"He should be waking up soon..."

"You sure?"

"Yes, just guard the door and let me know when he's awake..."

Those were the words he heard, a gentle female voice and an older male's voice. His eyes opened, he didn't even take in the room just felt pain in his back. Letting out a groan he sat up and that's when the room came into view, red metal walls, red sheets, and the Fire Nation insignia.

Panic set in the young Avatar, what happened? Were they captured? He quickly got out of the bed, despite the pain; he fell down on his knees, his face twisted in pain. Grabbing his air glider, he used it as a cane, approaching the metal door. Where were his friends? Did they get captured? Was everyone alright? He thought he heard Katara and Sokka's voice, but couldn't be sure, maybe he imagined it.

Opening it his eyes widened as two Fire Nation soldiers were leaning against the opposite wall, once they saw him they straightened up. Before they could talk, Aang using his bending to push them to the side, the two colliding with the end of the hallway. Satisfied he ignored there screaming of he was awake and hobbled as fast he could out of there.

He came to an intersection, turning right he bumped into a tall, fat guard who let out a deep laugh. "Hey Aang-" The guard didn't get through his sentence when Aang screamed bloody murder, pushing the fat guard back with Air; he hobbled to the left to see a staircase leading to the top of the ship.

"Aang wait!" The fat guard called, the other two came out and gave chase to the Avatar, hoping to catch him. When Aang got to the ship's deck, he used the air to shut the hatch, turning around he winced but knew he would have to fight.

Fire Nation soldiers were everywhere, all watching two people fighting. Once one moved aside, Aang gaped at seeing Katara fighting Zuko, what was going on. Once he saw Zuko let out a fireball, he moved, "Katara!" He shouted, getting in front of Katara and used the air to direct it back to Zuko, whose eyes widened. The banished prince used his arms to block the fire slightly, but couldn't hold back from the blast and he landed in a pile of metal barrels and spears.

Katara let out a small cry, of what he didn't know, he turned around to great her when she ran past him straight for Zuko. He watched like an outside as Katara pulled him up and sat him in her lap, inspecting the back of his head.

"Zuko? Zuko, are you alright?" Katara asked concerned, looking him over. She touched the back of his head and he winced, his clothes were slightly singed and when she pulled her hand back blood was there.

"Yeah, Katara, I'm fine," Zuko told her, still confused on what transpired. One moment he was sparring with Katara and the next his head hit a spear; he looked at Katara and saw some blood on her fingers.

His first thought was it was hers; he placed his hand on the back of his head and sat up, only for Katara to push him back down. "Fine?" Katara asked, showing him the blood, "does this look fine?" She was already pulling water out of her canteen, and healing the wound.

Zuko pulled his hand back and saw the blood, so it was his blood, "okay, not fine."

Katara rolled her eyes as she sat him up to look at the back of his head, "not fine indeed, jerk." She muttered, though there was humor in her voice. Zuko rolled his eyes and tried to stand up, with Katara standing up with him, "I'd like to put a bandage on it anyways."

Aang stared at the banter between the two, what had he missed? It didn't even register to him that the other soldiers weren't attacking, all he saw as Zuko grabbed Katara's forearms. He touched Katara! The only thing it could lead too was another fight, at least that's what he could only assume.

"Don't you touch her!" Aang's shout startled everyone, who turned to look at him, instead of the two masters. Zuko and Katara stared wide-eyed at the boy as he charged, knowing Aang was confused and very stunned Katara shouted, "Grab him!"

Before Aang could attempt to bend, a soldier quickly grabbed him. He kept his arms around the monk's chest and lifted him off the floor, saying, "I got ya buddy!" Unfortunately Aang didn't recognize the voice, and began thrashing against him, knocking the helmet off him, making the soldier let out a startled cry.

"Easy, Aang! It's me, Sokka!"

That caused Aang to stop as he looked over his shoulder to see Sokka grinning ruefully at the boy, "Sokka?" Aang questioned, watching as Sokka's eyes lit up with joy. As he looked around the soldiers all removed their helmets, all were of Water Nation decent, he didn't even realize Sokka setting him down and releasing him.

"What-What are you-" The boy's questioning was cut off by a loud thud; everyone looked at the hatch which lead below. After a couple more thuds it gave way to reveal the big guard, whose helmet was missing.

"Pipsqueak!?" Aand cried, joy in his voice, forgetting all about his confusion. The big teen laughed, coming out of the hatch and picked the boy up, squishing him.

"Good to see you awake, Aang!" The big teen was unaware of the fact he was squishing him, simply glad the boy had returned.

"Nice to see you too-" Aang muttered, his voice muffled by Pipsqueak. "-But you're squishing me."

And like that, the boy was dropped on the ground; he bit his lip to stifle a cry of pain. Looking around the confusion was setting back in; everyone was staring at him like they'd never seen him. It was unnerving, Katara looked close to tears, yet she kept by Zuko's side, Sokka had a ridicules happy smile on his face and-Jumping up, Aang felt close to hysteria.

"Wait, where's Toph? Appa? Momo?" He looked around, for the missing three, his face brightened as Momo came down from the sky, landing on his shoulder. "Momo!" Aang joyfully grabbed the flying lemur in a hug, his faithful companion letting out a small squeak.

"Would you all shut up!"

Aang turned to the annoyed, tough female voice, to see Toph leaning over the side of the boat with The Duke beside her. "Toph you're-" He made a move to come near, but Toph held up a hand, having felt his movement.

"Keep your shirt on, Twinkle Toes." She said, fighting back a gag, she hated sailing, hated it. "Unless you like fish guts, keep your distance," the monk listened but his grin couldn't fade.

"Aang..." He turned to look at Katara who was still standing by Zuko, she had a watery smile before she focused on Sokka. "Sokka, take Aang back down so we can explain. I need to heal Zuko."

And like that Aang was giving Zuko a glare, not one of hate but mere confusion, even when Sokka placed a hand on his shoulder and tried to steer him back down. "Wait why's Zuko here? Why's Katara needing to heal him I thought-" The questions were flying from the boys mouth, why was everyone so calm around Zuko, why was Zuko even here?!

"Calm down Aang," Sokka told him, leading him to the stairs below. He knew Aang was mostly likely confused, who wouldn't be? Their enemy was currently being tended to, and worried over.

"But-" Aang tried protesting, looking over his shoulder to see Katara inspecting the back of Zuko's head. As if feeling his eyes on them, the two turned to look at him, Katara's face was joyful and worried, while Zuko looked a mix between cautious and glad.

"Aang go back down, I'll be there soon." Katara told him soothingly, seeing him alive was amazing after so long. If she could, she would have run up and hugged him, but Zuko did have a nice gash that altough mostly healed, it needed tended to soon.

Nodding Aang reluctantly followed Sokka, unsure about leaving Katara alone with the enemy, but no one was rushing to fight him. And what was stranger is he didn't come after him, why didn't Zuko want to capture him?

Sighing he knew his questions would be answered soon enough, Katara would tell him why!

|X|X|X|

"Two months!?"

Katara and Sokka winced from how loud Aang's voice was, the monk had a face of pure disbelief on his face. Two months? He was out for two whole months?! What about the eclipse? Sozin's comit?! Did they miss them?

As if seeing the questions in his wide eyes, Katara placed a hand on his shoulder, "it's okay Aang, you haven't missed either." Katara turned her head to the doorway and nodded for Sokka to leave them be; shrugging the older boy left Katara to deal with Aang.

Katara indicated Aang to turn around, which he did so his back was facing her. She bit her lip at the burn marks on his back, she hated how they couldn't have prevented this, he was only twelve (possibly thirteen) and already had marks of the war.

Bending some water, she carefully started healing his back. "Tell me where it hurts," she instructed guiding over his burnt back, her hands drifted over the spot where the lighting hit and Aang's body siezed up...

Aang felt an immense pain shot through him, as images of a lightning bolt cutting through. The searing pain, the jolt and then...nothing. His body relaxed after a little bit and he turned his head to see Katara's concern gaze.

"There, that's where. What-What happened?" He asked, waiting until she was done healing him before turning around. Katara turned her head down, and then looked at him with a mixture of sadness and pity.

"Azula, she shot you with lightning." Katara told him, keeping the hate out of her voice, afraid to upset him. She hated her, even more than before, she was just as ruthless as her father.

"We managed to get you out, we thought you were-" She couldn't even finish that sentence; the thought of Aang, one of her dearest friends dead was hard to swallow. Taking a deep breath she hugged him lightly, to reassure her he was really alive and not dead.

Aang closed his eyes and hugged her back, he almost died. What kind of Avatar was he? He couldn't die, what would happen to the world? So a new Avatar would be born, but who knows where and he/she be a baby.

Pulling back Katara gave him a watery smile and stood up, "we'll hold a meeting later, I want you to rest." Katara grabbed the bowl of water and looked at his face which was pouting slightly, chuckling she kissed the top of his head.

"Get some rest, Aang." She smiled at him gently, which was returned by a goofy grin. Before she left, Katara turned towards him and said with a smirk. "Oh by the way, love the hair."

Her words caused his face to contort in confusion as he hestiantly touch the top of his head, sure enough there was hair up there. "Whoa!" Aang yelped, jumping off the bed, he had hair. He. Had. Hair. It seemed strange and like he was betraying his Nation by having hair, it seemed weird but he had no time to shave it off, besides he was tired.

So the Avatar laid down and willed himself to sleep, it would do no good to worry. Katara and Sokka didn't seem worried, they seemed fine, even if Zuko was on board, surely it was for a good reason.

|X|X|X|

Katara sighed wearily as she entered the ship's kitchen, Aang was awake, that was the good news. They were almost to the Fire Nation and two months until the eclipse, they were so close to their goal. They just had to be extra mindful and make sure nothing like this happened again, as long as Aang was kept safe and the plan didn't falter, they would be good.

Dragging herself over to the sink, she began washing dishes, she was defiantly relieved Aang was okay. But the many sleepless nights were taking their toll, yawning she about had a heart attack from hearing a rough voice asked.

"Is he okay?"

She turned around with her hands on her hips, glaring at the ex-prince, if someone had told her Zuko who was gun-ho on chasing them would join, she would have laughed. But he was here, he changed and was now a part of the-in Sokka's words-GAang, he was also pleasant company, or that could be because he willingly offered to help her.

"Zuko, what are you doing up?" Katara asked, annoyance at the fact he was up. He changed clothes and looked better, but she had bandaged his head, giving him a headband of white bandages.

Shrugging the prince stood up, and was about to start with helping her with dishes, when she grabbed his hand a stern, disapproving look in her blue eyes. "Zuko you got grazed with a spear, you should rest." She wasn't about to have two injured people on hand, bad enough Aang was still in bad shape, she didn't want Zuko to be in the same.

Zuko resisted the urge to roll his eyes, it was just a small injury, it could have been worst, he could have been impaled. "Katara I'm fine, you already practically healed it, this bandage isn't even nessicary." He regretted his words as her disapproving gaze turned into a glare, instantly he backtracked, he knew Katara's temper (which could rival any Firebenders) was a hard thing to handle.

"But-Uh, I will not take it off until you say so?" It came out as more of a question, as Zuko nervously scratched the back of his head, hoping those were the words she wanted.

Katara's glare turned into a soft smile, as she nodded, "yes, you will not remove it until I say so." She turned back to the dishes and let Zuko dry them, (a Firebender was very helpful in the kitchen), her next words almost caused Zuko to drop the plate, "or you will be impaled with several ice shards in the most painful locations."

This was one of the many times he wondered if Katara had been born into the wrong nation, she could have made an excellent Firebender. The two friends contently did dishes, until Zuko spoke up.

"You never did answer my question," Zuko looked at her from the side of his eye, she looked exhausted, he knew she had spent many sleepless nights tending to the Avatar.

"He's-He's fine, but I'm afraid of how he's going to take it," Katara didn't know why talking to the former enemy was easy, but talking to Zuko was comforting because he always spoke his mind, even if he didn't mean it.

When Zuko didn't speak up, she assumed the conversation was done and continued in silence, until she felt a hand on her should and then she was turned around to face Zuko. "He may be a child, but the world is counting on him, you have to make him understand this." He wasn't sure how much the kid had been babied, Katara-as he found out-has a very mothering spirit, so it wouldn't surprise him if she coddled Aang.

Katara saw the seriousness and sighed, she got the underlined message of; "You can't treat him like a kid, he needs to grow up." Yes she admitted to herself only, she may coddle Aang, but he was just a very confused, fun loving twelve year old kid! How could she not, it was like having a baby brother, but with the end drawing near he needed to grow up, and Firebender would probably do it for him.

"I-I know, but he's just a child," she wasn't really protesting, just trying to make him understand why she have coddled him, he didn't handle guilt. Evidence from the desert was proof of that and-oh spirits what if he went Avatar State!?

Zuko saw Katara pale slightly and grabbed her shoulders, "Katara? Katara look at me," he almost sighed with relief as she focused back on his concerned face. Katara felt slightly guilty but it couldn't be helped, what if he Avatar State.

"Sorry Zuko, I was thinking of the worst ways for Aang to handle this." She debated telling him every time Aang discovered something tragic, he went into the Avatar State and she could barely manage to calm him down.

Katara bit her lip, then decided to tell him, hell he might know a way to calm him down. "You see, when Aang discovered the Airbenders dead he-he went into the Avatar State," Zuko's eyes widened, so Aang had a habit of over-overacting, they were screwed in this case!

The rest of Katara's words flew out quickly, "and some crazy general made him go into the Avatar State by almost killing us, and when we learn Appa was kidnapped, he also went into the Avatar State." She sighed tiredly as she thought about the horror of those situations, it may have been great power but it was also terrifying, "he seems to go into it whenever something tragic happens, so when he discovers Bai Sing Sei is taken he'll-"

"Probably go into the Avatar State," Zuko finished a feeling of dread settling in him, what were those techiques Uncle taught him, again? Breathe in, breath out, why couldn't they have gotten a calm, collective Avatar?

Sighing Katara hugged him, needing some comfort, even if he stiffened at first, he had grown (mostly) used to her surprise hugs. "Now you see why I coddle him," she whispered, she would not have Aang go Avatar State on them, not again.

Zuko had never seen the Avatar State, but had heard about it, knowing it was probably a touchy subject he hugged her back and didn't say a word. It did make some sense, but Aang was the only hope for defeating the Firelord, it had to be him to do it, and he had to grow up.

The moment was broken by a sing-song, female voice, who sounded equally amused as the two masters jumped apart, "Katara and Zuko, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"Toph!" The two shouted at the very amused Earthbender, though her face had a slightly green tint, she was feeling up to embarrassing them. She laughed loud and long, feeling their hearts race, it was so funny!

Sokka coming from behind Toph, looked confused at his sister and friend's very red face, shaking his head he knew they had more important matters. (Instead of glaring at a-now-cackling Earthbender.)

"Hey, Zuko," Zuko turned his gaze from the Earthbender to Sokka, even though it wasn't easy for the warrior to accept the ex-prince, Sokka regarded him as valuable information about the Fire Nation. "Dad and Balto are holding a meeting, we need you."

Sending a slightly apologetic look to Katara, Zuko nodded and went to follow Sokka, saying before he left, "get the Avatar and have him meet us in the meeting room as soon as possible."

Katara couldn't help but miss the warmth Zuko had, Firebenders were nice and toasty. Sighing she turned back to the dishes, only to hear Toph tsking, "Man Suger Queen, you got it bad."

The waterbender turned abruptly to face the girl; she had a feeling of what Toph meant and knew it wasn't true, "I have got nothing bad." Katara tried to keep the agitation from her voice, making her words sound final as she continued on with dishes, missing Zuko's help.

"Hmm, denile, that's the first sign..."

"Shut up, Toph!"