A/N: I try to write fast but I just can't when I'm not inspired enough. :( But don't worry, I'll never give up on this story, or trilogy. I can promise you that. :) Ok, so this chapter is longer I think though it's mostly talks a lot about Katara. Sorry about that, but it was necessary to get this part over and done with. Next chap should be more about Zuko and Iroh finally explaining the mystery that's going on. So just be a little more patient with me for that. ;)

Song: "ANOTHER HEART CALLS" by The All-American Rejects featuring The Pierces.

Why?: Finally found a song that really inspires me and fits this chapter in every way, with every character. :) Enjoy.

Chapter Six: Dying Past, Unknown Future

The healer's took her quickly, but not quick enough for the Avatar. Aang refused to let go of her hand during the whole time they tried to reengage the Earth-bender's heart beats.

Aang felt enough anger and power within him to destroy the whole Nation, but not enough to save the friend he had grown undeniably close to these past few years...he didn't realize just how close until now. The very prospect of something happening to her was unthinkable. It was as if he was losing Katara all over again. But he wouldn't lose Toph too, he couldn't...he just couldn't.

The healer's said there was nothing else they could do now but wait and pray to the Spirits that Toph Bei Fong would wake up soon. Then she'd be alright, but until then he had to leave and let her rest. Aang, at first, refused to leave her side but then an idea occurred to him and he immediately left for the Palace.

A servant answered and when Aang asked to see Zuko, he was simply informed that the Fire Lord had taken a sudden leave by moonlight and wouldn't be back for some weeks.

"What do you mean? He just up and left, without warning?"

The servant bowed his head, "It would appear so Avatar."

Aang rubbed the bridge of nose in both annoyance and thought, Zuko wouldn't just go like that without telling anyone. It wasn't like him. But he had other things to worry about at the moment,

"Fine, then let me speak with Katara."

"I'm afraid Water Master Katara hasn't been available either Avatar."

Aang was about to snap at the servant but restrained himself and thought it better to look else where. After all, Katara wasn't at the Fire Nation Palace all time. She could be at the market, or visiting friends, or....

Sokka! Aang brightened and rushed toward Sokka's place.

When he got there and knocked, it was as if no one was there, and sure enough he tried the door and saw it was unlocked and no one was inside.

"Where the hell is everybody?!" Aang yelled out loud and put his hands on his head, a habit he was forming lately when he didn't know what else to do.

At that moment, a breeze picked up along with the sound of someone pushing a wheelbarrow. Aang looked up to see Iroh walking down the worn-down path with his movable tea-selling barrow. The elder White Locus member usually stayed with his popular business in Ba Sing Se, but since the war had ended, he opened up several more Jasmine Dragon's all over the Nations. His second most populous one being right here, in the Fire Nation capitol and the little houses in it's surroundings.

Aang could care less about tea right now, but it was certainly refreshing to see a familiar face, especially one he needed.

"Iroh! Uncle Iroh! I need your help...I can't find anyone anywhere, do you know where Katara or Sokka could be?"

Iroh's wrinkles lifted in surprise but he sadly shook his head, "I'm afraid not Aang, though I believe Sokka had a trip to make back to the Southern Water Tribe with his father, isn't that correct?"

"Oh..." his gray eyes looked down in memory and disappointment, "that's right. What about Katara? She wasn't going."

This is when, Aang noticed with slight suspicion, that Iroh sadly gazed away and avoided eye contact. "I can't say...perhaps she changed her mind. What about my nephew? I'm sure he'd be willing to help with whatever you need."

The Air-bender narrowed his eyebrows, "He's gone too. Left late last night without warning."

"Hm." Iroh's gold eyes kept looking everywhere except on the Avatar.

"Iroh, what are you trying to hide from me?"

The Fire Master finally met Aang's eyes, "It is...complicated Aang. The others had to leave for an important reason."

Now Aang was curious, "What reason?"

"I'm not sure if you are ready to understand..." Iroh was clearly uncomfortable again but Aang's eyes narrowed,

"Try me."

The conviction in his voice was clear and strong, so Iroh let his wheelbarrow drop and said,

"Come with me. There's a whole other reason to this past war that you have yet to see."

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

It was evening at the South Pole and Katara had a severe case of jet lag but refused to show it. Sokka was off snoozing someplace, he had grown accustomed to the time difference fast, but then again Sokka had always kept the customs of his people close at heart.

They had finally arrived "home" late last night, which would actually now mean early this morning. Gran-Gran gave them each a tight hug and went off to prepare a huge feast along with all the other village women. Katara was not allowed to help with anything, for she and Sokka were the guests of honor tonight, and Katara didn't mind a bit relaxing for a change. She knew her grandmother would have plenty of work for her to do later.

Sure enough, the feast was every bit as extravagant and huge as Katara thought it would be, and though she wasn't hungry enough to eat one plate full of food, Katara ate two under her family's insistence and worried about puking afterwards.

Her family and friends were happy to have her back. Katara could see it in all of their faces, and though a part of her was happy too, another larger part felt enormous guilt. She knew why she had made the drastic decision to come back, and she knew it was for the wrong reasons. Yet it had to be done, she saw no other way.

The moon was rising and though Katara had felt very tired just minutes ago, she was suddenly wide awake and felt the urge to go outside. Specifically to the place she and Sky used to meet.

Every nerve in her body was on edge and her mind was telling her to go away, to run. But Katara didn't. Though her heart was racing she bravely walked through the snow and up a round hill, where she knew there to be a frozen lake on the other side. She soon reached the top and expected to find something, expected to experience another vision from Sky...but nothing happened.

The wind howled and she snugged her mitten-covered hands inside her parka as she looked up at the starry sky with all it's mixed constellations. The sight would have taken her breath away any other time but right now, they seemed dull. Just another set of illuminated obstacles. Katara wondered if there was something wrong with her. She even tried to remember the childhood memories she had had in this place, but nothing came to mind. Tears threatened to spill over but the cold wind turned them into ice.

"Katara,"

The Water-bender turned her head and saw her strong father walking up the stout hill to stand next to her. He had a worried look in his deep blue eyes, "is something wrong?"

Katara looked back up to the sky, trying to hide her sadness. "No, nothings wrong. Just needed some fresh air."

Hakoda set his mouth in a quiet thin line. He knew his daughter was lying but he also knew trying to force the truth out of her wouldn't work. He had faith enough in his daughter to trust her intentions, yet the secret still worried him. He followed the direction Katara was looking and instantly saw and felt Yue's presence. He softly smiled,

"I see we have nearly a full moon tonight. It should be new in just a couple more nights."

Katara made a sound of acknowledgment and continued staring upwards.

The Water Tribe Chieftain stared with almost passion at the glowing orb and said in a low solemn voice,

"You know, there are many stories surrounding our Spirit Moon. We base our very existence and water-bending upon it. It controls the tides. It evens the balance between the Nations. It projects light when all is dark. But did you know, it also reflects our heart's true love?"

He had caught Katara's attention and she suddenly looked at her father with wide bright eyes, "It does?"

Hakoda nodded, "Yes. The moon reflects those we love with a further passion. When we're miles, and even worlds apart, there is always the moon and there is always the chance one or both sets of loving eyes are gazing at it with the same intention. I see your mother when I look at the moon. Sokka sees Yue and now Suki...who do you see Katara?"

Katara's throat thickened and her eyes watered. She gazed up at Yue's spirit once again, only this time with more emotion and purpose. She knew she saw Zuko's tender, strong, and passionate face in the moon's reflection. She knew nothing or no one could change that, no matter how hard they tried. She knew all this and wanted him to know it too. Why had she ever doubted and could think Sky could take those feelings away? He couldn't, and she certainly wouldn't let him.

Katara swallowed hard and half-bit her bottom lip, "I need to do something dad."

Hakoda seemed to understand and didn't need to be asked. He gently bent down and kissed the top of his daughter's head before walking downhill.

Katara closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt her blood pulsing and more than that...she felt the snow and the liquid it could form under the soles of her feet, right through her thick leather boots. She felt the life and moisture of the air around her and, of course, the strong ever-changing presence of the moon. And the love it held.

Hama, the evil puppet-master, had taught her how to take life and twist it.

Sky, her childhood best friend and secret lover, had taken something so precious and pure and turned it to vengeance and hate.

But she wouldn't become those things, no. She would build her bending upon life, goodness...and love. And not just her bending, but also her life.

Katara opened her eyes and ran down the snowy slope, toward the frozen over lake. She ran like she had during the Southern Raiders as a little girl, and just like she had during Sky's nightmares. Icy wind with scattered pieces of falling snow got into her eyes, but she didn't care. Her parka hood fell back, letting her hair blow wild, but she didn't care. It was all pointless if she couldn't have one thing back...her spirit.

She stopped just inches before touching the lake's edge and closed her eyes again as her heart steadily beat back to normal. The childhood memories finally consumed her and she remembered...she remembered all those years ago, what lay hidden in her thoughts and heart...

. . . . . . . .

"Don't be such a slow poke Katara, come on!"

There they were, just barely teenagers. Katara was turning thirteen, and like always, Sky assumed an elder role since he was a year older.

"Why are you always in such a hurry anyway?"

Katara's voice rang in annoyance as she slipped for what seemed like the hundredth time on the frozen water. Sky squeezed his eyes as he smiled and helped her up,

"I'm not, I just don't want you to miss your surprise."

"You woke me up even before the otter-penguins, on my birthday AND...ooof."

She fell yet again, only this time on her back. Sky's smile widened as he loomed over her, the real sky over him in it's early morning dim colors was quite a breathtaking sight and Katara forgot what she was about to say next.

"Ya know, if this is too hard for you, I can carry you to your surprise."

Katara blinked quickly and looked back at her friend's face, feeling that awkward blush coming on again every time he tried to flirt with her. She couldn't explain it, yet...she knew Sky liked her as more than a friend. But Katara didn't want to think about those feelings.

"Sounds romantic," the Water-bender lifted herself up as she casually brushed the ice off her bottom, "but I think I'll pass."

Sky looked slightly hurt for a second, but then Katara showed that million-dollar smile that both stopped and melted his heart. He suddenly shook his head and smiled back at her with a sly look in his ice blue eyes,

"Ok then. But I'm serious, we'll have to slide if we're gonna make it."

"Slide? Oh no Sky, I..."

"Ready?"

"But!..."

"Set..."

"Don't you..."

"GO!" And with one swift movement Sky had pushed her back down and as the ice neared the edge of a small slope and sent Katara sliding in full speed.

"KENJIIIIIII!!!"

Katara's voice turned miniature as the i's in Sky's real name echoed while she was falling. Sky laughed and slid himself downwards along with his secret crush. These were the few moments he was genuinely happy and carefree. He could only act this way with her...he could only feel this way with her.

When they finally made it down and gravity stopped pulling Katara under, she stood up, turned toward Sky who had just landed beside her and shoved him, so he fell on his butt again.

"You know I hate that! You don't just randomly push someone off a slope, what's wrong with you?"

Sky did not seem the least bit bothered by Katara's shove or remarks as he stood up again and slightly nudged her,

"I had to. Now stop complaining and enjoy your surprise."

"What sur...." but Katara's sentence was cut short as Sky gently turned her toward the horizon and she saw the most beautiful sight she had ever seen in her thirteen years of life.

It was the sunrise, but it wasn't only that. They stood on a small ledge, where below you could see plains of fluffy white snow and some scattered arctic animals. A littler farther off was their village, and Sky had put her right in the center of it all. The perfect view of everything that she knew and loved. And while the new morning light slowly and softly lighted everything that was once dark....it just seemed to make it that much more magical. It was worth it to see this, oh so worth it, especially since it was her first time.

"It's...beautiful."

She forced herself to tear her eyes away from it all and look at the young man who had made this possible. Sky had that quiet loving gleam in his eyes, for instead of watching the sunrise, he was watching her with the same passion and intensity. That look made her feel special at the same time it made her feel scared. Of what, she hadn't known yet at the time, she only knew she could never return her love in that same kind of intensity. And his reaction...that is what scared her.

"You didn't have to do this."

The young Blood-bender gently smiled at her,

"I'd do anything for you Katara."

That should have been a warning. Something so sweet and simple, yet the way he said it...

"I...well...thank you Sky."

He seemed content with that answer, and though his gaze finally turned to the rising sun, Katara couldn't go back and enjoy it the same way again. Too many things were muddled and confusing in her both her mind and heart.

So much so that she almost jumped when Sky's fingers brushed against hers, he almost held her hand but didn't, though she still felt their over looming presence.

Just like she would feel his shadow in her whole life.

. . . . . . . .

Katara was tried of letting Sky always be the shadow to damper the little light she had in her life. She wouldn't let him anymore. She would get back her own life. She took a deep breath and said in a strong clear voice,

"It's over Sky. It's over."

She felt that familiar shiver all over that had nothing to do with the cold. But this time, she was prepared for the silvery form that appeared before her.

Sky met her stare coldly, with darkness in his former ice blue eyes.

"Is it?"

He asked with intimation, but Katara didn't budge.

"Yes...it is."

All that old fire inside of her seemed to strengthen and grow as Sky's image weakened and faltered until he was finally – gone.

~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~

A paint brush full of strong fresh Kohl fell to the floor with, what seemed, like an exaggerated clatter.

"Oh Agni-dammit!" The unlikely curse fell from the pretty glossy red lips like as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

A similarly painted face looked up with bright eyes and a quirky half-smile, "Dropped something Suki?"

Suki slightly pouted her lips and picked up the Kohl brush. "It's ruined," she dropped the brush on a wooden board, "oh well, I'm starting to get tired of painting my face up everyday anyway."

She sighed and had that faraway look in her greenish-gray eyes, that her friend had come to recognize so well. She dropped what she was doing and went to her side,

"Aw, come on, don't think about him now. You know he's alright and being a great important business partner to the Fire Lord!"

The thought of her care-free, sarcastic, lovable warrior boyfriend being an "important business partner" put a smile on Suki's lonesome face, "Yeah, you're right...to some extent. So, where were you late last night miss Ty Lee?"

Azula's former friend and partner quickly forgot former worries and twirled on the spot with a very girly giggle. "I was out with this guardian....oooh, Suki, he's soooo cute!"

Suki couldn't help but laugh despite the sadness she still felt in her heart, "Come off it Ty, you know it's dangerous to be out that late. The rebels are restless."

And with that, the frown came back to her expression and she turned to the mirror. Reflecting a girl she hardly knew anymore.

Ty Lee could barely keep up with the extreme auras but turned Suki as solemnly as she could in her arms, "I'm sorry. You really miss him don't you?"

The proud Kyoshi Warrior sniffed back tears, "So...much." Only Sokka could bring this much love unto her heart that it would come out in this way.

Ty Lee suddenly held her at arm's length and had a look of intense determination in her round gray eyes, "Then...go see him!"

Suki blinked in shock, "Wha...but Ty, you know I can't..."

"I know what you, all, the Kyoshi Warriors were ordered to do. But Suki trust me when I tell you this, sometimes orders need to be broken."

She still didn't know how to react to that, so Ty Lee turned around, still holding Suki's hand, and led her away from the cosmetic stands to one large bedroom that all the Kyoshi Warriors shared.

The so-called Circus Freak took out a suitcase from under Suki's bed and finally let go of her friend's hand to start packing. Both her hands and mouth flew as she messily stacked the few possessions Suki hand into the suitcase,

"Look Suk, you follow all the rules by the book, but look at it this way; there's less rebels everyday, even the ones that still survive are not so dangerous anymore. The Fire Lord threats have stopped, and even if anything were to start again, there's enough of us here to handle it. One Kyoshi Warrior more or less won't make much of a difference."

The feminine warrior never seemed so surprised in her life. She wanted to stop this, wanted to tell Ty Lee that nothing that was saying was true or made sense...but the more she listened and thought it over, the more it did seem to make sense. She knew Sokka must be missing her like crazy too, and there were a little less death threats.

Slamming the suitcase lid shut, set off Suki's musings and she went back to staring at her friend as Ty Lee handed her the case she whispered,

"Plus, it's not like your never coming back. It will only be for a couple weeks."

That settled it in Suki's mind. She gripped the case's handle and gave Ty Lee a quick one-arm hug.

"Thanks Ty! You'll cover for me if they ask any questions right?"

The bubbly girl smiled brightly and nodded, "Yeah, of course! Now, go back to your man!"

Suki laughed excitedly as she felt a sort of thrill and ran out of the room. Ty Lee stood in her spot for a few more seconds, an unusual thoughtful expression on her face before she turned and took out a piece of paper, ink, and pen from a nearby bed stand. She quickly scribbled some characters unto the paper and left it on Suki's bed, then calmly walked out of the room.