A/N:

Back again!

Part 2:

Zuko passed his exams with flying colors all thanks to Katara, who continued tutoring in spite of her traumatic experience with his father. Their tutoring sessions were always monitored by guards or Kya herself. She wanted to make sure nothing horrible would happen to her daughter again. But Katara had begun to move forward from the situation with the help of Zuko. He was supportive and kind to her. Worked hard and saw to it she would be rewarded for helping him.

"You look beautiful." Kya told her daughter as she wore a teary smile.

Katara was still as her mother applied her makeup. Today, she was being sent to live with Zuko permanently as his maid and consort. The position was bestowed upon her as reward for her aiding in his ascension to an official of the court. He was given his own domain, servants, and her. She was a part of his reward and he was hers.

"Remember what I told you, Katara. It shouldn't hurt so much since…-" Kya looked away from her daughter. "Anyway, Zuko is a good young man. Only sixteen and he's already achieved this much. Besides, he's been good to you. I know he will continue to be good to you."

Katara didn't say anything. She didn't know what to say. She was only fourteen and they were handing her over to Zuko. She knew he didn't ask for this because she saw his shock when they were both rewarded.

Sighing, "I don't think Zuko will be doing 'that' with me, mom. I'm a cripple, remember?"

"But you're a beautiful girl." Kya reminded her. "If he decides to take you to bed, do not reject him. You want to be in his good graces, always. You owe it to him to be a kind and affectionate lover."

Katara nodded.

As the markings of a consort were painted on her forehead, Katara had her hair styled up like a harem lady and her mother helped her into the hanfu dress she'd be wearing along with her new accessories.

"Is she ready?" Iroh entered the room and beamed at the young girl who was about to be sent off to her new master's domain. "You look lovely, Katara."

"Thank you, your highness."

Iroh looked to his consort and saw Kya looked upset about this but knew there was nothing she could do about it. In the end, they were fortunate that Zuko was picked to be her master as she could have been sent to someone horrible like his brother. But Zuko was a kind and sweet young man. She'd be well looked after and he knew Zuko would not pressure her for relations if she refused him. She was in good hands.

"Come, let's take you to Zuko." Iroh held out his arm to her and she stood up, limping over to him to take his arm.

Arriving at Zuko's domain, Katara saw he was outside in the courtyard giving orders to his newly appointed guards and servants. He glanced over at her and smiled at her. "Kat!"

"My Lord." Katara curtsied while holding onto Iroh's arm.

Chuckling as he took her off his uncle's arm and thanked him for escorting her. "Come, I'm having your chambers decorated."

Katara was helped down the walkway and Zuko commented on her looking beautiful. It made her heart sank into her stomach. If he thought she was beautiful, did that mean he expected to sleep with her tonight? Reaching her chambers, Katara's eyes widened as she saw this was the first time she was seeing a room with no red in it. Zuko had managed to have the entire chambers decorated in tribal colors and decor. Fur quilts and pillows. White and different shades of blue were everywhere. Katara's eyes were wide. How did he pull this off?

"I spent the entirety of my first allowance as an Official to make this room for you." Zuko awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. "So, we might not have the most delicious food for this month since I can't really afford quality food right now."

The water consort looked at Zuko and smiled tearfully, "Thank you, Zuko."

Beaming at her, Zuko helped her take a seat and crouched down to her feet. He reached for her injured leg and snapped his fingers for the servants to enter the room with the physician. Katara looked around to see what was going on and saw the physician bring in another water slave. She looked from the woman to Zuko and he smiled.

"This is Yugoda. She's a healer from the North Pole. She said she could heal your injury." Zuko said.

Katara's eyes widened. "Really?!"

Zuko nodded and left her leg up to rest on the ottoman next to them, before getting out of the way for the healer.

Yugoda got down in front of Katara and took a look at her leg, "Her leg was healed by another healer. An inexperienced one but one with some talent. This shouldn't take more than a few minutes."

Everyone in the room watched as the healer bended some water to the consort's leg and saw the water glow. Katara winced a little as Zuko sat beside her and held her hand.

"There, it should be all set." Yugoda said.

Katara looked to Zuko and he held her hand as he helped her stand up.

"Try walking on your own."

As they watched Katara take a few short steps without limping, everyone witnessed tears form in her eyes as she turned around to look at Yugoda and thanked her. She then ran to Zuko and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tight. Everyone left the two alone as they heard Katara cry a thank you to her master.

"It's no problem, Kat. I owe you." Zuko hugged her back.

Later that night, the two ate together in the courtyard under the veranda and when finished, Katara bashfully noticed Zuko staring at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"You don't have to sleep with me, Kat." He told her. "We're just friends. Okay?"

Katara nodded and thanked him.

Chuckling, "Well," Standing up. "I have to get up early tomorrow, so I'll be hitting the hay."

Katara stood too and bowed, "Sleep well, my lord."

"You too, Kat."

…

A month later and tragedy struck, there were two deaths in the royal family and it took the nation by storm. First, a report came in that Lu Ten, Iroh's son had died in combat at the Ba Seng Sei walls. It devastated the crown prince so much that he renounced his claim to the throne, publicly denouncing himself. Not long after this, Fire Lord Azulon passed away in his sleep, making the Second Prince Ozai the new Fire Lord. Zuko was forced to attend along with his uncle with their consorts. It had been a grim funeral that doubled as a coronation ceremony. It was done in poor taste and Katara listened to Zuko complain about it for days, not that she mind. She typically listened to him rant as being an official and now, a prince, came with the problems and challenges he was not used to. He tended to be frustrated and angry more as of late. Katara tried to make things better for him by offering to give him massages, playing a card or board game with him, and she even played the erhu for him. She planned to eventually dance for him since her mother was teaching her now that she no longer had a limp. But Zuko was unable to relax and it worried her.

Pouring him tea during their lunch, Katara noticed he was spacing out and asked him if he was alright.

Zuko snapped out of it and looked over at Katara, "Kat, can I ask you something?"

Katara nodded, "Of course. What is it?"

"How would you feel if I got another consort?" Zuko asked.

Katara tilted her head, "Another consort? Why?"

Zuko sighed and averted his eyes, "Well, I'm sixteen and guys my age…well, we kind of want to…ya know."

"Oh." Katara was surprised. She didn't realize that Zuko felt that way. "Umm, So you want to have sex. Is that why you're frustrated?"

Zuko nodded.

"Ah, if that's the case, what do you need another consort for?" Katara asked.

Zuko raised a brow at her, " Kat, I thought we agreed to just be friends."

"Oh, sorry." Katara was a bit taken aback. "I didn't-"

"It's fine." Zuko told her as he took her hand. "I don't want you to feel obligated to have to sleep with me. Plus, you're only just fourteen. You won't be of age for another two years."

Katara nodded to this. "So, do you know who you want your second consort to be?"

"Mai."

"Mai?!"

Zuko nodded and rubbed his neck awkwardly, "Yeah, she kind of asked me about it and I wanted to run it by you first. Since, you know, you two haven't always gotten along."

Katara reeled in her annoyance at this and cast her gaze away, "You're my master, Zuko. How could I ever tell you not to do as you please?"

"Don't be like that, Kat." Zuko chuckled. "If you want, I'll just continue to wait till you're older, okay? Then it'll just be the two of us until I get married."

Sighing, Katara didn't want Zuko to have to wait for her. She felt bad that he would even suggest such a thing. Besides, it wasn't like she saw him as anything more than her friend. She didn't want to make any romantic gestures towards him when she knew that's not how she felt. They were just friends and Zuko did well looking after her. The least she could do was let him have someone who wanted to actually do the things consorts/concubines did.

Looking up to Zuko, "As long as Mai isn't mean to me, I guess it's okay."

"Really?"

Katara nodded.

"Awesome! Thanks, Kat."

It was a week and Mai moved in with them. She was given the chambers across from Katara's and all her things from her estate were brought to decorate her new living quarters. It was the night she moved in that she heard Zuko and Mai in the room having sex with each other. She didn't know what it was but it made her angry a little. Why did she agree to this? They were making so much noise that she couldn't sleep. She wondered if it was Zuko's first time or if he had done this before. She didn't know. She wanted to ask but she was afraid.

In the morning, Katara was bathed by the servants and dressed in a floral hanfu dress. Her hair was styled with parted bangs with her marking as a consort on her forehead. She went outside to have breakfast with Zuko in the courtyard but saw Mai there and decided she might pass on breakfast.

"Hey, Kat, you're not eating this morning?" Zuko asked as he saw her pass by him.

Katara turned to him, "Sorry, I'm just in a rush to get lessons from my mother on dancing." She said.

"Oh, you're still wanting to learn to dance?"

Katara nodded. "My mother tells me its a must for a concubine to know how to dance."

Zuko rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I guess I'll see you later then."

Running along to go see her mother, Katara sighed to herself and walked through the gardens that separated the different domains. Going to the crown prince's, Katara was let in and saw Malway and Haki carrying out their chores. Both of them smiled when they saw her and she smiled back.

"Katara, how are you doing?" Malway said gleefully.

"I'm doing good." Katara replied.

The couple was glad to hear this.

"Fire Prince Zuko treating you well?" Haki asked.

Katara nodded her head, "Zuko's great. He's been nothing but great."

"I heard he has a new consort." Haki raised a brow.

Katara blushed, "Yes, well, he says I'm not old enough to…you know."

"Ah," Malway grinned. "Very considerate of him."

"Yes, well, have you seen my mother?"

Malway and Haki exchanged looks.

"She's tending to Prince Iroh right now." Haki told her. "With his son's death, its not been easy and she's the only comfort he has."

"That and his wicked brother is Fire Lord now."

Katara sighed at this. "Can I still try to see her?"

"Of course. We can't stop you." Malway chuckled.

Going to Iroh's patio, Katara paused as she heard her mouth and Iroh's voices. She peeked around the corner and saw her mother in Iroh's lap, embracing him with her kimono wide open and hanging off her shoulders as Iroh trailed kisses down her neck. The two were moving against one another in a rhythmic way that caused heat to pool in Katara's gut.

This must be what sex was like when both were consenting to it. The sex was when one wanted to be comforted and the other wanted to do the comforting. It was tender and sensual the her mother rolled her hips against Iroh in his lap. How her arms remained wrapped around his neck as she lovingly kiss him before tilting her head back in pleasure.

"You're so beautiful, my darling." Iroh told Kya.

"And you, my sweet, are an incredible lover." Kya moved to kiss him again as she rolled her hips down into his lap with more vigor causing them both to moan through their kiss.

Katara blushed and looked away, deciding it best to leave. She had seen enough. As Katara left to return to her domain, she saw the Fire Lord's entourage and paused to bow.

"Halt." She heard the Fire Lord order the ones carrying his palanquin. "Let me down."

Katara froze as she saw the steps were placed down in front of the palanquin to allow the Fire Lord to step out of it.

"Stand, girl."

Gathering her dress in her hands, Katara got back to her feet and looked up at the menacing Fire Lord.

"Look at you," He smirked at her overall appearance. "Beautiful and you're no longer a cripple. You can thank me for that. I'm the one that found the healer."

Katara trembled and nodded, "Thank you, your majesty." her voice shook.

"How about you accompany me to my newest living quarters? It's not everyday you get to see the Fire Lord's rooms, is it?" He smirked sinisterly at her.

Katara wanted to run. Everything in her entire being was telling her to run and say no. But she knew better. He was the Fire Lord. How was she supposed to refuse him?

Swallowing hard, "Zuko is expecting me, your majesty. I don't want to disappoint him."

"Trust me, I'm well aware that my son is busy right now. Now, come." Ozai held his hand out to his son's consort.

Reluctantly, she took his hand and was pulled up into the palanquin with him.

Zuko had noticed Katara hadn't returned from seeing her mother for dancing lessons and went to see if she was still there. Two servants express telling her her mother was busy comforting his uncle and watched her leave the domain. This worried Zuko. Where could Katara have gone?

It was the following morning he found Katara returning to the domain with her dress disheveled and hair completely down along with bruises on her face. His eyes widened as she collapsed to the ground upon reaching the gates. He ran over to her and picked her up from the ground.

"Katara! Katara!"

Katara looked up at him and shook her head, "I couldn't stop him." She whispered. "How can I stop him? He's the Fire Lord."

Zuko's eyes flared in anger as Katara fell unconscious in his arms and screamed in rage.

…..

Ozai was plotting out with his war generals on how they were going to take out the rebel forces in the Earth Kingdom when his son barged into the war room to confront him about his consort being raped again. He laughed maniacally and told him that his consort was a lying whore, she had willing come along with him. It wasn't his fault she didn't have any idea what would happen. Zuko called him out of his name in front of the entire room and challenged him to Agni Kai for dishonoring his consort. Ozai smirked and agreed to wipe the floor with his son.

"Zuko, no!" Katara pleaded with him and clung to his arm as he was preparing for his match in an hour.

Sighing as he placed on his arm bands, "I have to, Katara. My father can't get away with this."

"Zuko, I'm just a slave! You can't fight your father!" Katara told him.

Zuko glared at her, "You're a person, Katara! Not a slave!" He got up from his seated position.

"But he's the Fire Lord, Zuko! You can't!"

Grabbing her by her wrists, Zuko shook her and looked deep in her eyes. "I will never! I mean NEVER allow anyone to hurt you like that and get away with it! Fire Lord or not!"

"Zu-"

Zuko smashed his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. Katara's eyes were wide but soon fluttered shut as she returned his kiss, melting into him. They exchanged a chaste kiss before breaking away and Zuko rested his forehead on hers.

"Katara, I don't know what I'd do without you." Zuko whispered to her. "I love you."

Katara teared up and shook her head, "Please, don't do this. You could get hurt."

Kissing her forehead, "I rather get hurt than let him get away with what he's done to you."

Mai had come to see Zuko and managed to catch Zuko declaring his love for Katara. It struck a nerve in her as she couldn't stand that little Water Tribe savage. Why'd he have to be in love with her?!

It was mandatory for all residents of the palace to be in attendance at the Agni Kai match. Katara sat with her mother and Iroh, who both tried to be of support to her as she was about to watch her master begin his fight with his father, the Fire Lord. Katara cried that she tried talking him out of it but Iroh told her that as a growing man, Zuko could not allow his father to continue to dishonor her. No self respecting man would allow such a thing to keep happening to a woman they cared deeply about. All Katara could think about was how Zuko had confessed to being in love with her. She should have returned the sentiment. I mean, she did love him, didn't she?

The fight was like nothing any of them had ever thought they'd witness. Zuko held his own until the very end when the Fire Lord used blue flames that practically changed the temperature of the arena to scorching levels. It was unbelievable and Katara's heart sunk into a bottomless pit as she heard the scream of her master.

Zuko was rushed to the infirmary and his uncle went with him as Katara was not allowed to accompany him. Hours later, Iroh sulked as he came to Katara and Mai in their domain about the fate of Zuko. While he would live and pull through in a week or so, he was permanently scarred on the left side of his face. Not to mention, his father gave an order for a banishment sentence for daring to challenge him to an Agni Kai match. Mai pleaded with Iroh that he convince his brother to not let her be banished with him but Iroh informed her that due to her family's status, she would not be banished. However, he looked to Katara and told her that she had a choice to follow Zuko in banishment or become his father's concubine. It was a no brainer. Katara chose to follow her master into banishment.

With Katara's decision being made, Kya begged Iroh to go with them as she didn't want anything to happen to her daughter. Iroh agreed as he wanted to be of support to his nephew since he was the closest thing to a son he had left.

"But that's impossible!" Zuko shouted at his uncle. "The Avatar has been dead for a century!"

Iroh sighed, "This is the only way you can ever return home, nephew. Please, underst-"

"All I understand is that I've been fucked over by my own father! How could he-...AGH!" Zuko cried out in pain as the physician stitched his gaping wounds up.

Iroh watched as Zuko was in agonizing pain of his injury and his banishment. It was a cruel fate but what could be done? For honor and for love, his nephew was condemned to banishment and sent on a wild goose chase in order to earn his way back home. His brother was a cruel man, indeed.

….

~One Year Later~

"UGH! What did I tell you about washing my underwear with the red uniforms?!" Zuko shouted at his uncle and Katara, who were playing Pai Sho and drinking tea.

Katara and Iroh both sighed.

"I'm talking to you two!" Zuko kicked their game over and glared at them both.

Iroh looked over the damaged board game and sighed, "What a pity, nephew? It's the third one this week."

"Zuko, you need to calm down. You're being ridiculous. It's just underwear. No one is gonna see them." Katara said.

Zuko scowled at her, "Easy for you to say. You have a whole bathroom to yourself! While I have to share one with all fifty men on this ship!"

Katara rolled her eyes, You're so dramatic.

The two watched Zuko storm out and sigh to themselves. Neither knew what to do about Zuko and his anger issues as he had only gradually gotten worse with time.

After his banishment, Zuko had sulk for weeks over the situation of being torn from his home and forced to live as a banished prince with nothing to his name but a mere title. Katara and Iroh tried to be supportive to him and comforting but he lashed out at them. They never took it personally as they understood he was going through a lot.

Katara worried that he had forgotten his words to her before the Agni Kai match as he started getting irritable with her. She didn't know what to do to appease his anger and only so often did she get to see the soft side of him as he had become so aggressive and pint up with rage that she didn't recognize him sometimes. He burned everything he touched, including her and though he always sincerely apologized to her when it was so obviously an accident, she felt he had lost complete control of his emotions. She didn't know what to do and it made her incredibly sad that she could do nothing to ease the pain within him like she had been able to do for herself.

While Zuko might have been dreading much of this banishment he had been sentenced to in search of the Avatar, Katara had loved every minute of it. Being on the open sea with fresh clean air away from the Fire Nation, it was hard for her not to wake up and smile knowing she was not behind those red walls she believed was truly a prison. While Zuko might dread his time here, she was at peace and was able to heal some of her emotional wounds brought about by trauma. That and she had begun practicing the manipulation of her element as she could finally hear it calling to her. Zuko's hell was her heaven and she couldn't have felt more freer in her life.

Iroh helped Katara pick up the pieces to their little game of pai sho and clean the spilt tea. He asked her when they were done to offer to buy more underwear from the cape town before they headed further south in search of the Avatar.

Going to Zuko's cabin, Katara knocked on the metal door and waited to see him open the door. He eyed her impassively with those gold eyes of his and she sighed.

"Want me to go buy more underwear for you in town?" Katara offered.

"No! I'll do it myself." Zuko said in embarrassment.

Katara rolled her eyes, "Look, I'm just trying to help, Zuko. You don't have to be so mean."

"I'm not being mean! I'm just irritated, okay?! There's a difference!"

"Well, it doesn't seem like it." Katara folded her arms.

Zuko rolled his eyes before pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing, "Katara, please, I don't-"

"Let's go into town together. I need to get some girlie things."

"Fine."

The two went into the cape town and looked around the market area for supplies they needed. Katara knew with them being gone for so long away from any towns, she needed plenty of feminine products as well as little treats to hold her off. Iroh said they'd be in the South Pole for a month which meant there would be nothing for them to shop for. The South Pole had fallen to ruin and the surviving groups left there were only able to provide for themselves and their family through their own means. That would be the same for them while there.

"Hey, Kat?" Zuko glanced over at the fifteen year old.

"Hmm?" Katara looked at him.

"I just want to say I'm sorry for blowing up at you and uncle earlier." He told her as he averted his eyes. "Neither of you deserved that and I'll try to work on my anger."

Katara smiled at him and bumped her shoulder into his arm, "Thanks, Zuko."

Zuko's gaze moved back to her.

"I know it's been hard on you but we're both here to support you and we want to help you succeed."

Zuko rubbed the side of his face where he had been burned by his father, "How can I succeed? No one's seen the Avatar in a hundred years. I was doomed to fail the moment my father gave his sentence."

Katara sighed and nodded, "We'll your father is a wicked man."

Zuko shook his head, "Well, if I want to go home, I have to do what is needed. We have no choice but to succeed."

Returning to the steam ship, Zuko helped carry Katara's things to her cabin and set them on her desk. He noticed she was yawning and smiled at her.

"Tired?"

Katara nodded, "I couldn't sleep last night. Full moon."

"Oh, I forget you're a waterbender."

"Yup, maybe I'll find a waterbender that can teach me there." Katara said in a hope tone.

"That would be great but I doubt they'll help you." Zuko told her. "You're dressed in Fire Nation garb and you're a banished prince's consort."

Katara giggled, "You still see me as your consort, Zuko."

Zuko nodded as he blushed a little.

Katara walked up to him and looked up at him, "Should I go back to addressing you as my master?" She asked as she reached up to touch his scar but he caught her wrist and shut his eyes.

"I don't want to be your master, Katara." Zuko told her as he reopened his eyes. "I want us to be equals."

Smiling at him, "Equals. Like what? You're my boyfriend now, Zuko?"

Blushing, the banished prince swallowed hard and looked away from her. "I mean, if you w-want to." He reached to rub his neck awkwardly as he let go of her wrist.

Katara giggled and reached up to kiss his scarred cheek, "You can be really cute at times, Zuko. If only you were always like this, I'd want to be your girlfriend."

Zuko wore a dejected expression on his face. So, she didn't want to be his girlfriend? Why? Because he wasn't always nice anymore? Well, how was that his fault? He had a lot he was dealing with. She should understand that better than anyone.

"Katara, I thought you'd-"

"What, Zuko?" Katara tilted his head up at him. "You thought what?

"I thought you'd want to since you kissed me back before my Agni Kai match." Zuko said.

Katara chuckled, "Zuko, you were a different person then. Not so angry and pent up with frustration."

"Well maybe I'm frustrated because you seemed to have forgotten I told you I love you! Doesn't that mean anything to you?!"

Katara looked up at Zuko with confusion, "It means a lot to me, Zuko. I appreciate the sentiment and I wanted to return it but-"

"But what?!"

"You have not been very kind to me in this last year. You're always yelling and angry and I never know how to appease you."

Zuko clenched his fists, "You can appease me by being my girlfriend!"

"Why would that appease you, Zuko?" Katara furrowed her brows.

"Cause then you could sleep in my cabin with me and we could-"

"Ah, that's what you're trying to get at." Katara folded her arms. "I'm the only girl on this ship and you don't have Mai, so you want me to have sex with you now."

Zuko groaned frustratedly, "It's not like that. I just-"

"Just what, Zuko?" Katara narrowed her eyes at him. "You just want to have sex, huh?"

"It's not like that, Kat. If I just wanted to have sex with you, I wouldn't want you to be my girlfriend."

"Then why do you want me to be your girlfriend, Zuko?!"

"Because I love you! And I want you by my side always! Not as my slave! Not as my consort! But my equal!" Zuko yelled at her. "You're a person, Kat. I don't want you to feel obligated to be with me. I just want you to feel like you want to of your own free will."

Katara sighed and looked away from him, "Zuko, if that's the case, shouldn't I also have the choice to not be with you if I didn't want to."

"Yeah but then we wouldn't be together." Zuko said as he voice softened up, feeling a little hurt by the idea.

Sighing, "Zuko, I can be by your side as your friend. We'll always be friends but I think I need to work up to being more than that to you. I just don't feel the same as you."

Deeply hurt by this, Zuko didn't say anything and fled her cabin, slamming the door behind him. She heard his boots storm down the metal hall and heard him swearing under his breath. Sighing to herself, Katara sat on her bed and laid on her side as she stared at the metal walls of her room. She wouldn't mind being Zuko's girlfriend if he wasn't so mean and angry all the time. He was so angry and it scared her at times. Surely, he had to understand she had been through a lot and didn't want to be hurt any further. She knew Zuko had a good heart and meant well but ever since his banishment, she'd been shocked with how he's been.

Iroh sighed as he watched his nephew and Katara give each other the cold shoulder. He had overheard his nephew and Katara talking last night from his cabin that was next to Katara's. He hate eavesdropping but the two were so loud about it that he doubted the crew members of the ship didn't hear it. He felt for his nephew and appreciated how he tried asking Katara to be his girlfriend instead of continuing to see her as the slave she had been forced to be. It showed that his nephew was still kind hearted and had an understanding that she was human just like everyone else and deserved to be humanized like everyone. However, he agreed with Katara, his nephew had been acting out since his banishment and taking his anger out on everyone. While they didn't take it personal, they could not excuse his behavior and if he wanted to get Katara to be his girlfriend, he needed to clean up his act. Iroh didn't care if his nephew was sexually frustrated or just overall annoyed with his situation but he couldn't behave any kind of way and expect to get the girl.

"Breakfast was delicious as always, Katara." Iroh said. "Thank you."

Giving Iroh a pleasant look, Katara nodded. "Your welcome, Iroh."

The two noticed Zuko barely ate anything and Katara rolled her eyes, knowing he was just being a dick like he had been this past year. This is exactly why she refused to be his girlfriend. She was not sleeping with him just so he could go off on her because he was irritable. The nerve of this asshole.

"You're not hungry this morning, nephew?" Iroh asked in concern.

Zuko shook his head, "I don't feel like eating."

"Well, you should have said that before we wasted the food on you." Katara spat.

Zuko cut his eyes at her, "I didn't know I wouldn't be hungry." he bit out.

"How do you not know you're not hungry, Zuko?!"

"Well maybe that's because I realize I didn't want unseasoned eggs and half-cooked boar steak for the hundredth time this fucking year! Like damn it, cook something else! Or just just cook it better!"

Iroh furrowed his brows at his nephew as Katara got up and ran out the room.

"That was uncalled for, Zuko." Iroh frowned at his nephew.

"It's true! She can't cook! Everyone says as much!" Zuko shouted. "She needs to know what her strong suits are and stick to it! Tell her to stop cooking our breakfasts!"

Iroh was seriously disappointed in his nephew, "Zuko, this isn't about her cooking. You've always eaten it without complaint. This is because she doesn't want to be your girlfriend."

"SHE TOLD YOU?!"

"No, Zuko, I could hear you both from my room." Iroh sighed. "If you need to release your pent up frustrations, try-"

"Uncle!"

"I'm just saying, Zuko. Katara has been through a lot due to your father assaulting her twice in the past. I think it's best you try not to force your feelings on her unless you can clean up your act and be more your gentle self."

Zuko groan and stood to his feet in anger, "How can I be my gentle self when I'm so angry?! I did nothing wrong! I defended my consort as I should! As all men do! But instead, he scarred my face and banished me instead of having a clean fight with a reasonable punishment! Why is this happening to me?!"

Iroh sighed as he stood up and placed his hands in his sleeves, "Nephew, maybe you could learn a thing or two from Katara. Not only saw she torn away from her home as a young child to be a slave in a foreign land but she endured many hardships as a slave. She spent years being bullied for having an injury she acquired from being flogged. Then your father had his way with her against her will and she was stripped from her mother to accompany you on your journey. She's been through a lot but she still tries to be kind and compassionate and understanding towards you. Can you not see how it hurts her that you can't douse your anger?"

Furrowing his brows, Zuko had never thought of that. It never dawned on him how Katara had been able to keep upbeat despite the trauma she had been through. His uncle was right. He wasn't seeing things from her perspective. She expected him to have a little more tact than he did. To be mindful and try to work through his feelings before he jumps down anyone's throat.

Sighing as he palmed himself in the face, Zuko decided he'd go apologize to Katara and try to make it up to her.

Knocking on her door, Zuko waited for her to open it and just when she did, he had to hurry to put his boot in the door before she could shut it. Wincing as the metal door was pressed on his foot.

"Kat, I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Zuko." She replied nonchalantly.

"No, it's not fine." Zuko told her. "It's not okay that I have just been flying off the handle. You and the crew and my uncle deserve better and I'm sorry I haven't been my best but I'll try, okay? I promise you, I'll be a better me some day and when I do become better, I hope you'll consider letting me be your boyfriend. But only if you think I'm worthy."

Katara sighed and smiled a little, "Okay, Zuko. I'll be waiting and watching."

Smiling back, "Thank you, Kat."

….

The South Pole was beautiful. Katara was so delighted to be back home. She had always dreamed of being under the starry night canopy of the Southern skies again. This was her home and she loved it here. Even if there wasn't much to it anymore and most of it was covered in snow and ice, it was still nothing like the Southern lands. Not even the North Pole was this beautiful, she bet. The vast wilderness and large glaciers and massive wide open spaces. Villages were often miles and miles apart and no one truly knew how large the South Pole truly was. But Katara, she felt an overwhelming connection to this place. Some much so it made her emotional.

Finding the waterbender above deck in the wee hours of the morning, Iroh smiled and made his way to her.

"Glad to be home, I assume." Iroh said as he came up beside her.

Nodding her head with happy tears in her eyes, "Yes, there's nothing like being back home after years of being away. I thought I'd never see this tundra again but I'm glad I have been able to see it now."

Iroh sighed and looked around, "Whenever we return home, I want to help you and your mother regain your freedom. So you both can return home."

Katara turned to look at Iroh in surprise, "You'd do that? Why? I thought-"

"Your mother is a good woman. I've come to love her deeply, Katara. So much so that I've realized that she is not truly happy and only pretends for my sake." Iroh sighed. "I hear her praying every night to your gods that your brother and father are safe and sound. Praying that she'd see the snowfall of the South Pole again. I want that for her."

Katara looked back at the scenery around her, "You're a good man, Iroh. One of few I've met in the Fire Nation. I'm grateful to have been in service to you, Iroh."

Iroh smiled at the young girl, "No need to thank me. I've come to enjoy you and your mother's company. You've both shown me what true strength looks like and I'm happy that in this life, I have met those such as yourselves."

The waterbender reached over to hug Iroh and received a hug in return.

Zuko had noticed Katara wasn't in her room and his uncle was gone too. He went above deck to find them both hugging one another and paused to see what was going on.

"Your mother gave me this." Iroh reached in his pocket and handed her a blue choker. "She told me if you ever got to see the South Pole again on our adventures, that you wear this if you meet anyone here. They'll know who you are."

Katara's eyes widened as she saw the necklace and realized it was her mother's betrothal necklace that her mother received from her father.

"Can you help me put this on, Iroh?" She asked as she looked up at him.

Iroh nodded and told her to turn around.

Zuko approached as his uncle placed the necklace on Katara's neck and saw her smile to herself as she pressed her fingertips to the blue pendant. She turned around and thanked his uncle before looking over to him. He gave her a small smile as his uncle looked between the two of them and declared with a yawn that he was going back to bed. Zuko walked up the railing beside her and leaned forward on it, looking out at the glaciers and then to Katara, who leaned forward with him.

"So this is where you're from?"

Katara beamed and nodded, "Yes, beautiful, right?"

"Sure." Zuko replied as he couldn't see any signs of civilization anywhere. He guessed that must be the beauty of this place. Vast open land of snow and ice. No signs of humanities mark on the world. He would admit, now that he was thinking about it, it was beautiful. Especially, with the dawning sun coming up over the snowy mountains in the east.

"I'm excited, Zuko. What if I find my brother and father while here?"

Zuko wondered that too. But what would happen if she did find they were still here? Would she want to stay with them? Would he stop her from being with the other half of her family after being away from them for years? Agni, he didn't know what he'd do if that happened. He had had Katara by his side for so long that if she were gone from his life, he didn't know how he would be. But he knew for a fact, he couldn't stop her. She didn't deserve to be apart from her family. Not when his nation had torn her from her home and subjected her to cruelty all this time.

Looking away from her, "If you found them, would you want to be with them?" he asked her.

Katara nodded, "Of course. They're my family. Why wouldn't I want to be with them?"

"So, I would never see you again?" Zuko said in a weary tone.

Glancing up at Zuko, "You could join us."

Zuko scoffed, "That would never workout."

Katara giggled, "Zuko, I'm only kidding. I wouldn't leave you." She told him. "I'd be happy to see them but I still technically belong to you. I couldn't stay with them even if I wanted to."

And this made bothered him a little. She was still his possession. Like a living breathing object that had their own thoughts and feelings but couldn't do or say as they pleased. He could order her to do whatever and she'd have no choice. He hated that. So, if they found her brother and father, Zuko planned to set her free, allow her to make the decision herself of where she'd rather be. It was only right that he let her go. As much as he wanted her for himself, he'd have to learn to live without her.

…

"Look, Zuko!" Katara said excitedly as she tried maintaining her stance.

Zuko looked over and saw a large ribbon of water above his friend's head with little fish inside. "Hey, looks like you're finally able to control water!"

Katara tried concentrating to slowly lower the water ribbon to the side but it came undone over her head, the fishies fall over her as she spit out water. Zuko chuckled a little to himself as went over to her and gathered the fish in a bucket.

"We can eat these for dinner." He told her.

Rolling her eyes, Katara stormed off below deck as Iroh came up beside his nephew with his hands in his sleeves. "It's a pity she has to teach herself how to wield her own element. Maybe we'll come across waterbenders that will want to teach her."

"Yeah," Zuko sulked a little at the thought.

Seeing his nephew look so glum, Iroh places his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "She deserves the same freedom in life that you have, my dear nephew. She deserves her freedom."

Zuko shrugged his uncle's hand off of her shoulder, "I know that but still, I don't want to lose her. I had no other friends growing up but her and I'm going to lose her as soon as she finds her brother and father."

"You must not look at it that way, Zuko. You would be returning to her what she has lost due to the war. Her freedom is more important for anything. Including your feelings for her." Iroh expressed. "Perhaps, when she returns to her family, you two will continue to see each other. One can never tell what fate has in store for them. If you and Katara are meant to be, fate will find a way to reunite you both."

It was a nice thought but something told him that Katara and him would lose their friendship shortly after he let her go. But his uncle was right. He knew that but his selfishness wanted to tell him otherwise.

Later that day, Zuko found Katara pacing back and forth in the hallway. He stopped her to ask what was wrong and she told him she couldn't sleep. She was having flashbacks of his father and what he did to her. Zuko yawned and told her she could sleep in his bed while he took the floor if it meant she could get some rest. She agreed and followed him back to his cabin.

There, Katara climbed into his bed and laid herself down in his bed, patting the side of it. Zuko raised a brow and she smiled at him.

"You don't have to sleep on the floor." Katara said as she laid on her side and reached behind her to undo her hair tie.

Zuko watched Katara's hair spill and cascade down her features for the first time since he's known her. Never had he noticed how long her hair truly was or that her chestnut hair was wavy instead of straight. She looked absolutely beautiful and he feared sleeping in the bed with her. Last thing he wanted to do was get aroused against his will.

"Katara, I think it's best I-"

"It's okay, Zuko." Katara told him as she grabbed at the hem of her nightgown and lifted it for him to see. "We can do it if you want."

"Do what?" He raised a brow at her in confusion.

"Have sex." She said in a surprisingly steady voice as she looked him directly in the eyes.

"Ummm, Kat, I-"

Sitting up, Katara got out of bed and pulled her gown off, tossing on the floor as she revealed her naked body. She watched Zuko's eyes widen at her and noticed them taking in the sight of her. Katara reached to grab his hand and place it on her breast, helping him give them a squeeze. He swallowed hard and looked Katara in the eyes in shock.

"I don't want your father to be the only man that's touched me, Zuko." Katara told him. "Please, I want you to make me forget."

Zuko swallowed hard. That was a tall order coming from her but he didn't mind. If this was something she truly wanted, then he wanted it to. He wanted it more than anything. Maybe they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend yet but he could at least do this much for her. Before she left and returned to her home.

Stepping forward, Zuko took her face and cupped it as his lips pressed into hers. He felt her hands rest against his chest as he drank her in, moving one hand to snake around her waist. He held her tight to him and moaned slightly as he felt her breasts begin pressing against his chest. She was a bit shorter than him but not by too much. Their heights sort of complimented one another and he could tell it would be no difficult task maintaining his hold on her throughout the night.

Breaking the kiss to peck her cheek and nuzzle his scarred cheek to her soft one, Zuko shut his eyes and breathed out. "Are you sure, Kat?"

Nodding her head as her eyes were closed too, "I want you, Zuko. Please, don't turn me away."

And that was all he needed to know.

Katara clung to Zuko tight as he had undressed and laid them both into the bed on their sides. He propped her leg up on his middle as he thrusted into her at a slow pace. Katara used one hand to squeeze her breast as he pulled out, thrusting right back in to the hilt. She moan loudly at this and asked him to go a little faster. It was an odd feeling at first but Katara could see why her mother comforted Iroh this way. It made her felt more relaxed and it felt good enough to make her want more. Especially, since she was doing it with Zuko.

Trailing hot kisses along her neck and collar bone, Zuko pushed her down onto the bed and got a better angle. He couldn't believe he was having sex with her. Couldn't believe she was allowing him to have and hold her. It was all he wanted for some time and he finally got to experience it. Katara's tight body wrapped around his. Oh, he was in heaven.

"Yes, Zuko!" Katara cried in his ear as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Please, make this last. I don't want you to stop."

And he didn't want to stop either. He wanted to be stuck in this moment forever. Holding her like this till the end of time. However, his body was having a hard time not responding to the way hers was making him feel.

Kissing her cheek and nuzzling her as he continued thrusting into her, "I'm sorry, Kat." He hissed between his teeth. "I'm at my limit."

"No, Zuko, plea-"

"We can do this some more." He kissed her. "Promise."

Katara whimpered as Zuko thrusted a few more times before cumming. He made sure to pull out of her when he finished, spilling himself out on her stomach. He panted and plopped down beside her as she sat up and looked at him.

"Zuko?"

"Hmmm?" He tried catching his breath.

"Was I any good?" Katara asked him.

Zuko smirked at her and nodded. "Of course. Why would you be worried about that? You were amazing."

Katara averted her eyes, "Because….your father, he'd get mad at me and hit me for not doing what he wanted."

Zuko sat up and furrowed his brows. He took Katara's chin in his hand and made her look to him, "Katara, you don't have to think about that anymore. We'll keep doing this until you forget about him, okay? You were great and I'm sorry he did that to you."

Katara threw her arms around his neck and the two fell into bed together. They cuddled up into each other's arms and drifted off to sleep. It was probably the best sleep either of them had in a long time. Especially Katara. She hadn't slept this well since she was a child, sleeping between both her parents and her brother.

In the morning, Iroh went to check on Zuko as he couldn't seem to find Katara. As he knocked and entered his nephew's room. To his surprise, he found Katara curled up under the sheets with his nephew spooning her. Iroh saw their clothes on the floor and put two and two together as he backed out of the door, shutting the door quietly. Despite it being a shocking sight, Iroh was not surprised.

It was about noon before he saw either teenagers. Iroh felt he should perhaps have a conversation with them since they were young and there was still so much for them to learn and understand about sex. He didn't want either of them to have any slip ups in the future and felt it was pivotal that he try educate them as best he could.

"Uncle!" Zuko yelled in embarrassment as his face was red.

Katara hung her head and blushed as the three sat at the table together.

"Zuko, this is important." Iroh stressed. "If you two are going to behave as adults and engage in sexual relations, you should know the consequences of such an act. We are far from civilization and there is little we can do if a slip up happens. I leave you to be the responsible one, Zuko, since you're the older of you two and the male in this situation. You control where you decided to c-"

"Okay! Okay! I get it!" Zuko shouted, still very embarrassed about his uncle discussing things with them.

When Iroh let up, Katara fled to her room and Zuko was about to go after her when his uncle stopped him.

"Zuko, what happened last night? Why did you two suddenly decide to sleep together?" Iroh asked.

Zuko furrowed his brows, "Katara wanted to. She said she didn't want my father being the only man to touch her and asked me to have sex with her."

"And did you agree because you wanted to help her or because it was giving you what you wanted?" Iroh narrowed his eyes.

Zuko could say both but he knew his uncle would reprimand him for using her. However, Zuko saw nothing wrong with that. He would help Katara out but he'd also enjoy their coupling. At the end of the day, he was a young man and it couldn't be helped that he wanted that with her.

…

The steam ship came to a halt as it saw a massive glacier in the way. The crew was having to thaw it out and while they did, Katara toyed with the water in her bowl. She was tired and she didn't sleep well last night as she stayed up talking with Zuko till dawn. The two of them hadn't had sex since their first night but she felt a whole lot closer to him than ever before. She wanted to do it again but she didn't know how to ask. Before, it was just to get her to think of someone other than his father whenever she felt her memories coming to haunt her. For the most part, it worked. Anytime she thought of his father, she was able to switch her thoughts to the night she spent in Zuko's arms which allowed her to rest more easily. However, every time she saw him, especially when she saw him practicing his bending with his shirt off, Katara felt hot and bothered. She wanted to walk up to him and kiss him and take his hand to lead him back to her room. But she didn't have the courage to approach him about such a proposition. How did she tell him she wanted sex from him?

Sighing to herself, she glanced over to Zuko being handed a towel from his uncle and wiped the sweat from his shaven parts of his head. She saw him glance over at her and smile, causing her to smile back as he made his way over to her.

"Playing with water still?" Zuko asked as he took a seat with her.

Katara nodded, "I think if I do this pull and push exercise everyday, maybe I'll be able to do it on a large scale."

Zuko could see she was really desperate to bend water properly. "Uncle says the captain spotted a village nearby. Maybe there's a waterbender there that can teach you."

Katara pulled down on her black fur collar of her red parka and showed Zuko her choker, "Think any of them will help me if they see this?"

Zuko nodded.

Giggling in excitement, Katara stood up and went to grab his hand to make him stand. "Let's go to the village, Zuko." She told him.

"I don't know, Kat. It could be dangerous."

"So?!" She said in a giddy tone. "You're almost at the level of mastery, right? And we could take a few crewmen with us. I just want to meet the people. Maybe there are waterbenders there or maybe my brother and father are there too!"

Zuko furrowed his brows together, "I don't know, Kat. I don't think they'd be friendly to us since we're Fire Nation."

"Well, you're Fire Nation. I'm one of them."

"Yeah, well, you're dressed like me. So, they're not going to think you're one of them." Zuko told her.

Pouting, "Please, Zuko!"

Zuko sighed to himself. He really didn't want her to start begging him but he really didn't want to say yes. They just had sex for the first time days ago and while they haven't slept together since, he didn't want that to be the only time they ever got together like that. Something told him she'd find just what she was looking for in that village and he wanted her to let it go, giving up hope of finding her father and brother.

"It's dangerous, Kat. I'll have a scout survey the area but I'm not sure if we can-"

"Zuko," She clung to his coat and shook her head. "I've never asked you for anything in all the time I've known you. Please, don't refuse me."

Sighing as he looked away from her, "Fine. We'll go tomorrow."

"Yay!" Katara jumped up and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him repeatedly on the cheek, despite some of the crew eyeing them.

Later that night, Zuko was surprised to see Katara knocking on his door as he was just returning from his uncle's cabin.

"Kat, what's-"

"Can I sleep in your room again tonight?" Katara asked him in a sweet voice.

Zuko knew not to refuse her. Not that he wanted to.

"Sure, come in." He said as he went to his door and opened it to let her in.

As the two of them stepped in, Zuko was caught off guard when Katara pushed him up against the closed door and captured his lips. She kissed him passionately and with need as he hands slid up his shirt to his toned bare chest. Zuko pulled at the hem of his tunic and pulled it over his head, breaking the kiss for just a second as he grabbed her face and returned her kiss with eagerness. Katara's nightgown pooled at her feet and Zuko reached down to pick her up, turning her around to press her to the door. She was not expecting him to be able to lift her but she wasn't complaining.

It was there against the door that Zuko fucked her long and hard as she kissed him with every ounce of lust in her. Katara had wanted this so badly and she didn't know why it felt she couldn't get enough of it right at this moment. She needed more. Pushing him off of her, Katara got down to her feet and walked over to the bed, bending over it. She looked over her shoulder and saw Zuko staring at her hungrily as she wiggled her hips to tease him.

"You're playing with fire, Kat." Zuko growled as he approached her on the bed.

Katara smirked, "I want to do more than play with fire, Zuko."

His hands grabbed hold of her hips to halt them as he pushed himself back inside her. A long drawn out moan pulled from Katara's lips as he thrusted deep inside and pulled back just to thrust back in. She clenched the sheets and spread her legs wider to allow him more access to her. Soon, her hair was wrapped around his fist as he tugged it back while pounding into her.

"Yes, Zuko! Yes!" Katara cried. "I want more!"

Zuko clenched his teeth as he gave her what she wanted. What he wanted. His erected member continued piercing her core and extracting more juices from her as she cried out his name. It was the most erotic thing he ever experienced and he wanted to make her even more watery. Propping one leg up on the bed, Zuko started pulling her his back on him as he met her half with his thrusting. It made Katara's voice even louder and couldn't seem to care that someone would hear them in her. He just wanted her to feel every bit of what he was feeling. He wanted her to always remember what it felt like to be with him, so she would not leave him. So she would know her place was with him. So she wouldn't feel tempted to ever stray from him. She was his. She belonged to him.

She was on her back and he was above her, holding her thigh up to get just the right angle to drive her crazy. It honestly drove him crazy. Seeing her breasts bounce around as her face contorted in pleasure at what he was doing to her. He leaned down to mash his lips to hers and drank her in as he rolled his hips into hers repeatedly. Her arms circled around his neck and she held him close as he braced himself on his hand against the headboard above their heads. Her nails raked through his shaven scalp causing him to groan.

Pulling his lips from her, Zuko cupped her face and looked over her face as he continued thrusting into her at a more sensual pace. "You're so beautiful, Katara."

Opening her eyes, Katara looked up at him and cupped his face. "Zuko, I-"

The two were interrupted by a loud bang on the door and they were startled.

"Nephew, Katara, please keep the noise down. You're both stirring the crew at so late an hour from their sleep." Iroh told them.

"Okay, Uncle!" Zuko shouted.

"I suggest having Katara drown out her volume with a pillow or perhaps biting the she-"

"OKAY!" Zuko yelled as he didn't want his uncle giving him advice in the middle of them having sex.

"Alright, you two enjoy yourselves." They heard the old man make his way back down the hallway and sighed to themselves.

Zuko rolled off of Katara as neither were much in the mood anymore after that. Take a deep breath in, Zuko exhaled and looked over at Katara, who had her eyes shut with a grin on her face.

"What are you smiling for?"

Katara opened her eyes and turned on her side to face him, "Tomorrow, we're going to that village. I can't wait to meet those people."

Zuko furrowed his brows a little at this. Without skipping a beat, Zuko rolled back on top of Katara and took her again as she returned his embrace.

In the morning, Zuko made sure to have on his thick coat and told Katara to dress as warm as possible. There was no telling what kind of situation they'd find themselves in. They needed to be cautious the entire time and be wary of the wildlife. He gathered two crewmen to come with them and his uncle reminded them to be kind and understanding of the village as the Water Tribe had seen a lot of raids in recent years.

"Are you ready for this, nephew?" Iroh asked Zuko as Katara was off to the side, adjusting her parka.

"Yes." He bit out. "I can't just tell her no or she'll jump overboard and make her way there on her own. I would rather be with her to make sure she's safe."

Iroh nodded, "You're doing the right thing, Zuko. I'm proud of you."

Zuko sucked his teeth. He really didn't want to be doing this but what was he supposed to do about any of it? He just hoped Katara didn't leave him. That she remembered last night and the warmth they shared. That she knew he was more important than any past she had with people that no longer knew her.

Excitedly, Katara climbed onto the kimono rhino with Zuko's help, she settled herself in front of him as one arm went around her middle to hold her in a more secure position. The small group road out towards the village they saw and Zuko could feel Katara wiggling in excitement. He whispered for her to calm down as she was starting to excite a certain member of his with all her extra movement. She blushed and stopped, not wanting to arouse him at a time like this.

Katara could see as they gradually approached the village, that people were coming out of their igloos and huts to see what was going on. Zuko whispered for her to not feel disappointed if they were not the friendliest towards her. Katara wasn't worried about that. Not at all.

"I've lived in the Fire Nation for almost half my life, Zuko. I think I know how to deal with unfriendly people." Katara told him.

"I just don't want your feelings to get hurt."

"They won't."

Stopping just a few feet from the village, Katara hurriedly climbed down off the mount and started making her way towards the village. She noticed mother's pulling their children back and men pulling out their weapons as if to defend themselves and their village. Katara paused as Zuko rushed to her side and pulled her back.

"Be careful, Katara!" Zuko shouted at her.

"I am!" She shouted back before looking to the people and giving them a hopeful smile.

They're expresses didn't change just because she was showing herself friendly and that was alright with her. She understood. Walking up just a little more with Zuko right behind her, Katara waved her hand to them and they raised their weapons at her.

Zuko yanked her back and glared at the men daring to raise their weapons at his- well, what was she to him now?

"Zuko, it's fine. They're just scared. I'm sure if we told them why we're here, they'll calm down." Katara said.

Zuko looked from her to the tribesmen that looked anything but friendly. "Okay, fine. Just stand here when talking to them. Don't get too close.

Katara nodded and looked away from Zuko to the tribespeople. "Hello! My name is Katara! I'm a waterbender from here, the South Pole, I'm trying to find a waterbender instructor to teach me waterbender. Are any of you waterbenders by chance?"

One of the men scoffed, "A waterbender? You don't look like one."

"Yeah! She's all dressed in Fire Nation clothes! For all we know it could be a ploy to take what's left of our people!"

Katara saw all of them scowl at her. "No! No, I'm not trying to trick any of you. See." She used what little of her bending she was able to control and bended some of the snow.

They all looked at her with wide eyes.

"See? I'm just trying to find a teacher."

"Then why are you in Fire Nation clothes and with Fire Nation men?" One of the men asked.

Katara swallowed hard and looked away from them, "I was taken away in one of the raids a few years ago. This is my m- my friend, who's helping me not only find a teacher but reunite with my brother and father." She told them in a somber voice.

Zuko didn't know how he felt about her calling him her friend. They were clearly much more than friends at this point.

"Move aside," An elderly woman's voice sounded as they all parted way for her. "Waterbender, you say? We haven't had a waterbender for forty years in the South Pole. All aside from my granddaughter, who was stolen with her mother almost six years ago. You wouldn't happen to be her, would you?"

Katara's eyes widened at the sight of the old woman, she remembered her. "Gram Gram?"

Zuko's eyes widened at this.

"Katara?" The woman remembered that name her granddaughter would always call her. "Katara, is that you?"

Katara nodded as she took off towards the old woman and the old woman threw her arms around the teenage girl.

"Oh my Tui and La! Tui and La! You've brought her back home!" The old woman cried.

All the tribesmen lowered their weapons at this dawning realization.

"Katara?" a male's voice came and Katara looked up from her grandmother to see a boy about the age of Zuko approach them. Her eyes widened as she stepped away from her grandmother, who smiled as she turned to watch her granddaughter.

"Sokka?"

"Katara!"

Katara was bombarded with a massive hug and spun all around.

"Katara! I can't believe you're back!" Sokka said in joyful laughter.

"I can't believe I'm seeing you again!"

Putting her down on her feet, Sokka beamed at his little sister and had tears in his eyes. "Me and dad never gave up hope that we'd see you both again. He's out there fighting in the war to try and get you and mom back."

Katara was so happy to hear this.

"Where's mom?" Sokka asked as he looked around for her.

Katara smiled sadly, "She's still in the Fire Nation. She and I managed to stay together through the slave auctions. The Former Fire Lord Azulon bought us and had us live with his eldest son, Prince Iroh." She explained.

"You were a slave? You and mom?" Sokka felt hurt by this realization.

Tearfully nodding her head, "But Prince Iroh was good to us. He and his nephew, Prince Zuko." Katara looked over her shoulder to see Zuko wearing an unreadable expression. "Iroh said he wants to help me and mom get our freedom back."

"That's great!"

"Most generous of him." Their gram gram said. "We must thank him for bringing you back home."

"Actually," Katara looked away from them. "I'm not back home just yet."

"Well, why not?" Their grandmother asked.

Katara looked back to Zuko, "Because, I'm trying to help my friend, Zuko, find the Avatar. He needs the avatar in order to return home."

"Why?" Sokka furrowed his brows.

"He's banished." Katara told them. "He got banished trying to defend me from his father."

Sokka looked from his sister to the banished prince with only a ponytail of hair. "Defend you? What happened?"

Katara shook her head, "It's best you don't know. But I can't leave him. Not yet. He needs me."

"Well, if that's the case, you both should give up your search." Sokka said. "This is all that's left of the Southern Water Tribe. There's no Avatar here. Have a look. Only waterbender here is you, Katara."

Katara's eyes widened as she looked to Zuko, who turned his back to her.

Looking back to her brother, "What do you mean this is all that's left?"

Sokka furrowed his brows, "The Fire Nation did many raids after you and mom were taken. Many died and others were taken too. All that remains is this small village. You won't find any other villages but I implore your friend to search high and low if he doesn't believe us."

No, Zuko believed him. They had been in the South Pole for weeks and there was no sign of any village except this one. This was as he said before, an impossible mission.

"Then this is really it?" Katara looked so saddened by this realization.

Their gram gram looked to her granddaughter's friend and her before telling them to come into the hut to get warm. Katara hurried over to Zuko and grabbed his arm, "Come on, lets get warm."

Zuko allowed her to pull him along as he was just happy to hear she wasn't planning on leaving him. She wanted to stay by him until he found the Avatar which made a part of him hope they never found the Avatar.

Inside the igloo, Zuko sat close to the exit while watching Katara and her family do some catching up. She seemed so genuinely happy by finding her family and he was happy for her but he just hoped she didn't change her mind.

"So, you helped my sister in the Fire Nation?" Sokka asked the brooding Fire Nation Prince.

Zuko nodded.

"So what happened to her that you stepped in?"

Katara and Zuko exchanged looks. When Katara looked down in shame, Zuko decided he'd tell her brother the truth.

"My father...he raped her."

Kanna gasped at this as Sokka balled his fists.

"He had done it twice and I couldn't let him get away with it, so I challenged in to an Agni Kai."

"Agni Kai?" Sokka was confused.

"It's a fighting match." Katara told them.

"Oh."

Zuko sighed, "I lost against my father, the Fire Lord, and banished me with a scar to the face." He reached for his scarred left side. "Only way I can come home is with the Avatar."

"Sounds like your pops doesn't want you home." Sokka snorted. "Everyone knows the Avatar hasn't been seen in a hundred years."

Zuko already knew that but still, he had some kind of hope.

"It's okay, Zuko. We'll find em." Katara said as she placed her hand on his.

Sokka looked between his sister and the Fire Prince. He wondered what went on between them. Katara kept calling them friends and he'd see the prince's eye brow twitch. Something was definitely going on between them.

"Well, it's getting late. You two can stay here until morning. We have plenty of room."

Katara's eyes lit up and she was about to answer them when Zuko quickly declined for them.

"We'll get back to the ship." Zuko told them.

Sokka raised a brow and Kanna beamed at her granddaughter, hugging her before she left with her Fire Nation friend.

"I guess not all Fire Nation men are bad."

Sokka sucked his teeth. "I don't know about that guy. Something's up with him."

…

It was late at night and the two were at it again. Zuko was pounding away at Katara from behind as she bit the sheets, moaning into them. He was a little more aggressive tonight as he felt he needed to reinforce that she was his without telling her as much but he couldn't help saying aloud. He gripped her hair and leaned down to rain kisses on her back as he plowed her sobbing wet pussy.

"Mine!" He growled. "You're mine!"

Katara cried out from the sheets as Zuko was fucking her even harder and she couldn't help the pleasure that watched over her as she listened to his possessive ranting.

"You're not leaving me! I'll never let you leave!" Zuko growled viciously.

Katara began noticing Zuko was getting more aggressive than she could take and it began hurting a little. She winced as he bit her neck and rammed into her. It wasn't long before he shoved himself deep inside her and came inside her. Zuko never came inside her. Never. She turned over and shoved him from her as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"Zuko, you didn't."

"Sorry, Kat." Zuko panted. "I lost control."

Katara quickly got out of bed and rushed to put her nightgown back on. "I need to go."

"Kat-"

"Night, Zuko." She said before slamming the door closed.

The following morning, Zuko had gone above deck to find his uncle as the ship seemed to be stuck in front of another glacier. This time it was a strange one. A sphere that almost didn't look natural. The crew always able to melt it and it was moving, looked like they were going to have to turn around. Katara looked bothered by this as it meant they'd be moving away from the village.

Iroh approached his nephew and told him that now was the time to let Katara return to her home. However, Zuko didn't want to do that at all. She was his. He told her as much but Iroh pointed in the direction of where the waterbender was leaning against the railings, staring out at the sight of the village. Zuko sighed and swore under his breath as he made his way to Katara.

"I need to find the Avatar, Kat." Zuko told her. "I want you with me when I find him and go back home."

Katara sighed and nodded ."Of course, Zuko. I'll be right here with you." she said somberly.

"But you don't have to if you don't want to." Zuko looked away from her. "I won't force you to stay. You're free to go back home."

Katara's eyes widened at him, "Really?!"

Zuko nodded. "I promise."

Katara threw her arms around him and hugged him tight, "Zuko, thank you!" she cried. "Thank you so much!"

Hugging her back, Zuko buried his face in her hair. "I'll miss you, Kat."

"I promise this won't be the last time we see each other, Zuko. I promise."

Zuko held her tight, not wanting to let go. "I love you, Kat. I truly do."

"I know, Zuko." She replied. "I love you too."

The two pulled back for a moment and exchanged a kiss, not caring that they were being seen.

An hour later, Katara was back in her village with her family. Zuko watched her grandmother and brother hug her tight before turning his back to leave. When he returned back to the ship, Zuko was approached in the hallway by his uncle.

"You did the right thing, Prince Zuko." Iroh told him.

Zuko growled and punched the wall, "Damn it!"

…..

Settling into being back home was difficult but not too much. Katara kept waking up half expecting to see Zuko and Iroh but when she was greeted with the icy walls of the igloo, she settled back down and sulked a little. She tended to do more than what was expected of her as far as helping out and her brother would tell her she didn't need to do as much as she did. Katara often found herself getting a little frustrated that there wasn't much for her to do since everyone did their part.

Two weeks into her return home, Katara went fishing with Sokka in order to feed the village and Katara used her bending to help as it was the only thing she could do with it until she found a master to teach her more. As she collected fish, Sokka eyed her and reeled in his catch.

"So…was that really just your friend?" Sokka asked as he went back to focusing on the water for another catch.

Katara bended another batch of fish into their boat, "Huh?"

"That Fire Prince guy. You two were only just friends?"

Katara nodded, "I mean, he was also my master at one point." She told him. "After I helped him pass the Official's exam, I was made his consort."

"Consort?!" Sokka's eyes widened.

"Yes but Zuko never made me do anything while I was his consort. He ended up getting another one that he could sleep with because he knew I wasn't ready for that." She smiled a little. "Zuko's always been very good to me. Even when he got banished and was angry for a while."

Sokka raised his brow, "So you like him?"

Katara nodded. "I love him." She confessed.

"So he's your boyfriend." Sokka scoffed, "Well, I'm just glad he set you free. I thought I was going to have to fight him."

Katara giggled and rolled her eyes.

The two continued fishing until they came across the glacier she had seen the day Zuko let her go. It was strange and even Sokka said it wasn't normal. He poked it with his stick and Katara pressed her hand to it, closing her eyes as she felt something or someone inside. Her eyes snapped open.

"There's someone inside, Sokka! We've got to help them!" Katara panicked.

"Help them? Sis, I'm sure whoever is in there has long been dead. Look at this thing. It's at least a few decades of frozen ice. There's no way they're still alive."

"But I can feel it, Sokka. They're alive in there."

Sokka wasn't so sure.

Katara used her mittens and bending to claw away at the ice but it didn't work.

"I think you should give up, Katara. There's no way you can get through that ice."

"I can. I just know I can."

Sokka sighed, "Welp, knock yourself out. Maybe Zuko let you go cause you're a stubborn girl."

Katara paused what she was doing and turned to Sokka, "a stubborn girl? What's that supposed to mean?"

Sokka shrugged as he relaxed in the boat, "I'm just saying. You've clearly developed some habits and personality flaws while in the Fire Nation and being stubborn is one of them."

"One of them?! Are you saying there are multiple things wrong with me?!"

"Yup." Sokka said nonchalantly. "But don't worry, you'll cool off once you've had some time to be home."

Katara glared at her brother. She remembered when they were kids, he was a jerk like this too. The nerve of this guy to say she was stubborn because she wanted to help the person in the glacier.

"I'm fine the way I am!"

"So you think."

"Oh fuck you!" Katara shouted and threw her arms down at her side and the water started rising.

"Calm down, hothead." Sokka snorted a laugh.

"Me calm down! You started with me!" She screamed and the glacier started cracking.

Seeing this, Sokka stopped laughing and backed up in the boat as he stood to his feet. "Katara, seriously, calm down."

"I'm not calming down!" Katara swung her arms about causing the water to rock the boat and the glacier cracked even more. "I've been through too much to hear that from you! So FUCK! YOU!"

The glacier shattered and with it, a beam of light flew into the sky and the two water siblings gaped in astonishment.

"Look! See! I told you someone was inside!" Katara shouted as she climbed out of the boat onto the glacier and hurried to the bald boy she saw lying unconscious in the ice.

Sokka scratched his head as he was trying to figure out what that light was and why there was some kid dressed strange inside of it.

Helping the kid sit up, Katara and Sokka saw in amazement as the boy stirred a little and his eyes opened.

"Whoa, you're pretty." The boy said.

"Hey! That's my sister you're talking to!" Sokka spat.

Sitting up as he rubbed his head, "Wow, I feel like I've been in there forever."

"What's your name?" Katara asked him.

The boy smiled delightfully, "Oh, I'm Aang and you all are?"

"I'm Katara." Katara pointed at herself and then waved to her brother. "And this is my idiot brother, Sokka."

"Hey!"

Rolling her eyes, "Anyway, what were you doing in that glacier?"

Aang slowly remembered the night he went under water. "There was a storm and I don't really remember the rest."

"That's awful. I'm glad we got you out."

"Me too!" Aang beamed.

Katara was about to say something when her and her brother grumbling from a beast.

"What was that?" Sokka asked nervously.

"Oh," Aang got up and turned around. "That's Appa. My flying Bison."

"A flying bison?" Sokka raised a brow. "Are you an air nomad?"

"Yeah," Aang saw his pet break some of the ice using his body to wreck it and Katara and Sokka got back on the boat as the glacier cracked some more. "I'm an airbender."

They soon saw a beast, a bison, come out of the ice and were taken aback by its size.

"What in Tui and La?" Sokka's mouth was agape.

On the ship, heading to deploy from the South Pole, Zuko and his uncle were having tea above deck when suddenly they saw a blue light shoot up into the sky. It came from the direction of Katara's village and Zuko hurried to tell the captain to turn around so that could find what happened. It horrified him to think something awful must have happened to her but all he knew was that he was taking Katara back with him if he found out something went wrong.

Back in the village, Katara had helped the air nomad boy, Aang, get some warm clothes on. Her grandmother put on some soup to feed him while Sokka took some food out to feed the bison.

"So Aang, how'd escape the Fire Nation?" Kanna asked the boy.

"Gram Gram, let him settle in first." Katara said.

"Okay, Katara, you're right." Kanna said. "Would you like some more sea prunes, Aang?"

Aang looked nauseous just by being asked that question, "No, thank you. I think I've had enough to eat."

"Very well," Kanna replied. "Let me know if you get hungry again."

"So, Aang, what made you come this way from your home? The nearest Temple is weeks from here."

Aang shrugged, "Just felt like flying." He said all too unconvincing.

"Well, It's nice to finally meet an air nomad. Not many of you left." Katara said.

"Wait, what?" Aang was confused.

Kanna raised a brow at the boy's confusion..

Before Katara could elaborate, one of the tribesmen from outside had enter to tell them the Fire Nation was here. Kanna and Katara got up, telling Aang to stay behind as they went to see what was going on. To Katara's surprise, she saw it was Zuko and a few crewmen. She pushed past everyone and rushed over to him, immediately having his arms wrap around her when she reached him.

"Kat, are you okay?" Zuko asked.

Katara giggled and nodded, "Yes, I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

"We saw a blue ray of light shoot into the sky from nearby. I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Zuko rested his forehead to hers.

Smiling, "I'm fine, Zuko."

"You sure?"

Katara nodded, "We found a boy in the glacier!" She said excitedly. "That's where the light came from."

Zuko raised a brow at her. "A boy in the ice?"

Iroh walked up to them, "Was he alive?"

Katara nodded, "Come, you can meet him. His name is Aang."

Iroh followed behind them as Katara took his nephew's hand and led him through the crowd of tribespeople. They all eyed them as they made their way to Katara's grandmother's hut. Clearly, there was still distrust between them. Which was understandable.

Reaching the hut, the two Fire Nation men entered to see that there was indeed a boy and he was dressed as a nomad. Iroh eyed the boy strangely as he noticed the tattoos meant he was an airbending master. Zuko raised a brow at the boy and looked to Katara.

"He was alive in that glacier?"

Katara nodded. "Aang, this is my friend, Zuko. He's from the Fire Nation."

Zuko looked awkwardly at the kid as the nomad smiled all too widely at him.

"Hi, Zuko."

"Hi."

"Aang, what nice tattoos you have. I have yet to meet a nomad with tattoos like that." Iroh said.

Aang chuckled and nodded, "Yeah, only Airbending Masters get them."

"Airbending masters?" Zuko looked at the kid funny. "But all the airbenders died out a hundred years ago."

"Huh?" Aang was confused.

Katara looked to Zuko, "The glacier was strange, Zuko. It looked decades out from what my brother told me."

"Decades?" Zuko didn't know what to make of this.

Iroh felt it was strange that this child survived being in the ice for what could have been decades and there was a blue ray of light that shot into the sky upon his release. Something was strange about this child.

"Would you perhaps be the Avatar?"

Everyone stared at Aang as he bashfully nodded.

"I am but I didn't mean to run away. I just wanted to go penguin-sledding with my pal, he's from the South Pole. I was going to come right back. I didn't know the monks would be looking for me."

Everyone was shocked.

Zuko looked from Aang to Katara, "You found me the Avatar, Kat. He's my ticket home."

Katara's eyes widened, "Wait, Zuko." She took his hand and pulled him aside, whispering. "Zuko, what's going to happen once you hand him over to your father?"

Zuko shrugged, "Don't know. Don't care. All I know is I'm going home."

"But wait, what if your father tries to kill him?" Katara asked.

Zuko eyed her and looked to see his uncle and everyone else busy talking to Aang before he looked back to her. "Look, you got to come back home. I should be able to do the same. Now, I have no idea what my father has planned but I want to go home."

"Zuko, he could die."

Zuko groaned, "Only way I'm not taking him is if you come back with me."

"Zuk-"

"We can go live in the Earth Kingdom." Zuko told her. "Just you and me."

"Zu-"

"I've been thinking about it." Zuko whispered to her. "We should run away together."

Katara's eyes were wide. "But Zuko…how? The world is at war, there's nowhere to go that will be safe."

"I know but-"

"Zuko, don't you see…" Katara looked away from him to Aang. "Aang is the Avatar. This is our chance to save the world from your father. We can finally set everyone free from slavery, from war, from fear. This could change the world."

"He's just a kid, Katara. He can't do anything." Zuko said. "At least when I get home, I can wait till my father passes, inherit the throne and fix all of this. I'll end the war and I'll make you my wife."

Katara furrowed her brows, "Zuko, it would be too late for the world if we waited for your father to pass. He needs to be stopped now."

"Yeah, well, this kid is not the way to do it." He told her.

"I believe he is." Katara said.

Zuko balled his fist. He was annoyed with her. She knew this kid was his ticket back home and now that she was back in her home, she couldn't seem to let him go back home. This was the Avatar. The one they spent a year looking for. What was wrong with her that she'd suddenly want him to give that up?

Looking away from her, "Uncle, have the men round the Avatar up! We're leaving!"

"Zuko, no!" Katara grabbed his arm to stop him.

Grabbing her around her waist, Zuko pulled her back as his uncle had their crewmen come in and apprehend the Avatar. Katara's grandmother protested to which one of the men slapped her across the face, sending her to the floor. Sokka entered in confusion of all the commotion and saw his sister being held off while Aang was yanked up by the Fire Nation men. He was about to reach for his club that was strapped to his back when Zuko kicked a flame at him, sending him into the wall.

"Nephew, that was most uncalled for." Iroh told Zuko.

"Whatever, we're getting out of here." Zuko hissed as he lifted Katara up and threw her over his shoulder. She began kicking and screaming.

"Katara! No! Give her back!" Kanna screamed.

Sokka tried getting up to grab his sister but Zuko planted his boot in his face, sending him back into the ground.

Outside, the tribespeople looked at Zuko and his men with caution and fear. They all were afraid and normally, that would bother him but at the moment, he didn't care. He was taking the Avatar and Katara home with him. And no one was getting in his way.

"Zuko!" Katara screamed from her old cabin, banging on the metal door he locked from the outside. "Let me out!"

On the other side of the door, "I will once you calm down."

"How could you do this, Zuko?! You said I was free!"

"You are! But you can't leave me! I won't allow it!"

Katara pounded on the door, "Let me out of here! Zuko! Please! Your promised! You promised me!"

Zuko clenched his fists and turned away from the door to stroll back down the hallway. He saw his uncle eyeing him with disappointment and avoided him. He didn't need to hear whatever it was his uncle had to say to him. He had the Avatar and he had Katara. That's all that mattered in the end. He got what he wanted.

…

It was two days later before Katara got to see Zuko's face and as soon as she did, she slapped him.

"You bastard!" She hissed.

Zuko grabbed her by her wrists and pushed her up against the wall, "Stop it! I'm trying to do what's best! You have to trust me!"

"You're just being selfish, Zuko! This isn't what's best!" Katara shouted.

Zuko narrowed his eyes, "Then what do you call what you want, huh?! Is that not selfish too?! I can't go home with him!"

Katara glared at him, "I want what allows EVERYONE to go home, Zuko! I'm sorry you're the only one you think should return home!"

Growling, Zuko shoved her away to her bed. "I've been good to you, Kat! Why can't you-"

"Why can't I what, Zukow?!" Katara shouted at him in frustration. "Why can't I let you have what you want?! Because! I want the war to end and I don't want to have to wait any longer than needed to see that through!" She teared up a little. "Zuko, you're nearly a master firebender. You can teach him. And I'll find someone in the North Pole to teach me and him waterbending. All we'll need to do is find an earthbending master. He's already mastered air. He's the world's hope, Zuko. Don't you see that?"

Zuko looked at Katara and couldn't help but think she had given way to delusions in order to cope with the reality of their situation. He could understand that. He wasn't mad at her. This wasn't her fault. She'd just to trust that he was strong enough to do what was right for the world on his own. They didn't need the Avatar.

"Kat, I promise you. I'll see to it that the war ends when I'm Fire Lord." Zuko spoke more calmly to her.

"And how long will that take, Zuko?"

"I'll have my father assassinated. It's simple."

"Zuko!"

"He's an evil man, Katara. You know so yourself." Zuko sighed. "If he dies, I'll be Fire Lord and I'll end the war and everything."

Katara sulked at the sight of him. She didn't realize Zuko had wicked ways himself. Killing his father? That wasn't right. Even if the man deserved to die, she didn't want that blood on Zuko's hands. He'd never be the same if she allowed that to happen. It was the Avatar's duty to save the world, not some mere mortal man. Prince or not.

Shaking her head, "That's not the way, Zuko."

"And who made you the expert on the way of things?!" Zuko spat in frustration. "Why are you turning your back on me?! We've been friends for years! Not to mention, the last few weeks, you and I have become lovers! Why are you being disloyal now?!"

Katara sighed, "I'm being my free self, Zuko. I'm sorry you feel betrayed because of that."

Zuko furrowed his brows as he looked at her as she took a seat on her bed. "Did you really mean it when you said you loved me?"

The waterbender nodded her head, "I'd never lie about that, Zuko."

"Then prove it."

"How?"

"Get undressed."

Zuko was fast asleep beside her after having some heated sweaty sex, Katara sat up in bed and wiggled herself from Zuko's grip. She quickly put her clothes on and grabbed his keys before heading to the only place she knew he'd keep Aang on this ship.

"Katara?"

"Hi, Aang." She said sweetly. "I'm busting us out of here."

"Cool!" Aang said gleefully as she opened his cell door.

Grabbing his hand, Katara tugged him along with her up to the deck. However, when they got there, she saw Zuko and several men waiting for them there.

"You liar! You don't love me!"

"Zuk-"

"Capture the girl and the Avatar!" Zuko shouted.

But before the men could jump into action, everyone heard a loud roar come from the night sky and looked up. There, they saw what looked like a bison swoop down and land right behind Katara and the Avatar.

On the saddle, Sokka popped his head up, clutching the saddle tight. "I guess this thing really does fly." He said.

"Sokka!" Katara cheered as she grabbed Aang and ran towards him.

"Get them!" Zuko yelled.

Aang blew a gust of wind to blow them back as Katara and him climbed onboard Appa.

"Yipyip." Aang said as he took control of the reins.

Katara looked down at Zuko staring up at her feeding into the night sky. His scowl didn't hide the hurt in his eyes. She felt her heart lurch at the realization that they were no longer friends anymore but enemies.

"I'm sorry, Zuko."

…

A/N: More is coming. BTW This may be a five or six part short story.