Authors note: Alright, so now the Gaang is with the Crew for awhile. This chapter is probably going to be long because it's showing how they all get along. You might see some miner Ty Lokka, a little bit of Kataang, and probably some Maiko. No minor Zutara yet because, well…you all have seen the show so….enjoy.

Chapter Ten

The Search

"Would anyone want some tea?" Uncle Iroh asked loudly, the sun just rising.

"Uncle, please, we're all tired," Zuko persisted as he looked over at Iroh.

"Sleep, need sleep," Ty Lee mumbled.

"Ty Lee, shut up," Mai ordered, "Man, she is always talking in her sleep."

"Oh, you just noticed."

Mai spun around and smirked at Zuko. He smirked right back at her as Uncle Iroh picked up his teapot.

"Honestly, you people are so dull."

He made sure to say it with a smile as Zuko and Mai stood up.

"Maybe we should go visit are neighbors," she said with a sly grin.

"What are you talking about, Mai?" Zuko said as he came to her side.

The teenager girl had to gasp for a second. The prince of the Fire Nation saying her name was just so strange, in a good way, of course.

"I'm just saying being on good terms. You're uncle really wants us to get along."

"Well so far, all my uncle has done, is act like a complete idiot. Siding with Avatar…it's just setting ourselves up for defeat."

"I know what you mean…but we could try. For his sake I mean."

Zuko sighed deeply and turned to Mai, "I'm doing this for my uncle not me."

"That would be apparent, where did you go yesterday?"

"No where…it's nothing. Come on; let's go meet the neighbors."

"Not without me," Ty Lee said with a giggle, as she jumped out of under her covers, "There is a certain Water Tribe guy I want…need to meet."

Mai rolled her eyes with another sigh from Zuko as the three walked over to the Gaang.

"What are you all doing here?" Aang asked, in a calm voice.

"We just thought we'd stop by," Mai said, twisting a dagger around in her hand.

"To kill us?" Sokka said with a grin, "I mean that's what you all were doing last time."

"Look peasant-"

"It's Sokka."

"Whatever…if you want this deal to stand than you need to hold up your part."

"We're giving you a ride on Appa," Aang reminded, "That's the deal."

"Well cooperation on both parts is implied. So we don't get on your nerves and you don't get on ours."

"Deal," Aang declared, "But I have to ask…what are your names?"

"You mean you don't know?" Ty Lee said with a smile, "I'm Ty Lee."

"Mai," she said simply.

"Well, I'm Aang. This is Sokka, of course. That's Toph over there and that…is Katara."

Zuko looked back to see the waterbender stare up at the three. Surprisingly, he had never heard any of the Gaang's names before or remembered if he did.

"We'd like to get along with all of you, I'm sure that's what you mind too."

"You could say…" Zuko muttered.

"Well I know what I want to do," Katara stated, "I want to go see Suki. I'm sure my healing powers could help her even more."

"I don't think that would work," Zuko replied.

"And how would you know?" Katara said jumping up.

"If your friend is moved one inch her whole life is in jeopardy. Do you want to be the one to cause that?"

"There are a lot of things I haven't caused."

Zuko was about to speak again but humbled himself enough to keep silent.

"Do you have any food with you?" Mai said, speaking up.

"Ran out a day ago," Toph said, shaking the empty bag up and down, "How about you guys?"

"We ran out too," the prince claimed, "Looks like we're all going to have to find food."

"Fine, each group will get there own groups food."

Ty Lee giggled at Sokka's statement, "Not to intervene or anything but we do have a better chance together. I mean if we all split up as two groups together then we'll have a better outcome"

"Uhhhh…." was Sokka's only reply.

"Ty Lee, right?" Aang asked.

The acrobat nodded.

"She is right, Sokka. We would be better together, being skilled with both bending and weapons. Zuko?"

The prince groaned at the sky but turned back to Aang, "Fine…"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"So Suki is your girlfriend?" Ty Lee asked.

"For the last time, no, we just have a thing," Sokka replied in an irritated voice.

"What kind of thing?"

"A sort of relationship thing."

"What kind of thing is that?"

"Uh…why do you ask so many questions?"

"I guess it's just my personality…liking you and all."

Ty Lee jumped in front of Sokka who moved back.

"You know, I'm…I'm no-not that great," he stuttered.

"Nu uh, you were great without the sword and with one…"

"Ty Lee," Sokka said grabbing her hand and moving her back, "I think we should just stay with the mission."

Ty Lee looked down with a smile, "Holding my hand?"

"OK! That's enough…we are strictly just looking for food."

Sokka trembled nervously as Ty lee and he kept on with there unusual walk.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I just don't see why we have to stay with him!" Katara screamed as she picked up a fallen Okapi fruit, "He betrayed us…he betrayed everyone."

"And his sister almost killed me in the avatar state. I've learned, being the Avatar means so much more than just power. It's peace too. Zuko was disloyal to everyone but…I can't help thinking people can change."

"He was supposed to be loyal before…Aang, I told him about my mother."

The Avatar glanced over at the waterbender surprisingly.

"And he understood my sadness. They took away his mother too."

"The Fire Nation took away Zuko's mother?"

Katara nodded, "And when he told me that I couldn't help thinking…he was good."

"Maybe…maybe he was."

Katara looked over at Aang who had a serious expression on his face.

"People change Katara, even Zuko."

"Even Zuko…" Katara repeated as she picked up another fruit.

"Come on, stop thinking of stuff like that," Aang interrupted with a smile, "Let's just get the fruit."

"Yeah okay."

"Oh and Katara…I never told you this but your Fire Nation outfit…it's really…"

Katara smiled as she kissed Aang on the cheek, "Thanks, you're not that bad yourself."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"We'll I have to say, me and you are the only two not in a quarrel."

"That's because we choose to lay low."

"Exactly and here is yet another Pipa nut."

Uncle Iroh grinned at the Blind Bandit again as the two filled their basket full of nuts.

"So how have you been?" Toph asked as she brushed the wrinkles out her dress even though she couldn't see them.

"Through a lot…I'll leave it at that."

"I can tell. I was…I was very scared Uncle Iroh."

"Why?"

"I was scared that you died."

Uncle Iroh smiled with a happy nod, "Well that makes two of us. I was scared too."

"Are you ever going to be like that again?"

"Only time will tell us. For right now, I enjoy the moment, having a friend like you."

Toph grinned as the old man said this.

"Yeah, enjoy the moment. Hey, I found another one!"

Toph felt the vibrations on the ground faintly under her shoes and picked up the nut.

"How much now?"

"243, if I'm not mistaken."

"Which I'm sure you're not."

Uncle Iroh smiled at the small earthbender again and in shock saw his nephew. Both of them had to go through conflicts and trials, but in the end, still coming to love there good old, wise uncle.

"Of course."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

"Can't expect anyone else to actually get food," Mai remarked as she brought forth three daggers, "We will find a seemingly sized animal, firebend it, and be done with this."

Zuko shook his head as he crossed his arms, "Always have to do it the hard way."

"I am not doing it the hard way. I'm doing it the fast way…hmm…my first victim."

Mai crept silently, "Huh…antozale."

She readied one of her daggers quietly and aimed it right at the animal. Mai was about to shoot when she felt the tree she was leaning on start to give in. And the split second before Mai let the dagger go the branch beneath her arm snapped and she fell to the ground, letting the antozale free.

"Ah! I let it go," she said banging the ground with her fist.

"To tell you the truth, I think you did it the dirty way," Zuko said, looking down at her.

"Hmm…very funny."

Mai was brushing off her dress when Zuko put out his hand. She hesitated at first but quickly took it.

"So how do you do it?" she asked standing up.

"Simply…you trick them."

Zuko firebended a small flame, "Now go stand over there and stay still. When you see another antozale come your way, shoot it. Trust me, you'll see one."

Mai sneered politely but went anyway and waited in her position.

"Now let's get going," Zuko whispered, hidden behind a shrub.

After many minutes of wait a few antozale's came to graze. Zuko nodded at Mai as she got in her ready stance diagonal of him. And then suddenly the prince firebended straight across from the field. As startled as they were every single antozale ran in Mai's direction.

"Don't…miss," she said lowly to herself.

Mai shot her dagger and watched it pierce through the nearest animal.

"Hmm…" she said with a smirk as she ran back to Zuko.

The firebender stared at the rather small fire vanished as Mai showed up.

"Your plan worked," she stated with a fake frown.

"Doesn't it always?"

Mai shook her head but in her own way was thinking of how much more the prince was still amazing her.

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Well, this is the turn out," the Avatar proclaimed, "Not that bad."

"It's pathetic," Zuko stated wiping his face.

"Zuko is right…" Sokka moaned

"It will at least get us through the night," Katara said.

"And in that way it is plenty."

Everyone, silently, agreed with Uncle Iroh's words, all glad that their search for food was finally over.

"Well, I'm just glad to be-"

Toph was stopped instantly as everyone heard a big crash come from behind them.

"What was that?" Sokka asked as he looked around.

The two groups covered their ears as another one went off.

"It's Fire Nation land destroyers," Aang proclaimed, as he slowly removed his hands from his head, "We heard them when we where in a chase with...you two."

Mai and Ty Lee glanced at each other. Mai then turned to Zuko.

"It's her."

Zuko muttered as he turned back to the forest, hearing another crash go off.

"It's Azula."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Authors note: Well it looks like this group has themselves some bonding and some trouble. I just love cliffhangers, sorry, but I do. Please review. The more of them there are the more encouragement I get, you guys are great. Hopefully I'll be able to update soon. I hope you all enjoyed.