Hey guys! First, I wanna say I love you and I love reading your reviews; so thank you for all your support! I'm amazed with your constant positivity and I'm overjoyed knowing this fic brings you happiness. So, thank you!

Also this chapter gets pretty dark. So if the following things bother you I suggest you skip those few paragraphs. Again-TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of sexual harassment, rape, and death. If these things cause you any discomfort please skip over it. I'll post a line break like this:

S/-/-/-/

To indicate the start and end of those scenes. It's not a need to read for this story so please skip if it makes you uncomfortable.

/-/-/-/E

—————————————————————————-

ChapterThirtyThree: Katara

It was a surreal feeling; and it all went by in a blur, a whirlwind of emotions tethered to my subconscious. Zuko stood just a little closer. His eyes shown just a little brighter. His smile, just a little deeper.

I allowed his hand to press into the small of my back and guide me to the skiff. The heat from his palm permeating through my robes onto my bare skin, a constant reminder of what happened the night prior. To the untrained eye, it probably appeared to be the ever caring Fire Lord escorting the water princess safely.

I wondered if they saw how my hungry eyes devoured him as I mentally ripped off every article of clothing that donned his body.

The moment we were far enough off the coast I jumped on him. I was insatiable as he took me right there on the deck of the ship. I cried his name, only the waves bearing whiteness as the hot metal of the deck, warmed by the afternoon sun, burned into my back.

Then my climax was crashing into me, the water around us reacting to my own pleasure as it came raining down over us.

We stayed like that a long time, just wrapped up in each other, naked as the day we were born.

"I love you, Katara." Zuko whispered into my hair. It was the third time he had said those words. And I hadn't said them back. Surely I cared for Zuko, and cared deeply, but love? It was a serious emotion that I struggled to understand.

I love Sokka and my friends, but what did it mean in a romantic setting? The way I love Aang is entirely different than the way I feel for Zuko.

All my questions did nothing to help my situation.

"We'll be passing through a few small cities soon, we should probably get dressed." Zuko mumbled, breaking the ever growing silence.

Lost in my own mind I nodded slightly before picking up my robes and entering the small cabin on the skiff, closing the door behind me.

'Agni! We need to talk about this. It's going to eat away at me.'

I dressed quickly in my usual water tribe ensemble and fashioned a loose braid down my back before pushing the heavy door open with a creek.

"Zuko, can I talk-"

As my eyes adjusted to the harsh rays of the sun I stood frozen at the scene before me.

Zuko was perched at the edge of the skiff. A large gash to his temple dripping crimson blood; I could see his pale skin purpling from the blow, a bruise that would surely lead to a migraine and fester if not treated.

The three intruders beside him grinned in wicked delight, the one on the left, had a gnarly beard and a large curved sword pressed flush against Zuko's throat. Though Zuko was tall, this man stood a full head higher.

The two on the right looked identical, one female one male, twins, I stared almost fascinated at their hair, blood red, down to their waists as they both held crackling flames in their outstretched palms.

They flickered against the ocean breeze but stayed true to their form.

"Who are you people!" I demanded, hoping my outburst would distract them long enough to make my move. I called out to the water that surrounded us. The beast of a man with the sword would have to go first.

With the slightest flick of the wrist the water obeyed-

"I wouldn't try that if I were you…" someone spoke slowly behind me, articulating every word. A familiar tone that had all the air in my lungs disappearing. A voice that haunted my dreams and plagued my mind.

I turned on my heels. He stood atop the cabin of the skiff, towering over us all.

"Ah, Princess! It's been a long while hasn't it? You haven't changed a bit, still lovely as ever. How's your shoulder healing? I didn't mean to snag you with my blade during our last encounter but it was a necessary precaution. Then again, I made sure I didn't puncture anything vital."

He didn't look how I envisioned. No, this man was utterly average. I could have walked by him a dozen times and not even know. And perhaps I did, that thought alone was chilling.

How could I possibly get us both out of this situation unharmed?

"We were nice enough to allow you guys to…'finish up' before we crashed your party. But you sure did put on quite a show for us." Bile rose up in my throat and I struggled to swallow it down. He had seen me with Zuko.

"T-take me instead...my father, Chief Hakoda of the Sou-" I tried to barter for Zuko's life, like I was comparable to that of the Fire Lord. What a fool I am.

"I'm very well aware of who he is and the sum you'd fetch as a hostage. I thought you were smarter, do you not recall our goal as revolutionaries?"

My mind began racing, pulling up information from months back.

But the man sighed loudly, clearly not amused with the length of time it was taking me to piece this all together.

"Insolent woman! We are not here for you. Ozai will resume the throne. The banished prince let our great nation shatter when we were so close to absolutism. It will be obtained at all costs."

I watched as he jumped down from his perch to where I stood. Again, I was shocked by how ordinary he looked. He was of average build and height, black hair and brown eyes. There was simply nothing extraordinary about him. And that seemed to work to his advantage; blending in easily as he plotted and schemed his way into a position of strength and power.

"Boss, we're approaching the town." The red haired female spoke, her and her twin's flame extinguishing, the large blade finally leaving Zuko's throat. Now was my chance, if I could just get Zuko away from these guys, he would be able to flee.

"If you even so much as flinch, girl, I'll end you both right now." Damnit! Could I risk it? Should I risk it? I could get away easily enough and come back for Zuko, but if they wanted us both dead they would have killed us by now. He needs us for something. And I intend on using that to my advantage.

"So, what should we call you then?" Any information was better than none. Ignoring me, he spoke to the red haired man behind me.

"Kashi! Steer us to the port." He moved without word to the cabin and I wished I paid more attention to the map Zuko was showing me last night.

He explained the route we'd take to get back to Caldera but I was too busy running my fingers through his hair to be bothered by such things. I subconsciously rubbed my fingers together, remembering how the thick silky strands felt. I yearned to turn towards Zuko, to look into his eyes and read his mind. But I was too afraid to move.

"You can call me, Baku." He inched towards me again. A hair's breadth away as he reached his hand out to me, cupping my cheek.

"Don't worry, it'll all be over after tonight, and I promise to be gentle." He winked at me, his hand gliding from my cheek down my neck.

I had never in my life felt so small, so vulnerable. I froze against his touch-too terrified to even move.

"Don't..fucking touch her..." Zuko's voice sounded pained as he gritted out the words.

Baku spun towards him, genuine shock gracing his features. "Fire Lord Zuko, I'm impressed. I'm surprised you can even stand still, nevertheless speak. The poison must be still making it into your bloodstream, or maybe your will is just as mighty as everyone says."

Poison? I shifted to face him. He was panting, and sweating profusely, his already pale skin devoid of any and all color.

"Don't worry. The poison won't kill him. I need him at his weakest in order for my plan to work. But make no mistake, he is certainly in a lot of pain.

"You were fools to come out here alone like this. It was almost entirely too easy." I cursed under my breath. Even if I could get myself away from this psychopath, Zuko was too weak to move on his own. I couldn't anticipate him joining in the fight. And I still don't know my enemy well enough to challenge all four of them in open combat. There were too many variables.

I wasn't strong enough to save us.

—————————————————————

The sun was fully set when we drifted into a seedy looking port on the outskirts of the small town. Zuko's condition had deteriorated, he was now laying face first on the deck of the skiff.

"Start walking, Princess." Kashi's sister spit at me. I followed sandwiched between the twins, the monster of a man effortlessly swung Zuko over his shoulder. Baku staying behind the group observing everything.

Kashi led us into a cave. It was damp and close to the water which was to my advantage, but I almost immediately spotted the shackles embedded in the rock face.

I stopped walking, my feet rooted to the slippery stone beneath me.

"What the hell are you stopping for? Keep moving, bitch. I'm going to take great pleasure in chaining you up here." Shuddering out a breath. I forced myself to keep moving.

"Turn around." I did as I was told, my heart pounding as I spun on my heels.

"Hands above your head." Baku ordered. I started trembling, unable to keep myself from doing so as I lifted my arms up.

Baku clipped my wrists into the cold metal cuffs. I needed to think of something. And I needed to do it quickly. I watched horrified as they chained Zuko up next to me, he was barely clinging to consciousness as Baku left the cave, leaving his less observant lackies behind. Feeling content that we were both left incapacitated.

I needed to find a way to heal Zuko. He was so close to me, almost a foot away. I forced myself to concentrate. Willing a small trickle of water with my unbound fingertips, I guided it closer and closer in Zuko's direction. Zuko needed to be able to fight if we were going to make it out of here.

I bent the water along a crack in the rock, hoping it would be undetectable. I've never healed anyone without touching them. But I had to try. I finally got the water to discreetly puddle at the back of his neck. Now this was going to be the hard part. I didn't have to be able to see the waxing moon in the sky, to feel it's presence.

I demanded my healing chakra to flow through the small stream I created. I wrinkled my brow in concentration. Focusing on pulling the toxins out of Zuko's body. Almost thirty minutes passed and it was slow work. But it was working.

Zuko stirred, eyes fluttering up to meet mine. Thanking me without words, sweat beginning to bead at my forehead in exertion. I was almost done, but I could still sense the toxins that built up in his kidneys. His body trying desperately to filter out the poison on its own. I took a quick second to bend water into the shackles before freezing it. The metal was brittle enough to break free with enough force. We just needed a plan.

"They're right through here, sir." It was Baku who spoke. I cut off my bending, someone as perceptive as him was sure to notice my meddling. Zuko hung his head in mock pain, he wasn't 100 percent, but it was the best I could do with what I was given.

"You grabbed the peasant, too?" My head snapped up at his voice. Scrappy and hoarse. Where had I heard that voice before?

"Yes, General." Baku responded and I squinted against the darkness to try and make out the figure.

He laughed, a horrific cackle that had the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. He stepped closer.

"Well isn't this karma. I'm glad you're here princess, I've been meaning to teach you a lesson since you disrespected me at the council."

"I knew you were pathetic, General Shu, but you've exceeded my expec-" it was faster than I anticipated. The old man moving at a speed I would have never guessed as his palm slapped me across the face. My head twisting at the force of it, my cheek stinging red. Stunned into silence I choked on my own spit as he pinned me further against the wall, his forearm pressing into my throat. I gasped for air I'd never receive.

"Now you listen to me, whore, and you listen good. You're still alive for one reason and it's hardly necessary. Don't make the mistake in believing you are integral to my plot." He dropped his forearm from my neck and with all the defiance I could muster I spit in his face.

"You will regret that." General Shu's tone was laced with malice and I watched horrified as he reached into his robes, pulling out a dagger. He pressed it just above my right collarbone. "Since you want to humiliate me, I'll return the favor."

He dug the blade into my flesh, the metal stinging as he slashed through the blue fabric, my bindings included. The material fraying and coming loose as the chilled night air clipped against my bare skin; I could feel the warm blood beading against the cut.

I tried to remember a time as terrifying as this. I felt ashamed and violated. But he wasn't finished. General Shu gripped the fabric holding up my robes on my other shoulder before sliding the knife underneath.

S/-/-/-/

"Now, lets see what's hiding beneath these robes, shall we?"

"Hey, what the hell, I didn't agree to this shit!" It was the girl with the red hair, seemingly coming to my rescue.

I could feel tears running hot down my cheeks as the fabric fell limp against my waist.

"Do you want to get paid or not?" Baku questioned the girl. She stepped back, closing her mouth.

"Don't! Please don't. Let her go, I-I'll do whatever you want, just please…" I twisted my head to meet Zuko's face. He was pleading, eyes riddled with silver tears, my heart shattering at the display. I could be strong for him. I needed to be strong for him. And for myself.

I recoiled against his touch. The slender blade skimming down my left breast as his other hand gripped my bare waist to pull me closer so I was flush against him.

"No, I won't stop. You're going to watch as I defile the woman you love while you stand helplessly beside her."

I couldn't see them, but I could hear the twins arguing in the background. Maybe they really would jump to my aid.

Zuko's eyes finally met mine, his agony was so palpable my heart began to ache.

"You honorless ratviper! I knew you were conspiring with Ozai. My guards told me how often you snuck into the prison. You're a coward!" Zuko declared, his words had the General pulling away from me.

"A coward, you say? Says the banished prince who single handedly destroyed the Fire Nations legacy. You have no honor. You are not worthy of the title of Fire Lord, you're a disgrace.

"And you will watch this, come help me Baku." The General moved closer to me once more, his eyes roaming my bare chest appreciatively before cupping a breast and running his thumb over my nipple. I screamed. My body trembling as I wished to be anywhere but where I was as Baku closed in as well.

I began kicking my legs and wiggling my body, anything to stop this.

"Yea, keep moving like that slut, I love feeling your body against mine." Shu spoke loud enough for Zuko to hear as his hand trailed down to my thigh and farther to cup my ass.

He wasted no time. Covering my free breast with his mouth and sucking on my nipple. My tears were flowing like a river. Cascading over my cheeks and down my neck. "Stop! Please stop!" I screamed until my voice was hoarse.

Then a sound was crackling through the cave.

"I'm going to kill you both."

/-/-/-/E

I turned my head towards Zuko. The blue sparks at his fingertips traveled down the length of his body until they were covering the entirety of him. His change had my eyes widening and the two men pulling off of me.

With a flick of his wrist the shackles snapped like a toothpick. "Unless you fools want to die, I suggest you leave now." I watched amazed as the three lackies from earlier fled out the mouth of the cave. Hired hands should never be trusted.

"Good help is so hard to find these days. No matter, we can take him." Baku sighed before himself and the General slipped into a defensive position. Zuko swayed on his feet. The poison still affecting his motor skills. I pulled at my shackles as a fight broke out between them. Zuko wouldn't last long in his condition.

Lifting my head upwards I blew cold air on the metal, weakening it before trying to free myself again.

'I'm the only Fire Lord in history who is unable to bend lightning.'

I watched as the blue sparks illuminated the dark cave followed by blasts of red hot flames from both parties. But Zuko was faltering. His body wasn't able to keep up. The poison is still decimating his chakra supply. It wasn't long before they had him backed into a corner.

"Give up, you can't win this fight." The General spoke matter of factly. Zuko fell to his knees gasping for air. I cursed one more time pulling at the metal encasing my wrists.

"I promised Ozai I'd bring him your head." I watched, mortified.

I screamed for him and with one more hard tug the metal broke free. They turned to me, both smirking, "you're too late, peasant."

I fought the manic smirk that curled on my lips. "That's where you're wrong."

The men froze in place. Inches away from Zuko. They struggled against my hold over them as I relished in their panic. Their blood rushing through their veins.

"What is this sorcery?" With some effort I pulled them away from Zuko. Having them stand up and face me.

"This is no sorcery, there's water in place's you'd never think about. And you're nothing more than skins filled with liquid. This is a technique unique to only the Southern Tribe. Now, how should I destroy you? I control every muscle, every vein, every bone in your body. You are mine to command. And you will suffer for what you've done to us." My tears still fell fast against my cheeks, my vision blurring.

"It's not possible. You worthless peasant, I should have done away with you when-"

The distinct crackle of lightning sounded before striking both men through the chest. I released my hold over them and they slumped to the ground riddled with electricity.

But it seemed Zuko and I were at our limit. I needed to get to him to pull the rest of the poison from his body. I crawled to him with my remaining strength. My elbows scraping against the rock, but I didn't stop. Zuko was only a few feet away now. Face down and not moving.

When I finally got to him I reached a hand to his outstretched arm. Willing the last of my chakra to heal him. The faint blue glow radiated across this dark place.

"Katara…" Zuko rasped, his head shifting up to look at me.

I smiled faintly back, "I didn't know you could bend lightning." He attempted to chuckle at my remark but it sounded more like a wheeze instead.

"I didn't know you could bloodbend if it wasn't a full moon." It was my turn to cough. Zuko stood, and slipped his arms underneath my legs and back before hoisting me up. I moaned at the delightful heat he was always giving off, the events of the last few hours crashing into me. The feel of those men touching me. A bending style I promised to never use again. I would've cried if it were possible, but I had no tears left.

"Let's go home." Home. The darkness then ensnared me. Pulling me deeper into unconsciousness.

——————————————————————-

Light was shining into the room. The curtain cracked just enough to meet my eye. I grumbled, irritated something as troublesome as the sun, was waking a child of Tui.

I rolled on my other side to hide from its rays. My arms stretching out as a yawn passed my lips, I wasn't alone in this plush silk bed.

My right hand curling around a strong bicep. I peeked one eye open. Porcelain flesh and onyx hair sparkled like a star in the night. My heart swelled at the sight, my chest tightening, he was something truly beautiful.

I scooted closer to him, until I was basically draped over his body. He groaned, the sound reverberating from deep in his throat as he shifted to accommodate my movement. The crown of my head tucked under his chin.

"Zuko?" I questioned softly, unsure if he had woken.

"Hmm?"

"Zuko, I…" at my hesitation he pulled me out from under him. "What is it? Are you feeling ok?"

I nodded slowly, his golden eyes bewitching me. A child of the sun and a child of the ocean.

How does such a thing come to be? How do two people on different sides of the world convene in the middle of a war? Two people who let hate consume them until almost nothing remained. Two children of opposite elements coming together to form something absolutely breathtaking.

"Katara, why are you crying? What happened?" Zuko spoke almost panicked. My own hand reaching up confirming I was indeed crying.

"I love you."

I found the words effortless to say.

But Zuko wasn't smiling. Wasn't moving. I wasn't even sure if he was breathing.

Then a moment later he was doing all three. He gripped me in a hug. Burying his head in the crook of my neck exhaling deeply against me. He held me for a long time before pushing me back to meet my face.

He kissed me gently, like I was made of glass.

"I love you too." He mouthed against my lips.