I don't own the Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of its characters.


All I Need

Chapter 11 - Awakening

Story by Last Butterfly


Summary: While the gaang's looking for Appa in Ba Sing Sei, Zuko had his own reasons to go and find them, and he's also forced by two freedom fighters to look for their disappeared leader. What will happen if they meet?
It's a continue after Ep36. Zutara, Blutara


„Wow…" Toph smiled widely.

„Yeah…" Sokka thought for a moment then asked with a raised eyebrow. „And this move will beof use without fainting too?"

„His uncle said it would…" Katara frowned.

Aang just sat silently and leaned on his arms. He watched the others with narrow eyes… mostly Katara. He didn't know why but didn't like the thought that someone else saved her…

They sat on a rug in the general's room since Katara healed Sokka. Iroh tried to clean up most of the damage in the living room… he didn't come in only to bring in some tea or food when he thought they might be run out of something.

Toph smiled. „If the Dragon of the West says it then it's true."

The door opened and Iroh peeked inside. „I don't want to interrupt you kids…" he looked around. „But you should really call me Mushi as long as we're in Ba Sing Se…"

„Yes sir!" Toph said with a smile and saluted. Then she giggled. „I mean Mushi." She smiled widely. Iroh smiled too as he closed the door and went back to work…

Toph turned to Katara again. „So he just saved you again!" she said keenly.

Katara smiled gently and peeked away. Sokka narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. „His best hobby is to jump between you and his crazed sister…" he crossed his arms and peeked up with a raised eyebrow. „Well… he's supposed to do so…" he looked at them. „I mean she's his sister… or what…" he thought for a moment then shook his head and continued. „I mean if somebody has to do it then it should be him…" Both Katara and Toph turned to him with narrow eyes. He raised his eyebrows. „What?"

„It's not a big deal…" Aang said. They all looked at him. He straightened his back. „I have saved you a lot of times." He said. Toph raised an eyebrow.

„And I have saved you too…" Katara shrugged. „It's what a team does…"

Toph smirked. „We save each other's butts!" she waved. Katara and Sokka chuckled but Aang just pouted his lip and narrowed his eyes. Toph frowned. He even saved you… what's your problem?

„I have thought about this thing…" Katara started. She frowned. „Well I've a kind of decided it already… I just want to know if you agree…"

Sokka looked at her with narrow eyes. „Why don't I like it when you start like this?"

„So…" Katara said. „Because of Zu… Li and Mushi will teach you firebending…" she peeked away. „That means… if we've found Appa… and finally we leave Ba Sing Se…" she turned back. „They will come with us… and now that Azula knows where they live… well… they shouldn't stay here…"

Sokka frowned. „Do you mean…" he widened his eyes. „Do you mean?! You want them to…?!"

Toph smirked. „Agreed!"

Katara smiled. „Hope you'd agree." Sokka blinked his mouth stayed open. „Aang?"

Aang peeked up. „Well…" he closed his eyes. I wanted him to teach me… didn't I? He nodded. „Guess it'll be fun." He smiled. „We had a free room anyway…" Sokka closed his mouth and looked at him with wide eyes.

„Then it's decided." Katara smiled. „And I will sleep with Toph if she agrees and there will be two free rooms!" Toph smirked and nodded.

Sokka's jaw dropped. He shook his head. „Really thatis what you want?" he pointed at the door. „Really THAT is what you want?!"

The others smiled and nodded. Sokka frowned. „Are you sure? Having firebenders in a house that is half made of wood…?"

„Yes." They said.

Sokka closed his eyes and lowered his head. „All right…" he rubbed his forehead. „But if something happens I'll remember you…"

„That you've warned us…" Toph finished and made a smile. „So… who is going to tell the good news to Mushi?"


Zuko was dreaming. He was in the fire palace… it was a dark night. He was lying on his bed and was focusing on the candle at the bedside table.

He narrowed his eyes and clenched his hands. Then took a deep breath… the candle's light faded. He made a slight smile and breathed again… it came back. He frowned and pouted his lips.

„Zuko?" a friendly voice came from behind.

He turned his head and smiled. „Hi Lu Ten…"

Lu Ten came to his bed and sat next to him. „I've brought you something…" He smiled and handed a little brown package to him.

Zuko picked it out of his hands, opened it and peeked inside. He made a smile. „Wow…" He reached in it and pulled out a blue and white mask from it. He lifted the mask to his face then put it down smiling. „It's cool!"

„Hoped you'd like it…" Lu Ten smiled. „Azula's gonna be envious, isn't she?"

Zuko made a frown and put a hand on his gift. „I won't show it to her. She is always stealing my things…"

Lu Ten made a little laugh and patted his head. „Then don't… it's yours and you can decide what to do with it." He smiled gently then peeked at the candle and raised an eyebrow. „Were you trying something new?"

Zuko frowned. „Yes…" he turned towards the candle again. „I wanted to put it out but I just…" He yawned and his eyes narrowed a little. „…I'm just doing something wrong."

„I remember this move…" Lu Ten smiled. „You just forgot something." Zuko peeked at him with narrow eyes.

Lu Ten turned his head towards the candle. „All you need to do…" He clenched his hands and took a deep breath. He slowly opened his hands as he exhaled and the light didn't come back when he took another breath. „…is to stretch your fingers again as you blow out." He looked at Zuko whose eyes were already closed. He smiled and turned his head to see someone else in the room.

Ursa stepped closer to them. She was smiling too. „You're here?"

Lu Ten looked at Zuko once more. „I wanted to see him." He stood up. „But he was too tired to fence so…" He said with a smile and turned to Ursa.

She looked at his son then back at him. „Did he fall asleep?" Lu Ten nodded. She looked at Zuko again and smiled. „He's already a very good fencer. You've taught him well…" She stopped as she felt his hand in hers.

Lu Ten looked in her eyes. She sighed and slowly removed her hand from his. She looked away. „It is forbidden…"

He was still watching her eyes. „You should have come with me when we had the chance…"

Ursa closed her eyes. „We never had the chance. Not after what happened." She looked at him again. „You couldn't have abandoned your destiny..." She turned her head away from him. „Neither could I."

His eyebrows furrowed with concern as he watched her. „You know I would have left everything behind…" He started and lifted his hand halfway to reach for her, but stopped it in mid-air and let it fall back. If you'd let me… Lu Ten thought.

As she didn't look back at him he lowered his head and turned away. His face turned emotionless and cold. „Tomorrow I will go to the battle." He looked at Zuko one last time before closing his eyes. „Take care of him instead of me…" He said walking away and did not turn back.

Ursa turned but all she could see was his darkening figure as he left their son's room. She felt tears came to her eyes.

„Mom…?" Zuko started sleepily. „Is something wrong?"

She quickly dried her eyes with a hand. „No my love…" She turned to him. „Everything is all right." She leaned down and kissed his forehead. „Sleep well…" Then she turned and walked out of the room when his eyes slowly closed again…

----- END OF DREAM -----

Golden eyes opened. The dream ended. Zuko realized he was in his room in Ba Sing Se. He felt a headache coming on and so he grimaced as he looked around.

Iroh sat on a chair near his bed. His eyes were closed and his arms were crossed.

Zuko bit his lip and turned his head away. He closed his eyes. „It's true, isn't it?" Iroh opened his eyes and looked at him with a questioning face. „What Azula said about… mother and Lu Ten?"

Iroh closed his eyes. „I don't know what she said exactly…" His face darkened. „But I'm sure she used those words she could cause the greatest harm with…" He looked at Zuko. „I wanted to tell you…"

„Yeah…" He frowned. „You should have told me." He clenched his hands. „You should have told me a long time ago…"

„I've made a promise…" Iroh sighed. „That I won't tell it until the time is right…"

Zuko's face darkened. „Yes, this was reallythe best time…" Iroh lowered his head but said nothing. Zuko peeked at him then closed his eyes. Don't blame him… He took a deep breath. He looked at him again and made a slight smile. „Can I still call you uncle?"

Iroh lifted his head and smiled at him. „Oh… I wanted to ask you to do!" His smile widened. „Just think about my reputation! If such a fine man would call me grandfather…" He widened his eyes. „Not a single woman would talk to me again!"

Zuko shook his head then his eyes widened a bit. He tried to sit up but he felt dizzy and leaned back. „Careful…" Iroh said.

„Is she all right?" He asked.

„Yes she is…" Iroh smiled. „Thanks to you…"

Zuko frowned. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. „I blew it, didn't I?"

Iroh raised an eyebrow. „You blew what?"

He rolled his eyes. „The move…"

„Oh…" The old general shook his head. „No, you did it well."

„Well?" Zuko sat up slowly this time and raised his eyebrow. „But I couldn't even stay conscious!" He put his legs to the ground and rubbed his forehead. Stupid headache…

„When I first made it I was unconscious for a week!" Iroh said with a wide smile. „So you made it quite good…" He said approvingly.

Zuko made a smile then his face darkened. „For a WEEK?" He spat out. He looked at him with a stern face. „And when did you plan to mention that part?!"

Iroh smiled widely and opened his mouth to answer when the door opened and Katara looked inside. „You woke up." She smiled. „Can I come in?"

The old general smiled and stood up. „Of course you can." He headed out of the room while he looked back at Zuko who still looked at him with narrow eyes. „We'll finish this later…" He stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.

„So…" Zuko looked around the room then looked at her. „You're all right…" He said.

„Yes…" Katara smiled. She came next to him and sat on his bed. Zuko looked away. Why didn't she sit on the chair?… The chair is there because if someone comes in that would be the perfect place to sit to… why didn't she sit on the chair?! „Thanks to you…" she said.

„Ee… everyone would have done that…" He said and turned his head away. With doing so he realized he still didn't have a shirt. His eyes widened and he straightened his back at once. Where is a shirt when I would need one…?

Katara giggled. „To jump between me and a lightning?" She raised an eyebrow. „I don't think so…"

„Look…" Zuko stood up, took a few steps away from her then turned back. „I know what you might think…" He waved with his hands. „But don't." Katara frowned then looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He sighed and shook his head. „I didn't do it becauseof you." Katara looked away raised both of her eyebrows then looked back at him again. Zuko rolled his eyes. „I would have done it for anyone else! For no other reason!" He said and crossed his arms. „It was simply the best solution in /i that situation. It doesn't mean… that I would likeyou!" He said and turned to his closet.

Katara looked ahead of her with opened mouth. She blinked sometimes and slowly shook her head. Incredible…She frowned and pouted her lips. That's what he thinks? That I'm just a stupid girl who wants to jump in her „hero's" arms?! Her face darkened. In HIS arms?! She stood up. „I just wanted to be nice and you…" She said through gritted teeth.

Zuko peeked inside the empty closet and frowned. As she started speaking he turned back. She was already standing near him and was not in a good mood. He raised an eyebrow.

„Youu…" She shook her head and pointed at him. „You're the most conceited and egoist guy I've everr…!" She clenched her hands and darkened her face even more. Zuko only narrowed his eyes but didn't react.

She closed her eyes for a moment then looked in his eyes through narrow ones. „You know what?! Just forget what I said!" She yelled. „It was the stupidest… the craziest and the most unnecessary thing you could have done!" She waved. Zuko's face darkened. „Don't you even care if you live or die?!"

Zuko clenched his fists. „Why should I care if I die?!" He shouted and looked in her eyes angrily.

Katara's face cleared. Her eyes widened as she looked in his. He really means it… She frowned lightly. „You cannot really think that…" Her voice was calm like she wouldn't have yelled just a moment before…

Zuko turned back to his closet and opened it again. „If you knew you would understand…" He murmured.

„If I knew what?" Katara asked and tried to examine his face but his hair was in her way.

„Nothing." Zuko said then frowned again and closed the closet. He turned back to her. „Where's my stuff?" he asked.

Katara watched his face but it stayed emotionless. She crossed her arms and turned her head away. „Your uncle already packed…"

Zuko raised an eyebrow. „Packed?"

She didn't turn back to him. „Yes. You're coming with us to the upper tier…" This time she looked at him with an eyebrow up. „Are you against it?" She turned her head away again. „Because I'm sure you could have an appointment with Azula if you want to!" She said and stormed out of the room.

Zuko frowned as he watched how she left. He turned his head away then he made a grimace. Egoist? He pouted his lips and widened his eyes. Unnecessary?!He narrowed his eyes… Were we in the same room!? …then clenched his fists. Next time I will let her roast you! He took a deep breath and slowly shook his head. Just do something good and they'll scream your head off…


Sokka and Toph were drinking tea and sitting at a table in the once neat living room. Though Iroh cleaned up most of the mess, the burning marks and the cuts made by the daggers on the walls - the signs of fight could not be taken away…

On the other hand a part of the room was filled with boxes… the pile of them slowly grew as Iroh wandered around the house and packed more and more things. Aang was bored and he felt he drank enough tea for himself for a few days so he asked the general whether he needed help or anything. Iroh smiled and answered that he could get the last things himself but if he wanted he could look over the packed things… maybe he found something interesting.

Aang smiled widely. „Thanks." He ran to the boxes and peeked into some immediately.

Toph pouted her lips at his childish curiosity. In fact if she could see perhaps she would do the same… but this way it wasn't worth the effort to care about it.

Sokka raised an eyebrow. „It's not too nice to explore other's things Aang…"

Aang peeked at him for a moment. „But he let me." He turned back and reached in one box's bottom for something. „So it's all right. No one gets hurt…" He closely looked at a little brick-like thing in his hand which had a lotus carved into it then leaned into the box once more.

Katara came out of Zuko's room with a rather angered face. She headed towards them as Aang lifted a big board from the box and looked at her. „Look Katara! It's a Pay-sho game!" He smiled.

Katara sat next to Toph and narrowed her eyes as she picked up a teacup. „That's great." She said simply then drank from her cup.

„But you didn't even look…" Aang frowned. He sighed and put the board back to the box. As he looked at Katara she watched the door she came from then she hemmed like she decided she wanted to concentrate on her tea rather than something else…

Aang sat next to Sokka and though he was far from Katara whispered to him. „Don't you think she cares a bit more about Zuko than she should?" He pouted his lip.

He turned his head towards Aang. „It's only because he got hurt…" He sipped from his tea. „She's always around those who are not well. That's her nature…" He said. In that moment the shirtless Zuko came out of his room, looked around and headed towards Iroh.

Sokka narrowed his eyes and peeked at Katara. She looked at Zuko with narrow eyes then turned her head away and crossed her arms. Sokka followed Zuko with his eyes and made a frown. „I'm sure that must be because of it…" He said through gritted teeth and hardened his grasp on his teacup.

Aang made a frown too as he peeked at Katara who sipped from her tea and started a conversation with Toph. Well… Don't think too much about it… I mean he's Zuko… He sighed and leaned on his arm. At least they're not killing each other. Things could be worse… much worse. He made a little smile. And finally I can learn firebending!The final element. He nodded to himself. The last step to save the world…

Zuko stepped next to the boxes and tried to see where his things might be… Iroh turned to him with a raised eyebrow. „Are you looking for something?"

He rolled his eyes and looked at the general. Like it wouldn't be obvious that I miss something… „Where are my clothes?"

„Well of course! They are…" Iroh turned towards the pile of boxes. He frowned and scratched his head. „Err… somewhere at the bottom…" He waved and looked at him. „I wanted to be around you when I started so I guess I put your things together the first time you see…"

Zuko turned his head towards the boxes and he stamped his foot sometimes then raised an eyebrow. „And since when do we have so many th…?" His eyes widened as he turned towards Iroh again. He pointed a finger at him. „You were at the market!"

Iroh smiled widely. „Now that you remind me…" He said quickly and picked up one of the bags around. „I've brought you something!" He reached in and lifted a new shirt from it and held that towards him.

„But…" Zuko frowned as he looked at it. „But uncle…"

Sokka raised an eyebrow. He leaned closer to Toph. „Didn't you just say that he wasn't his uncle?" He asked on a low voice but she made a frown and shushed him. „All right… it was just a question…" He pouted his lips.

Iroh's smile widened. „Come on… you need some colour!"

„But… it's…" Zuko raised his eyebrow and waved towards it. „Blue." And really the shirt had a pleasant colour of royal blue…

Sokka made a frown. „And what's wrong with blue?" He asked as he felt somehow insulted about this.

„Nothing!" Zuko said quickly as he turned towards them. He rubbed his neck as Sokka and Katara both looked at him with narrow eyes. „I just don't wear blue. It's simply…" He waved a hand. „…not my colour…"

Katara frowned too then jumped up and grabbed his other shirt Azula used as target and throw it to him. „You can pick this up if you don't like that." She said and sat back to her place with crossed arms.

Zuko caught the shirt and lifted it up to look through the hole in it's middle. He made a frown. I almost forgot about that… He pouted his lip and lowered it. „Pity… I liked this shirt."

Iroh raised an eyebrow. „But that's black."

Zuko narrowed his eyes as he peeked at him and nodded towards it. „That's why I liked it!"

The general shook his head. „Come on…" He picked the black shirt out of his hands and put the blue one in them quickly. „Try it." Zuko already opened his mouth but he didn't let him speak. „And don't argue." He said and left towards the kitchen.

Zuko pouted his lip again and looked at the shirt. Eeeh… why blue? He rolled his eyes then put it on.

Aang and Sokka talked about Pay-Sho and Katara didn't feel that she would have anything else to do… so she just glanced towards Zuko who was already in his new shirt. She raised an eyebrow as he turned back towards them. She made a slight smile. It's not even bad… why did he complain about it anyway?

Toph raised an eyebrow as she turned her head towards her. She made a smirk as she realized Katara was smiling. She leaned closer to her face close enough for her to hear. „Like what you see?" She asked on a low voice as her smile widened a bit.

Katara's smile faded as she widened her eyes and looked at her. „Oh…" She waved with a hand. „Don't be ridiculous." She made a little laugh then turned away from her. She lowered her head a bit as she felt a blush coming to her face. Damn it Toph…

Like Toph would have felt what she thought she quickly stood up and left her alone. She walked to Zuko who looked around the packed things. He made a frown. We didn't even need these things… He sighed. Of course he had to go shopping today… He peeked towards Toph who stood next to him and raised an eyebrow.

„I just wanted you to know…" She smiled as she pointed towards his shirt. „It matches your eyes perfectly!"

Zuko narrowed his eyes and pouted his lip as he peeked away from her. He made a sigh then looked at her again. „Even if you couldsee that would not have convinced me." He crossed his arms.

Toph's smile faded as she knitted her eyebrows then turned her head towards the others and made a smirk. „You see Sokka? It only works with you!"

The watertribe boy's face darkened a bit as he turned towards her. „You should be happy that someone cares about your opinion!" He murmured as he crossed his arms.

Toph made a frown. „Soo you think that my opinion only matters in these things?"

Kids…Zuko peeked upwards then took a deep breath as he turned to go after his uncle. He peeked back from the doorway though to listen a bit more to this conversation.

Sokka stood up as he made a smirk. „No… now that you say I think you're useful as a noblewoman too because maybe Katara can catch up some manners around you…" Katara's face darkened and Toph clenched her fists.

The water tribe boy's smirk faded as he peeked at his sister then back at Toph. Went too far… He raised his hands and made an innocent smile. „Not that she would need it… and of course you're the… the coolest earthbender I've seen… and… and I was just joking…" He rubbed his neck and peeked at the avatar. „A-Aang tell them what I meant…"

Zuko slowly shook his head as he left the room. If they're going on that way then there was no point in cleaning up that room…

As he stepped in the kitchen Iroh turned towards him with another box in his hands. „So… we will teach the avatar…"

Zuko looked away. „It seems…" He peeked back at him. „Do you mind?"

Iroh shook his head with a smile. „I have no problems." He raised an eyebrow. „If that's what you want to do…?"

„I…" He peeked away again. „I gave my word."

The old general knitted his eyebrows as he looked at him. „That didn't sound too convincing…"

„It's just…" Zuko lowered his head. „A big change…" He hesitated for a moment before he continued. „If I do this… that would be like… like stabbing him in the back…" He closed his eyes. „I feel I should stop that hand from striking… before it's too late."

Iroh's face slowly darkened as he spoke. „Zuko." He opened his eyes and looked at the old man. „I shouldn't say this but I will and I apologize…" He looked in his eyes with a face of half anger and worry. „But when you think about these… you must remember that hedid not stop his hand when he could."

Zuko felt like he would have been slapped in the face. He felt a cold sinking feeling in his stomach. He slowly lifted a hand towards his face and touched his mark. He lowered his head again.

Iroh stepped next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. „The avatar will learn firebending… if not from us than from someone else…" Zuko lifted his head and looked at him. „But to be honest…" He made a smile. „I'm curious about him. And frankly…" His smile widened. „He asked the right person, didn't he?"

Zuko made a slight smile and took a deep breath. „And now what?"

„Now?" Iroh raised an eyebrow. He put a hand on his shoulder and turned him towards the room. „Now you will entertain them until I'm finished with the packing…"

„Heh…?" Zuko's eyes rounded a bit then he quickly turned back to him. „You are the entertaining person not me!" He said. „Why don't you go inside and I would finish the packing?" The general raised an eyebrow.

„They're at your age… you should deal with them." He crossed his arms.

„But…" Zuko peeked away then turned back. „We should consider your heart too!" He nodded quickly. „Yes… you should rest! Just go inside and sat around them while I pack…"

Iroh narrowed his eyes. „I feel better than ever nephew…" He slowly began smiling. „But you know what?" Zuko raised an eyebrow as he felt that his chances to get away grew. „You can finish the packing if…" His smile widened more. „If you tell me where we keep the broom."

Zuko's eyes widened a bit. He peeked from left to right and bit his lip. Then he closed his eyes and clenched his nodded forcefully. „All right… you got me…" He sighed and headed towards the room while Iroh's smile widened more.

„And nephew…" He looked back at him from the doorway. „Don't be rude… They're our guests." Zuko pouted his lip and rolled his eyes as he left him alone. Perhaps you need them more than they need you… He sighed. Friends are not easy to be found… He made a slight smile. But even harder to lose…

His thoughts stopped when a low knock came from the window's direction. His eyebrows rose as he looked there to see a brown haired girl in green waving towards him. He quickly put down the box he held then went to the window and opened it. „Hello my dear!" He made a wide smile of his. „How are you?"

The girl outside made a smile. „Hi… is Li at home?"


N/A: So... what do you think? I am eagerly waiting to hear your opinion. ;) (Pleeding always leads somewhere...) So Plz? Review me... with that BIG button just below these lines?! XD