Disclaimer hasn't changed, in case anyone was wondering.

VI

The house of the Grand Lotus sat halfway up the side of a mountain and was surrounded by gardens. Sokka and Zuko paused at the edge of the forest to admire the kaleidoscope of colors.

"Impressive, huh?" Sokka said.

"It's beautiful," Zuko agreed, "I can see why Uncle moved here."

"Wait until you see the lake," Sokka said, "I've seen my fair share of water, but this is something else."

"Where is that?"

"It's around the other side of that ledge over there. We'll probably have to walk because the terrain gets a little rough but..."

Before Sokka could finish speaking, huge walls of ice shot up all around them. Without hesitation, both men drew their swords and circled their horses so they stood back to back.

"State your business," someone demanded.

Zuko felt his palm tingle with the beginning of a flame. "We are a member of the Order and the Fire Lord, here on the request of Grand Lotus Iroh," he replied, "We mean no harm."

He heard feet alight on the ground just outside their prison.

"Really? You don't look anything like who you say you are. Why should I believe you?"

Zuko drew back his hood. "Because we have no reason to lie," he replied, "Let us pass."

For a long moment, nothing happened. Then, as quickly as it rose, the ice liquefied, melting into the forest floor with a quiet splash, and Zuko found himself staring into an extremely familiar pair of startled blue eyes.

His breath caught in his throat. But before he could say anything, Sokka jumped from his horse and ran towards their captor.

"Katara!" he yelled, engulfing the young woman in a ferocious hug, "It's you!"

"Sokka," she said, "I...what are you doing here?"

"Iroh sent for us. We're coming to see him."

"He did? You are?"

Sokka nodded all smiles. "We were in Huan Hai and he sent a message saying he want to see us. So we got a couple horses and rode out here. What are you doing here?"

"I...we came up to train. It's a lot nicer than the South Pole, so I bring my students here from time to time for a change of pace."

"So the Southern water benders are here, too?"

"Yes."

Sokka clapped delightedly. "This is so cool!" he said, "It's like a mini family reunion!"

"Yeah..." Katara said. Her eyes went back to Zuko.

"I really didn't expect to see you," she said quietly, "Hi, Zuko."

"Hi, Katara."

There was a long, long moment of stagnant silence.

Then, Katara turned away and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "So...um...I guess you two probably want to get up to the house, huh?"

"That's where we were heading when you ambushed us," Sokka said.

"Oh. Yeah. Sorry about that. We close the lake to outsiders when we train. It keeps everyone from getting distracted. I can show you the back entrance if you want. The trail's on the opposite side of the mountain, but it goes straight to the main pavilion. Iroh will probably be there now since it's about lunch time."

"Mmm, lunch," Sokka said dreamily, "You said the magic words, Sis. Let's roll!" He grabbed the reigns of his ostrich-horse and beckoned Zuko to dismount and do the same. Katara turned and began leading them back along the edge of the woods.

Their path took them up the side of the mountain and dropped them next to a building with an open courtyard. The men tied their horses to a tree while Katara slid open a set of heavy bamboo doors.

"This way," she said, gesturing for them to follow. They did, and found themselves standing in a large common room. In the middle, The Grand Lotus sat on a pillow sipping a cup of tea.

"Master Iroh," Katara said, "You have visitors."

The Grand Lotus looked up, and his face split into a delighted grin when he realized who stood in the doorway.

"Nephew!" he exclaimed, "Master Sokka! You've made it!"

"Hello Uncle," Zuko said, "It's good to see you."

"And you!" Iroh rose to his feet and walked over, embracing the young Fire Lord. "Did you have a safe journey? I hope the ride out here wasn't too grueling."

"We did and no, we managed the ride just fine."

"Excellent." Iroh turned to Sokka and bowed. "Welcome back to my home, Master Sokka. It has been several months since I've last had the pleasure of your company."

"It has, Grand Lotus. It is an honor to be back."

"Please, we have no need for formalities any more, Master Sokka. You may call me Uncle."

"As you please, Uncle."

Iroh smiled. "Master Katara, would you mind showing these two boys to their quarters while I get some lunch together? I believe the two pavilions in the fire lily garden are unoccupied right now."

"Certainly, Uncle." She beckoned for Zuko and Sokka to follow her once again. "Come on, boys."

"Men," Sokka corrected, "We're men now."

Katara looked back over her shoulder. "Are you?" she asked innocently, "I guess I hadn't noticed..."

Sokka made a rude gesture as soon as she looked away. Far too familiar with the rougher side of Katara's temper, Zuko made sure to put a comfortable distance between himself and Sokka as they left the main house and proceeded across the grounds.

On the way to the fire lily garden, they passed a number of people, some bending; some dressed in scholars robes, some quietly meditating. Zuko's curiosity got the better of him when a group of young Fire Nation boys spotted him and fell to their knees. He acknowledged them with a polite nod, and then turned to Katara.

"So this place," Zuko said, "Are there always this many people here?"

"At any given time, there are any number of people here," Katara said, "Master Iroh loves company, as I'm sure you know, and everyone is welcome. Any one from any nation can come here whenever they please to train or study or just make new friends. I've only been here twice myself, but I've heard all sorts of individuals have come by. Like just last week Iroh said he spoke with one of Aang's students."

"An actual air bender?" Sokka asked.

"Yes," Katara replied, "Her name is Yang-Chi. She's from the Earth Kingdom, but I guess her great grandmother was an Airbender. One of the few that made it out of the temples when the raids began. Aang was pretty excited when the Earth King contacted him to let him know there was an 10-year-old girl zooming around her parents farm."

"So Aang was here, too?"

"No," Katara said, "Yang-Chi came alone and left the day after I arrived with my students. I told her to tell Aang we missed him, though. And to come visit the South Pole soon."

"I didn't realize you and Aang were no longer in close contact," Zuko said.

Katara shrugged. "Aang has duties," she said, "To the world and to his race. With so much responsibility, he's never in one place for very long." She turned them down a tiny side path. "Here are your rooms."

Zuko looked around. The walkway split, leading to two pavilions that faced each other over a wild garden of fire lilies.

"I'll leave you to unpack and get settled in," Katara said, "When you're ready, just head back to the common room. Iroh serves most of the meals there. I can't make it to lunch because I have to get back to my students, but I'll see you at dinner?"

"Count on it," Sokka said, "Later, sis!"

"Bye." Katara turned and went back up the path. Zuko watched her retreating form.

"You planned this," he said, turning to Sokka.

Sokka shook his head with a grin. "Wish I could take the credit, but that was all Universe."

"You didn't mention that Katara wasn't...working with Aang any more."

"I didn't know it mattered."

"It doesn't. I just find it strange. They were...practically inseparable."

"People change." Sokka shifted his bag to the opposite shoulder, "And speaking of change, I know I've been traveling in these clothes for three days, but I'm starving. I'm just going to put this down and go straight back. You coming?"

"In a minute," Zuko said, "I want to clean up."

"All right. I'll meet you back there, then."

Sokka dropped his pack just inside his door and strode off. Zuko went inside the opposite pavilion.

He was pleasantly surprised to find the structure much more spacious on the inside than it appeared from outside. The bedroom was airy and open with a fireplace on one wall and a large, round window on the other. There was also a bathing chamber off to the right and bamboo bed that faced a mirror and dressing table.

Zuko set his bag down and took off his cloak.

Inside the bathing chamber, he found a copper tub and a smaller washbasin with some linens on the side. Taking one of these, he poured the water from the pitcher into the basin and heated it with his hand. He dipped the linen and set it aside as he shrugged out of his tunic.

It wasn't cold in the room but Zuko shivered as the warm water hit his skin. Still, he ran the cloth over his face and his neck, wiping away the grime that always came with heavy travel. The water turned misty grey as he rinsed, and then a darker grey as he did his arms.

When he reached his chest however, he paused.

The star-shaped burn had faded somewhat, but it was still there, an unmistakable flaw marring the area just below his ribs. His fingers trailed over it, remembering the impact and the way the world had turned a blinding shade of white. He remembered the sound of echoing thunder, and the vibration of running footsteps as he hit the earth.

Zuko's opposite fist closed around the washcloth, sending a streak of dirty water running down his wrist.

He wiped it away with a brisk flick, finished his bath, and left the room.