Chapter 1

Zuko drew in a deep breath and held it. After a moment, he released it slowly.

"Good, Prince Zuko. Again," Iroh murmured. Zuko's brow was furrowed in concentration, the rising and waning heat from the candles warm against his legs. He drew another breath and the candles surged to life.

Breath in, breath out. When Iroh had requested to train Zuko in his reawakened firebending, Zuko had thought he would be learning self defense or something along those lines. But Iroh had focused almost exclusively on breathing for some reason.

As usual, Zuko's mind began to wander back to his harem. He hadn't really seen any of them for… He thought for a moment. Three weeks, two days, and eight or so hours. After the insane week of undiluted sex, the newly appointed harem maid was deeply concerned about their health.

Still, why hadn't they contacted him yet? It had been the required three weeks, and not so much as a letter had shown up at his door. He had been half hoping someone might barge in on him at midnight of the last day and demand his attention, but no one had come.

He supposed the new mothers were probably garnering a lot of attention. June and Kya were both pregnant now. Maybe that's why they were all distracted? Or maybe it was because they didn't really need him. Or maybe they just didn't want him.

"Zuko. Concentrate." Zuko snapped out of his thoughts to find the candles all snuffed out. He clenched his jaw and closed his eyes again. In and out. In and out.

After a few minutes, the candles flickered to life weakly. Iroh had told him that dragon fire was based on love, not rage, and that it was far more temperamental. Anger and passion you could just hold on to and focus, but love was more challenging.

Zuko was about to give up when a voice called out behind him. "Hey, Zuko? Could I talk to you for a sec-"

Zuko surged to his feet as the candles burst into colorful blowtorches. "Katara!" He took no notice of the wall of flame in front of him, instead racing to greet his young wife.

She was standing there somewhat sheepishly, a letter in her hand. When he approached her she extended to him, but he ignored it, opting instead to grab her face and kiss her.

Katara's breath caught in her throat as Zuko's passion made itself known. He bore down on her eagerly, trembling in his excitement. Her arms wrapped around the back of his head as he dipped her, deepening the kiss.

Katara closed her eyes and relished the sensation. Their first kiss in nearly a month! It felt so much longer! Hot coals appeared deep in her core, and she shivered.

Iroh sighed as he watched the two lovebirds make out. He had been forced to extinguish the candles or risk burning down the gardens. Zuko had far too much to worry about, and control was the most important.

Almost the most important. Iroh smiled as Zuko pulled Katara back to her feet. Firebending could wait. He stood up to leave, offering some privacy. Not that either of them cared.

"Hey Katara." Zuko's voice was low and rough in her ear. Katara sighed, enjoying the embrace. She nuzzled her face into his shoulder. "Why didn't you come sooner?"

Zuko pulled his head back. "You didn't send anything. I assumed you just…"

Katara pulled back to look at him. "You didn't come. We assumed you weren't interested." Her brows furrowed in concern. "Especially after all of that."

Zuko laughed, his laughter rumbling in his chest. Katara couldn't help but smile. "Are you kidding? I've been going crazy the last few weeks! It's going to take more than that to break this little stallion!"

Katara's face reddened at the implications. The analogy wasn't far off, though. She shook her head. "I didn't come for that." She pulled away from Zuko's warm embrace and offered him the letter again. "It's from Sokka."

Zuko accepted the letter and began reading.

Dearest and most awesome sister ever,

I think we've been apart for way too long! I really really really really really miss you! And your husband! Your husband's a prince, right? What's his name? Anyway, I think we could use a visit. Soon. How soon can you get here? Can't see you soon enough!

Missing you SO bad,

Sokka

P.S. Seriously bring the scarred guy. Please. Thank you.

Zuko frowned. "It seems kind of…"

"Too much?"

Zuko nodded. "He didn't strike me as the sappy type."

Katara giggled. "Even if he were, five 'really's is way overboard." She sobered. "I think he's in trouble."

Zuko nodded noncommittally. "What did Kya think?"

Katara shrugged. "I don't know yet. I came right here from the messenger tower."

Zuko raised an eyebrow. "You haven't even talked with your mom about this?" He grinned. "You must have really wanted to see me."

Katara scoffed. "Oh please." But a hint of red in her cheeks indicated he had been dead on. "Let's go see what she has to say."

Zuko linked his arm with hers as they made the familiar path towards the Tribute's room. Gosh, he hardly even remembered how this all started. To think he would have done anything to refuse. Now, he would do anything to keep it.

Not because of the sex. It was great, but it was much more than that. They were his wives, not one above another. His mother, the harem keeper, had become much less involved in the affairs as Zuko became invested and comfortable with them.

He suddenly felt very nervous. It was stupid, he knew, but seeing them all again made him anxious. What could change in three weeks? And that's not even counting the awkwardness with Ty Lee and her replacement!

As they approached the door, Katara sensed his anxiety. "What's wrong?"

Zuko hesitated. "I don't really know. It's just… been a while."

Katara smirked. "You didn't seem to have any reservations with me. Are you sure you're cut out for this whole tribute thing?"

Zuko snorted. "If I'm not, we've got another problem." Katara just smiled in response and pushed open the door.

The women were scattered around the room. It was the middle of the afternoon, so they were all here. No one noticed their entry.

Most of them were gathered on one side. Ty Lee and Kya were talking while Kya brushed Ty Lee's hair. Next to them, Suki was doing the same with Jin. They were all chattering pleasantly, with Ty Lee dominating the conversation. Her belly was now reasonably swollen with child. She was due in just a few months.

Mai and June were occupying the two other beds. Mai was just watching the conversation go on as she sharpened her knives. Her face was bored, but her eyes betrayed her affection for the group. Despite her cold appearance, she really cared for them.

Last was June. She was hunched over on her bead, sewing up a robe painstakingly by hand. Her face scowled in concentration.

When Zuko looked back, Kya caught his eye. She grinned and her blue eyes sparkled. "Hello, Prince Zuko."

All conversations ceased as the entire room snapped their attention to the door. Ty Lee was the first to react. "Zuko!" she squealed. She leapt off the bed and bounded over to him, her normally slim frame now burdened.

Zuko chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Ty Lee!"

Suki was the second to slam into him, her head burrowing into his shoulder. "We've missed you." She murmured; her voice muffled by his shoulder. Zuko kissed her forehead. "I've missed you too, Suki."

He lifted her chin and gave her a chaste kiss. Suki ignored his attentions and jumped at him, clashing her lips ferociously against his. Zuko sank into her until she pulled back with a smack. Ty Lee pushed her aside to claim her own kiss.

After Ty Lee pulled back, Zuko sighed. Katara was still holding his hand, which reminded him why he was here. He pushed the thought away. Sokka could wait.

Kya still sat on the bed, now talking quietly to Jin. Jin had filled out in the time she'd been here, going from a pitiful slave to a pretty, young girl. But Zuko's eyes were for Kya.

She had as of yet to show for her childbearing. She looked up to him as he approached her on the bed. He leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead, which she accepted graciously. "How are you doing, Kya?"

She sighed. "I'm doing pretty well actually. Ty Lee has been having a few troubles, though."

Zuko turned back to look at Ty Lee. "What kind of troubles?"

Ty Lee sat down on the bed and explained some of her complications. She was small and young to be pregnant, and the baby was growing nonstop. If this kept up, they would have to induce labor as much as a month early. Otherwise, her health might be at risk.

He caught up with the rest of the group. Kya had been taking her new condition very seriously, and mostly stayed resting and focusing on her diet.

Katara had been working without pause - between her returning waterbending and the garden, she had kept herself suspiciously occupied. A shared look told Zuko it was the same reason he had kept himself occupied. They were both young and had an impressive drive.

Suki had been trying to contact the Kyoshi warriors, but they stopped responding weeks ago. Zuko frowned. "Should we send some troops? Just to make sure they're okay?"

Suki chuckled. "If there was something they couldn't handle, I doubt soldiers could do better. I'm sure they're fine." She didn't sound sure.

Zuko wrapped an arm around her. "Just let me know if there's anything you want."

She sighed and leaned into him. "This is everything I want."

Katara scoffed teasingly. "You're so sappy."

Suki stuck out her tongue in Katara's direction and everyone laughed. Zuko's eyes traveled across the room to where Mai was laying. She snapped her eyes away, but not before he detected a hint of jealousy. Going over now wouldn't sit right with her. He'd visit her later.

Which left only… June was gone. Zuko's stomach tightened reflexively. He forced himself to relax. She's not going to leave. But why would she leave right then? She wasn't the jealous type really. Maybe she was making dinner? Yeah, that was it. He sighed in relief.

Katara interrupted the conversation. "Mom? What do you think of this?" She handed Kya the letter. "Zuko and I think something's fishy, but you probably know Sokka better than us. What do you think?"

Kya accepted the letter and began perusing it, while Jin read it over her shoulder. Kya's face grew concerned. "Yes, it definitely sounds like a problem. A bad one." She handed it back to Katara. "But why would he code it? And he doesn't seem to really emphasize troops."

Suki jumped in. "But he did want Zuko. Maybe he hopes that he'll be well protected?"

Zuko shook his head. "When we went to the South Pole before, I didn't have any guards. He can't be riding on that."

Everyone sat around, thinking for a moment. No other ideas came up. "So," Ty Lee said slowly, "I guess you just go? Hope that he just needs you for some reason?"

Mai spoke up. "It could be a trap." Ever since she failed to protect Zuko the one time, she was overly concerned with his safety.

Zuko nodded. "That's why none of you are coming with me." A collective gasp filled the room. Zuko silenced their protests with his hand. "You remember what happened last time."

They fell silent. Zuko took the opportunity. "Not to mention, I'm not exactly helpless anymore. I can probably handle whatever it is."

Suki bit her lip. "If you're worried about our safety, then at least just take a lot of guards. No reason to be stupid about it."

Zuko nodded. "I guess you're right."

Katara interrupted him. "But what if he needs both of us? His letter mentioned me too." She glared at Zuko challengingly.

Zuko scowled. "Then I'll send back for you."

Katara sniffed. "It sounded urgent. Maybe it'd be too late."

Zuko sighed. Katara pressed on. "I'm not exactly helpless you know."

Zuko eyed her. Finally he nodded. "Fine. It's probably not that big anyway."

Kya cleared her throat. "Could I, perhaps, join you? It's been a while since I've seen home." Her voice was calm, but her face betrayed her emotion.

Zuko rubbed his eyes with the heel of his palm. "I guess there's nothing really stopping you." He looked around at everyone. "I guess that's settled."

Mai looked as though she wanted to speak, but she shut her mouth. Her eyes were burning holes through him. He would talk to her later.

Dinner arrived by way of the servants, but there was no sign of June. Zuko bit back the panic that he felt building in his throat. He needed to trust her. He took a deep breath.

Things had mostly relaxed since they resolved the situation. He hoped Sokka was just overreacting to something minor. After all, the Water Tribe was pretty small. Maybe he just needed help getting rid of a polar-gator or something. Or maybe he really just wanted to see Katara again.

He winced. If he found at Kya was pregnant, he was probably going to make some teasing remark. Whatever it was, Zuko didn't want to hear it.

Several times during the meal, Zuko caught Jin staring at him. He had mostly ignored her since her arrival, and with Ty Lee returning, she probably wouldn't be staying for much longer. She seemed shy, so she probably wouldn't bring it up herself. He quietly made a note to ask his mother.

In the meantime, he still needed to greet Mai. She was still not very involved in the conversation, scowling as she ate her bowl of rice. Zuko stood and crossed the circle to sit next to her. No one really paid him any mind except Katara, who elected to ignore it.

Zuko bumped Mai's shoulder with his. "I need you to do something for me."

Mai glanced at him skeptically. When she didn't respond, he continued. "If I'm not going to be here, Ty Lee won't have protection." Their gazes went to where she sat – more specifically, on her stomach. "She's going to have my firstborn child. She's a target." He looked back to Mai. "I want you to keep an eye on her. Okay?"

Mai sighed dramatically. "Fine." Deep down, Zuko knew she was relieved. Having someone to worry about, something to do would keep her occupied. Zuko leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"I'm sorry you didn't get pregnant."

Mai's head snapped to look at him, her eyes bright with surprise. Zuko smiled weakly. "That's what's been bothering you, right?"

Mai sighed. "Only a little." She leaned against her husband. "At least Katara's not pregnant yet."

Zuko winced and Mai glared at him. "What." She didn't state it like a question.

Zuko shook his head. "Nothing. No idea what you're talking about."

Mai's face tightened as she kept glaring at him. "Tell me."

Zuko threw his hands in the air. "I'm just saying. It's possible. Actually, it seems rather likely that…" He grinned. "She's not pregnant at all."

Mai punched his shoulder while he laughed. "Jerk." The last remnants of tension left her body as she relaxed into him again. Zuko squeezed her against him.

He nuzzled into her hair. "Be safe for me, love."

Mai closed her eyes. "That's my line."

Zuko chuckled but was cut short by Mai looking up at him. "Really."

"Stay safe for me."

REVIEW OR THE STORY ENDS HERE!

I've been procrastinating this for a while. So here we go. Please send me questions if you have them, or ideas, or just encouragement.

To clarify, the age gap between Kya and Zuko is just over ten years. This is an AU, remember, where Kya and Hakoda were married when Kya was fourteen. At fifteen she had Katara, and Zuko is two years older than her. So Kya is thirteen years older than Zuko (as close as my sister and her husband).

Also, Jin WILL remain part of the story. Zuko is just an idiot. (There will also be two possible additions to the harem this story, based on y'alls votes.