This chapter has been reloaded. For those of you new to this story, this is a sequel to "I Told You So", a story you might want to go back and read just to have the background knowledge.

Just Friends

Chapter 1: Wake Up

Two months. Two months since Ozai had been defeated. Two months since Azula was consumed by her own fire. Two months since Zuko laid his claim to the throne of the Fire Lord. Two months since the war had "ended". Two months of living in a dream.

One month making sure the fighting would stop and letting the news spread around the four nations. One month finding them selves again on Ember Island, finding again the reasons they began to fight in the first place. All together: two months.

What had come of it? Their one week stay at Ember Island had turned into two. Two weeks had become one month. Now, as had become their custom, the gang gathered around the fire pit on the beach watching the sun set over the watery horizon. The gang grew during the extended stay at the island. Mai and Ty Lee had joined them once they were discovered at the Boiling Rock. After spending a short time with their families to assure them they were alive, they quietly joined the others. Pipsqueak was found at a forced labor camp. Only The Duke knew his full story.

Not much conversation was going on that night. Normally the air was filled with raucous laughter as they remembered the good times they had spent together. Zuko's adventures in laundry were particularly enjoyed, as were Haru's recounting of Toph's "training" methods. Sokka was a never ending fountain of humor, whether it was his jokes or the fact he was so easy to poke fun at; usually the latter. Rarely there were tears. War takes its toll on the most resilient of minds and hearts after all, and though they were friends now, or at the very least they were getting along, some wounds had had to be pricked before they could heal properly. Ty Lee in particular was affected, she hadn't done well within the stone walls of her prison and it was days before they got her to smile without straining or do summersaults for the sheer joy of it. Even now, occasionally they would find her staring off into nothing, needing a reassuring pat on the shoulder or a kind word to snap her out of it.

For now they all sat around the fire, enjoying the peace and quiet of the starry night. Suki had her back to one of the two large logs that ringed the fire and was sitting cross-legged. Sokka's head was pillowed in her lap while she absentmindedly played with his hair. To their right, sitting on top of the same log was Haru leaning back on his hands, one leg dangling while the other was crossed beneath him. Ty Lee was lying on her stomach in front of him, legs waving aimlessly in the air, chin resting in intertwined fingers. Pipsqueak sat against the log much like Suki, an already yawning The Duke perched on his wide shoulders. The second log angled away from the first, forming an inverted 'V' in the sand. In the gap between them Teo had placed his wheelchair and Toph sat at his feet, her back leaning against the end of the log with her legs sprawled out. Leaning against the second log, starting at the end by Teo, was Mai, legs curled under her, resting her head on Zuko's shoulder next to her. Zuko had one knee up, foot braced in the sand, his left arm thrown casually over Mai's shoulders. Next to him was Katara elbows supported on upraised knees, using her hands as a cushion to lean her cheek into. Lastly was Aang stretched out on his back on top of the log, hands behind his head that was even with Katara's, one leg dangling off at the end.

That day they had received word from Uncle Iroh. Events were taking place back home that required their presence.

"Cheer up guys. We all knew we'd have to go on eventually," sighed Suki as she resigned herself to start the conversation.

"It was only supposed to be for a week anyways," added Katara, her eyes entranced by the dancing flames of their fire.

"I was just starting to forget," muttered Aang, "Forget that there had ever been a war. I was beginning to feel like this was all I had ever known."

"Our very own dream world," murmured Ty Lee contentedly.

"No war to train for," said Haru.

"No one to hide from," rumbled Pipsqueak, receiving a sleepy nod from The Duke on his shoulders.

"No more constant flying around," added Toph, getting a laugh out her travelling companions. With the exception of the Mechanist's submarines, flying was the earthbender's least favorite way of travelling.

"There is tons of great food," put in Sokka, "and speaking of which, is anyone else hungry?"

"We just ate Sokka," admonished Suki, tapping on his head.

"Oh come on, that was like an hour ago!"

"You had three plates!"

"Your point?"

Suki just sighed, head rolling back in defeat. It was a wonder the young warrior didn't weigh three hundred pounds.

"At least it beats rotting in a prison cell," drawled Mai, "though the sand gets in everything."

"Yeah, sand and wheelchairs don't work real well together," quipped Teo, "but then again, it did inspire me to make some modifications to my chair."

"I wish we could just stay here forever. Haven't we done enough?" sighed Aang, gazing up at the stars as they twinkled in night sky.

"Defeating Ozai was just the beginning Aang. The war has been going on for a hundred years. We've killed the monster, now we have to deal with the mess he left behind," Zuko said, glancing at his former student.

"Don't get all serious on us just yet Prince Charming," said Toph, "you can't tell me you haven't enjoyed our little vacation just as much as the rest of us."

"I have," he insisted, "it's just that I keep thinking about all the responsibilities that are waiting for me back home."

"Come on Zuko, don't worry about that now," said Mai, "you've got your whole life to worry about being the Fire Lord."

"Yeah Zuko," spoke Katara, "lets just enjoy this night, it's our last one. I know we have to get back, but I'm really going to miss this place. One month without having to worry about chores, or laundry, or whether we have food, or deal with Sokka's stinking socks! It's been nice."

"Wow sugar queen, a month in a tropical paradise and the only thing you're grateful for is not having to wash our clothes?" Toph commented sarcastically.

"Says the girl who refuses to do chores," retorted Katara with a snort, "otherwise you might feel differently."

"When did Iroh say we have to get back," asked Haru, joining into the conversation.

"He's sending a ship for us. It will be here tomorrow around noon," answered Suki, "We better start heading back soon to get our stuff ready."

"Not just yet," answered Sokka, standing up and stretching. Everyone glanced at him, wondering what he was getting at.

"Well, it's our last night here. I say we make the most of it," he went on, a mischievous look coming onto his face as he looked pointedly at Suki.

"Sokka…" said the Kyoshi warrior in a warning tone, finger pointed accusingly, "what are yo – ."

Whatever she had been about to say was cut off as Sokka suddenly grabbed her outstretched hand and boosted her onto his shoulder. He took off sprinting towards the surf carrying Suki over his shoulder like a sack of grain, the young woman shrieking in a very un-warrior like way at Sokka to put her down. Which he did… right into the next wave. As soon as she had her footing she launched herself at him, dragging him into the next wave while their friends still on the beach rolled with laughter and cheered her on.

"That looks crazy," drawled Mai.

"That looks like fun," yelled Aang, propelling himself up with his airbending and launching himself towards the water, "come on Katara," he called over his shoulder.

Zuko stood up and went to pick up Mai.

"Don't even think about it Zuko," she warned. They could go be crazy all on their own. Zuko just gave a shrug, used to Mai's apathy. He turned to see Katara facing the water watching as Aang joined the fray, her back to him. He jogged a couple steps forward and picked up a startled Katara, carrying her bridal style with one arm under her knees and the other around her back while he too started sprinting towards the water.

"Zuko!" she yelled, laughing as she was jostled in his arms.

"We can't let them have all the fun," he grinned down at her, as she clasped her hands around his shoulders. He turned his back to the water at the last moment and fell backwards into the waves with Katara in his arms, their laughter swallowed by the waves.

"What do you say," asked Haru, looking at Ty Lee who was now standing next to him.

"Race you!" yelled the acrobat gleefully, leaping onto a handspring towards the water. Haru was right along side her, grabbing her by the waist as they reached the surf throwing him self in with her.

Pipsqueak and The Duke were racing after them, sending up a huge wave when they hit the water that sent everyone already in head over heels.

Teo looked at Toph, who was actually looking a bit sad. She couldn't swim. Well, neither could he.

"Hey Toph," he called, "I know the perfect sand-to-water ratio for creating the ultimate sandball."

"So that's what you've been working on," grinned Toph suddenly turning her sightless eyes towards him.

"So…you'll be my legs and I'll be your eyes?" he asked, his voice a little unsure. He needn't have worried.

"You got a deal!" replied the earthbender. She got behind his chair and used her bending to give them a boost to the shore.

Finding herself alone by the fire Mai gave a dramatic sigh and stood up. She made her way sedately to the shoreline and looked at the group.

"Fine," she said, "but I am not getting dunked in."

"Yay! Mai's going to have some fun," yelped Ty Lee, hands clapping together, "this is going to do so much for your aura!"

"Whatever."

The water was soon roiling with their splashing and sudden explosions of sandbombs by Teo and Toph. Then Sokka yelled "CHICKEN!" and a new game was begun. In no time Suki was on his shoulders reaching for Ty Lee and Haru. Mai was referee. Teo and Toph's sandbombs added a new element to the game as the fighters and the boys carrying them tried to dodge the sandy projectiles. They weren't always lucky. Aang was still a bit too short to be much use carrying anyone so he mostly cheered the couples. Katara went ahead and paired off with Zuko and Pipsqueak continued to carry The Duke. Under the moonlight and stars they enjoyed what was left of their freedom. By the time they were dragging themselves out of the water the sky was beginning to lighten with the promise of dawn. Salty, sandy and exhausted they began the trek to the bungalow hanging off each other like a pack of drunks.

"Well that's the end of our dream world," sighed Katara with a smile.

"Yeah. Time to wake up and smell the firelilys," added Zuko.

"You mean that figuratively, right dude?" heaved a tired Sokka, still knocking some sand out of his ears, "Because I'm gonna knock out as soon we get to that house."

"It's a figure of speech Snoozles," replied an equally tired Toph, who was actually riding on the back of Teo's chair.

"I knew that," he replied.

"But afterwards," continued Zuko, meeting everyone's gaze before they stepped through the doorway, "the dream is over. Time to wake up."

They didn't even make to their beds before they knocked out. When the housemaids came in the next morning to help prepare them for their journey they were startled to find the sitting area filled with sprawled and snoring bodies. The head maid, an aged and stern woman gave a disapproving 'tsk' at seeing such a state of disarray, and with young ladies too. Hands on her hips she decided to start their day.

"WAKE UP!"

A loud chorus of groans with intermittent yelps followed the head maid's loud bellow. Sokka sprang up from his position on the couch, boomerang in hand, looking wildly about, dumping Suki on the floor in the process, seeing as she had fallen asleep spooned against him. Suki fell on Toph's legs, having fallen asleep leaning up against Teo's wheelchair, and who's head then knocked into the wooden side of the wheelchair. Feeling the impact of the young earthbender's head on his chair woke up Teo.

Everyone else was in similar positions of disarray, sprawled over armchairs, in couches, on the floor, or, in Ty Lee's case, draped over a railing. The head maid's shout had caused her to fall from her perch onto Haru, who lay sprawled on the floor, causing him to jerk awake. On the other coach Zuko and Mai were spooned together and each of them woke with a groan, Mai half-heartedly reaching for one of the throwing needles that she kept up her sleeves. Katara had fallen asleep upright against their couch with Aang's head pillowed in her lap, while Momo was on Aang's back. Hearing the shout Aang shot up and the top of his head collided with Katara's chin causing both of them to yelp in pain.

"Have you no shame," ranted the Head maid in response to the chorus of groans, "heroes of the war?! Ha! I've seen brothels with less physical contact!"

"Aww , stow it you old hag," shouted Toph, vigorously rubbing her bruised cranium, "we're just friends!"

Just like that the next journey was begun.


~CelestialWonder