Okay everyone, I'd like to start off saying this is NOT my first story (My old account got all messed up so I had to make a new one. Some of you may have known me as LightningWrites before so if there is similar content in this story to my old story Life as It Is IM NOT STEALING any thoughts or Ideas! Anyways I hope you enjoy this story, I have a great plot planned out for it so go ahead and get reading!

Location: Western Air Temple (After Boiling Rock)

Rated: T (Just to be safe)

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender (Aww man!)

CHAPTER 1: A Morning Surprise

It was morning in the Western Air Temple. The sun rose beautifully, kissing the mountain tops with a shimmer of glorious light. Sparrow-keets could be heard happily chirping amongst each other, their melodic tweets echoed off the walls of the canyon.

Zuko, of course, was always the first one to wake up at the Temple. Most nights were spent restlessly tossing and turning for the troubled teen, dreams plagued with horrible nightmares and unforgettable memories. He got up and stretched out his arms with a loud yawn. Then he scratched his head and looked through the stone window at the rising sun.

"Firebenders just have to rise with the sun, don't they?"He muttered. The ex-prince swiftly got up from his bed and rubbed his groggy vision away then walked over to the corner of his room and began to brew some Jasmine tea. The sweet aroma of boiled tea leaves filled the dusty air with a tranquil pleasure.

Zuko couldn't help but sigh at memories of the early mornings in Ba Sing Sai with his uncle.

Uncle… His mind drifted off to the painful memory of his betrayal. The look of disappointment in his uncle's eyes nearly broke his heart in two. His uncle never looked so ashamed. The firebender pinched the bridge of his nose out of sheer frustration. Truth was, the pain of his betrayal hurt more as he thought of it with each coming day… and I didn't hurt just uncle, He hastily thought. It's okay, I'll make it up to you Uncle and I'll restore my honor; the right way.

His uncle gave everything to him. He gave up his home, provided him wisdom, tolerated his outbursts, and showed him… Love.

The word felt alien to him, unfamiliar.

Then his thoughts were directed back at Ozai, that cruel dictator would never be his father. And for once in his life he was completely okay with the idea. But everything his father said on the day of the eclipse had been haunting him without stop. Was his mother really alive? He could only pray that much was true.

The prince's thoughts were interrupted as a high-pitched whistling pierced the air, followed by a not-so-quiet crash as the porcelain teapot shattered across the stone floor of the ancient room. He winced in fear of waking the others, but was quickly reassured when a loud snore erupted from a certain water tribe warrior beyond the walls of the room.

The firebender decided that tea probably wasn't an option anymore so he quickly cleaned up the mess and grabbed his Dao Swords from the edge of his cot and quietly exited out his bedroom door.

He was just about halfway out the door when he was greeted with an unpleasant mud pie to the face.

"GOTCHA PRINCEY!" A clad green girl with hazy eyes cheered.

Ever since the "burning feet" incident, Toph had constantly been at her little payback. Every moment she had a chance, she would make Zuko's life a living nightmare.

He let out a low sigh, "Good morning Toph." He drawled out with a moan, wiping the watery earth from his pale skin.

"Well don't you look excited to see me." The tiny earthbender smirked. He only rolled his eyes in reply and walked past her, ignoring the small annoyance. "Hey don't you ignore me, you're not getting off the hook that easily!"

He continued to walk only to be stopped by a brick wall.

"Okay what's up Sparky, you never this moody in the morning." She visibly frowned at his lack of reaction to the early morning prank.

He dodged around the obstacle and continued to walk. "Sorry Toph, I guess I'm just kinda tired this morning."

"Uh-hu, I'm sure that's what it is." She rolled her blind eyes hoping to succeed in annoying the grumpy teen.

"Just leave me alone I don't really wanna talk about it." He mumbled

"Are you sure Zuko? You've been tossing around all night and I'm honestly starting to worry about you."

"I SAID I WAS FINE SO LEAVE ME ALONE!" He toned. Realizing he just let his temper get the best of him again, he rubbed his temples vigorously to calm his nerves. "Sorry Toph, I didn't mean to snap at you like that." He apologized.

"It's cool." Though inside she was a little shaken by Zuko's quick burst of anger.

Neither of them said anything for a while so Zuko assumed she left, but sure enough he turned around and there she was, trailing close behind.

Finally the awkward silence broke, "So where are you going anyways Sparky?" The young voice chirped.

Zuko abruptly stopped to observed the area. "Actually I think we're here."

"Huh? Where? All I feel are a bunch of crumbly rocks and some old statues." Toph commented.

"Exactly so when I firebend, no one gets hurt." He explained. Far to many times his fire had hurt someone, so he always tried to be extra cautious around the gaang. Not to mention Katara's threat the the first night he came to the temple. A slight shiver racked through his spine.

"Hey, you okay Sparky?"

"Hm, yeah. Sorry a just little breeze"

"Psh, you fire pansys are such pushovers." She snorted.

"Hey we are not!" The proud firebender contorted. "Which reminds me, unless you want your feet fried again, I recommend you get back to the campsite Squirt."

"SQUIRT! You've gotta be kidding me! I'm an earth rumble champion so you better watch your back bub or I'll have you halfway across this canyon by sundown!"She raged.

"Is that a challenge?" Teased Zuko. He cracked his knuckles and un-sheathed his Dao swords. "You're on!"

Okay guys, I promise this will be Zutara, just be patient with me people(: Anyways, hope you really liked it and Reviews are very much appreciated! By the way I wouldn't mind a little critique so please please PLEASE don't hesitate to do so. Hope you stay tuned because there's more juicyness to come ;)

~TheOneHope