Hey, there! Thanks to all the amazing reviews! This is the longest chapter yet, so...Yay! Please review, any input/ideas/corrections/funny stories are equally appreciated, and loved. :D

I give you chapter Six!


Throughout the meal, Iroh stole sidelong glances at his nephew, amazed at the change of attitude, and even a bit skeptical. It simply seemed too good to be true, even for one as jubilant and optimistic as himself.

As fate would always have it, his fear soon became realized…almost, anyway. About halfway through dinner, Zuko, seemed to be slowly drifting off into another world entirely, abandoning the contented look that had been gracing him.

Cursing his impeccable senses, the old General prepared himself for the attempt to pull the boy back to the living, when an unseen (But not altogether unknown) force sent the Fire Lord jerking upright once again before Iroh could bat an eye.

Did she just - she did! Zuko immediately snapped his head to face Katara, ready to demand why the hell she had kicked him, and promptly halted at the quiet concern etched on her features.

He stared levelly back at her, before exhaling softly, smirking, and nudging her foot slightly with his own.

The Waterbender laughed, shook her head, and returned to her meal.

Uncle's jaw hung open in complete and utter shock, and he had to pinch the skin on his arm once again, harder than before.

She had been there…what, ten hours then? Ten and a half?

Katara had accomplished in less than a day what the supportive, doting, older man hadn't been able to do in nearly a month!

This is going so much better than we imagined…


Night had long since fallen over the Fire Nation, dry and mild, with a soft, almost nonexistent breeze swiftly drifting across the land, passing over the two friends.

Since leaving the dining hall, Zuko and Katara had been wandering through the various courtyards,

After what seemed to be the hundredth turn, a slight fatigue had swept over the Waterbender, only to be vanquished a second later.

Katara's heart nearly burst at the sight before her.

The Fire Lord approached the small Turtle-Duck pond amidst a gorgeous myriad of flower beds as if he had done it a million times before (She faintly suspected he had).

"This is beautiful, Zuko."

The mentioned turned to her, smiling, and sat down near the water's edge, motioning for The Waterbender to join him.

A nearly full moon bathed the scene in a rich, subtle light, casting a comfortable glow over the two teens.

Katara took a seat, mouth still agape in awe, and let her back fall to rest on the grassy earth, resigning to stare up at the countless stars.

It was silent, and they were peaceful.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but the feeling was familiar, and welcomed.

"Hey, Zuko. You know…" She trailed off, in thought.

He looked down at her form. "Know what?"

"We've been hanging out with each other all day, right? I mean-"

"I don't see a connection."

Katara huffed, sitting up to lean back on her elbows, and met his confused gaze. "That's because I'm in the middle of explaining it! Don't interrupt."

She eyed him warily before continuing. "What I mean is that this is the most time we've ever spent with just each other."

"But what about-"

"Being stuck in a prison, stealth missions, and taking down Azula doesn't count!" Katara threw her hands in the air and flopped once again on her back, eyes rolling with a grin.

The Firebender stared back as she continued, "I never really realized how well we get along," She laughed, "I'm a bit surprised we're not trying to kill each other yet."

Now, a year ago, the smirk slowly spreading across his face would have worried her. Instead, though, one of her own broke through at the unspoken promise of a challenge.

Seconds later, a small tendril of flame shot inches past Katara's face, and all Hell broke loose.


Fangirl & Snoozles,

I'm just hearing about this now? Geez, and here, I thought we were closer than that. Anyways, it took a while to find a suitable scriber, what with Twinkletoes constantly hovering over me, so don't have a hippo-cow if this is a teensy bit late. Oh, and who's bright idea was it to have Hawky sending such top secret information so close to Twinkletoe's grasp, anyways? Gotta work on that, Snoozles!

Besides that, it's about darn time! Now, everything will start to fall into place…or, be pushed. Either way, it's bound to happen. I'd bet my Earth Rumble Champion Title on it.

I have to keep this short, but I'll be sure to stay in touch with Gramps.

Hang on tight, kiddies, it's about to get steamy!

See you soon (Ha-ha.),

Toph Bei Fong, Earth Rumble Champion, Melon Lord, Greatest Earthbender Ever, Etc.


"You can say whatever you want, Sparky, it's still safe to assume I won this round."

"Fine-but next time I won't go easy on you!"

The Waterbender smiled a well deserved, smug smile.

Honestly, how many people could say that they had successfully soaked the Fire Lord in his own palace? Not many.

Never mind that it was a simple, impromptu spar between two increasingly good friends; after all those months in the stagnancy of the South Pole, the taste of victory was still sweet on her tongue.

Midnight was creeping upon them as the teens finally made the slow way towards their beds.

"This one is yours. Uncle had your belongings brought in earlier, so everything should be all set."

Before Katara could inwardly swoon at the prospect of an awaiting mattress, Zuko glanced hesitantly down the dimly lit hallway, bringing his head sharply back seconds later.

The Waterbender followed what once held his gaze and saw the only other door in direct view.

Something noticeably changed in the Fire Lord's expression, and Katara found it all too easy to remember why she was there in the first place. Truly taking in her surroundings for the first time, she realized they were just downwind of what once had been Mai's room.

"Zuko?"

He blinked twice before turning to meet her stare…in a way, at least. The Firebender seemed to be avoiding her direct gaze, opting instead to focus on the very tip of the girl's nose. She ignored it, and carried on.

"Are yo-"

"Uh! It's getting late; I'll just, uh, see you in the morning?"

Zuko regretted it as soon as he opened his mouth, and very nearly face-palmed himself when a sad sort of understanding shone in the Waterbender's eyes.

She nodded lightly before turning to open the door (which was much heavier than it looked). Katara stepped in the threshold, rotating to face the Fire Lord once again.

"Good night, Zuko."

The thick door slowly, too slowly, began to inch shut until it threatened to block view of the girl's face entirely. Almost there…

"She just...left."

And that, dear readers, is what it truly means to blurt.

Katara went stock-still, before gently easing the door the door a bit more open, and leaning a shoulder into it's frame, tilting her head slightly to let her friend know she was all ears.

"I-I know now, when I really look back, it was bound to happen, but…she really just left." The words were coming faster and easier, before he could stop them.

"One night, here. The next, gone…How can anybody do that?"

Gold eyes bore into blue, pleading for an answer that Katara didn't have, would never have. Dead air ensued.

Not quite sure of what to say, but reluctant to see Zuko close off again, she finally spoke up.

"Why did Mai leave you?"

The Fire Lord seemed to be searching for a way to adequately voice his thoughts.

She's a sadist, she's an artificial being, she's an incarnate of evil…

"She wanted something that I…wasn't ready to give. Or willing," His head lowered in thought, "I'm not quite sure, really."

The Waterbender's eyes screwed shut, staying for a few short seconds, and only revealing themselves to the world moments later. "I know what you mean."

The following silence was awkward, and thick as the densest fog. Minutes dragged by.

This time, it was he who could take the quiet no longer.

"My Mother, she…she just left one night, too."

Katara's flabbergasted stare bounced immediately to Zuko's before considerably softening. The young man was just as stunned at his choice of words as she had been.

Moments later, in an admirable attempt at discretion, Katara leaned out past the doorframe, and scanned each side of the hallway for any passers-by.

Upon seeing the corridor empty, she tightly gripped the front of the Fire Lord's robes in one slender hand, before promptly yanking him into her sleeping quarters.


Ultimate Story Goals: Try my Damndest to not have any hokey Zutara if I can help it! AND, I couldn't do fight scenes if my life depended on it (yet! I'm working on it!). Please Review.