Authors note: Thanks for reading this far! If you haven't noticed already Zuko and Katara are living in a completely different world from the original canon. Zuko has no redemption arc, in this story he's always played for the right team. But as you can see he's not ALL good...

You'll see that I stick to some major plot lines, but for the most part I've really made the bread and butter of this series my own.

So yes, character ages are much different from the OG to best suit my story. I have no Beta so please be kind in the comments :) enjoy! It only gets steamier from here.

Chapter 2:

KATARAS POV

"Well Haru's got those dreamy green eyes" May swooned as they sat by the river. Katara had made blueberry muffins that morning for her three friends May, Leila, and Song, and they were enjoying them while splayed out on a picnic blanket staring up at the clouds. The conversation had turned to boys, a subject Katara was not used to discussing with girls her age. All three of her friends had grown up in the small village each having characteristic earth kingdom features setting them apart from Katara. May was a tall willowy maiden with ringlets as long as Katara's the color of straw. Her bright hazel eyes shone in the sun as she talked about her crush Haru, her face flushing underneath the sprinkle of freckles across her cheeks. On the other hand Leila was of the same shorter stature as Katara and had pale skin that reminded her of the women of the fire nation. Her sleek straight onyx hair was cut into a short bob, and her sea green eyes stood out against her dark features. Then there was Song, the quietest one out the bunch, with a delicate beauty any man could appreciate. Her brown doe like eyes, olive skin, and soft features gave her an adorable innocence.

They all laughed at Mays antics as she fell backwards onto the blanket clutching her heart in mock distress.

"Well what about you Katara?" Leila inquired "you never talk about your trysts with the handsome mysteriously dark sex god." Katara choked on her muffin.

"The what?!" She shouted.

"Oh Tara, don't pretend like you don't know about the rumors"

"What rumors?" she asked worriedly, sitting up from her laying position and looking down at the girls.

"Rumor has it he's been trained in the ways of lovemaking just like any other fire nation royal family male… since the age of 13!" May explained excitedly sitting up with Katara.

"Wha-….trained?"

"Yeah with concubines. The ones who have retired from the palace all say that Zuko was the best lover. Passionate and dominate, yet gentle and loving" May swooned. Uncontrolled jealousy lit a fire in Katara's belly causing her cheeks to flush…but there was something else causing the coloring in her face…curiosity.

"Yeah Katara, every maiden in the village wants a piece of him. Hell, even the married ones." Leila implored. Katara sat dumbfounded. She looked to Song who had been quiet the whole time. She nodded her had smiling meekly. "It's true Tara…" she said.

"And you've been living under his roof all this time! Tell us Tara, is it everything we've dreamed it would be?" Pushed May, shoving her finger to Katara's chest. Katara stammered not knowing what to say. She had no idea about this side of Zuko's reputation. She knew he was well respected amongst the villagers but this was a side of gossip she hadn't been privy to.

"I…I…well…we haven't exactly…" she stuttered. They all looked at her expectantly, on the edge of their seats.

"He's only kissed me once. And that was a long time ago" she sighed defeatedly. The girls looked from Katara and at each other.

"You sound disappointed" said Song. Katara had never had girls she could confide in about her feelings, but she took this opportunity to divulge her deepest feelings because she couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I want him" she breathed out "badly." All three squealed in unison.

"Well what's the hold up?" Leila asked boldly.

"I don't have much experience with men…well none actually" Katara confessed "I don't know what would make him want me. I take care of him as much as I can to show him I care. But every time we seem to get closer it feels like he pushes me away."

May screwed her face into a scowl "Tara, you're the most beautiful maiden this town has ever seen. Every man wants to have you, and he'd be stupid to pass you up!" she huffed.

"Maybe he's afraid of ruining your friendship" offered Song. Katara had told them about her and Zuko's history before, and how their laconic friendship had blossomed years ago. If Katara was being completely honest with herself she'd always had a bit of a crush on the broody fire bender.

"I don't want him to be afraid. I think I'm falling for him, and it's driving me mad being under that roof with him every day." May suddenly got a devious smirk on her face looking Katara in her eyes sexily. "I think I have a plan. You up for it?" She whispered. Katara looked to her friends unsure, but trusting. "I guess…"

"Great! Let's head to the city before noon falls. It's a few hours by horse to Ba Sing Se"

. . .

ZUKOS POV

They rode home on Zuko's white mare as dusk settled on the village streets. Katara clung tightly to his middle as she pressed her cheek to the middle of his back gripping the shopping bag she brought with her tightly in her small hands. She had told him her friends took her shopping in Ba Sing Se while he worked with Haru. He was happy she was getting to explore with her maidens and not feel so cooped up in the house. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel like some caged bird with no life. As they trotted home Haru's conversation kept nagging at the back of his mind. Pretty soon Katara would have suitors biding for her attention if he didn't do something about it. But what if that's what she wanted? From his understanding she'd never had the opportunity to date. But what if he could provide that for her? A thought wormed its way into his head. One that he'd been having for a long time.

As they approached the cottage Zuko hopped down from the mare to lead her into the stable. He helped Katara down, grabbing her by her waist and hoisting her easily over the saddle. She was as light as a feather to him. Setting her down in front of him he involuntarily swept a stray hair behind her ear. Her breath hitched.

KATARAS POV

"Katara?" He said her name softly with that broken rasp in his voice she'd grown to love. It made her underwear soak in a split second.

"Yes?" She said sweetly, her eyes bouncing to catch his, noticing his fingers had lingered on the side of her face.

"I was thinking…maybe you'd like to get away tomorrow. I've saved up some money and…would you want to go on a date with me?" Her heart soared out of her chest and she nodded her head quickly.

"That sounds like fun" she smiled, biting her lip teasingly. This would be perfect. She'd have the opportunity to use what her friends had purchased for her tomorrow. She noticed Zuko's eyes dilate and travel to her lips.

"Katara," he said in a warning tone that made her heart jump. She continued worrying her lip between her teeth unknowingly stoking something within him. He placed the pad of his thumb on her bottom lip releasing it from her front teeth gently. "I thought I'd warned you about that." He growled lowly. Katara gasped in surprise not knowing what he was referring to.

"What?" She asked confusedly.

"Kat you have this habit…" he spoke almost lazily, his voice like smoke curling around her "of biting those pretty lips" he clicked his teeth disapprovingly while frowning down at her "it drives me mad". He drew out that last word with disdain seeping from his tone. Katara's pulse was now humming, it was all she could do to stay upright.

"I-"

"I'm not sure how much you would like me when I go mad. It's hard to bring me back" his warning setoff alarm bells in her subconscious. All her senses were screaming one thing. Danger. Run. But an even smaller part of her that grew the more time she spent with the banished prince kept her rooted in place, challenging him to reveal that piece of him he'd been hiding. Were the rumors true? She vowed in that moment she'd make it her business to find out.

"Is that a challenge?" She inquired, feeling a surge of confidence and determination course through her. He raised his brow in surprise slipping the fingers that lingered on her face to the base of her scalp tangling them in her curls. He gripped her hair firmly in his large hand tugging ever so slightly which caused her head to tilt back. This position exposed her neck to him making her shiver at the vulnerable sight she must've been. It was all too easy to submit to him, and it scared but thrilled her all the same.

"It's a threat kitten" he bit out. His eyes were now smoldering hot, the gold seeming to glow as if it was barely restraining the fire there from consuming her. She felt her throat dry completely. Choking on her words she flailed for a response that could match his energy but couldn't. Even her eyes watered a little in the sheer embarrassment she felt, yet her small center quivered in anticipation of him executing this threat. Nothing could bring her back from this moment. He had let her crack that hard exterior a little too wide this time. Now she was addicted. She'd always chase this dangerous side of him. Always want to coax this demon out of him. She liked to dance with it. She didn't want to go back to how they were before. Friends and platonic roommates. Instead of following up with an answer she offered a small whimper causing him to tighten his hold on her hair. He laughed. A soft raspy laugh…dragging his free hand up her body and resting around her throat. He never squeezed his hand, just placed it to her neck, the threat ever present.

"Like I said, it's hard to bring me back Kitten….don't tempt me further" he warned. She swallowed nodding her head stiffly. His face had turned serious, the furrow in his brows an indicator that the playful mood had evaporated.

"You should get to bed. We have an early day tomorrow" he stated dryly, releasing his hold on her.

"Okay" she whispered, barely audible. He turned from her then, reaching behind the stable to unsaddle his mare Umi. Stepping back on wobbly knees Katara swiftly left the stable, headed up the dirt path leading to the cottage.

ZUKOS POV

"Shit, shit, SHIT!" He shouted kicking a stack of hay he had piled in the corner of his shed. He grabbed his long hair in his fists berating himself while pacing the room. He had gone too far. He was a total and complete idiot. How could he expect her to want to go on this date now that he'd scared the living shit out of her? Was this date even a good idea? If he couldn't control himself in a fucking stable what made him think he could spend a romantic evening with her without completely devouring her? This was going to be his complete undoing. He had to think fast. Of a way he could make this up. Restore a less intimidating image to her.

"Oh!" He had just remembered buying Katara some more soaps and even some exotic perfumed oils they were selling in the market that day. He thought they smelled lovely, and would be even more divine on her. Perking up he planned to give them to her first thing in the morning. But…right after he took care of a very real problem that was afflicting his lower half ever since Katara rested her head on his back on the ride home. Agni damn her. He was going mad with lust for this girl. When he rested his head at night knowing she was so close, just on the other side of the door, tore him up inside.

"Fuck what I wouldn't give…" he said aloud. Mentally slapping himself again.

KATARAS POV

She was freaking the fuck out. Zuko wanted her. That much was clear. But he was restraining himself for some reason. And she wanted him to do the exact opposite. She smiled to herself in the mirror while unbraiding her long tresses and brushing them out. She noticed the tent on her cheeks had not left since she had gotten back from the stable. Willing herself to sleep she plopped in bed completely spent from the day.

. . .

The next morning Katara found Zuko in the kitchen instead of outside like he usually would be. He had made tea, two steaming mugs set out in front of him. He was standing in front of the counter with a basket behind his back.

"Morning" she said smirking while grabbing what she assumed was her cup.

"Good morning Kat," he rasped, voice still rough from sleep. Taking a sip of her tea she gazed behind his back curiously. He caught her stare bringing the basket to rest in front of her. It was lined in a beautiful pink doily, and various soaps laid within the basket along with fragrant oils and butters. The soaps had different flowers baked inside of them giving them a rustic and beautiful look. A bouquet of fresh picked roses and fire Lilly's also lay behind the soaps wrapped in a red silk bow. Katara gasped audibly covering her mouth.

"Where did you find Fire Lilly's?" She asked finally looking up at him.

"I put in a special request to the florist. It was a little extra for the out of the way shipment but…-" she shrieked running around the counter to engulf him in the tightest hug she could give. She had her face buried in his chest when she felt him finally return her embrace. He tenderly wrapped his arms around her, his huge body engulfing her small frame. He kissed her forehead biding her goodbye for the day. He explained to her that when he got back from work he'd shower and they'd head out for their date. Katara thanked him closing the door behind him on his way out. She signed once alone in the house clutching her fluttering heart.

Today she would bathe and groom herself, shave in the way her friends had taught her, wash her hair and body with her new soaps, and pamper herself. After attending to the hens and the two goats that roamed the pasture she went inside to fix some food. Once she was finished with her to-dos for the day she decided it was time to start the grooming process. She shaved everywhere getting a flashback from yesterday when her friends shaved her down there. She thought it odd, the earth kingdom girls wanting to help her shave such an intimate area. But she figured it was just cultural differences and let them do their detailed work. By the end she was as smooth as a baby's bum, which was a fairly new sensation for her. Once out of the bath she smoothed her jasmin and ginger body butter over her skin making it supple and glistening. She hadn't felt this luxurious in well…ever. Finally she oiled her wet curls leaving them shiny and smelling like lavender and tea tree. Her heartbeat began thrumming when she thought about the next part she'd have to put on. Zuko would be home within the hour and she had to speed this along. Glancing at her shopping bag nervously she steeled herself shaking off her nerves. Grabbing the bag she opened it pulling out it's contents. There lied the deepest berry underwear set. The color was so deep it almost looked crimson. The tiny number was completely made of the sheerest lace in the most beautiful floral patterns. A bra and cheeky panty set from the upper ring of Ba Sing Se. She was grateful she had friends who would buy something like this for her. Looking in the mirror she slipped on the underwear. It hugged her absolutely perfectly. She turned around seeing how great her ass looked in the panties. She grinned evilly back at her reflection in the mirror. 'Try resisting this Zuko' she said mockingly in her head. Slipping on her robe she went to the room to finish getting ready. As she was slipping on her dress she heard the door swing open, his boots slamming loud on the ground. She heard a bottle being set down on the counter and his jacket rustling.

"Kat?" He called loudly.

"Changing!" She squeaked. She heard another rustle and a huff. Suddenly she heard his voice much closer, right against the door.

"I'm going to bathe really quick, do you think you'll be ready by then?" He asked.

"Yes" she called zipping the back zipper of her dress. Rushing to the mirror she brushed her eyebrow hairs in place adding some rouge to her cheeks and a stain to her lips making use of the makeup Song bought her. Fluffing her curls a bit she heard a knock on the door.

"You can come in" she said.

Zuko stepped in dressed in all black. He wore a collard shirt with a leather breasted vest that Haru must've custom made for him. His black trousers hugged his long legs perfectly. His hair was slicked back into a low pony tail, his hair long enough to reach mid back. Katara had to remember to breath. This man was breathtaking. She saw now why the entire village wanted him. He stared at her just as long, then finally reaching his hand out for hers. She placed her smaller palm in his letting him lead her out the bedroom door and into the kitchen.

ZUKOS POV

"Let me pour you a glass" he said as smoothly as he could, uncorking the bottle of red wine he'd gotten on the way back from work. Pouring them both glasses he took some time going over their plans for the night in his head. Zuko had spared no expenses for this date. He was planning to show her just how special she'd become to him and hopefully just how much he wanted her. This date was going to change the course of their cohabitation. There was no going back after tonight. Luckily Zuko was no poor man by any means. Although he wasn't as rich as he grew up being, he made decent wares from his farm. Selling his fruits, vegetables, and game at the farmers market and the high prices people paid for his armor and war weapons, Zuko was able build a nice living for himself. And with no rental fees from the land he acquired from the elderly couple he was able to save all of his money. He never had anything worth spending it on, besides some new clothes when the old ones got old. And new boots when the new year came around. But for Kat…he'd spend it all. Every time he saw her in one of the dresses he bought her he just wanted to chase that feeling and buy her more. And knowing she smelled that delectable in that moment because of him did something crazy to him. Turning he handed her the glass of wine across the kitchen counter.

"You look stunning" he said low and deep. He had never even heard his own voice sound like that. All raw and needy. The flush that colored her face was immediate. Zuko liked that. He could make it a game. How many times could he bring that pretty pink color to the surface of her brown skin tonight?

"Thank you" she breathed. They finished their wine making their way to Umi. Zuko placed her on the saddle in the front. This time her body laid parallel instead of straddling the saddle. He didn't want to ruin her beautiful dress that she so clearly went out of her way to find. She was wearing a long form fitting jasmin green cheongsam dress with a beautiful floral pattern, the fabric the softest of silks. Zuko swung himself onto the saddle behind her caging her in his arms while he grabbed the reins. They took off into the sunset towards the city of Siaw Jong.

END CHAPTER 2