Here we go chapter 13!

Rated M cause mmmmm this is going to be good.

...

Zuke knew come tomorrow they would be back in the Fire Nation and just like to boat ride back from Ba Sing Se he couldn't help but wish they had been delayed. When he is traveling no one expects him to go to meetings, actually he had no idea what was happening in the Fire Nation. Though that thought should scare him Zuko felt weirdly at ease with the idea, mostly because Aang and Toph were there as well as Sakka and Suki by now. If nothing else Suki will have kept everyone, meaning Toph, in line while he was gone. Despite hoping time would slow, Zuko could tell by the passing of the clouds above, illuminated by the moon, time was not going to relent.

"Zuko," He heard his uncle walk up behind him. "What is on your mind?" His uncle was the only person he really talked to about any of this. Iroh was the closest to him, voluntarily leaving his country to care for Zuko after he was banished. No matter what Zuko had done or said uncle was always there.

"I don't know how to do this uncle," He broke his gaze from the clouds to look at the father figure beside him. He only gave a serious yet understanding nod. "I'm not ready to go back, to be in charge again. I already want a break and I've only just started working." Zuko looked down. "There is so much I don't know." He admitted.

"Yes, there is plenty you don't know and there will always be more to learn but that is life never stagnant. Always moving and changing. You will learn the underlying pattern of the currents and how to flow with them as they bring you to new challenges and ideas." After a long breath he continued. "Being responsible for so many is hard work and can lead you to lose yourself. Your country is important but so are you. Zuko, you must make sure to take care of yourself," Iroh glanced over at Katara, "and hold on to what you love." The old man smiled as he finished his sentence.

"Is that why you told her to call you uncle?" Zuko couldn't say he was shocked but still. "We aren't even officially together".

"Much more has been forged on much less. It is clear to me that you can't let her go back to the Southern Water Tribe," Zuko surprised himself with a laugh.

"No one can stop her from doing anything uncle."

"All the more reason you need her. She is strong willed with a gentle heart like you, nephew." Zuko didn't want to talk about the idea of marriage any more.

"I'm going to bed. There's going to be a lot of work tomorrow," He didn't even try to hide that he was ready for this conversation to end. Iroh simply gave another stoic nod.

"Good night Zuko."

"Good night uncle." Sleep was the last thing he planned to do with his night. He turned to see Katara was out on the airship's deck basking in the moonlight. He opened the door to the deck and felt the cool breeze on his skin.

"Hey," He said, walking to stand next to the waterbender. Katara turned to look at him, still standing with her forearms resting on the railing. Zuko copied the stance.

"I've spent so much time in the sky yet the feeling of flying never gets old. At this point the cool night air brings back so many memories." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This seemed like the perfect moment.

"Memories like whatever happened at the lower ring?" He asked. Her head dropped.

"Zuko, you can't tell me there are things you relive you don't want to tell other people. Awful memories and feelings you'd rather keep to yourself." If anyone understood, he thought, it was him. There were so many things he had done, seen, heard, things he didn't want to relive. Most often they came back at night, but less often when Katara was there.

"Of course there are. But if it's consuming my every thought I know I'll need to talk about it. You didn't react when I said your name, you weren't moving, and were looking at something that wasn't there." He sighed, "I'm just worried about you."

"Maybe you just hide your's better," She muttered. Zuko wondered if that was true as he brought his hand to touch her arm.

"I'll listen. I don't know what else I can do but you don't have to be alone. I went through it all too." Katara's head shot up and her gaze was cold. Agni.

"No, you didn't. You didn't live that day like me. You didn't have to hold the burden of failing your friends and family." Of course.

"The invasion." Her head dropped after she nodded slightly. Zuko was happy she let him in, even if it was just a little. "Come on let's go inside and enjoy our night before we have to get back to reality," He enticed her. She took his outstretched hand and they walked back to their room together. When he closed the door behind him Zuko brought Katara in for a soft kiss.

"Tell me what you want," he prompted.

"To forget about everything but you for a little while," He was happy to oblige. Zuko smiled at her.

"I can do that. Take off your clothes." Katara did while he went to get a knife. Maybe today would be a good time to try it. Zuko concealed the thin blade in his robe. Katara was standing naked, beautiful. "Let down your hair" It cascaded down her shoulders to her waist. The dark strands contrasting her light brown skin. "Agni, you're beautiful," it was said subconsciously. He noticed her start playing with her hair. Zuko put his hand on hers, stopping the nervous habit.

"You have to tell me if you get uncomfortable at all. Ok?" He looked into her eyes to make sure her words matched how she was feeling.

"Ok," Perfect.

"Lie down on your back, arms above your head, and close your eyes," He instructed. Once she was positioned on the bed with her eyes closed he laid next to her, dragging his fingers over her skin. Tracing the curving lines of her muscles and body.

Just Zuko's touch was all consuming and gave her goosebumps. What had she been thinking about before? Oh yeah the in- his fingers lazely traced her nipples. They had hardened under his touch. Katara was tempted to peek but kept her eyes closed. Zuko's hand danced its way up her chest and across her collar bones to her neck. He put his hand on her neck but just barely. She wanted more, she could barely feel his touch. Mostly she just felt the warmth from his hand. As she opened her mouth to talk his grasp tightened.

"I'm taking this at my pace," he whispered in her ear. "Nod if you understand," He instructed. She did. "If you ever can't talk and you need me to stop, shake your head three times, clearly, and I will stop everything right away no matter what. Nod if you understand." His commanding tone made her wet. Again, she nodded. "Good." His grip loosened, she could breathe the whole time, but barely. Kisses replaced Zuko's hand trailing from her neck down to her breasts. He took one nipple in his mouth and pinched the other between his fingers. This made her take a sharp breath and arch her back. She felt him smile at her reaction as his teeth held onto the bud of her breast.

"Calm yourself Katara, I'm just getting started," She practically melted under the fire bender. Next she felt something sharp just below her navel. It didn't hurt, or tickle but brought a sensation Katara had never experienced before. Spirits, what is that. She moved her head to look but Zuko's hand covered here eyes and pushed her head back down. The sensation moved up to her chest and danced around the previously neglected peak's bud.

"I didn't say you could look," Whatever Zuko had pushed into the bud causing a sting, but not pain. She gasped. "I would stay still if I were you," the pressing point moved down her stomach, past her navel, just above her core. The pressure of the sensation lightened and trailed off one side of her thigh. Clink. It was the sound of metal on metal. Before she thought about it anymore Zuko had nestled himself between her legs. Her arms flew down to grab his hair, to encourage his tongue.

"What did I tell you to do with your arms Katara?"

"Put them above my head…"

"Correct, so why are they not above your head now?" Katara for once didn't have any words. Instead in the quiet she heard fabric rustle. She opened her eyes just in time to see Zuko's upper body be revealed as his sash was removed causing his robe to open. His gaze met hers. There was fire there, he turned her over. "You're not listening are you? Did you want to be spanked again?" He asked. Truth be told, yes, yes she did. But Katara kept her mouth shut. "Ten, you'll get ten," Zuko was already rubbing her bottom in circles. His hand left and made contact again. She felt her pulse quicken and in between her legs get more wet. Another. "You like this don't you?" He ran his finger up her slit. "You're wet." A third strike. So far he had only hit one side and the sting was getting more intense. The fourth came on the other side. There was no rubbing or break before his hand met her skin for the fifth time. She moaned. "That's half way."

She could feel the heat of her skin. Six. His thumb went to her core and started to rub in circles. A shiver went up Katara's spine.

"You're not done yet," He said not letting up, "You can't finish until I'm done." The seventh strike fell exactly where the sixth had. Her legs shook some from the pressure building in her. "Not yet," Eight. She felt herself starting to contract.

"Please," She managed while his thumb continued to make quick work of her.

"No" as soon as the word left his mouth the ninth strike happened. There was one left, she ached for it, knowing it would bring permission for her to come undone. "Not yet," He was teasing her, still!

"I can't-" The last spank hit the first side again, hard, making for an even five on each side.

"You may cum Katara," She did, it was incredible. Her whole body felt light, euphoric, and best of all her mind was quiet. Her moans however, were not. "Look at me" Zuko instructed. She did. "That's only the beginning of what I have planned for tonight." He smiled. Spirits help her.

...

I wanted to write a longer chapter but I also wanted to get something uploaded. Follows, favorites, and reviews give me motivation so please do those things! I keep wondering what will have happened at the Fire Nation… We'll have to see next chapter. Oooo I bet Sokka's reaction is going to be good!