Zuko held his breath, he could only imagine their faces, their reactions, their answers. "Spirits, please help me with this." He said quietly as he walked into the Western Air Temple.

Aang and Toph were sitting in front of each other playing, fire, earth, water, air. Sokka was standing beside Katara. "Katara, we need some new meat! I'm telling you, I should go on a hunting trip and bring back some nice food for once!" Katara glared at her brother, "Are you saying I can't cook nice food Sokka!?' Sokka's eyes got big, and he quickly realized his mistake. He quickly tried to backtrack what he said, but Katara was already set off. "I-um-no-I didn't mean that!" But, it was too late. Katara had Sokka soaked to the bone in frigid water. Aang and Toph quickly busted a gut and were rolling on the floor. Katara smirks and sashes off into the back of the temple.

Zuko watches from behind a statue of rocks, he laughed quietly at Katara. She was something, images of Ba Sing Se came crashing down in his mind. The familiar ache in his heart started again as his mind settled on Katara's pained eyes when he sided with Azula. Zuko closed his eyes tightly, as if trying to shut out the memory, but it did no good. The despair in her ocean orbs haunted him. Lost in thought, he didn't remember how the little blind girl could see. Next thing he knew, he was being thrown in the air by a rock that had been pushed up.

Toph's senses kicked in when she realized they were not alone, she was greeted by a flying dark mop of hair in Fire Nation clothing. Aang jumped up from his spot, and prepared himself for the intruder, that's when Zuko spoke.

"Don't, let me explain."

Katara came flying out of the room she was in and into where she had left the rest of her family, only to find a sight she never wanted to see again. Zuko was standing in the temple, he was here. Katara's mind went viral, before anyone even knew she was there. Zuko found himself frozen in ice, he looked around for the source and his ember eyes settled on the furious prodigy from the Southern Water Tribe.

"You! What do you think you're doing here!?"

"Katara stop!" Aang instructed her, "Let's hear what he has to say."

Katara's eyes went wide in disbelief, her mouth dropped open with a little pop sound. "Twinkle Toes is right Sweetness, let's see what the fire bending boy has gotta say. I can tell if he's lying."

Zuko looked around, one of them was missing. That one with the pony tail, what was his name? Never mind, he would figure it out later. Right now he had to plead his case and hope they take him in. "Hey, Zuko here. Look, I want to join your group. I want to teach the avatar firebending."

Everyone stood there in shock, not sure what to say or do. Maybe Sokka had slipped them some cactus juice. Katara was the first one to recover. "No. I don't think so. No." Aang's opinion differed though, "I need him, as much as I hate to admit it, I do. I have nobody to teach me firebending." Katara was outraged, how could he say that. Didn't he know Zuko? He would stab Aang in the back at his first chance! "I hate to agree with him, but he does have a point Sweetness. Aang needs a teacher, and there isn't anyone else available."

Katara's anger came off of her in waves, she snapped. "Whatever, let him stay. I don't care." With that she stormed off, a few minutes later the sound of a wave slamming against stone echoed throughout the temple.

Zuko stood quietly, he couldn't believe the drastic change from her actions in Ba Sing Se to now. I can't really blame her, he thought to himself. Zuko raised his head and held it proud, storing any emotion with in him deep inside, "Thank you." Aang nodded, and Toph just smiled. "So, what'd you do to get Sweetness's panties in a twist Sparky?"

Did that girl just call him Sparky? Confusion swept across Zuko's face, "Ummm, Sparky?" Toph simply replied, "Everyone in the group gets nicknames; that are bestowed by me. And you shall be known as Sparky." Zuko simply shrugged, "I can work with it." Aang sighed, "I guess I'll do find Katara." "You go do that lover boy." Toph replied with a smirk. "I don't love her!" Aang shouted in defense, Toph smirked, "Really Aang, it's not like I can't tell when people are lying." Aang looked to the ground and walked off.

Zuko didn't know why, but a pit seemed to form in his stomach as he learned the young avatar loves Katara. He couldn't blame him, Katara was a very beautiful young lady. Stop Zuko. Stop. "So, Toph. How about giving me a tour?" "It would be my honor Sparky."

Katara was sitting on her bed, just staring at the wall. Memories of Ba Sing Se consumed her mind. She thought she would never have to see him again, seeing him again brought up all the pain of his betrayal. She trusted him, she did more than trusted him. She reached out to him, and what did he do? He sided with Azula, after making him feel sympathy for him. Not again, not this time. She won't let the spawn of satan himself claw his way back into her heart. She won't give him the time of day, and she for sure won't die a little every time her ocean blue eyes met his sun kissed orbs. She won't do it, this time she'll be strong. That's what her mom would have wanted, for her not to be played a fool.

Aang knocked on the door, Katara raised her head and looked at the young boy who was destined to save the world. "Can I come in?" All Katara did was nod, Aang walked over to her and sat down beside her. Katara dropped his gaze and continued staring at the wall. "I understand why you don't want Zuko to join the group, he tried to hurt me. I know it's hard but something tells me that he's changed." Katara remained silent, she couldn't reply. He didn't know the real reason why she didn't want Zuko joining. Aang got up and left her to her thoughts, but before he left he took one last glance at her. Without another word, he walked out into the open.

Zuko and Toph were sitting there talking quietly, exchanging smiles and laughs when Sokka came bursting in. "Hey guys! Wait. What is he doing here?" He pointed to Zuko, "He's with us now." Aang explained. "But, why?" " I need a firebending teacher, and Zuko is now it." Aang said matter of factly. "Well, okay then. Welcome to the group Zuko." Sokka walked out with a lot less enthusiasm then he had walked in. "Don't sweat it Sparky, they'll come around eventually." Toph said. "Yeah, maybe some of them will." Inside, he knew that there is one water tribe girl who would take a whole lot more convincing than the others to forgive him.

Hours passed, everyone else but Katara had attempted to converse with Zuko. He couldn't help but feel a little sad at the thought, he seeked her forgiveness most. The others were sitting around talking, sharing memories and cracking jokes. For Zuko, it almost felt to good to be real. He never had a family outside of his uncle. Sokka then spoke up catching Zuko's attention. "Where's Katara? I'm famished." "You're always famished Snoozles." Toph cracked at him. Sokka sighed, "But you're right. Where is Sugar Queen?"

"I'm right here." Everyone turned to greet Katara but there was an unnatural coldness to her. Not the familiar warm motherly glow that usually radiated off of her. Zuko stirred, he knew this change was because of him and regret instantly seeped into his veins. Katara moved wordlessly from the group and began making dinner.

She wouldn't ask for it, but Katara would have loved if Zuko lit the fire for her. She would love if someone asked to help out around there once in a while. She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, watched over everyone. She was the mother of the family, she wished she could sometimes just practice her bending or give a day to herself but if she did then they would be at lost. Without another thought Katara finished up her duty in the kitchen and went to sit with the others while the food was cooking.

Aang and Sokka were in a heated discussion on what was better, meat or veggies. Katara smiled slightly at the immaturity of the two boys, she missed being that carefree. It's not like either of them were, but they could brush off their responsibilities so easily that it made Katara envious.

Zuko made a fire in the middle of the group, something had to provide light and keep them warm. Toph was currently practicing her earth bending so that left Zuko with nobody to talk to. He watched Katara who sat alone watching her brother and the avatar. She smiled slightly, but then it was as gone as soon as it came. Her line of sight lowered to the floor and she started to finger the pendent that stayed on her neck. Zuko remembered when he had that necklace. He tied it around his wrist and hardly ever took it off, but of course. She didn't need to know that. She seemed so lost in thought it was as if she wasn't even there. Like her mind was soaring so far away that it left her body, Zuko didn't realize how long he had been staring but he knew when he should avert his eyes.

Katara rose, and brought back food for everyone; including Zuko. She walked over to hand him his bowl, but wouldn't make eye contact. She was rough and tense with him, not comfortable like she was with the others. She went back down and sat inbetween Aang and Sokka and silently ate her stew.

"So, Katara how about a little waterbending training tomorrow?" Aang asked hopefully.

"Aang, you need to focus on earthbending and firebending. You've practically mastered water. You need to focus on your weak points." Katara replied softly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Aang said disappointedly.

"Aang, I want you and I to train for firebending bright and early tomorrow." Zuko's deep voice said. Aang nodded in understandment, Katara finished her meal. While Toph, Aang, and Sokka were in some type of weird conversation Katara locked eyes with Zuko. She said nothing, but everything all at once. Katara got up and cleaned her bowl, she said she wasn't feeling well and was going to lie down. Aang attempted to try to take care of her, but she quickly brushed it off. Zuko got the message, he asked Katara to wait so she could show him to his room. She nodded and waited.

Soon Zuko was following Katara into the back of the temple where she was sure nobody could hear them. "So, why are you really here?" Her voice came out strained, and deadly.

"To train the avatar." Zuko's blunt reply apparently didn't satisfy her.

"You hurt him, or any of them I swear to you. I will kill you, right there. No hesitation. You're already dead to me."

Zuko flinched at the force behind her words and the deadness in her eyes. She was serious, deadly serious. "Then my life has no reason to worry, I'm not here to hurt anyone only fix what I've done."

"You may have everyone else believing that you've changed for the greater good, but I don't buy it. I don't buy it for a second. I know once a liar, always a liar." With that she turned on her heel and stormed off into her room.

Zuko refrained from following her until he heard the door slam, then he went and found his room. Funny, it was right next to hers. The two that were the furthest from everyone else's, it was on the other side of them temple. Why is she so far away from the others? Why does she hate me so? I mean, I know why but did it really effect her that much? Did I really mean that much to someone? No. No. I won't go there Zuko told himself. He won't let anyone get to him. He had Mai at home, but why was when he was with her he wished to see those azure eyes staring back at him? Enough is enough, time to let the darkness consume him Zuko decided. The only problem was, he couldn't even escape her in his sleep. For she was starting to become all he dreamed about.

Katara laid there, for what seemed like hours. Her mind racing, she felt as if the air was so thick she could barely breathe. She wanted to hate him, she really did, but she couldn't. She can't make herself. Katara got out of bed, and looked out the window the wind was blowing gently. Her thoughts drifted from Zuko, to her mother, to the war. There wasn't an off switch for her emotions, despite her every attempt; Katara feels everything. Every minute since Zuko has been there Katara can't stop obsessing over him. She needed to know what his plan was, what the real reason he would decide to show his face around her again. Katara had walked over back to the bed, still thinking of Zuko sleep decided to claim her.

The next morning she woke with bags under her eyes, she only had gotten two hours of sleep. She had to get up to make breakfast, as usual she was the first one up. Katara walked into the kitchen and began fixing some breakfast for her family when a voice from behind her startled her. "Good morning." Zuko stood leaned up against a pillar, he looked as if he had been up for a while. Katara didn't reply, she just glared at him. Eventually Zuko broke eye contact, "Do you want some help?" "Not from you." Her curt reply almost stopped him in his tracks. Zuko didn't listen, he went right up beside her and started peeling vegetables. Katara said nothing, she just looked at him. Didn't he hear her? She said no. "I said, not from you." "And I didn't listen, so either you just accept my help and we work together or you keep staring at me while I work. Your choice." Zuko replied with just as much intensity as Katara had given him. She said nothing, but continued to work beside the firebender.

Soon the others began waking up to the smell of their breakfast cooking, by the time Zuko and Katara finished everyone was up but Toph. Katara was about to leave to go wake the earthbender but Zuko stepped in. "I'll go get her." He walked down the halls and into her room.

"Mmmm, food." Sokka stared at the food lustfully. "I thought you said I couldn't cook nice food." Katara replied with a smirk. "You misunderstood Katara." "Oh, I don't think I did dear brother, in fact since you don't think what I cook is nice I think you shouldn't have any." Sokka's eyes bugged out of his head, "But Katara, no you don't mean that! I'm your brother, the kind, supportive, funny, warrior brother who you love way to dearly to let starve!" Katara couldn't refrain from cracking a smile at Sokka's rant, soon that small grin turned into a laughter that reached everyone in the temple. Sokka' continued with his rant, waving his arms at the thought of him not being able to eat Katara's meals; he was totally oblivious to the laughter that danced through the air. They rest stared at her, it had been so long since they heard her laugh like that. The last time her laughter was heard was before Ba Sing Se.

For Zuko, it was the first time he had ever seen her laugh. It was breath taking, the way she clutched her stomach, and the light that fluttered in her eyes just stopped Zuko's heart. He had to remind himself how to breathe, her laughter was so contagious. Soon Aang was chuckling along side of her, then Toph. Zuko's small smile betrayed him, laughter was foreign to him. In a world of war, laughter was an unknown concept.

Sokka soon noticed his delima and quickly regained his composure. "Katara! That's not funny! You don't do that to a man, food, besides his family is the most important thing in his life." Katara's smile still remained plastered to her face, "Chill Sokka, I've been feeding you for how long now? I know your obsession with food. I wouldn't do that to you." Sokka mumbled some angry words but sat down. Katara served everyone their food, except for Zuko. She figured since he helped cook, he can help himself to get his own food. Nobody served her when she cooked.

Zuko served his plate and went and sat in the shadows, he never had felt more alone. He always had had his uncle by his side, now he really did have no one. Toph came and sat beside Zuko, "Why the long face champ?" "It's nothing." Toph snorted, "I can tell when people are lying, now spit it Sparky." "Just, I miss my uncle." Toph placed her hand on Zuko's shoulder, "I know how that feels." The sat in a comfortable silence and ate. Zuko would never admit it, but he really appreciated Toph being there. He could see a great friendship coming from her.

Aang came over interrupting their peace, "Hey Zuko, ready to train?" Zuko nodded, "Let me help Katara clean and I'll be there." Aang didn't like the idea of Zuko helping Katara, he didn't like the idea of Zuko being alone with Katara period. But, he knew Katara wasn't his biggest fan. So, that thought rested his mind a bit. Aang walked away and waited for Zuko.

Zuko walked into the kitchen, and began washing dishes. Katara said nothing, she just pushed Zuko out of the way and began to wash them herself. Zuko stared at her, confused didn't she want help? Katara rinsed the dish and handed it to Zuko, he just stared at it. "You wanted to help, you're drying them." Zuko smiled inwardly at the thought that she actually was accepting his help. They worked together, it was a great feeling for the both of them. Katara greatly needed his help, he was the only one who offered after all. In half the time that it had originally taken Katara alone, they were done. "Thanks." Katara turned and walked away.

Zuko and Aang began their training while Katara worked around the temple, fixing holes in clothing, washing bed sheets, putting things back where they need to go. She finished earlier than expected, and went to watch Zuko's training session with Aang. When she got there she noticed something was off, Zuko wasn't as strong anymore. He was putting in double the effort but his flames were weaker. She thought maybe it was because it was he was training Aang, so she walked down there and whispered to Aang to go sit where she was previously. She pulled the water out of her water skin and raised her eyebrow at Zuko. He understood what she wanted.

He readied himself, he knew his flames seemed weaker it seemed as if he wasn't the only one who noticed either. He needed to test them against a worthy opponent, and who better than one of the best waterbenders in the world. He knew that after a few more years of training she would out do all of the other waterbenders. She shot out a water whip, in return he countered it with a fire whip of his own, but his flames weren't as long as usual. They weren't sizzling with power, he tried them again but the same reaction came. His flames extinguished in his hands, Katara returned her water into her water skin.

"I don't know what's happening." Zuko voiced. "My flames have never been this weak." That's when Toph decided to make herself known, "Maybe it's because you joined our side?" Katara and Aang went crazy. "We are not weak Toph!" "Are you trying to say that he's been stronger than us?!" "Easy killers, I'm saying that since he doesn't have a driving force that me may not be able to bend as strong is all." "That makes sense, firebenders power comes from hate and now I've released it. I need to take a trip, I need to go find the Sun Warriors, and Aang is coming with me." Katara objected, "Aang isn't going with you. I am." "Katara, I need to go with Zuko." "He'll take you straight to the Fire Lord himself! Don't you see! This is his plan!" "Sugar Queen, you're being ridiculous!" "No. I'm not, either we all go. Or none of us go." "If I don't go Aang will need to find another firebending teacher.'' "Why does Aang need to go with you!?" "Because Katara, Aang needs to learn the true meaning of firebending. I know you don't like this idea but I won't betray you." Katara turned and just ran. She had to get away. Within the blink of an eye, she was gone.

"Aang and I will leave tomorrow."

-AN- Hey guys! This is my first story on Fanfic and I'm looking foward to writting it, I've already started on the next chapter and it should be up within a day or two. I'll try to regulate my updates as soon as my agenda gets back in order. For now updates will come as soon as I've finished the chapter and prof read it. Message me with criticism, compliments, or tips.(: Thanks! You can find me on tumblr, same name.