“You are a fool,” Azula said as she walked around Zuko, chained, injured and broken. “You had everything you wanted. Father’s love, your honor, everything,” Azula glared at her brother. “And you throw it all away for what?” she stopped turning towards Zuko. Gracefully she clasped her hands behind her back and leaned forwards, a sneering smirk upon her painted lips. “I’m waiting,” she purred.
“Gah!” Zuko lunged forwards, but he fell short of Azula. “I don’t have answer that!”
“You are in no position to choose Zuzu,” Azula grabbed his chin in her regal hand. “Now, you’ll answer me, or I’ll take delight in breaking you,” she looked at him. “You’ll know I’ll do it too, don’t you Zuzu,” she smirked when her brother didn’t meet her gaze. “I’ll break you down to your most animalistic nature. Cut you down, chew you up and spit you back out before repeating the process.”
“I’m stronger than that Azula,” Zuko growled.
“You think you are stronger,” Azula pressed one sharp nail into his cheek. He winced. “It hurt doesn’t it?” she asked. He growled low in his throat. “Tell me what I want to know,” she said.
“Never,” he glared at her. Her nail dug deeper into his skin.
“Where is the Avatar?” Azula asked.
“Kill me!” Zuko snarled, trying to pull his face away.
“You’ll know I’ll take pleasure in it, but,” Azula let her brother go and took a few steps back. “Dai Li,” she shouted. A Dai Li agent appeared. “Two ribs please,” Azula said a smile on her face. Zuko’s eyes widened when he saw a rock glove fly at his chest. He gasped when he felt it hit his body, but before he had time to recover another one smacked painfully into his chest. The Dai Li agent nodded to Azula and slipped back into the shadows.
“What did you do?” Zuko moaned.
“I simply had two of your ribs broke,” Azula said. “The Dai Li are very precise, thanks to Ty Lee.” Azula then leaned forwards and grabbed Zuko’s face again. “Now, let’s see if you’ll cooperate with me this time,” Azula smirked. “Or I may be forced to break your arm next. Or maybe your wrist, or even burn you.”
“I’ll never talk,” he said.
“Oh, too bad,” Azula stood up. “You really should think about talking Zuko,” she looked down at him. “You may be able to resist me for now, but, mark my words, you’ll be broke by the time I’ll come back. And if not,” she smirked. “I’ll finish breaking you.” Azula turned towards the door; she looked over her shoulder with a cruel smile. “Good day, brother.” Azula left the cell.
Zuko gasped as the pain of his broken ribs flared in his mind. He wanted to cry, to scream and shout in his agony and rage, but he couldn’t, he wouldn’t. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry,” he bit his lip. “I’m so sorry, Katara,” Zuko sniffed, trying to hold back tears. “I’m sorry for putting you in danger.”





They leaned in closer, their lips about to meet. They hadn’t kissed since they day she rescued him from the Boiling Rock. Aang didn’t seem to notice or if he did, he didn’t bring it up. Zuko could feel his eyes slowly going shut, but when they were half-lidded, he pulled away, looking away from the waterbender. “Zuko? What’s wrong?” Katara asked, placing her hand on top of his.
“Its…its best if you don’t get too attached to me,” Zuko said softly.
“What? Why?”
“Because…because…because it’ll put Aang in danger,” Zuko said.
“Zuko,” Katara looked at him. “Is there something you aren’t tell me?”
“You are about to go into battle for the world tomorrow, if you…if you get hurt because of me, my father will not hesitate to take his chance and if he hurts you…Aang…Aang will die,” Zuko touched his scar. “Trust me, Katara, my father doesn’t show mercy.”
“Zuko,” Katara reached for him.
“No, its better this way,” he stood up. “Its better if you just forget about me, about whatever we are starting to have; this is for your own good,” he turned. “Don’t bother coming after me,” he whispered, leaving the girl he loved sitting there hurt and confused.




Zuko looked away as he remembered everything that happened between him and her. He wondered vaguely why he ended up falling in love with her. He was too dangerous to be around. He was a firebender after all; she would’ve done better with the Avatar.
“Zuko?” a woman’s voice came.
“Katara!” Zuko looked up, hissing when his ribs flared in agony.
“No,” the door opened and Mai walked in. “Its me, Mai,” she whispered.
“Go away,” Zuko growled as Mai walked towards him. She knelt down before him and took his face in her hands.
“I can get you out of this. I can convince Azula that whatever you did you did it because you were confused and everything! Please, Zuko! Let me help you, you are the Prince of the Fire Nation! You are destined to be Fire Lord!” Mai said.
“Mai, its over, we talked about this in that cell at the Boiling Rock,” he said.
“No, its not,” Mai said looking at him with pain filled eyes. “I love you Zuko,” she whispered before giving him a tender kiss. Zuko closed his eyes as she pulled away.
“I’m sorry Mai,” he breathed. “But I never loved you,” he said.
“What?” she looked at him.
“I thought I did, for a while I believed I did…but,” he looked away, her hands sliding down from his face. “It was a lie.”
“I…why?” she asked.
“Mai,” he looked up at her. “I’m sorry,” he breathed.
“Whatever,” she said, trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. “Whatever Zuko,” she looked at him with tears welling up in her eyes, before leaving. Zuko sighed, wishing this would just end.





                                                            ***



Azula opened the door again. “Had enough or better yet? Changed your mind?” Azula asked as she walked in flanked with her two Dai Li agents.
“No,” Zuko growled, now more determined than ever to resist his sister.
“My, my, Zuko,” Azula purred as she circled him like a predatory cat watching its prey. “You are determined, more than ever,” she purred. “You always have been a fighter. That’s what makes you so dangerous, your fierce fiery determination,” Azula hissed. Zuko’s eye grew wide. “But it is also your greatest weakness. You leave yourself open for attacks that you least expect,” Azula stopped before him and leaned forward and took his face in her hand again.
Zuko spat in her face. Azula dropped his head and delicately wiped his saliva from her face. She scowled before giving him a swift backhand, cutting his right cheek. She grabbed his face again, heating her hand with her firebending until he winced. “I was willing to be patient Zuko,” Azula growled. “Even willing to make a deal, to spare you the torment of my last little gambit,” Azula face contorted into a furious scowl. “But after your little game you just played, I’ve changed my mind. Father will pay you a visit shortly,” she hissed, heating her hand again to make him look at her. “And he’ll bring you a little gift,” she smirked evilly when she saw her brother’s eyes grow wide.
“No! She has no part of this Azula! This is between you and me! Let her go!” Zuko shouted as Azula let go of him.
“Oh, no, no, no,” Azula purred playfully. “You don’t understand Zuko,” she leaned forwards again, her hands behind her back. “You made her apart of it by your little act just now. I wasn’t even going to tell her you’re alive,” Azula said. Zuko’s eye grew wider and he began to shake. “Yes, Zuzu,” Azula purred. “Your precious waterbender thinks your dead.”
“Azula, how could you!” Zuko lunged forwards. “How could you! How could you tell her something like that!”
“Simple,” Azula shrugged. “I really don’t care.”
“When I get out of here! I’m going to kill you!” Zuko growled.
“I’d love to see you try,” she smirked before leaving.






                                                             ***





It wasn’t long before the door opened again, and before Zuko stood Ozai, in all of his Fire Lord regalia. He had Katara’s shirt in his hand, and the waterbender’s hands were bound behind her back. “Let her go!” Zuko shouted, struggling furiously against the chains. “Darn it! Let her go!”
“No,” Ozai smirked as he leaned down to Katara, their faces inches apart. “I don’t think I will,” he pressed his lips against her neck. She cringed. “Such sweet tasting skin, so soft and firm,” he purred. “You really have good tastes in women,” he looked at Zuko. “She’ll make an excellent concubine,” he said, running his hand along her body, feeling every curve her buddy form possessed.
“Get your hands off her!” Zuko screamed.
“I don’t think you are in any position to be making demands,” Ozai hissed.
“Zuko,” Katara whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks. “They…they told me you were dead,” Katara’s voice was choked in sobs. “I thought you were dead…I thought I lost you forever,” she sobbed.
“Katara…I’m sorry I brought you into this. I’m sorry…” he hung his head. Ozai’s eyes opened wide before narrowing and he tossed his head back and a chilling laugh escaped his throat.
“Well, isn’t this just perfect,” he spat, looking between his son and the waterbender, unable to believe his luck. “My son is in love with this Water Tribe peasant!” he laughed again. “How wonderful, this is truly delightful,” he cackled. “I shall take great pleasure in dishonoring her, knowing it’ll cause you,” he pointed at Zuko. “Anguish.”
“If you put on filthy hand on her, I swear—”
“You’ll what? Do you really think you can defeat me, Zuko? I know all about your little lightning trick now. Your ace-in-the-hole is useless now. You can’t possibly hope to defeat me.”
“Let her go!” Zuko screamed.
“Tell me what I want and I’ll consider it,” Ozai said.
“No! Just let her go! She doesn’t have any part of this!” Zuko growled.
“I think she does,” Ozai looked at Katara. “If I remember correctly, doesn’t the Avatar love her as well?”
“No!” Katara screamed. “No! Don’t hurt Aang! Please! Don’t!” Katara screamed.
Zuko could feel his heart cracking. He struggled to keep his emotions under control.
“Why not? You love him more than that worthless whelp?” Ozai asked.
“I…” Katara paused.
“Answer the question! Do you love the Avatar or my son?” Ozai asked, shaking her.
“I…love him,” Katara whispered.
“Who?” Ozai shook her again.
“The…the…the…the Avatar!” Katara whispered.
“I thought so,” Ozai smirked when he saw a single tear roll down Zuko’s cheek. “Take her to her cell, we’ll use her to lure the Avatar here,” Ozai said to a nameless guard.
“Yes, sir,” the guard said taking Katara away. She looked back at Zuko, who refused to look at her.
“Well,” Ozai said. “It looks like you are completely worthless to everyone. Even a barbaric waterbender doesn’t even love you,” Ozai laughed. “How pathetic. The once great Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, rejected by a little peasant. You should’ve stayed in the Fire Nation,” Ozai said. “I’ll let you rot. Killing you would be a waste of time and effort,” Ozai slammed the door shut, leaving Zuko alone in the dark cell.




                                                                  ***





He later passed out from the pain, dehydration and the lack of food. He briefly remembered voices, one of them was a girl’s voice, but he couldn’t place it. The next thing he clearly remembered was waking up in a dark room. Bandages covering his body, and the fact that he was able to stagger to the door and a few feet into the hall before collapsing in exhaustion.
When he finally woke up, he was met by two blue eyes, and a warm hug and a tear choked voice. “Oh, thank the spirits! You’re alive!” Katara sobbed. “I thought I lost you,” she looked at him.
“Why? I thought you loved the Avatar?” Zuko spat, pulling away from Katara’s grasp.
“Zuko,” Katara folded her hands into her lap. “I only said that to save you. It was the only thing I could think of at the time,” Katara said. “If I said I loved you, Ozai would’ve killed you for sure!”
“Well, I wish you would’ve! At least I could’ve died knowing that my feelings are returned!” Zuko shouted.
“Zuko, you shouldn’t be moving around too much, your ribs are still healing,” Katara pushed him back down.
“How am I supposed to act? Happy?” Zuko asked.
“Grateful would be better,” Katara muttered as she stood up. “And for your information, I love you,” she said and walked off. Zuko snorted and flopped back into the pillows.
A few minutes later Sokka came in. He looked like he aged a few years. “You know, the war is over,” he said.
“That’s good,” Zuko whispered.
“You’re the new Fire Lord,” Sokka went on.
“I don’t want it,” Zuko said.
“Aang won’t let anyone but you be the new Fire Lord,” Sokka said. “You have to take it, if you don’t want the Earth Kingdom to overrun your homeland.”
“Fine,” Zuko muttered. “Let the Earth Kingdom have this accursed place.”
“I can see that you really messed up,” Sokka sat on the foot of Sokka’s bed. “You have to understand, that Katara only said what she did to protect you.”
“I don’t care,” Zuko muttered.
“Being angry about how my sister chose to save your life is really stupid.”
“Shut up!”
“When we rescued her, she was sobbing and begging to Toph to see if she could sense you. She was even willing to go look for you. Toph was even willing to come with her. She wanted to save you so badly. When Aang asked her why, she told us. She told us that she loved you. Aang took it hard…but in the end, everything turned out all right. When Toph and I found you, shortly after Aang defeated your father…Katara was by your side in a heartbeat. She spent every hour of the day by your side, healing you, begging you, ordering you, even demanding you to wake up, not to die, not to leave her,” Sokka said. Zuko didn’t answer. “I don’t know what happened between you and my sister in those caves. She has only told Toph and Toph won’t tell me either. So, until Katara tells me I won’t ask you or Toph. What I do know, that whatever the reason for hating you’re guts in the first place, then ending up falling in love with you…” Sokka paused. “Heck, you got to be special or something or have done something special. My sister has never shown this side of her before, at least not to me. She loves you. Truly loves you. More than she loves Aang! And that was maternal love mind you!” Sokka pointed his finger at Zuko. “I’m warning you, that if you screw this up for my baby sister, I’ll make sure that nobody ever finds the pieces.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Zuko asked.
“Because, you are the only one man enough to stand up to my sister and take her crap without a single complaint. You are either insane, respect her, love her, or a combination of all three,” Sokka said. “And for that, if you do marry my sister, I’ll be happy to call you brother.”
“Thank you,” Zuko said.
“Don’t thank me just yet,” Sokka said. “You still have to convince Katara and then my dad,” Sokka smirked and walked off. “But, I’ll put in a good word for you with him.”
Zuko simply smiled.





                                                                      ***




Katara returned to Zuko’s room, to see the young firebender sleeping. She smiled as she set the bowl of soup on the nightstand. He stirred and looked up at her. “Zuko! I thought you were asleep,” she blinked.
“I’m a light sleeper,” he muttered. “I heard you come in.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered sitting by his side.
“Don’t be…if anyone needs to apologize its me,” he gave a mirthless laugh. “I seem to be doing that a lot lately haven’t I?”
“Yeah, you have.”
“Anyways…what I wanted to say is…I’m sorry for yelling at you…I guess…I guess it was just…I don’t know. I thought it was real.”
“Zuko, I love you. You are special, you are a very powerful bender,” Katara rested her hand on his shoulder. “And I’m not just saying that because a crazy old woman told me I would marry a very powerful bender, but because you are.”
“My bending isn’t that great,” Zuko muttered. “Aang’s a strong bender than I am.”
“True, but it isn’t your bending alone that makes you powerful. Its your spirit, your heart. You are powerful because you are passionate in the things you believe in and you’ll fight for those things until your last breath,” she giggled. “I doubt that even with that you’ll give up. You’ll find a way to continue fighting. You even have a strong sense of honor,” she smiled. “And because of those traits, you are powerful, more powerful than Aang is. And its because of that strength of heart that I love you, and only you,” she kissed him gently on the lips.
“I love you, too,” he whispered.
“I know,” Katara leaned into his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I was so scared when they told me you were dead…I thought I lost you,” she whispered.
“You’ll never lose me Katara, I’ll always be with you,” he kissed her head. “Sokka told me I’m the new Fire Lord.”
“Yeah…you are.”
“Will…will…will you be my Fire Lady?” Zuko whispered. Katara looked up at hm.
“Water Tribe girls don’t marry until they are sixteen?”
“Fire Nation girls marry earlier,” he smirked. “You are in the Fire Nation, and you are bound by Fire Nation laws,” he answered.
“Okay, I’ll marry you,” she kissed him. “But on one condition.”
He sighed. “What now?”
“You have to make me a Water Tribe engagement necklace.”
He blinked at her. “Are you serious?”
“Completely, and you have to get my father’s blessing first,” she said.
“Great! This is just great!” Zuko sighed. Katara laughed.
“How badly do you want me?” she asked.
“So badly…I can’t even put it into words,” he said.
“Then you’ll find a way,” she kissed him behind his ear. “Because you want me bad enough, I know you’ll do it.”
“You’ll be the death of me won’t you?” he smirked coyly.
“Oh,” she gave a flirtatious smirk. “I hope not,” and with that she left the room, pausing only to blow him a kiss.