ZOMG!!! Zuko joined the Gaang!!!! Yesh, I just saw The Western Air Temple. But gosh, Katara's pissy as hell with poor Zuzu. That's a downer for Zutarians.

'Come on Uncle! I saw them land over here!'

Zuko breezed over the rocky ground, stumbling rarely and going as fast as he could. Not so for poor Iroh, who was crashing heavily behind him, breathing laboured. A huge smile plastered on his face, Zuko's eyes twinkled happily as he went, imagining their anger, shock, and finally acceptance. Moreover, he was particularly looking forward to giving Katara her necklace, and showing her that he could indeed keep a promise, especially one as sincere as this.

'Well, well, well, if it isn't the young prince,' a voice, condescending, with an air of familiarity, came from above. The Water Tribe Boy, Katara's pedantic older brother, stood at the head of an alliance, his arms folded and a sour look on his face.

Zuko, made awkward by this unexpected greeitng, stumbled on his words. 'I uh...I saw you come up here, and- I thought it was time I joined you...the Avatar needs to learn Firebending so... uh-'

'You're not joining our group, Firebender!' Sokka yelled. 'Get out of here! And keep away from us!'

He had expected some rebuttal from them, but not in this way. It was almost as if... he bit his lip. Confused, he looked searchingly at Katara. Her head was down and she would not meet his gaze.

Iroh came up behind him, still catching his breath. 'Greetings all!' he said happily.

'Hi!' Toph replied with a grin.

'Toph!' Sokka shouted. 'I'm trying to create a mood! You don't say "Hi" to the enemy!'

'Well geez, sorry!' Toph said sarcastically.

Iroh did a much better job of apologising and requesting to join them. Sokka immediately refused, but Aang interceded.

'Iroh can stay. Zuko-

'GET LOST!' Sokka shouted.

Iroh moved to join their group.

'Now Katara, you're not going to fall in love with him are you?'

The simple jest obviously hurt her, but Sokka was too obtuse to realise it. Coughing politely Iroh made to speak again.

'As honoured as I am to present my services before the Avatar himself, I am afraid that I will not stay with you unless my nephew is also received into the group. If you refuse my terms, then you will simply have no Firebending teacher. I'm afraid that's how it is.'

He bowed his head humbly, but there was a hidden edge to his voice that assured them he meant it.

Everyone glanced at each other. 'Fine, no Firebending teacher,' Sokka said with a shrug.

Toph kicked a stone at him and he yelped. 'Don't be such a dimwit Sokka. Aang needs a Firebending teacher. And I'm all for Iroh here, even if it means spending time with Zuko too.'

'Call me Uncle,' Iroh said modestly.

'Toph's right, I do need a Firebending teacher, and since a Master has just walked up to me and announced he's willing to teach me, then... why not?'

'Because a dirty, insane, sneaking pervert comes with him!' Sokka yelled. 'Does no one understand that??'

'He can come with us,' Aang said, giving Zuko a dark look. 'But there's no way he can ever join us.'

Finding himself shunned by all, even his supposed sweetheart, Zuko withdrew into his shell again, building a strong, impenetrable wall around his feelings where he could dwell peacefully despite his hurt. Iroh was having a brilliant time, he and Toph forming a solid friendship straight away. Aang adored his Firebending teacher and was vigilant with his training. Sokka grew to respect the old man after learning of his past endeavors and fearsome bending skills. With his presence, the camp became a more jovial place, always full of laughter that he could not join in.

Katara was no help at all, turning her head sadly aside from him, refusing to speak to him or even look at him. She had not even asked for her necklace back, and nor had he attempted to return it. But at last, frustrated and angry from days of uselessness, he followed her when she went fishing one day.

'Why are you ignoring me?' Zuko demanded.

Katara jumped with fright, and when she saw him she looked at him with sorrowful eyes to match his own.

'I have to, Zuko. They found out...'

'I figured that much out for myself. But why would you... just spurn me like that? You told me you loved me, and this is what you do? Don't you realise that I did this all for you? Retrieving my Uncle, joining the Avatar... I've given up my only chance of returning home for you, and now you do this...'

'Zuko, I had no choice. Aang was so hurt by it all and Sokka looked like he was going to have hogmonkeys. I had to...'

He shook his head. 'Just... whatever. Don't worry about it.'

Katara looked heartbroken as he stormed away. Cursing bitterly, she sat down on the ground and dully reflected on her predicament.

Zuko awoke suddenly. Still in half-asleep, he could have laid back down on the pillow and taken advantage of the pre-dawn hours, but instead he forced his eyes open. Laying there for a moment, he tossed aside his blanket, hoping that the chilly air would rouse his senses. Pulling on his filthy boots, he wandered away from camp. Meditating in the early hours of the morning was extremely beneficial, as that was the time of day that the air was full of chi.

Shivering slightly, he sat on the highest point he could find, facing towards the horizon. It was light, but the edge of the sun had yet to peep over the edge of the earth. Clasping his hands together, he began to breathe softly, in through his nose and out through his mouth.

Inevitably, his peace was disturbed. A light hand on his shoulder forced him to open his eyes a fraction. The Avatar looked down on him with an apologetic smile.

Breaking his reverie, Zuko unclasped his hands and motioned for the boy to sit down.

'What do you want, Avatar?' he asked.

'I wanted to say that I'm sorry,' the Avatar did not look at him; both of them looked out towards lightening sky, waiting for the sun to appear.

'I've already heard that,' Zuko said. 'But I'm yet to get any sign that any of you actually mean it.'

'Well... yeah. But I do mean it. We've all been really cold to you, and you did come to us with good intentions. It's just that... I've had a... crush on Katara... for a long time. And reading that scroll, it really hurt me. I was angry, and I know I've treated you badly. So... I want to take back what I said about you never being able to join us. If you work with us, and do your best, I'd be glad to call you my friend.'

Zuko was silent. Then, carefully, he spoke.

'Thank you. I was thinking of leaving, you know. I'm really relieved that you've finally decided to accept me. But, a question.'

He raised his arm and showed him the necklace tied onto it. 'Am I allowed to give this to Katara?'

Aang's face registered his shock. 'She gave that to you?' he choked.

'Right before I left to get Uncle. I told her I was going to leave, and she gave it to me.'

'Why?' he asked.

'Isn't it obvious?'

It was Aang's turn to think quietly. There was no way he could withdraw his offer of friendship, even with this new information. Mulling it over, he nodded.

'Yeah. I guess.' he sighed, turning his face upwards again. 'I feel really bad for Katara. Ever since we found out, she's been trying hard to ignore you, but it's taking it's toll on her. I just want her to be happy. And... whatever makes her happy, I'm all for it.'

'You really don't mind?' Zuko looked startled.

'I mind a lot. But I'd rather see her happy than suffering for my sake.'

'Maybe I can just be her friend,' Zuko offered. The boy was so miserable, Zuko pitied him, despite the days of rejection.

'Yeah, maybe...'

The sun suddenly split the horizon with a glorious, gold ray, puncturing the feeble half-light of dawn with its splendour. As the shining grandeur lit both their faces, Zuko closed his eyes and allowed it to bathe him in its warmth. The first light of day was a wonderful thing to behold, and Zuko was glad that he had risen early to view it.

'Well,' Aang said, adopting a falsely cheery attitude, 'I suppose we'd better get back to camp.'

Zuko agreed, his mind fixed on mending things with Katara. Rising to his feet, he and the Avatar began to walk back together.

Next chappie should be a good one... I hope. I can't decide whether the next bit is cliched or unexpected... oh well.

Just so ya'll know, I'm a big fan of Iroh/Toph friendship. FRIENDSHIP, people, don't give me disgusted reviews. I think they would get along great. But that's my opinion.