This chapter was originally part of chapter 7 but that would have just made it ridiculously long and although I do tend to write long chapters I thought it best to split them. Enjoy.

Chapter 8

Sokka and Suki were more than a little surprised to be awoken by Aang in the middle of the night. After a brief explanation they were quick to get Ty Lee and Gar from their room and everyone packed their few possessions in preparation to leave. Although Sokka received an annoyed look from his wife as he weighed himself down with several packs, boxes and bags from his frequent shopping trips throughout the markets of Ba Sing Sa. They were finally ready and gathered in the secret training room below June's old hideout when Daniel appeared from the doorway leading upstairs with a bleary eyed and yawning Longshot and Bee following behind.

They noted that the scarred man seemed quiet, withdrawn and his movements not as smooth and fluid as usual but Aang shook his head quietly to forestall their questions while Daniel only ignored them as he led the other pair across the room. He paused before a seemingly blank wall and reached out to swipe a hand down it's smooth surface. A square crack appeared and with a grinding crunch part of the wall slid down to reveal a doorway. From the few green glowing crystals that hung on the walls, the only light source in the large underground space, the contents of this room Daniel had revealed fairly glowed. Everyone crowded around to stare at the piled boxes and bags of coins, jewelry and gems strewn about and scattered about and over it all were large lumps and nuggets of unprocessed gold.

"I have been adding whatever I can find to it." Daniel said in a quiet tone, "Use it. Turn this old hideout into a place the wayward children of this city can always find comfort and safety."

Longshot turned dazed eyes onto Daniel but Bee trembled as she turned to the scarred man, her hands twisting in her loose nightshirt as her large brown eyes shimmered with tears.

"This…I don't know how to," Bee began, her voice hitching before she suddenly lunged at Daniel, wrapping her arms about his chest, "Thank you."

"This…gold, gems. They're just rocks to me. So long as the children benefit that's all that matters." Daniel growled softly. He gripped Bee's shoulders gently, pulling her away and his blindfolded face smiled briefly to her before he turned to Longshot, "Tell them. Tell the kids that we will not rest until we find the Dai Li and bring back those that were taken."

With that he turned away, walking across the room to another doorway and disappeared inside. Bee moved to follow but Aang only smiled at her again, gently shaking his head.

"It's ok, guys. We're just working through some stuff with him." Aang said quietly, "It's great to see you again but we have to keep moving. Why don't you guys say goodbye and I'll be back in a minute."

Both Bee and Longshot expressed their dismay at the others sudden departure but neither Sokka, Suki or even Ty Lee or Gar yet knew themselves what exactly was happening. But Aang's presence and brief explanation were enough for the others and they knew it was time to go.

As the others said their farewells, Aang wandered over to the room where Daniel had disappeared, the only room he noticed in the large underground space without a door. He also noticed the scorch marks around the doorway before he stepped carefully within. Aang had heard of what happened from Sokka but his breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight of the room. The walls, floor and ceiling were blackened, their smooth surfaces cracked from the heat that had been released and the bed and wardrobe were little more than shapes formed of dark charcoal. Daniel simply stood in the center of the room with his back to the doorway and Aang.

"Are you ok?" Aang asked as he came up behind the man.

"I can't smell her anymore." Daniel answered without moving, "Look about you Aang. This was just from a dream, crying out in my sleep. What do you think will happen if I loose my mind again?"

"We'll find a way to prevent that, Danny." Aang said with a small smile, "All of us together."

"Perhaps." Daniel said softly. Turning around he faced Aang and sighed heavily, the skin under his left eye twitching occasionally, "But in the meantime it's time I began showing you more advanced skills and those of an Avatar of Nature. You still need to go see the dragons too and Ana will need supervising when she and the others reach the valley of the bison. There is so much to do."

"And I'll say it again, Daniel. We'll do it together, ok?" Aang replied warmly.

With another heavy sigh, Daniel offered Aang a brief smile before he turned his blindfolded face about the room one last time.

"Come on, I can't be here anymore." Daniel said, stepping past Aang and out of the door.


Far to the west of Ba Sing Sa, it had been a bittersweet reunion for the Gaang once they had discussed Daniel's newest revelation. The scarred man himself had been relatively quiet for the most part, avoiding the others by burying himself in work about the small village, helping to rebuild the house he had damaged and repairing the town's hall. He had then erected a new building of stone just outside the village to house the Dai Li agents that had been captured, most of those bewildered and confused once they had been released from the mental control imposed on them. The rest of the Gaang had been busy enough helping clean up and explaining to the villagers that the captured Dai Li were no longer a threat, although many of the town's people were adamant the captives were not permitted into their village a few going so far as to demand each and every Dai Li agent be locked up or executed.

Daniel for the most part ignored the villagers, leaving Aang and Katara to negotiate with the village elders or counsel the captured agents and when the scarred man had finished his work, Azula had been surprised to find him suddenly standing before her.

"Come on." He said simply, turning away and walking towards the gates to the village.

With a little trepidation Azula followed Daniel out from the village but the further they traveled she noticed that he became gradually more relaxed. After about an hour of silent walking through strands of trees and grasslands, they came across a herd of Fox-antelope, the waist high horned creatures tensing in fear as Daniel and Azula came across them but soon relaxing after Daniel had growled softly. The most noticeable transformation that Azula noticed however came over Daniel, the scarred man taking a deep breath through his nose before releasing it as a huge sigh, sitting down on the ground and looking more relaxed than Azula had seen him in days. After a time a few of the Fox-antelope nuzzled at Daniel's neck and he smiled, chuckling as he reached up to scratch at their ears.

"So, uh." Azula began, feeling a little self-conscious breaking the silence, "What's the lesson here?"

Daniel jumped and turned his face up to her, he seemed genuinely surprised by Azula's question.

"Lesson? Oh, no lesson." Daniel said with a small, embarrassed smile, "I had to get away from everyone. Immerse myself in nature for a awhile. I guess should have asked you but I just assumed you might like to come. Sorry."

"It's fine. I like it out here too." Azula said with a shrug. Sitting down on the grass beside him, Azula smiled at one of the Fox-antelope as it timidly approached her, it's eyes rolling with pleasure when she scratched at it's ears. Turning her golden eyes onto the man beside her, she asked, "So, are you ok?"

Silent at first, Daniel drew his knees up to his chest, wrapping his arms about his legs and shrugging before he rested his chin on his knees.

"It's funny. I'm terrified of what I am now but when I was young this was my dream. Skill. Power. I have it all and all I can do is hurt others with it." Daniel said quietly, his chin lifting from his knees and jerking it toward the Fox-antelope around them, "Now, I envy them. A purely natural existence. You're born to a loving mother, you live with, fight with, love with the herd. Then when you get old, you give yourself up to some predator so that the herd might survive. An uncomplicated life. You're born, you live, you die."

"Sounds exciting." Azula said dryly and suppressed a smile when Daniel released a snort of laughter.

They sat in companionable silence for awhile until the trees around them began to darken, the sky turning red and gold to the west. As the shadows deepened and grew darker, the Fox-antelope gathered about Daniel and Azula, the small herd following barely understood instincts as they huddled together for the night.

"I'm glad there aren't too many of these guys or we might have a hard time getting out of here." Daniel said with a wry grin, then sighing once more the scarred man turned his blindfolded face up to the sky, "Azula? I can tell there are no clouds but I miss seeing the stars. Are they out yet?"

Leaning back on her arms, Azula turned her face upwards as well and looked to the multitude of twinkling points of light beginning to fill the sky.

"I can see the Draconis constellation. Back in the Firenation it's known as Agni's steed." She said softly. Lifting a hand, Azula pointed toward another constellation, "I think in the Earthen kingdoms that one's called the scales of Konqui and that double triangle over there someone once told me is called the two lovers."

Daniel sat silently, more relaxed than he had been in a long time as Azula pointed out other constellations she knew. She glanced sideways as she spoke, part of her happy to see him smiling up at the sky, another part of her still as confused as she had been before her talk with Mai. Azula had tried carefully to disguise her reasons for the 'innocent question' that she had sprung on Mai that morning but she had a feeling she had failed miserably. Afterward, Mai's pointed glances at Daniel and then Azula made that obvious. And yet what her old friend had had to say had helped. As Mai had talked about her love toward the man she had had those feelings for since childhood, the way their passions and love had multiplied since Toph had entered their lives, Azula had come to realize that she did not feel those same things for Daniel. Certainly she could admit to herself that she felt an attraction to him and when he smiled, she felt like smiling. When he was confused and hurt as he had been recently, she felt concern but her lack of experience with these feelings and desires still left her feeling confused and a little afraid, especially about the dreams she'd had. For those reasons she still wanted to talk to someone about how she felt and Azula had an idea of who she should talk to but first she would have to find an opportunity. And find the courage.

For tonight, Azula felt only relaxed contentment sitting beside Daniel. She talked for a while about the stars, the constellations and some of the tales associated with them. Afterward, with the warm bodies of the sleeping Fox-antelope crowded around them keeping away the chill breeze, the pair sat in silence again. She didn't know when she'd fallen asleep but Azula awoke once, her still half asleep senses registering that she was being held in a pair of strong arms. She sensed trees around them and the quiet tread of soft footsteps below as she was carried along but only turned her face into the one carrying her, inhaling Daniel's earthy scent as his steady heartbeat lulled her back to sleep.

She awoke once more before the dawn, one of her infrequent but intense dreams fresh in her memory. She wasn't too surprised to find herself on her sleeping mat in the hut the villagers had set aside for the Gaang but she was a little surprised to see the large grey Wolf, curled up nose to tail and sleeping just beyond her feet. Kicking her blanket down so that it covered Wolf as well as her, Azula smiled as she drifted back to sleep.


"So, he's like a walking time bomb?" Sokka asked aloud.

"Sokka." Suki said with a warning in her tone.

"We went over this yesterday and most of last night with Aang and Katara." Zuko said with an exasperated sigh, "These great spirits decided that they wouldn't let Fate win again so they decided to destroy the world if that's what it takes to stop her. I know, it's insane." he added darkly as Sokka turned to him, "But you're right, that is essentially what Daniel made himself into. Him and Wolf made themselves into a bomb powerful enough to take out a planet."

"I don't believe that, sweetheart and I know you don't either." Mai said quietly from where she sat next to him, "I agree with Katara. Whatever the Nomad was, even if he was the product of Daniel and Wolf joined together, Daniel is not the Nomad. This was done to him."

"But what about him messing about in our heads?" Sokka added, on this subject he had voiced his opinion the most and the others had been growing tired of it.

"Sokka, for the last time he said it was only to assist our training and Aang has confirmed that." Suki said heatedly, "Besides, if you hadn't learned what you have so far would you have been able to take on those demons in the city? Or when we trained this morning, would you have been able to avoid all those rocks Toph threw at your head?"

"And anyone who can avoid my attacks must be doing something right." Toph added with a grin from where she lay on the grass at Mai and Zuko's feet.

As most of the Gaang continued their debate they were sitting beside the low hedge that surrounded the fields near to the small coastal village. The village, surprisingly named for a prominent Watertribe warrior who'd been hailed a hero in the war, Harnuk, had settled slightly after the previous days attack, although most of the villagers still refused to allow the captured Dai Li members into the town.

Two of the Gaang were noticeably missing. Early that morning Katara had volunteered to take their stone boat and fly it to the nearest trading post to summon a squad of soldiers to come and take the captured Dai Li away. Surprising everyone, Azula had asked to accompany her and though she had been as surprised as everyone else, Katara had agreed with a warm smile.

After the rest of the Gaang spent most of the remaining morning training together, they had stopped to rest by midday and had fallen back into their discussion about Daniel. Only Ty Lee and Gar keeping out of the discussion, after traveling from Ba Sing Sa where it had been midnight, then on to Harnuk where it had suddenly been midday the day before, they had promptly curled up together next to the hedge after training and gone to sleep in the sunshine. Now as they rested and talked, the Gaang watched the two remaining out in the empty field.

It had been quite a sight at first as Daniel and Aang sat facing each other, their legs crossed with the hands resting on their laps, their backs ramrod straight. At first glance anyone would assume they were just mediating together but it was the fact that they were both hovering several feet above the ground with no telltale signs of Airbending or other means of support that was most surprising. The others had been amazed by the sight at first but they already knew Daniel was capable of such things and since both men had been sitting, unmoving as they were for over an hour now, the novelty had quickly worn off.

"Ok, I'll grant you that it's a good thing Daniel's helped us learn what we have so far." Sokka added, "But what's to say he hasn't had a look around while he was in our heads. What if he's seen our memories of when we're…you know, getting busy?"

"Ergh, Sokka. Just because you would go looking for something like that in someone's head." Suki said sternly, poking Sokka hard on his forehead. But at the thoughtful expression on her husband's face, Suki gave a frustrated sigh and got up, heading toward the village, "I'm going to get something to eat and them I'm getting some sleep. You can keep your filthy ideas to yourself."

"Hey, I'm just saying, he should have asked before he went poking around." Sokka said cheerfully to the others as she walked away, "Besides, if he had asked, I could have told him of some pretty memorable times me and Suki had a wild,"

Sokka was stopped there and yelped in pain as one of Suki's warfans bounced off the back of his head, prompting the others into loud laughter as the aggrieved warrior rubbed at the sore spot. Wisely, Sokka kept quiet after that.


You are doing extremely well, Aang. Daniel said, his mental voice warm and encouraging, Remember to keep focused on the elements within, be careful not to push or manipulate them but the connections between those elements. Look again into my mind if you need to. What I have learned, you can learn from.

This is incredible. Aang answered enthusiastically, I thought flying a glider was freedom but I feel like I'm truly floating, like I could soar off into the sky like a bird.

I wouldn't try that just yet. Daniel's voice carried a touch of humor, The first time I learned to do this, I tried a little too hard and dislocated both my shoulders.

Aang cringed internally at the thought but he understood the warning.

So, did your father teach you to fly this way? Aang asked curiously.

This and other skills I will share with you. Daniel answered readily, Although, when we shared our thoughts so closely, I had to be careful what thoughts and memories I brought up around my Dad. I wasn't always…a good son.

Curiously, Aang focused harder on Daniel, looking past the swirling turmoil within the man and saw several memories rise to the surface. He saw a young, pre-teen Daniel without his tattoos and two bright green eyes sitting at an outdoor café in a small town with another boy with raven hair, fine clothes and slightly slanted gold eyes. Daniel and Kuzon were laughing as they used their Bending to trip people walking past in the street, then they laughed harder still when a trader, pushing a cart filled with cabbages, cried out in dismay when his wares suddenly burst into flames. Other memories surfaced of the boys menacing a group of younger children, walking into shops and taverns and demanding sweets and drinks from the owners as they juggled balls of flames between themselves. There was quite a collection of these memories of bullying and intimidation but as Aang focused deeper he came across others, Daniel using his Earthbending to plow a field for an elderly farmer, helping to repair a town after an earthquake. Others of him taking his younger sisters to carnivals, giving them his own sweets and treats when they had none and one odd memory of a great stone dragon, almost as big as an air bison with his two sisters squealing with joy as they rode the dragon, rising and falling, twisting and turning in the air. The one thing Aang noticed most in these memories was the pure happiness attached to them and nor was Daniel ever mean or a bully when he was with his sisters.

I suppose I did have a good side to me. Daniel said, But nothing was more important to me than being a good brother.

Oh, I'm sorry, Daniel. Aang said as he realized he had been caught out snooping, I didn't mean to pry.

Don't be sorry, Aang. Daniel replied readily, You can look at any part of my life you wish. I will harbor no more secrets from you.

Thank you, Daniel. Aang said with equal warmth, What was that last thing I saw? It looked like your sisters on a dragon?

Ah, that was one of my sisters favorite things. My youngest sister, Kyra love it the most. I would coat myself in a thick layer of earth and stone and shape it into a dragon. Then I would take them on a wild ride in the sky. Daniel answered with a loud chuckle, I got really good at it too. I could make the dragon very realistic and lifelike. Flap the wings, make it roar, even breath fire. Although, Mom and Dad weren't too keen on me giving them rides that way.

I can't imagine why. Aang said dryly and both men shared another chuckle, Although, I'll have to try that one with Ana and Gatty one day.

They'd love it. Daniel assured him and then added in a conspiratorial whisper, I'd make sure their Mom wasn't around at the time though.

They shared another laugh before they relaxed back into their meditations. Daniel only sat quietly, opening his mind for Aang while the young Avatar delved not back into memories of events but memories of actions. It wasn't an easy thing to do, Aang found. He needed to seek the stored memories of things Daniel had learned, things Daniel could do without consciously needing to remember them such as walking or talking but in this case, Aang was seeking the more advanced forms of Bending and fighting that Daniel had learned. Working in this way, Aang could transfer copies of things Daniel had learned into his own mind but it did not give him new and instant abilities, he still had to use the skills, practice them until Daniel's learned memory became his own. Such as Bending the elements in his own body. After an hours practice, Aang could float as Daniel was doing before him but actual flight, moving his body at speeds with only his thoughts involved a complexity and a level of concentration Aang knew he was not yet ready to try.

Aang was vaguely aware of what was happening outside, the angle and warmth of the sun had shifted and when he focused his awareness outward briefly, he saw the others had wandered back to the village for lunch. When he focused his mind back into Daniel's, it appeared as he had seen it before. Twin points of hard light, the cores of Wolf and Daniel, circling one another inside a swirling storm of emotion and memory. But this time the storm was much clearer with Daniel offering Aang full access, the memories of both man and wolf freely available to him. It was after awhile of trying to focus on learning from Daniel that Aang was struck by an idea.

Daniel? I know I'm supposed to be working. Aang said, But I think I've noticed something.

What? Daniel asked cautiously.

The imbalance within you. I see it clearer this way. Aang explained, It originates right at your core, right between where you and Wolf are joined. I can see the way the imbalance destabilizes everything inside. Memory, emotion even your higher thoughts.

Wow, you sound just like Sokka explaining something. Daniel said with a chuckle, But yeah, that all sounds pretty familiar so far.

I'll let that Sokka remark slide this time. Aang said dryly but quickly became serious again, Anyway, there's also something about the way memories are joined. I've noticed in you, myself and others that memories aren't stored in a straight line. They can be scattered all over but they are all connected, kind of like in a web. All the memories are joined together and each connecting thread passes through a persons core. But there are memories within you Daniel, memories I can't access that are connected to each other, but not to the rest.

You mean…there are things I can't remember? Daniel asked, a touch of worry in his thoughts, Do you think they could be from when I first arrived in the spirit realms two thousand years ago. When I was first joined to Wolf, my memories are…hazy.

I don't think so. I've seen memories inside you that are like that, damaged and distorted but they're still connected to the rest of you. These others, Aang paused and gave the mental equivalent of a loud gasp, Daniel, I think these memories were deliberately cut away. Hidden from you.

But…I remember everything…I think. Daniel said uncertainly, I don't think anything is missing. My life, even my time as the Nomad, I'm sure it's all there. Could they be Wolf's memories?

I'm not sure. I can see Wolf's but these I can't seem to be able to get into at all.. Aang answered, But without question, Daniel. There are memories here that have been blocked off from you. Someone has done this deliberately.

Is there…can you do anything? The shock he felt was plain in Daniel's tone.

I'm not sure…but I'll try. Aang replied, trying to sound reassuring, Try to keep calm, Daniel. I know this is upsetting but that's just upsetting your mind. Relax now and we'll see what we can do.

Considering where his awareness was focused, Aang could see the concentration it took for Daniel to calm his thoughts, the turmoil within him settling slightly after a few moments. Then with a metaphorical flex of his fingers, Aang focused again on those disconnected memories and set to work.


Katara and Azula had had a mostly silent flight south that morning. Now and then Katara had pointed out a landmark here or a point of interest there but Azula had sat stiff and silent, her golden eyes darting over to look at the woman beside her, part of her desperate to take this opportunity, her only chance to talk to Katara alone, another older, more prideful part of her telling her to remain quiet.

The uncomfortable silence had lasted all the way to a joint, Firenation\Earthnation run outpost where the local soldiers had stared wide eyed as Katara had brought the stone boat down into the fortified camp. One of the soldiers, an older man who had once served Firenation royalty, took one look at Azula and fainted dead away. Katara looked to the unconscious man, using her senses to check he was healthy before she turned with a frown to Azula but the ex-princess appeared to be trying to hide a smile as she sat nonchalantly in the boat. The Major in charge of the fort had soon appeared, frowning himself at the sight of one of his soldiers laying on the ground but at the sight of Katara he bowed deeply in respect, her reputation as both the world's greatest Waterbender and the wife of the Avatar well known to most people in authority. Katara quickly outlined what was needed, stressing that the Dai Li captives were victims themselves and in need of counseling and assistance in finding their families. Once the Major had given assurances that a squad would be there by the next day, Katara excused herself and those in the fort watched slack jawed as she and Azula rose into the air in the stone boat and quickly vanished to the north.

They hadn't been traveling long, the silence palpable between them once more as Azula wrestled with her thoughts, when Katara suddenly brought the stone boat to a halt in the air. Azula was shaken from her thoughts and turned to see Katara's deep blue eyes boring into her.

"Come on, Azula." Katara said with a warm smile, "I know you want to talk."

"How can you know that?" Azula asked coldly, trying to hide her surprise, "Are you a mind reader all of a sudden?"

Well, now that you mention it, I have learned a few tricks from my husband. Azula's face went white as she heard Katara's voice in her head before the Waterbender laughed lightly and continued, "But I wouldn't do that without your permission, Azula. It was pretty obvious when you offered to come with me but you've sat there stiff as a board, looking sideways at me all morning. I know something's up so come on, talk to me Azula. I don't bite."

Her mouth opened with a snide remark and Azula had to consciously stop herself. She knew it was a knee jerk reaction to cover her discomfort but she also knew this was her one and only opportunity.

"Katara…we've known each other for a little while…or, well, a bit longer and…what I mean is, uh," Azula struggled to find the words to explain what she wanted but they just wouldn't come, "Why is this so hard? I know you're the right person to talk to about this but,"

"Is it about us? The Agni Kai with your brother and the fight we had at the end of the war?" Katara asked gently, adding hastily when Azula frowned at her, "I only ask because we've never talked about it."

"No. It's not that. I know you did the right thing back then, Katara. I was out of my mind." Azula said quietly, "I did resent you for it for a long time but it just doesn't seem so important anymore. Not ever since…since this all began."

As she spoke, Azula's hand found it's way to her shirt and extracted the long silver chain, revealing the tiny flame shaped sapphire connected to it.

"You mean your journey to becoming the Avatar of Nature?" Katara asked, her eyes locked onto the sapphire the same as Azula's, "You know, for something so tiny, it's so beautiful. I like the chain by the way."

"Oh, Daniel made it for me just before we went to Ba Sing Sa." Azula said, holding the dangling sapphire up to eye level, "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, things began to change for me before I was joined with the tigress spirit. Things began to change for me when a shaggy grey animal appeared out of nowhere on the island where I lived and gave me this wonderful stone."

Staring deep into the shimmering, dancing blue light from her sapphire, the words finally came and Azula began to talk. She told Katara about the first time she'd seen Wolf, the way his gift had calmed and focused her thoughts like never before. The first time she'd seen Daniel just after her best friend of many years had been killed. The way he'd looked at her with a deep sense of caring that she'd only rarely seen directed in her direction before. She told Katara of the way he'd seemed to be in her thoughts every day after that. She even told Katara of the dreams that sometimes came to her, dreams that she would once have considered nightmares but now filled her with curiosity and a sense of wonder.

She finished by talking about the Agni Kai with Daniel, the sense of fun and excitement she'd felt until she pushed herself too far and fallen into an Avatar state. How she'd opened her eyes after to see the damage she'd done to Daniel and yet seeing only concern for her on his face. How later that night he'd opened up to her and she'd come to realize this man had come to occupy a place in her heart as no other except her brother ever had before.

After she'd fallen silent, the two women sat for awhile until Katara suddenly took one of Azula's hands in her own.

"Oh, Azula. Firstly, understand that there is nothing wrong with you or these feelings that you are experiencing." Katara said warmly, her crystal blue eyes smiling into Azula's golden ones, "And to understand these feelings you have to understand yourself. You're a young woman who's heart is open and free for the first time in her life. You're strong willed and independent but you're also vulnerable and more loving than you give yourself credit for. It's no wonder your heart found someone like Daniel. You more than any of us understand the difficulties he's having right now but you two are also very much alike. Just like you, he's got that same strength of will and an independent streak that in his case tends to get on my nerves." Azula smirked at this, as did Katara before she continued, "But he also has a big heart that makes him vulnerable and sweet and as for the rest of him, I agree with what you said Ty Lee's assessment of him is. If I didn't have my Aang, I'd be trying so hard to sink my teeth into that man's ass too."

Azula's jaw dropped at this and Katara laughed at the woman's incredulous expression.

"Yes, I know everyone thinks of me as the goody, goody motherly type but I'm also a woman, Azula. Just like you." Katara continued with a wide smile, "I know these dreams you have make you uncomfortable but it's natural to be attracted to someone and Daniel, well, let's face it he is attractive. Just let the dreams come if they do and don't let them worry you…just, don't try and live out those dreams anytime soon."

"I know. June." Azula said softly, turning slightly away, "He couldn't have feelings for me after loosing her."

"Maybe not but let me ask you Azula, how does Daniel feel about you?" Katara asked and Azula frowned at the question, opening her mouth with a ready answer before Katara quickly added, "Think carefully before you answer. I know he teases you, he pushes you around when you're training but he does that with the rest of us too. And yet there is one crucial difference between you and the rest of us, Azula and in the way he treats you."

Azula bowed her head, thinking hard on what Katara had said but it did not take long before she raised her face to stare wide eyed into Katara's blue orbs.

"He…he talks to me sometimes. Tells me things about his life before this. His hopes…and his regrets. When we train, he's hard…but he always encourages me." Azula breathed and then looked at Katara with wide eyes as realization set in, "He treats me as an equal. A friend."

"Exactly. And that is the place he occupies in here, in your heart Azula. Right alongside the only other two who ever found a place in there like that but he is also so very different to Mai and Ty Lee." Katara said warmly, placing a finger on Azula's chest, "For me, he saw me as his aunt before we became friends but you two are kindred spirits and through that you are both forging a friendship based on respect and love and that is something your free and open heart has never experienced before with a man and I think that is what leaves you feeling confused."

Azula could only nod in response as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, the threat made worse when Katara leaned over and wrapped her arms about her but Azula simply didn't care.

"Thank you, Katara." Azula said in a hoarse whisper and clutched the Waterbender to herself tightly, "Thank you for everything."

"That's what friends are for." Katara replied warmly as they separated, "Come on, lets get back to the others."

With a small amount of concentration, the stone boat resumed it flight carrying them back to the village to the north. They traveled along in a companionable silence for awhile but after some time, Azula remembered something and turned to Katara with a frown.

"Katara? I'll be the first to admit I don't know a lot about physical relationships," Azula asked curiously and Katara turned to her with an eyebrow raised questioningly, "But what you and Ty Lee said. I don't get it. Why do you want to bite his ass?"


Aang was meeting more and more dead ends as he explored Daniel's memories but one thing he had learned for certain after viewing so many of them was that the memories that had been separated from Daniel's consciousness were the Nomad's. After awhile, Aang had learned to see the differences between Daniel's memories, Wolf's and the Nomad's. What he had seen in the memories of the Nomad had mostly turned his stomach and he was personally amazed that Daniel or Wolf could function at all carrying those nightmares about in their heads. Even working with the older and wiser Avatars within him, Aang could not see or find out what those disconnected memories contained but still, he did learn something about them.

Daniel. Aang called with his thoughts and after a moments silence called again, Daniel?

Yes, Aang. I'm here. Daniel answered after awhile, his thoughts sluggish but slowly returning to normal, I was deep in meditation to try and open my mind as much as possible. Did you learn anything?

I cannot open the memories that have been cut off from you. Aang told him, But I do know who's they are and when they were removed. Daniel, what can you tell me about when the Nomad reached the gates of heaven?

That? There was a huge battle. The largest I think the realms had ever experienced. There were more combatants in either army than all the people alive in the world today. Daniel answered thoughtfully, The army of lost souls was victorious that day but it was a costly victory. It wasn't long after that that the Nomad left the army behind and entered the gates and then…after that is something I try not to dwell on.

I understand, Daniel but I need you to think carefully. Aang said, he finished cautiously, Remember that meeting you showed me when the great spirits made their plans with the Nomad? I went back to check that day again and here is where I want you to think hard, Daniel. When did the Nomad change his plans and why did he invade the heavens alone?

But, Daniel's thoughts projected true confusion, It was always his plan to go alone.

No, Daniel, it wasn't. Think. He said at that meeting he would raise his army and take them to raze the heavens to the ground. Aang insisted, But after over a thousand years of preparing to do just that he didn't, did he? He went in alone and he didn't raze it to the ground, he cut a path straight through to the fountain of knowledge, straight to Fate. Concentrate now, Daniel. Think of why. Why did he do that?

I don't…I can't remember. He, the Nomad was, Daniel struggled, Aang sensing the man fighting to remember what it was when there came a flash of light and both men cried out as they shared a searing pain.

Aang opened his eyes to find himself kneeling on the bare earth of the field outside of Harnuk where they had been working together and before him, Daniel knelt on all fours, retching as he fought to catch his breath.

"Daniel. Daniel." Aang called with concern, helping the scarred man into a sitting position.

"I'm ok, Aang. I'm alright." Daniel said hoarsely, "Wolf?"

That was…unpleasant but Wolf is alright. came the spirit's growling reply, What was that?

"Listen to me, both of you. I think that was a defensive mechanism." Aang said seriously, "I talked it over with the older Avatars within me and we think the Nomad hid those memories deliberately. He hid something from the time after that battle at the gates of heaven but before he went in and any memories that would lead you to wonder why."

"But," Daniel began, confusion on his face.

"Wait. Just listen." Aang said insistently, "Because the memories are still in your head and the Nomad didn't just discard them means he must want you to know what is in them. The other Avatars who understand this say it can be done and the memories might be opened by a certain situation, a place or a trigger word."

The confusion deepened on Daniel's face as he listened but as Aang finished his expression turned to one of horror.

"Trigger? Aang, what if that's what is in those memories. The final solution." Daniel breathed, his face draining of color as he grabbed Aang by the arms, "The Nomad would have known Wolf and I would never deliberately destroy the world. What if that's what he put in those memories. A trigger. So if it looks like we are failing,"

Boy.

"We don't know that, Daniel." Aang said shaking his head, "It could be the memory of something he did or a message stored until,"

You two. Shut up and listen.

Wolf's insistent shout got through and both Aang and Daniel blinked in surprise, the scarred man's face then becoming distant and thoughtful. But a moment later he looked horrified once more.

"Daniel?" Aang asked with concern.

Still holding Aang by the upper arms, Daniel rose quickly to his feet and brought the young Airbender upright with him.

"We have to go, Aang." Daniel said urgently, "Brace yourself."

Aang was confused but his curiosity were answered when everything went dark and he felt the horrible sensations of traveling the chi pathways of the world. He felt crushed, turned inside out and as though he was spinning in the center of a hurricane, the feelings lasting for what felt like hours but in only a heartbeat light returned. Instantly he felt Daniel's fingers jab at his chest and stomach, the painful nausea rapidly retreating but when he heard Daniel speak, Aang's blood ran cold.

"No. Oh, no."

Raising his head, Aang saw ice, snow and devastation. It took him a few heartbeats to realize he was standing in the centre of the Southern Watertribe's capitol. Most of the dome shaped snow dwellings were shattered, the charred remains of animal skins and furniture visible under the piles of snow that were once homes. People milled about listlessly, some of them scavenging for their possessions in their shattered homes, others carrying burnt and broken bodies. Turning slowly about Aang took in the sight of almost complete destruction, the once tiny village of two dozen people that had grown in the last decade into a thriving town of several hundred was almost completely wiped away. Aang felt himself being pulled and was slightly surprised to find Daniel steering him gently alongside a pile of rubble. He was shocked again when he realized the pile of masonry and smoldering timbers was the remains of Sokka and Suki's home and when he thought that was bad enough, Aang fell to his knees when they rounded the side of that once proud house.

Here the people had laid out their dead on skins, row upon row of at least a hundred bodies. Men, women and children, some so badly burned or mangled as to be unrecognizable. But Aang's eyes were locked onto two corpses near the edge of the open air mortuary and the man who knelt in a prayer position before them.

"Hakoda." Aang croaked out and the man jerked, turning about and jumping to his feet when he spied Aang with Daniel standing at his side.

"Aang. Where's my daughter. Where's Katara, Sokka?" Hakoda, his parka hood falling back to reveal his graying hair in disarray as he rushed up to Aang.

"They're alright, Hakoda. Far to the north of here and half a world away." Daniel answered as Aang's hollow eyes remained locked onto the bodies Hakoda had been kneeling beside, "What happened here?"

"Pakku. Gran Gran." Aang croaked out at last.

Hakoda turned his head, looking again to the elderly couple laying side by side on skins. They had been laid out as peacefully as possible, as the survivors had tried to do with all of the dead but Pakku's body showed many deep cuts, burns and obvious broken bones. His elderly wife, Gran Gran showed less obvious damage but one side of her long, blue dress was drenched in blood. Hakoda turned away and joined Aang on his knees, bowing his head.

"I was out hunting with some of the men when we heard the explosions start. We hurried back but it was all over before we could get here." Hakoda spoke in a raspy whisper, his voice hitching as he continued, "A boat arrived while we were out. Men, some say only twenty or more, came from the boat and attacked without warning or mercy. They say their hands and their eyes burned with fire but when they attacked they shot beams of light from their fists. Homes, boats, people. Whatever they hit just exploded. The warriors tried to fight them and let the women and children escape but they just cut them down. The Waterbenders too could do nothing. Those who survived say these men moved so fast you could not see them. And when the defenders fell, the attackers turned their beams onto the women. The children."

Hakoda's voice broke and he raised his face, tears streaming from his eyes as he stared hollow eyed at Aang.

"The survivors say Pakku held them off the longest. When his Waterbending could not stop them he used something different, a blur that came from his eyes and struck one of the men down but then they all turned on him at once." Hakoda turned his head and the ghost of a smile filled with pride played at his lips as he gazed at the old couple, "Gran Gran ran to his side and took one down with a spear. But they were both cut down in moments. But then, those men. Those demons." Hakoda turned back and grabbed Aang by his arms, "When they were done here they took the Mothership. They took it and the crew."

"Mothership?" Daniel asked softly from where he stood beside them.

"It…it's Sokka's name for an old Firenation navy ship we bought. It follows the fishing boats and collects their catches but those men took it and the crew. Bato's on board. He's the captain." Hakoda's voice wavered and his eyes looked wild and lost, "When I got back here the ship had just left port. Pakku was still alive, just. He held on to give me this. He told me to pray to you. He said you would help us. I tried for hours, I didn't think you were coming."

Hakoda held out a trembling hand and as his fingers uncurled he revealed a small Pia Sho tile, double sided with a red and green lotus on either side, the one Daniel had left with Pakku.

"Pakku also said the demons gave him a message." Hakoda finished, his voice rising as his accusing eyes bored into Daniel, "This is what happens to those who follow the Nomad."

The once proud warrior and leader, looking far older than Aang could ever remember, dropped the game tile onto the snow and covered his face with his hands, weeping bitterly and Aang could only wrap his arms about his father-in-law, holding the crying man as he fought to keep his own tears at bay but beside them, Daniel's face had hardened.

"Aang. We have to go back for the others." Daniel growled, steam and smoke drifting up from the blindfold he wore, "I will return with the warriors and take them to rescue those on the ship but there is one of these demons I must face."

"Daniel?" Aang began questioningly, looking up at the man.

"Open your mind, Aang. A person's energy leaves a trace where they have been, like a scent…and I would know this stench anywhere." Daniel growled, his voice becoming low and gutteral.

When the scarred man turned his face down to look at the two kneeling beside him, his blindfold fell away in flames once more. The expression on Daniel's face surrounding his burning eyes sent a shiver down Aang's spine but what the man said next turned his blood to ice.

"It's Koh."

Hooray. Chapters 7 & 8 are done. I'm pleased because I'm looking forward to writing the next chapter. Lots of action, deaths, injury, blood, gore and horror - just like Mom used to make. I only hope I can write it well enough to satisfy you, the reader.

If you have enjoyed these most recent chapters, please review them. Reviews make me type faster.