Chapter 6

It had been a week since Zuko had to murder an innocent man, torturously. We hadn't forgotten about it, of course; it wouldn't leave my mind. How Zuko held himself together so well, I didn't understand. But I figured it must've been to show that he was confident and okay, to represent the Prince of the Fire Nation. It really was his duty to be strong for his people.

Once again, I waited for Zuko to return from one of his "important" meetings. Oddly, when Zuko returned, he was not happy, but bored. Although I still saw through the fake smiles straight to the hurt in his eyes, which needn't be mentioned, I was excited for him to return, seemingly, okay. I set down the novel next to me on the bed, and got up to walk to him. Lately, I had gotten in the habit of taking his cloak off for him and hanging it up as any other normal slave would do, so as not to raise suspicion from the woman outside the door who technically served him.

"My father," Zuko still cringed at speaking about his father in a nice manner, "wants me and Azula to go stay at our old beach house where we grew up as kids. Azula is bringing Mai and Ty Lee, so I'm bringing you as my 'sex slave'." He air-motioned quotation marks sarcastically. He talked about it being a beach house, that had to mean we'd be close to a vast majority of water, and I could finally bend and be in my element. The most I had been around water was in the bath. It felt nice, but I wanted more than just the quantity that filled the bathtub.

"Okay, when do we leave?" I replied, hoping soon. He led me to the window to stare out at the water beyond the palace.

"Tonight. We'll be arriving tomorrow morning. I hate travelling during the day, it makes me more queasy." I could understand why he wasn't immune, like me, to the waves which rocked the ship sometimes.

Turning on my heel, I walked to the bed to make it look nicer, or more neat. I would have to get used to doing this if I was going to be around Azula and her friends. "Oh, Katara?" I looked up to see sad golden eyes staring straight through me. "Will you please help me bathe before we leave? I need to look my best when we arrive tomorrow, and I'd prefer not bathing on the ship." Nodding, I followed him to the bathroom. I understood something was up. He sat on a chair next to the tub as I turned on the faucet. Hot water poured into the tub, and steamed into the air. I poured a good smelling oil into the water as it slowly filled up.

"Katara, do you remember the man I killed?" I knew it hurt him to announce it once again, yet he didn't cringe as much as normal. His voice told me he was fine, but his saddened eyes screamed at me that he wasn't okay. He was being strong, or trying to.

"Yes, Zuko." I spoke like a proper servant should, excepting his title. "I should go grab you some towels." With my head hung low, I walked away quickly to find towels for after his bath. I grabbed some from the nearest shelf and walked back to the bathroom. When I walked in, Zuko was in the tub staring at the wall ahead. There it was again. His body. I admired his strong muscles and his chest. I saw nothing below the water due to the oils changing the way things appeared from under to water, and I was okay with that. I didn't want to see too much of Zuko, we weren't even together. His head turned to me, and I continued forward, setting towels on a rack stuck to the wall.

"I dream about him." I knew this, of course, he tossed and turned in his sleep. Sometimes he whimpered my name, seemingly frightened, but I never said anything so I wouldn't embarrass him.

"I'm sorry, Zuko." He looked at me, anger boiling behind his stricken, golden eyes.

"Why don't you ever talk to me like you used to, before that night?" His tone was serious and assertive; his words came out, quickly without a breath. I knew that when he said that night, he was referring to the night in which the innocently accused man was executed- I knew that wasn't the proper word for describing how he died, but it was more simple to think.

"What do you mean?" My tone showed I was saying it out of pure curiosity. But I wanted to know his reasoning, even though I knew that I, myself, had changed in how I spoke to him.

"You talk to me like I'm higher than you, and you are much less. You talk like if you say something wrong, I might have you killed." His eyes pierced right through me, as he once again looked me straight in the eye. He probably felt hurt, maybe guilty of something.

"After that night, I guess I just decided that being a servant, I should act as one. And since we are going to that place with your sister, I need to be in the habit of treating you as a higher authority, like you are." My words seemed to hurt him a little. Zuko still didn't like accepting the fact of being Ozai's son, and he especially didn't enjoy being treated as if you were scared he was going to end your life, especially after what happened.

"I guess you are right." He drifted into the water, taking a deep breath, and then disappearing into the murkiness underneath. His black hair floated around his head as he held himself under. I waited for him to come back up for air, and I thought about maybe acting and treating him like a friend instead. Yet, anyone could become suspicious.

The rest of his bath was quiet, I cleansed his body with the fancy soaps which laid next to the tub, in peace. I knew this wouldn't be a good night for me to admire his muscles through the soapy water. So, I started to think of everything he said, using it as a distraction. I thought of how differently I treated him; how much I hated it. When I spoke, my words flew out like I had to be perfect and fluent with every word, but I wanted to talk to him like a friend. Friend. The only friend I had had since my capturing was the girl from the harem, and Zuko. Zuko. I thought of him as more than just any friend, which couldn't be helped. He was so sweet to me since he saved me from his father, and what Ozai would've done to me. He was changing, as well. Zuko was not the same when he first laid eyes on Aang in my tribe, back when everything was normal. He was learning a new strength, which could be deemed as a weakness now, to people like me. I could use it against him, get him in trouble, or hurt him. I could never do that, especially when he was so vulnerable. Once upon a time my thoughts would have been different, maybe when I first arrived, but he really had changed. I could never use him like that now.

Zuko looked straight into my eyes then while I rubbed soap against his back. I felt something new deep within. Only once before had I felt this feeling, but it was due to happiness; when I finally did something fun in my tribe, penguin sledding with Aang. Yet the feeling was different, I felt happy of course, but I also felt lust. I knew it already, this feeling was dangerous. This feeling could get me in trouble. His eyes suddenly were locked on my lips, as our faces were only inches away. I looked down, as well, to stare at his thin lips pursed together. I couldn't help but think of how perfect they looked; how good they could feel against my own. Butterflies fluttered, no, banged around inside my stomach. Before I could think, I was leaning in to kiss him. It wasn't just me, though. Zuko leaned into my face too. Our lips met, forming around the other's. They felt so warm and good around mine, a perfect first kiss to have. The butterflies in my stomach flew wildly, sending amazing sensations throughout my body. It was passionate, but it only lasted a few seconds.

My eyes flew open as I realized what was happening. I was kissing Zuko, and he was kissing me back. I tore my lips from his looking towards the ground, my tanned cheeks blushing heavily. He quickly looked away too, looking down at the water biting his lip.

"I, uh." I tried to think of any words to say. "The towels are on the shelf, I'll go get my things." Jumping up from where I sat, I ran from the bathroom.

Zuko POV

I was so thankful for Katara being in my life. Although I was completely naked in front of her, she gladly helped bathe me as I was feeling hopeless at the time, without freaking out to know that I was naked underneath the hot water. I felt bad for accusing her of talking to me different, I should've approached it differently, sounded less angry. I hoped she didn't feel any hurt about what I said. Although I was curious as to why she spoke so differently to me, like her life was on stake, instead of as her friend. I did save her from my father, she should speak to me more grateful that I saved her. My anger started to rise, Zuko calm down. Her reasoning makes sense, I should respect that.

My thoughts were changed to beautiful Katara. No word could honestly describe her perfect tanned features. She had a nimbleness to her, every move was calm and well-thought out, perfectly timed. She was beyond perfection, and beyond even that. Katara was the most ravishing woman I had ever seen. I wanted her to be mine, all mine. But I could never force her to like me, or love me. As Katara rubbed the soap along my back, I looked up to her eyes. Her blue orbs were dazzling, enchanting; nothing could compare to such beauty. When her eyes at last made contact with mine, I felt this horribly great ache to kiss her lips. My stomach felt like a dragon was flying around swiftly. I wanted to be so much closer to her. Lingering, my eyes continued to stare into her hers, which then trailed down her face to her full lips. I imagined how they might feel against mine, soothing most likely. Her very touch was calming, a kiss had to be even better. She started to lean in, slowly, as did I. She stared at my lips, as I did hers. Soon our lips touched. The feeling was overwhelming, and my gut was pleased with my mind. Katara's warm lips were incredibly soft, and felt amazing against mine. Everything about it was passionate, the first kiss that teenagers dreamed of. My hands grabbed the sides of the tub, barely lifting myself up to get closer.

Then she pulled away, quicker than how long the kiss had lasted. My lips felt cold, and I was surprised at her pulling away completely. Her cheeks turned a fiery red, it was adorable. I looked away suddenly, believing to be making her feel uncomfortable. The moment which came after the kiss was awkward, even I blushed. I bit my lip, remembering the feel of hers against mine.

"I, uh… The towels are on the shelf. I'll go get my things." Katara raced out of the bathroom just like that. Gone. I hoped I hadn't scared away. But telling by the blush which filled her darkened cheeks, obviously she had felt the same feelings. She had to have felt awkward, though.

Before I left the cooled down bath, I had to sit for a moment, recap on everything which had just occurred. I kissed Katara, and I loved it, every second.

A/N: So, uh, they kissed! FINALLY, right?! Lol, I was excited. I thought you guys would enjoy seeing Zuko's POV of the kiss, and not just listening to Katara's all the time. I try to go back and forth. BUT SHIT MAN. That kiss wasn't very heated, but I wish my first kiss was like that… /.\ :(