The Last Airbender is not my creation, the people at the Nickelodeon Studios created it, but that will not stop me from making my own little episodes of excitement and romance.

The only thing I own is the plot on your screen. If you plan to take my ideas and put them into your own fanfic, claiming to be your own mind that thought them up, get a hobby. Plagiarism is wrong, don't do it!

"Sticks and stones are hard on bones, aimed with angry art.
Words can sting like anything, but silence breaks the heart." -unknown

Three weeks have passed and Katara made sure to avoid Zuko as much as she could. And although it hurt her more than anything to sleep in the same bed with him and not say a word, she kept herself calm. She made sure not to show him any of her miserable tears and made sure to speak to him only if it was neccessary. She wouldn't listen to him whenever he tried to explain what happened. She didn't smile or laugh in front of him, unless Luna was with them both, because around the young Princess, Zuko and Katara acted like the happy couple they once were.

Zuko stayed in his study most of his time, moping about his situation with his wife. Sokka and Iroh tried to cheer him up by telling him that Katara will eventually get over the misunderstanding. And even though those "predictions" work a little, the chances that they will come true disipitate when he enters his bedroom to find Katara avoiding his gaze...and body.

Lord Zuko opened the wide door and entered his bedroom, scanning it when he noticed that Katara wasn't within the warm dark red blankets of the bed. He shrugged nonchalantly and decided to dress into his sleeping attire, which consisted of just a pair of pants, and get into the large comfortable cot.

The door creaked as Katara opened it to exit and enter into her bedroom. She made short eye contact with her husband before quietly shutting the door and walking towards the opposite side of him. She carefully took off her black robe and laid on the bed after blowing out her burning candle.

"Is Luna OK?" Zuko asked meekly and looked at the mother of his child.

"...She's fine. She was crying earlier, so I stayed a bit long to make sure she was asleep," Katara explained stiffly. She turned her back to her husband and closed her cerulean eyes. "Good night."

"Good night..." he wished silently. The Fire Lord hated being so formal with his wife, but he had no choice. Ever since the small incident with that maid, whom he never saw again, Katara didn't speak to him like before. Maybe she doesn't love me anymore, he thought sadly and eyed the Lady longingly. The sillouette of her slender body made him want her so much. He couldn't remember the last time they had made love. It seemed like an eternity ago. He slowly moved closer to her, but Katara sensing his motive, pulled the covers a bit higher over her body.

She opened her eyes and saw the flickering of a small candle flame casting dim shadows upon the vast walls of the bedroom. She sighed deeply and blinked a couple of times. And though her husband was so close to her, she felt so lonely. Lonely because the closeness that she had once shared with him, was gone. It left when he betrayed her. But I still love you Zuko, even after what you did to me, she thought and passed a hand over the silk sheets below her. A silent tear escaped her eyes and she reached up and wiped it away, destroying the evidence.

Zuko ignored her rejecting action and scooted even closer to her, their bodies but mere inches apart. He felt the warmth of her body radiate off of her and, for just a moment, Zuko thought that Katara was firebender. He took in her sweet aroma and felt her shudder at the closeness between them. He knew he needed to act quickly. If he waited too long, Katara would say something that would destroy the entire mood. The former Prince slowly lifted his hand and wrapped it around his wife's thin waist, pulling her nearer to his bare chest.

The Lady gasped in surprise and sighed. "Zuko--" she began to argue, but felt a pair of warm lips press under her ear. She shuddered at the wonderful sensation and made a disapproving noise, despite the fact that she was enjoying the way he was touching her.

"I love you," he whispered sensually, running his hand down her body and letting it rest upon the side of Katara's upper thigh. "I want you..."

Her heart melted under his touch, but her mind stayed strong. "No Zuko," she whispered and accidently let a soft moan leave her lips when she felt his hand slide under her silk gown. Katara mentally slapped herself for giving in to the moment. She wasn't going to deny it. She wanted him just as much as he seemed to want her. After all, sleeping next to one of the most handsome men in the world and do nothing with him, was more than frustrating. But she couldn't easily forgive, let alone forget, what he did. "...No." Her voice had gained strength and she sat up, startling the poor man who was trying to seduce her.

The Fire Lord sat up as well, reluctantly taking his hand off of her. He reached up, tenderly stroking her cheek, and frowned as if he was a small boy who was just scolded. "Why not?" he asked quietly, discreetly moving closer to her.

Lady Katara pushed his hand away and furrowed her brow. "Have you forgotten what you've done to me?" Her tone was angry and she silently observed Zuko's face change from hurt to madness.

"I did nothing to you," he argued and leaned closer to her face. "Besides, even if I did, you are still my wife. Therefore, you still belong to me. Meaning...you have to do whatever I say." Zuko didn't recognize the menacing words that were escaping his lips. They were frightening. What are you doing? his conscience demanded. I'm putting her in her place, he answered himself and glared at his wife.

The waterbender blinked. "...Zuko?" she asked confusedly. Is he threatening to...? She shook her head. No, he wouldn't. She moved back, trying to keep a safe distance away from him. She felt the cold wall press against her back and she looked over at the door. If he tried anything, would she be able to outrun him? What am I thinking? He wouldn't! she convinced herself, but a haunting voice crawled into her racing mind. ...Or wouldn't he?

Fire Lord Zuko allowed a smirk to appear on his face as he grabbed her left wrist, securing her in front of him. "How about we have a little fun?" he asked darkly.

Katara visibly gulped at his question and shook her head fiercely. "Let go of me," she whispered, desperately wrenching her wrist out of his strong grip. Her breathing was becoming shallow and forced and she let out a whining noise when Zuko pushed her against the wall. "Stop!" the Water Tribe girl yelled and placed her right hand against his bare chest, wanting to push him away. Scream all you want little girl. Everyone is too busy to hear you...

"Are you afraid that I'm going to rape you?" Zuko inquired boldly and looked into the fearful eyes of his wife.

The waterbender nodded slowly and closed her blue eyes. "Yes..."

"Really? ...You honestly believe that I would take you against your will?" the Fire Lord asked and decided to let go of her wrist. He watched her subconsciously rub her arm as she eyed him suspiciously. "Well? Do you?"

Katara didn't know what to say. Up until a couple minutes earlier, she didn't find Zuko capable of even forcing her to kiss him. Her mouth opened to answer his query, but hesitation took over and she shut it again, wanting to consider his serious question before answering. Do I really believe that? she asked herself and searched his eyes for any sign of malice. Nothing. The only emotions shining through Zuko's fiery orbs were confusion and rejection. "No," she answered. "I don't think you would..."

The man furrowed his brow. "And do you think that because you think I'm weak? A coward? A spineless--"

"No!" she yelled, interrupting Zuko's verbal rampage. "...No. I don't think you're weak or a coward." She sighed silently and looked at her hands, noticing that she had interlaced her fingers. There were many reasons that made her believe that Zuko wouldn't hurt her like that. Because he loves you, a young Katara teased. The Lady shook her head. She wouldn't say that as a reason, seeing that it probably wasn't true anymore. "I think that because you're a good man," she stated quietly, trying to avoid Zuko's surprised stare.

"A good man?" he asked mockingly and moved away from her. "You think I'm a good man? ...Aren't you the same person who thinks I'm a traitor? A good-for-nothing backstabber?"

Katara was left speechless. It was true. She did think that. But now...she wasn't quite so sure. Was this his purpose for scaring her? For letting her think that he would violate her? Did he purposely frighten her to make her realize that maybe she was wrong? That he really loved her and wasn't unfaithful...

Who knows.

Zuko took a deep even breath and nodded indifferently when he noticed that she wasn't going to answer his question. "You know what? I'm tired." He moved to his side of the bed and laid back down on the bed. "Good night Katara." He pulled the covers tightly around him, smirking as he did so. He was so proud of himself. Finally, after three weeks of cold glares and avoidance, he made Katara consider his innocence.

"...Write back when you recieve this message..." The figure folded up the small piece of parchment paper and tied a dark red ribbon around it. They approached the cooing bird with caution and swiftly attached the note to its' thin leg after gently stroking the red feathers upon its' back. "You better be a good bird and make sure they get this," they warned and opened a small window. "Go!"

The startled bird let out a loud cry and flapped its' giants wings, sending a large gust of wind towards the person. The animal eyed the being one last time and flew out into the night sky with the secret letter tied to its' leg.

"Ma!" the Princess yelled happily as she stumbled her way to her mother, who was sitting on a concrete bench out in the palace garden. After weeks of practicing, Luna had finally learned to walk. And although she stills trips over her own feet now and then, walking is still walking no matter how many times you may fall.

"Yes?" Katara asked sweetly as she grabbed a small piece of bread off of the silver platter that the chef had brought outside. Luna stood in front of her mother and opened her mouth hungrily, waiting for the piece of food to enter it. "Here you go," the mother hummed as she fed her daughter.

The child smiled as she chewed her food with her two bottom teeth and walked away from Katara. She reached a small field of flowers and sat down in front of them, picking out a few of them, just for the fun of it. "Ya ya ya," she sung mindlessly and yanked a pink blossom out of the moist ground.

"What is she doing?" a laughing male voice asked from behind the young Lady.

Katara smiled at her daughter who had waved at her with a muddy hand. "She's picking flowers," she answered lightheartedly and moved to the side so Zuko could sit.

The Fire Lord picked up the platter and took a seat next to his wife, placing the tray upon his lap. "She's beautiful, huh?" he complimented and looked at Katara.

The Lady nodded serenely and passed her hand over her lap, a sign of nervousness. "Yes, she is."

Ever since that one night, when Zuko scared Katara, they began speaking like civilized people. They got along and Katara learned to smile in front of the Fire Lord without Luna around. Deep in her heart, she began to see that maybe Zuko was telling the truth. But those thoughts were held deep within her, far away from reason and consideration, therefore she still thought he was a hateful liar. Unworthy of her trust.

Zuko noticed her change after that night and he couldn't be any prouder of himself for coming up with such a great plan. He knew she still loved him and sometimes, he'd catch her staring longingly at him. She'll eventually give in, a smug part of him said whenever she'd send him a glare of complete indignation.

Eventually, things will turn back to normal...

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