Chapter 10

Past and Present

Southern Air Temple Courtyard.

A burst of flame shot through the air then dissipated. Rozin retracts his fist then front kicks, creating another burst of flame. Iroh looked on and nodded.

"Faster!" Iroh instructed, "A fire bender needs to be quick and fast."

Rozin jumps and makes a spinning round kick, leaving a trail of flame from his foot.

"Fast is good, but you need to be powerful too. Think like a dragon."

Rozin roared and made a quick chop through the air, spewing out some flames, then made two quick jabs with his fists.

"Roar!"

He planted his feet square on the ground, spread his arms out, and lifted his head up to roar. Flames shot out of his mouth and the palms of his hands.

Iroh smiled and nodded approvingly.

"Very good, Prince Rozin," Iroh walked over and patted him on his sweaty back, "You proudly carry the traits of our family. Your father's perseverance, your grandfather's and aunt's strength and talent, and the potential for wisdom far greater than my own. You should be proud."

Rozin beamed, "Thank you, Uncle."

"Your father taught you well."

"Didn't you teach him?" Rozin asked.

Iroh nodded, "I did. When he was your age. But the master alone doesn't make the student a master as well. It's the life experiences and how you choose to use your training that make you a master. Look at your father. I taught him the basics, but it was his journey through trial and tribulations, that made him the man he is today."

"But you did teach him how to redirect lighting," Rozin reminded him.

"Yep," Iroh beamed proudly, "that one is all mine."

"Any chance you could teach me?" Rozin asked hopefully.

Iroh chuckled slightly, "When you're older, I promise."

"Come on, Kya, I know you can do better than that," Pakku said from the other side of the courtyard.

Iroh and Rozin looked over in that direction and saw Pakku standing with his arms crossed as Kya struggled to control a stream of water. Rozin couldn't help but chuckle as she struggled to form and control a sphere of the water she was bending. Iroh glanced over at him and smirked.

"Prince Rozin," Iroh barked causing him to straiten up, "how would you like to learn the basics of redirecting lightning?"

"I totally would!" Rozin smiled excitedly.

Iroh nodded, "Then follow me."

Iroh walked across the courtyard towards Pakku and Kya. Rozin was puzzled, but followed anyway.

Eastern Tower.

Aang, Zuko, Sokka, Hakoda, and Haru sat in the tower and looked down at the map.

"I received word earlier that my forces will reach Hot Spring Island by noon tomorrow," Zuko announced.

"And the ships you're sending down to the Southern Islands?" Hakoda asked.

"When they reach Hot Spring, the fleet currently stationed there will be transferred to your command."

"Great, so in two days?" Hakoda asked him.

Zuko nodded.

"Aren't we planning the offensive in two days?" Sokka asked.

"Yes," Zuko said, "Which means that your troops need to start moving today, Haru."

"I've already sent a hawk last night," Haru replied, "They should be leaving the island right now."

The doors opened and Suki, Katara, Toph, Mai, and Ty Lee walked in. The men all stood up and greeted the women.

"The soldiers in Kyoshi just left this morning," Sokka put his arm around his wife's waist and planted a small kiss on her forehead.

"Are the Kyoshi warriors with them?" Suki asked Haru.

"I assume so," he shrugged, "We have to wait for the hawk to return."

As if on cue a messenger hawk flew through the open window and landed onto the table, standing right on top of the drawing of Ba Sing Se. The bird squawked and defecated on the map. Sokka was the first to react and pointed a finger angrily at the bird.

"No!" he shouted at the bird, "Bad Hawkey. We don't crap on important, strategic maps, ok?"

Hawkey just cocked its head to the left and bit Sokka's pointed finger.

"Ow!" Sokka yelped and pulled his hand back, "Bad, Hawkey. No biting!"

Everyone else in the room, including Sokka's wife and father, rolled their eyes at his apparent immaturity.

"You haven't changed much have you, son?" Hakoda raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry, Dad, but boys like him never grow up," Suki shrugged.

"I guess not," Hakoda agreed, smirking slightly.

"Ok, ok!" Sokka threw his arms up in defense, "I'm immature, I get it. Any other bad traits you want to point out?"

"You snore," Suki said.

"Sarcastic," Katara said

"Clumsy," Aang added.

"You're loud," Mai said.

"Annoying," Zuko said.

"Tell bad jokes," Toph added.

"Make us eat blubbered seal jerky," Jian said from the doorway.

Sokka just stood there flabbergasted with his jaw hanging open. First he turned to his daughter.

"Get out of here!" he cried and pointed down the hall.

Jian threw her hands up in defeat and walked away.

Sokka turned back to his so called friends and family.

"It was a rhetorical question!" he shouted, "You weren't supposed to answer!"

"It's funnier this way," Toph shrugged.

Suki reached over and playfully tousled his hair, "Aw, we were just kidding, baby."

Sokka grabbed her and moved it from his head.

"Not now, woman."

Suki huffed, "You aren't trying to piss me off, are you?"

Sokka threw his hands up and laughed nervously, "No, no. We're cool."

Zuko rolled his eyes and turned to Haru, "What does the note say?"

Haru opened up the letter holder and poured out the contents. Instead of a parchment like he expected, he got a bloody index finger with a small silver ring on it.

"Gods!" he cursed and dropped it on the table.

Everyone stared at the finger wide eyed, except for Toph.

"What?!" she asked, "What's going on?!"

"Trust me," Aang reassured her, "you don't want to know."

Zuko pulled out a handkerchief out of his pocket and picked up the bloody finger to examine it. Just a standard right index finger with an Earth Kingdom Legion service ring left on it.

"What does it mean?" Katara wondered out loud.

"It means that Kyoshi Island was under attack," Zuko said, "They were ambushed last night."

"How can that be?" Ty Lee exclaimed as she comforted the queasy Haru, "Didn't we have, like, 500 troops there?"

"Yeah, you did," Zuko replied.

"What about the other Kyoshi Warriors?!" Suki shouted.

Zuko looked in the letter holder and frowned; nothing there but blood. He blinked and looked blankly straight ahead as an epiphany hit him. He snapped his head at Haru.

"What did the letter say?" Zuko asked him.

"Uh, nothing," Haru answered, "I mean, there was the order telling them to go… to Omashu."

Everyone in the room sighed or cursed under their breaths.

"Did you mention anything about the Fire Nation?" Zuko asked.

"No," Haru said firmly, "That I can be sure of."

"Do you think we expect the same thing at Hot Spring Island?" Aang asked.

"Most likely, knowing Azula," Zuko answered.

"We still don't know she's involved in this," Aang said.

"You can't be that naïve," Zuko said, "Think about it: Azula escapes from prison, purposefully throws us off the trail, and now the Separatists reveal themselves and practically declare war on us."

"Zuko, not everything bad that happens can be blamed on Azula," Aang replied, "Remember, she's no longer the Fire Nation princess. So until we have concrete proof that she's involved, we'll assume otherwise."

"Fine!" Zuko snapped, "But don't come crying to me when you realize I'm right."

"Ok guys, stop," Sokka held up his hand, "We need to figure out what we're going to do."

"I know what I'm going to do," Suki stated, "I'm going to go to Kyoshi Island and take my home back from those Separatists."

Sokka raised an eyebrow, "Alone?"

She looked at him incredulously, "You won't go?!"

"Well, I…"

"Sokka that's our home!" Suki shouted, "I grew up there and I'll be damned if I let it fall to those savage's hands. If I have to go alone, I will."

And with that she stormed out.

"Suki, wait!" Sokka called to her, but she left the room.

He groaned and ran off after her.

Sokka and Suki. Halls

Suki stormed down the hall on the way to her room. Behind her she can hear Sokka running after her.

"Suki, wait!"

He caught up with her and grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Wait," he said.

"Let go!"

"Not until you settle down," Sokka said, "You can't go after these guys by yourself."

"Well, if you're not going to help me, then I have no choice," she pulled her arm free.

"Suki."

She stopped, but didn't turn around.

"I'll go with you."

She turned around, "Really?"

Sokka nodded, "But, remember, we're not going there to liberate the island."

"And why not?" she raised her eyebrow.

"I don't think Haru can afford to spread his forces thin," Sokka reasoned.

"So why go there at all?" Suki asked.

Sokka sighed, "Evacuate the people."

"That's it?!" Suki exclaimed, "Just cut our losses and move on?"

"We have to think in the long term," Sokka reasoned, "The more people we save, the better chances we have at ending the war."

Suki sighed and contemplated what he said. She knew that Haru would never authorize the moving of troops to Kyoshi. The island never really considered itself part of the Earth Kingdom, and the Earth King only recognized them when they were a matter of importance to the rest of the kingdom, like their once strategic location in the West. Their isolationism has damned them, it seemed to her.

She looked back up at Sokka, "I understand."

Sokka pulled her into an embrace and held her protectively as she closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest.

Courtyard

A thin, blue stream of water floats through the air like a gently flowing ribbon in the wind as Kya concentrates on keeping control of it. She moves and sways her arms gently in tune with the water, however she is moving more rigidly than fluidly. Pakku, stands off to the side and takes not of this.

"Loosen up," he instructed sternly, "You need to be as fluid as the water you bend."

"I'm trying," Kya said as she gritted her teeth trying to keep control of the water.

Iroh and Rozin walked up and stood next to Pakku who looked over at Iroh and nodded. Iroh nodded back and the three of them turned their gaze onto Kya. Rozin especially was really focused on her. The only other time he's seen water bending was the few times with Kya, and she was fighting him at the time. However, this was the first time he's ever actively watched her. In fact, he was entranced by her graceful movements that was unparalleled to anything he's seen before.

"Don't force the water," Pakku barked at her, "Guide it, do not control it."

"I'm trying," Kya repeated.

"Don't try, do."

She gritted her teeth and focused on bending the water. She spread her arms and extended the stream of water, then brought her arms together and collapsed the stream into a small sphere. Kya then shifted her body to the left and rose up her left arm, carrying the water up with her and lifting it high over her head. It was then that she glanced over her shoulder and noticed Rozin watching her intensely. She gasped and lost her concentration on the water which crashed down on her head, drenching her.

Pakku sighed and covered his forehead, but Rozin, however, found the situation hilarious and busted into laughter. Kya turned and glared at him.

"Something funny, Rozy?" she asked warningly.

"Yeah, actually," he wiped a tear from his eye, "Amazing how the daughter of the Avatar can't even master bending a little bit of water."

Kya lowered her eyebrows and growled at Rozin, gathering some of the water from a pond behind her.

"Spitting image of her mother, hm?" Pakku whispered to Iroh who nodded and looked at his grand-nephew.

Rozin squared his footing and rose his fists up to strike, staring her down with an amused smirk on his face.

"And the new prince measures up to the old one," Iroh whispered back to Pakku, taking note on Rozin's demeanor.

Pakku nodded and turned to the kids holding up his hands, "Now kids, let's keep this civil."

"Yes," Iroh agreed, "how about a friendly sparring match between you two?"

"What?!" Kya turned to Iroh.

"Huh?!" Rozin did the same.

"I'm not following," Pakku said to him.

"It's simple, really," Iroh insisted, "you're student verses mine. Winner gets to pick the tea for the next White Lotus meeting."

Pakku scratched his beard and mulled over the wager for a second. He then nodded and shook Iroh's hand.

"You're on."

Eastern Tower.

Sokka and Suki walked back in the room and sat back down at the table. Everyone in the room looked at them.

"So, what's going on?" Aang asked.

"We're going to Kyoshi Island," Suki announced.

"Liberation?" Zuko asked.

Suki shook her head.

"No, rescue mission," Sokka clarified, "We're going to take a transport ship back tonight and go back to Kyoshi to rescue as many survivors as we can."

"Count me in," Toph announced.

Haru shook his head, "No, Toph, we need you here as a politician first."

"Politician? Really?! You got to be joking," Toph stated firmly, "I'm a far better bender than politician and I refuse to let two of my closest friends go this alone."

Haru sighed, knowing there was no way to change her stubborn mind, "Alright, fine. Just this one mission. You're too important to the kingdom to be going around and risking your life."

"I can handle myself, thank you."

A messenger hawk screeched and flew in and landed on the table.

"More good news?" Mai asked sarcastically as Zuko pulled the letter of the hawk.

He opened it and read it over, "Oh no."

"What?" Aang asked.

Zuko put the paper down and looked at the others, "Looks as if something similar has happened in the Fire Nation."

"Not Hot Spring Island," Katara said fearfully.

Zuko shook his head, "No, but it appears the Boiling Rock was attacked and taken over by Governor Zhou and the Combustion Clan last night."

"The Combustion Clan?" Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"You guys should know of them," Zuko noted, "I did send one of their members after you as an assassin years ago."

"Oh, Combustion Man," Sokka remembered, "Ironic."

"Guess they couldn't figure out a better name either," Zuko shrugged.

"So why attack the Boiling Rock?" Katara wondered out loud.

"We imprisoned several convicted Separatists and sent them there," Zuko said, "My guess is that Zhou led them there to set them free."

"Any mention of Azula in that letter?" Toph asked.

Zuko picked it up and re-read it. He shook his head quietly.

"Then I guess that proves she's not involved," Katara said.

"I'm still not convinced."

"So what are we going to do?" Katara asked and looked to everyone in the room.

The Courtyard.

Rozin and Kya stood in the courtyard facing each other in sparring stance as Iroh and Pakku stood off to the side as spectators.

"Let's have a nice, clean, duel," Iroh said to the two kids.

Rozin and Kya stared each other down, each with a confident, yet cocky, smirk on their faces.

"Go!" Iroh shouted.

Kya was the first to act and quickly bended a stream of water out of the pond behind her and sent it full force at Rozin, knocking him back several feet.

Pakku smirked, "I want black tea."

"Pah!" Iroh's face scrunched up in disgust, "And it's not over, yet."

Kya ran up and bended a wave of water from the pond, ready to send it crashing down on Rozin.

Rozin reacted quickly and kicked a flame at her feet, then jumped up to punch a few fire balls at her. Kya lost her balance trying to avoid the first attack and lost control over most of the water. Fortunately she managed to bring it up and absorb the fire balls. Rozin continued on the offensive and sent a stream of fire at her. She managed to absorb most of the attack, but the force of it knocked her back.

Iroh smirked, "Make that ginseng," then yelled to Rozin, "Come on, Rozin!"

Rozin jumped and made a spinning kick, sending three ribbons of flames at her. Kya reacted and bent a dome of water around which deflected the fire, then pushed the water at Rozin, drenching him and pushing him back against a wall. She then motioned her wrists and froze the water around him, trapping him.

"Ha, ha," Pakku laughed, "Looks like this is over."

Rozin took a deep breath and exhaled a breath of fire from his mouth, melting the ice and freeing him. He rushed up towards Kya as she did the same. She dodged a small fire ball and collected some water in her hands. Rozin bent some fire daggers from his fists and rushed up to her. They swung at each other wildly, neither able to land a clean hit. He tried to throw her off with a crescent kick, but she bent a stream of water at his chest and pushed him off balance. He counter attacked by conjuring a stream of fire from his open palm and aimed right for her. She was caught off guard and managed to deflect it at the last second. They stood six feet from each other, panting and out of breath from pure exhaustion.

Rozin broke the brief cease fire and punched a fire ball at her, only to be blocked by another blast of fire from his left. Kya quickly took advantage of this and went to send a stream of water at him, but the water in her hands froze and became ice out of nowhere. She stared at her hands, puzzled.

"Huh?" she wondered.

"This fight is over!" Katara exclaimed from several feet away with Zuko standing right next to her.

Both parents walked up to their kids and looked at them sternly.

"I thought we said no more fighting!" Zuko shouted.

"Oh, lighten up, Zuko," Iroh approached him, "It was just a friendly duel."

"I specifically told him not to fight her anymore," he turned to his uncle, "And you're not helping!"

"We want our kids to get along," Katara said, "not beat the living hell out of each other."

"I'm sorry, Mom," Kya scratched her head, "Master Pakku made us."

"Pakku!"

"Oh, Katara, I would never do such a thing," Pakku defended.

Katara looked at her daughter, then back at her old master, "Why do I get the feeling she's right?"

"Probably because you two are famous for your wagers involving tea," Zuko motioned at Iroh and Pakku.

"Nephew, I was only training Rozin to be a better fighter," Iroh said.

"He is a good fighter."

"I thought it would be interesting to see him and Kya spar."

"Stop encouraging him!" Zuko snapped then looked at his son, "We need to talk."

Rozin nodded and lowered his eyes, fearing he was in trouble as Zuko put his hand on his son's back and lead him away.

Katara looked at her daughter, "Come with me."

Kya nodded and followed her mother.

Cliffside.

Zuko walked with his son along the edge of the cliffs of the Air Temple. Rozin looked around nervously.

"Uh, Dad," he asked cautiously, "if you're going to chew me out, may I suggest going someplace that doesn't have sheer drops?"

Zuko turned and frowned at his son and Rozin flinched.

"Or this," Rozin added, "this works."

Zuko sighed and rolled his eyes, "You're not in trouble."

"I'm not?!" he asked, "Even for fighting?"

"Well, not exactly. I'm sure your great uncle had a part to play in influencing you."

"I guess I shouldn't listen to him as much," Rozin lamented.

"Don't do that," Zuko said, "Uncle's very influential, yes. In fact, his influence was what helped put me on the right path. His wisdom should be eagerly accepted. Just, try and realize that he likes to joke around, too."

Rozin chuckled, "I've noticed." He paused, "So why am I here?"

Waterfall.

Katara sat with her daughter next to a small waterfall on the other side of the Air Temple. It's serenity and seclusion made it both hers and her daughter's favorite place of their home.

"So I'm not in trouble?" Kya asked her mom.

"No, not really," Katara answered, "I wanted to talk to you about what's been going on."

"So what's up?"

"Things are getting a little out of hand in the world," Katara started, "Kyoshi Island is under attack and many people were killed. You're aunt, uncle, and Toph decided to go there to rescue the survivors, and I've decided to go along."

Cliffside.

"You're going to the Boiling Rock?!" Rozin exclaimed.

Zuko nodded, "Yes. Me and the Avatar decided to go and take back the prison, and hopefully put an end to this conflict."

"Can't you just send some special forces there, or something?"

"We need to protect Hot Spring Island, and I can't spare any troops," Zuko said, "Besides, me and Aang have been through enough fights that we make the best team working alone."

Rozin sighed, "So what does this have to do with me?"

Zuko replied, "You, and the other kids, are going to be staying in Ba Sing Se for the next couple weeks."

Waterfall.

"Ba Sing Se!" Kya exclaimed.

"Just for a few weeks," Katara added, "We need a place for you kids to stay while we go take care of things."

"Why not here?" Kya suggested, "Why not even the Fire Palace, even? Some place I know."

"We want you kids to be safe," Katara said, "The Fire Palace is too close to the conflict, and we can't leave you here alone for that long."

"But I've never even been to Ba Sing Se!"

"All the more reason to go. I've heard it's improved greatly since I've been there. Try and keep an open mind about this, Ky."

"I don't want to!" Kya shouted, "I am tired of you and Dad treating us like sheep and moving us all over the world!"

Cliffside.

"But I don't want to go to Ba Sing Se!" Rozin shouted, "You said yourself that place was a prison."

"Yeah, and I didn't have much of a choice, just like you," Zuko said.

"Why do you have to go?" Rozin shouted, "For the past couple years, even here, I have barely even seen you. You promised you would teach me fire bending, but you haven't. I had to learn a little bit from Iroh, and the rest on my own."

"Is that what you think?" Zuko asked, "That I haven't been around?"

Rozin sighed, "Yes."

"I have a very important job-" Zuko started.

"Yes, and I'm your son!" Rozin shouted and cut him off, "Shouldn't you be there to teach me and raise me to someday take over that important job! I'm thirteen years old and I only see my father two times a week. Sometimes, not even that."

Zuko was silent as he his son sat down with a huff. He had no idea his son felt this way, and could only assume he's been letting this Separatist conflict keep him away from the most important thing in the world to him.

Waterfall.

"What are you talking about?" Katara asked.

"First, it was the South Pole," Kya started, "Then, Omashu. Then, the North Pole. Then, the Western Air Temple. And then, the Southern Air Temple. You and Dad moved us all over the world without giving us any thought."

"You hate that we've included you two in our travels?" Katara asked, "I'm sorry, but when I was your age, and even older, I lived my whole life in the South Pole. If Aang hadn't shown up I probably would've still been living there! Consider yourself lucky that you were able to travel the world at such a young age."

"Yeah, sure," Kya replied sarcastically, "I traveled the world, but you moved us to some of the most remote places. Do you know how hard it is to not have any friends and the only person you can play with is a six year old brother?"

Katara was silent for a second, "Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I haven't really thought about it like that. I know it's not fair to a girl your age to live like this, but believe me, we did it for your protection. Me and your father wanted you two to grow up safe and secure, away from the dangers of the world."

Katara paused for a second, "What do you say to this: once this conflict is over, I'll let you visit Uncle Sokka and Aunt Suki in Kyoshi for the summer. Or, Zuko's family? That way you can experience the world with your friends."

Kya perked up, "I guess that would be ok."

"And at least in Ba Sing Se you'll have your friends," Katara reassured, "We've agreed to have Zuko's and Sokka's kids there, too."

"Ok, it doesn't sound half bad now."

"That's my girl," Katara reached down and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

"Mom…" she complained and tried to wipe the kiss off her cheek, "stop embarrassing me!"

Katara had to snicker at this, "Just try and behave. And no fighting with Rozin!"

Kya laughed slightly, "No promises."

Katara stood up and began to walk back to the Temple, "You coming?"

Kya shook her head, "I think I'll sit out here for a little while."

Her mother nodded, "Ok, dinner will be ready in an hour. Bye."

"Bye," Kya said quietly as her mother walked off.

Cliffside.

Zuko looked sadly at his son, "I'm sorry."

"What?" Rozin looked up.

"I don't mean to be ignoring you or your brother," Zuko said, "You guys and your mother are my world. The reason I keep going on and trying to fix the things wrong in our world so that when you get older, and have a family of your own, it will be a better place."

Rozin stood up, "I know why you do it, and believe me, I'm glad you're trying to help fix the world. And I shouldn't be so selfish-"

"You're not," Zuko bent down at eye level with his son, "You deserve to see more of your father. Let me tell you a story. When I first found out your mother was pregnant with you, I was scared beyond all belief."

Rozin raised an eyebrow, "You were scared?! But you're never scared."

"I try not to be, but the fact that I was going to be a father scared the hell out of me," Zuko looked off as he reminisced, "I was scared that I would turn into my father. My father, who treated me worse than scum and tried to steer me in the wrong direction in life. I didn't want that for you. I wanted you to look at me as I look at my uncle. I wanted to be the best father in the world for you, but I was scared I would screw it up. I guess I was right."

"No, Dad, you're wrong," Rozin reassured, "You are the best father in the world. When you're here, you're the best father ever. I just wish I could see more of you."

Zuko nodded in understanding. He thought for a second, then looked back at his son with a smirk.

"Did I ever tell you how I met the Fire Bending Masters?" Zuko asked.

"The Dragons?" Rozin raised his eyebrow, "Yeah, like a million times."

"How about, when this thing is over, I take you to the Sun Warrior ruins and learn from the masters?" Zuko said with a smirk.

Rozin's eye's brightened, "That would be the greatest thing ever!" He pulled his father in a big hug which Zuko returned, "Thanks, Dad."

"Ack!" Zuko croaked, "Rozin, you're chocking me!"

Rozin quickly let go of Zuko and scratched the back of his head nervously, "He, he. Sorry, Dad. Guess I don't know my own strength."

"Yeah, yeah," Zuko playfully rustled his son's hair, "Just know, I could still take you."

"Yeah, now," Rozin smirked, "In a couple of years, then we'll see."

Both father and son laughed and Zuko stood up.

"Come on," Zuko motioned forward, "Let's get ready for supper."

Rozin nodded, "I'll be there in a few."

Zuko nodded and walked off, leaving his son to his thoughts; something he valued a lot at that age.

Courtyard.

Rozin sat at the edge of the pond where he had been fighting Kya only an hour earlier. He picked up a small flat stone and skipped it across the still water. Kya saw him and walked over to sit next to him.

"Hey," she greeted.

He glanced up and looked back down at the water as if it were far more interesting.

"Hey," he said back and skipped another stone.

She sat down and dipped her feet in the cool water.

"So, I take it your father is sending you to Ba Sing Se, too hm?" she said, trying to make conversation.

"Yep."

"Are you excited?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Sounds like you're not," he noted and skipped another stone.

"Got that right," she frowned.

"You ever been there?"

"No, but my parents have."

"I have," Rozin said, "A few times to visit my great uncle."

"What's it like?" she asked.

Rozin shrugged, "It's ok. I didn't see much. I just stuck around his tea shop. We'll go when we get there most likely."

"Yeah, well, my mom said we'd be staying in the Earth King's palace while we're there," she sighed, "Truth be told, I'm getting sick of palaces."

Rozin chuckled a little, "Yeah, try living in one your whole life. It can get old fast. Why do you think me and Zek use those secret passages."

"Good point," she said and paused for a few seconds, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Why did you want to fight me?" she asked, interested.

Rozin shrugged, "I don't know, seemed like a way to pass the time, I guess."

Kya rolled her eyes, "Come on, I know you better than that."

Rozin sighed, "Alright, fine. Iroh said he learned how do redirect lighting from watching the water benders. I figured if I watch you, I might learn something."

"Really?" she asked, "You could've picked a better water bender. According to Master Pakku, I'm not good enough to fight a sea sponge."

"Well, clearly you're able to fight the Fire Prince," Rozin smirked.

"True," she looked out at the sunset.

Then an epiphany hit her.

"Hey, I got an idea," she stated, "you want to learn lighting redirection, right?"

"Yeah…"

"And I want to improve my water bending," she continued.

"Where are you going with this?"

"I could teach you how to water bend!" she said excitedly.

"Um, I don't know if you've noticed but I'm not exactly a water bender," he said, "In fact I'm kind of the opposite."

Kya rolled her eyes, "I hadn't noticed. But I can teach you some of the movements."

Rozin scratched his chin as he contemplated it, "I guess it couldn't hurt. My dad's always saying we should learn from other peoples and not just one."

"Exactly," she stood up, "now stand up. Your first lesson with Sifu Kya begins now."

Rozin smile and shook his head as he stood up, "Sifu Kya, eh? Has a nice ring to it."

"It does, doesn't it?"

"Maybe later I can teach you some fire bending moves," he suggested.

"Later. Today, we learn water bending," she said, then got in her stance, "Now, stand like this."

Eastern Tower.

Zuko and Katara looked out the window as they watched their two young benders having fun down in the courtyard.

"You seeing this, Zuko?" Katara asked, not taking her eyes off the kids.

Zuko nodded, "Yep."

"Thirteen years ago this would be unheard of. A fire bender and a water bender actually getting along and learning from each other."

"Well, except for us," Zuko remembered.

"Well, to be fair, we only started getting along during the last month of the war," she reminded him.

"True, but it still didn't change the fact we ended up on the same side," Zuko said, "Not to mention the both of us took down Azula."

She smirked and turned her gaze to him, "Correction, I took down Azula. You got shot and I had to heal your ass."

"Yeah, but if I didn't get in the way of her lightning, you wouldn't even be around right now," Zuko smirked back, "Team effort."

"Yeah," she replied sarcastically, "go Team Avatar."

She looked back down, "How much you want to bet those two will end up together."

Zuko couldn't help but laugh at that one, "That's about as ridiculous as me and you getting together."

"Urgh, don't remind me of that Ember Island play," she said.

"Don't worry, when I became Fire Lord I ordered them to correct a few discrepancies."

"Ah, yes," Katara remembered, "the first and noble act of Fire Lord Zuko. But in regards to the kids, say what you want, I still think they will end up together."

"You want to wager on that?" Zuko raised his good eyebrow.

"I'm not your uncle."

"They won't end up together!" Zuko exclaimed, "I mean, he's thirteen, she's ten."

"Soon to be eleven," Katara corrected, "And I'm saying down the road. You watch."

Zuko sighed, not wanting to get into a conversation about his kids' love lives, "Whatever."

Cliffs

As Kya taught Rozin how to water bend, a lone man with shaggy, brown hair watched them intensely through a telescope on the next mountain over. The then scanned the rest of the Air Temple catching sights of Zuko and Katara standing by the window, Aang meditating on a rock facing the sunset, Jian practicing her sword fighting with Zek, Shaola, and Dao nearby, and Sokka getting the boat ready at the base of the mountain. The man put down the telescope and chewed on the piece of barley sticking out of his mouth before turning away and walking back into the cave behind him.

A/N: Well there you go. Just in time for father's day and the summer solstice. The big chapter ten. Action, fluff, RoKya, and a cliff hanger. Not to mention the longest chapter yet. What more can you ask for? Hope you all like. And review, please. Someone has to be reading this.