Chapter 7

Zuko's POV

I can't stop thinking about her. Either I'm angry at her, missing her, craving her, and other feelings I can't even describe. All I know is that they are for her. I have done whatever I could think of to get the water tribe vixen out of my mind.

It's as if she cast a spell on me. From the first night I saw her dance by the pond. The image of her dancing so passionately invades my sleep. I wake up thinking just seconds ago she was in my arms snuggling closer to me letting out little mews of pleasure.

I spent plenty of time with Mai. I even went so far as to almost have sex with Mai to get her out of my mind. I couldn't even do that right. Flashes of Katara's anger face, when she danced the night before she had dinner with my father, kept entering my thoughts. Her eyes, full of anger and hatred made me push Mai off of me then storm out of my own room.

I began to think that it was just her exotic looks that made me so entranced. It was those water tribe eyes, the water tribe skin of dark tan, her long thick brown hair, her curvaceous figure. No matter what my thoughts, my cravings, and longings and how bad they get I will not have her.

She took her chance to get up in life by sleeping with my father. I can almost hear his laughter when I turn my back on him. He must know that I never touched her. He must have taken her virginity roughly and the water bender is enjoying all the benefits from that one night.

How could she? I thought there was something between us. Why did she have to be the best dancer, why did she have to attract my father? The girl must have known what she was doing. For that I hate her. Each time the thought of my hatred enters my mind I remember my mother.

One day when I was young I found my mother crying by the turtle duck pond. Her eye was discolored; I knew then that my father must have been the one to do this. My mother grabbed my hand and pulled me into her arms. "Don't hate your father Zuko, at times I feel that I hate him but you must remember there is a thin line between love and hate."

That can't be true; I could never fall in love with a water bender. I am meant to produce the next heir. My children have to be of a powerful bloodline.

That day when the war ship arrived, my father told me there was a water tribe princess on board. Rumor had it she was still a virgin. My father asked if I would like to have her. Katara flashed in my thoughts. A chance to have a girl just like her, a girl that was raised as a princess, one who wouldn't just hand over her body for a room full of nice clothes and silk blankets. I said yes. I spent the rest of that night smiling. I would have my water bending princess. Little did I know that I was picturing this girl as a second chance with Katara; a Katara that was untouched and only mine.

When I saw the new princess my smile faltered. Everything was wrong about her. Her hair was white, and lacked the waves that Katara's brown hair had. Her eyes were like sea foam, not a deep blue sapphire.

Still she was mine. I walk up close to her examining her body trying to find similarities between her and Katara. The guard handed her to me and I quickly restrained her when she began to fuss. I whispered in her ear, "Stop fighting or you will become a concubine for anyone and everyone." I didn't want this girl.

I felt her body shake and I heard her muffle her cries. Just then did I notice Katara had entered the room. Our eyes met and the air thickened with the shared hatred. Yet, I felt like I could also feel sorrow. I shock this feeling off and focused on the girl in my arms.

I looked up to see Katara approaching me. The girl in my arms began to cry loudly and I pushed her towards Katara. This girl was nothing like Katara. She didn't have the fiery spirit I admired. Katara held her, her eyes softened when the girl used her robe to dry her tears.

I stared at Katara listening as my father spoke to her. Her eyes held confidence and she stood tall. Very few were able to stand so tall in front of my father. I began to see why Azula held interest in her. When my father stated that Yue was to be mine I grabbed her arm and pulled her from Katara. The water tribe princess fought me hard. Katara's eyes glared into mine and I let go. Katara pulled Yue behind her then shoved me back.

Her hands felt so cold like they could burn a mark into my flesh. I craved her touch, even if it was deadly cold. I turned away from her to still my desire and left the hall at my father's orders.

Now I sit in my room waiting for Yue to be delivered to my room. I have yet to decide if I really wanted to take this girl or not. Either way she was mine, I would decide how she would spend her days and nights starting tonight. I couldn't stop myself from wishing that Katara was the one being prepared for me.

If I could turn back time I would have made Katara mine the second I saw her dance, and I would have never let her go to my father. I should have said something to my father that night. I should have told him that she was still a virgin. What was I thinking when I made Katara sound like a mere whore? I really am an idiot, my sister is right.