A/n: Hey ya'll! I'm really sorry it's taking me this long to update. I got grounded, like always, and then my teachers decided that since they don't do anything all year the last two weeks of school have to be packed with all the stuff they didn't do. But I'm here, and summers comin too and that means updates! Yay! So now onto the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar….if I did….it'd be rich-

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The sun rose over the horizon as the damage done to the village was reviled by the light of day. The small simmers of smoke rising from a few housetops showed only a small bit of the damage. Fire nation soldiers roamed the streets, rounding up and questioning each person who crossed their path searching for the avatar. As the soldiers ran to question the next citizen the shadow and a figure clad in black slipped behind them and down a small, steep set of steps.

Taking out a small key, the figure quickly unlocked the door and slipped into the tiny room unnoticed. The figure slipped off the dark cloak revealing a female figure holding a small bag in her right hand. The small candle near the bed where a figure lay reflected off her dark green eyes. Setting the small sack by the head of the bed she quickly reached up and tied her brown hair into a messy ponytail. As she went to place a cool cloth on the figure laying beside her she felt a hand tightly grab her wrist. She gave a shriek in surprise as the person in the bed tried to lift themselves up.

"Who are you and where am I?" Asked the male-type figure as he feel once again onto his back.

"My name is Makisa, I saved you before the fire-nation could finish you off. We're in my storage under ground." Makisa said as she felt his grip on her wrist loosen until it was no more.

"I'm Sokka." Sokka replied simply as he grimaced at the pain that seared through his back.

"Well get some rest Sokka, we'll talk later." Makisa said as she began to take the contents of the sack and place them in their proper places.

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Katara felt the rays of the run brush across her face as the room began to warm. The smell of fresh food hit her senses like a brick wall as her stomach began to grumble due to her lack of food.

"I see you've finally waken up."

Katara jumped at the sound of another person in her small cell she currently resided in.

"No need to worry. My name is Iroh. I am Zuko's uncle." The man in front of her bowed as he introduced himself. "My nephew doesn't mean to scare you, he's just not used to having any female companions."

"Why are you being so kind to me?" Katara asked, speaking for the first time since she had yelled at Zuko the night before to anyone other then herself.

"You are not the intent of my nephew, you are just his way of catching his intended. Me being mean to you would cause nothing but trouble." Iroh stated simply. "And besides, a pretty young woman such as yourself shouldn't be harassed for doing nothing at all." Iroh finished with a small smile.

For the first time since Katara had come to reside on Zuko's ship she began to smile. Not a moment later the door sung open and the shadow of Zuko began to fill the room.

"I see you haven't eaten any of your food." Zuko said as he walked foreword to pick up the cold plate that had sat out longer then Katara had wanted.

"I'm not hungry." Katara quickly lied, trying to cover the sound of her stomach. Looking over she gave a pleading look at Iroh to help her.

Iroh moved to clear Zuko out of the room, as the ship was suddenly shaken, knocking Zuko onto of Katara. Blushing red Katara quickly forced Zuko off of her.

"What was that!" Zuko exclaimed as he quickly steadied himself from the rough swaying of the ship.

"It's a storm." Katara stated simply as if she had known it was coming.

"Let's go Uncle, we'll need you're help to aid the crew and steady the ship." Zuko commanded as he began to follow Iroh out. Turning back towards Katara he quickly stated, "I'll be back after this is over with more food."

Katara gave a puzzled look as Zuko slammed the door and she tried to steady herself from the rocking ship.

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Aang quietly walked around the temple, nodding only to the master's he passed. His training had begun immediately as he entered the temple. He had heard the screams of the villagers, instantly knowing that it had to be the fire nation. He had tried to find a way out and help, but after searching till almost dawn, even after the screams had stopped, he could not find a way out. The Masters had sealed the temple as if they had waited for his arrival all of their lives.

Aang opened the door to his luxurious room as he plopped down on the bed.

"I wonder how Katara and Sokka are doing," Aang asked himself as he began to doodle on the paper he had found in the desk. Lost in thought he didn't see the door open.

"What troubles you young avatar?" Asked an elderly man as he placed his hand on Aang's shoulder.

"Master Vey, you scared me." Aang said with a small smile. "I'm just worried about my friends, that's all."

"They are both very brave, you need not worry about them." Vey said as he folded his hands together. "After you have finished your training I guarantee you will see them again."

"Thank you Master Vey," Aang said with a smile at the thought of being able to see his friends again. "If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me what happened last night?"

"The fire nation that you are here." Vey said as his face turned serious. "I have something to tell you Aang."

"Yes Master." Aang said realizing the serious tone and turning to face Vey.

"If the fire nation should penetrate the barrier into the temple, I want you to press this button here." Vey said as he reached a long., bony finger to touch the nose of a statue of Avatar Roku.

"What does it do?" Aang asked as curiosity got the best of him.

"It cloaks the room from the outside, this way the fire nation will not be able to find you." Vey said as he opened the door to leave. "You do understand that the fire nation cannot find you."

"I understand." Said Aang with as much seriousness as he could muster. He watched as Vey closed the door and Aang returned to the table to continue the drawings he had started. Many thought's weighing heavily on his mind.

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How'd you like the chapter? Once again, sorry it took so long for me to update, but now that summer's coming, so should the updates. So leave me a pretty review! It'd be much appreciated! Thanks for reading, and let me know if you have any ideas for future chapters!

Ja'ne,

Michiko