KATARAS POV

The next day at the clinic was much easier. All critical patients were now in stable and healing conditions, thanks to their hard working staff. While doing her rounds she ran into Anya who she assumed was on her lunch break.

"Hey Katara!" she called cheerily. The general mood in the clinic had been rather down trodden since the bombing two days ago, but she wasn't surprised at her friend's ever-present positivity.

"Hey!" Katara returned falling into step with the blond. "I told Zuko about your party"

"Is he coming?" she asked in excitement.

"Begrudgingly…" she mumbled "…he's not really the partying type" she explained.

"We'll have plenty of drinks to loosen him up! I'll even buy some fire whiskey…I heard fire benders love it!" she laughed. The rest of Katara's day was rather uneventful. On the ride home she found herself wondering what the party would be like that weekend. Katara hadn't had any opportunities to party in her life, therefore she had no idea what to really expect. She knew drinking and dancing would probably be involved but she worried that her date wouldn't enjoy himself. Hopefully having Haru there would be enough to entertain her taciturn and broody boyfriend.

. . .

"Here…let me help you" Katara reasoned as she watched Zuko struggle with his top knot. They were wearing the same clothes from their date a couple of weeks ago. Katara had opted for putting her hair up in a pony tail tonight with two curls framing her face. Zuko sat down between her legs in front of the couch as she smoothed down his silky hair, gathering it neatly atop his head.

"Thanks" he grumbled.

"Oh cheer up Zu! When do we ever get the opportunity to party with people our age?" she scolded hitting him lightly on the shoulder.

"Ow!" he cried in fake distress, holding his arm dramatically. Rolling her eyes she got up to put on her shoes and gather the gift basket she had made for her friend's birthday. She had filled it with a bottle of wine, some unique sewing fabrics, and a few fragrant candles. As Zuko stood up from his spot on the floor they heard a knock at the door. Making his way over with a sigh Zuko opened it to find their two smiling friends Haru and May. Haru was dressed similarly to Zuko, but in a dark sage green instead of black. May was dressed in a red silk wrap dress with her golden curls cascading down her back with two braids going around her temples. She was holding a bouquet of roses Katara assumed was for the birthday girl.

"You guys ready?" May smiled excitedly as she stepped into the doorway.

"Just about!" Katara called from the kitchen as she chugged down a jar of water. She wasn't sure if she'd be drinking tonight but she wanted to be proactive just in case. Within a few minutes the two couples were mounting their mares beside each other and making their way to the venue Anya had picked in Ye. An hour later they approached the stone building, which was already teeming with people. The moon was full and high in the sky making Katara's anxiety even higher. Whenever full moons came her energy would always be heightened, she just hoped she could contain it for the night. Zuko grabbed her hand as they approached the building. They could already hear loud music and voices blaring from inside.

"Looks like a banger" Haru assessed with a smile.

"Totally!" May exclaimed pulling Haru forward and through the door. Katara lost sight of them almost immediately. Stepping inside they were bumrushed with people in various stages of drunkenness. Almost everyone was up dancing, while some people sat and chattered at the bar on the far corner of the hall. Everyone seemed to have a drink in their hand and a smile on their face. Katara smiled softly to herself. 'Maybe this will be fun' she thought. Zuko navigated them through the crowd leading Katara to the bar where she took a seat.

"Do you want a drink?" he asked her as he surveyed the room carefully. Leave it to Zuko to be on defense mode even at a party.

"Only if you get one too" she challenged. Relenting he ordered them two fire whiskeys on the rocks. Katara watched her date as she sipped her drink. The alcohol felt like fire burning down her throat and settling to the pit of her stomach. She began coughing, setting her drink down at the bar. Zuko patted her back, giving a light chuckle.

"Slow down there light weight" he laughed. Rolling her eyes in embarrassment she grabbed her cup again, this time taking a slower drink. Zuko sipped slowly as he watched the people around him dance their hearts out. The hall was dark with low lights that filled the room with a red glow. Katara watched Zuko closely, taking note of his sharp jaw and pointed golden gaze. He had let his beard grow this past month and it made him look so….manly. She felt that newly discovered feeling of arousal creep up on her, the fire whiskey and full moon enhancing it ten fold.

"Katara!" she heard a familiar voice call from behind her. She whipped her head around to find Anya approaching them, her hazel eyes beaming with unbridled joy and probably alcohol.

"You made it!" she squealed engulfing her in a tight hug. Katara laughed at her overzealous friend, returning her hug.

"Of course we wouldn't miss it! This is my boyfriend, Zuko" she introduced. Zuko turned to Anya setting his drink down to shake her hand.

"Pleased to meet you"

Anya smirked mischievously elbowing Katara in the ribs

"You didn't tell me he was this handsome" she whispered. Katara blushed at her friends outburst as she looked to Zuko who had a raised eyebrow.

"Lets go dance!" she yelled over the music, quickly pulling Katara out of her seat.

"But-"

"And finish that drink before we go" her friend scolded. Katara downed her fire whiskey with a wince then allowed herself to be pulled into the crowd. Zuko gave her a concerned look. Bodies were everywhere moving to the beat. Katara didn't know where to look or what to do. A more sensual song began to play and her friend grabbed her hips pulling Katara flush against her.

"Oh!" she exclaimed in surprise.

"This is the song for the mating crane" her friend explained "it's usually done with a man and woman. But I'll teach you, follow my lead". The dance consisted of a lot of hip movements and close touches. Anya moved Katara's hips to the melody, grinding slowly with her. Her face heated with a blush, the dance affecting her in ways she didn't want to admit. Everyone around them was doing the same thing, mostly men and women but some girls as well.

"You're getting the hang of it!" Anya said proudly.

"Thanks to you" Katara smiled shyly. She turned her head and locked eyes with Zuko from across the room. He was sipping his whiskey slowly, leaning against the bar with one hand in his pocket. He towered over most of the crowd so it wasn't hard for her to spot him. His heated gaze fell upon her as she continued her dance, and she saw him shift in discomfort. She smirked as she realized that the dance was affecting him too. Katara was feeling bold from the alcohol, so she placed her hands on Anya's shoulders body rolling against her slowly.

ZUKO'S POV

Zuko downed the rest of his drink, quickly calling the bartender for another one. He'd need all the liquor he could get in his system if he was going to survive this night. Already his siren of a girlfriend was tempting his demon to emerge. He watched silently as Katara danced with her friend. They were teasing him, he realized, as they touched and ground against each other sensually. Groaning inwardly he took another gulp, feeling the burn of his favorite drink.

"She's beautiful" he heard a familiar raspy yet feminine voice say from beside him. Eye's widening in recognition he looked to his left to find a dark haired beauty sitting beside him with a glass of red wine in her hand.

"June?" he asked in complete shock.

"Naturally" she grinned, looking him up and down. His eyes flitted back to Katara only to find her and her friend retreating further into the crowd towards the snack table. He quickly lost sight of her. Turning back to June he appraised her curiously.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in disbelief.

"Anya's my cousin…I happened to be in town so I stopped by"

"Umm well…" he shifted awkwardly scratching the back of his head "how have you been?" he asked. June looked at him knowingly, bitting her lip and leaning forward slightly.

"The real question is…how have you been…. my prince?" Zuko couldn't help his pulse quickening. He and June had a long history, and he didn't want her and Katara anywhere near each other. She had been his favorite concubine, given to him when he was just 14. They'd practically grown up together, until she'd left him the night of his 17th birthday, escaping without a trace. She had taken to calling him her prince during their times together, especially when they made love.

"Please, don't call me that. I'm not a prince anymore" he said lowly taking another sip and sitting down beside her. Leaning in even closer she placed a warm hand on his thigh, giving it a slight squeeze.

"You'll always be my prince" she assured him. Removing her hand from him he turned to face her fully.

"Look June, I don't mean to be rude but I'm with someone now. We really shouldn't…"

"Is it that water bending girl?" she asked in annoyance. Zuko frowned down at her.

"Yes it is…and her name is Katara" he scolded.

"Well I have some confidential information that you might want to hear prince Zuko" she said in a clipped tone, all warmth devoid from her voice.

"What kind of confidential information?" this piqued his interest.

"Word from the fire nation" she whispered. Looking around him to make sure no one had heard he quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her into the nearest door. He opened it to find a small kitchen, built for serving food. Pulling her inside he closed and locked the door behind them.

"Tell me" he urged.

KATARAS POV

"Tara, we have a problem" May yelled. Katara had been showing Anya her gift when May rushed up to them in a panic.

"What's wrong?" Katara asked in worry. May looked around nervously before gathering both of Katara's hands in hers.

"It's Zuko, I saw him talking to another woman" she explained. Katara furrowed her brows, the information not exactly registering. She had had a few more drinks and she was feeling quite the buzz.

"What do you mean?"

"I saw him at the bar talking with some whore with dark hair and a red dragon tattoo on her arm" she huffed.

"Hey! That whore is my cousin" Anya exclaimed angrily.

"Well anyway, she was all over him! They went into a room together…alone"

Katara's head was spinning. Never did she think he'd cheat on her…right in front of her eyes. But she knew May would never lie to her about something so serious.

"Well…my cousin did use to work as a concubine…" Anya said bashfully, scratching the back of her head. Katara's head snapped up in anger.

"Where did she work?" she asked suddenly.

"The fire nation palace oddly enough. Her mom had sent her there when we were younger to work for some prince. But that was years ago…I'm sure it's nothing Katara". Katara was beginning to fill with rage. She felt the moon's pull lending energy to her anger, giving it life. How dare he? After everything they'd been through together, the least he could do was be honest with her. She could respect that. But going behind her back and sneaking off with his former mistress was unacceptable, and Katara hated feeling disrespected. Beneath her rage her insecurities festered. Her mind began to wonder if this girl was prettier than her…taller than her…gave Zuko more pleasure than her.

"Katara…?" Anya probed in worry.

"Hold my drink" she said angrily, thrusting her cup in May's hands. She pushed past them moving through the crowd with purpose. She spotted a wooden door by the bar that was closed, assuming Zuko was in there. She stormed up banging on it loudly. When there was no answer she called water to her from someone's nearby cup with lightning speed. She heard the person gasp behind her. She coated her fist in a liquid glove, freezing it so that it was hard as rock. Kicking the lock off of the door with deadly precision she pushed it open.

ZUKO'S POV

"Your father's planning a deadly invasion Zuko" June explained desperatley.

"How'd you find me?" he asked seeing right through her facade. If June was nothing else she was a calculated woman. He wanted to know how she'd ended up in the same place as him on a night like this. Stepping forward she looked up at him bashfully. The look on her face was starting to conjure up all kinds of memories in his head, most of them indecent.

"I still had some of the underwear I'd wear all the time when I'd leave your rooms. Even though I'd washed them your scent still lingered. My shirshu used it to track you down. I knew you were in Chao. It didn't take long to find links to you." she walked around him as if sizing him up "You've become quite the handy man in these parts" she teased. Zuko scowled, not enjoying the fact that she'd had such an easy time finding him.

"Your little water bender made it even easier…she's friends with everyone here!"

"Alright June, enough" he said through gritted teeth "who sent you"

"Your father you asshole" she said sarcastically finally stepping before him with unshed tears in her eyes.

"Who do you think sent me?" her voice broke into a whisper.

"Uncle" he said

"How could you just let your father banish me like that Zuko?" she cried "…all those years ago…"

Zuko's eyes got even wider staring at her dumbfounded.

"What are you talking about? You left me…my father told me you left me" he stuttered in disbelief.

"And you fell for that? Zuko I loved you…I….still do" she said enclosing the space between them. Junes coffee colored eyes shun with tears, her pale skin rosy with want. She reached up to cup his face as he stared in shock at the revelation. All these years he'd thought she'd left him voluntarily. Oh and how cruel he found her for doing it on his birthday, when all along the only one cruel here was his father. Typical. This angered him, realizing that June was just another thing his father had taken from him. His aim since Zuko had been born was to snatch everything away from him that he held dear. His father, Ozai, had known that Zuko loved June back then.

"June we shouldn't…" he protested meekly.

"Zuko please, give us another chance. I've waited so long to find you again" she pleaded. He lowered his brows, shaking his head. This was too much. He'd just fallen deeply in love with Katara. But here was his first and only heart break standing before him asking for another chance. Was Agni mocking him? He didn't know what to say, but he did know that now wasn't the appropriate time to talk about this. He needed the information about his Uncle, which was the reason he'd agreed to talk to her in the first place.

"We can talk about this later" he said, he was about to take a step back when there was a loud bang and the door being swung open. An angry Katara rushed into the room with an ice fist raised above her head. June pushed away from him to attempt to defend herself. Before she could even get into a fighting stance Katara had sucker punched her across the face with her frozen fist knocking June outcold.

"Katara!" Zuko yelled. Turning her fury on him she unfroze her fist whipping the water into a dagger. She sped towards him raising her dagger. He put a hand out in defense but she pulled some water from his cup freezing his hand to the counter top. All this happening within seconds, the full moon powering her speed. She held the dagger to his neck and looked up at him. They were nose to nose and he could feel her heavy breathing, the scent of alcohol heavy.

"Put the dagger do-"

"Fuck you" she spat.

Up this close he could see that she was crying. Her usual blue eyes were the color of grey storms.

"It's not what you think it is Kat…" he said slowly.

"Don't call me that!" she cried. His heart broke at the look she was giving him.

"Kat pleas-" he tried to pleade. She sobbed shattering her ice dagger against the wall behind his head. Turning from him abruptly she ran from the room.

"Katara!" he shouted after her. He melted the ice cuff on his wrist, running to kneel beside June. He lifted her head to observe if she had any serious head injuries. A dark bruise was forming on her cheek, the edges red and bleeding.

"June!" she heard Katara's friend from earlier shout. The blonde rushed through the door, dropping to her knees beside her.

"What happened?" she yelled in distress. Zuko looked to the gaping door where he found Haru and May peeking their heads through.

"Damn!" Haru shouted, putting his fist to his mouth in shock. Deciding June would be fine with all these people around he raced out of the door past his friends. Once he was out of the party he went into a full on sprint. Arriving at the stables he searched each stall wildly. There was no sign of Umi anywhere. Katara must have taken her.

"Fuck…" Zuko seethed running his hand through his hair, undoing his top knot.

"Wait up!" he heard Haru shout. He and May bounded into the stables, the both of them looking winded.

"She took Umi" he said pacing the stall.

"My horse can't carry three people" Haru said in defeat.

KATARA'S POV

Katara raced through the black of night. She forced Umi into a full gallop as her tears fell freely. She knew that the moon and the alcohol were both heightening her emotions, but this knowledge made it hurt no less. She had believed with all of her heart that Zuko loved her. But seeing him pressed up against his former lover made her stomach turn and her heart bleed. Arriving at the farm house in record time she rode into the stable. After securing the horse she stormed to the house unlocking the door. She hadn't even bothered closing it before she rushed inside grabbing her satchel from the hanger at the door. She threw the bedroom door open moving swiftly to the small closet. Ripping her dresses from the hangers she stuffed them in her bag with urgency. She wanted to be long gone before Zuko arrived. Heading to the kitchen with her bag secured across her shoulder she grabbed a burlap sack, placing any dried foods she could find inside. Once she was all packed she raced back to the stable to grab Nalu.

"Katara wait!" she heard Zuko's voice call from the dirt road leading to the house. She ran faster down the pasture. Katara yelped as she suddenly came face to face with a giant lizard looking wolf cross breed. She looked up to find Zuko on its back, already moving to dismount from it.

"Get out of my way" she seethed. He jumped down from the animal standing to his full height in front of her.

"Katara…please just listen for one seco-"

"Did you love her?" she interrupted. She could tell he was caught completely off guard. It took him too long to respond, confirming Katara's suspicions. She moved to walk away. He grabbed her wrist tightly before she could pass.

"It was a long time ago…but yes I did love her once" he admitted. Katara felt her eyes beginning to well up again, and she tried her best to shield her face from him. He didn't deserve to see any more reactions from her.

"She came back for you didn't she?" Silence followed her question once again. She pushed him away abruptly turning toward the stable and rushing in. He followed closely behind her.

"She has information…about my Uncle. And what my father is planning" he explained.

"Great! You can go run off with her and join the army like you've always wanted" she hissed, opening Nalu's stable swiftly and securing her reins.

ZUKOS POV

"Please Kat, don't leave me. I love you!" he pleaded.

"But you love her too" she shouted. Zuko had never seen her this angry. It broke his heart knowing he was the cause of her pain.

"No…not anymore" he reasoned.

"Who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?" This hit him like a ton of bricks. He took a step back from her, watching her movements helplessly. He knew he couldn't force her to stay, but he felt the desperation creeping in. She hopped onto her saddle, looking down at him with a frown etched onto her beautiful face.

"At least tell me where you're going. It's not safe out there for you"

"I'll be at a friend's…there's no need to worry Prince Zuko" she said with disdain. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach. Begging wasn't something he was too keen on doing, but every fiber in his being ached for her to get off that horse and stay with him.

"Please…" his voice broke "Katara I'm sorry! I didn't do anything with her, I swear it. She's from my past…I thought you said you wouldn't hold that against me" he pleaded. She stopped in her tracks. Nalu had made it halfway out of the stable, leaving him in the middle of the stalls. She looked back at him, her eyes looking sad and tired.

"When I saw you two pressed up against each other…all that went out the window" And with that she flicked the reins, sending Nalu into a trot up the dirt path and out of his sight. Zuko turned then, fire bursting from his fists and into the ground where she'd just been standing. His heart was aching. His joy, peace, and stability had just marched out his door. He'd ruined the one thing good in his life. Even though he knew he hadn't exactly cheated, he still felt the guilt wrapping itself around his lungs making his breath short. For even just a moment he had considered what it would have been like had his father not banished June. He had imagined a life where his first love had not been wrenched away from him so suddenly. Yes he had loved June, but he also always knew he could never have a life with her. Because of her status and his she could have never been his wife; she would have been subjected to a life of servitude. He never wanted that for her. But in that time away from each other he had grown out of love with her, accepting the truth of the matter. They could never be. And even though he had cared deeply for June, nothing compared to the love he had with Katara.

Truthfully, he hadn't really known what love was until he'd met his water bending beauty. For years he had dedicated his life to protecting her, even though she didn't even know it. He'd loved her long before he was even ready to admit it to himself.

4 YEARS AGO

"Katara, please don't go" Aang pleaded sadly. The eleven year old bald monk was standing in the middle of the docks before them, holding his hand out to Katara in desperation. Katara shook her head in determination, a deep frown maring her face. She looked to Zuko then in hopes that he'd say something. She was dressed in all back, her cape billowing in the night winds. Her blue eyes were hard centering her masked face.

"This is something she must do Avatar. Step aside" Zuko said flatly. Of course the boy wouldn't understand this side if Katara. He saw her as this perfect being, without faults…without selfish desires…without pain and heartache. Zuko understood all too well the hurt that was afflicting Katara in that moment. He had lost his mother to the fire nation as well; to his father.

"She won't get closure this way! Violence is never the answer. Katara I thought you knew that" he said turning to her again. His grey eyes looked sadly between the two of them. Zuko stepped forward, coming into Aang's personal space. Zuko had just turned 18, and towered over the small monk. He had been traveling with the Avatar's group for a few months following his banishment. During this time he had been teaching the boy fire bending and fighting with them in battles against his home country. He had grown to like most of them, even going as far as to call them his friends. But something had always annoyed him about the young Avatar. Zuko appraised the boy, studying the way his eyes darted back to Katara.

"Do not ever fix your tongue to make her feel guilt for the anger she holds" Zuko hissed lowly so Katara couldn't hear "That bastard burned her mother to death right before her eyes. While you were asleep frozen in a block of ice she was crying over her mother's burnt corpse" he glared. Aang swallowed, looking up at Zuko in fear.

"I'm sorry I-"

"Step. Aside. Avatar" Zuko's tone begged no argument. Aang took three steps back, looking back to Katara sadly.

"Grab your things Katara" Zuko said with finality as he walked up to Appa, mounting the large beast. She followed him silently, loading her bag onto the bison and sitting in the back of the large open saddle. Zuko flew them through the night sky over the water, the warm winds blowing across his face and whipping his shaggy hair around.

"Thank you" he heard her say softly from behind him. He gave her a curt nod, the rest of their journey spent cradled in contemplative silence.

END CHAPTER 6