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Slow Heat	By : Spleef Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > General Views: 77367 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Slow Heat
Chapter 14 – Fire and Ice
In Slow Heat, I have moved events from the cartoon around some, so the Avatar gang arrive at the Western Air Temple before the Day of Black Sun for this story, not after. This chapter will also please those of you eager for some Zutara action, so don't forget to let me know what you think of it! ;)
o0o0o0o
One Month, 20 Days BSC
(Beginning of August, 1101)
Zuko
The silence of the Western Air Temple was almost eerie, surrounding me as I looked around. I remembered all too well my first time here, when I had embarked on my journey to capture the Avatar. Uncle had been with me, and I regretted the harsh things that I had said to him back then. That led me to wonder what he was doing right now. Was the White Lotus and my uncle now in the midst of some spectacular but hidden plan? We still had over a month and a half left.
I sat against a pillar, an empty bowl in my lap. I had just finished supper, and leaned my head against the pillar, setting the bowl down and picking up my cup of tea.
As I drank my tea, I eyed Katara. She sat slightly apart from the rest of the group, nursing her tea. Ever since the incident with Hama, she had not spoken much to me. She had not spoken much to anyone else either, which meant that she wasn't angry with me personally – at least, I didn't think so – but it was a cold comfort to know that. I missed the fire in her eyes and the warmth in her smile. Whatever had happened between her and Hama had shaken her deeply, and I wondered what I could say or do to get her to be her old self.
As she had done the last couple of nights, she stood up and walked away to be by herself. I was fine with giving her a couple of days to think and do whatever else she needed, but she could not be allowed to act like this indefinitely. The Avatar's eyes were all too open, easy to read like a book and in them I saw his concern for her. Sokka and Toph were also worried, since she didn't respond to their sarcastic remarks or jokes.
When I finally excused myself from the group to get ready to turn in, I sought Katara. This wasn't too easy, as there were plenty of places to hide here in the Temple. I went up and down stone steps that had been worn down by the countless feet of Air Nuns of generations past, feeling the gazes of the large statues of these women carved into the cliff face. It was no use to call for her, Katara would just hide if she heard me coming.
I finally found her a modest distance from the general area that we had settled into. There was another water fountain here, and I could see why she liked this place. I was quiet for several long moments as I stared at her. I couldn't help but think of how beautiful she looked sitting right there. Or how jealous I had felt when the Avatar hugged her. Or the protectiveness I felt when she and Hama were fighting. I remembered all too well the first time I had seen her, when I had come to her village. How close I had been to her when she had been tied to that tree, and the scent that I had caught when I had leaned in to whisper into her ear. Or the heated fights we had – in the North Pole and in the crystal catacombs. I was happy just by being near her.
Before, I had been fighting the thoughts about her in my head. I had prayed to Agni to banish these thoughts. Now, I no longer fought them. I allowed myself to fantasize about her, and I no longer resisted the temptation to sneak glances at her, or to try to have her attention on myself, although I made sure to exercise discretion.
I cleared my throat slightly before I approached, not wishing for her to lash out at me with a water whip out of being startled. Her expression under the moonlight was unreadable. Might as well get to business...
“We need to talk.” I said simply.
“About what?” There was no mistaking the guardedness in her tone.
“What happened before.” I replied. I saw her stiffen.
“I don't want to talk about it!” Katara replied stiffly. I could not help but have a mental image of her encasing herself within ice, closing herself off from the rest of us.
“You need to.” I replied, trying to remain calm.
“No, I don't. I'm fine. Go away.” she replied, turning her back to me. I reached for her, placing my hand on her shoulder. Not surprisingly, she jerked away violently, though I was still unhappy by it.
“You've been acting like this ever since what happened with Hama.”
“What the hell do you care?” she asked vehemently. What did I care, indeed. But I knew that I couldn't tell her the truth, and my thoughts about her.
“We're on the same side. You're my ally. We're all concerned about you.” I replied.
“So?”
“What did Hama say to you? I only caught the very end of it. What did that old woman tell you?” I pressed. She only took a step back.
“I don't wanna talk about it.”
“Then why are you acting like this? We fought her together.” I reminded her, and continued. “We worked together as the Painted Lady and the Blue Spirit.” And I had relished that time with her. Us working together as a team, her at my side...
“Your point is?” she replied with hostility and what was more, defensiveness in her voice.
“The point is, you're not the only one who has gone through hard times, or learned harsh lessons. But you don't see me shutting myself from everyone else.”
“Oh, so you're Mr. Personality?” she snapped back, her eyes glinting with that familiar spark that I had sorely missed. I felt her finger jabbing into my chest.
“Don't tell me about how I act towards others, you're the last person I'd listen to about behavior!” she sneered. All right, so she did have a point there. I could admit – to myself, at least – that I was the most introverted person in our group. I was the one who often went alone myself to meditate or Firebend, or just think. But I wasn't about to say that to her and give her any footing in this argument.
“That's not the point here...” I replied. She gave out a annoyed hiss, and the water in the fountain churned.
“Is it so much to ask to be left alone? Why is it that when I want to be left alone, everyone else gets all worried?” she snapped, “I'm not going to hurt myself if that's what you think!”
“I never said...”
“Go away.” she replied, her voice now icy. I could have pressed on, but I didn't want to deal with a Waterbender next to a fountain.
“Very well.” I replied, bowing my head slightly before turning away. But I wasn't about to give up so easily.
o0o0o0o
One Month, 19 Days BSC
Katara
The temple was a pleasant place to live in, and I enjoyed the quiet and solitude. I knew that the others were worried about me, but I meant it when I told Zuko that I didn't want to talk about it. I was horrified by Hama, even more so after I learned what she had done to all these missing people, yet I could not help but be fascinated by her. She had survived what many others had perished in, and come out with a talent that she had forced me to learn, a talent that many people would vie for. I would never forget the feeling of seeking out the water in someone else's body and then bending it to my will. It was perfectly dreadful, manipulating someone like a puppet, yet I could not help but imagine Bending certain people like that... the soldiers who had killed my mother, for example. If I had known back then what I knew now about Waterbending, I could have saved her...
I let out an angry huff. It was no use to think about things like that, but I couldn't stop myself. I shifted the basket on my hip as I added more strawberries to it. There was a large patch of wild strawberries growing next to the buildings of the Air Temple, in one of several terraces that the Air Nuns obviously set up for growing their own food. The fruit was fat and ripe, and I ate one here and there as I harvested them. I had first tasted strawberries almost a month ago, when they had just started to ripen. The ones growing here were sweeter and less tart, and I had come to enjoy this fruit immensely. It was too bad it didn't grow in the South Pole – I enjoyed even the first strawberries I had ever eaten. It was already my favorite fruit, and I smiled to myself as I bit into another berry, easily almost as large as a child's fist.
The air was a bit balmy, though the temperature was comfortable. The silence was peaceful, and the weight on my hip reminded me that I should go back to the others soon. They would appreciate this treat with supper, and I plucked up another berry, biting half of it and savoring its taste. It was so peaceful here, it wasn't hard to see why the Air Nuns had chosen this place and built the temple as they had done.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I smiled to myself as I watched Katara gather the berries. She looked so calm and relaxed, munching on a berry here and there. Moving carefully as to not alert her to my presence, I plucked a berry off a bush, savoring the sweetness in my mouth as I bit into it. Mother had loved strawberries, and so did I. It was gratifying to see that Katara felt the same way.
Well. There was no time like the present, was there? I stealthily moved closer, keeping out of her line of sight. When I was fairly close to her, I waited, watching as she looked for the best fruit, dropping them in her basket. After I plucked another berry off the bush, I took another step closer.
I couldn't help but imagine her naked, on a red silk bed with strawberries scattered about and on top of her lithe form, and that mental image almost made me laugh out loud. She was so absorbed in her task that she didn't notice me creep closer, keeping the basket on her hip as she came closer to me. Without warning, I took another step forward just as she did the same, causing her to bump into me, the contact of our bodies jarring the basket from her hip.
I heard her soft cry of surprise as she saw the strawberries spill from the basket, and her head whipped up to look at me, her gaze turning to ice when she saw who it was she had bumped into. Her eyes narrowed as she regarded me.
“Go away.” she stated bluntly. I was surprised at her cold manner.
“So much for good manners.” I replied, refusing to be put out by her attitude, and brushing myself off, even though that was a unnecessary gesture. “No concern for my safety or even a word of apology, Katara?” I chided.
“You're the one who followed me here.” Katara replied, and I could feel the vitriol in her tone, “I'm not in the mood to deal with you. Just go back to the others and let me finish what I am doing.”
“Of course.” I replied, bowing slightly, hiding a smirk. Did she think that I would just leave so easily? Deciding to add fuel to the fire I saw simmering in her gaze, I commented, “I can only imagine the mental effort you must need in... picking strawberries.”
Just as I anticipated, I saw the spark in her gaze. I knew it was wrong to toss barbs at her like that, but I far preferred to see the fire in her eyes rather than... the distance that all of us now saw when she looked at us. Uncle would without a doubt be scolding me right now if he saw me.
“Piss off, Zuko. I'm sick of you.” Katara snarled as she looked away.
“Piss off, Zuko?” I repeated, tilting my head slightly. “That comeback lacked heart. Are you not feeling well?”
Her response was to grab one of the strawberries that had fallen from her basket, and to hurl it at me. All my years of training served well, my body dodging slightly to one side to avoid the juicy projectile.
“I know I'm hard for you to take your eyes off of, but surely you can do better.” I stated, not bothering to hide my smirk.
“I don't want to deal with you right now. I just wanted to be alone. Is that so much to ask for, or are you too good to honor a simple request... Prince Zuko?” she asked, the last two words dripping venom. She knew that I was no longer a Prince. Azula was now the Crown Princess, and the only chance I had now at the throne was to take it by force, which was made possible by my being on the Avatar's side. It still hurt though, that the Fire Lord had disinherited me and stripped me of all my titles and rank, so Katara's words had a the effect on me that she desired.
“Now... that's more like the fiery girl I know and well... know.” I replied, keeping my voice in a cool and approving tone to hide my hurt.
“I don't care what you know.” the Waterbender replied, raising her hand and pointing it in the direction that I had come from. “Leave me alone. Now. I'm tired of you doing this. That is so childish, you're acting half Aang's age!”
“And your comment was mature?” I asked crossly.
“You started it.”
“I tripped, and all you had to say to me was 'go away'. But I shouldn't expect proper manners from a... peasant.” I replied, knowing that she hated being called that. I turned away from her, but barely after I had done so, I found myself yanked and spun around to face her. The glare she was giving me would have felled lesser men on the spot.
“How dare you!” Katara hissed, jabbing her finger sharply at my chest, taking my bait. Her cheeks were flushed as she continued. “You... you're the one who's always watching me! Provoking me! Following me! You've been doing it all this time! Why! I'm not here for your amusement! I hate you! Why can't you just leave me alone! How do we keep ending up together!”
I barely heard her words. I was stunned by the strength with which she had spun me around so that she could focus her wrath on me. Her azure eyes sparkled with seething anger, her soft lips curled in a snarl that would have made my father proud. Her body radiated heat and emotion. Yet I stared down at her calmly as privately I reveled at the sight of her passion, even if it was anger.
“We do it... because we can't keep away from each other.” I replied calmly. The sidelong glances, the heated battles in the past, the rightness of working together with her, the way we continued to cross paths, large and small.
To my satisfaction, she couldn't manage a immediate response to that, and sputtered for a moment, her eyes glinting defiantly as she scrambled for a response.
“I'm the one who ignores you and tries to avoid you. You're the one who's been stalking me!” she finally managed.
“If you really wanted to ignore my presence, you would have let me walk away instead of pulling me back. You can't ignore me, Katara, any more than I can't ignore you.”
“Asshole!” she snarled. I merely smirked down at her.
“Didn't your mother teach you manners?” I replied. Her next reaction and statement struck me with a unexpected force, as if I had been lashed against by one of her powerful water whips.
Rather than scream at me or attack me, her eyes suddenly became glassy with tears, confusing me slightly. I honestly didn't think that such a glib comment would make her cry.
“The Fire Nation... murdered my mother, you insensitive bastard!” she screamed before shoving past me and bolting off, leaving me stunned enough to give her a good head-start.
Killed her mother? Dear Agni, no. It was no wonder she had been so uncomfortable in Fire Nation at the beginning. I knew all too well the pain of losing a mother. I regretted everything instantly – the provocation, the teasing comments, the childish attempts to gain her attention. Had Uncle been here to scold me... well, I was simply glad that he wasn't.
o0o0o0o
Katara
How dare Zuko? That arrogant man, following me around and provoking me! What the hell was wrong with him? Was I merely some sort of amusement to him, something to rile to alleviate his boredom and give him something to do while he waited for the end of the War? My vision was blurred with the tears that poured down my cheeks.
Suddenly, I heard someone behind me. The heavy breathing was indiscernible at first, but I looked over my shoulder and saw him following me. Oh, spirits! Was he determined to drive his cruel game further?
Well, fuck this! A fountain was visible, and I ran to it, quickly Bending some water out of it and forming two long ice-daggers. If he didn't see these daggers as a serious warning... well, that was his problem.
“Don't you dare come any closer.” I snarled, glaring at him as he approached, albeit more slowly than before. “I swear to the spirits, I will castrate you on the spot if you take another step.” My pulse was racing, and I could feel the flush on my tear-stained cheeks as I regarded the man who had been the bane of my existence in one way or another ever since his stupid ship had come to my village.
I saw a bit of surprise in his face, but he did not retreat. His fists formed twin daggers of flame, and I quickly turned one of my ice-daggers into a water-whip, sending it flying at his groin. This elicited a startled gasp from him, and I was pleased to see the shock in his eyes as he quickly dodged it so that it lashed against his thigh instead. Before he could collect himself, I did the same with my other ice-dagger, and he just barely dodged that one as well, wincing in pain as the water made contact with his leg.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
The precision of her water whips was frightening, though I would not admit it. The stinging sensation on my thigh was nothing compared to the pain I would have felt had I not quickly moved her intended target to safety. I had never seen her so angry, and the tears on her cheeks was testament to her pain. I'd have tried to offer her an apology, had my ability to breed not been at stake here.
The water whips grew longer and thicker as she Bended more water from the fountain, and I intensified the heat in my fire-daggers, ready to cut through the water when she aimed at me again. Even though I knew she was angry – and rightly so – I didn't think that trying to deny me of my manhood was appropriate either.
I guess I could avoid this conflict by running for it, but that would just be cowardly, and leave matters unresolved. When the water whips came at me again, I dodged again, only to make a grave miscalculation. Instead of aiming for the same spot, she had been aiming for my feet, and I stumbled as one foot was caught in a water whip. In no time, both of my feet, along with my lower legs, were enveloped in ice. Before I could cut myself free with my fire, my hands and arms became encased as well, and I struggled against the cold, my fire extinguished.
o0o0o0o
Katara
We do it because we can't keep away from each other. Zuko's words echoed in my head as I scrutinized him,his limbs encased in ice as I glared at him, my fists shaking slightly. No one had ever caused me to lose my temper quite like that. Arrogant bastard. Prince of pricks. That... that... I couldn't think of any words strong enough to express my dislike of Zuko.
I brought up my fists, summoning more water from the fountain. To my satisfaction, he actually looked afraid. I smirked at him coldly as I propelled the water towards him, causing him to collide with a stone pillar, the water quickly turning to ice and encasing him to his neck.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
With a small amount of water, Katara was proficient enough. With a large amount of water, and the state of anger she was in... well, she was downright frightening. I sent out a prayer to Agni, the water rushing at me before I could release myself from the ice that held my hands and feet. I felt myself being propelled through the air, water splashing wildly as I felt my back hit the pillar with a solid thud. The stinging coldness as the water crystallized around my body stunned me, and I was unable to speak for several moments.
The ice stopped at my neck, and I was reminded of when Katara had done a similar thing at the Northern Oasis. I was virtually defenseless against a very pissed off Waterbender, and I found myself unable to break free with Firebending. The damn ice was far too thick, and I suspected she was also strengthening it with her Bending to make it more difficult for me to try to free myself. She could do anything she pleased with me right now, and I swallowed thickly as she approached.
Her gaze made me feel colder than the ice did; quite a feat into itself. Yet I was unable to look away. I knew that with Firebending, I could get out of here... but it would take a while, and that was a ample enough time window for her to deal some serious damage.
I knew I had to apologize to her. Not simply because I was encased in ice, but because she truly deserved an apology. Surprisingly, Katara didn't speak or do anything else. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, or the calm before the storm. For several moments, she stared up at me before looking down at the stone, and I saw her tremble slightly. Her cheeks were tinted with heat, adding a shade of soft red to her cheeks that was oddly becoming of her.
“You... bastard.” Katara whispered, her voice clear. Her tone was intense, and she approached me, nearly face-to-face as she looked up at me, less than a foot separating us.
“Do you have any idea how you made me feel?”
Agni, I knew all too well. Like her, I didn't take too well to insulting or belittling comments. And Azula had been so good at making both.
“With how you treat me, I doubt it would be a good idea for you to be Fire Lord. Perhaps I should just leave your side, and let the Earth Kingdoms take apart the Fire Nation like wolves will do to their prey.” she hissed softly. “It would be justice for what the Fire Nation has done in the last hundred years.”
I was all too well aware of that fact. It would be hard for me to undo the legacy that my ancestors had left behind. Sozin, Azulon, and Ozai were regarded as heroes by the Fire Nation, and myself at a young age. Now I saw the bitter truth, and knew that I had a lot of work to do when I became Fire Lord.
“I can't believe that I even agreed to ally with you.” Katara added coldly. “It's obvious that what you have been through, the time you spent with us... you've learned nothing. You're still a spoiled brat.” her eyes glinted with pain, pain that I was responsible for. A stinging slap was her next statement, and I didn't protest as I felt my cheek start to burn from her blow.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I had him at my mercy. Even though hitting him was petty, it still felt good. My pulse was racing, and oddly enough, I felt light-headed. It felt good to have him like this, to make him pay for his petty insults.
“You say my mother should have taught me better manners. Your mother should have taught you manners, period.” I stated, delighting in the small wince that passed through his face. I was about to say more, but he spoke.
“I'm... sorry.” he murmured. I paused and glanced at him. He repeated it, this time more firmly, his eyes fixed on mine. “I know I should not have made that comment. Regardless of whether your mother was alive or not, I was an... asshole for saying it.”
I held his gaze for a moment longer before looking down. With a soft sigh, I turned away, feeling disgusted. Did he think that a simple apology would fix everything?
“I don't want to hear it. Just leave me alone.” I stated coldly, refusing to give him any quarter as I felt a fresh surge of tears that I tried to fight back. The last thing I wanted to do was speak to him any further or let him see me cry, and now I felt drained. The rush of adrenaline was gone, and I wanted to lay down and gather my thoughts. I wanted a hug – but my mother was dead and my father was gone – and I wasn't about to go back to the campsite like this and beg for one.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
She took several steps away from me. Fortunately, her hold on the ice apparently withdrew, for when I tried to create fire with one hand, I didn't feel the same biting coldness that I did before.
I freed myself from my frigid prison in several moments without any notice or comment from her as she retreated further. Her pace was furious, but I went after her. I did not want to leave this ugliness between us any longer. I didn't want to be her enemy, or have such a undesirable place within her heart. It was something I could not tolerate, and this surge of emotion propelled me forward to close the distance between us.
I tried to grab her arm, and she jerked away sharply, increasing her pace.
“What part of go away do you not understand?” she asked, not even looking back at me as she spat this out.
“Do you think I enjoy that?” I asked. There was no answer as she started into a jog. Apparently she did not see me fit to waste her breath on further, but I kept up with her, bounce for bounce.
“I can't talk to you unless you stand still and listen!” I said loudly as I started to close the gap between us again.
“That's the whole damn point!” Katara shot back as she increased her pace to a fast jog. I had only one option left now. I propelled myself forward again, this time not only matching her speed but exceeding it until I was now several feet in front of her. This meant she would have to force her way past me... which wasn't going to happen until I said what needed to be said.
“Damnit, Katara! You can't just ignore me!” I stated, taking a firm stance. She kept her eyes averted from me in a rather pointed manner, swerving sharply to get around me. But I had anticipated this, and reached to grab her arm. Apparently, she had anticipated what I was going to do as well, for I got a elbow in my stomach for my efforts. I grabbed her other arm and struggled for a few moments, ignoring her hissing at me. I heard her yell at me to let go, but I didn't think she actually believed that I would let go so easily. I ignored the pain as she stamped on my foot, and turned her around to face me the best I could, not without considerable difficulty. Her snarl was fierce, and I barely dodged her clawing at my face before I managed to grab her wrist.
Seeing a pillar nearby, I decided to use it as a opportunity to have better leverage on her. Still struggling, I managed to direct her through the several paces to the stone before pushing her against it, still holding onto her. My heart was pounding, and so was hers. Her hair was rumpled from the struggle, and I had to blow my own hair out of my face, keeping my hands on her.
“Bastard.” she whispered, wiggling against me. The feel of her warm body was almost too much for me to take, and I gave out a low growl as I regarded her, contemplating my next course of action as I pressed one of my legs between her own to keep her from kicking. Her chest was pressed against mine, soft and warm, and I could smell her, a mixture of the crisp air that surrounded the temple and her own feminine musk. I became more and more aware of her, our surroundings fading away from my consciousness as I regarded the dark-skinned girl that I had in my grip.
“Let me g...” she growled before I crushed my lips against her own. I had often imagined how her mouth might taste, and pressed down as her struggles increased. Her lips were soft and sweet, and I tasted strawberries as I felt her wiggle around.
o0o0o0o
Katara
It was wrong, it was disgusting and vile and... I could not pull away. I felt him press down further, his lips hot and searching against my own, and I was surprised to taste strawberries. His tongue slid along my lips, his nose gently rubbing against my own as he continued to hold me down.
I bit down on his lower lip until I tasted a faint coppery flavor. He jerked back in surprise, and I stared up at him, feeling both fascination and horror as I felt him squeeze my arms gently. His taste was spicy and masculine, and it took me several moments to clear my head and fully understand what had just happened. He had kissed me. The bastard Prince of the Fire Nation had kissed me. I tried to pull away, but his grip on me remained firm.
Before I could stop him, he pressed his lips against mine again. His grip on me loosened, and instead of trying to push him away, I let him continue the kiss. My pulse was racing, and I felt dizzy again as he nibbled along my lower lip. I felt the heat in my cheeks, and elsewhere, and gave out a low moan as one of his hands slid to my side, the palm of his hand hot.
I felt my own hand lift up, as if with a mind of its own, touching his shoulder before my nails dug into the fabric of his shirt. If Zuko felt any pain, he did not indicate it, and pressed his body closer to my own, his hand now stroking my side more firmly as the kiss deepened. There was nothing gentle about the touches or the kiss, and I was wired to what was happening in my body. I was all too aware of the heat that I felt deep within my loins, heat that I had never felt with such dizzying intensity in the past.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I felt the passion that coursed within me, a passion that had been fed for a long time by Katara's presence and my private imaginings of her. The heat of that passion was almost unbearable. I ached to share it with her, show her what kind of effect she had on me. She was the source of the ravenous hunger that I desperately needed to appease.
I ignored the threads of pain left by her fingernails as she clawed at me, embedding them into my flesh, seemingly unsure of whether she should use them to try to drive me away, or keep me close to her.
Well, her lips only left me hungering for more. I wanted to taste her throat, her chest, her stomach, her womanhood, everything. I wanted to have my fill of her. Hopefully after this, I would be sated, and my thoughts wouldn't be so... permeated by the Waterbender.
“Hn...” A soft whine escaped her lips as I kissed my way along her jaw and down her throat, kissing and sucking at the soft flesh as I nuzzled the warm curve, inhaling her sweet feminine smell.
When I reached the top of her red wraparound, I felt her batting at my head, though with considerably less effort than she would have offered not too long ago. When I looked up, I saw that her eyes were clouded over, her cheeks rosy from my attentions.
o0o0o0o
Katara
He wasn't going to stop at my wrap, I realized. I found myself frightened... and aroused by what I saw in his eyes when he looked up at me. I could still feel the kisses he had left on my throat, and I could not help but wonder... what would it be like, to surrender to him? To give to him what he so obviously wanted? Was this why he had refused to leave me be? Was I truly so alluring to him? Again, his words echoed in my mind. We do it because we can't keep away from each other.
The sidelong glances. The bickering. The odd moments where we bumped into one another. The way we had worked together so well, when we had a reason to...
I had barely thought about Zuko's words when I felt my top pushed up, exposing a breast, which was squeezed by a rather warm hand. I was unable to stop the soft cry that came from my lips, or how my body arched slightly upwards against his hand. My nipples were hard, and he rubbed the pad of his thumb across the exposed one, causing me to shudder.
Spirits help me, I prayed silently as he tugged the nipple for a moment before giving my breast another gentle squeeze, his palm slowly rubbing the tender flesh. It felt incredible, and I didn't want to admit it. Lips on the side of my neck, as hungry and insistent as before, wavered my resolve. His shaggy hair was against my jaw and cheek as he fiercely kissed and nuzzled, still massaging my breast as his other hand traveled down my stomach, his fingers hot, yet I shivered.
His scent was what I would expect – slightly smoky, very masculine and a bit spicy, and I found myself thinking that it was a rather pleasant and suitable odor for him. My hand went up to tangle in the black mop of his, and I was surprised at how soft it felt under my hand.

o0o0o0o
Zuko
When I stopped tasting and nuzzling the side of her neck and her shoulder, I looked up at her to see how she was. Her eyes were glazed over with lust, and she was shivering, moaning softly. I registered her arousal... the look in her eyes, the hardness of her nipple under my hand, and the enticing smell that tickled my nose. No doubt it was coming from between her legs. Without further ado, I started to hike up her skirt with my hand.
Her grip on my hair tightened, but not painfully so, and my hand found the waistband of the loose pants she wore under her skirt. Quickly, I found the drawstring and tugged it before jerking her pants down to just above her knees, revealing the white linen of her underpants.. The scent was stronger now, and it only served to make me want her even more.
I was aware of her intense gaze on me. I kept my eyes locked on hers as I hooked my fingers at the waistband of her underwear, tugging it down and feeling it slide down her thighs. I was pleased that she wasn't demanding for me to stop, and my hand slid back up to the warm apex between her legs, my thumb brushing against soft, wiry curls as my fingers found the moist heat. I heard a low moan escape her lips. The heat in her eyes was one that no Bended flame could hope to match, and I was all too aware of the throbbing within my own groin.
“You're wet for me.” I murmured, unable to hold back a smirk. A soft growl was her response, and before I could say anything else, she pulled my hair sharply, bringing her face to the side of my neck and biting down hard.
A soft yelp escaped my lips, but I did not pull her off, and was inwardly pleased at the fact that she wanted to participate. With my fingers, I did a quick exploration of her private areas, enjoying the feeling of her womanhood under my hand, gently rubbing the silken folds with my fingertips.
I was running on instinct right now, and it appeared that Katara was as well. My desire was primal. There was no room for logic or thinking. I was no longer a exiled Prince, and Katara wasn't a Waterbending Master. We were a man and woman with desires as old as time itself, a desire that had been sparked within both of us longer ago than either of us would admit.
“I want you.” I growled, my hand fumbling for the tie on my shirt and quickly pulling it. I loosened my pants and underwear as quickly as I could, my erection springing free and bobbing slightly, already leaking precum in anticipation of what would come. Her eyes widened slightly as she looked down at it. It rose proudly from a thatch of black hair, and I quickly tugged down the foreskin to let her see me fully.
My head was swimming and I almost felt dizzy. Katara was the only thing in sharp focus. Everything else had faded away, unimportant details compared to what was happening between the Waterbender and myself. I felt her nails dig into my sides as I positioned myself in front of her, keeping her pressed against the stone as I placed my hands on her hips, preparing to take her as mine.
“Mine.” I growled as I nudged her with my manhood for a moment before thrusting in, spearing her and taking her maidenhead in one fluid motion. I felt her stiffen in surprise and pain and I stood there, her impaled on me fully as I kept myself still, letting her take some time to get used to it. Even though I had never done this before, I at least knew a little – thanks to Uncle's advice – enough to give Katara consideration. I heard her give out a soft hiss, gritting her teeth but making no attempt to fight me off.
Fuck. She was so tight and hot, and I did not speak. Her breasts were pressed against my chest, her thighs at either side of my hips, with, my hands on her hips to keep her at the right height.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I was so stunned that I could not speak. Already, the pain of having my virginity taken was subsiding, and Zuko's heat served to comfort me. How could such a angry confrontation between the two of us turn to this... tawdry coupling? His mouth and hands and body were so hot, and I could not help but revel in his heat. I felt his thumbs gently rub my hips, as if to offer me some reassurance even as he held me with his hands.
“Look at me.” Zuko whispered. I had been staring down at what I could see of his chest, admiring the lean, hard stomach and pale skin, and bit of hair below his navel that led to...
Instead of doing as he asked, I yanked open the shirt to reveal all of his pale chest, his nipples barely a shade darker than the surrounding area. I pressed my hands to it, feeling his strong heartbeat and breathing. Only when I did that did I look up at him. The intensity in his eyes kept me speechless, and I was quiet as he regarded me.
After several moments, he started rocking his hips, a low growl escaping his throat as he increased the ferocity of his movements. I gasped and moaned, enjoying this roughness. I had no desire for slowness or gentleness. I was as heated as he was, and I surrendered myself to the primal fire that he had ignited within me. My breasts jiggled with his efforts, and I clawed at him, both for leverage and because I was feeling as fierce as he was.
I shuddered and managed to look down, seeing where we were joined. He was nicely endowed, if the way he felt in me was any indication, and I clenched around him hard, hearing an impassioned grunt escape his lips as his thrusting picked up in its ferocity. I enjoyed the feeling of fullness that came when he sheathed himself with every thrust, and I snarled as I bit him again, this time on the shoulder.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Her nails were like claws as she marked me, but I was in no position to complain. Agni, she was beautiful when she was fierce, her eyes glinting like twin icy stars before she bit me. I was distantly aware of the moan that escaped my throat, and her tightness as her inner walls clamped around me, as if intending to keep me there forever.
This was all about our need, and sating it in the most thorough and primal way possible. I felt her nails dig into my back as she pressed against me, adding her rhythm to mine as she used the pillar and my body for leverage. Damn. I knew that sex was supposed to feel good, but with this dark-skinned creature, this child of the moon, this woman who was supposed to be my opposite but so similar to me in many ways, brought bliss all the way down to the depths of my consciousness.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Despite the unyielding stone at my back, I was in the throes of pure ecstasy. I was moving against him frantically, feeling the pressure deep within my core build with each thrust that Zuko speared me with. I knew that intercourse was supposed to be enjoyable. The Water Tribes were more reserved about sex, but the teachings also said that sex in the appropriate situations was a privilege for man and woman to enjoy as they shared pleasure.
But I had never imagined this. This was beyond anything that I would have thought possible, and I cried out as Zuko picked up the pace again.
I felt my lips come under brutal assault from his lips, and I growled into his mouth as his tongue probed between my lips, my tongue locked in heated battle with his. After the kiss broke, he panted for breath, his hair a mess and much of it in his face. Despite this, there was no mistaking the fierceness in his eyes.
“Damn you, Katara. For making me feel like this.” he gritted out before pulling out of me. I barely had time to put my feet down on the stone again, my private areas bared before him as he glared at me, his erection coated in my juices.
Before I could stop him, he spun me around, my rear end now in full view.
“Make... you feel what?” I whispered, already feeling bereft without him inside of me.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Her ass was perfect, tight and rounded and pert, in the same warm color as the rest of her skin, making it look inviting. I hiked up her skirt further to get a better view, admiring this part of her anatomy for several long moments before answering her question.
“Like I'm going to burn up if I cannot have you.” I whispered into her ear as I stroked her rear end, cupping the cheeks for several moments and squeezing, enjoying the warm softness. “Your scent, your skin, your eyes... they make me crazy with want.” I admitted softly.
“You should have said that before. Instead of acting like an ass.” she moaned, obviously enjoying my caress.
“I'm not good with words sometimes.” I replied as I nudged her forward, pushing her to the stone and letting her prop herself with her hands as I positioned myself behind her. A loud hiss escaped her lips as I sheathed myself with another rough thrust, satisfied in the way that she arched upward. I was so close to release, and doubtless Katara was as well.
“But I truly am sorry for insulting you.” I said, wanting to make that clear before I continued, the sensation of her velvet heat almost driving me out of my mind. “I won't do it again.” I managed to add as I squeezed her hips.
“You better not.” Katara moaned, closing her eyes as she wiggled against me, her lovely bum pressing against my pelvis firmly. It was damn near impossible to not simply release at this point, and with slightly less abandon than before, I resumed my thrusting, hearing her mewls turn to cries of ecstasy as I again picked up the pace. The cries she issued out, the cries that I was responsible for, set my blood boiling.
o0o0o0o
Katara
When I came – oh, it was incredible. There were no words for the white-hot pleasure that engulfed me like flame. Zuko's flame, I thought dryly to myself, and that was my last coherent thought before I allowed myself to be washed away in bliss. I let a howl escape my throat as his thrusting drew out my pleasure, feeling him bite my shoulder.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I felt a sudden inundation of warmth from her, and knew from her scream that she had orgasmed, her sweet fluids coating my hardness and her scent becoming stronger. Out of instinct, I bit her again, earning another shout as she clenched again, bringing me to my own orgasm. The release I had had in the past due to touching myself and thinking about Katara paled before the intense surge of heat that passed through me, and I had to snap my head upwards to breathe out a sizable burst of flame that illuminated the area for several long moments.
Never had I felt such incredible pleasure. When I was coherent enough to be aware of my surroundings, I looked down at the Waterbender, who was leaning against the stone, panting and moaning. I collapsed against her, stroking her side with one hand as I remained within her, feeling her shiver and have a gentle spasm here and there.
We remained like that for several long moments before I slowly pulled away, taking her with me and easing her onto the ground so she could catch her breath. She looked beautiful, her cheeks blush with pleasure, a few red spots on her neck and shoulder from my bites, evidence of my desire for her glistening on her outer lips and the edge of her inner thighs.
I was now distantly awareness of the soreness of my arms, shoulder, and back from her biting and clawing at me. It almost looked as if I had been attacked by a savage animal.
But honestly, was I in a position to complain? I sat next to her, propping myself up on one arm and catching my breath. Katara whimpered, her head hanging low as her breath came out in soft pants, her body trembling as I snaked my other arm around her middle, relishing her warmth.
Where did we go from here? One minute, we had been arguing and insulting one another, and then fighting, and that had led to us rutting one another like we would die if we did otherwise.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I was distantly aware of a hand now on my back, slowly rubbing. It was a incredible comfort to me, and I closed my eyes, letting my head drop against his chest as he held me, feeling my heartbeat slow down. His scent was comforting, as was his presence, and I appreciated the gentle touch he was giving me.
We were both at a loss for words. What we had shared.... there were no words to describe it, and I doubt that even in a hundred years I could think of an adequate description.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
Katara was like an oasis, and I a man dying of thirst. I had drank my fill... yet instinctively I knew that no other woman would compare to Katara. Though I was sated for now, I still hungered for her. I was shocked at this revelation. I was sure that after this, I would be satisfied and we would go our ways. But as I looked down at her, I desired her all the more.
Was this more than just my stupid teenage hormones? It couldn't be, could it? I felt her shiver when I lowered my head to bury my face in her hair, inhaling her scent. I was loath to pull away from this beautiful creature, and I could not help but feel proud of myself. I had taken her all for myself, and not even the Avatar could take that away from me.
After a while, she raised her head to look up at me. I stared down at her calmly, noting that she seemed unsure of what to say. Well, I didn't know what to say either. 'That was good' was appallingly inadequate for what we had shared. Would it be corny to say 'Thank you' to someone after having sex with them?
She started to get up. I shook my head and pulled her back down gently, now knowing what to say.
“I... I don't want to go back to how things were before.” I said softly. “I... want this. I mean, not just sex, but you and me...” I murmured, gently rubbing her arm. I wasn't quite sure what 'this' was, but I knew it would be the biggest mistake of my life to let it slip from my grip.
o0o0o0o
Katara
Was he implying what I thought he was? Did he want more than just this coupling that had come around from desires that had been pent-up for far too long?
“You're a prince of the Fire Nation. I'm a Water Tribeswoman. What else could I ever be to you?” I whispered, looking down.
“You could be everything to me.” I heard him say as I felt fingers lightly caress my cheek. He did not say or do anything else for several minutes.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
My last words had come from my heart. I was surprised at these words once they escaped from my mouth, but there was no taking them back. I dearly hoped that I didn't make her scared by saying it.
If I was nothing else, I was honest. I could evade the truth or speak around it at times when I needed to. I just could not lie about anything. My father and sister were masters in the art of deception, and considered it a weakness to be a poor liar. Yet just now, speaking the truth had been far better than feeding her some half-hearted comment to try to hide my emotions.
Fearing that more words would ruin the moment, I decided to leave her with these words. I rose to my feet, hearing a soft groan from her when I broke contact. But I quickly offered her my hands and helped her to her feet. Fumbling a bit at first, I managed to straighten her clothes, making sure that she was decent, before pulling up my pants and closing my shirt. Katara seemed a bit unsteady on her feet, so I held her arm, taking pleasure in the way that she leaned against my hand.
o0o0o0o
Katara
We parted ways and I cleaned myself up before making dinner. Dinner was silent, and the group enjoyed the strawberries I had brought. Zuko was sitting opposite me, across the fire, and I could feel his gaze on me as I looked down at my own food. I was still trying to process what had just happened between Zuko and myself, yet I could come to no rational conclusion.
“Where did you get these scratch marks?” Sokka asked as he glanced over at Zuko's arms. I tried to not blush as I remembered how I had clawed at him in the throes of passion.
“A fight.” was all Zuko would say. I heard Toph give out a quiet laugh.
As I walked down the hall to where I would be sleeping, a hand reached out of the shadows and gently grabbed my arm.
“Spend the night with me.” I heard him whisper. I gasped softly as I was pulled out of sight, and felt a soft nibble along my ear. I wasn't sure if I should agree, but the grip on my arm was firm. I found myself in the room that he had chosen for himself, and the moonlight illuminated his pale skin.
“Don't look so worried” Zuko said softly as he guided me over to his bed. “I just... want to sleep next to you, that's all.”
I could not help but be flattered by this. So he took comfort in my presence? I let him slip off my shoes before I lay down, and he nestled down at my side, draping a arm across my middle. The side of my neck was sore from where he had bitten me. Almost as if he had sensed this, I felt lips gently press against it.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
I felt her relax as I gently kissed the side of her neck, giving her a nuzzle as I recalled the heated coupling we had. It had felt incredible to see that her passion had matched my own. But that didn't mean that I did not enjoy this quiet moment between us, the peace that surrounded us as I stroked her arm and nuzzled her, savoring her presence.
o0o0o0o
Katara
I listened to his breathing. The gentle attention slowed, and soon enough he was asleep. His arm remained loosely draped around my middle. It felt nice.
I blushed again as I remembered the sex. How we had gone at one another without restraint, biting and clawing and losing ourselves in the throes of passion. I stared up at the ceiling as I lost myself in my thoughts.
What had I done? I was supposed to save myself for marriage. Zuko liked to tease and aggravate me, and he had been my enemy once. How had the fighting become sex? As I pondered this, the pleasure of what I had done with Zuko slowly wore off, only to be replaced with feelings of guilt and shame. I was nothing more than a whore. I had given in to temptation, instead of fighting to maintain my virtue.
Tui and La, forgive me. I hoped that I could find a good Water Tribe man to marry, one who wouldn't ask me if I was virgin or not. Would I ever find one? I had slept with a Firebender! My parents would be so ashamed of me! And what would my brother or Aang think? I blinked back tears and slowly wiggled away. He only stirred slightly as I climbed off the bed, and then I was gone.
I couldn't bear to look back, for fear that I would return to his side for more of that warmth that I enjoyed so much. No. I would have to forget this... lack of judgment, and I would have to keep my distance from him. This could never happen again.
o0o0o0o
Zuko
The early morning light in my room stirred me awake, and I groaned softly. The space next to me was empty, and I frowned. I rested my hand on the blanket, but it was cool. She had been gone for a while. She had left me in the middle of the night, as if she was ashamed of herself. She wouldn't be, would she? We had such a good time last night, and she had seemed to enjoy laying with me here.
Or had I imagined it? Was that fevered coupling with Katara another one of my fantasies? No. Her scent, her taste, the feel of her. It had all been far too real.
Surely Katara couldn't think that this was a mistake. Agni, I hoped not. She had been so happy and passionate last night.
But after I sat down for breakfast after a training session with the Avatar, a bowl waited for me, near Sokka. Katara sat next to the Avatar, and made no eye contact with me, not even a 'good morning' or a nod, and I could see her frown a little when I tried to get her attention. When I tried to reach for her, she pulled away. I felt my heart sink.
This was not how it was supposed to be...
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Slow Heat