Zuko knew that what he had done was treasonous, and foolish, and one of the most idiotic things he had ever done in his entire life, but he also knew that he was now a friend of the Avatar.

"Zuko, you should be happy. The Avatar will now accept you into his world," Iroh had told him. Katara's world. He felt a twinge of jealousy. The Avatar got to spend all his time with her, but Zuko had had a few precious minutes. He was already having mixed feelings about his situation.

….

Iroh knew Zuko would need some time alone, so he went to the city to think. He heard of an herbalist that had wonderful tea, and he wanted to stock up on some medicines in case one of them became sick. He walked around the city, enjoying the sites and finally, he found the shop he'd been looking for. A young lady and an elder lady were discussing different teas when he walked in. A small bell rung and they both looked up. He smiled and nodded his head politely. He walked around the small shop, enjoying the soothing smell of incense. He felt relaxed and peaceful whenever he smelled herbs.

"May I help you dear?" a lady asked.

"No, I am just looking," Iroh said, pleasantly. He wandered over to the other two women in the store. He couldn't help but over-hear their conversation.

"-and they are moving! I was so surprised. I couldn't help but be happy, though. That water-tribe boy's laundry is so rancid!" Iroh's attention was instantly captured.

"Where are they going?" the other lady asked.

"Last time I heard, the earth-bending teacher was a real hot-head, and he demanded that they come to his city. It's a small town, you might know it. It's called Beijing. It's not very popular. Most thought it deserted, but I guess not…"

Iroh had stopped listening. The Avatar and his guests were moving out of town. Zuko would not be pleased…

….

….

….

Katara, Sokka and Aang sat in front of the king, expecting good news about the arrival of Aang's earth-bending teacher.

"Your teacher, young Avatar, is not coming. He wishes you to have this, and he also asks that you come to him, rather than he comes to you."

Immediately, Aang stood up.

"What? Why?"

"It's in the letter," the king said, shrugging. He was a generous man, but he was lazy. He was wise to choose a city that was so low-maintenance.

Aang took the letter back to his room and Sokka and Katara followed, all wondering where they would end up next. He opened it once they were safe and alone inside the room. Sokka and Katara read it over Aang's shoulder.

My newest student,

Earthbending is all about letting the energy of the earth come to you, rather than you grasping it from your surroundings. This is your first test. You will not fine the location of my where-abouts enclosed, nor am I giving you any clues. I will only tell you I am at a city called Beijing and that it will not be on any map that you come across. Unless you are companions with someone very wise and very knowledgeable (which I doubt even he or she will know) you will not find us until you can will the energy to come to you…

Good Luck,

Sanjiv of Beijing

Sokka snorted.

"Sanjiv…" he fell and rolled around, laughing hysterically. Katara and Aang were serious.

"Well, I guess we'll start packing then," Katara said, choosing her words carefully.

"I guess, but Sanjiv," Aang thought out loud. Sokka started laughing even more as Aang used his name, "told me that on my way there, I would have to let the earth come to me. I don't like the sound of that…"

Katara laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You'll do fine," she said. He smiled. Sokka stood up.

"So, what are we supposed to do?"

"Well, Sanjiv…" Aang said, and Sokka started laughing.

"I am going to go pack," Katara said, rolling her eyes at the crying Sokka.

"Good idea," Aang said. He wasn't sure how long it would take for them to get kicked out of here. Earth benders were pretty brutal…

….

….

….

Zuko sat on her balcony, waiting to hear someone come in. He just had to say good-bye. Uncle had told him they were moving, and he had finally agreed. He was sure Katara and his paths would cross again. They had to.

A light flooded the room and Zuko slipped inside the door. He looked up.

Oh. It wasn't her. He quickly put his hand over the girl's mouth to stop her from screaming.

"I am not here to hurt you, I promise, I just need to know where the girl who stayed here before is."

The maid looked at him, obviously terrified.

"She, she moved," she said confused.

"Which room?"

"No, to a different city. The Avatar is traveling to his earth-bending teacher."

Zuko stared at her, stunned. She had left without a thought of saying good-bye. She didn't care. Zuko backed up a little, and the maid relaxed when he wasn't so close.

"Is there a problem?" she asked, timidly.

"No, um, no. Everything is fine," he whispered through his mask, and turned to disappear into the street below.

….

Iroh looked up from his rock.

"Ready?" he asked. He was glad they would be moving. He was getting tired of this place. Little did Zuko know that Iroh was planning something.

"Yes, I am ready. Thank you for asking. I can see it's a very critical part of every trip that you make sure I am ready. You can stop nagging me all the time Uncle. I am a grown man now!" he snapped, grabbing his pack and stalking off in the a random direction. Iroh stared at his nephew's fuming back. Something was horribly wrong…

….

"I love being back to the old days. Just us three traveling," Aang said, leaning back in Appa's saddle. Appa let out a moan of agreement. The animal hadn't flown in days.

"I hate traveling," Sokka said, shivering. It was morning and the sun hadn't even risen yet.

"I will comment later, when it's warmer. And when I'm not asleep," Katara muttered.

"Good idea," Aang said, and leaned back. Sokka looked from Katara, to Aang and back to Katara.

"Fine, leave me all alone with no one to talk to," Sokka said, and he too, turned on his side, and in minutes was fast asleep. Katara looked over and saw Aang sleeping too. She turned in her belly and watched the landscape rush under her. She was furious with herself. Zuko would be so mad. He would have wanted to say good-bye. Atleast, that's the type he seemed like. She didn't have time. They were up and packed and ready minutes after they had received the letter. She rolled over and stared at the sky. He would be fine with it. She just knew he would…

….

Iroh noticed more and more how Zuko was acting. His back went back to being straight, and his pompous attitude was back in a couple of hours. He desperately wanted to ask his nephew what was wrong, but knew whatever wound it was, it would take it's own sweet time to heal.

….

Zuko was more than furious. He was hurt. Here was the first girl he had been with, and she throws him away like he is nothing more than a scrap of cloth. He was better than that. He was better than her. She was just some sweet-talking peasant that happened to be on the prowl, and he should've resisted her. He shouldn't have let his guard down. He was a fool for thinking anyone could love him besides his Uncle. But not that he was in such a bad mood, he wasn't sure if his Uncle even loved him…

….

….

….

They landed in a nice little clearing in the woods.

"I wonder if we are even going in the right direction," Sokka muttered around his food.

"I'm not sure, but I can feel something, it's almost calling me, and that's why I think we're going the right way," Aang said happily. He looked to Katara, who wasn't touching her food.

"Um, Katara what's wrong?" he asked shyly. He wasn't sure if she was in a bad mood or a good mood. Sokka had taught him about girls' moods.

"Nothing. I am going to go and explore," she said. She stood up and walked into the forest.

"She is so moody," Sokka said, rolling his eyes. A water-whip came out of no where, and hit him squarely in the back of the head.

A/N: I like this chapter. I love Zuko, but he has to get back into his usual bossy mood. It could've been worse! I could've made him really out of character and then start crying... so look on the bright side: Zuko on his usual hot-head attitude (and by hot I mean oh-so-dreamy hot) or I could make him a wittle baby! So I thought I would dedicate this chapter to a certain someone...

someone who wrote me a review that made me run around in the streets hugging random people. Yes, NightDove, I ran around and hugged hobo's and bikers, and even a little girl who was roller-blading wth her friend. I cannot tell you enough how much I loved that review. Tonight, I will print it out, and tape it to my ceiling, so I will always be able to look at it and remember that I am acutally kinda good. NightDove, this chapter is for you. I hope you like it.