The next clearing over was decked out in every sort of decoration that could be found in the forest.

Exotic and rare flowers bloomed in every corner, fire flies and other animals that illuminated were above us.

I could hear gasps from my new found friends. It was spectacular.

Every creature that I could think of was present, and many spirits that I was familiar with were already dancing. When everyone caught sight of me a thunderous amount of noise reached my ears.

After the noise died down I let my friends roam around and try the numerous types of food that was around. I made my rounds greeting everyone that I came across, a couple water spirits were present a fire spirit, the mole spirits were present which made Toph quite happy. Finally I was able to relax. None of my friends had gone onto the dance floor, which surprised me.

"Why aren't you guys dancing?" I asked standing by them.

"Ummm, it's a little overwhelming, I mean everyone is so good in such different ways." Katara said looking very shy.

"Come on Katara, lets just try what we did with the fire nation kids." Aang said pleading her and dragging her away.

It took her a bit to loosen up but they looked incredible on the dance floor.

"You know what, Toph may I have this dance?" Sokka asked her, surprising me. I wasn't even sure if she could dance.

"Uh uh, no way, I am not a dancer, not like twinkle toes out there." Toph said firmly.

"Come on, it's easy I'll teach you." Sokka said pleading with her.

I couldn't help but laugh a bit. It was a funny sight.

"Come on Toph, give it a try. Trust me there is something about woodland music that once you get started the steps just come to you, I swear." I said reassuringly.

She grumbled a bit but finally let Sokka drag her to the dance floor.

Now it was just Zuko and I, I felt slightly nervous and my heart fluttered on its own accord as he looked at me quizzically.

A couple minutes went by without a word. He felt tense next to me, which caused me to giggle quietly under my breath. After ten minutes I had had enough, I turned to him with an exasperated smile.

"Oh for goodness sake, would you like to dance with me Zuko." I said smiling wildly.

"Umm, sure, but I'm not very good. Fighting I understand but dancing, I don't know." He said clearly embarrassed.

"It's a lot like the steps you do in firebending, that everyone does in bending. They come from dances and fluid movements that focus energy. Come on I'll teach you." I said smiling and grabbing his hand dragging him with me.

His hand was surprisingly warm, I could feel his body heat as I pulled myself closer to him. The inner fire in him seemed to grow brighter in my eyes as I guided his hands one into mine and the other around my waist.

His eyes, the deepest amber seemed to shine in their own light, flicked over mine before looking away, which did nothing to help my own nerves.

"Now this is a simple way of dancing, it can be easier or more difficult depending on if you can work well with other people." I said smiling leading him around the floor a bit with a couple twirls and footwork.

Then I let him lead, and I was surprised as he moved me around with fluid motions.

The music seemed to beat through my very breath as we spun and moved back and forth from each other. My mind seemed to go blank and my body let go as I danced with him.

The people around us blurred as we moved and each couple was in their own world as well.

The forest can affect people in strange ways.

I barely noticed that vines that had captured hold of me twining its way around the both us of us. He didn't seem to notice either and we simply danced as if the world didn't exist.

The music began to fade and our movements slowed. His eyes seemed to change consciousness as he looked into mine slowly becoming aware of how close we were, and the vines that had slowly pulled us closer to each other.

Each vine wrapped around us, one around our wastes, a long feathery vine was wrapped around our arms, each twist brought us closer and his warmth was overwhelming and intoxicating.

We came to a stop as the music did I began to blush furiously.

"Sorry, they have a mind of their own." I said as he turned the side of his mouth into a small smile.

Speaking to them quickly in their tongue, I asked them to release us. They obliged unwillingly, but did not make a fuss, which came as a relief to me.

"Wow, that was…strange but amazing." I heard Katara say next to me.

Both Katara and Aang had just pulled apart as well and Toph and Sokka looked winded but happy. Everyone still had the dreamy look in their eyes that I knew all too well.

"I told you, let the music flow through you and this forest has a strange but great affect on the people that listen." I said smiling.

I could feel all the spirits that were present head toward us before they were near us.

I turned to them, my new friends panning out behind me all curious as to what was going to happen.

"Daughter of the Forest, we are most glad to see that you are well." A water spirit from the north said, her dainty but mighty form billowing in the wind as she bowed.

The other spirits bowed as well in agreement.

I looked back at them and bowed bending lower than them in respect to their status.

When I looked up they were all regarding the group behind me and each one eventually rested on Aang to my right.

"So then, great daughter, what do you make of the circumstances that stand before the world both spirit and human alike." An earth spirit to the west said, his form was wise and solid, his age both young and old as he stared deep into my eyes.

"I believe that hope is our greatest ally now. What we once believed in has been thrown to the flames. We must pick up the ashes and form our hope into a strong belief and finally knowledge. The avatar is still our friend, our ally as he was before.

Circumstances have kept him from the world, but I believe it was our destined future. We all know fate has a funny sense of humor. The fire nation is spinning out of control, and we must help the avatar with our aid and belief to make this world right again.

I do think that we must transcend our past though, instead of believing all individuals of a race or group an enemy, we must give the individual honorable doubt and judge as actions come along, oh great spirits. Just as you see behind me, the firelords very son is here, to help in the Avatars quest.

This shows in strongest sense that all beings are one in the same, all deserve the right to be judged fairly on not based on others or ancestry. That is my opinion, I hope that you find it pleasing and on the right path." I finished bowing again deeply.

I felt Zuko's eyes on me from my left. I tried to keep my heart still but his very gaze seemed to throw my mind to the wind.

The spirits spoke between themselves and we waited.

Finally after a couple minutes, the fire spirit came forth, his body moving in heated waves as he approached us.

"Most understand daughter, we agree with you. I have witnessed first hand false judgment against my kin's men, I agree just as you have all accepted Prince Zuko, we must all as spirits and creatures alike wait before pre determined judgment.

In regards to the Avatars quest and destiny, we all feel that if your trust is solid in him then so is ours. After your many long years as a prisoner your mind is the most cautious of us all, and if you trust this group then so do we. Avatar and friends you have our support and our help. Katya can contact us when the time is near to when our help is needed." He said his eyes sparkling with fire, his gestures calm and strong.

Aang stepped up behind me as I bowed once more in thank you.

He bowed low as I did before speaking.

"Thank you, spirits, it means a great deal to have your aid and understanding. I will end this war, you have not put your faith in the wrong person." He said his voice strong and somewhat out of character.

He bowed again and so did all of us.

When we looked up every spirit that had been present had vanished.

"You really meant that? What you said about me, I mean you barely know me?" Zuko said. I turned to him smiling reassuringly.

"Of course I did. Spirits know when you lie. I don't need to know everything about you, I can see your heart and your character. You are strong, stubborn, and conflicted. But your heart is young and pure." I said simply.

He seemed to relax at my words, his eyes softening and his worries disappearing as he looked at me.

"So you can see our hearts or something?" Toph said confused.

"Sort of, I can see in a sense or feel how pure or good your heart is. Its more of a feeling I guess, but I can see if you are a bender or not as well. I can see the inner energy that lives within you." I said.

"Hmm, well that is useful but if you could see our hearts then why didn't you trust any of us when we set you free?" Katara asked confused.

"It's hard to explain. When you freed me ten years of emotions and anger and fear was released within me. When I looked into your hearts I saw all good but I was seeing through eyes that were clouded with fear of being trapped again.

But when I came to Zuko, I was…snapped out of it I guess." I said hoping my explanation made sense.

"Why Zuko though? I mean he has the darkest background out of all of us, no offense buddy." Sokka said smiling slightly at Zuko who simply shrugged.

"It was his scare that shook me clear of my paranoia. It may sound weird but when I saw his scar my mind connected with that, it found an understanding which allowed a sliver of trust to be formed. Just like me he has been scarred, and a scar is not just skin deep." I said my heart feeling heavy as I remembered the countless times Muko had struck me.

They understood and Toph sensing the dense subject changed the topic to the party relieving us of the serious topic.