This chapter is long. It's establishing life on the ship and relationships. Also, it gets into the sex lives of more than just Katara and Zuko. So, I wanted it to be plenty long so that you can skip those parts if you want and not feel like it's a short chapter. That said, all the smut is very fluffy too. And it doesn't get into the sex act as much as I do with Katara and Zuko.

Also, relationships being established aren't all sex or romance. Friendships are deepened and formed, and Iroh is there, and he's awesome, so there is that too.

I hope you enjoy this chapter, and let me know if you skipped the fluffy sex-ish scenes or not. I can leave them out entirely if people aren't interested. Or let me know if you have a favorite.

Please review so I know what works in this chapter and what doesn't. Thank you

Iroh was smiling as Katara walked up to him. He was standing on the deck of the ship, looking out over the vast ocean. "You look happy," she commented.

"Supremely. I had a vision when I was younger of taking Ba Sing Se. I feel like I'm living out my path."

She smiled and looked out over the ocean too. "I can feel the power in the waves. It's incredible."

"You have no clue how powerful you are, Katara. I couldn't beat you if we were both at our bending prime. Learn, stay at it, and you have a chance at being the most powerful waterbender. We won't be a world at war, but you'll be able to protect what is yours."

She bumped her hip gently against his. "Good. I'm just worried about having a son," she teased.

Iroh laughed hard at that. "Zuko won't make the mistakes of his father or grandfather. And you know that, or you wouldn't love him."

"He's terrified of not being a good father. Can you talk to him? You always told him even the hard truths. I think when I speak, he just sees my love for him. He needs to learn to believe in himself."

"No one has done a better job than you, my dear. But I see what you mean. I'll talk to him. I'm so proud of the man he is."

Katara kissed his cheek sweetly. "You made such a difference. You helped him become a man I could love."

"And then you made him into the man he is now. I don't think he even sees how much his confidence has grown."

She shrugged, "he will learn. Something I learned in the harem is that a woman can be exceedingly powerful. I'm using my power to help him."

"There are many pretty girls in there. That helps control men."

"And you aren't interested. They never went to your bed."

He shook his head. "I had a good wife that I honored. She gave me an heir and her friendship. We loved each other, but not like you love Zuko. We had an arranged marriage and we grew to care for each other. When she died it hurt so much. I lost my best friend. A random rut with a woman trained to please and lie doesn't sound fun for this old man."

She frowned at the ocean. "My perception is so skewed since coming to the Fire Nation. All I can think of is that the woman would be thrilled. You're good and kind. But of course you're right. It would be so hollow. I can't wait until we change the culture of the palace. I don't like how it's changed me."

"From what I've heard you already began."

"Yes, but I want to do more."

He shot his eyes to her, "You have a plan."

"Yes. First virgins aren't selected to be plucked. I can't change everything right away so at first they are available for younger sons. Women who will keep the men pleased and be given the honor of being a wife. They will be well trained, of course."

"Of course."

"It will offer them protection. And most of the women in the harem grew up poor. They will be glad for the comfort of money and matrimony." Katara sighed sadly. "So many are from families that were destroyed by this war."

She smirked, "some will marry. Aya being one of them for sure. And I will allow those who want to leave to go. I just don't know what they would go to."

"And," he prompted.

She gave him a devious grin. "Some would stay on as my spies. They have already been incredibly helpful. I would have them taught to read and use code. Men talk a lot with women who please them sexually."

"You surprise me," Iroh admitted.

"I'm practical. The harem would be open to visiting dignitaries also, of course. There would be rules, though. No marking them. I would have willing women who feed me information to protect what is important to me."

He frowned, "it's a weird world, driven by sex."

"Let me find you a good woman."

He rolled his eyes. "I don't want that. Sorry."

"No, not from the harem. Let me find you a real woman who is good for you. One like your wife. A friend and comfort. I look at you, and all I can think of is how lucky a woman would feel to be married to you. You are good and kind. You were the stuff of my nightmares before I got to know you, and you quickly had me trusting you. I have seen so many misused women. I want to bless one with you."

Iroh was blushing crimson. "I didn't know I could still blush. I will consider it. She'd have to be just right."

Katara rolled her eyes. "When have I given you the impression I couldn't figure it out? I even found women for that sick asshole Ozai. Tell me they aren't the closest thing that deranged man has to perfection."

"I don't doubt you, Katara. Only the idea that I am destined to marry again."

"Iroh. Destiny is a funny woman, and she's laughing at us all. I was devastated that I was captured by the Fire Nation. And I was horrified that I was to be plucked by the demon's spawn. Now Zuko is my everything."

Kyo was on a Fire Nation ship with people he would lay his life down for. Katara wasn't just entertaining, she was compelling. And he was pretty sure he was half in love with her. Not like a lover but as someone who mattered and could be so much in his life. She almost felt like an older sister.

He found an irritated Tohru walking through the ship halls. "What's wrong?" He asked.

She glared at him. "Me. I'm such a fucking dirty slut, and that pisses me off." She looked at him with grief in her eyes.

"Huh, what?" He asked, confused and so turned on.

"Ozai was a creep, but I was getting fucked. I enjoy sex." She frowned. "I'm so horny. I am just afraid to rut with a man on the ship that Katara wouldn't trust. I don't want her to worry I would slip and betray her. She knows secrets come out in bed."

"I can't be a monster like him and leave bruises. But I can bite you if you enjoy it. I would happily be your lover." He locked eyes with her. "So happily. I find you wildly sexy."

She moaned, just looking at his heated gaze. "Have me, please."

He grabbed her ass, rocked his hard cock against her, and her eyes shot wide. "Oh, hell yes. You are huge!"

"Big as the Fire Lord?" he asked nervously.

She laughed. "So much bigger. I can't wait." She kissed him on the lips. "Can you look at me during sex? I want to feel like more than just a cunt."

He laughed at her so hard tears came to his eyes. "Looking at you would literally be a large part of the pleasure. Your body screams sex, and your boobs are extraordinarily oversized. Just focusing on the fucking would be idiotic. Your whole body is erotic."

She hid her tears from him later that night as he held her in his sleep. She was scared out of her damn mind. He praised her the whole time during sex, and he used her name. Her real name. He said he was glad she chose him. For the first time, she could act out of free will. She wasn't a virgin when she got to the harem, but she had fucked for food. She used her body to survive. Katara had given her freedom, and he had given her the feeling of being more than just a good fuck. She was terrified of the fact that she could fall in love for the first time in her life. She didn't feel worthy. And she was sure he was only enjoying her sexually.

Zuko was hiding and drinking fire whisky with Sokka and having a great time. He was more than a little drunk. Zuko admitted, "you have no fucking idea how glad I am that you're her brother. That asshole father of yours kept calling her a whore."

"Yours does too!" Sokka said, chuckling and rolling his eyes.

Zuko glared at him. "Yeah, but I intend to kill that fucking monster!"

Sokka raised his glass to Zuko, "To the future Fire Lord."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "You're not an idiot no matter what you act like. You realize your sister will be the true power behind the crown."

"Only because I realize you're not an idiot either!" Sokka praised him.

"Damn, am I relieved you like me."

Sokka glared at him. "I like you because she loves you." He then laughed. "That and you're awesome! Fuck damn, is this drink strong." He eyed his glass warily, smirked, and then took another drink.

"This will be a first. I've never had sex with your sister drunk." He then moaned. "She loves to spread her legs for me. She so fucking tight."

Sokka punched Zuko's arm hard, "you're drunk."

"So are you!"

"Not drunk enough to hear that. About my sister!"

Zuko raised his glass. "Probably."

"When are you going to marry her?"

"I did. By handfasting with your mother's necklace."

Sokka raised his glass and stared at Zuko. "Wow. That's smooth. I can't believe you have game."

Zuko smiled. "I don't." He was so drunk that it didn't embarrass him. "Your sister is just that amazing. Your father is a fucking idiot. He left her."

Sokka shrugged. "What would you do if Katara was killed?"

"Whaaaat!?" Zuko asked, slamming down his glass.

Sokka was unperturbed. "I kinda hated him before I met you. Now I think I get it. Losing mom destroyed the man he was. She wouldn't be proud of him, but she's dead, so who fucking cares. I get my father more now knowing you and your love for my sister."

"Don't you dare! I would never abandon our children." He slammed his fist down. "He called her a whore! Fuck you!"

Sokka smiled and toasted Zuko. "To the man that understands her true worth."

Zuko frowned, "are you drinking at all?"

"Nope, it's your uncle's gross-ass jasmine tea." He raised a glass and downed it. "I would prefer Fire Whiskey. That said, I wanted to get you drunk."

"Why?"

"I find that the truth comes out when alcohol is involved. My sister isn't one to be messed with, and I'm protective of her."

Zuko looked Sokka in the eyes. "She is amazing, and I would die for her."

"Boring! I want you to live for her. That is what she needs and deserves. She doesn't need dramatics, she deserves action."

"I promised her a nation but not the world. I will end this war. Anything and every desire of hers is my biggest wish."

"You lie. You couldn't function if she died."

Zuko blushed. "True. I would need you to kick my ass and get me in gear. That said, I want to vomit."

"Dammit, I tried vomiting! I couldn't. I was trying to put on a show for Uncle."

Zuko groaned and rubbed his eyes. "You're so weird!"

"And about to be your brother!"

"Dang. True."

Aya was in literal fucking bliss. Haru was deep inside her and promised his devotion and love.

He came hard, pumping out his climax and moaning. "One day, I'll get you pregnant with my child."

She blushed. "I think I already am. I should be… normally now I'd be telling you I needed to suck you off."

His eyes shot wide. "If you're kidding, this is cruel."

"I really think I'm pregnant."

He kissed her hard. "You have given me everything with your love and now an heir."

Nozomu sat with the Captain of the ship and toasted with Fire whiskey. They clinked glasses, and he said, "choose now. I choose Zuko. I did because I want to be on the winning side."

"He's a bitch ass prick!" The captain commented, rolling his eyes.

"He really was," Nozomu stressed. "Even Shinu doesn't see him that way now. Katara fixed him. He's now the recognized heir again."

The captain grumbled. "Still, this is a shit assignment to get."

"You think that because you didn't know the truth. Serve him well and serve him faithfully. Fire Lords know how to show appreciation. I have a feeling that something big is coming."

Katara laughed as Zuko stumbled into the room. He gave her a heated look and said, "care to take advantage of my drunk self? I promise that you have my full consent."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you even up for sex?"

He grabbed his cock. "All hard and ready for you." Zuko passed out the moment his head hit the bed.

Iroh lay there and wondered what it would be like to be held by a worthy woman again. Not sexually or even in bed. But to have her wrap her arms around him and rest in his embrace. One that made her feel content. One where he was her calm.

He had that with his precious wife. They weren't wild and passionate, and he didn't lament that in the least. She was his safe harbor and his rest. She didn't ignite a fire in him, she gave him peace. And she gave him his precious son.

He rolled over and thought about Zuko. The man that was his hope now. Katara had been right. He mused that, of course, she was.

She had conquered men and a nation, all with her sharp mind. He was deeply grateful to her for her effect on Zuko. He was his conscious, she was his will.

He adored her. He realized she was the daughter he never had. The one with an iron will like his beloved son. It hurt that they never met. Lu Ten would have looked at her like a sister —at worst, a precious cousin by marriage.

And deep in his heart, he believed Katara would have cared for his son and helped protect him. She was a good woman and valued honorable men. He blessed the day she was taken in a raid.

Zuko woke to a hangover, and Katara smirked at him. "Dope," she mumbled.

"This kinda sucks," he groaned. "I regret my life choices right now. That was a bad idea. And I remember telling your brother way too much about our sex life."

She playfully rolled her eyes and grabbed a glass of water off the nightstand. "This is for you," she said, and he smiled at her gratefully right up to the point she dumped it on his face. "Our sex life. You're an idiot."

She then moved and placed her hands on his face as he glared at her. "Was that necessary?" He grumbled.

She shrugged. "Naw. But it was fun." And then she used the water and bent it so she could heal his hangover.

He sighed out in relief. "You're the best woman ever."

"Your tone changed fast."

"I would happily take a glass of water to the face for that. I feel so much better."

She smiled and started to get up, "do I need to help my brother too?"

"No. He pretended to be drinking, but it was tea. He was looking for information."

She rolled her eyes at him again. "He likes making people look foolish. He was messing with you for the fun of it."

"Probably, but I don't care. He likes me. That means a lot to me."

She smiled and kissed his forehead. "He's a good man. Just don't tell him I said that."

Tohru approached Katara shortly after breakfast. She looked around, making sure no one could hear, and said, "I slept with Kyo."

"Was it your choice?"

"Yes."

Katara looked at her in confusion. "Then why tell me?"

Tohru blushed. "I know you'll find out and… I just want to say he doesn't mark me. I don't want you to think I make him do that. He's too good a man to…" she looked at Katara nervously. "He's too good a man for me. What do I do?"

"I don't understand," Katara admitted.

Embarrassed, Tohru said, "I want to keep having sex with him. He's good, but he's also kind and…. I didn't know it could be like that. It was the best sex of my life. But… I know what people think of me. I was one of the Fire Lord's skanks. He got off on degrading us. What would a good man want from me? Once we're off this ship full of men he'll have other options. Better options. Ones that don't have bruises on their body from another man."

"I don't have a good answer for you. I think you're worrying about something that is up to him. Once you had sex, what did he do?"

A small smile came to Tohru's face. "He fell asleep holding me. It was nice."

"When was the last time a man held you in his sleep?"

She scoffed, "once ever, and he insisted on calling me, mommy."

"Doesn't that tell you something?" Katara asked.

"No," Tohru admitted in frustration. "He was the first man I didn't fuck for food or power. Of course, he's different. I'm not in the harem anymore."

"I think you need to talk to him."

"That sounds like a terrible idea. I don't want to hear all my worst fears confirmed."

Katara shook her head. "I don't think that's what will happen. He held you."

"I'll talk to him."

Iroh poured the tea as Zuko joined him at the table. "Yes, Uncle, you wanted to talk to me?"

"Get over yourself," Iroh said.

Zuko blinked in shock. "What?"

Iroh took a sip of his tea and sighed in contentment and set the cup down, and glared at Zuko. "You'll be a great father. You have Katara worried about you and coming to me to talk to you and reassure you. Normally I would let you figure this out through a lecture and a lesson, but I'm tired."

"I don't know how-"

"Stop," Iroh said, cutting him off. "Would you let her down? Could you ever let yourself? I get the impression that it would destroy you."

"But-"

"No. Would you let her down?"

"No. I couldn't." He raked his fingers through his hair. "I would do anything for her."

"See. You aren't capable of being a bad father. Plus, don't you think you'd adore any child of Katara's?"

Zuko smiled at that, "yes."

Iroh reached over and took Zuko's untouched tea cup. "I'll drink this, I need the caffeine. I'm sure you have other things to do."

"Are you okay?"

"I didn't sleep much last night."

Zuko looked at his Uncle with concern. "What kept you up last night?"

"Your wife!"

Rolling his eyes, Zuko said, "No, really."

Iroh sighed and sipped his tea. "I had a conversation with Katara, and it got this old man feeling a bit sentimental. I had a lot of things on my mind last night."

Zuko stood and said, "she's changing everything. She's an incredible waterbender, and still, her greatest power is her kindness and iron will."

Nodding, Iroh said, "she reminds me quite a bit of my son. They would have gotten along."

"She talks about him, you know. She is sad she didn't get to meet him. She loves you and knows she would love him too. Katara feels like she missed out on knowing him."

"She did. But it is a comfort to know she feels that way."

"Uncle, thank you. Thank you that even in your grief, you helped form the man I am. I was so whiny and hard-headed and you didn't give up on me."

"You were too important to me to ever give up on."

"I love you, Uncle."

"I love you too, Zuko."

Zuko swept out his foot and arched his arms, and a huge flame erupted and rushed towards the Captain of the ship. The man was smiling and shifting to step away from the flame and creating his own. He launched one of his own at Zuko and was laughing.

He was having a wonderful time. Nozomu was right, and the prick prince had grown into a real man. They were sparing, and he loved the thrill of combat. Even simulated combat.

It didn't hurt that he realized that the pretty woman in the group was his mistress, and she obviously enjoyed her role. He felt that a woman like that wouldn't be easily satisfied.

He arched out more fire, and a huge flame went up when Zuko added his flame to the mix. He squinted his eyes, everything had gotten so bright. Then he was on his back with his Prince holding a knife to his throat.

"That's new," he said, nodding his head to concede. "I didn't know that was in the rules."

Zuko laughed and helped him up. "Rules? What are those? I thought the point was to win."

"That was underhanded. I heartily approve," the Captain said, clapping him on the back.

"You're back?" Kyo asked, confused, letting Tohru into his room that night.

She looked at the floor, "if you don't want me…."

He scoffed, pulled her into the room, and closed and locked the door. "I want you."

She spun to face him and said, "it's just that you said… you were surprised."

"We are on a ship full of men, and you will eventually learn Katara trusts you to keep your mouth shut. You have choices. Lots of them."

Tohru scuffed her foot on the floor. She was incredibly nervous. "I thought that I should have you while I can. Once we get off this ship, you'll have choices too."

He rolled his eyes at her dramatically and shrugged. "Yeah, but so what? As long as you are willing to come to me, I'll have you. Choices sound boring when I could have you."

"What?"

He caressed her breast and then pulled her into his arms. "You're the best sex I've ever had. And there wasn't even a close second."

She ducked her head. "I'm… you're a good man. You deserve a good woman and… well, we all know what I was until recently."

"A survivor?" He began pulling off her shirt. "And what are you now? You're helping Zuko stop his monster of a father. You're a good woman."

"I'm not." She then moaned as he grabbed her breasts.

His hand snaked down under her clothes and flicked her clit. "Yes, you are. You're coming alive and helping. You're choosing to be different."

She moaned, and he felt her get wetter, "I'm still a sex addict."

He chuckled. "I have to say. I really like that about you. Sex with you just made me want you more."

She looked him in the eyes. "For the first time in my life, I'm free and can be honest about sex. I won't ever lie or fake an orgasm again. That said, you are the single best sex I've ever had."

He kissed her hard and then smiled. "It seems like we work together. So what's your problem?"

"I don't deserve you."

"It's not your decision to make. Now, get in my bed and spread your legs. I am so hard and can't wait to get back inside you."

Zuko closed the bedroom door. "Tohru and Kyo? I saw him pulling her into his room."

"Yeah, she told me about them and that he doesn't mark her. I think she is more damaged by your father than I realized."

"She's strong."

Katara shrugged. "She doesn't see it. She will. It takes time."

"You could send Uncle to talk to her," he said, smirking.

"Did he set you straight?" She said, not even pretending to misunderstand.

"Yup. I would adore any part of you, and they would be. I will be good to them."

She kissed his cheek. "Good. Because bad fathers have a terrible survival rate in your family."

He laughed and pushed her onto the bed. "Only daughters then."

She stripped as he did and shifted, making room on the bed. He then thrust into her immediately. "I passed out last night. I have some making up to do for that."

She moaned and arched her back. "Your thick cock! I love it when you thrust into me."

He gave her a cocky look, "I know. And you liked watching me knock the Captain on his ass."

"So much. You forgot your victory rut."

"It wasn't…. Dammit! I didn't even think of that because we weren't at the palace!" He shook his head. "Never again. Your getting fucked hard every time from now on."

"I was waiting for you in your office."

He pulled out of her and yanked her out of the bed and bent her over the table in the room, and thrust into her. He spanked her ass and took her hard. "Better late than never!" He grunted out balls deep in her. He then rutted into her hard. Her ass bounced, and her boobs jiggled wildly. He grabbed her shoulders and used the leverage to take her as hard as he dared and had her screaming wildly and writhing on his cock.

Once they both orgasmed, he ended up in his ass on the floor. He mumbled, "you took all my strength." He then flopped on his back, panting out hard.

The Captain had been walking down the hall to his room and now knew without a shadow of a doubt that Zuko pleased Katara sexually. That and the fact that she was a screamer. He surprised himself and actually blushed.

The next day Kei woke up and blushed, looking over at Yamato. "So…"

He rolled his eyes, "don't you dare hesitate around me. What is it?"

She moaned. "I woke up…" she blushed again, "h-horny."

He rolled her to her back. "Don't be embarrassed about that! I'll give it to you any time and every time. Next time say it with confidence." He ground his cock against her inner thigh. "Can't you tell how much I want you?"

She shrugged, "I'm not trained like all the women here. It messes with my head. I was around women who were literally out of men's fantasies."

He laughed in her face. He couldn't help himself. "Not mine. I have stared at you and dreamt of you for almost two long hard years. Your six older, battle-hardened brothers scared the shit out of me. I was terrified to approach you, you were too perfect, and they were always nearby. The only time they weren't was when you were in the harem helping the women there. When you approached me, I almost fell on my knees before your beauty."

She blushed. "Really?"

"Yeah. I saw you one day walking with your oldest brother, and my heart almost leaped out of my chest. You were smiling, and I was crushed. I thought he was your boyfriend. Then I found out from Kyo who he really was. It was actually the first time I talked to him, and we've been friends ever since."

She smiled at him lovingly. "I noticed you too. Obviously. I had to in order to ask you to help Katara."

He chuckled, "and my life has never been dull again. I got entertainment and you. You being the best part."

"You're very handsome," she admitted blushing. "That scar on your eye… it's so manly. And I really liked it."

"Whatever worked to get your attention, I'll take it."

She giggled, "my mother."

"What?!"

"She was the one who pointed you out to me. She thought you were handsome and she said your reputation was that you were a really good man. She wanted me to date you. It's one of the reasons she loves Katara so much. She encouraged you to ask me out."

He gave her a pained look. "Now I kinda feel like a creep. How will she feel that I took you to my bed?"

"I came willingly."

He laughed, "I was literally begging you for sex. I even got down on my knees."

She smiled and kissed his cheek. "You didn't have to. The reason I was even in your room was that I was about to throw myself at you."

He looked startled and smiled. "Really?"

"Yup."

"Are you willing to bring your things in here? I want this to be our room. It would announce to everyone we were having sex, though."

She giggled, "everyone is who can. There isn't a woman on this ship that isn't getting laid. The first lieutenant has one hidden in his room."

"Tohru?"

"No, she's having sex with Kyo. He didn't tell you?"

Yamato frowned. "No, and the prick is going to get his ass beat. If he thinks…. I wouldn't say anything demeaning about her. He's my best friend, and when she finally could choose for herself, she proved she has good taste."

She shrugged, "he probably doesn't even know what to say. He's not the kind of guy who would try to tie her down once she finally has freedom."

"True."

Kei asked, "would it be weird for you if I made friends with her? I mean, she's with Kyo, and he's a good guy and your friend. I would like to get to know her. I didn't think very well of her before, but I'm realizing things are more complicated." She frowned deeply at that.

"It bothers you?"

"Well, what else am I assuming that… I just don't want to miss things. I want to serve Katara well, and I'm afraid my assumptions could get in the way."

He kissed her cheek. "I think you'll find that Tohru didn't even like herself before. I think you were right, and Katara saved her in more ways than one. I think you weren't wrong. She's just becoming better."

He then nibbled on her neck. "Now, back to the sex talk. It's time I satisfied you this morning. After all, it's so mutually enjoyable.