down around her shoulders as she dropped her head. I gripped the hair at the base of her skull tightly and whipped her head up to look at me, her body still lowered in submission. The site slightly arousing.

I smiled into her eyes, now covered in the tears she couldn't keep from falling. She whimpered so quietly I almost missed it.

"Challenge my power again and we shall see what will become of you my love." I tossed her head out of my grip.

"Get out." I ordered as I walked back to the guards, all of them staring at me in disbelief. I heard a small sob and the doors shut. I smiled at all the guards, my eyes falling back on Shyu's right hand man.

"If you don't tell me where Shyu is in the next few minutes, your punishment will not be so lax my friend." I grinned at him.