Chapter 5 baby! Let's get back to some of that M content.

This starts exactly where the last chapter ended.

Katara was walking arm in arm with Zuko back to the bedchamber.

"I know what will distract you," she tried to come off as sexy as she could. He shook his head.

"Sorry Katara, I'm not in the headspace," he replied, still fairly zoned out. She decided he needed a different escape and started leading him to the courtyard. "What are you doing?"

"Let's fight".

"What?" Zuko looked confused.

"Train, spar, you know. I don't think I've seen you bend since…" "since we fought Azula," she finished in her head and realized she had stopped walking. "You need to get out of your head for a bit," and began to lead him again.

"Ok yeah, sure." He begrudgingly agreed. "Let's not do it here though, I don't want to destroy everything" It was Zuko's turn to lead her. He took her through some passageways, making her realize how much of the palace she still needed to learn, and they ended up in a training room. It was bare, just a big metal box. Nothing to hide behind or jump on, not to mention no water.

"Um Zuko, I don't think this will work either."

"We didn't have much need for anything when we were training, you know with fire and all." He said, probably noticing how drab the room was. "I'll have it redecorated so it's better," Katara nodded.

"Well, we're going to need a lot of water" She smiled, excited to take out her day's frustrations as well. Zuko had servants bring in large vats of water while he took his top off. Was he trying to be distracting? As soon as the servants were out of the room Katara started moving with purpose, bending the water to her will. Zuko was ready though. His movements were a stark contrast to Katara's. There were two elements but also two forms, one being comprised of sharp angles and movements keeping the bender favoring the balls of their feet. And the other fluid, never allowing the bender to stay stationary for long. One created whereas the other one is borrowed. Both benders were graceful in their own right.

Katara was starting to sweat. She threw a series of ice shards at Zuko which he dodged 2 and vaporized the other 3. While he was busy on the defence Katara got in close enough for hand to hand combat. He dropped down to sweep her legs out from under her, both with his leg and fire. She jumped back but he snagged her front leg causing her to lose balance. Katara started to fall forward, moving quicker than she had thought Zuko could, he moved in to grab her hip and neck, he dipped her for a kiss. She succumbed to his touch and relaxed into him. She seemed to always crave this contact now. She wrapped one arm around his neck and the other let down his hair. She wanted to entangle her fingers in it. The feeling of cool metal signaled they were on the ground. Katara felt his warmer than normal body pressed up against hers, both covered in sweat.

"Katara," Zuko said but didn't finish his sentence. Instead he kissed down her neck, she closed her eyes, then felt his warm lips on her exposed stomach. Kissing and sucking just a little. She was grateful the last thing she needed were hickies. His tongue ran along the line where her skirt started. It sent an uncontrollable shiver up her spine, she was so sensitive there. He kissed his way back up to her mouth. In between her legs throbbed, begging for him. Katara felt his hands move to her shoulder that her top hung from. She felt a heat. He was torching the fabric.

"Zuko!"

"What?" He looked at her with a hunger in his eyes. "It was in my way" then grabbed the top between her breasts and heated his hand, again the fabric burned. Now it was just her bindings. Zuko looked at her while he brought his teeth to the top of the fabric and used a small breath of fire to yield the same results. Katara felt her breasts free from their confines, free for Zuko to touch. She felt like she was getting all the attention so as he kissed her she slid her and in between them to feel him. He was hard. She rubbed him over his pants, he bit her lip. She took that as a good sign, these pants need to come off.

"Take your pants off," He moved to her ear.

"No." No? Katara opened her mouth to protest but he covered it with his hand. The other hand traced down her chest, stomach, and to her skirt. He untied the fabric. "Is this um ok?" Katara nodded surprised his question didn't ruin the moment. Zuko's strong hand rubbed her over her underwear. Jet had done this, but it didn't have this tantalizing effect.

"I need you Zuko," Her plea came out breathy. He chuckled just a little and removed her underwear, exposing her to him. Zuko's mouth was on hers again, his hand between her legs.

"You're so wet" Katara bit her lip looking up at the man on top of her. "I like it," He smiled, still rubbing her. A moan escaped her lips. She had never been so vulnerable. Katara felt a finger start to slip inside her, she gasped. The feeling was overwhelming and amazing. No wonder Sakka and Suki spent every night together. Another finger entered her. She had no idea what Zuko was doing with them but she didn't want him to stop.

"Do you like that?" He asked. His tone was salacious. Katara managed to speak.

"Yes, don't stop," She felt a build inside of her. Another moan came from her lips as Zuko started rubbing her with his thumb. Then pinched her nipple with his free hand. Each aspect added to the build until it released. Her whole body felt warm and almost like she was floating. It was similar to a pipe she smoked at the North Pole once. The release had never felt this way when she did it to herself.

"Spirits. That was incredible," Zuko met her lips for a quick peck and laid his head on her chest. She began to play with his hair, combing her fingers through it.

"I'm happy I could please you," He said, clearly a little proud of himself.

"Why wouldn't you take your pants off?" She inquired.

"I didn't want to go straight to sex. I was worried if I took my pants off you would feel some kind of I don't know, pressure, obligation?" This made her happy.

Katara pulled his head up to look at him.

"I don't feel pressured," She told him. He smiled. "But I'll tell you something," She was about to scold him. "You burnt up the one thing I wanted to wear as well as my bindings and now I have to walk half naked to my room."

"My room you mean," He wanted her to sleep with him, to hold her.

"Whatever, it doesn't change the fact that you destroyed my clothes Zuko"

"I'll get you a new shirt and you can wear mine for the walk back," He looked at her. "Happy?" She let out a humph and grabbed his shirt when he held it out.

The walk back was pleasant, for him at least. Karata seemed very uncomfortable walking around with his shirt on.

"You know the servants are going to talk," She was holding onto his arm, half hiding behind him.

"I'm sure they already do," The water bender looked up at him. "What? They probably do. Besides what is anyone going to do about it? I'm the Fire Lord and you are a revered master water bender."

"Zuko, that reminds me. I need some medicine from the palace hospital. I'm going to take some with me tomorrow," He immediately remembered all of the problems that he needed to fix. Katara must have noticed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. And earlier I was just upset," She added. He wrapped his arm around her as they walked.

"I know. I was too. I can't tell you what you can and can't do, actually you are a guest at my palace…" He trailed off and she smacked him on the shoulder. Zuko chuckled. "I'll make sure you have access to everything you need for tomorrow" They arrived at his room. The thought of Katara being in his bed when he woke up brought him, what was the emotion? It wasn't just happiness maybe...joy? He pulled her in for a hug. He felt that now he had something that was his to fight for, not out of duty but because he wanted to. It wasn't about his honor, capturing the avatar, redeeming himself to his uncle, saving the world, now it was about the beautiful strong water bender he held in his arms. Maybe this is the moment he fell in love with her, maybe this is love.

"Um, Zuko… are you ok?" Katara asked into his chest. He realized he was holding her tightly, and probably had been hugging her for an awkwardly long time.

"Oh yeah sorry," He let her go and opened the door.

Predictably the Fire Lord woke with the sun. Katara was curled against him with only a thin red sheet covering her lower half. Burning off her bindings had played in his favor. He smirked. Zuko raised his hand to run it over Katara's hair. The motion was comforting. The girl stirred, not wanting to wake her he decided to lie there for just a little while, his day could wait.

Mere moments after Zuko decided not to wake Katara a servant knocked on the door.

"Your highness, your first meeting is in an hour and a message came for you," He said through the door. Zuko stood up and put on his robe so he could slip out the door without exposing Katara's bare chest. She would kill him if he did.

"Thank you," Zuko said, taking the scroll. "Oh and" he was going to push back his meeting but thought better of it. "Never mind". Before the servant could say anything he was back in the room.

"What time is it?" A groggy Katara moaned.

"Yeah, good morning to you too." He sat on the bed "A little after sunrise," Her next question caught him off guard.

"Why are you wearing so much clothing?" she tugged at his robe, eyes still closed. Zuko kissed her on her head.

"Because I have a day to start," He started unrolling the scroll.

"What's that?" She was actually awake now.

"Not sure," He looked it over. "It's from Haru, he has accepted and is on his way!" That's two ambassadors down, only one left.

"That's great," Katara sat up. Zuko didn't mean to say anything, and it wasn't out of jealousy so he didn't know why he asked.

"Did you guys have a thing?" He blurted. "I mean… it's fine if you did… I just, you know Toph said," He decided he should probably stop talking. She blushed.

"No," she spat, looking away. "Well maybe I had a crush on him," She looked back at him. "That seems like so long ago. And besides he has that awful mustache and goatee now." Her mood seemed to be lightening. Her finger touched her chin as if she were thinking. "Maybe if he shaved it…"

"Not funny Katara."

"Relax Zuko, you're fine. There's nothing there." She caressed his face. He knew there was no reason to worry. He lowered down to kiss her.

"I have to get ready. When I have the servants come dress me I'll send word to the hospital that you are coming".

"And what am I supposed to wear back to my room?" Zuko shrugged off his robe and handed it to her. "Really?"

"Is there something else of mine you'd rather wear?" She shot him a look as she put it on. "Hey," He didn't want her to leave without a kiss so he grabbed her hand and pulled her into him. Her lips were soft and cool on his, he wondered if he would get used to the coolness of the water bender. Zuko smiled at her as she left.

When Katara had arrived at the palace's hospital everyone was very accommodating and asked no questions. She had gotten some herbs, medicines, and bandages. Every bit must help, she thought. This time Katara concealed a waterskin pouch in the satchel with the supplies.

The hospital was just as full as it had been the day before. Today she waived to the lady at the desk and walked right through to the back. She saw the wonderfully kind girl she had met yesterday.

"San Fan," Katara called. The girl looked up and smiled.

"You did come back," She said as Katara approached her with a smile.

"Of course, I said I would so, here I am. I brought some supplies too," She touched her bag. San Fan took a glimpse in it.

"Katara this is great! I'll take it over to Ling".

"No, wait. I think you should keep it, to use yourself. After watching him yesterday he doesn't care like you do and dismisses your opinions when they are obviously right." She desperately wanted to empower San Fan. The nurse nodded and had Katara follow her to what she assumed was the staff "lounge".

"These are my things," She said pointing to a bag in a cubby. It resembled an earth kingdom bag. "I'll put them in here and get them when I need them," Katara handed her the various supplies.

"Perfect," The two girls walked back out into the main hospital room and the water bender decided enough is enough, she was going to start healing whether Dr. Ling liked it or not.

Katara went to the youngest child that lay in the corner of the room, his mother by his side.

"Hi, my name is…" It dawned on her that maybe it would be best not to use her real name. "Kanna," she finished. "I want to heal your son," The mother looked up at her. She looked dreadful with dark circles under her eyes and hollow cheeks. The worst part was the hopelessness that loomed around her.

"The doctor said there is nothing more that can be done," Her eyes began to tear. "His fever won't go down and his lungs are too weak to fight the infection." The mother bowed her head down to her son's hand. Katara put her hand on her back.

"I'm a water bender healer. I might be able to help, if you'd allow it." She offered a smile to the woman.

"Please, don't give me false hope"

"Ma'am I truly believe I can help him, Please let me try," The woman nodded and held her son's hand as Katara bent the water around her hands. She placed her hands on the boy's chest, they began to glow as she searched for the infection. There was a lot of fluid in his lungs, she began to loosen it and pull it from the boy's fragile body.

"Hey!" Ling yelled from across the room. Don't lose focus, she told herself, you could destroy his lungs. She could feel Ling's footsteps getting closer, she just needed a moment more. Yes! She moved her hands up the boy's chest, over his throat, and the fluid from his body merged with the water. The boy's weezing stopped and he seemed to now be breathing comfortably.

"You can't do that," He scolded her. "This is my hospital and I am the doctor." The mother stood up.

"Are you going to tell me you don't want my son cured?" Now he had done it, he was about to feel a mother's wrath.

"No, of course not-"

"Then why," She stepped closer "Would you not allow this girl to use her gifts? She just saved my son. He is breathing normally for the first time in weeks! Don't you dare tell me you would rather my son die than have a woman do something useful." The doctor was nervous and clearly didn't know how to handle the situation.

"Oh.. um… no ma'am. Of course not. It's just, untraditional" He said through his teeth narrowing his eyes at Katara.

"Where I come from it is very traditional," The water bender felt a little smug.

"You should be grateful Kanna here is helping you," She said to the doctor, who clearly hadn't remembered her name, then turned back to Katara. "Thank you" She bowed. Katara returned the gesture.

"Once he has rested some I'll come back and see what I can do about his fever," She told her. Ling had walked away in a huf.

"Kanna?" San Fan asked.

"I'll tell you later, would you want to come for a cup of tea after your shift?"

"Sure. You know it amazing what you did,"

"I just want to help," Katara stated. Ling didn't bother her the rest of the day.

Zuko caught the feels! I didn't plan that it just happened.

San Fan is inspired by someone I was friends with in high school. She was an absolutely amazing pianist and a very kind person.

Thank you to everyone who has read this. I'm glad my story is entertaining others. Tell me what you think by leaving a review!

** Just uploaded a fan art I made for the cover. Couldn't get Zuko's face quite right but oh well **