Sorry about the wait! I've just gotten over some serious writer's block! Read on! -avatla

Chapter Eleven

Zuko awoke the next morning at the break of dawn. His sleepy eyes were awoken by the sight of Yue, sleeping soundly next to him, wrapped tightly in a wool blanket. Her right shoulder was bare, exposed to him. Her back was pressed flush against his stomach, their legs tangled together. He ran his fingers through her hair, smiling to himself as she stirred, turning her face towards him. Yue was still very much asleep as Zuko looked down upon her, his heart thudding at the sight of her looking so… adorable. Zuko didn't think he'd ever used the word adorable before.

He pressed his lips to her cheek, firmly kissing the soft skin. He watched her eyes flutter open. She gazed up at him, blushing slightly as his hands clasped hers under the covers. She leant her head back against his chest, eyes fluttering shut, and he sighed with content.

"Good morning," Zuko whispered down at his wife, watching her eyes open again.

Yue smiled up at him, biting her lip a bit, nodding. "It is, isn't it?"

Yue closed her eyes, squeezing his warm hands, melting back into his hard chest. The previous night had been… exquisite. Yue now knew the definition of real, true love, all thanks to the prince. She smiled to herself, thinking about how gentle Zuko had been with her, his lips by her ear, whispering words of tenderness and passion, his fingers caressing her skin, eyes never leaving hers. It was everything Yue could have wanted, the pleasure outweighing the pain. He had cherished her, body and soul, and Yue knew that they had seemingly been made for each other.

"Are you okay?" Zuko asked her, breaking the silence.

Yue opened her eyes once more, twisting her neck a bit to meet his eyes. "Of course I am…" She replied, her eyes reassuring his.

He nodded, feeling as if he would never want to leave this bed. Yue yawned a bit, stretching her arms out of his hands and above her head, her back arching like a lion cat. She flipped her body around, so that she could face him.

Zuko watched her studying him, her blue eyes scanning over him. Yue loved how in the early morning, when the rest of the world seemed asleep, Zuko was able to show a softer side of himself, a side that only made an appearance to her. Her fingers ran up on of his pale arms, skimming over his collarbone and jaw. He let his eyes shut, and Yue felt him leaning into her gentle touch. His left side was facing upwards as he was lying on his side, his loose, dark hair falling over her forehead and eye. Yue bit her lip, her fingers ghosting over the scar before touching down onto the rough, red flesh.

His eyes opened, meeting hers with an apologetic look, as if he was sorry that she had to look at his mark. Yue stroked her thumb over the burn, leaning in closer, almost cautiously, before she pressed a gentle kiss on the scar.

Zuko's eyes widened in her doing so, feeling her smooth lips pressed to his mark of shame. Yue pulled back, letting her head fall back onto the pillows, searching his eyes. His face looked shocked, but his eyes were brimming with a burning passion, unmasked and illuminated.

Zuko had never been touched in such a way, so gentle and accepting, yet full of intimacy and affection. She accepted him for his scar, she understood his faults and flaws, could see the light in his most shadowy depths. And he would never understand how a woman so perfect could love a man as broken as he.

Yue's hand remained on his face, her fingers on the charred skin, for what seemed like an eternity. Their eyes closed, her hand resting on his face, faces nearly touching. The way their bodies contrasted in appearance, but acted as one, was such a bold realization for Yue.

Yin and Yang, his white skin against her tanned skin, his black hair against her white. Water and fire, the moon and sun. She understood now, why they were the way they were. They kept balance within each other.

A loud noise sent Yue bolting upright. Zuko sat up too, the couple staring at the door. Yue got up, taking the woolen blanket with her, wrapped around her body. Zuko, dressed in only his undergarment, joined her, being able to bare the cold for a few minutes. He stood by the door, another loud sound, something that reminded him of the thunderstorms back home, emitted from the outside world.

"Yue," Zuko whispered in a hushed voice, "Get back in bed, alright?"

Yue looked up at him, "No." Her eyes were filled with question, a deadpan concern.

Zuko found some remnants of his clothing, yanking them on. He gave her a warning look, "I need to go see what's going on." He stated, stepping into his shoes, his dark hair still loose, a piece of it hanging between his eyes.

Yue stood her ground by the door, a louder, crashing sound sent her skidding back onto the bed. She looked at her husband who was still staring at the entrance, a determined look on his face.

"Yue," He declared, "Get dressed okay? Be ready to go once I come back."

Yue didn't respond, the loud, unexplain noises were coming quicker now, with less silence in between. Zuko opened the door, and walked into the outside world, snow was falling in gray clumps, the sky was nearly black.

Zuko shut the door, the outdoor walkway was empty, and for a while, everything was silent, until he saw the blue flames. They dispursed, and Azula, standing at the end of the icy, open-air corridor, smirked manically.

"Hello, Zuzu." She said, her bronze armor reflecting the few rays of the sunrise. "I've come to meet my new sister-in-law!"

Zuko's eyes flashed with rage, taking a fighting stance, trying to will the freezing temperature from affecting him. Azula frowned in mock disappointment.

"Aw, she must be shy!" Azula yelled, firing the brilliant blue flames at him once more.

He defended himself, making the heated sapphire inferno fade away, before swinging a fist, sending fire back in her direction, closely missing her.

Zuko knew that the longer he fought Azula, the chance of Yue stepping outside to find him grew. Thinking quickly, he set fire to the groud before her, melting away at the ice, creating a large gap in terrain.

The prince dashed back into the room, finding Yue waiting for him. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her through the other exit, the door that lead inside the palace. Zuko broke into a run, his hand still clutching her arm, as they took off through the palace.

"Zuko," Yue asked, panting slightly, "What's happening?"

"The Fire Nation is here." He replied in a bitter tone. "We have to warn your father."

"But what's wrong about the Fire Nation being here?" Yue asked, "Your Uncle's the Firelord!"

"I'll explain later," Zuko told her, pulling her with him down to the thrown room.

Zuko burst into the chief's hall, dropping to his knees before the tribe's leader, "Chief Arnook-" Zuko started, slightly out of breath.

Arnook was seated on his perch, arms folded, "I'm aware of the current situation, Prince Zuko. Your Uncle is with Pakku, preparing the warriors. We have everything under control."

Yue sat beside Zuko, glancing from him to her father, "Can someone please tell me what's happening?" She asked, her voice soft, a bit shaken.

"My sister and father are here… I think they're trying to overthrow my uncle and myself from the throne…" Zuko told her, his eyes, like molten honey, crackling with a raging defensivness.

Yue blinked, breaking the gaze and turning towards her father, "How is everything 'under control?'" She asked rashly, "This is the day our tribe has been dreading! The Fire Nation is here to destroy us!"

Arnook heaved a sigh, "Yue, tonight's the full moon. Our waterbenders will have all the power in the world, and we will prevail against this retaliation."

Yue knit her brows, "Why aren't you doing anything, father?"

"I need to watch over you two. It seems as though the troops have been instructed to come after you both…" Arnook said lightly, trying not to frighten Yue.

"And my uncle?" Zuko asked, "He's the most important man in the Fire Nation. Is he safe?"

"Like I said, he is with Master Pakku in the warrior's training barracks. He'll be surrounded by some of our most skilled warriors and benders. He is as safe as you two." Arnook informed him, "Now, I think it would be best if you would both stay in here until we have insured the Fire Nation's defeat.

Yue was about to protest, but Zuko stopped her with a glance so filled with certain desperation. He wanted her to stay here with him, safe. Yue nodded at him, understanding.

"I'm going to go to the Warrior's quarters, guards will be posted outside," Arnook spoke out, standing up, "I need to check on a few of our new recruits and discuss some tactics with Pakku. I'll be back before noon, alright?"

Yue nodded, wordlessly. Arnook walked past them, opening the door, and firmly closing it. Yue heard the sharp click of a lock, sealing them inside. She rolled her eyes, "He's treating us like children."

Zuko looked at her, placing a hand firmly on her knee, "He's keeping you safe."

"We would be fine on our own," Yue volleyed, creasing her brow.

Zuko sighed, "We were alone this morning, and look what happened." The thought of Azula, coming so close to his wife, was enough to send fresh waves of panic eating away at him.

"But it was nice while it lasted," Yue commented, tucking her long white hair behind her ear, giving him a gentle, almost secretive smile.

He pulled her in for a tight embrace, wrapping his arms around her. "Just… don't leave my sight today. Promise me that where ever you go, I go."

Yue pulled back, their foreheads pressed together, their eyes burning into one another's. "I promise," She whispered, "As long as you're with me, I'll be fine."

Please review! More drama will unfold in the next chapter! -avatla