Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or Fairy Tail

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In hindsight, it had probably been wishful thinking that everything would be alright when they returned. Nothing was ever so simple however, especially not for them. With food in hand, Mai and Ty Lee looked at the battle taking place in front of them. On one side was the pink haired buffoon whom they had ventured to Ember Island with, the days of motion sickness having worn off as he fought with the vigor they had seen him battle with. His opponents were just as familiar, for better or for worse was yet to be clear.

Aang and Zuko worked in surprisingly good synchronicity as they tried all manner of combination attacks against Natsu, the pink haired fire eater having an infuriating smile plastered across his face the entire time. Zuko, predictably, was pissed at the friendly nature of his opponent who was more than happy to remain on the defensive as if simply enjoying the battle going on. Other than the first punch which had nearly broken his nose, the pink haired boy hadn't even struck out at them with anything other than playful counters, moves that just enforced the belief that he could crush them if he so wished.

Natsu meanwhile had not had so much fun in ages as he dodged chunks of land and streams of water that were thrown his way by the bald kid with the funky looking tattoos. If his brief history of the land was anything to go by, which meant that the kid was the Avatar (at least he hoped he wasn't confusing the saviour of the world for another bald kid). Ty Lee had been more than happy in their history lesson to teach him about how the Avatar was destined to save the world, or so the legend went. As such, he felt it was within his right to test the skill of the world saviour, to ensure that he was up to scratch.

An unexpected blast of wind caught him in the chest, sending him crashing into a tree where Mai and Ty Lee were standing, their appearance having seemingly brought an abrupt halt to the fight. "Mai," said Zuko in disbelief as he watched in mild shock as she gripped the pink haired teen by the ear and pulled him to his feet.

"Really?" said Natsu in annoyance as Mai released him.

"Really, if you'd brought the roof down we'd be without a place to stay…again," said Mai before focusing her attention on her ex. "Hello Zuko."

"But, how?" said Zuko, unable to form coherent sentences.

"If you're wondering why I'm not rotting away on the Boiling Rock you have this one to blame," said Mai gesturing at Natsu. Before any further explanation could be given in regards to any part of the situation a rustling in the bush gave way as Sokka, Katara, Suki and Toph all burst onto the scene. While the group had been informed of the assistance given to Sokka and Zuko by Mai at the Boiling Rock, it was still a bit disorientating seeing her standing in front of them.

"Alright, someone needs to start explaining now," said Toph clearly wanting to know why there were so many former enemies standing around as if in a Mexican Standoff. Also she had no idea who the new guy was and she didn't know what to make of him at the moment.

Natsu meanwhile was pointing at Sokka while looking at Mai. "See, we found your boyfriend after all," he said.

"That's not my boyfriend," stated Mai in her typical deadpan voice.

"What?"

"The one you were fighting is my ex," she explained.

"Alright, now I'm confused," said Natsu scratching at the back of his head.

"Okay, everybody calm down for a minute as we try to figure out what's going on," said Aang trying to play peacemaker.

"Ty Lee will explain my alliance, I'm going to get started on dinner," said Mai ignoring the tension in the air as she started walking towards the entrance only for a large slab of stone to rise up from the ground and block her path. "Do you mind?"

"You think you can just walk off without any kind of explanation," said Toph preparing for a fight.

"I gave you my explanation," said Mai. "I'm not going to run off and tell the local authorities that fugitives are staying in the Fire Lord's summer house. After all, I'm about as wanted as you lot these days."

"I'll keep an eye on her," declared Zuko as he walked up to Ty Lee and grabbed the rest of the shopping off her. Toph sighed as she dropped the wall she had created back into the Earth, granting Mai free passage as Zuko trailed just behind her. Once they were inside she slammed her foot on the ground causing half a dozen stone chairs to burst out of the ground.

"Might as well get comfortable," she said as she took a seat.

"You call this comfortable?" said Sokka as he attempted to take a seat only for the chair to vanish underneath him.

"You can have the floor then," said Toph, Sokka grumbling in annoyance before focusing his attention on Natsu, the former prisoner of the Boiling Rock looking as jovial as when he had last seen him. Somehow he, along with Mai and Ty Lee had managed to escape the unescapable prison likely only hours after they had broken the warden's previously flawless record. Needless to say, whatever explanation was given it was going to be more than just a little interesting.

Mai worked diligently in the kitchen, chopping up vegetables at a rate like which none Zuko had ever seen. Considering her skill with a knife though he knew better than to be surprised. "I thought you came with me to help me cook dinner," she stated not having looked up from her work.

"I came in to keep an eye on you," said Zuko.

"For their benefit or your own," said Mai as she put down the knife she had been using, Zuko mildly relieved that Mai had disarmed herself.

"Look, I know I did some stupid stuff lately," said Zuko sheepishly.

"You broke up with me."

"Yea."

"With a piece of paper."

"Yea."

"Then to top it all off you locked me in a prison cell."

"I know alright!" shouted Zuko, his anger having gradually been building. It all sapped away however as he felt a gentle palm on his face, soft skin pressed lightly against the scar which surrounded his left eye.

"Last time we were here on the beach when you said you were angry at yourself, that you didn't know right from wrong," said Mai. "While it may not have been showing later on, I believe you still didn't know who you were. You sat at your father's right side during a war meeting and you seemed conflicted. I believe that was the moment that you knew you were fighting on the wrong side. If this is who you are now, know that I will support you."

Zuko turned his gaze to the ground, almost ashamed that Mai could read him so well. "I also recall that you were positively bubbly, fruit tart with rose petals if I remember correctly," said Zuko flashing a cheeky smile.

"I'm allowed to be happy once in a while," scowled Mai.

"Does this make you happy?" asked Zuko as he leant in closer, Mai showing no resistance as he pressed his lips against her own in a soft yet passionate kiss. It lasted barely a second before he pulled away, unsure whether that was the right move to make.

"It's a start," said Mai, the smallest smile crossing her lips. "Now help me with dinner, portions are going to be small since we only thought we'd have to cook for three."

"We'll send the waterbenders for fish later," suggested Zuko as he set about working in the kitchen, a brief glance to the side reminding him that the last time he had stepped foot in here he had burned family portraits. Perhaps in the future he would have a family portrait he wasn't ashamed of.

"You were raised by a dragon?" said Aang in disbelief, Natsu having just concluded his background story.

"You never told me that," said Ty Lee.

"You never asked," retorted Natsu. "Igneel taught me everything but then one day he simply vanished."

"Do you have any idea where he went?" asked Katara.

"I chased every lead I could and nothing. A couple of my guild mates, Wendy and Gajeel, their dragons went missing as well on the same day," said Natsu.

"Hold on, let me get this straight," said Sokka still sitting on the floor. "Not only did you get taught by a giant fire breathing dragon but so did your friends?"

"Actually, Igneel was the only fire dragon I know of," said Natsu. "Gajeel's was the metal dragon and Wendy's was the sky dragon."

"Can you teach me any of what Igneel taught you?" asked Aang.

"From what we've been told, hothead over there uses fire differently from what any of the firebenders we've fought do," said Toph as she picked at her nose. "I think, just from that, his powers may be impossible for you or Zuko to learn."

Before anybody else could continue the conversation, the door to the house opened up with Zuko standing there. "Aang, Katara, are you two able to go get us some fish?" he asked.

"Sure, Natsu, would you like to come?" Aang asked of the Dragon Slayer.

"Fishing, like on a boat?" said Natsu starting to feel queasy from the mere thought.

"No, we'll ride on Appa," stated Aang.

"Appa?"

"My flying bison," answered Aang.

"Oh can I come?" asked Ty Lee. "It always looked like so much fun when we were chasing you."

Katara looked mildly sceptical about allowing Azula's former friend onboard; Aang meanwhile had no objections. "Sure you can come," he said before hopping out of his chair, Katara and Ty Lee mimicking his movements as they headed towards the beach. Sokka saw this as his chance to claim a chair of his own but as he went to sit down on the one his sister had just vacated it sunk into the ground once more.

"Real funny Toph," he said as he rubbed at his lower back before directing his attention towards Natsu. "So, Igneel taught you how to fight?"

"Pretty much," said Natsu as he lifted up his fist before it became covered in flames, Zuko's eyebrows rising at the scene in front of him.

"So what, your skin is like dragon scales?" asked the banished prince.

"Guess you could call it that," said Natsu. "Not sure if that means my stomach is made of dragon scales either."

"You can eat fire?" asked Suki.

Sokka's eyes sharpened as he glared at Natsu, knowing full well that it was because of that theory that he had been such a high security prisoner at the Boiling Rock. He watched as Natsu stood up and beckoned Zuko to join him where everyone could see. "Are you sure about this?" asked Zuko as he raised his palm skyward and a small jet of flame shot upwards. Or at least it did for a handful of seconds before the flames moved like magic, Natsu inhaling deeply before swallowing the flames.

"Oh yea, I'm sure," said Natsu with a cheeky grin after having finished his meal.

"Wow," said Suki not really having been expecting what she had seen. Being told about such an ability and actually seeing it in person were completely different things. Sokka mindset meanwhile was thinking about just how much of an asset Natsu would be when they finally confronted the Fire Lord.

Maybe, just maybe they'd be able to win this after all.

Hope you enjoyed.