(NOTE) Wow. I've made it to the third 'book' of my series. I know it runs really fast, but that's how it comes out when I'm typing. I'm glad that people like this story, and that I even have people who are eagerly waiting for each new chapter. For those of you who liked the first two books: here's to my hope of not letting you down.

Adversus solem ne loquitor.

One Separate Paths

The wedding was a tender, touching affair. It was simple too, but that was all right. It suited both The Firebender and The Waterbender just fine.

The Waterbender's father resided over the ceremony, acting as Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe.

The Swordsman gave his sister away, then stepped back, trying not to sob into The Kyoshi's shoulder.

The Blind Bandit's eyes were red, but dry, although the mustache bearing earthbender's tunic was strangely wet just at The Bandit's eye-level.

The Inventor and The Freedom Fighter lit fireworks after The Chieftain asked both The Waterbender and The Firebender if they would be faithful and loyal to one another; if they would always honor the other; if they understood their commitment.

The red and blue sparks mingled through the air as Her Firebender and His Waterbender shared their first kiss as man and wife.

After the ceremony, everyone shared their congratulations, except for The Swordsman, who was crying (manfully) at the same time he threatened certain parts of The Firebender's anatomy if he ever hurt The Waterbender.

Appa landed easily in the same place he had on the last trip to the temple. Aang hopped down quickly, his heart beating nervously as he thought about what to say to Guru Pathik. Iroh and Chit Sang climbed down, already discussing making camp.

"Iroh, Chit Sang." Aang turned to them, and bowed. "Thank you for the training and the practice. I don't know how long this will take but..."

"Be careful, young Avatar Aang." Iroh said. "And don't worry about us. We'll be fine."

Chit Sang only bowed, and Aang took off through the temple.

He found the Guru sitting in the same place he had been when Aang ran off. "Hello, Avatar Aang."

"Guru." Aang bowed deeply. "I was wrong to leave, and since then, I've lost my way. I've hurt those I care about because I was selfish, but now..." Anng looked up, his expressive eyes full of hope and sorrow. "Can you help me?"

Guru smiled. "Come, and let us meditate."

The temple was remarkably quiet without Zuko and Katara…well, there were still four boys there, so it wasn't quiet, but there was something different.

Hakoda began dropping hints to Sokka about what he might carve on a betrothal necklace, causing Suki and Sokka to both blush whenever Hakoda was around.

Teo had nearly perfected the new rocket, coming up with a version small enough to fit onto gliders.

He showed Sokka and Hakoda his design for a glider that had several sealed launch tubes, suggesting that people could be trained on the gliders and sent to take out war balloons and zeppelins.

As for The Duke and Haru…well, Toph seemed like an easy target, something both boys found out was wrong.

"Try that again, and I'll leave you up there!" Toph warned, pointing up at the boys where she'd used a stone clamp to lift them up onto the wall.

All around were the signs of a prank gone horribly wrong: paper confetti, paint, a few eggs, and one firecracker.

"Sorry, Toph." The Duke said quickly. "It was Haru's idea."

"No it wasn't!" Haru protested.

"Both of you are so immature." Toph muttered, letting them go. She felt The Duke scamper off, but Haru stayed where he was. "What?"

Toph heard Haru's vibrations alter, he was nervous about something. "Toph…I'm sorry. We shouldn't have tried to prank you."

"Of course not. I knew you were coming." Toph replied, jabbing him in the chest with her finger.

"It's just…I don't know how to act around you." Haru continued.

"What?" Now Toph was confused. "Why?"

"I…" Haru's heart began beating faster. "Nothing, forget it." He ran off, leaving Toph even more confused.

Zuko checked the gauges, and nodded. Everything was fine with the zeppelin. He turned to Katara, who was standing at one of the windows, looking down as the Fire Nation passed below.

"The Fire Nation is beautiful." Katara spoke softly. "Before we came here, I always pictured this place as hot, dry, and barren, like the Earth Kingdom is in some places, but worse."

"I'm glad you know the truth." Zuko told his wife, wrapping his arms around her to look over her shoulder. "My country…every day of my exile, I never once stopped seeing it in my mind. I just wish more people knew the truth, rather than what a hundred years of war have made them believe. Do you know the real reason Sozin started the war?"

Katara shook her head, and Zuko smiled. "He thought that through war, he could share the beauty and prosperity of the Fire Nation."

Katara gave a decidedly unladylike snort before laughing. Zuko joined her. "I admit, it's a stupid reason."

For a few moments, they shared a deep, filling laugh, but Zuko soon sobered. "The Southern Water tribe? Does your Dad really think they won't kill me?"

"They won't." Katara touched her new necklace, happiness filling her at the new weight around her neck. "You're family now. And I think Gran Gran will like you."

"After she gets past the whole 'I'll destroy your village' incident, right?" Zuko suggested wryly. "So, the Northern tribe has been helping your tribe rebuild? I wonder if it's still the same little village I saw when I first came."

"I hope so. Just because we're related doesn't mean we have to do everything the same as the North." Katara replied. "So how long will it take this thing to get us there?"

"You mean with no stops to visit, like when you were traveling North?" Zuko thought. "A week if the weather is good. This zeppelin can fly continuously, unlike cwertain shedding, hairy flying cattle."

Katara ignored the joking insult to Appa. "I can't wait to see Gran Gran!"

In the deep shadows of the forest at the foot of the mountains, dozens of figures dressed in dark silk robes stood within a large chamber.

"The messenger hawk from Long Nu should have arrived at sunrise this morning." One of the shrouded figures spoke.

Another continued, speaking in the harsh, whispery tones that matched the darkness. "The hawk has not arrived. Long Nu has failed in her duties."

The next figure in the circuit spoke up. "The time has come to choose the next. Our clan's obligation will be met."

Another figure spoke, the first to make any movement. She gestured toward several tight lines of kneeling young women. "You will step forward, nameless child."

A girl from the middle of the group rose, and stepped to the center of the cloaked elders.

"You are now Long Nu." Yet another elder spoke. "Go and fulfill our obligation."

Long Nu bowed, and left the cavernous chamber.