(Sorry for taking so long to get this out… Blame five husky puppies who decided my laptop charger was a chew toy… I just got a new one; those things aren't cheap by the way. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I hope it was worth the wait. XD)

(Ps: Avatar the Last Airbender is not mine… Kitsumi and Koumi, however, are! )

Chapter Ten: The Avatar Returns; Part 2

Iroh found his nephew sitting in the healer's chamber getting his arms stitched up. Tears and sweat stained his face, but Zuko refused to cry out. As the healer's finally finished the last stitch, the prince gasped in relief.

"I take it the hunt for the avatar has been postponed?" Iroh asked, eyeing the massive scratches on Zuko's arms. Zuko stared for a moment then pursed his lips when the healer poured hot liquid over the stitched wounds. He then began to wrap the arms tightly with thick white bandages.

"We'll go back out in a while," Zuko answered through gritted teeth.

"Where's Kitsumi?" He questioned as if he only just realized her absents.

Zuko averted his eyes and stared at a steel wall. "Gone."

"Where?" Iroh's voice remained smooth.

"What does it matter; she was a traitor," his tone was as cold as the wall he was glaring at.

"Why would you think that of someone so loyal to you? She would give her life for you; crown prince or not."

Zuko scoffed, "she's the avatar's pet; she was never loyal to me."

"Who told you that?"

"Her sister, the one who did this," Zuko lifted both arms in front of his face as the healer finished tying it.

"Thank you, Jhou," Iroh bowed to the healer, "but, please leave us." Jhou bowed back and stepped out of the room. Zuko watched the healer in shock. As soon as the door was shut, Iroh sighed. "Zuko, Kitsumi lost interest in the avatar five years ago when you gave her something better to focus on. They may be the avatar's guardians, but she has so much anger-

"I never said anything about her being a guardian," Zuko interrupted, suspicion in his eyes. "You knew! You knew what she was and you kept it from me!"

"Nephew, I-

"How long have you known? How could you do this to me?" You're just as much of a traitor-

"ZUKO!" Iroh barked. Zuko shifted in his seat, he knew better than to push his uncle. It took a lot to make Iroh raise his voice, but when he did no one talked back to him. "Did she try to protect you?" Zuko nodded yes. "Then why did you call her a traitor? None of your men came back with wounds, did they?" Zuko shook his head no. Iroh sighed and lowered his voice, "Yes, Kitsumi can heal very rapidly and mortal wounds mean nothing to her; but she is the white twin, yang, the wounds to her heart do not heal as quickly as her flesh. That is why she protects you. You are badly wounded, nephew. Think of how she must feel. I am disappointed, nephew, I was under the impression that you cared." Uncle Iroh, finished with his ranting, sighed again and left the room.

Zuko stared at the door, allowing his uncle's words to sink in. Confused and irate, Zuko punched the wall. Pain shot threw his arm and it felt as if the stitches would burst out of his forearm. Think of how she must feel. Zuko stood; sure of what he had to do.

The ship's ramp lowered and the prince made his way back onto the shore. Not clothed for battle, or to be in cold weather. Zuko walked through the village, none of the villagers tried stopping him.

"If you're looking for my sister, she's long gone." Koumi stepped out of one of the tents behind him. "You might as well stop while you're ahead." Zuko stopped, but didn't turn around.

"But I'm already so far behind," he retorted brashly. Koumi laughed and ran in front of him. She put her hands on her hips and smirked at him.

"I suggest you leave anyway. You wouldn't want things to get any uglier would you?"

He stared at her for a moment, then relaxed his gaze and walked around her. "I don't have time for you," he stated coolly as he strolled pass. She folded her arms and stared, appalled.

"What do you hope to achieve dressed like that? You'll freeze to death! And if you manage to survive, you'll never find her, even if you search this entire ice cube!"

"Then I'll search it twice!" Zuko hollered back. Koumi smiled.

"Well, in that case," she formed into a tigress and bounded in front of him and stopped sideways, "get on." Zuko stopped and stared into Koumi's eyes. One lip curled into a half smile.

"You're kidding, right?" His smile faded and he walked passed her. Shocked and amused, Koumi let him walk. She followed behind him, but allowed him his space.

An hour passed and Zuko's steps slowed. When the snow began to fall, Zuko looked up and cursed at the sky. His pride wouldn't allow him to turn back, but his body still shivered violently. Koumi sighed and trotted up behind him.

"Alright, that's enough," Koumi grabbed him by the shirt, threw him into the air, and caught him on her back. "You are going to freeze to death and then neither of us is going to get back in her good graces. Now hold on."

Zuko didn't complain; her fur was warm in spite of the cold. He held tightly to her neck trying to warm up again. "I w-won't go back-k until I f-f-find her," his teeth chattered uncontrollably.

"I figured."

"H-how are we going find h-er?" Without answering him, she tilted her head to the sky and roared as loud and as long as she could. When she was finished she turned and looked at Zuko, smiling. The prince was covering his ears and looked very dizzy. "Thanks for the w-arning! What was that supposed to accomplish?"

"When she answers, we'll know where she is," Koumi replied happily.

"What makes you think she'll answer?"

"I'm her sister, she always responds. Even if she's angry, in fact, even more so when she's angry! It's usually 'piss off' or something, but at least I know where she is." Zuko's eyes narrowed, trying to find the logic in that. In a way it did make sense, but after a few minutes of silence, he spoke.

"I don't hear anything."

"Me neither." She roared again.

"GHWH!" Zuko yelped in pain.

"No, no. It comes more from the stomach."

"I WASN'T TRYING TO- never mind. Could you warn me next time? That's why I can't hear her, my ears are still ringing fro-

"SHHH!"

"What? Did you hear something," Zuko whispered.

"Yes; you! Now be quiet!" After a moment her ears twitched forward and she darted off into the snow. Zuko clung as tightly to her fur as he could.

"Where are you going!" She ignored him. A moment later, she stopped at the entrance of a large cave. She chuffed into the cave.

'Oh, sissy! You can't hide in there forever,' when no one answered, she began again, 'Besides, your boyfriend is waiting for you.'

'Leave me alone,' a soft whimper came from inside the cave.

'You don't want me to hurt him do you?'

'I said leave me alone,' the whimper turned into a warning growl.

"Is that her?" Zuko leaned forward and whispered. Koumi peered back at him with a death glare. Zuko huffed and folded him arms tightly in protest, but the stitches pulled and he yelped in pain. A second later a wolf appeared at the mouth of the cave. She growled at the pair and lowered herself into a fighting position.

"Kit, I was testing his loyalty to you. I didn't mean to hurt you," she mewed, trying to calm her sister.

"You were testing me?" Zuko asked, rubbing his forearms.

"Well, it turned into testing you," Koumi grinned.

'Go away,' the wolf growled. Her voice was deep and harsh. Koumi stepped backward. She stared into her sisters black eyes, fearful. There was only one other time her eyes ever turned dark. The day she lost Leo, she stopped valuing human life, and many years passed before she started again.

'Don't lose your compassion again, Kitty!" Kitsumi snarled and lunged over them. She landed and spun in the snow to face them again, snapping her jaws together.

"Come on, Prince, she's not herself." Koumi turned and trotted away. Zuko, bewildered by his surroundings, tugged at her fur.

"WAIT!" Zuko shouted and both animals froze. "I said I wasn't going back without her."

"No, you said 'until I find her.' You found her, now let's go," Koumi hissed.

"No!" Zuko slid off her back and walked calmly toward the angered she-wolf. Kitsumi barked and leapt at him. He hit the ground hard and she pinned his shoulders to the ground.

"ARE YOU AFRAID!" She bared her teeth.

"Yes," Zuko spoke coolly, "but I trust you."

"How? HOW CAN YOU TRUST SOMETHING YOU FEAR!"

"Koumi wounded me, but I rode on her back so I could find you."

'Not before he nearly froze though,' Koumi retorted so Zuko couldn't hear. Kitsumi's snarl vanished, but she didn't move. "He's afraid of the teeth and the claws, but he trusts the elf behind them. He doesn't think you'll use them against him."

"I wouldn't be so sure," she leaned in so he could feel her breathe. Zuko inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. The wolf's ears perked forward when his breathing stopped and his body shivered.

"Did he just faint?" Koumi asked. She peered around, trying to see without getting any closer. "Maybe you're suffocating him?"

Kitsumi slowly and carefully stepped off of him. As soon as the weight lifted from his shoulders, the scared prince bolted upright and hugged her muzzle. Koumi jumped into a defensive stance. 'Moron.'

"I am so sorry," Zuko whispered so Koumi couldn't hear, "I should have never sent you away. I trust you more than I do my own men."

"Why," Kitsumi asked with a low growl.

"My men are with me because I'm a prince. You stay with me by choice, until I made you leave. Now I'm begging for you to stay with me."

'Take it, Kit. It's not every day a prince will beg,' Koumi teased. Kitsumi's tail began to wag, but her face remained emotionless.

Zuko fell back into the snow, still shivering and not sure what to expect. He watched her dark eyes slowly turning green again. Kitsumi sighed and formed back into an elf.

"Did Iroh talk to you?"

"Well, y-yes, but I came back on my o-wn," Zuko's teeth began to chatter again. Kitsumi shook her head. "W-what?"

"You're so dumb. You came out in the snow and ice, wearing that?" She gestured to his undershirt and bandages.

"It didn't seem as c-cold when I first stepped out." Zuko stood up and dusted off the snow. "And you're one to talk; your stomach is showing and everything!"

"But I won't freeze!" She shifted back into a wolf, "come on." Zuko climbed onto her neck and held on to chunks of fur. "Make sure you don't lose your grip!"

"I know, Koumi already told me."

"Yes, but I'm faster."

"What?" Without words, Kitsumi showed him. Zuko pressed himself against her neck and wound his wrists around her necklace. The speed of the take off alone almost jerked him off her back.

(Meanwhile inside Zuko's ship)

"Where is prince Zuko?" One of the guards barked.

"He was in the infirmary last time I checked," the captain of the guard remarked as he entered the galley. His face was of a man in his early forties with flecks of grey powdering his hair. His eyes were a dull gray to match. He leaned nonchalantly against the steal wall. "Stupid kid."

"Sir," another grunt entered the room, "the prince was seen leaving the ship nearly an hour ago."

"WHAT!" He threw himself away from the wall. "I am so tired of that boy! He's a spoiled brat! He's self-centered and disrespectful! I won't leave for the sake of his uncle, my loyalty will always lay with the general, but Zuko!" The captain grabbed his helm and stormed out, followed closely by the other soldiers.

"What do you plan to do?" One of them shouted after him.

"Whatever it takes to get us home again," he replied while donning his helmet and marched outside. The soldiers obediently stayed at his heels.

"That would mean the prince would have to bring home the Avatar."

"He has to be here," he scowled at the villagers. They stared at the soldiers with fright and disgust. Sokka pushed passed his sister and stomped up to the captain.

"What business do you have in our village?" Sokka asked proudly, puffing out his chest and attempting to be taller than him. The captain didn't even give Sokka the satisfaction of a look. Instead he stared passed Sokka and spoke to the entire village.

"We are here for the Avatar. We know that he is here. If you deny his presence in your tribe we will search everywhere. Resistance will be met with violence. And anyone found hiding him, well, the punishment is death."

"The Avatar isn't here!" Sokka snapped. The captain stared down at Sokka.

"Oh, but I think he is!" The captain pushed Sokka to the side, but the young warrior was too stubborn to move. Instead he tried to push the captain back. In frustration he grabbed Sokka by the throat and lifted him into the air. The village gasped at the strength and brutality of the man.

"Surround the village!" In a moment the guards had blocked all sides. Sokka struggled to free himself from the captain's grasp. His gray eyes turned to meet Sokka's blue. "Where are all the men to defend this icicle? All I see is a bunch of little boys!" He tightened his grip on Sokka's neck. He gasped and stared at the sky; his face began to turn a light shade of blue.

"WAIT!" Aang cried as he pushed his way to the front of the village. "It's me you want, put him down."

"You want me to believe that you are the Avatar?" The captain asked, half chuckling. Aang spun his staff around and struck the ground. A sudden gust of wind and snow flew around him. "You're the Avatar." The captain shrugged.

"If you leave this village alone, I will go with you." Aang stated submissively. The captain nodded and three grunts swarmed him.

"CAPTAIN!" Zuko's voice reverberated from a snowy hilltop. The anger in his voice made it thick and husky, much like the roar of a loin. The entire southern water tribe and all of its inhabitance stared up at the hill. Prince Zuko sat proudly upon the silvery wolf. The sunlight and the reflection off the snow made the pair look regal. "PUT HIM DOWN!" The captain glanced back at the still gasping Sokka.

"I was finished with you anyway," he whispered before throwing Sokka to the ground. Kitsumi darted down the hill and stopped just short of crashing into the captain. She snorted and showed her teeth. Zuko slid down her back and landed lightly on the snow. As the prince marched up to the captain and stared him in the eyes, Kitsumi shifted back into an elf. "Prince Zuko," he pretended to be surprised, "So good of you to join us."

"What do you think you are doing?" Zuko seethed.

"What? Now?" The captain tried to act innocent, "Why, now we are going home." He smiled.

"What?" Zuko questioned, his anger replaced with deep confusion.

"You see, while you were off searching for your lost puppy, your faithful crew and myself, detained the Avatar." The mockery was thick in the air.

"That boy," Zuko pointed to Sokka, who was still coughing and trying to catch his breath, "isn't the Avatar."

"No, but he is," the captain nodded in the direction of the captured Aang. Zuko tramped up to him and looked him over.

"You're the airbender?" Zuko scoffed, "You're the Avatar?" Aang glanced at Kitsumi before fixing his gaze at the ground. Zuko looked back at her, "Is this the Avatar, Kit?" She stared in surprise for a moment before reluctantly nodding yes. He turned back to Aang and snarled, "You're just a child!"

Aang looked up and tilted his head to the side, "Well, you're just a teenager." Zuko's eyes flashed and the snow around his feet began to melt.

"Zuko," Kitsumi broke his concentration, "he has already given up." Zuko narrowed his eyes. After a moment he spun on his heel and marched toward his ship. The guards obediently followed with Aang between them.

"Aang!" Katara stepped forward. Kitsumi stared at her as the tears rose in her eyes, "You don't need to do this!"

"Take care of Appa until I get back, okay?" Aang smiled, trying to remain optimistic. Appa? That wooly mammoth is still around?

"Helmsmen! Chart a course to the Fire Nation, I'm going home." Zuko lead the way up the ramp. Once at the top, Zuko realized Kitsumi was not among them. "Kit?" He turned to stare down the landing. Kitsumi's eyes were fixed on the ground. Koumi, where are you. I can't stop him. "Kitsumi!" Zuko called more forcefully. She finally looked up at him. He stared back raising an eyebrow expectantly. I can't howl, he'll know I'm talking to her.

"I'll catch up to you," she stated, "I forgot something." She turned and started back up the hill.

"KITSUMI!" Zuko yelled after her.

"Go on ahead!" She yelled back, "I'm a two ton wolf; I think I can catch a ship!" Zuko scowled as she shifted into a wolf and bounded back up the hill. The captain pushed his way to Zuko.

"Prince-"

"Shut up," Zuko snapped, "Let's go! Raise the landing!" As the ramp ascended the village could still hear him barking orders inside the ship.

Kitsumi gallop across the snow; lost in thought. I'll tell her I'll watch over him until we get to the Fire Nation. Once everything is worked out and Zuko is home, I'll break out the Avatar. The area around her was a blare and she was too deep in thought to notice she darted pass an exhausted black tiger that had slowed to a trot. But if I protect Aang from the Fire Nation, I'll be against Zuko. He'd never take me back if he knew I helped him. Maybe I can make him see the flaws of his father the way Iroh does. He's still so young… and stubborn! The inter monologue continued until a thundering growl interrupted her thoughts.

'KITSUMI!' She slid a stop in front of a white fuzzy animal. The large bison curled his enormous lips into what looked like a smile.

'A-appa?' She began to wag her tail. 'Never thought I'd see your mug again.' He let loose another deep rumble. Laughing. 'What are you doing out here?'

'Could ask the same of you; but I suppose a guardian doesn't need to explain herself.'

'I knew there was a reason I liked you,' she yapped happily. 'Actually, I'm looking for Kou; you seen her anywhere?' Appa shook his massive head.

'She was with Aang; I'm looking for him now.' Kitsumi's tail stopped wagging and dropped to the snow.

'Try the village; I think everything you need to know will be there.' He roared his thanks and plodded off. Kitsumi watched him until the snow and his fur blended in the distance before, once again, bounding off across the ice.

In the village, Koumi had finally sauntered up to Katara and collapsed at her feet. "I hate that wolf," she groaned, "What'd I miss." Katara's face was red and blotchy from crying.

"Before Zuko and your sister came back, the captain of the ship came out and attacked my tribe. Aang surrendered himself as the Avatar in order to save us," she paused for a moment to hold back a tear, "Then Zuko came back and they took him away."

"Oh, okay," Koumi rolled over not truly paying attention, "wake me when something…" She leapt to her paws, "Wait, what!"

"We have to save him, Koumi!" She ran and wrapped her arms around the now very alert feline. "We have to go after that ship! Let's find Sokka, he has to help!" She darted off toward the shore behind the village where Sokka was shuffling around. "Sokka, you have to listen to me! Now I know you don't like Aang," she started.

"Katara, I-

"Sokka, listen! He saved our village! We owe him!" Sokka rolled his eyes as his sister ranted on. "Why can't you realize he's on our side! If we don't help him-"

"KATARA!" Sokka shouted and Katara spun around angrily, "Are you going to talk all day or are you coming with me?" He motioned to a small canoe packed with bags of food and a variety of weapons.

"Sokka!" She squealed excitedly before running and hugging him.

"Now let's go save your boyfriend."

"He's not my-"

"Whatever." Koumi smiled at the two, remembering the teasing she and her sister did. To their surprise Koumi wasn't the only one listening to them.

"What do you two think you're doing?" The two teens turned around to smile sheepishly at their grandmother. "You'll need these." She smiled back and held out rolled up, woolly, sleeping bags. "You have a long journey ahead of you." She set the bags down on Koumi's back and stepped toward the pair. "It's been so long since I've had hope, but you brought it back to life, my little waterbender." She leaned forward and hugged Katara. "And you, my brave warrior, be nice to your sister," she leaned in to hug Sokka next.

"Yeah, okay, Gran," Sokka tried to be manly and gave her a one armed hug. Koumi sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Aang is the Avatar. He's the world's last chance. You both found him for a reason. Now your destinies are intertwined with his." Katara and Sokka exchanged uneasy looks, before Katara turned to the canoe.

"Well, there is no way we are going to catch a war ship with this." Koumi stepped forward.

"Katara, you know I'm-" Koumi was interrupted by a loud rumbling growl.

"Appa!" Katara called before jumping across the canoe onto the ice flow behind it and running at the bison.

"You just love taking me out of my comfort zone, don't you," Sokka mumbled.

"It's either him or me," Koumi hissed. Sokka pretended to think for a moment.

"I think I'll go with the ride that doesn't have fangs." He answered then quickly followed his sister.

Koumi growled and snapped her jaws after him. She grumbling to herself while picking up all the food and weapons the siblings left behind.

"Koumi?" Gran-gran's voice sounded hesitant and fearful. Koumi turned to face her, her mouth full of blue sacks. She laid her ears back and widened her eyes, trying to be as cute as possible. Meow? Gran-gran's body relaxed. "Sokka's a good boy, don't eat him."

Koumi giggled, "I try to keep my snacking down to a minimum." She stared at Koumi with wide eyes. "I'm only joking. I'll look out for them." She leapt across and joined the two with Appa.

XXXX

Zuko, his uncle, the guards, and, of course, the Avatar stood on deck as the ship cruised through the water. Two guards stood on either side of Aang, who wrists had recently been bound, while a third stood next to the prince and Iroh.

"This staff will make an excellent gift for my father." Zuko tapped the glider against the floor triumphantly. "But you wouldn't know of father's, being raised by monks."

"Ya know," Aang stared up at him coldly, "You're kind of a jerk. Why does Kit even like you?" Iroh winced and glanced at his nephew's reaction. Zuko's eye's flashed for a moment before narrowing once again.

"Take the Avatar to the prison hold!" He thrust the staff at his uncle, "And take this to my quarters!" Once Iroh took hold of it, the prince stormed off.

"Hey," Iroh passed the staff to the guard next to him, "do you mind taking this to his quarters for me?" The guard took the glider and both followed in Zuko's direction.

Two of the guards took Aang below deck to the prison hold. He watched anxiously as his staff walked farther way. One guard stood in front of him while the other followed behind as they walked though the corridor.

"So, I guess you've never fought an Airbender before," Aang taunted. "I bet I could take both of you with my hands tied behind my back."

"Silence," the leading guard commanded. At the end of the hall was the prison door. The guard in front reached into his pocket and pulled out the key. Aang sucked in as much air as he could and pretended to sneeze. The gust of air slammed the guard in front of him into the door and pushed him into the guard behind him. Both slid all the way back to the stairs. Aang leapt out and ran as quickly as he could through the doorway the guard with his staff had passed through.

"The Avatar has escaped!" The guard yelled up the stairs.

XXXX

Appa swam lazily through the cold waters, while Katara tried to coax him into flying.

"Go. Fly. Soar." Sokka mocked.

"Please Appa, we need your help. Aang needs your help!"

'Koumi, where is Aang? Why does he need to be saved?' Appa grunted.

'He was captured by a Fire Nation ship.'

"Up. Ascend. Elevate."

'A Fire Nation ship?'

'Some prince and his crew. Only reason they got away was because my sister has a soft spot for said prince.'

"Sokka doesn't believe you can fly, but I do!" She leaned down and stroked his head. "Please, Appa, don't you want to save Aang?"

'The wolf! She lied to me!' Appa's movements became more violent.

'What? Did you see her?'

"What was it that kid said?"

'Yes! She was looking for you and told me to come to the village.'

'She didn't go with him?'

'Who is the prince?' Appa growled.

'Zuko.'

"Yee Haw? Hup Hup? Wah Hoo? Uh, Yip Yip?" To Sokka's surprise the bison launched himself into the air and began soaring above the water.

'Zuko!' Appa roared as he rose into the sky.

"You did it Sokka!" Katara cried excitedly.

"He's flying! He's flying! Katara he's," Sokka turned and became very sullen when Katara gave him a smug stare, "I mean, big deal, he's flying." Koumi covered her face with a paw as he stared smiling over the side of the saddle.

XXXX

Aang tore down the hallway glancing back and forth through the open doors. A guard with a horned helm stepped out in front of him and the airbender slid to a stop in front of him.

"You haven't seen my staff around have you?" Aang asked hopefully. The guard punched the air and released a stream of fire. Aang leapt over his head and spun at just the right time for the helmet to cut him free of his bonds. "Thanks anyway," he added as he landed and ran around the corner.

He opened every closed door, scanned quickly and moved on to the next, until one of the doors revealed a snoring Iroh. Aang slowly closed the door and whispered "Sorry." He trotted to the next chamber, the door was already opened. Sitting in plain sight against the far wall was his glider. "My staff!" Aang cried out before dashing into the room. The door closed slowly behind him, exposing a malicious looking Zuko.

"Looks like I underestimated you," Zuko's voice was cool despite his stare. Aang stared dumfounded at the prince until he sent a ball of fire across the room at him. The young monk yelped in fear and narrowly avoided the flames. The prince fired several more blasts; backing Aang into a corner. The frightened airbender dodged the raging teen. Aang finally rolled forward and evaded his attacker by staying behind him. Zuko growled in frustration and fire formed all around him.

Aang avoided it by forming a ball of air under him and riding it around the room. Zuko sent streams of flames, spinning around the room trying to catch him. Finally Zuko made contact and Aang fell off the air ball. Zuko blasted another flame and Aang slid behind a flag on the wall. He pulled it off the wall and quickly wrapped it around the prince. While Zuko struggled to free himself, Aang ran to his staff. He turned and readied himself for Zuko's next move, but Zuko had already disintegrated the flag.

Aang grimaced. Thinking fast, he bended air around the mattress in the corner of the room and threw it at Zuko. The prince slammed into the wall and fell onto the mattress. The bed then lifted into the air and pinned the teen prince to the ceiling. After Zuko landed back on the ground, he looked up to find the Avatar had already left. He snarled out of irritation before leaping up and tearing out the door.

Aang scurried down the hall, too afraid to look back and see if Zuko we following. At the end of the corridor was a ladder. Without thinking he shot up the ladder to a hatch. He turned the wheel and peered out. It led to the bridge. The helmsman stood at the controls, oblivious to the presents of the Avatar. Aang sped passed him; smiling as he breathed in the fresh air. He threw his glider like a spear and it opened to reveal its orange, cloth, wings. He then shot into the air and attempted to fly away. Zuko jumped after his and catch his leg. Aang grunted and struggled to keep the altitude, but the extra, awkward weight drug them both back to the ship.

When they landed, Aang's glider went skidding across the floor. Zuko stumbled to his feet and stood in a sparing position. Aang pushed himself off the medal and took a defensive stance. Something in the sky, growing in size, caught their eyes.

"What is that?" Zuko stared at the bison fly through the air.

"Appa!" Aang announced happily. While the two were distracted by this new beast, a third party sent a blast of fire at the Avatar. Zuko glanced over to verify the source of the flame. It was the captain. He snarled and threw several more blasts at the young boy. Aang was able to block them but each round pushed him back until he was at the edge of the ship.

"Alive!" Zuko screamed at the captain, "I want him alive!" His shouts were ignored. As the man drew back for another round, Zuko ran at him, "STOP!" Zuko fired a warning shot passed his face, "That is an order!" The captain relaxed and bowed his head submissively, but quickly turned and side kicked. A flame shot out of his foot and hit the unsuspecting airbender. Aang bent backward over the ship's rail and fell, unconscious, into the sea. "NO!" Zuko screamed, running over to the edge and peering into the water.

"NO!" Katara's voice screeched through the air, "AANG! AANG!"

A flash of white light beneath the water caused the prince to back away from the edge. The water bubbled and licked at the sides of the ship. The intensity of the gurgling sea rocked the vessel. Zuko and his men stood their ground, not sure what to expect.

"I will kill you for this…" Zuko growled at the captain, but was interrupted by the ocean erupting. A twister, made of salt water, soared above the crew. Sitting atop the stream, was the Avatar; his eyes and arrow tattoos glowing. "…later." Zuko finished once he had gathered his senses again. The Avatar landed lightly on the ship, the water twisted and circled his body. All at once the water expanded and shoved the crew overboard.

Zuko threw his arms up, expecting the impact, but the water flowed around him as if an invisible dome were protecting him. He glanced around to see his defender, but no one was around him, however, something running along the icy cliff side caught his attention. The wolf's silvery fur did little to blend in, but still the Avatar seemed unaware of her presence. The still glowing boy, prepared for a second attack. Zuko braced himself.

When Kitsumi was even with the ship she leapt sideways and landed between them. Despite her size, the only sound she made was her claws clicking against the metal. She didn't growl; she stood proud with her ears pointed forward.

Instead of finishing his attack, the Avatar collapsed and stopped glowing. Kitsumi stepped forward to allow him to fall onto her. Zuko watched with a vacant expression. Slowly he began to back way. Kitsumi lowered Aang to the ground. The young, monk's eyes fluttered open and smiled at her. Her eyebrows knitted together. She was conflicted by what she should do and what she wanted to do.

Her thoughts were interrupted by something very large landed on the ship, causing it to shiver and bobble in the water. She turned to see Appa standing in front of Zuko. He roared.

'You are the prince? You are Zuko?'

Kitsumi growled. My prince. Katara and Sokka slid down the bison's back and ran passed the wolf to Aang. She took a step away from the three, but something pulled her tail. She spun her head around. It was Aang. He had a strong grip in spite of how weak he looked.

"Kit?" He breathed, "Don't you want to be my wolf anymore?" Her ears lay down against her head and she whimpered softly. Appa growled again. Kitsumi's whimper intensified.

With her sister preoccupied, Koumi thought quickly to keep Appa at bay. Zuko watched as a tiny black cat climbed down Appa's face. Mewing and chirping.

'Now Appa, let's think about think for a second.'

'No.'

'You are a peaceful airbender and you're a vegetarian.' By now, Koumi was perched on his nose; her tiny tail twitching irritably. 'You don't eat meat.'

'It won't go against my nature if I don't swallow.'

Koumi paused. 'That's beside the point.'

'Why are you trying to protect him, Koumi?'

'I'm not; I'm trying to protect you. You have no idea how many diseases he might have. You wouldn't want to get sick would you?' Appa didn't seem to buy it. His eyes never left Zuko.

At last, Aang loosened his grip on Kitsumi's tail and lowered his eyes. "I understand." Kitsumi smiled at him and then leapt toward Zuko. She formed back into an elf and slipped between the fire prince and the angry bison.

'Stand down,' Kitsumi growled up at Appa.

'He means to harm Aang, why are you two showing mercy? He doesn't deserve it!' Appa roared back.

'He wouldn't hurt Aang,' Kitsumi spoke calmly. 'He wants him alive.' Then she smiled, 'the captain on the other hand, he doesn't care either way.'

'Yes,' Koumi added, catching onto her sister's plan. 'In fact, wasn't it the captain that forced Aang into the water in the first place?'

'Isn't the Prince above the Captain?' Appa questioned.

'Yes,' Kitsumi sighed, 'but the bloody idiot doesn't seem to grasp that. He thinks Zuko's a brat so he doesn't like to follow his orders.'

'Which one is the captain?' Appa growled, staring around at the men trying to recover from the Avatar's attack.

"Kit," Zuko whispered, "What's going on? We have to get the Avatar."

"I'm clearing your name so the bison won't eat you," She answered sweetly.

"Oh," Zuko grimaced, "Good idea." A yell from the corner of the ship caught their attention. Sokka was sitting facing the edge of the vessel. Aang's staff was in one hand and the captain was latched on to the other.

"GET OFF! GET OFF! GET OFF!" Sokka yelled, wildly waving the staff around.

"The captain!" The twins screamed, lathering their fake surprise on thick. Immediately Appa turned to him, growling loudly. Koumi leapt down from his nose and shifted into an elf. Everyone on board watched in awe as the bison plucked the captain off the ship and flew into the sky. The two elves looked at each other, completely pleased. The rest of the ship stared up at the screaming captain as the bison began circling the water, then, without warning; he dropped him into the freezing ocean.

"Kit," Zuko prodded her side, "tell the creature to bring him back." Kitsumi turned to him.

"Zuko?" She questioned sincerely.

"I know you can talk to him."

"Yes, but why save him?" She asked genuinely confused.

"He'll die," Zuko stated as if were the obvious answer.

"So?" She shrugged. Zuko stared at her in astonishment and disgust. She quickly rephrased, "He is a pig headed brut with no self control and is unwilling to take orders. It seems a fitting end for someone so ill-mannered."

"There are better punishments for ones like him," Zuko retorted, shaking his head.

"Like?" The twins queried in unison.

"I was going to drop him off at the next port," Zuko answered through gritted teeth.

"Promise?" Kitsumi cooed, suddenly in a better mood.

"How is that a better punishment?" Koumi asked tilting her head to one side. Her sister nudged her hard in the ribs.

"I don't know," Zuko shrugged, "but it beats freezing to death." The twins sighed and called to Appa. We have a better end for him, bring him back.

Without question the bison dove to the water and picked up a half frozen man and flopped him back on the ship. Coughing and shivering the captain stared up at the elves who sneered.

"You should thank the spoiled Prince who saved your sorry life," Kitsumi growled. He glanced around her to see Zuko stepping into view. He quickly stared at the floor.

"My prince," he started.

"Oh! Now he's your prince?" Kitsumi snapped. Zuko cleared his throat to get her attention. When she glanced at him, he shook his head, in hopes it would quiet her. She rolled her eyes, but backed down.

Behind Aang and his friends, Appa landed quietly. Aang, Sokka, and Katara quickly and silently climbed on his back. Katara motioned for Koumi to join them before taking her brother's hand to step into the saddle.

Koumi glanced at her sister, who, like everyone else, was now staring at the ex-captain. She slipped behind them and shifted into a small cat and bounded across the ship to Appa. She looked up at him and grinned. Thanks. Appa bowed his head and Koumi leapt up to his shoulder then to the saddle.

The newly fired captain looked up again, "I miss judged you Prince Zuko." Zuko stared down at him and his eyes narrowed. "It doesn't change anything, does it?" Zuko shook his head.

"Doesn't change what?" Iroh stepped outside, yawning. When he opened his eyes, the crew was staring at him. "Why are the men so wet, Prince Zuko?"

Kitsumi gapped at him, while Zuko shook his head. "It's a long story, Uncle."

"You SLEPT through that!" Kitsumi asked flabbergasted. Iroh smiled.

One of the men stepped up and tapped Zuko's shoulder. His gaze met his soldier's. "Sir, the avatar is no longer on the ship," he stated weakly. Zuko's eyes widened.

"WHAT!"

In Appa's saddle, Koumi's ears twitch at the prince's bellow. "Oops," she whispered, "looks like someone realized the ten ton bison was missing." Moments later, a ball of flames shot passed her head. "Oh!" She squealed, before glaring down at the ship, "THAT IS SO THE LAST TIME I SAVE YOU! YOU LISTENING, ZUKO! THE LAST EEFING TIME!" She turned back around to all of them staring at her. "What?" She asked innocently.

The light of another blast redirected their attention. "That is it," Koumi murmured. She moved to the back of the saddle and peered over it. "You want fire? I'll give you-" her mumbling was interrupted by Aang's glider swinging over her head. "EEP!" The second ball of fire veered off into the icy cliff side. She turned and glared at the avatar. "Are you trying to take my head off?" He grinned at her apologetically.

The cliff, where the fire had stuck, collapsed. Within seconds, the front of Zuko's ship was covered in ice and snow. The entire crew was knocked to the floor. Iroh was the first to stand. "Good news for the Firelord. The Fire nation's greatest threat is just a little kid." Kitsumi turned and smirked at him. You know better.

"That little kid just did this," Zuko seethed as he got to his feet, "I will not underestimate him again." He turned to his crew, who were helping each other to their feet. "I want this ship dug out at once!" He ordered, "We need to follow them, now!" Zuko turned back to the sky as the bison became smaller.

On Appa's back, Katara praised Aang for his waterbending. Aang lowered his head. "Why didn't you tell us you were the avatar?" She asked cautiously.

"Because never wanted to be," he answered monotone. Koumi rolled her eyes. Join the club.

"But Aang, the world has been waiting for the Avatar to return and finally put an end to the war." She spoke coolly.

"And how am I going to do that?" He was almost whispering.

"I'm not sure, but Koumi knows," Katara sounded hopeful, "Right, Koumi?" The guardian was examining her fingernails intently, trying to avoid the question, but Katara's eyes widened like a lost puppy. She sighed.

"I can't teach him myself, but all the other Avatar's had to learn the elements in order. Water, earth, fire, and air. You got the air so next is water."

"Great, the northern water tribe is sure to have a master." Katara stated optimistically.

"We can learn together!" Aang exclaimed. Koumi sighed, but smiled at the two.

"There's sure to be lots of fire nation soldier's to fight along the way, too." Koumi warned.

"That's why you have me," Sokka boasted.

"That's why I'm worried," Koumi teased. Sokka glared at her.

"Then we're in it together." Katara smiled.