Shut Your Hot Mouth

Title: Because Zuko's hot mouth is running away with him… and by 'hot' I mean 'short-tempered'…or do I?

Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar, I never would have let them create that awful movie.

Rating: T for violence/gore and language.

Sassyprincess: Thanks! Haha you like it? I'm trying to create interesting titles. I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story. : ) I aim to please!

AnnaAza: I know, I dislike the fanfics that make Katara weak and like she needs protecting because that's not who she is as a character. She's strong, smart, and as stubborn (if not more so!) than Zuko.

Firwolf777: Hehe I'm trying to weave some fluff in there. And just you wait; it's gonna get better.

Sokkantylee: I must say, I like your name. I mean I really do like Suki and Sokka being together, but in some ways he and Ty Lee would fit better. –cough- yes. Thank you so much! That's really what I'm aiming for. Ohh and the fight will be very interesting indeed. Fff I know I'm kind of mad at myself for not figuring out how to get Toph in here somehow. She's one of my fave Avatar chars. Well, I love them all, but… you know what I mean. xD

Midnight Iris: hehe gracias. That's what I'm aimin' for. And that sounds awesome! It's okay; I'm sure they'll all agree that the end result will be worth it. Summer reports? Sounds yucky. xP After this chapter I'll send 'em to you, kay? And I think if you set up your beta reader profile (accessible via your profile) you can receive the chapters more easily. And I know, there were a bunch of fic's by Fandomme where I wasn't sure if some of the things they said in it weren't in the actual show or not xD and Katara/Zuko fights = win. Cuz we all know that fighting actually means flirting, haha. Ehh that's true, but then why wouldn't they have CLAIMERS instead? It'd be easier.

Reviews are my motivation. ;D

And I'm also taking on a beta, so updates may take a little longer than they have been so far.

You were never a good son, the dark, ominous voice told him. You never met my expectations. How could you fall so short, Zuko? You've shamed me and your family. How come fate dealt me such a hand as to have to deal with you as a constant embarrassment? You screwed up again, Zuko. You've screwed up and I'm left here to deal with your mess…

The dark figure who was speaking shifted from the form of Ozai to that of Iroh. The words seemed to cut a hundred times deeper when Iroh spoke them. It also didn't help that he was standing, bare chested, in an Agni Kai court. 'If only you knew the disgust I felt whenever I have to admit that I'm relate to you…'

The scene shifted and he was staring at his uncle through the bars. Except this time, Zuko was in the cage, not the other way around. 'You let me down, nephew…' the prince tried to reach through the bars, tried to touch his uncle and plead for forgiveness. He wanted to say all those words that were bubbling inside of him; that his uncle was more of a father to him than Ozai ever could be, that Iroh was the only one who had been there since his banishment… but no words came.

'Can't you say anything in your defense?' he asked softly, and Zuko could see the sorrow burning in his eyes. He tried to cry out, tried to scream, but nothing worked. Iroh stood up and left. The young firebender was left alone in his prison.

That is, until a new torturous scene began to play itself out for him. This one involved Aang being killed by Ozai… Zuko choked. He tried to move his limbs to help but they were just as useless as his words had been previously. There was a burst of flame, a faint cry, then the Avatar's body falling, falling, falling… but it wasn't Aang falling. It was Zuko. And when he hit the ground in his new environment he saw Katara. Her hands were tied so she couldn't waterbend. She was in some arena was completely alone… apart from Zuko and the huge saber toothed moose lion that was approaching. The Prince rushed forward to defend her just in time for the animal to turn into Iroh and shoot lighting right at his scarred face…

"No!"

"Zuko, calm down! It's alright! Relax, you're safe!" A reassuring voice told him. He must have sat up when he'd woken for now a soft, cool hand was gently pressing on his abdomen to try and make him lie back down.

"No, no I'm fine," he said, pushing her hand aside and then swung his legs over the edge of his cot so he was sitting upright. He felt humiliated once more. He'd had a nightmare and lashed out in his sleep… he'd probably said things… what did Katara think of him? She must have seen him as weak for still having nightmares.

"Something tells me you're not," she retorted, and pushed her hand past his black hair to touch the skin of his forehead. Zuko didn't realize until then just how sweaty he was. "You're burning up…" and even though he couldn't see her face the exiled prince was sure she was scowling.

"Just give me some water and I'll be fine," he replied stubbornly and his golden eyes flicked quickly around the tent. He was still in the same tent as earlier; Katara's tent. He could see another two cots; one which he assumed she slept on and another for possibly a second patient. To the side he saw a barrel and stacks of jars, bandages and other medical supplies.

"Here," she said. He accepted the cup from her and moved his gaze from the medicine to Katara's face. There was a scowl on her tan features, but he knew it was just because she was worried. "That must have been some dream," she said. Zuko looked away. He didn't want to discuss it.

"I thought you could just heal with waterbending," he said in hopes that she would let the topic drop.

"Sokka's made better transitions than that, and that's really saying something," she retorted from her seat next to him. The exiled prince drank from his cup and still did not look at her. She was right; he wasn't exactly the most social person, partly because of his temper. Not to say that Zuko wasn't intelligent. He just didn't always know the best way to communicate with others. That was clear to Katara now as she sat beside the prince.

"I can, but it takes a lot of energy. There's also a limited supply considering we're in the desert. A combination of herbs and bending is the best way to go out here." She turned to him. "Your dream… was it about your father?" his eyes narrowed. He took another sip from the water. He was covered in sweat from the stress his nightmare had brought on. "You can tell me, Zuko," she said, clearly determined to drag the information out of him. He seemed just as determined not to say anything. "Was about how you got your scar…?"

Limbs shaking with fury the prince stood up and the empty cup fell to the sandy floor. He was not going to put up with this!

"Why do you care?" He snapped, "You don't even trust me, and suddenly you want to know what I dream of?" His temper flared like an ember that had been blown on. But just as he had become angry, so had she. She was not going to be cowed.

"Well I'm sorry for showing some concern!" she stood up and faced him, her fists clenched. "I just want you to be healthy so that we can get out of here!"

"Why wait until then?" he growled as he towered over her. "Why don't you just leave now? You hate me so much I don't see why you have a problem leaving me behind!"

"I already told you!" out of the corner of his eye Zuko could see the water in the barrel shaking with her fury. "I have nowhere to escape to! Even if I did manage to give all these sandbenders the slip I would just be lost to miles and miles of desert! I have no idea if Aang and the others would find me before any supplies I had stolen would be gone. It's a suicide!" Her voice was a low, angry hiss so that any guards outside of the tent would not hear her words.

"And how would I change any of that!"

"You can send flares,"

"The sandbenders would see it too, and we'd be recaptured!"

"Not if we were careful," she said, her fists still clenched, her knuckles white with the effort.

"What if they still catch us?" he asked, his voice rising. "Do you think they'll be so kind to you a second time around? And what about me? I don't have the advantage of being a female waterbender like you do! I—" but before Zuko could continue on his tirade water flew at his mouth and hardened into ice that prevented him from saying anything further. Before he could manage to melt the ice he heard the sound of the tent flap open.

"What is going on here?" a gruff voice asked. Their voice was demanding and tough. The exiled prince had a feeling that this wasn't just another guard.

"Sir, it's nothing. My patient is just dehydrated and tired. He isn't in control of himself… I have the situation handled." She had him handled? Zuko was clearly unimpressed by this phrasing and glared at Katara to let her know such was the case. She, however, was too busy keeping her eyes on the man who had entered the tent to notice.

"Is that so?" Zuko finally redirected his gaze to the skinny man who stood near the entrance of the tent. He was flanked by two sandbenders. There didn't appear to be anything very exceptional about the man. His voice wasn't that deep, even. He wasn't particularly bulky, his clothes didn't stray too far from the usual desert style, there didn't seem to be any special jewelry or weapons on him that the others did not have. It was the way he held himself that was different. It was in his tone of voice. He was confidant and solid; he knew who was in charge.

"Yes, sir," Katara replied and now glanced at Zuko. The leader pushed his visor up into his short, dark brown hair to reveal stone grey eyes. It was then that the prince realized his mistake- this was not a man, but a woman. This wasn't a skinny man, but a lithe and muscular woman. Her clothes disguised the shape of her figure and the visor and neck scarf had prevented him from properly seeing her face. Her short hair had also led him to believe she was male, as well as the fact that Katara was calling her a sir… but then again, the few women generals in the Fire Nation also held the title of 'sir'. Apparently it helped prevent sexist remarks or reactions from the crews.

In a way, the leader being a woman made more sense than it being a man. It explained why the male prisoners were treated more poorly than the women.

It was the shifting of those grey eyes that brought Zuko back to the present. The sandbender leader was looking the prince up and down. Those scrutinizing grey eyes lingered for longer than necessary on his muscled chest. Normally Zuko wasn't very self conscious but at that moment he didn't need a mirror to know that his good ear was beginning to redden.

"He seems pretty fit to me," the chieftain murmured and caused the prince's blush to deepen.

"He's strong," Katara said, (although it sounded like she had grudgingly admitted the fact) "and I've healed the worst of his external injuries, but he still needs time to recover… look, his legs are shaking," and they were. He could still support himself and it much easier than before, but his muscles were trembling with the effort of keeping him upright.

A smirk appeared on the chieftain's face that reminded the exiled prince more than a little of Azula. "Are you sure that's not just because he's intimidated?" she questioned and in doing so set Zuko off. The ice turned to steam at his mouth and flames sprung to life at his palms. He let out an angry cry and lunged forward. Fortunately before he could get himself into further trouble a pull at his leg threw off his balance. The flames extinguished as he fell to the floor, sand spraying up around him.

"I'm so sorry, sir!" Katara cried, frantically trying to cover up for her comrade. Funnily enough, the chief didn't seem upset. In fact, she seemed… amused.

"Don't worry yourself, girl," she replied. Zuko suddenly felt himself being lifted up and saw the sand underneath him being bent to force him into a kneeling position with his hands on the floor. The leather shoes in front of him shifted as the chief kneeled. A moment later he felt a rough touch on his chin as she forced his chin up. In the corner of his eye the firebender could see Katara nervously shift from side to side.

"I can tell you're going to be difficult," the chief said as grey eyes met gold. "And your scar—as well as your actions—have proved you're a fighter. But you know by now that things here aren't easy, and for you, they're only going to get worse." A dark smile appeared on her face and she let his chin go and stood up. "In time, you'll break." He heard the sound of shifting cloth but did not look up. "Girl, pack your things. We're leaving tonight." He heard rushing air and then pain bit at his ribs as he was kicked. He grunted, but no serious damage had been done. It hurt his pride more than anything. "And be careful with this one. He's a fighter… and don't forget what will happen to you if you allow him to escape." And the feet in front of Zuko turned and left the tent. The two guards, however, stayed.

"You can get up now," he heard Katara's tired voice say from across the tent. He pushed himself to his feet and gave the guards a vicious glare before turning to the healer. "Your temper is going to get us both in trouble," she snapped, and he could tell their fight from earlier was about to continue.

"At least I haven't given up," he responded hotly, and although he refused to admit it he was grateful that she had covered for him when the sandbender chief had come in. This whole situation was made easier by Katara… he caught her death glare. Well maybe not easier, but his chance of escaping was much higher than if he was alone.

She looked like she wanted to snap out some choicey, vulgar words at him, but a quick glance at the guards made her hold her tongue.

"Get back on your cot," she spat instead, exercising her control over him to ease her annoyance at being unable to argue. In another situation he would've grinned victoriously. Now he just dragged his feet and meandered back to the mattress. He sat down heavily.

"You need to be more careful," Katara said in a low voice as she grabbed one of the jars from her supplies. "Sashain can make this ten times worse for you."

"Sashain?"

"The Chieftan of the tribe," Katara replied as she turned back to Zuko. "Turn around. I need to re-bandage your leg." Grudgingly the prince moved as requested and lifted up his pant leg to give her access to the wound. He tried to prevent his cheeks from changing to a red shade. It was a little awkward when her delicate hands reached for his thigh, but it was better than if it had been someone else… Or is it worse?

"We're moving tonight," he stated to give his mind something to think about other than the waterbender's hands in proximity to his skin.

"Yes," she replied as she worked, "these sandbenders never stay in one place for very long. It's probably why…" she glanced at the guard, "We haven't run into anyone else." The burn that he had felt at his leg since he'd woken suddenly eased. He sighed softly with relief from the pain.

"Do you know where we're going?" he asked to try and keep her talking. Her voice was a wonderful distraction from his other aches.

"No," she replied, unaware that Zuko was using her to distract himself. "I'm not exactly familiar with deserts, let alone this one. Just that it's closer to where you'll have to fight." She wrapped a new set of bandages around his leg as she spoke. "And on our way over you will ride on a sand-sailor with me…" she finished wrapping the bandages and gave him an evil smile. "You're my slave until you're healed." Zuko actually winced at this but said nothing. They weren't on good terms, but she wouldn't make him do anything seriously bad… would she?

"But first…do you hurt anywhere else?" She questioned and looked him up and down, but with a much different attitude than how Sashain had.

"No," he lied immediately. She saw right through him and bent some water from her barrel and shaped it around her hands in gloves. She reached forward and touched his head. The pounding in his head immediately died down. The scowl on his face eased. It was over all too soon. She removed her hands and bent the water back into the barrel before standing up looking at the jars, boxes and empty crate. Her gaze darted back to Zuko.

"Time to help me pack."