Title: Fighting for You
Pairings: ultimately Zutara
Rating: PG17/M
Warnings: Language, some violence, some citrus, modern AU

Summary: Katara is the Princess of the SWT, a branch of The Tribe, a waterbending mafia based out of the North Pole, establishing themselves in Ba Sing Se. Zuko the banished prince of The Nation, a firebending syndicate, is involved in the amateur fight scene of Ba Sing Se. Katara's financial interests turn physical as they raise up in ranks but glory has a price when Zuko's past comes back.

Ch 4:

It had been unexpected when Hakoda received word that The Northerners, the head branch of The Tribe and their compatriots to the north, were coming to town for a meeting. While not unusual it was definitely out of the norm. Katara had chosen charcoal grey flared trousers that barely hit the top of her Jimmy Choo's with a matching long blazer and a light blue button down shirt with the top two buttons undone to show the family necklace. Her long brown waves were pulled back into a low bun at the nape of her neck, her makeup light. While she preferred skirts, the outfit was intended to exude her power, her position in the ranks. To show the men that she too "wore the pants" in the organization. As with most Tribal dealings, it was late at night when their guests' private jet landed at Ba Sing Se's airport. Power oozes off their expensive custom-tailored suits, fine jewelry, and the elegant pieces of arm candy a few of the men choose to bring with them as they descend from the plane.

Arnook, the Chief of the Northerners is a quiet unassuming man much like Hakoda only slightly taller and thinner than his southern equal, is the first to be greeted, a formal event filled with the traditional veiled greetings in their native tongue, handshakes and kisses on cheeks, followed by Pakku, the second in command, a master waterbender and perhaps more powerful than the chief himself. Where Katara's presence is more openly accepted by Arnook, quite the opposite could be said for Pakku who outright refused her greeting. For the SWT this was unheard of. To refuse a greeting was no different than a slap in the face. And all because she was a woman. In the North rules for women were different. They were expected to stay home, raise the children, manage the house, look beautiful, and keep quiet. For Katara to be amongst them was an annoyance at best, a travesty at worst. It was a strict hierarchy and being a woman she had to fight to earn her place in it thus the harsh persona she maintained in public.

There are several others whose names Katara barely remembered but is still pleasant enough to them despite their apparent reluctance to acknowledge her as they do her father and brother. It is only when she feels her brother stiffen and mask a growl that she notices Hahn, a man-boy barely older than themselves, perfectly groomed and full of himself; a jackass to the nth degree. He is so busy flirting with one of the women who have accompanied the group to properly greet the siblings and their father as he should have. The condemnation is clear on Arnook's face over the disrespect this boy has shown their hosts, as his newly appointed successor and his only beloved daughter's husband and the father of his brand new grandson, he should know better. It is clear that his punishment will be held later in a far less public venue.

The small convoy of limos made their way through the quiet, nearly empty streets to the high rise building in the section of Ba Sing Se that belongs to The Tribe. Once inside, tea and traditional appetizers are served by the low ranking members and after pleasantries are completed Hakoda recommends that they begin what their guests are here for. The women in the room take their cue, teetering on high heels wrapping their furs coats around themselves as they pluck the champagne glasses from the tables leaving their lovers to conduct their business. However Katara remains seated and many disapproving eyes fall on her. Pakku lifts the tea cup to his mouth, blowing gently on the steam within. "Perhaps Katara would feel more comfortable with the other women outside. I'm sure she can tell them some interesting places to go shopping or go do whatever it is girls do."

The Northerners snicker, a few even gave improper cat calls to the SWT princess. If only for Sokka's hand on hers Katara would have exploded. How dare they? It was her father however who spoke before his daughter could say something inappropriate to their guests. Removing his reading glasses to glare harshly at those who chose to unwisely disrespect his daughter, his voice pitched low, "Katara is fine where she is." Several snorts answered him, only a fool would have argued, and Pakku tilted his chin up giving a nod, "Indeed. Let's begin."

Bato, Hakoda's second, began detailing what was going on in the city- which government officials were on the books, which businesses were current in their payments, a recent snafu with some cargo that needed to be dealt with on the Northerners part, so on and so on. When Bato was done, Katara started about the profits they'd seen with the management of their prize fighter as well as some of her other dealings. Rather than respond to her, the questions were directed to the men sitting next to her. Again Katara wisely bit back her rage at their sexism and crisply answered their questions much to her father and brother's pride and the other men's chagrin.

Arnook had been silent through the meeting, waiting until the very end to address some rumors. "I hear reports of The Nation trying to infiltrate the city."

The SWT members glanced at each other confused. "It has been awhile since I've heard anything about them," Hakoda began. "If I recall there were several attempts- what three years ago? - by some low level rats but they were quickly exterminated."

A short snicker passed across the room. Arnook nodded, "Very well. As long as you don't see this as a problem then let us conclude."

The bottle of arctic wine was brought out as well as the small glasses. Again hostile eyes turned to Katara, that a woman dare share the ritual drink with them, but she held her ground. Her blue eyes refused to leave Pakku's as if telling him that he couldn't knock her down. She didn't flinch as the liquid burned down her throat. To do so would show weakness to a pack of wolves. It was finally his wizened eyes that looked away, a smirk gracing his expression. She had won and wisely hid her joy at her victory.

The meeting concluded, formalities exchanged, Hakoda notified them of a party he was holding at his private home to celebrate their arrival tomorrow evening. Looping his coat over his arm, Arnook turned to Katara. "Oh! You should bring your fighter. Zuko, is it? I'd love to see the face of such a profitable investment."

Trying her best to hide her discomfort in the request, she nodded and respectfully agreed. "Good. Good," Arnook laughed, clapping Hakoda on the shoulder, "We will see you later then, my friend. "

As soon as they were gone, Katara exhaled the breath she didn't realize she was holding, the game finally over, and fingered the charm of her necklace. Sokka however smiled at his sister, "Well looks like you'll have to bring a lamb to dine with a pack of wolves."

"If only the lamb weren't a dragon," Hakoda chimed in behind them, loosening his tie and taking the last drink of tea from his cup. "Keep close guard on him, both of you. Just because he makes us all money doesn't mean his kind is welcome."

OooOooOooO

From the way the temperature dropped it felt like winter would come quick this year. Discreetly raising his body temperature against the chill, Zuko's feet crunched against the leaves on the sidewalk making his way to the gym. Toph had given him a key so that he could begin early knowing that he was usually up before anyone else. There was only three more fights left in the season and from what he understood, his next opponent would be tough.

To his surprise he found he wasn't the first one there. Facing slightly away from the front door, he finds Katara jogging at a steady pace on one of the treadmills. She appeared lost in whatever was playing from the armband that held the iPod, the wires bouncing against her ample chest. He could see from the faint sheen of sweat glistening along her mocha skin that she had been here awhile. For the first time he saw her as a regular woman working out like any regular person would do. Not his boss, not a mob princess. Just Katara. Granted a Katara in a sports bra that pushed her cleavage up with a little trail of sweat right down the space between them, skin tight workout pants that flared just so at the knee, brown hair up in a sloppy ponytail, makeup free face that he found more attractive in some way. Normally he preferred lighter skinned girls, but damn if she wasn't hot. When she wasn't being a bitch that was. However he saw right through that front of hers. He had lived that life, he knew the games. Hell, he had practically been born playing them. Maybe that's why he wasn't scared of her and why they managed to share a certain camaraderie.

He cautiously approached her though and finally caught her gaze. She pulled the ear buds out and tossed a friendly "good morning" his way.

"You're here early," Zuko remarked, suddenly kicking himself for stating something so obvious. He grabbed an ankle to stretch out the quad muscle of his left leg then his right.

She slowed down the pace on the console to begin her cool down, smiling, "Yeah, I needed to burn some energy I guess." After the meeting last night she had been antsy, nervous. She had always prided herself on her ability to be cool in any situation but the thought of having Zuko meet her people was… uncomfortable to say the least. Then trying to reach Jet all night with no answer fueled a slew of other thoughts in her head.

Before he could hop on the treadmill for a warm up, she tilted her head and made a request. "Show me some moves of yours." He couldn't deny that smile. For the first time, it felt genuine. Like he was seeing the real Katara. So naturally he agreed, helping her into the ring, tossing off his shoes and recommending she do the same. He brought his hands up and she mirrored his moves. Upper cut, hook, cross, and repeat. Sidekick, knee, roundhouse and repeat. "Your elbows keep flailing out. Bring them in closer." She moved her elbows in as best she could. "Sorry my boobs keep getting in the way I guess."

"Oh," Zuko blushed, eyes flicking down briefly to the culprits then returned to meet her playful gaze. "Let's keep going then." Her attacks are quick but soft, his moves slow and more focused on form than power. Back and forth she struck and he'd block, he'd strike and she'd block. Tap, tap, kick. Kick, tap, kick. He could see from the concentration in her eyes she was really getting into this so he increased his power, not enough to hurt her of course. Inadvertently he felt his temperature rise and she must have felt it too because before he knew it she swept her arms overhead and with a great flick a tendril of water is headed straight for him. Without thinking, he blocked it with a fist of fire, steaming away the liquid with a telling hiss.

Tilting her head, she stared at him. Fear tightened in every fiber of his being. Firebenders are not smiled upon in this nation, any nation it felt like. A barrage of images flickered through his mind about what happens next. Imprisonment, a bullet in his brain out back, his daughter left orphaned (thank Agni she took after her mother and wasn't a bender), then Uncle and-. Instead she arched an eyebrow, "Huh. Interesting." She sinks down and places her hands in front of her in what he can only guess is a waterbending form. It vaguely reminds him of one of the firebending ones of his youth. "You've held back on me." Using the humidity in the room and drawing from other sources she pulls a water whip around herself. "Don't."

"You sure?" flames forming from his knuckles. "Fire is dangerous. You might get burned."

"I'm a big girl. I can handle it, if you can bring it."

Zuko chuckled, "Oh I can bring it," and being the more aggressive, Zuko started the flames and sparks kissing around the waterbender's liquidy attacks and defense. Much to his surprise she started laughing as the spar turned into a more of a dance around each other. Even greater to his surprise he started laughing too. The moves waxed and waned, hard and soft, back and forth. At first it was friendly banter between their laughter and grunts. Zuko couldn't quite pinpoint when it got dirty. Or maybe his male brain only heard it that way.

"Looks like you're getting tired," she called out, spinning away from a bolt of flame that went wide.

"Never," he grunted, easily blocking an ice dagger thrown his way, "Haven't you heard about my stamina?" He saw her eyes widen for a split second then that smile. Agni! He wanted her do that again.

"Oh stamina's great and all but it's more important that you're technique is good." Her body arched and swayed as she moved the water through the air towards him and he couldn't help but admire the view.

"I've got the belts to prove that my technique is a winner." His body ducked low, feet sweeping a wide arch of flame that hissed when it met her water.

"So if you beat me, would I be another notch then?"

"Waterbender," he circled around her expecting to outmatch her instead coming face to face, hands touching in a standoff. Their breathes were heavy, eyes glazed, sweat dripping, bodies pumping with that sweet adrenaline feeling almost post-coital, like a great round in bed. And he felt the strangest urge to kiss her. He hadn't thought of her in that way but he had learned years ago that when you fight someone you learn them, you get to know them without words or boundaries. Sparring with her only begun to open her up and he wanted more. "You could never be a notch." Her expression softened to almost surprise and something else he couldn't quite pinpoint. Truth be told his response shocked even himself. They both knew what he implied.

It was the clapping that finally broke the moment and, like two teens getting caught, they backed away from each other. "That was pretty good. Both of you. But if you two are done flirting like a couple of six-year-olds, Sparky here has work to do." Always the blunt one, Toph tossed a towel at Katara wordlessly telling her to get lost. Katara nodded and climbed out of the ring.

Zuko didn't mean to follow her with his eyes, but he couldn't stop staring at that backside. He fumbled a bit when she turned around to address him and from that cute little smile and the way her teeth grazed over her lips he knew he had been caught and she didn't mind so much. "There's a party tonight and you are the guest of honor. I'll have a suit sent over. Be ready by 7." Their eyes met one last time, curiosity and confusion, and with that she disappeared behind the door of the lady's locker room.

Once she was out of earshot, Toph finally spoke up. "You're a fucking idiot."

"Excuse me?" Zuko turned to face his new trainer.

"Hmph!" she snorted. "You two want each other so bad. She's miserable with him. You know it, I know it, hell even Jet and Katara know it. But you're all too insecure to admit what you want."

"She's my boss. Kind of. And that's highly inappropriate to try-"

"So, I'm Aang's boss and you don't see him complaining."

"So what do I do then, Sifu?"

"Grow some balls and get the girl," she shrugged, "Now let's hit the weights."

OooOooOooO

Sitting back in the leather seat, Katara watched as the limo rolled into the Lower Ring. It was a far cry from her apartment in the Upper Ring where the elite of Ba Sing Se lived. She hated the dirt, the feeling of misery and despair. Hundreds of thousands of people resigned to their fate there.

Really it wasn't that far off from where she had grown up back in the Southern Water Tribe. That's why she hated it. That's why a good chunk of her earnings went towards food banks, shelters, and other community services. Not many knew that about her and she liked it that way. They hadn't had much growing up aside from the love of their tight knit family. After the factories closed, unemployment and crime became the norm in their little corner of the world. Because Dad didn't have a job he couldn't pay the mortgage, and after a brief stint in a motel, they finally moved into the cheap two bedroom apartment in the dangerous neighborhood. Soon Dad was gone days, sometimes weeks, at a time. She never asked her father how he got involved with the SWT- some things were better left unsaid. All she knew was that he rose quickly and the Northerners came looking for him, seeing the potential he had and offered him the chance to set up shop in Ba Sing Se. The cards had fallen just so for their family and he took the offer. But Dad was away and apparently he pissed off someone because they came looking for him. It was the middle of the day and there was no school that day because of the heavy snow. Katara had been playing outside with Sokka, she remembered that distinctly. Then she saw the tinted car and the big men get out and go inside their shabby apartment complex, then the gunshots, the men casually returning to their car and speeding away. It was her that found her mother's body splayed across the kitchen floor. It was her that called Dad who hopped on the first flight home. It was her that sought out Gran Gran for solace. It wasn't until years later, from the way her father and the rest of the SWT spoke of The Nation, that she understood it was them who did that. And she hated them.

Then finding Zuko, whose family ran The Nation from what she knew, it was almost like a joke. Like ha ha! I own one of your dogs. But then she talked to him, got to know him, his daughter, his Uncle and it ruined all images she had of those people. Then this morning, being so close, so intimate, had made things a bit more complicated. Sure she had wanted him physically, now she wasn't so sure if it was more. It was less of a joke. Now he was going to be in the middle of people who hated his people much as she had. And she almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Until she pulled up to his apartment and her heart broke. It was a mirror image of her childhood home. That would have to change.

It took a moment to figure out what apartment was his exactly, but a happy Liang answered the door letting her into their home. It was clean despite the meager furnishings, a shabby futon sat in the middle of the small living room, a worn table in the kitchen, but lots of pictures on the walls and on the fridge, mostly of Liang.

"Wow! You look like a princess Miss Katara," Liang admired the blue silk cocktail dress Katara had chosen for the evening. "Can I come too?"

Katara frowned slightly, gently touching the girl's chin, the platinum bracelets clinking together. "Trust me, honey. These aren't people you want to meet."

"Then why does Dad get to go?"

"Because I'm very important to them and you are very important to me," Zuko answered tightly before Katara could, coming out of the bathroom adjusting the tie and sliding his hands over the sides of his hair. Katara had to come to her senses for a moment. He looked stunning, really working that black suit that hung off his body like perfection. Then his eyes met hers and suddenly they were back in the ring this morning, words taken too far, emotions that shouldn't have been there running deep, and it felt like a wave.

An older voice brought her back down to Earth and she glanced over to see his uncle, tea cup in hand, a dowdy expression on his unusually sunny face. "When should I expect Zuko home?"

Zuko bristled and Liang giggled, "Uncle! He's a grown-up. Besides Katara will take good care of him, right?"

Katara smiled back down at her, "Of course. Your dad is my responsibility. Now let's get going. We can't be late."

OooOooOooO

At the party, Zuko felt like a koala-lamb in a pack of wolves praying to whatever deity he can think of that these people don't know who he really is, or his lineage. Katara linked her arm in his, giving him her wide smile and he's strangely comforted by this. He remembers from years ago how to behave. The cultural differences are obvious but it's still all one big game set amongst highly beautiful, powerful people. This is his element. Not the dirty bars in the Lower Ring, but those of wealth and class. He can easily pick out who the big players are, who the fakes are, and who's just there for a good time. There are scores of escorts there for the "businessmen". Most are imports from the poles with their dark skin and pale eyes, some are green-eyed beauties from the Earth Kingdom and, to his surprise, he even picks out a few of his fellow nationalists, with their luminescent skin and heated gold eyes. There is an abundance of local whiskeys and imported arctic wines, foods from the homelands and from their adopted land. A deejay spins a blend of their national music and modern electronic beats. Overall it's a relaxed environment and not quite what Zuko was expecting. He is greeted warmly by most of the people there. Arnook, the most important man here apparently, converses a bit in his stilted Earthese with Katara translating as needed. Something about being proud to have such a strong young man in their ranks- or maybe that was midst? - and such an asset to their company. "Now please excuse me…"

Zuko is amazed at how Katara handles everyone around her. Even when he doesn't understand their words, he picks up on her body language, catching every sharp hitch, every relaxed laugh. He had learned from Jet, unlike Zuko, she hadn't been brought up in this world but this fact could have fooled him. She was just so natural at the schmoozing it bordered humorous to him. Halfway through the evening, Sokka pulls Zuko away to chat, questioning how he is doing and such while they watch Katara with a small group of women. Zuko is taken by the way she smiles and her relaxed attitude around them in surprising. He wonders who they are. Then the tension changed as a small group of men approached.

"Great. Hahn," Sokka practically hissed. "I thought we'd be lucky and he'd stay in his room tonight."

Debating whether to question Sokka further, Zuko watches intently as Hahn begins what he could only presume was flirting with the group of ladies, targeting Katara particularily.

"And he has a wife at home," Sokka said darkly, and then gave a mischievous grin. "Little does he know that on his "business trips" I make one of my own and comfort her in her time of loneliness. We do have to keep up relations after all."

They watch as Hahn keeps trying to get more physical with Katara, touching her arm lightly, standing close. It's only when Hahn puts a hand on her ass though, Zuko moves to help, but Sokka holds him back. "She's got it. Watch."

Suddenly Hahn was doubled over holding his groin with Katara standing in front of him, hand in a fist. Katara reached to draw him up and they can see the fear in the poor man's eyes. She whispers in his ear then with one last flex of her fist he drops to the ground turning to approach Sokka and Zuko smiling smugly. Hahn's cronies move to help him up and he allows them with minor protest. While Zuko might not speak their language but he understands implicitly that pain and can only presume he is cursing the woman.

She reaches for Zuko's drink and takes a long swig. "You know you'd think he'd learn to stop doing that. It's amazing he can have kids with as often as I've had to do that."

Then the DJ began to play a song and her eyes lit up. Leading him to the area designated as the dance floor, they swayed in time. He was tempted to discuss what had happened at the gym earlier that day, the way her eyes turned to his, the sensual beats of the song, the thoughts slipped away and he moved with her just enjoying the closeness. Her perfume intoxicated him, her body heat was so comforting. Desperately he tried to push those thoughts away.

Burying her head in his shoulder, as the electronica turned to a slower R&B tune, they swayed. "I shouldn't like you the way I do," she whispered, fingering the buttons on his shirt, her words beginning to slur from the wine consumed, her thoughts jumbling together. "I've wanted you for a while now. But it doesn't matter. I have to play pretend and be mean. I never said I liked it. Really I hate it. It's just what we have to do. Isn't it?" Her eyes turned up to his and he saw such sadness. "And you know that."

Zuko nodded, "Yeah. I do."

"How did you get out?" Zuko looked away. "It's probably best not to talk about that here."

Katara shifted her head, surrounded by her own, remembering he was the outsider. "Yeah. Will you take me home? I'm tired and I don't want to be here anymore."

OooOooOooO

It was very late on the car ride home after dropping off Zuko. Her head lolled against the headrest, eyes partially closed. The evening had been a success. If there was any animosity they hid it better than she could. She could still see the way he looked at her, like he didn't know whether or not to take her in his arms and never let her go or to curse her and fight. Their knees had brushed and it took all her effort not to jump him. Then he brushed his pinky against hers and she couldn't breath. Just a simple, stupid little thing had sent her tumbling. It had never felt like that before with anyone. It wasn't until she approached her penthouse door that her gut clenched and all those delicious happy feelings flew away.

"Where were you?" Jet asked, following her inside the apartment without invitation.

Shrugging out of her coat and hanging it neatly with the others in the closet, she explained diplomatically, "I told you it was a business engagement."

"That only Zuko is special enough to go to. What about me, huh? I'm the one who helped get him this gig. I'm part of your business too."

She patted him on the chest and pulled one heel off then the other. "So you want a prize for that? A bonus? Fine. I'll have Sokka cut you a check first thing tomorrow."

"Don't patronize me. That's not what I mean. "

"Then please tell me what you mean. I'm tired and have had a very long day and would love to go to sleep." They both noted how she didn't use the word "bed".

"You know for once I'd like you to let me into your world. Tell me what you want. What you need. Not what you think people want from you. You're so busy playing pretend that you're missing what's important."

"Are you asking for more sex?" She laughed wiggling her butt as she pulled a bottled water from the fridge.

"God damn it Katara. Would you just listen for once?" he shouted, slamming his fist against the wall, rattling the art work that hung. Katara turned to face him, brows knitted together.

"What am I supposed to listen to? Huh? We both knew this was casual, no strings attached so why are you suddenly so insecure? Is it because I'm spending more time with Zuko? Are you jealous?" She crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her chin up in a challenge.

"I'm not jealous," from his tone however she knew he was lying, "I know that it's casual. Gods do I know that. What if I want more? Does that even matter to you?"

She bit her bottom lip. "Why can't we just leave well enough alone? Why do you have to make this complicated?"

"Complicated? I'm making this complicated? Jesus, Katara! You know, you think you're so hard, the daughter of some mafia lord, power and money and everything you could ever want right at your fingertips…"

Her anger bubbled, her voice lifted higher than she planned, "I have to be hard to get where I'm at. You think its easy being a woman in this world. Well it's not. I don't get to run around all day doing La's knows what like you do."

"Yeah well you run around in those tight skirts and "fuck me" shoes real well. How do I know that you're not out there sleeping you're way to the top, whatever the top even is?"

That bubble was a rolling boil now and it unleashed in a hard slap to his face. "Don't you ever say that to me," she hissed, pointing a finger accusingly in his face. "Ever!"

Jet clenched his jaw and even he knew he had crossed the line, "I'm sorry. I know you're not that way. But did you ever stop to ask if I want more? If you want more? I guess I just don't understand why it's so hard."

"Because my family…"

"Of course, you're family. It's all about your family isn't it?" the words came out as a snort.

They'd been down this road before but when push came to shove it was always easier to close off her heart, use her family as a scapegoat, before things got too deep and with Jet she had walked that line so well. "Stop." He didn't, he kept right on. "Why can't you admit you want what every other woman wants…?"

Gripping the edge of the counter she demanded again for him to stop and again he continued. "You want a guy to tell you you're gorgeous and to kiss and hug you everyday-"

"Stop it." She tried stopping the tears but they betrayed her by falling anyways. His voice pitched deep in anger and frustration, eyes piercing her very soul. "You wanna be loved for who you are not what you are. You want-"

Katara can't take it anymore, her voice shouts out the words before she can stop them, "Not by you!"

The words linger in the air like smog on a bad day in the city. She knew deep in her soul that he wasn't what she needed. She couldn't say it was because of Zuko but she couldn't say it wasn't. There was something there that made her want, need, and Jet never gave her that feeling.

It was Jet that finally spoke. "I guess I just thought that with all the good things happening for all of us, the wins and all, that maybe we could've been more." He shook his head and reached for the door. "…And people think it's always the woman that gets screwed."

"I'm sorry Jet," Katara whispered, gasping through the tears. "It wasn't supposed to be like this… I didn't…"

"Yeah, well. I'll be fine." And he was gone.


AN: Thanks for all the encouragement and feedback so far, to the reviewers and the lurkers alike. Thanks muchly to xxZutaraFanxx for her help with the Jet scene and to sable and lynny for making me remember to include the things that so far have only been in my head.