I will at some point write some Kataang but this is not it. I apologize for those people that were looking forward to that, feel free to hate me. (hangs head in shame) But these two stole my heart.

The next chapter will be uploaded tomorrow. Promise!

Enjoy...

Zuko ignored the stares and headed straight to his locker. He should have waited to come with Azula but the tension between him and the Fire Lord had gotten so unbearable that he'd jumped at the chance to leave early.

Zuko knew it would be uncomfortable for him to come back, especially so soon after his "accident" but he hadn't counted on the level or the inventiveness of the gossip around him. He heard the different theories on how he'd gotten burned when he entered the courtyard but he ignored them for the most part and just burrowed deeper into his cloak.

What had unnerved him was spotting Aang among the crowd of classmates. He'd thought he was in Omashu and him being here would cause complications to his plans. 'Guess the archers had been right. I wonder how long before it gets back to Azula that he's here?'

He signed and put away his weapons and cloak and retrieved the note that he'd been handed when he'd gotten his schedule this morning. He closed the locker with a bang and proceeded to his classroom, which was only a few doors down.

"Today we will do practical fighting, mostly with swords. You archers will have your turn next period but I expect everybody to know the full fundamentals of the art of the warrior.

A hand shot up and everybody in the class groaned. "I assume all the girls are to sit out and do healing lessons?" Mai asked.

Master Piando sighed in exasperation. "Mai, it is required, especially if this war comes to pass, that everybody be well trained in the healing arts."

"But especially the girls, right." A dark haired boy to the right of Mai shouted getting a high five from the guys behind him.

"I guess, I'll see you there. Won't I, Jet?" Mai snapped.

"Master Piandao. Any chance Mai could have her chakra readjusted before she comes to class." Jet said smiling sarcastically at the girl.

"One day, Jet you will have Mai pin you by your spleen to the nearest tree and you will need healing. So I suggest you be careful as you may get Mai as your healer and then what will you do?"

"Assuming there's anything worth healing." Mai remarked.

"Ms. Shui, I recommend you attend Guru Pathik. Perhaps some mediation will help."

Mai stared askance at the master swordsman. "But…"

"Go, Ms. Shui."

"Yeah, Mai. Go meditate into a new personality." Jet yelled.

"Mr. Fanpan, for your own safety, you too may also learn the arts with girls after class." The sword master responded.

"Yes, Master Piando," Jet said sinking into his seat.

Zuko watched this entire exchange from the doorway not once bothering to take a seat. Master Piando approached his desk and began giving out instructions. "Mr. Huo, find a seat or join Ms. Shui."

Zuko shrugged and followed out the angry dark haired girl.

Meanwhile in another part of the school, Toph and Sokka had cornered poor Aang. "Ok, exactly how do you know Zuko?" Toph asked.

Aang squirmed, "I wouldn't say I know him. I mean I've met him a few times and he came to eat with my friend Bumi a few times to discuss peace treaties on behalf of the fire nation but other than that…"

"Is it true that he scarred his own face in defiance at his father and spent a year at the Boiling Rock?" Sokka asked desperate to learn any truth about the mysterious Fire prince.

"He was scarred already when I met him, honest guys. I know very little about him."

Toph and Sokka exchanged disappointed expressions. "Hey don't look now but here comes Miss Priss and it looks like she's looking at you Aang."

"Really where?" the airbender said eagerly twisting around.

Sure enough, Katara was had gotten some things out of her locker several rows down from them. The other girl said something in their direction and Katara fluffed her hair before walking quickly past them. "Hi, Aang, Toph."

"Sugar Queen." Toph called back.

"How you can be ignored by your own sisters is beyond me." Toph muttered. Sokka shrugged in response.

"She is so beautiful. Like a Panda Lily." Aang said dreamily.

"Are you serious? You actually like Sugar Queen. She is so vapid." Toph said punching Aang hard in the shoulder.

"Ow, geez." Aang said rubbing the spot lightly.

"Well, if you're so determined, I could try to help you out. If I remember correctly she does need a water bending teacher, she needs one if she wants to pass, Master Pakku's class. You could help her find one." Toph supplied helpfully.

"That's great," Aang said brightening up considerably. "I need one too. I could study with her."

"Are you a Waterbender?" Toph asked.

"I thought you were an Airbender?" Sokka said looking confused.

"Um…not exactly but I could pretend to be right?"

"Alright but even if you pull that off, you still have a problem." Toph announced crossing her arms and glancing at Sokka.

"Oh right. Dad has this rule." Sokka looked at the nomad with sympathy. "He won't let Katara date until Mai does."

Aang looked puzzled, "why is that a problem?"

"Mai is a special kind of girl…"Toph began.

At that precise moment Mai Shui was coming out of Guru Pathik's office. "I didn't even hit an artery the big baby," she was saying but obviously Guru Pathik thought differently. An older boy came out of the infirmary, hastily returned what looked like a wickedly sharp dagger to her before scurrying away. She took it and slid it into her sleeve and walked right past them.

"I see." Aang gulped.

"Whoever dates her has to be crazy." Sokka said wisely.

"What about Zuko?" Aang said spotting the Fire prince walking some feet behind her an amused smile on his face. "It wouldn't hurt to ask, right?"

Toph looked at Aang. "You're asking, Twinkletoes."

Suddenly the idea didn't seem so good especially when after approaching him, Aang returned with a smoking hole in the middle of his satchel. "Ok, maybe we need a different approach."