This is the second story in the Promise Saga. If you haven't read my story A Promise to Keep I highly recommend you do so before this one.

1 - One More Step

Sweat poured down Zuko's forehead as he fought to keep his footing. His opponent knew him well and had increased in skill since the last time they had fought. Flames shot from his feet but were quickly extinguished. His current enemy shot their own attack and he quickly deflected it. It was obvious the two were evenly matched, but both were determined to win. Their own stubbornness refusing to let them back down. They both went for their next move, hitting each other at the same time and knocking each other to the ground. Zuko didn't have the energy within him to get back up and continue. One glance to the left told him that his opponent was faring no better.

"I bet in a few more weeks I'll kick your butt ," Katara told him.

"I was going easy on you," Zuko weezed in protest. Katara only scoffed at him in reply. Zuko just smiled before continuing. "And Master Pacu didn't think you could learn."

Katara laughed before relying. "I sure showed him."

"You showed them all," he told her thinking about the day they arrived at the Northern Water Tribe.

As expected the tribe was quite wary of a fire navy ship showing up. So, to put their worries at ease Aang had flown over to talk to them on his own and explain a few things. While they were still reluctant to let anything fire nation into their boarders, they were excited to meet the avatar. So, they allowed him and his friends, including Zuko and Iroh to come into the city. The ship and the rest of the crew remained just outside their ice wall.

Everyone in the tribe was nervous around the avatar's fire bending companions. But, with Aang's reassurances Zuko and Iroh had been welcomed in to join in the festival the Chief was throwing to welcome the avatar. After time people even began to relax just slightly in their presence. Now, all that meant was that they weren't glaring with hands on the hilt of their weapons, but Zuko chose to see it as progress. The next day he had gone with Aang and Katara to their water bending class not being able to resist watching Katara's first real lesson. He was shocked and angered when master Pacu had informed them that he would not be teaching Katara because she was a girl. The comments he made about her had Zuko steaming in rage wanting so badly to wipe the smug grin off the man's face. But, he knew standing up for her in this case would only make it worse. His help wasn't needed though. Katara had proven her right to learn all on her own, maybe even paving the way for other women of the tribe. She had stared the master directly in the eye and challenged him to fight her, knowing she couldn't win. She didn't win, but she did impress him enough to give her a chance. She didn't just keep up with the boys. Katara quickly surpassed them, proving she belonged right there with them. He had been so proud watching her over those few months. Now, you never would have known that there was a large gape in her study. She had learned quicker then anyone Zuko had ever seen, and that included his protégé of a sister. He entertained himself for a moment imagining what it would look like if those two ever came head to head. But, quickly dismissed the thought, not wanted Katara anywhere near that psycho.

Katara was the first one to move from the floor. She slowly stood up while stretching out all of her abused muscles. "I'm telling you, Zuko. Give it a few weeks and I'll win," she told him sliding up so her face was just above his.

He smiled up at her, "In your dreams," he replied knowing it was probably true. She smiled back at him before slowly getting to her feet and offering a hand down to him. He accepted her help up and walked with her to the exit of the arena snagging his shirt off the floor as he went.

"I'll see you at lunch," she told him as they parted giving him a stern look. He rolled his eyes as he watched her go. He had a tendency to loose himself in his work and skip meals. Since they had joined him, both Katara and Aang had come to either bring him food or drag him from his work.

When he thought about how nervous he was when he first met Aang, he laughs at himself now. He now understands why Katara had insisted he had nothing to worry about. Aang was truly unique. He never holds grudges and like Katara sees the good in everyone. He is on his way to being the most powerful person in the world, if he's not already but he's also extremely immature. Not that it's unusual for a boy his age to only worry about flying or riding giant fish, but if he was going to be able to do what the world needed him to, he has to grow up fast.

Zuko had gotten a glimpse of the young Avatar he knew Aang could be at the North Pole. After being there for a few month, an armada led by Admiral Zhao had shown up. Aang, connected with the ocean spirit had destroyed all the Fire Navy ships besides his own, saving the whole tribe. The water tribesmen first had blamed Zuko and his men for the attack, claiming they had brought them there. In a way, they were right. The Fire Lord had recently discovered Zuko's betrayal and sent Zhao to kill him and his followers. Zhao had brought it upon himself to attempt to destroy the water tribe as well. But, after the help that his crew and himself had given the tribe had begun to warm up to them. His ship had been allowed into the city and his wounded men had been treated in their healing ward beside their own warriors. The remainder of his crew, with some suprise help from a few of the warriors had searched the waters for survivors. Many of the soldiers they had saved were stunned that there was someone trying to challenge the Fire Lord. They were angry at the war just as much as they were and after very little time asked to join them. There was still those who ignorantly supported the Fire Lord. It took Zuko some time to decide what to do with these men now in his brig. After a great deal of time and discussion with his uncle and Aang, he let them and Jee Lee go back to the fire nation in eir smaller river boat. Jee Lee had been a member of their crew who had turned and betrayed them by revealing information to the Fire Lord. Letting him go was especially difficult for Zuko because Jee Lee had attacked Katara and attempted to kidnap her. When the boat had begun to take off he had almost pulled him back.

In the end they had been lucky though. Through the whole fight their crew had sustained no critical injuries and they hadn't lost anyone. Well, no soldier Zuko thought glancing at Sokka staring off at the fading moon. Despite how much he and Sokka may disagree with each other, he couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He had fallen fast in love with the Northern Water Tribes young princess. And for some reason completely unknown to Zuko the princess had loved him back. Nothing was going to come of it though. She had an obligation to marry another. Unfair, yes but not unusual for royalty. Zhao had attempted to destroy the Water tribes directly from the source, the moon spirit. He had actually succeeded in killing it for awhile and things were turning bad. But, Yue had sacrificed herself and given her life for the moon spirit. It was only because of her sacrifice that they had been able to save the tribe. But, Zuko knew that her death had hit Sokka hard. So he had attempted to smooth things over between them, for Katara's sake. Unfortunately, Sokka wanted none of it. After Yue's death Sokka's distrust of Zuko became hatred. He seemed to need a scapegoat to blame it all on and Zuko was the perfect person.

Zuko torn his eyes away from the grieving boy and walked up to Hachiro at the helm. After his show of courage and loyalty, Zuko had promoted the young man to helmsman. He had begun to notice too, a close friendship brewing between him and Katara. "How much time do you think before we reach the earth kingdom main land?" Zuko asked.

"About two more weeks Prince Zuko," he replied.

"I concur," Zuko said. "Keep us at full speed. The sooner we reach Omashu and Aang starts learning earth bending from his old friend Bumi the better. We'll be one step closer to ending this war."

Alright, let me know what you guys think of this new story. As always thanks for any and all feedback.