Book 4 Air

Chapter 48 Passionate

Part 1

Zuko pulled away from embracing the small waterbender. His nose brushed against hers as they both stared into each other's eyes, lost in their depths of ocean blue and molten sunshine. Katara's eyes glistened as she reached out, caressing the lord's cheek softly. Zuko leaned in her touch as he closed his eyes. The thick scent of water lilies and sweet pea filled Zuko's senses as he inhaled deeply. Katara smiled gently as she watched Zuko savor her light touch.

Brushing her fingertips across his cheek then down his neck, Zuko fought back from shivering in pure pleasure from her feather light caress. Zuko huffed out; his breathe smelt like wild smoke as his body temperature rose steadily. Katara leaned in; her lips pressed against Zuko's tenderly as he hungrily kissed her back. Katara's hand started to travel down the chiseled muscles of Zuko's pecs and lower chest. Her slender dusky hand rested on the star shaped scar in the center of Zuko's torso. Her eyes glistened as her brows furrowed with a sadden expression. Zuko tensed at the sight of her features. Zuko placed his hand on hers, gently holding her palm. "Do not be sad." Zuko said softly as Katara lifted her head. "I was the cause of this…" Katara said with a gentle melancholic tone.

"And I am grateful it was…" Zuko said as he looked deeply into the waterbender's eyes.

"For it I was a second late, you've…

Katara placed her finger over his lips, cutting the lord's words. "I know." Katara said as she then blushed as Zuko kissed her finger, slightly sucking on her digit. Katara shut her eyes as she gasped from Zuko's bold and seductive gesture.

Zuko stopped then leaned in, kissing her softly. Katara puckered her lips, kissing him back. They both pulled away. Before Katara could react, Zuko stepped forward lightly leading Katara to step backward to the bed. She sat on the edge then scooted further on the bed as Zuko crawled over her. Hovering over her body as the fire light casted a hue over their forms. Zuko leaned his head down and claimed Katara's lips sweetly as he then rolled to the side then pulled Katara next to him. Katara gladly rested her head on his shoulder as they enjoyed the tender sensation of cuddling together. The warm fire heated the room as the soft feel of the sheets cooled over Katara's skin.

Katara then moved her hand and entwined her fingers with Zuko's right hand. They remained together in silence for a while before Zuko spoke.

"It's getting late…Do you want to return to your bedroom?" Zuko asked as Katara nuzzled her face into his chest.

"Mm…I want to stay…For a little bit more." Katara managed to say in a muffled tone as Zuko pulled her closer to him.

For the first time in a long time, Zuko actually felt happy. If possible, he would want to stay like this forever. Having the beautiful waterbender in his arms; simply touching her and kissing her so lovingly. It was times like this Zuko wondered if he has been missing out all this due to his previous relationship. The physical sensations between him and Katara were indeed strong, but the spiritual sense was stronger. It felt like…It was just meant to be. The way their bodies fit so perfectly together, the way they seemed to be able to read each other's feelings and thoughts.

Zuko sighed heavily in a peaceful tone as he rested his head on her forehead, inhaling the ocean scent of her dark brown locks of hair.

The ocean…She always carried that scent with her, the calming smell of freshness, of water flooding his senses like a powerful wave.

Closing his eyes, Zuko smiled warmly.

Katara sighed undauntedly as she loved the young man's intoxicating smell. The constant scent of smoke and pine needles, it was such a foreign smell for the waterbender yet she enjoyed it so much. Katara felt content as she snuggled closer to Zuko, loving the feel of his hot skin against hers.

'Zuko…' Katara thought as she drifted off into a light slumber.


Long black hair hung down Azula's face as tears streamed down her sore cheeks. He was going to do it. Take her bending away, the fire that she on her own had tried so hard to bring back…Her cold blood fire.

Mai swallowed hard as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. She knew as a woman surrounded by benders all her life that for a bender to lose their bending abilities was like losing a piece of themselves, that inner fire that fuels their actions, their very souls.

As heart-breaking as it was, Mai knew it had to be done. Even as the cost of Azula's only hope maybe even her own life such a sacrifice had to be made.

Aang faced Azula. He paused for a second before inhaling a deep breathe of air then exhaled through his mouth. The Avatar…With the knowledge given from an ancient beast. A technique older than bending itself, was about to once again be used on a human being for the sake of saving the world and protecting the people.

Aang reached out his right hand, and placed two fingers on her sweat drenched forehead. Then his other hand reached lower pinching his fingers to her in between her chest plate. Azula took a sharp breathe as she shut her eyes, waiting for the magical power to be unleashed.

"AANG!" a voice called out as Sokka turned his head.

"Suki!" Sokka exclaimed as he saw the petite warrior girl run up to the sight.

"Don't do it Aang!" Suki called out as sweat and dirt fell from her face smearing her make-up.

Aang pulled away hesitantly, "Suki…I have to. Azula has to be stopped. This is the only way." Aang said believing his logic.

"Aang, she'll die if you do it! Please…" Suki pleaded as she fell to her knees with exhaustion.

Aang's eyes widen from her words, "What do you mean?" Aang said as he hopelessly looked down at the Fire Nation princess.

"It happened to Fire Lord Ozai! Please…It won't work!" Suki cried out as she started to cry from sheer exhaustion and frustration.

Aang grinded his teeth as he shut his eyes. No…If what Suki is saying, is true. Then he did kill Ozai after all…Almost the same way as Kyoshi's battled with Chin the Great.

He died either way…From his stubbornness or from the Avatar woman's hands…Now, Aang realized he was no different. He betrayed himself; he betrayed everything he believed in as a monk and a human being. No…No, it's not…

"It's not true!" Aang cried out as his gripped his head.

"Do it…" a low hollow voice said with no emotion.

Aang opened his eyes, looking down in horror at the woman who said it.

"You have taken everything else from me…Why not my bending? I have accepted defeat. Let me die with honor like my father…Let me leave this wrenched world." Azula said as her once almost manic golden eyes were but two dull, empty orbs of topaz.

Aang shook his head, "No! I will never take someone's life and throw it away like that!" Aang cried out as tears formed at the corner of his stormy grey eyes.

Azula tensed, is words almost sounded…regretful? This intrigued the fire princess.

"Then I will not stop…I will always come back, and I swear on my father's grave…I will kill you." Azula said as she forced a wicked smirk to curve from her cracked lips.

"You are weak, Avatar. Even with all the power in the world. You still won't kill me?" Azula said with slight amusement in her voice as she lifted her head up daring to push the boy to his breaking point.

Aang closed his eyes, hiding his sudden fear from the similar words voiced from her father. There was only one answer he could give her.

"It doesn't have to end this way…" Aang said as he stared down at Azula with pity.

"You have a power I can never process…You have the power to change, to end this once and for all!" Aang nearly yelled as he pointed at the young woman.


The view of a dock was seen as a cloaked figure was brought out of a ship in chains. Guards surrounded the figure, hiding the person from curious, wandering eyes. The woman was led into the back alleys of the city. Ursa sighed to herself in relief. She recognized the white sand with specks of volcanic ash scattered like black diamonds. She was back in the Fire Nation, she was home…

Step after step along the stone path, Ursa felt an anxious twist in her stomach as she lifted her head. Gazing at the capital in the distance she saw the location of the Upper ring, the nobles' domain and royal palace of the Fire Lord, the ruler of the Fire Nation, Zuko. Her honey dew eyes glistened. She was as close as she was getting to be near her son, her own flesh and blood.

One of the guards stopped then opened a door. The doorway led into a small dusty room with a prison like cell on the corner.

"You are to remain here before word to the councils. They will decide your punishment." The guard said as he led the woman inside the cell then locked the small barred door.

Ursa nodded her head in understanding as she sat on a small stool. Her heart was whelming up with joy and yet filling with deep sorrow. What will the councils do? How will the two elderly women judge her crime? Will she at least be given one chance to see her children before her fate is decided? Or be chosen to suffer by the brutal laws of her nation?

Only time will tell…


"Are you certain, Private?" Iroh asked sternly as he listened carefully to the news on Kyoshi Island.

"Yes, General Iroh." The man said with a bow as he was dismissed.

"This is serious…I should tell Zuko shortly…" Iroh said to himself as he rubbed his beard.

'Aang departed far earlier than expected from both the Earth Kingdom general and fellow guards accounts. News of an enraged airbender was rumored along the earthen streets and fear has settled from the Earth King's decision.' Iroh recalled as he began to worry.

'No reports have been sent in regards to Sir Sokka and Miss Suki either. This is indeed troubling…' Iroh thought as he sat down at his desk and closed his eyes.

'Whatever is happening…Spirits watch over them safely.' Iroh prayed as he took a sip of tea calmly.


Another quick update! I hope you liked it! PLEASE review and leave a nice comment!

Also I know many of you wanted some real steamy goodness with Zuko and Katara. But come on, I can't have them do anything too sexual yet. They just accepted each other's feelings and are growing as a couple. But I promise you, they will be some more heated sessions between them in later chapters. I want to keep their characters realistic and respected. Just think of something to look forward too for them in the future such as, oh let's say…The infamous wedding night? Tee-hee, I'm bad I know…Anyways, thanks for reading!