Lu Ten watched his cousin as he stood alongside the water tribe prince at the ship's head. Both men were watching the young princess as she bent the water throughout the evening. The girl worked tirelessly and without complaint. Lu Ten could see his cousin's fascination with her. He joined the teens on the deck and placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "I think we should catch up. Why don't we go below deck." Lu Ten offered and Zuko peeled his eyes away from Katara. Sokka nudged him and nodded to head below.
"I'll bring her down to you once Pakku releases her. Go catch up with your cousin." Zuko nodded but ignored both men to walk over to Katara. He whispered something to her and kissed the top of her head before joining Lu Ten and disappearing below deck.
Lu Ten led him away from the resting and healing contestants. Zuko took note that Toph was hanging over a bucket with Ty Lee beside her rubbing her back. Suki and Kai were still unconscious and in the middle of healing sessions. Aang was lying in a hammock playing with a whistle while keeping a close eye on Toph. Lu Ten showed him to the captain's quarters and closed the door behind him. Zuko took a look around before being engulfed in a bear hug from his cousin. The two stood at the same height, but Lu Ten had a leaner build than his cousin. "We couldn't believe it when we heard. We never thought he would put you in the games. We were just going to destory the arena, take back some land in the Earth Kingdom, and save a few contestants. This became so much bigger when we learned of your placement in the games." His cousin was speaking a mile a minute eager to explain the rebellion to Zuko, but he could tell his mind was still on the fearless girl on deck. "Zuko, the waterbender upstairs… was everything the world saw between you two real?" Zuko looked his cousin in the eye and took a deep breath.
"Yes...what did everyone see?" Zuko asked making a face as he thought back to their interactions during the games.
"When Yue died everyone saw you pull her away from the girl and hold her, the kiss on the cliff the other evening, the entire day yesterday when you couldn't keep your hands off of her. You seemed to forget your no public displays of affection rule and the cameras all over the arena. Although, you two are very well liked by the world, not so much your father or the fire nation nobles." Lu Ten explained what the world had seen of the two of them and Zuko winced at the judgment tone he was receiving from his cousin. It wasn't like his cousin hadn't been with women before. Lu Ten was attractive, a crown prince, and a decorated soldier. He was very well liked by the women in the fire nation. "Jun also told me that you two started to get close while at the contestant center. I've got to say she must be something special to have you so smitten after only a week." Zuko scowled at his cousin and thought about the millions of people who had watched all of their intimate moments from their screens. He bit the inside of his cheek thinking about his father judging his choice and then he thought about her father. A strong chief whose only daughter had been wrapped in his arms for most of the past two weeks. He couldn't stop the deep crimson blush that covered his neck.
Zuko cleared his throat and fixed his features so he looked unfazed by the information. "Is this why you and uncle left? How long have you two been apart of the resistance? Will uncle be there when we make port?" Zuko's questions flew out of him as he tried to change the subject and get the answers to the questions that had been plaguing him since their departure.
Lu Ten sat up straighter and readied himself for the answers his cousin needed. " We left because we knew Ozai would try to kill one or both of us next. He wanted to soldifiy his rule so he could go through with his plan. Father has always been apart of the White Lotus. When I turned 18 i joined as well. All of your masters from the games are also apart of the White Lotus as well as few former contestants like Jun. The resistance hasn't been around as long as you think. Maybe five or six years. Slowly building their forces with the former Earth Kingdom army. We'll know when we land if we were able to retake Ba Sing Se. It wasn't a part of the original plan but Ozai started to piece together what you guys were doing in the arena and called back many of the Empire's forces. Father is there fighting with Piando, King Bumi, and Dai Li agents. If they are able to take the city they will White Lotus and Earth Kingdom soldiers behind to protect King Kuei and rebuild the walls around the city. He'll be back in a few days." Zuko nodded and thought about everything he was being told. "The White Lotus has been in place for many years, since father was a young man. He, Piando, Pakku, Gyasto, Bumi and Jeong Jeong have been the leaders of the group since it's inception. They've been waiting patiently for their chance to attack. To right the wrongs of our great grandfather. Ozai plans on using the comet at the end of summer to destory well in his mind everything, but he's aiming for the Water Tribes. He can't take down the entire Earth Kingdom especially with the rebellion but he thinks he can destory the Water Tribes since they were suppose to have no heirs and well ice can melt…"
Zuko could feel every fiber of his being igniting with anger. His father would think he could just destory an entire group of people because loathes them. He clenched his fists and stood walking away from his cousin and looking out the window as the moon continued to descend below the horizon. After the damage Katara inflicted on the fleet hours earlier he was positive no one was following them. His father would kill her just prove a point. Just to show how dangerous waterbenders truly were. "Did they see what she did to Jet? Did anyone see?" Zuko asked his cousin and Lu Tun thought back to right before the arena's video feed cut out.
"They saw that he had pinned her down and that she had freed herself but that's when the camera's lost power." Lu Ten said and Zuko sagged with relief. "What did she do?" He asked now very curious what the girl could've done to make his cousin so worried about the world seeing it.
"We don't know. We just heard him screaming in pain for several minutes? Maybe longer… Whatever she did to him was extremely painful." Zuko explained and Lu Ten nodded before joining his cousin by the windows.
"She's safe now and so are you. When we arrive you all be given some down time. Jun and Teo said you all would need it." Lu Ten placed a hand one Zuko's shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze. "You're not going to sleep tonight are you?" Zuko turned to face his cousin and shook his head. "Fine, head back upstairs. King Bumi has rooms at his palace for all of you anyway. But it is a hike to Omashu from the port." Lu Ten warned as Zuko raced back to the upper deck.
Ty Lee and Toph sat silently beside each other. Both thinking about their friends that didn't make back to the boat. With Katara bending them across the ocean they couldn't ask what had happened to Mai and Haru. Ty Lee had curled into herself, refusing to speak to anyone and instead offering to take care of Toph who was suffering from sea sickness. The girls held hands and trying to remember the last things they had said to their missing friends. "Do you think they're going to be okay?" Ty Lee finally asked and Toph knew she was looking for comfort and reassurance but it would be a lie.
"We'll get them back and we can help them be okay then." Toph promised felt Ty Lee squeeze her hand as she shook racked with silent sobs. Toph pulled her knees up to her chest as he thought her friend, her partner in crime, the man she considered to be more like family than her own. She hoped he was dead. She hoped he had taken his pill and was laying dead on a table instead of being questioned and tortured.
Aang tried to sleep. He kept closing his eyes only to be met with Yee's flames flying his way, burning him. He could smell his skin burning, feeling the flames that covered his body, his back hitting the ground. Everytime he awoke with a start and checked to make sure that Ty Lee, Suki, and Toph were all okay. Suki was passed out from her injuries, Kai was still sitting in a healing tub in another room, Sokka and Zuko for still watching over Katara on deck. After another failed attempt at sleep he slipped out his hammock and walked upstairs to see how their voyage was going. "Hey Sokka do they need any more help?" Aang asked as he watched Katara and Pakku bent the water around them. "Have they been doing this all night?" Sokka looked over his shoulder to Aang and nodded. He looked over at his sister and sighed pulling his hair free from it's wolftail and ran his fingers through it.
"She and Pakku said they won't stop until the sunrises. They want to use the full moon to put as much distance between us and the Empire navy, but we've been sailing for hours without any sign on them." Sokka explained and Aang could see why he was so frustrated. Katara was overworking herself. She was covered in gashes and had clearly lost a lot of blood. Aang couldn't understand how she was still on her feet at all. "Could you give us more air in the sails? The sooner we cross into Earth Kingdom terrority the sooner she can stop and rest." Aang nodded his head and walked behind the sails bending steady streams of air in them. Zuko watched the young monk take his stance as he created a breeze to aid Katara and Pakku. The teen had dark purple bags under his eyes showing his lack of sleep. Both princes stood quietly watching the horizon wishing for day break.
As soon as the sun began to rise Katara collapsed on the deck. "Katara!" Aang and Zuko were by her side in seconds. He took account of her injuries and the amount of blood that covered her arms and clothes. He lifted her from the wood on the deck and cradled her in his arms. She was in and out of consciousness as Zuko rushed her down to the infirmary. The healers were working on Kai who was starting to look more like himself. She groaned and tried to wiggle out of his arms to stand. "Oh no, you need to rest." She scoffed and rolled her eyes as she fought the overwhelming need to sleep.
"I'm fine," She told him and the healers who now moved to check her wounds. "They're just small cuts, honestly I'm fine. Most of the blood isn't even mine." She said again but the healers were already undressing her and pushing Zuko out of the room.
"You've lost a good amount of blood princess." Katara rolled her eyes at the title. It was one thing to hear it while in the Capital but now it just seemed ridiculous. "You need to eat, rehydrate and rest. We'll get you some fresh clothes to wear while we close the cuts." Katara just nodded and allowed them the healers to run wet towels along her arms cleaning her arms. It wasn't a proper bath but she imagined she wouldn't get one of those until they arrived in Omashu. Once she had been cleaned, healed and fed Zuko was allowed back into the infirmary. "She needs rest and so do you." The healer told him and he pursed his lips before walking towards the back of the room to find her drinking water and eating some bread.
"Hey…" Katara watched him as he took a seat by her side and sighed seeing how exhausted he was. "We'll be making port soon. We'll have to hike the rest of the way to Omashu so you should sleep." Katara made room on the small cot and patted the space beside her.
"Didn't you hear the healer? You need rest too." Katara patted the space again and Zuko looked over his shoulder for one of the healers. "Oh Zuko get in the bed. I'm fully dressed and we're both exhausted. They won't find us in a compromising position if that's what you're worried about." His answering snort as he kicked off his boots and slid into the bed helped her relax. She finished her small piece of bread and sighed as he wrapped himself around her.
Zuko had so many things he wanted to say to her but as she stroked his chest, he yawned and lowered them down onto the cot. He would speak to her when they were truly safe and in Omashu behind it's walls. He glanced down at the sleeping girl in his arms and pulled the blanket over them as sleep took over.
Aang and Sokka asked the healers where Katara had been brought too and they pointed to the last cot in the room. The two boys walked over quietly and found Zuko wrapped protectively around Katara, both sleeping but with furrowed brows. Aang wondered if the two were having nightmares like he was. Sokka clutched his crutch and pulled up a chair beside the bed to sleep in. "You're going to stay?" Aang whispered as he pulled up a chair beside him.
"I'll sleep better here with her." Sokka said as he settled in for a few hours of sleep.
"Sure Sokka… You just want to make sure Zuko doesn't do anything you would do." Aang teased and Sokka stuttered back a response about wanting to protect his sister. Aang chuckled and draped a blanket over the both of them before trying to once again fall asleep. Sokka looked down at Aang as he tried to sleep, glanced over to Kai who looked pained as he rested in the healing tub, and finally at Katara clutching Zuko's shirt in her small fist. He could still hear Jet's screams of terror and pain from the forest and wished he knew what she did. He also wished she would tell him what he did to her. He hated that he couldn't protect her or Yue. He felt like a failure. A broken, nonbending, nothing special failure. He dropped his head onto Aangs and tried to let sleep take over but every time he got close to sleep he heard the screams, he pictured Yue lifeless body, and felt the dull ache from the broken bone that had been set when he arrived on the boat.
It was just after noon when they pulled into a port town about a day's travel from Omashu. Sokka and Aang had already woken up and helped Kai off the ship. Zuko woke before Katara and hugged her to his body. They survived. They were in a different part of the Earth Kingdom out of his father's reach and they were safe. "Kat...Kat...Katara we're here, wake up." He whispered to her and was met with a grumpy shut the hell up from the beautiful girl. He lifted her chin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
Katara loosened her grip on his shirt and kissed him back, groaning when he pulled away. "Tease…" She muttered which earned her one his little laughs. Her eyes fluttered open as she took in the scenery. They were on the boat. She was in the infirmary in new clothes. Zuko's body engulfed her own. She was safe. Somehow, by some miracle she wasn't in the area anymore. She was in the safest place she could be. She closed her eyes and nuzzled Zuko's chest, refusing to get up.
"We can sleep once we make it to Omashu." He promised but she knew that meant another night without any proper sleep. Katara watched him ease out of the bed and stretch. His hair was loose and hung in his face, making him look younger than he was. His clothes clung to his body as he reached into the water basin to wash his face. "You need to get out of bed." He scolded and she groaned rolling gingerly out of bed. She brushed her hair with her fingers and looked over her new clothes. They looked eerily similar to what she had worn in the arena. Black sleeveless shirt and brown fitted pants with several pockets. She still had on her same undergarments which made her feel filthier than she already did. She pulled half her hair back into a bun and let the rest lay loosely down her back.
When they arrived on deck she took note of her friend's current state. Sokka was hobbling around on a crutch, Kai was being held up by Aang, Suki was being held up by Ty Lee, and Toph stood off to the side rubbing her arm. The mighty warriors that had entered the arena looked like empty shells of their former selves. Dark circles under each of their eyes, everyone besides her, Kai and Suki, were covered in dirt and blood, and everyone smelled awful. Katara attempted to step away from Zuko's grasp but he pulled her closer and helped her walk down the gangplank.
Lu Ten watched as the teens huddled around each other. His cousin standing protectively beside the water princess while she checked on each of her friends. It was clear the feelings his cousin felt for the girl weren't fleeting. He knew it would be something to share with his father when he returned to Omashu. Their relationship could be of use to the rebellion.
It was Monk Gyatso who got everyone's attention. "We won't need to hike after all. Aang can you blow the whistle please?" Katara watched as the young monk's eyes lit up as he caught the whistle. He took a deep breath and blew.
"That whistle doesn't work…" Sokka whispered to Zuko, who raised an eyebrow at the two airbenders. Zuko was about to comment on how nothing had happened when Katara pointed to the sky. "What the hell are those?" Sokka asked as two sky bisons landed before them. Sokka watched how Aang gently handed Kai to one of the healers before running and jumping onto the head of one of the bisons.
"I've missed you buddy." Katara finally wiggled free from Zuko's death grip and joined Aang beside the bison, petting his side and collapsing onto one of it's legs. "Katara this is Apa. My sky bison. We've been together since we were little." Aang explained but Katara was too busy snuggling into the fluff that covered the animal. "Seems like you've found yourself a new friend Apa."
"We'll be traveling to Omashu on the backs of these bison. It's perfectly safe and they will get us there by nightfall. You'll all be able to bathe, eat, and sleep comfortably tonight." Monk Gyatso nodded for everyone to climb on. Katara helped Toph get into the saddle and then Suki, Kai, and Ty Lee. Aang propelled Sokka into the saddle with a blast of air and Zuko gracefully climbed on.
Their masters and Lu Ten joined Monk Gyatso on his sky bison getting comfortable in the large saddle. "Yip yip!" Both airbenders spoke in unison as they held the reins. The bisons lifted into the air with ease and began to soar over the trees and in the clouds. Katara climbed beside Aang and asked him question after question about Apa, which Aang happily answered. They laughed quietly to each other as they imagined traveling the world on the back of Apa.
The peaceful, quiet spell that had been placed over all of the teens was broken when Suki asked where Haru and Mai were. Katara felt her shoulders slump forward in shame, while Toph and Ty Lee looked away from the group. Aang patted Katara's knee and whispered that she should tell everyone what happened. He had an idea of what had happened since he dragged Toph away from the scene prior to her getting there. Katara climbed back onto the saddle and sat beside Suki who was looking around at the group confused.
"Kuzon was trying to get to the tunnel. He's an earthbender and Haru was worried he would be able to get to the boat." Toph started and Ty Lee wiped the tears that started to fall from her eyes.
"I was going to help them but Mai told me to go and they chased him into the forest. The boat had already left when I made it over the mountain. If it hadn't been a full moon I probably wouldn't have made it to the boat either." Katara explained and Zuko watched as the weight of what she had just shared hit her. She would've been left behind. If she didn't have the power from the moon to help her she wouldn't be there with them.
"NO! I have this! He gave it to me… He said it was a backup to getting caught…" Suki pulled out the pill from her tattered pants and Toph hugged her knees to her chest. She hid her face in her knees and let out silent tears. Sokka and Zuko wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her between them. "What's going to happen to them?" Everyone's eyes lowered to the saddle knowing that they would probably be tortured for information, but what that tortured entailed no one knew.
"We'll get them back. We'll figure out how, make a plan, and we'll get them back…" Kai spoke up and moved closer to Ty Lee struggling to sit up. "Mai is one of the toughest and, no offence, scariest girls I've ever met and Haru is brave and smart. They have each other. They aren't there alone. They'll stay strong for all of us and we'll do everything in our power to get them back." Ty Lee helped him sit up and gave him a small smile. Toph looked over to where she assumed he was sitting and gave a weak thumbs up. Katara moved to sit next to him and looked over his wounds. She made a mental note to ask him what happened after he had rested properly.
The group settled back into their places with Katara sitting by Suki and Kai to keep watch over them. Suki couldn't help but feel guilty about taking Haru's only way out from him. Katara fussed over Kai who pushed her hands away and teased her about being too motherly. "Honestly Kitkat stop! I'm fine!" He snapped and she took her hands back biting her lip. He started to apologize and she nodded sitting quietly with her hands in her lap. Sokka shot his friend a look and Kai waved it off trying to get a peek under the bandages that covered his torso, right arm, right hip and thigh.
The rest of the flight to Omashu was uneventful. Kai and Katara argued about her attempts to help with his pain. Toph passed out in Sokka's lap. Zuko did everything in his power to try and cheer up Ty Lee and Aang sat comfortably on the head of the sky bison steering them towards the ancient city. Suki watched over all of them. Her injuries had been taken care of throughout the evening. She had faint scars from the scratches the beast left on her but other than that she was fine. Kai was covered in semi healed burns that would need more attention once they landed. He acted like he was fine and Suki watched as it bothered the hell out of Katara. The girl was restless like she needed to be doing something as they grew closer to Omashu. She became so aggravating that Toph woke up to yell at her. Suki flinched as the little earthbender yelled at the princess to stop moving and relax. Suki also heard her mumble to Zuko about controlling his girlfriend.
When Aang finally set Apa down on the tiled stone ground outside of the palace Toph threw herself off the side and kissed the ground. "FINALLY LAND!" Katara rolled her eyes and slid down one of the bison's legs. They were greeted by Jun and a teen in a strange chair with wheels.
"Welcome home contestants. I'm Teo." The teen in the wheelchair blushed when he looked over at Katara and Suki before rolling over to them. She stepped forward and reached for the teen's hand.
"Katara. You won a few years ago didn't you? Why weren't you a mentor this year?" She asked and he pointed down to his legs.
"The games took them from me. Firelord Ozai said I wasn't needed since I couldn't walk and that impeded my ability to properly prepare the Earth Kingdom contestants." Teo explained and wheeled over to Toph. "Come on let's show our guests to their rooms." Toph joined Teo and motioned for the rest of the group to walk with them. Zuko looked back at Lu Ten who was talking with some soldiers in blue and white armor.
Katara looked around in awe at all the marble, shades of green fabric and paint that covered the walls, and the gold that seemed to outline everything. It was beautiful and peaceful within these walls. One by one the group started to disappear into large, opulent rooms. Kai, Ty Lee, and Suki were already locked away in their rooms. Sokka hobbled into his telling everyone he would see them at dinner later that evening. They dropped off Aang next who looked down at Toph who punched his arm and said she would see him at dinner. He blushed and stepped into his room, shutting the door behind him. Toph slipped into her room next and the last two rooms were Katara and Zuko's. As she was about to step into her Zuko caught her arm. "Do you want to stay with me?" He whispered to her and she blushed as Teo sat awkwardly to the side. She did want to stay with him though. The thought of being alone with her thoughts was frightening. Teo nodded for them to follow him and led them to the last room and largest room in the hallway.
"I'll have one of the servants bring your clothes to this room. Dinner is in a few hours so relax, get cleaned up, and someone will come and get you to bring you both to the dining room." Teo explained and rolled out of their shared room and back up the hallway the group had come. Katara looked around the large room as Zuko closed the door.
He walked over to her and she melted into his arms as he hugged her from behind. "You scared the hell out of me." He whispered to her and she had to laugh.
"How do you think I felt when I saw the boat already sailing away?" She asked him as she continued to laugh out of exhaustion and fear. "I almost got stuck back there with Mai and Haru…" Zuko sighed into her neck and spun her around and looked into her sparkling, cerulean eyes. "I really want to take a bath…" She told him and he nudged her in the direction of the bathroom. He walked in and turned on the water in the bathtub letting it fill. He stuck his hand in and warmed up the water until it was steaming and fogging up the bathroom.
"I'll get your clothes. Get in and clean up. We'll relax after my bath." Zuko told her and she waited until he left the bathroom before she stripped out of her clothes and sunk into the hot water. She found a sponge, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. She started to clean herself starting with her hair. Lather, rinse, repeat, lather, rinse, repeat. It was so quiet in the bathroom. She thought this was what she had needed but now she realized this was the last thing she could handle. She was alone with her thoughts and it was like a tidal wave hit. Every traumatic event that happened in the arena washed over her at once. She could feel Jet's member in her mouth, see Smellerbee's face as she died, heard Camilla's screams, Chan gurgling his last breath as he choked on his blood, Freya's back snapping, Yue's last breath, and Jet's blood in her grasp. She thought she was fine. She hadn't even thought about the arena the night before or all day. She was fine, because she wasn't left alone with her ghosts or because she was too busy to think about them. She didn't realize she had been in the bathroom for so long until she heard the knock at the door.
Zuko stepped into the bathroom after waiting an hour for her to come out. He stopped at the door when he saw how red her skin was. She was scrubbing her skin raw. "Katara! Katara stop! Stop, you're scrubbing too hard." He grabbed her hands and took the sponge from her. "Stop, please." He begged and she looked up at him and tried to reach for the sponge. He lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a towel. She had this distance look in her eyes, haunted and pained. "Kat?" He asked and she finally looked back into his eyes.
"I killed four people. I was covered in their blood...Jet's blood…" She told him and he cringed at the memory of his screams. He led her over to their bed and laid out some clothes for her. She stood frozen in place as he spoke to her. She heard him say to get dressed and get into bed. He had no idea how to help her. His time in the arena wasn't as traumatic as hers. He kissed her forehead and watched as she clung to the towel. She was waiting for him to go take his bath. He skipped the tub and opted for the shower. He had brought his clothes into the bathroom with him and showered as quickly as he could. When he was finished he looked in the mirror and touched his scar. Nothing was more traumatic for him than his father burning him and it took him years to move past it. Katara didn't have years. After seeing how strong she was in the arena he knew how important she would be to the rebellion, to the world. He got dressed in the sleeveless black shirt and loose matching pants.
He stepped out of the bathroom and found her dressed and tucked under the blanket. She was wearing the white nightgown he found her. He slipped into the bed and pulled her into his arms. "Want to talk about it?" He asked her and she took several deep breaths. Her mother had always said it was better to talk through what was bothering her. Although, when she was six and talking through her issues they were of Sokka and Kai not letting her play with them, not being allowed to learn combative bending, losing her doll because she had bended the water around it's tiny boat a little too excitedly. Now she would have to share what happened in the arena with the last person she wanted judging her or hearing about what a monster she had become, but she needed to get it off her chest.
"I knew I may have to kill someone but I didn't know how easy it would be Zuko. Smellerbee was taunting me, she knew what Jet had done and I killed her like it was nothing. I didn't even blink when I killed Chan and it wasn't out of survival. I was just mad at him, at the situation, at everything. I didn't feel bad when I killed Freya either. And I enjoyed killing Jet. I froze his organs, I forced him to bleed out while forcing water down his throat. You left me alone for what 10 minutes? And I saw them all. All of their faces, how they died, their last words. Jet begged me to stop when he wasn't screaming or I wasn't drowning him. I didn't even let Chan finish his thought." Katara told him and he watched her as she tried to work through her thoughts. "I'm scared I'm going to see them whenever I close my eyes or I'm left alone. I'm supposed to help the rebellion but I'm terrified of how easy that flip is to switch. I'm scared that I could easily become this monster again..."
Well can't take it back now… She thought as she waited for him to push her away. She waited for him to tell her to leave. It felt good to put it all out there but now she was afraid she was going to lose the one person she needed the most. She felt safe with him. She was comfortable with him. He hadn't judged her so far but he didn't know the full extent of what she had done. She twirled a piece of her hair in her fingers as she waited still for his response.
Zuko swallowed the lump in his throat. She had a very different experience than he did. Hers sounded terrifying. How could one person see and experience so much death and be okay? He couldn't help but think that Jet got exactly what he deserved. He abused her body. Why shouldn't she get to abuse his? She again said she felt like a monster. Her gift that he found so intriguing, she found to be a tool of death. He still saw Yee's terrified face as he cut her down. He could still picture her crawling away, clearly done fighting. He could still see her intestines hanging out of her and her head just barely hanging onto her neck. He squeezed her small frame and rested his head on top of hers.
"You aren't a monster. Jet had that coming. Whatever he did to you...he had everything you did to him coming. And everything you did in the arena was for survival. I watched Smellerbee almost kill you on day one. Chan would've killed you if you hadn't killed him first. Freya was trying to kill you or Yue." Zuko felt her breathing and her hand that had made its way to his. "I killed Yee. She was crawling away from me, scared, she looked like she was done fighting and I still let my swords rip her open. She was dead before she hit the ground. So if you think you're a monster for killing four people in self defence and vengeance then what am I? We did what we had to Kat. If you hadn't you wouldn't be here." He kissed the top of her head and lifted her chin with his free hand to look into her eyes. "We all did things that we never thought we were capable of doing, but I would do it all again to be here with you."
His sweet words and honest confession made her chest swell with affection for him. She didn't know she could feel so strongly for someone she had only met two weeks prior, but here she was ready for anything because of him. She closed the space between them and pressed her lips roughly against his as the tears flowed. His arm curled around her waist as his free hand tangled into her hair. He knew he should be thinking about what she needed at that moment and taking things slow but he couldn't think past how scared and relieved he was that she was alive and there with him. They rolled onto their sides, kissing each other with a hunger neither had been accustomed too. Katara's hands were on his back, clinging to his shirt and pulling him as close to her as she could get. His tongue was welcomed into her mouth with no hesitation and fought hers for dominance.
When the need for air finally came they pulled a part, panting and gazing into each other's eyes. Katara relaxed in his arms and hooked one leg over his hip as he pulled her flush against him. She had flashes of Jet's hands, his mouth, his breath on her skin and had to remind herself that Zuko would never push her to go further than she was comfortable with. He wiped away the tears that had fallen while they kissed. "I didn't… that was okay right? I didn't push you?" He asked her and she shook her head.
"No, you would never push me, I know that. I guess I'm overwhelmed. By the games, the rebellion, and my feelings for you." She told him and he tightened his grip around her as he kissed her once more. She melted against him and moaned softly as his teeth nipped at her lip, begging her to open her mouth. She slid her fingers into his hair and allowed his tongue to slip back into her mouth. His groan was music to her ears. She felt his hand slip down to her knee as he hiked her leg up higher on him and rubbed his calloused hand along her smooth, muscular thigh. Her tongue tangled with his and she gripped his silky strands as he eased himself on top of her. His lips were firm against her own as he poured his feelings into the passionate kiss. When he pulled away she whimpered only to feel his lips close around her earlobe and gently suck. She squirmed underneath him as he peppered her neck with kisses. "Zuko…" She moaned his name as he sucked on the sensitive spot on her neck before moving further down to her chest.
She was breathing heavily, her head turned to the side, and her eyes closed. He took all of her in as she slid her hands down to his shoulders. He wanted to memorize every delicate inch of her and he wanted to hear her moan his name again. He slowly brought his hand up to her covered breast and squeezed it gently. When she arched her back into his hand and breathed his name again, he took that as a sign he could continue. His tongue and lips focused on her neck as he pulled down the top of her nightgown and exposed her breasts. He kissed down to the one he was gently kneading and began to suck on her hardened nipple. Her moans filled the room as he switched between her two mounds. He pulled back watching her as she arched her back into his hands and bit her swollen bottom lip. He pushed her nightgown further down and slowed his movements, silently asking permission to take it off of her. She nodded shyly and he pulled her nightgown off of her and tossed it to the floor. He reached for the hem of his shirt and tossed it to the ground leaving him bare chested as well.
She lay before in only her underwear, which had a small damp spot. He could see the hesitation in her eyes and looked away not wanting to push her out of her comfort zone. But he felt her hands moving his to rest them on her hips. "Touch me, please." She whispered to him and turned the most adorable shade of pink as she spread her legs slightly. He could feel his cock straining against his pants. He kept his eyes as he bent forward pressing his chest onto hers. He slid one hand into her underwear and felt how wet she was. He groaned as he thought about how he had done this to her. She wanted him and this was evidence. He stared deeply into her endless ocean blue as his index finger circled the swelling nub nestle between her moistened folds. He watched as she bit her lip hard leaving an indent in her bottom lip. Triumphantly, he bent his head down to her neck and began to lap his tongue against the pulse point which was racing. His fingers moved gently around her wet core before one slipped into her. "Zuko!" She cried his name as he eased his finger in and out of her slowly. She writhed underneath him and began to move her own hips in the hopes that he would increase the speed. Gods, she was tight. He had to make sure he didn't over do it or hurt her but all he wanted to do was rip off his pants and slide into her himself.
He whispered her name into her ear and bit down on the skin below her earlobe hard enough that it would leave a mark. Her soft moans and cries for more helping guide his progression. He slipped another finger inside of her and began to move them faster as his palm rubbed against her precious bundle of nerves. "Oh Zuko…" She was coming undone by his hand and felt like every inch of her body was on fire. The flame that always lit in her lower stomach felt like it was going to engulf her entire body. She was panting and rocking her hips in time with his finger. Zuko smirked against her neck and kissed his way back down to her breasts. He took her dusty pink nub into his mouth and sucked hard.
"I-I!" She couldn't put together a thought as she felt this tightening inside of her. He increased his speed and she cried out his name as she came. Her inner muscles clenching around his fingers. He pulled his hand out of her underwear and kissed back up to her lips. He looked into her dazed expression and took pride in the fact that he pleased her so.
"Wow… how do you...do you feel better?" Zuko asked her and she shyly nodded, a deep crimson blush covered her cheeks. He nuzzled her neck and kissed up and down it. He was still painfully aroused but he wouldn't ask her to return the favor. He had wanted to feel close to her and he got more than he had hoped. He didn't think she would allow him to take things as far as they did, but he enjoyed watching her come a part in his arms. He would never be able to get the sight of her writhing underneath him, breasts heaving with every breath, hardened nipples aching to be sucked on, the damp spot on her underwear, and her calling out his name out his head. "I'll be right back and then we can take a nap while we wait for the escort to the dining room." He kissed her lips once more before slipping out of the bed and walking into the bathroom.
Katara pulled the blanket over her bare chest and blushed as she thought about how needy she sounded. How wanton she must have looked as he pleasured her. She blushed again as she thought about everything they had just done. She had never allowed a man to undress her, touch her, kiss her body like she just allowed Zuko. The unwelcomed thought of Jet again flashed in her mind. His hands and mouth where Zuko's just were. Her tears as she begged him to stop. But with Zuko it was different. He silently asked her with each step he took before pressing forward and he was so gentle with her. It almost felt like he was erasing the harsh, invasive attack her body had suffered. She sank into the large fluffy mattress and closed her eyes eagerly awaiting his return.
Zuko opened the door and saw that her nightgown was still on the floor as he climbed back into their bed. He laid back and opened his arms for her and laughed at how quickly she took her place back in them. "Thank you, Zuko." She whispered to him as he smoothed her hair down while she settled into her spot on his chest. He wanted to ask why she was thanking him, but hearing her steady breathing stopped him. He hugged her to his body and allowed her to sleep.