(Katara's perspective)

Sozin's Comet came and left. The final battle happened. We won. It was the happy ending we all had hoped for. The four nations have been at peace for five years now. Peace filled days offer a comfortable lull so that when the world is on the brink of collapse, its cracks aren't noticed until the final hour.

A shift is taking place. I believe the final hour has already begun. The fault is our own. We should've taken better measures with the peace and known that just because the final battle was over that there wouldn't be tiny embers still flickering, waning with each breeze as they wait for the opportune moment.

The moment is here. And the Avatar is gone…

There is enough blame. Yes there are plenty of faults to go around and if he were here I know he'd tell me otherwise but I can't help feeling some guilt. This could've been avoided but instead I've come to the one person who I know can help.

Zuko.

He's the only other person that I know that understands Aang more than I do. This trip that I make to him today is not an unexpected one. He knew we'd be coming except I have traveled alone. We meet at his uncle's tea shop in Bah Sing Se for the privacy, away from the watchful eyes of his fire nation. He may be the Firelord but giving light to a new world in a nation that sought destruction is like the spider-seal fighting against the current.

I can see the youth still in his eyes. His warm smile and friendly tea joke are enough to bring me back, to allow for a temporary escape where only he and I exist in the moment but I know his pain. I know the transition hasn't been an easy one and his eyes show the weariness of a man shouldering the trouble of the world.

"I'm worried about him," are my first words to him that day.

"I'll help you Katara."

I grasp his hands, tears roll down my cheek without my permission but I can't hide my emotion, my gratitude, and these feelings deep within.

"But it's a week before the-"

He turns away, his eyes diverting elsewhere as he whispers, "I know."

(Zuko's perspective)

Two weeks earlier

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! It's so exciting!"

Sighing I can tell from the shrill voice that Ty Lee has arrived. Even though she's joined with the Kyoshi Warriors the time away from her doesn't seem like it's been long enough. She must have one hell of a vacation package to visit Mai as often as she does.

I like the noise though. It lets me know they are doing okay. During the quiet portions of their talks I worry about the conversation because I know then they are thinking about my sister, the firebending prodigy, Azula. I'd always known there was a part of her not quite right but when she finally snapped I didn't think she'd ever come back from her downward spiral but life is strange. It's never goes as planned much like our destinies.

I know I am meant to be Firelord despite the old ideologies slow to fade but I am confident in the future. I have more than hope for it. I see it so clearly everyday that I don't intend to give up. I'll continue to fight for my people and for a way of life that we all can treasure knowing in our darkest hour our flame held strong.

Yet all things aren't perfect. There are things that I can't understand, another confusion that has caused me to delay Mai's happiness though no one could tell as she doesn't seem like the type. But I know for Mai it is a big deal to have a permanent spot standing beside me.

Knock knock

"Uncle," I smile and stand to meet him as he enters. I look down at the kettle set and smile, "And you've brought tea."

We take a seat in the war chamber since it's the least used room since entering our peace time. I'm glad to see Uncle Iroh. I could use some of his perplexing advice to temporarily forget my own confusion which tends to happen when I attempt to understand his instruction.

"Zuko," he starts as he pours the tea, "There comes a time in every young warriors life when he'll do something greater than any battle being raged on foreign lands."

I raise an eye, "And what's that?" I ask though I have a sneaking suspicion about where this conversation will go.

"When we show love to another for the first-"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh! Stop!"

Off. Definitely off on that one. My thoughts were no where close to what he was thinking.

"Oh, so that isn't what's been bothering you. Good. I was worried." He laughs no longer suppressing the laugh. "You have not been in good spirits as of late. There is truth in the decisions we do not make."

I smile and give uncle a hug thanking him as I rush out of the room. I find Mai sitting out in the garden with Ty Lee and in my new found bewilderment I nearly interrupt them when I notice their down turned faces. I know instantly that they aren't thinking of the upcoming wedding but thinking of Azula wondering if she'll be fit to attend.

It's still in question on rather she can be trusted. There was a solid year of her usual attempts of threats to no avail and thankfully only two guards were met with untimely deaths but there is a rumbling that she is better. She sees the error of her ways and I'll admit there is a difference in her overall behavior yet I still don't trust her. However it's different for both Mai and Ty Lee. Despite her ways she is still their childhood playmate and they are able to draw upon good memories though I have to wonder if there are many that actually exist.

I back away from the garden quietly leaving them to their discussion and into my bed chamber. I need to visit my father. If there is one thing that would make me happy on the day of the wedding to Mai, it is having my mother there. Hers is a present that I will not go without and it is probably for this reason alone that I have delayed the day of our wedding for so long.

As I undress the scar on my chest slowly comes into focus. I place both my hands there and in that instant I am transfixed. I feel her. I see her. I know those hands and this water that are helping, soothing, and healing my battle wound. I can almost feel her as if she is here. Closing my eyes and it's her face that I'm looking up at. It is her face that I see.

Katara was here a few weeks back. She came concerned about Aang. While the two date they live separately. Aang traveling to help in the effort to rebuild and I know when he isn't away they are together. They are. I know.

"I can get rid of this scar," she says touching my exposed abdomen and I see the vial of spirit water hanging from her neck. She must've have retrieved more but right now the scar is of no concern to me. My hands cover hers as we stand facing the other.

How did we get here I wonder? Were we not discussing Aang a moment ago? His nightmares and his worry that there was another missing piece we had yet to discover. Yes we were but I can't hear the concern of my conscious when the pool of her eyes takes me to places I'd rather not return from.

"It's just like the- When we were- Or well that time when I-" she stops and starts unable to find her rhythm. I close the distance and I see the flush in her cheek.

"Katara" I whisper dipping my head down, engulfing her hair, and pulling back just in time.

"Zuko! Mai is-"

We both turn. There's Ty Lee, standing in full costume holding the silk gown she'll be wearing for the wedding.

"Looking for you," she finishes. "Did I just interr-" but she stops herself from asking and she remembers her place. I am the Firelord. She bows out excusing herself and I know she's off to find Mai.

I sigh as I am brought back to reality still clutching my abdomen wishing to be back at the place Katara's eyes lead to knowing that Uncle's confusion has gone and I'm left with my own once again.

(Katara's perspective)

We set off exactly five days before the royal event. I find out later it wasn't a hard decision for Zuko to make despite my worries of Mai's disappointment and the likeliness that a sudden cancellation might feed fuel to the oppositional fire with Zuko.

Those things worked themselves out by two factors. The first came in the way of Uncle Iroh, despite his treason he is still respected and feared upon by much of Zuko's opposition. Even Mai's father, the governor who doesn't hide his loyalty to Ozai made no remark of Zuko's leaving the nation temporarily and possibly delaying his daughter's happiness yet again.

I doubt Mai's happiness is the chief concern of the governor. I suspect he's the leader of Zuko's political opposition and they are waiting for a moment such as this to ensure he doesn't return.

Mai will stay back but the darts her eyes cast me lets me know it isn't by choice. I could face her stare but I have no right. I understand the emotion lurking within them and know I am to blame for her rage. Like a storm I have caused unfavorable weather for a moment that should be solely hers and she knows it isn't because Zuko has chosen me. To help me that is. He's going to help due to the other factor.

"You really think the two are the same?" I ask as I smooth out a ruffle in Appa's fur thankful that Aang did leave him behind. It makes travel easier.

"It can't be a coincidence. Aang's dream of a 'Forgotten Nation' has to be the same place."

"But those weren't your father's exact words. He didn't call it the 'Forgotten Nation."

"No," he says narrowing his eyes, "but I know she's there. In that 'Forbidden Land' for the banished that Uncle once told Azula and I as kids. We thought it was a silly tale to make us abide by our nation's rule but maybe there was something to it. All this time after traveling to each nation in my searches for the Avatar there was a never a place where I could feel her and now this… It can't be wrong."

I stare up to the passing clouds searching out images. I think I see a turtle lion but upon a further squint it's only a puff. "What did your uncle say about it when you asked him?"

He sighs, "Dangerous, blah blah blah, you have a wedding to attend and no time for adventures but," he laughs then, "when I mentioned I'd be helping you he offered his services."

I smile and give Zuko's hand a gentle grip, "We'll find your mother and Aang." He returns the smile and brushes back strands of my hair that come unraveled during a breeze.

Ty Lee clears her throat, "So I'd say we're just about all ready to go right?"

"Yes, but we will need to stop at the Southern Water Tribe. Sokka may want to help and I'll need Grandpa Pakku to take over my classes."

Zuko nods offering me a hand as Ty Lee does a back flip onto Appa. Uncle Iroh comes to stand at Appa's head. "Be careful Zuko. That place- If Ursa is there and it truly exist I hope only good will come of your efforts."

"I have to try," Zuko says knowing full well that his uncle's concern lay in his safety because this mythical place is a mystery to him as well, one that has nothing but dark stories that surround it.

"Come back to me," Mai says reaching up for one final kiss and Zuko leans down to meet her. I turn not needing to see. Not wanting to see but feeling the eyes burning holes in my back and knowing that Mai is daring me to look.

"Don't forget," Mai says to Ty Lee as she turns to walk away leaving Uncle alone to wave goodbye. She doesn't stick around to hear Ty Lee respond, "I won't" and I sit back not attempting to figure it out.

I wave to Iroh as Appa lifts off and we ascend in search of the 'Forgotten Nataion' or as Zuko's father referred to it as 'The Place of Mistakes including that fifth one…'

"I can't wait to see Sokka," Ty Lee squeals and I offer her a genuine smile.

"I can't either."