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

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.


In the sliver of moonlight that seeped through the curtains, Katara, hands tucked under her pillow, watched Zuko sleep. The sinfully soft cotton sheets she had personally chosen for his bed tangled around the pair barely covering their still warm parts. She admired the curve of his jaw with a day's worth of growth darkening the pale skin, the cute way his black hair fell into his now closed amber eyes, the shape of his nose atop those sensuous lips that were simply magical against her own. He looked peaceful as though telling her- or maybe just telling someone- his past took a weight off his shoulders. Feeling a strong need to touch him, she gingerly passed the tips of her fingers along the stubble, tucking that stray strand of hair past the ruined ear and trailing her thumb against his scar amazed at its cool, wrinkled texture. His face scrunched angrily then relaxed and nudged against her palm, as though savoring her touch.

She always had a hard time sleeping at night but now it was more that she wanted to rush out of the comfort of his bed and singlehandedly take down all those Nation bastards. It was one thing to destroy your enemy as they had when they came after her mother all those years ago. It was quite another to maim one of your own for no apparent reason. He had been through so much in his fairly young life and Katara felt as if it should be her burden as well. The moment she had laid eyes on him in that dank, disgusting stadium nearly a year ago she knew he would be hers. Yes, part of it was the business aspect. He was a great fighter and had earned them tons of cash. But it was almost like something deeper. As though they had been reunited after lifetimes apart. And it was about time they did.

Antsy, Katara finally slipped from the sheets, throwing on his t-shirt and her panties, and going down to the kitchen to get a little post-coital snack of leftover pizza. Her brain was going a mile a minute, thinking and thinking of what to do. Not that there was really anything she could do. She could hardly start a war over something so trivial, something that had happened a lifetime ago. She needed a catalyst. Like say… the three Nation women Sokka had told her about. Belly full, ideas twirling about, Katara headed back upstairs to join her lover.

Turning the corner just before Zuko's room, she heard a noise in Liang's. Poking her head in the door, she found the little girl on the floor playing with the dolls. Knocking lightly on the door, Katara quietly called out, "What are you doing up? It's really late."

Liang whipped around knowing she had been caught up way past her bed time. Fast as a bolt, she hopped back into bed and tried to pretend like she'd been there the whole time. Katara smiled, making her way across the room to tuck the girl in properly.

"It's too quiet here and I couldn't sleep." Katara prayed it wasn't so quiet that she had heard the activities in her father's room just an hour earlier. "I kept hearing a dog barking, and then some kind of like howling noise. But there's no sirens or people."

Katara agreed, telling Liang that she must have been about this same age when her family moved from the city to their posh house in the Upper Ring. There was some comfort in always hearing the sounds of the city and here there was none of that. Arranging the vibrantly colored comforter under her chin and the stuffed animals next to her arms, Katara asked, "Comfy?"

Liang nodded, shifting down into the pillows. "Is this really where we're going to live?"

Brushing back a strand of hair that fell at the same angles as her father's, Katara began to rub the girl's forehead much as her own mother used to rub hers. "Yup. Is that okay?" She watched diligently as the girl's eyes slipped closed.

Liang responded with a yawn and a nod. "I like it here. It's pretty."

"Good. Just what I hoped for," Katara smiled.

"What about my school? And all my friends?"

"Well, you've only got about a month or two left of school, then you'll transfer over. This area has the best schools in the city. And your friends are always welcome. We can go pick them up if we have to."

Seeming sated with that answer, the girl was battling staying awake and falling back asleep so Katara kept on rubbing her forehead and began humming the lullaby her mother had sung to her. Once Liang started snoring Katara took her cue and lifted from the bed giving a small peck on the top of the girl's head. Just as she was almost out of the room, closing the door behind her, she heard Liang ask, clear as day. "Will you live here too?"

"What do you mean?"

"My dad really likes you. And I really like you. And I never had a mom before and you seem really good at it. It'd be nice to have a mom." Katara met the honest eyes of the child and her heart clinched.

Returning to sit on the edge of Liang's bed, Katara was stunned. "You never had a mom?"

Liang sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees. "Nope. She left when I was real little. I get a card on my birthday but I never seen her. Dad has a picture of her from before I was born and she's really pretty. He says I look a lot like her." Suddenly, Liang's mood went from factual to angry, pulling at an imaginary thread on the comforter. "Girls are supposed to have moms that braid their hair and show them how to do girly stuff. It's weird. Most of my friends don't have dads and I'm the only without a mom. It's not fair."

It wasn't fair. To be left without a parent. Katara knew all too well what life was like without a mom, especially once puberty came around, but she had the advantage of having had the time with Kya. Liang didn't have that. Sure there had been women here and there but never anyone around for significant amounts of time. Drawing the seven-year-old into her arms, Katara made a solemn promise to Liang that she would be there. "Even if things don't work out between me and your dad, I'd really like for us to be friends. Deal?"

That smile Katara received was the brightest smile she had ever seen. "Deal!" Tucking her back under the covers though, Liang spoke up. "Why wouldn't things work out with you and Dad? You're supposed to be together." And with that the girl passed out leaving Katara blinking in wonder at the seeming prediction of a seven-year-old.

OoooOoooO

A week had gone by living in their new home. Katara had worked with precision to see his move as simple and painless as possible, even doing the shopping for the household things with Liang's help of course.

Zuko awoke having had the best night's sleep he had in a long time despite having returned to training and being at Toph's mercy for eight hours straight then attending some sort of publicity event. It was weird to say the least. They were surrounded by celebrities- actors and musicians- and other fighters, many of them having lost at his hands, and wrestlers from around the Earth Kingdom. Katara had said he'd have to schmooze and he did, with her help of course. There had been a couple reporters who questioned his next big bout, his relationship with his manager, and other personal questions that Katara had seemed to know all the answers to or made them up as she went along. She was a brilliant little devil and he was certainly glad she was on his side.

For several moments he watched the waterbender sleep. How had this happened? How on earth did he get this lucky to have such an attractive- granted deadly, no doubt- woman in his bed? Someone for the first time he felt at ease with? Someone who took a sincere interest in his life, his world, without any requests for something in return? Other than fighting of course, but he was already doing that, and now, thanks in part to her, he was getting better pay for it. And look at him, finally in a respectable home, in a respectable neighborhood, where he felt his daughter can finally be safe. Thank you, he thought, tucking a strand of hair away from her face.

Seeing that Katara wasn't going to be waking any time soon despite his efforts to rouse her, he rose from the bed taking note of Katara's dress that had looked ridiculously hot on her last night but looked even better on his floor, took a quick shower, and padded downstairs to start breakfast. The kitchen was monstrous, easily half the size of his old apartment, with more cabinets and counters than he knew what to do with. Of course he had a pretty good idea for what he wanted to do with some of it and involved Katara in an apron and nothing else. Speaking of Katara, he felt her arms around his waist and a tip toe up to his cheek. "Good morning. Coffee?" Having no other clothes, she was in last night's dress and with still tousled hair from their "after party", Zuko seriously contemplated forgetting breakfast entirely and filling up on other yummy things.

"Please," he answered with a kiss of his own. He felt her eyes on him as he prepped the eggs and she made the coffee. Inching closer and closer with coffee mug in hand, inspecting his progress with a critical eye. Finally standing right next to him she sighed loudly. "Let me help."

"Okay. But this is my kitchen and I've got a system," motioning his hands to indicate his domain.

She grabbed the spoon out of his hand, trying to shove Zuko out of the way with her hip, "Yeah, well your system needs less salt. Shove over."

With Katara busy cooking in an evening gown and Zuko beside her fighting to get in and do things himself, Liang sat at the little breakfast table watching the two grown-ups with amusement. Suddenly getting a brilliant idea, she raced upstairs to her room coming out a few moments later in her nicest dress, clip on earrings and the plastic tiara from her princess dress up set. Totally oblivious to the adult's expressions at her attire, she proceeded to set the table for breakfast humming quietly to herself.

Zuko paused in mid scoop questioning his daughter's dress. "Uh, Li. Why are you dressed like that?"

"Well Katara is dressed up so I thought we were having a princess breakfast." Katara nearly spewed out her coffee and hid her laugh behind her hand. Zuko blubbered a bit unsure of how to answer. Finally shaking his head, and telling everyone to eat up.

It was nice having a nice little family meal, Zuko decided he liked this. It felt like home. Then Katara had to leave for "business", Liang had her ballet lessons to get to and Jet had invited him yesterday to meet up with him over coffee in a couple hours. He loved his new SUV Katara had bought for him. It was a far cry from the little Ford POS inherited from Uncle that he used to drive.

He pulled the gorgeous beast into the parking spot of the coffeehouse, leaving his sunglasses on, he found Jet already waiting for him. The two men had only briefly spoken since Omashu, nearly two weeks ago as if Jet was well aware of what happened since that time. Jet knew. He always knew. But he kept his mouth shut about Zuko and Katara. It had been a bit heartbreaking- no, more like losing something comforting - when they had split up. In the end though, it had been for the best for everyone. Zuko needed a woman to take care of him, despite his insistence that he didn't, and someone to take care of right back. For Jet, granted the sex had been great, but he would never be good enough for her and she would never be good enough for him.

"Look no hard feelings, man," Jet placated, offering out his hand. Zuko took it and managed to get pulled in for a brief man hug. "It's all good," Zuko nodded, settling into the chair at the little table. Then Zuko watched as Jet's eyes lit in only that way his could. Clapping Zuko on the back, Jet grinned like a fool. "Besides, I met someone. She's fucking amazing. I wanted you to meet her so she'll be here in a little bit." It didn't surprise Zuko one bit that he already had a new girlfriend. He was surprised about the way he talked about her. Like he had met his soul mate or something. Across the room he noticed a small gaggle of girls who were whispering and pointing his way. The quickest flair of anger hit thinking it was his scar they were laughing at before he realized that he was some kind of celebrity now and that made him very attractive apparently. Jet watched amused as they cautiously approached them.

The prettiest of the group finally said, "Excuse me. I don't mean to bug you but are you Zuko Long?"

Before Zuko could answer, Jet laughed boisterously. "Of course ladies. This is the greatest fighter of our generation and the hottest guy you will ever meet."

Zuko had to fight back his blush which seemed to endear him more to the teenage girls. "Can we get your autograph?" He signed napkins and posed for their cell phone cameras and in the midst of all the attention Zuko caught a pair of eyes that he hadn't seen since he was 13 years old. Jet perked up and greeted with her with more affection than Zuko had ever given anyone. She watched with great interest as the girls squealed and giggled their way outside.

She definitely wasn't the little girl he remembered. Her jet black hair fell almost to her butt and speaking of, damn! He could bounce a coin off it. Her creamy skin exposed in the black off shoulder top. It seemed like Jet could hardly keep his hands off the creamy expanse of skin on her bare arms. The skintight trousers highlighted the sinful length of her legs that ended in high-heeled boots. Definitely not the little girl he remembered.

"Zuko, I'd like you to meet Mai," Jet beamed. Mai held out her darkly manicured hand and keeping up appearances, Zuko took it, puzzled. He watched her slide into the seat and turn to Jet. "Can you please get me a breve? Two sugars. Thanks," her smile dazzlingly killer. Jet kissed her on her painted red lips and gladly went to the counter.

Zuko glared daggers at her. Mai simply placed her hands in her lap and met his harsh gaze with one more genial. "It's good to see you again Zuko. It's been a long time."

"Yeah right."

"No seriously. You look good." He noted the way she blushed just slightly. He remembered how much she had liked him when they were kids, before all the bad things started happening after his mother died. Despite his malicious sister, her friends on the other hand were totally opposite. Ty Lee had been a bouncy little thing with pigtails and tiny chip in her front tooth that no one else seemed to notice. Mai, reserved around others except him, cute even back then and hot now as an adult. Their world was tight and friends were hard to come by. As the boy he had been expected to watch and learn and be badass from a young age. His friends were books, tutors, and mastering his bending. Unfortunately he wasn't very good at it and it didn't help that Mother coddled him and Father demeaned him. It was a blow to the male ego to be called worse than a girl, like his sister, who was "perfect in every way". The only interaction with kids his own age had been when Azula's friends came over. Another blow to the male ego to always be around girls. Except that these girls were badass in their own ways. Ty Lee taught him acrobatics, Mai knives and sword play. It was hard for his little prepubescent brain not to be attracted to them, even when they were kicking his ass.

Mai continued mindlessly playing with the napkin holder, "And you've been busy from what I've heard. You have a kid?"

He tried to keep Liang away from things in his messed up life but once again she was dragged back in. "Yeah," Zuko bristled, folding his arms across his chest defensively, "What are you doing here?"

"Jet invited me for coffee. Said he had someone he wanted me meet. I guess he likes you a lot that he needs your approval for a girlfriend or something." She almost snorted and picked a bite off Jet's muffin left behind popping it in her mouth.

"Bullshit. Why are you really here? Where's Azula?" He knew all too well where Mai was, Azula was not far behind. And if Azula was nearby, well then he might be fucked.

Mai made a show of rolling her eyes. "Around. Don't worry, Zuko. We're not here for you."

"What are you here for?"

"To test the waters so to speak. You know how it is. It's no big deal."

Zuko wanted to explode. His hands started shaking and heating to unreasonable temperature. He knew she was lying. She had the same tell as when she was a kid.

Just then Jet came back and they have to go back to pretending to be strangers. Jet seemed smitten, and, despite her icy exterior, she seemed pretty smitten too. This was just too bizarre. Not because his best friends seemed to be dating an old childhood friend, but what her presence meant. Katara had been right about the Nation girls. Mai was the proof. He was angry. Really angry. He had lived peacefully in Ba Sing Se since he was 13 without the ominous presence of his family and their dealings and like a bolt of lightning from above they were back. He felt an extreme urge to hit something. So he politely excused himself so he could beat the stuffing out of a punching bag.

Shoving on his coat and turning to leave the new couple, Mai's voice, sultry to a lesser trained ear, called to him "It was good meeting you, Zuko. I'm sure I'll be seeing you around."

Fuck.