Chapter 8! Thanks for reading this far, hopefully you're enjoying it :)

Rating: M definitely M

"They have Uncle," Zuko could barely speak. His words were so quiet he wondered if Katara had even heard them. A hand touched his back and he knew she had.

"He'll be ok," She reassured him "We'll go get him".

"I can't," He said reading over the paper again and again. Choose wisely.

"Why not?" He handed her the paper.

"It's a threat, if I don't leave the palace they will hurt uncle. If I leave the palace they will take over."

"Do we know where Aang is? I bet we could get the earth king to help-" He grabbed her hands.

"There isn't time. I have to make a choice. I'm sure they are watching me and I'm guessing they won't give me much time to decide," Think Zuko think! He thought. There has to be a way to do this. "I either have to let down uncle… again or let down my nation."

There had to be something they could do, Katara was sure of it. Zuko had called a servant to gather his advisors and the ambassadors in the war room. They silently, and briskly, walked together. Katara listened to the sound of their footsteps on the stone floor, each one seeming to get louder and louder. She couldn't think. She couldn't focus. She couldn't let Zuko be hurt any more. They walked through the curtains.

"The Ozai supporters have my uncle in Ba Sing Se. They want me to go save my uncle and leave the palace to take over." She watched Zuko pace back and forth looking at the ground as he spoke. "Liu, gather a group of trusted men to man our fastest airships, one will go to Kyoshi Island, and the other to Omashu. Maybe the avatar went to visit his old friend, if not Bumi might be able to help us. They will all come back here and keep the palace secured while I'm away." He continued on, "Tu-La, I want to keep this quiet. The fewer people that know what's happening the better. Have the palace doors closed and locked. No one in or out until I return. Give the guards and servants whatever they need but from now on, no one leaves. I don't want any hawks leaving the palace either. All incoming messages must go through you. Thank the staff for their understanding. I know they have families and lives, hopefully this won't take long." He looked up at everyone. "This also means none of you can leave either. I'm sorry for the inconvenience but I need you here." Everyone in the room nodded. "Katara, you and I will head to Ba Sing Se tomorrow. I'll make a big enough show of having the airship prepped. They will know we are leaving and hopefully it will buy us a little time and we can leave in the evening." She nodded as well. She would do anything for Zuko, and Iroh had shown her nothing but kindness. "Day after tomorrow, in the evening, you should have some back up. I'll stall leaving as long as I can." Everyone left to assume their roles. Katara walked over to where Zuko was leaning over the table with his head down.

"It's going to be ok. With any luck Aang will be in Omashu and Sokka and Suki will definitely come," She put her hand over his, hoping to comfort him.

"This is an impossible choice and I'm choosing the selfish path," He was frustrated with himself. Ever since Katara forgave him she has noticed how hard Zuko is on himself. "But no matter how many times I tell myself that, I still want to get on an airship and go to Ba Sing Se" There was desperation in his voice.

"Let's go to our room. You need some rest," Katara guided him up by his hands.

"Like I can relax" He mumbled but followed her. When they got to the room Zuko just stood like a statue, somewhere in his head. She went over and took down his hair. After placing the golden flame on his desk she pulled off the royal robe covering his shoulders. It weighed at least 10 pounds. How did he wear this thing all day? She wondered. Now he looked like Zuko. Again she took his hand to guide him to the bed which had been made by the servants sometime during the day. The dazed Fire Lord sat down on the bed.

"Distract me," He said, still far away.

"Zuko…"

"Please Katara," He met her eyes with true pain echoing through his golden iris'. "I need to escape… even if it's just for a little," His voice had gotten more quiet as he spoke. Katara bent some water and put it on either side of his head. "No I want-"

"Shh. Just let me," She said as the water started to glow. She would provide a safe, calm place for him. He closed his eyes and slowly she could feel his muscles relax. After a few minutes she returned the water to her waterskin. Then she gave him what he originally wanted, she straddled him.

"This is what I need," He eyed her. He brushed her hair off her shoulder and began to kiss her collarbone, neck, and sucked her ear. She got chills. Slowly she untied the new red silk top she was wearing, then her bindings until her bare breasts were exposed. Katara watched Zuko put his mouth on her nipple as he grabbed her other breast. She felt his tongue drawing small circles on her skin and then flick the bud. Her back arched involuntarily. Then he began to suck and a moan escaped her lips. He got rougher, biting just a little.

"Spirits" She realized her hand was in his hair keeping him at her breast. His mouth stayed on her skin until it reached her opposite side. He wasted no time dancing his tongue around on her skin this time. No, he sucked. It felt amazing, it made her wet, it made her need him. She untied the sash that held Zuko's shirt closed, exposing his chest. She could see he was hard, the head peeking through the top of his waistband. Smoothly Zuko flipped them so he was on top of her.

"I want you," His breath ran over her neck as he spoke, sending goose bumps down her body.

"Take me," She wanted him, she was ready for him. In between her legs pulsed begging for him. He untied her skirt and took off his clothes.

"Katara I want to be deep inside you," His voice was low, almost predatory, primal. She nodded. "Turn over," She was now on her stomach. "Now get on your knees but keep your chest down," Again, Katara did as she was told, raising her ass in the air. "Agni, you're dripping for me. You have to tell me if this hurts."

"Ok" She didn't think it would. She could only imagine there would be pleasure. She felt him tease rub the outside of her with himself. She wanted him. The anticipation made her whine.

"Do you want me?" He asked

"Yes," She said. His mouth was at her ear.

"Tell me you want me," He instructed. Another involuntary shiver of pleasure ran down Katara's spine.

"I-I want you" Zuko thrust himself inside of her. Filling her. She moaned, he was so deep. Zuko put a hand on her lower back forcing her to arch it. "Zuko" It was a cry of pleasure. "Don't stop" Her fists were grabbing the sheets, she had to bury her face in the bed to keep the whole palace from knowing what they were doing.

Zuko loved the muffled sounds Katara was making. She felt incredible, so wet and warm. Every time he thrust back in her she took him all. He began going faster and harder. With the hand that wasn't pushing on her, he scratched the length of her back. He felt her tighten around him and suck in a breath. He moved his hands to grab her hips, guiding her.

"You're perfect. I'm going to cum soon" He didn't want to but he couldn't hold it. His body was in control now, he couldn't stop. He pulled her into him with each thrust. He sped up feeling the tension in his body build, when he felt her quake and pulse around him he was sent over the edge. He slowed and thrust a few more times. Filling her. He lay has body over hers. They both were breathing heavily. "Are you ok?

"Yeah, I'm more than ok. You scratched me, I liked it." Zuko smiled.

"Did you? I'm going to explore every part of you, learn what makes you go crazy." He wondered what kinks she might have. Agni, he knew he had some. Mai had introduced a few things to the bedroom that he particularly enjoyed. His favorite being the blades she had hidden on her at all times. Tracing them over her skin, dancing on the edge of danger. Now was not the time to introduce that.

"I liked that position, I like you deep" He stood up and moved onto the bed to lie down.

"Good because I do too," The feeling of stretching her was insatiable, he didn't think he could ever get enough. Zuko felt Katara's lips meet his.

"Sleep now" She said. Suddenly he felt the water on either temple and a calm fall over him. Damn her, and he drifted into a deep sleep.

Sorry for the short chapter, life happened. At least it's a juicy one!

Wow over 1,000 views! Next post will be longer. Pinky Promis.