Author Note : So I really killed myself trying to finish this chapter D: I kept like ... switching back and forth from my AP English homework and such, so at one point i wrote "Zuko took hold of Katara's hand," I was so happy i reread my homework before mailing it or else that would have been an awkward story to explain to my teacher. A part of me wanting to just forget it, but I did promise that I would post it up. I had a lot of homework and my mom had been complaining to me about staying up late, but i did so anyways(: So here it is ! Woooo Oh! and thank you all so much for the reviews on chapter 7.

This chapter isn't as exciting as the next chapter will be, but please accept it into the family :C

I Do Not Own Avatar although I would love to be a fire/water bender(:

x x chapter eight x x

The sun was greeting the sky once more. Slowly the stars were retreating into slumber as the moon faded from view. Zuko's eyes fluttered open, his vision steadying as he looked around. It was cold. which was unusual. Katara was on the other side of the bed, her arms wrapped around a pillow as she breathed softly. Mentally he told himself that he was going to burn that pillow so that Katara would hug him instead.

"What the hell," He thought, "it was a damn pillow, not a person...But still, she's suppose to be hugging me,"

Today was the day. They were going to go on their first date together. In fact, It was going to be his first date ever since he became the Fire Lord. Of course, the fire bender had been on his share of dates. He had multiple ones and had preferred them more than a long term relationship. He couldn't stand girls when they would break up. They would avoid him or stalk him. It was irritating. He quickly wondered how many boyfriends Katara ever had, or how far she had ever went with anyone. He had never slept with another girl, but he did know how to make them call his name. He smirked. The curiosity did, however, eat away at him. Katara never talked about any boys and if she did, it was always about Aang or Sokka. Seeing as one was her brother and the other one was a few years younger than them, he figured it didn't mean anything. Quietly, he wiggled closer to the bender, his body moving swiftly as he pulled her to his side.

"Good Morning Fire Lady,"

"Good Morning Alarm Clock,"

"Alarm clock?" Zuko asked, "Do I look like an annoying device made to spite teenagers?"

"Why must you always wake me right when the sun rises? You don't see me keeping you up when the moon comes out," she asked yawning

Zuko frowned slightly and rolled over on top on her. He leaned his mouth close to her ear as he let out a small groan. "How will you ever survive our honey moon, Katara?" He asked slowly, "Then again you're right, you don't keep me up at night. However, I plan to keep you up all night when we say 'I Do.' I was going to kiss you like this," he mumbled as his lips met her neck, "and while the sun comes up, I'm going to wake you up in a very, very special way."

Katara blushed as she realized what he was implying and quickly turned her head. Zuko only laughed slightly. She was cute when she was shy. The woman in the Fire Nation wasn't as reserve or adorable as her. They were bloody gold diggers who prey on people who looked rich and wealthy. Maybe that was why Zuko never let anyone get too close to him. He didn't spend a lot of time on girls and if he had, they were always the one who came to him.

"Where do you want to go for our date today?" He asked

The water bender looked at him and realized that she had forgotten they had a date today. After everything that went on, her mind was still focused on the small declaration of honesty and truth he had given her. She pondered for a moment. Decisions. She hated them. Whenever the maids had asked her about a wedding choice she would made up a lame excuse to find Zuko. When they finally reached the Fire Lord she would then pretend to hear Uncle Iroh calling her and left the fire bender to decide on his own.

"How about we train a bit?" he joked as he looked at her. She only laughed as she watched him climbed off the bed. The Fire Lord quickly made his way to his dresser. He pulled out a Red dress that was lined with black lace. It looked as though the design on it was a black threaded dragon. The dress wasn't formal, but it had a bit of flare. All of the dresses she wore screamed royalty. The top was a traditional Chinese dress style and the front was a tad shorter than the back. She felt as though she was heading to a ball every day, but Iroh said that it was necessary since the Royal family had an image to withhold.

"Your mother must have really liked to party," she giggled as she sat up.

"I never really knew her a lot since dad made me go around with him," he said as he picked out a matching pair of clothing, "But Uncle Iroh said that she really loved to party when she was younger,"

Zuko walked into the bathroom to change as Katara began to take off the large shirt she had on. Slowly, she slip on the dress. She was surprise that the clothes had fit her so well and was even more surprising that the color red suited her at all. She was use to wearing blue, it was, after all her own element. She took a quick look in the mirror and decided her hair was good enough to keep down today. She never really took a lot of time getting ready like most girls did. She didn't need to wash her hair and put on loads of make up before greeting the public. She was always encouraged too, but never force. Zuko walked outside just as she had finish putting on some lip gloss. He looked at her, her beauty stunning to him.

"You know what I really love about you, Katara?" He asked as he pulled her into a small hug.

"What is it?"

"You don't take hours to get ready like most girls too, in fact, I think that I take longer to get ready" He smirked as he placed a small red flower inside her hair. Gently, he turned her body to face the mirror, "You look beautiful,"

"You look beautiful too," she said as she looked at their reflection.

"You mean I look handsome," he corrected

"Nope, beautiful," She said back

"Sexy?"

"Nah," she laughed

"Cute?" He questioned

"I didn't make a mistake" She huffed, "You look beautiful!"

"Why do I have to look beautiful?" He whined, "Beautiful are for ladies, guys are hot and sexy and incredible handsome."

Katara leaned forward and kissed his cheek, "Well maybe you're not a guy then, Zuko."

He leaned toward her eye and huskily whispered, "Would you like me to prove to you that I am?"

Katara's eyes widen as she let out a small gasp. "Prince Zuko!" They heard once again as though Iroh had bug their room to know when he should interrupt.

"Yes, Uncle" Zuko groaned as he opened the door, the two benders greeting the former general.

"I just came to tell you that the crew wanted another musical party tonight, would that be okay?"

Zuko frowned when he remembered what had happen at the last one, but Katara told Uncle Iroh to go ahead and throw one. Zuko, of course, said that he would not leave her side the entire night. In fact, he was going to tie a rope around their hand so that she couldn't wonder off without him. The idea amused him until he realized that that would probably mean dancing the entire night. Urg.

"So about our date today," Zuko said as he waited for his uncle to leave.

"What do you have planned today?" Katara asked curiously.

"You'll see," he said as the two of them went to the dinning room. They had a quick breakfast before leaving the palace. Zuko said that the place was kind of far and they wouldn't have time to stop by a restaurant to eat. Katara made sure they had packed a small lunch for the day before leaving. Along the way the fire bender had stopped at various stores. He had purchase a bundle of flowers as well as a few meat buns. Katara wondered where they were heading, but as the day went on they continued to walk.

"We need to turn here," he said as he spotted a small forest. She was looking around as Zuko took hold of her hand. She didn't know where they were and all she saw were , she saw a small opening in the forest. In the middle laid a rock as the shine was shining through the cracks of the tree leaves.

"Zuko what are we doing he-"

With a gentle force, Zuko pushed Katara against a tree. His lips crashed onto hers as he pulled her body against his. It was spontaneous. It was passionate. It was a complete turn on for the both of them. Katara relaxed in his arms as she kissed him back. He began to pulled away slowly as he looked into her eyes. His breathing was unsteady as he noticed the change in the bender. Her eyes light blue eyes suddenly became a darker shade of blue. Her chest was rising more heavily now as she tried to steady her breathing. Smirking, he regained his composure and began to walk toward the small stone. After inhaling an hour worth of air in 5 minutes, she made her way to Zuko. He had stay in the same spot since they had gotten there.

'Lady Ursa' was what the stone had said.

"Katara," He said quietly, "This is my mom,"

Katara was shock for a moment when she finally frowned, "You made me kiss you in front of your mother's grave!" She yelled embarrased.

Zuko began to put the food down as he set the flowers in a small vase. He smiled at her as he looked at the girl and winked. "Mom," he said, "This is my fiance. I'm sorry about the sudden display of affection, she begged me to do it. You should have seen her mom! Everyday, she practically rips my clothes off and - "

Katara smacked him with a water whip when he growled at her playfully. She kneeled down beside him and smiled, "That was a lie Lady Ursa, But i'm grateful to meet you, My name is Katara."

The two benders stay in front of the grave for a few hours. They had told Zuko's mom stories about the past and predictions for the future. They had unpacked the small lunch Katara took with them and ate silently. The water master watched as Zuko talked to his mom. It was sad to her. She knew how it felt like to have to talk to a rock. She knew how painful it had to be to stare at some engrave words instead of a face.

"Mom, Katara's a water bender. I know you and dad must have wanted me to marry someone from here, but she's amazing and -"

"Fire Lady Ursa," Katara said interrupting Zuko. "I'm sorry to interrupt your conversation with Zuko. He must not come here a lot anymore since he been so busy with his duties. I wish that I could bring my mother here too meet you. People in my village always said that a mother's most happiest moment is meeting the people her children will be married too. Yet, you see, my mother died when i was a little girl,"

Zuko looked at her and stay quiet, he was wondering where she was going with this.

"In fact, she was killed by the Fire Nation when they raided my home. I'm sorry that you're not here with us today... and I know that you must have loved Zuko very much. I hope you accept me into your family because I would love to be apart of it,"

It was getting late and the sky was turning a orangey-red. After sitting in silent for a while Zuko decided that it was time to go home. "We'll visit again, mom"

x x x

"Thank you for coming with me today. I know it's not an ideal first date, but I wanted you to meet my mom before we got married." Zuko said as he held onto Katara's hand," Besides!" he said in defense, "You're the first guy I ever brought here. So be happy!"

"It was an amazing day," Katara answered back, "I'm only sorry that my mom couldn't meet you either..."

"How about we go after we're married?" Zuko ask softly

The water master leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek, "And I won't be improper and make out with you in front of my mother!" she yelled when she finally remembered what he had done.

"It wasn't so bad right?" He asked smiling

Katara huffed as she felt Zuko's body against her. He pulled her into a small hug as his arms wrapped lightly around her neck. He could smell strawberries on her. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Do you want to spar, Zuko?" Katara asked as she noticed Zuko's face lighting up slightly. It had been a while since any of them had really trained. With everything that was happening they couldn't fit any bending time into their schedule.

Zuko took off his shirt as Katara stripped off her dress. She felt weird fighting in her wrappings, but she didn't want to get the dress dirty, or worst, burned. She wondered which one of them was stronger. Sure, she was a master water bender, but Zuko was also a Master fire bender.

Both of them nodded at one another as they smiled. It wasn't a friendly smiley, nor a mean smile. It was one of those smile you threw on your face as you mentally indicated to someone that they were going down. Quickly, Zuko fist launched out a fire ball. Katara had quickly pulled water from the air and blocked it, but Zuko didn't need to stall and kicked a wave of fire from his feet. Running to the side Katara blew her breathe and iced Zuko to the earth however, he quickly melted it.

It was just like the old days when they fought each other, but it was no longer for hate. They were doing it for fun. It went on for a few more minutes. Katara would successfully avoid Zuko's heat while she tried to cool him down. Suddenly, She stopped which caused the fire bender to stay in his stance.

"Unlike you, I draw my element through water and nature," She said as she indicated the dead ground around her, "Let's not destroy something we don't have too."

Zuko relaxed and smiled as he nodded. It had just occurred to him what she had meant. He did have an unfair advantage. Unlike Katara, all he had to do was feel the anger run through his body and control the flames. She had to draw from her surrounding and they weren't near any large water supplies. He was an Idiot.

"Thanks for letting me train," he said as he felt a little embarrassed, "You're not going to dump me now are you?" he asked jokingly.

"Of course not, but you do have to cook me something now," She said smiling

Zuko laughed and hoisted her onto his shoulder. Taking a deep breathe in he ignored Katara's yelled and ran to the palace. The people looked at them in the streets as various whispers missed their ears.

"It seems like our Lord is happier these days," someone said

"It looks like he's just a little kid now..." A man had mentioned briefly

"But they do look cute together," A old woman protested

The sky was turning darker when they had reached the palace. Zuko placed katara down lightly as he listened to her scold him.

"I told you not to do that anymore, Zuko! You know that I hate it when you do that!"

Suddenly Zuko froze. Katara had stopped yelling and looked at him wondering what was wrong.

"I just remembered, I have to do something really important," he said as he tried to turn around, but Katara grabbed his shirt.

"You're not trying to avoid the musical party tonight are you, Zuko?"

"Katara! It's so boring! And all they do is drink and sing awful music," he whined.

Katara giggled as she turned around, "Fine! then i'll have to go all by myself,"

x x x

Uncle Iroh was on stage with his large french horn as Katara was dancing with some of the female cookers. Zuko watched her angrily from the table, his foot shaking up and down as he tried to drown out everything. He had to admit that she was smart. No way was he ever going to let her go to one of these things alone. He tried to think of some way to get out of here quickly.

"Maybe I could pretend to be sick?" he asked himself before he remembered that Iroh would send him to the medical ward immediately if that was the case. Sigh. He walked over to Katara and spun her around. It was a slow song and the two of them shared a dance.

"Having fun?" he asked her

"I love dancing," Katara said, "But I use to hate going to parties at home. Sokka was always eating everything and dad kept drinking! Everything was loud too. I don't mind them every once in a while though"

Zuko leaned toward her ear as he slowly said, "But this is our date, don't you want to do something more fun?"

"Aren't you having fun?" She asked innocently

"I rather go back to my room and have my way with you," he smirked.

"Oh please, Zuko, I would never let anyone have their ways with me," She said

"No one at all?" he questioned

"Unless I like them," She stated

"Don't you like me?" he asked seductively

He got her there. Katara blushed as she closed her eyes and looked the other way. "Of course I do, but if we go back to your room you will probably fast forward to our wedding night!"

"Would that be so bad?" He asked dangerously as he pulled her closer to him.

"n-not if... well... um," Katara said as she tried to find the right words, "Not until we're married! Besides, I'm not that kind of girl!"

Zuko hugged her and smiled. " I know, " he said, "that's why I love you."

He had let it slip out, but Katara knew he meant it. She smiled and rested her head against his chest. From the stage, Iroh was smiling. He knew that one day it wouldn't me Zuko and him. He knew one day Zuko would move on and start his own family. He could wait for that day; it was only then that his nephew would be happy. All he ever wanted was for him to be happy. After 10 minutes, Zuko had finally convinced Katara to leave the party. After a small wave to the general the two of them made their way back to the Fire Lord's bed chamber.

x x x

Zuko fell onto his bed, "I don't know how those men can stay at that party. It's so loud,"

"They're having fun!" Katara said as she sat beside him.

Zuko pulled her down. He knew that he shouldn't. He wasn't didn't drink any alcohol today, but Katara was intoxicating him. Her strawberry scent was mesmerizing. Her perfect body was hypnotizing. He began to kiss her as his hand ran up her side. She moaned slightly into his mouth when he found her right breast. Slowly, he began to rub it, his fingers pulling the fabric down to reveal her wrappings.

"Katara..." He said huskily as he kissed her neck.

She began spread her legs slightly as Zuko climbed on top of her. He bite her neck softly as her breathing began to quicken. They were both attracted to each other. They couldn't deny that they wanted to do something, but Zuko pulled away and rolled off. He groaned as his hands ran through his hair.

"Sorry, " he said as he looked at her

"No... Problem," Katara finally let out as she sat up embarrassed. She tucked her hair behind her ear as she smiled lightly at him, "It was nice,"

"I can't wait until our wedding," Zuko said as he pulled her beside him.

"Why?" she asked, "and help you if you say that you want to make lo-"

"Because I can finally call you my wife," He said softly, his arms wrapping around her waist.

"You're such a romantic," She said softly as she placed a small kiss on his neck.

"And like I said before, you're the only one who will ever know that," He said

Sure, it wasn't a perfect first date, nor was it a normal one. All they did was go to Ursa's grave and then to Iroh's party. Even so, it was special. Katara finally saw a side of Zuko that she never knew he had. She saw him talk to his mom. He always tried to be tough. He was Zuko. Somewhere in his mind, he believed he had to be strong and in command. Deep down she knew that he was just a regular teenager.

"I believe it's Lady Wife to you Fire Lord Zuko," she said laughing as she hugged her pillow.

"Oh Katara," Zuko said as he eyed the fluffy whiteness

"Yeah?"

"Can I see your pillow for a moment?" He asked innocently

"Sure," She said as she handed him the puffy rectangle, "But why would you-"

Zuko stood up, his face smiling at her sweetly when his hand suddenly lit the pillow on fire. "Oops..."

"ZUKO!" Katara yelled angrily as the Fire Lord jumped on her.

"I'm sorry, Honey, I just wanted to be the one you held as you fell asleep. Did you know how cold I was when I woke up today? You were all the way on the other side of the bed! How could you resist hugging me?" He asked with a small pout.

"I do believe I am starting to influence you," she said smiling. It was amazing how Zuko could make her forget that she was angry at him. It was incredibly that she didn't want to be angry at him. She smiled and he smiled back. Everything was different now. Her feelings for him was growing everyday. She didn't know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing, but she knew that it was happening.

"You have no idea how much of an influence you are, Katara" He said as they laid in each other's arm.

x x x

Author Note: So it had occurred to me upon writing this, that i don't really like this chapter. I also realized that i like every other chapter i do, which hopefully, i'll get chapter 9 up soon(: because i'm quite enjoying writing this. This was more of a mellow chapter. I do believe that Chapter 9 will show more of Zuko's old "hot temper." Psh, cause who doesn't like running into their old girlfriends? LOL.

Chapter Nine Preview

"Zuko, Hi,"

They stood there and talked for a while. Katara was rarely ever jealous, but she was curious. The girl was pretty. Her jet black hair went down her back as her posture was elegant and formal. She had on a bunch of make up, but it didn't look cake on. As the two said their goodbyes Zuko made his way back to Katara's side.

"so who was that?" Katara asked nonchalantly

Zuko stay quiet for a moment, "Remember when I said my Ex Girlfriend dumped me because i wanted to train with her?"

"Yeah..."

"That was her"