DISCLAIMER: ATLA doesn't belong to me, it's copyrighted to Nickolodean and the creators, Michael Dante DiMartino and Brian Konietzko.
Here are some essential questions left behind last time:
Will Zuko and Katara open up to each other?
Will Aang ever pay attention to Toph? Will he find Appa?
How does Long Feng know about Appa? What is he hiding?
Where's Appa? If he's in Bae Sing Sae, why can't he find Aang?
Is Suki's injuries worse than she says? Will Sokka take care of her?
And, will Momo and Appa ever reunite?
Will they be answered this time?Katara and Zuko sat in silence as they watched the sunset. Finally, Zuko asked, "So...are you going to explain to me how you read my emotions?"
"It was easy and it was hard. I know you enough, Zuko to know that the one thing that is constantly on your mind, is to capture the Avatar. You also told me that capturing the Avatar would restore your honor. My answer to that question, is no. I won't tell you where Aang is. Anyways, it's probably not a wise decision since we're constantly being watched by the Earth Kingdom government, even though we are honored guests. Second, you're on a walk/date with me, because your uncle is worried about you. Ever since boarding the ferry to Bae Sing Sae, he says you've been despondent and depressed. Are you? Third, I didn't think you'd heard. You hadn't said a word to me the whole walk and stood about three feet away from me since we started walking. I thought you weren't listening at all." said Katara, carefully and thoughtfully.
Zuko was silent, as the sun finally set behind the horizon. Katara and Zuko got up and started walking again. "I know it must have been a shock that anyone but your uncle and probably your sister, reading your emotions. But I need to get home." said Katara, before turning and starting to walk away.
"Wait," came a soft voice, "It is a shock, but I guess..."
Katara turned and suddenly, by accident, her lips met with Zuko's. He had come up behind her, and since he was silent, she hadn't heard him approach. Katara gasped as the kiss, tentative at first, started to deepen.
Zuko broke the kiss and ran away into the night, blushing. Katara, speechless and likewise blushing, turned and walked home.
Aang gritted his teeth and followed Long Feng to a building nearby.
"Bring me to Appa right now! He's important to me! Don't you know that I am the Avatar?" He shouted at Long Feng.
"If you'd be quiet, you can see the beast in a few minutes. We still have to negotiate our terms of a trade." said Long Feng, coldly. "I'd rather you didn't start a riot out here, because in Bae Sing Sae, there is no fighting, no war."
Aang, Toph, Momo and Long Feng entered the building to a small dark room with a table and three chairs. "Please sit," said Long Feng, gesturing at the chairs.
"We feel fine," said Aang and Toph, simultaneously. Momo just squeaked and flew to rest on Aang's head.
"Fine, suit yourselves," said Long Feng who sat. "Perhaps you do not know, Avatar, that I know that you are being chased by the Fire Nation's Crown Princess, Azula, and her two dangerous companions. If we don't agree to terms, I believe I will find my self discussing whether or not Bae Sing Sae can offer you protection anymore. So, I know where your precious bison is. But in order for me to give him over to you, you must promise one thing."
"WHAT? I'll do almost anything." shouted Aang, anxious to see Appa.
"All you have to do, is never speak of the war again. If the world cries out to the Avatar, saying 'Please save us from the terror of the Fire Nation!' you are to ignore it. For I wish Bae Sing Sae to forever remain as the last city to fall to the Fire Nation, because I am a Fire Nation spy. Yes, Aang I am." said Long Feng, at the expression on Aang's face. "My great-grandfather was sent here many years ago by Sozun to wait and watch. My family's work has paid off and now I have even the king in the palm of my hand. Pretty soon, I will have the Avatar also." said Long Feng, laughing.
Appa groaned in the small cage that he had been stuffed in. He tried to lie down, but it was impossible. He thought about Aang, and Momo, and Sokka.
Suddenly the door opened as one of his "keepers" came to give him his one meal of the day, a measly bundle of dirty straw.
Appa growled at the "keeper" until he left. He then sniffed the hay and ate it.
The air that had blown in from the opening of the door, smelled familiar...AANG!
Aang was here somewhere near him! Appa began to pound against his cage bars, attempting to get out. But it was useless, so Appa groaned and fell silent.
Suki moaned and slowly regained conciousness. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Oh my aching head!" groaned Suki.
"Shhh, go back to sleep. Unfortunatly, the head ache is from you hitting the floor before Sokka could catch you." said Katara, kindly.
"But I must speak with Aang." said Suki, impatiently.
"I'm sorry, but Aang hasn't returned from his search yet. It's getting dark, and pretty soon, I'll send Sokka to go look for him. But right now, he's anxiously waiting to see you. So rest, relax. Your injuries were not major, but you were exhausted and it was too much to bear. So, you need rest, and time to recuperate. I prescribe about two to three days of rest." said Katara, before getting up to leave.
Sokka burst into the room, and said, "Suki! Are you all right?"
Katara glared at him and clubbed him on the back of the head. "Be quiet! Her head will ache worse with all the shouting and the questions that you are bound to shout."
Sokka sighed and lowered his voice, "Suki, what have you been upto?"
Suki smiled softly and said, "I've had many adventures since I left you at the Serpent's Pass.
Oooohhh! A Zutara kiss! Long Feng is a Fire Nation Spy! Sokka and Suki action may heat up! Stay tuned!
But first, the questions left unanswered:
Will Zuko and Katara continue to deepen their relationship, or will the reappearance of Jet put a strain on their budding relationship?
Will Aang agree to Long Feng's deal? Or if he refuses, how will he ever see Appa? And what will happen to the world if he refuses?
Poor Appa! Will he ever return to Aang, Momo and Sokka?
What has Suki been upto? And after hearing about her escapades, what will Sokka's reaction be?
