A/N warning really long chapter ahead! You've been warned!

Chapter 13

Kattara stretched getting ready to start training and to have the new team show off their abilities for Uncle Iroh. They were on the deck of the ship were water was readily available. Sadly, earth was not quite that available on a metal ship in the middle of the ocean and so Toph and Bolin were just going to have to be spectators. Something Toph loved…not.

She looked over at other people stretching and warming up. The entire new team avatar was already on deck while Aang and Suki had stayed behind to finish up breakfast with Uncle Iroh. Not too far off Kattara noticed that her brother was taking to the General and seemed to be getting along quite well with the solder. This surprised her especially since Sokka seemed cross with the General the night before. Now they were talking and laughing like old friends She rolled her eyes boys they were probably talking about something like swords or fighting.

Sokka handed Iroh a practice sword. "Here, Mako said you didn't get much sparing practice. I want to know how good you are."

Iroh checked the balance of the practice sword. "Yeah, it's become a lost art in my time so I don't get as much practice as I need. I'm passable at best."

"Well then, kid grandpa Sokka's going to correct that."

Iroh smirked. "You're definitely going to kick my ass."

Sokka walked over to an open area of the deck and assumed the fighting stance. "Well there's only one way to find out sonny and don't go easy on me just because your existence depends on it." Sokka smiled broadly he was having way too much fun with the knowledge he had acquired.
Iroh moved into position. "Oh, I won't. Hey, keep in mind that I'm probably a lot stronger then you so avoid getting hit gramps. These swords are blunted but they can still break bones."

Kattara shook her head she couldn't hear what they were saying but at least they were getting along. She looked over at Zuko who was talking with Mako. She smiled this was good for Zuko, he was so worried about how his family would turn out that meeting the relatively normal Mako was quelling some of the fire lords fears.

Korra and Bolin where still stretching off in one corner of the deck though, she was starting to wonder whether the two were in some kind of flexibility contest instead. She shrugged, might as well go over and talk to them. As she approached the two looked at her. Bolin greeted her with a smile. "Hey, Kattara! Didn't get to ask this at breakfast but how are you this fine day?"

Kattara smiled. "I'm good. How are you two?"

Korra did a straddle split that made Kattara cringe. "I'm great! Ready to start sparing." Korra paused at the sound of steel colliding with steel. "Are Iroh and Sokka sword fighting?"

Bolin nodded. "Yup, hope they don't hurt themselves. And as for your question I am doing splendidly Kattara. You ready to spare against Korra? It should be amazing see the two of you duke it out!"

Kattara raised an eyebrow. "Why would I spare against her? Don't you want to spare against Aang?"

Korra got up from her split and was now doing a back bend. "I'm not sure if it's really wise to spare against Aang because who knows what could happen. Avatars aren't meant to meet in their life times who knows what happens if they battle."
Kattara tilted her head to the side. "Oh." She looked over at Bolin. "Is she made of rubber or something?"
Bolin shrugged. "It would seem that way." Suddenly the earth bender started snickering.

Korra stood up straight and rolled her shoulders her glasses never once moving off her face. "Ok, Bolin what's so funny?"

The earth bender covered his mouth. "Nothing-nothing I just thought of something but it's really inappropriate for current company."

Korra shook her head while Kattara felt anger start to swell up. "What do you mean current company? Is it because we're girls?"

Bolin's face drained of color. "Sorry, I-I didn't mean to offend you. I-I, it's just not something I think I should say in front of a 15-year-old girl. Please don't get mad at me."

Kattara crossed her arms. "I'm not a child and have just helped end a war also" She pointed to Sokka who had just disarmed Iroh. "I'm related to him. So I think I can handle what ever you're gutter of a mind came up with."

Korra cringed that was a little harsh. The older water bender put her hand on Kattara's shoulder. "Hey, calm down there Sefu. Bolin's just trying to be a gentlemen here, even though I highly doubt anything he thought of was really that bad."

Bolin let out a sigh of relief, as Kattara seemed to clam down. "Thanks Korra."

Korra shook her head. "I mean come on, what could you possibly think of that was both funny and inappropriate? I really don't think what you thought was that bad…Mako or Iroh yeah definitely don't want to know how their minds work some days, but you? You're way too sweet for that."

Kattara put her hands on her hips. "So then what were you thinking?"

Bolin's face turned bright red, as he knew he would have to tell the two very powerful water benders what he had just said.

Iroh stopped his sparing match with Sokka when they heard the splash. The two looked over to see Kattara storming away while Korra fished Bolin out of the ocean. The teen stopped and turned back to the now soaking wet Bolin. "Really?! Bedroom bending? Do all men's brains go strait to the gutter?" She looked over at Sokka and Iroh. "Well?"

"Uhhh, usually?" Sokka looked at Iroh he thought that had been rhetorical. "It's either that or some form of violence or food."

Kattara shook her head as she brushed past them mumbling under her breath. She turned on her heal and leaned against the railing. She sighed. "Don't let me stop you. Fight on since it will keep your minds out of the gutter."

The two shrugged and went back to sparing.

Aang and Suki walked out on to the deck and found the two groups intermingling. Toph had gone over to talk to Korra and a sopping wet Bolin. Asami was watching as Zuko and Mako warmed up their fire bending. Closer to the front of the boat Sokka and Iroh spared with swords while Kattara leaned back and watched.

Suki looked over at Aang. "Looks like everyone's getting along." They turned as Sokka disarmed Iroh for the forth time. "Well looks like the General needs more sword practice. Guess even the new team could use improvement."

Aang looked over as the two spared. "They're both pretty good though." He sounded hesitant. "I definitely wouldn't want to be on the other end of either of their swords."

Suki crossed her arms. "I bet you could take 'em. Hey why don't we call every one over so we can really start fighting. I want to know what these guys can do."

Uncle Iroh walked out on to the deck. "I too am interested in how this new team avatar works together but I believe that sparing might not be the best way to see this."

Aang raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Sparing is violent, and both teams may try to hold back so as not to hurt someone. Also neither of your earth benders can show off their own strengths on the ship. So I have another idea."

Aang tiled his head. "Then what do you propose?"

Uncle Iroh pointed to a small island near the ship. "I believe it would serve everyone better if we go to that small island for a friendly composition between the two teams."

Mako examined the piece of cloth in his heads. "So instead of sparing we're playing capture the flag?"

Uncle Iroh nodded. "Indeed, playing this game will show each teams strength and weaknesses as they try to out smart each other and claim the other team's flag."

Zuko looked over at the other team than back at his own. "But it's six against five. We have a clear advantage in numbers."
Korra smirked. "Don't count us out yet, you got the numbers but we've got the experience."

Suki raised an eyebrow. "So you're using the fact that you're old as an advantage?"

Iroh and Mako frowned while Asami giggled. "I think we should start the game before this turns in to trash talk." Asami turned to Uncle Iroh. "So sir what are the rules."

The elder man put his hands together and nodded. "You each will have fifteen minutes hide your flag and after hiding the flag your team must try to capture the other's team flag before noon. After you hide your team's flag you cannot touch the flag and you cannot hide it on your person. If you are tagged you must go to the other team's jail and wait to be tagged out of jail by a team mate. Safety rule do not set other people on fire or crush them with a rock. Now this island is small and uninhabited so both teams have free range. The game ends when a team member brings me the captured flag or time runs out." He smiled. "On the count of three your fifteen minutes to hide the flag starts. 1…2…3!"

Somewhere a solder blew a horn and the two teams split up running in opposite directions. The old man smiled and pored himself a cup of tea. This should be an interesting event to witness. Maybe if this round when well he could mix the teams and see how the new bonded with the old.

O.o.O

Korra leaned against a tree. "So where do we hide this thing? The trees are bare so putting it in the branches seems unhelpful. Unless the flag is brown which I doubt."

"It's red." Iroh paused. "What if we hid it in plan sight? There's an old statue up head it looks like it's holding a spire. Why don't we just tie it to that? Make it look like it belongs there?"

Mako shrugged. "That will work. It's amazing how those guys miss what's right in front of them." He tied the cloth to the pole and let it flap in the breeze. "So who's going to defend the flag and who's going to search out for the other teams flag?"

Korra raised "I can stay and defend the flag and also guard the jail. I mean really is there anything else I would be better at?"

Mako looked down. "No I guess not. Iroh, any ideas as to what the rest of us should do?"

Iroh crossed his arms and smiled. "Well…"

By the time the horn sounded the team was ready. Korra was on back defense, Bolin also defending but further up while the other three readied to actually find the flag. Korra climbed up in a tree and started to make a small circular wind that gave her the perfect perimeter warning system. She sighed knowing that her job was not going to be interesting for a while. Well at least I won't run in to any trees this way.

Meanwhile…. the other team had placed the flag on the top most branch of a rather tall tree. Aang landed dusting his hands off. "There even if they do find the flag, it's going to be hard to get at."

Kattara looked up at it. "I don't know sweetie this seems kind of mean to put it all the way up there."

Zuko shrugged. "Works for me, now who's going to defend and who's going to find the flag."

Toph made a wall of earth to lean against. "I don't know about you but a good defense is a good offence. I say we all go after their flag. They won't see it coming."

Suki crossed her arms. "Good theory but we should leave at least one person behind to guard the flag and jail."

Toph shrugged. "Then why don't you stay behind?"

"Fine. Don't have the person trained in stealth find the flag."

Aang stepped between the two girls. "Hey lets calm down. Who wants to stay and guard and who wants to find the flag?"

Zuko shrugged. "I can stay behind."

Sokka raised his hand. "I'll stay behind too." The horn sounded signaling the start of the game. "You guys go! Jail and the flag are safe and sound."

Kattara looked at her brother concerned. "Are you sure? Don't you want to be were all the action is?"

"Yeah I'm sure go! I'll have just as much fun back here chilling with the Fire Lord." Sokka watched as the other's disappeared in to the woods. After being sure that they were far away he turned to Zuko. "So how does it feel knowing you have a grandson?"

"Is that why you stayed behind?" Sokka nodded and Zuko rolled his eyes. "It's weird. I mean he's older then me but he's my grandchild at the same time. Kind of trippy."

"So other then that what do you think of him?"

"He's cool. Good fire bender, I was talking to him and he does have an older cousin that's set to inherit the thrown so I guess I actually have at least two grandkids."

Sokka nodded. "And what do you think of Asami your future granddaughter-in-law?"

"She's nice keeps him in line which apparently he needs. Why do you ask?"

"I'm just trying to get a feel for how everyone feels about the new team. I know Aang doesn't seem to like General Iroh and since Mako is your grandkid I wanted to know how you got along."

Zuko shrugged. "We get along good. I can tell he's really tying to be nice and put his best foot forward even if it seems a bit forced. There's something bothering him and I'm not sure what." Zuko looked down at the ground. "and that worries me."

Sokka nodded. "Yeah, I have a feeling all of them are trying to hide something or other. When I talked to Iroh last night he said something about a long sad story and we can't forget that Korra mentioned needing to be saved by Yue." He looked over at Zuko. "This new team, they're older and I think maybe…maybe their lives haven't been as peaceful or great as we want our future generation to have."

Zuko nodded. "I think you're right. I do want to know more about why Yue had to save Korra and why the General is even with the group." Zuko looked over to see Sokka clearly trying not to make eye contact. "You know something don't you?"

"I might have found out what connection Iroh has to the group." Sokka kept his eyes glued to the skies.

Zuko glared at him. "Spill…what connection does he have?"

Sokka's shoulders dropped. "Well…He's my grandson!" and married to the Avatar. Sokka smiled broadly. "So yay! Family road trip!"

Zuko blinked. "Oh, well I guess that makes sense why he'd be part of the group then. Ug I hope his sense of humor is better then yours." Zuko dusted off some dirt on his sleeve. "You know for a while there I was wondering whether he and Korra had a thing going on but she claims not have anyone in her life like that. General Iroh being third generation makes much more sense. Those two together seems weird. He's so much older then everyone else."

Sokka kept his smiled plastered on but felt it become a lot more fake. "He's only 29…but yeah, that would totally weird…I'm going to find a good place to have the jail." He started to walk away. "You know got to have a jail. Just in case we catch anyone."

Zuko shook his head as he watched Sokka leave. He looked up at the flag in the tree. "Well it's just you and me now."

O.o.O

Arms crossed trying not to look mad, Aang sat in jail next to Toph. "I can't believe she tagged us out so easily!" He complained.

Toph shrugged. "Well she's not blind she probably saw us coming from that tree she was standing in. We did see her because we weren't bothering to look up and she was in a tree! Not moving or giving anything for me to sense." Toph laid back. "Chill twinkle-toes, sugar queen will break you out of this place soon and then you can go find that flag."

Aang sighed. "I guess I really don't have a choice. Hey Toph what do you think about the new team?"

The young girl shrugged. "Mako is trying too hard to act normal or ok. Bolin is funny and seems to be the most honest of the group. Asami, she's ok I really think in this time she's more out of her element then the rest. Boots-I mean Korra is really cool I like her, she's tuff as nails."

Aang raised an eyebrow. "Boots?"

"Yeah, those boots she's always wearing are completely lined with steel, she's always metal bending them when she walks. Have to have mad respect for that level of bending."

"Oh, I didn't even notice. So what do you think about General Iroh?"

"I like him, he's nice and polite. His only flaw is that" Aang sat up interested in what Toph was about to say. "Someone has got to get all that shrapnel out of the poor guy, he must have felt every last piece while we were up in the North Pole."

Aang tilted his head. "Shrapnel? Like explosion debris?"

"Dough, The guy's left side is practically riddled with little bits of metal. Except for his knee aria that's all clear but he totally favors it so I'm not surprised there's no metal there, it probably was removed." Toph sat up. "Why do you want to know what I think of the team? They're hear to help and they were being honest about it."

"I was just wondering, I get this bad vibe off the General and I'm wondering whether you got it too."

Toph thought a moment. "Nope, He's got good standing in my book. If you're concerned about something I'm not seeing it."

"I don't know I just, maybe it's because he's so much older then the rest of the team."

"Our team? Yeah he's way older then us, but we're all kids and teens and he's an adult. Old for their team? He's only tops thirty, that's not too far off from the rest of them. I mean Mako's what? 24-25? The General's the oldest but he seems to fit right in with the rest of the team. I wouldn't worry about that."

Aang pouted. "He looks older then that."

Toph smirked. "That's what you get for using your eyes to see. You miss everything else twinkle-toes." She stood up. "Come on twinkle-toes I sense we're about to be freed by sugar queen."

O.o.O

Iroh sat in jail rubbing his left knee and trying not to yell out the stream of profanity that was building inside of him. He looked over at Sokka who was staring at him. Iroh attempted not to look cross. He took a big breath and let it out slowly, and assured himself that once this game was over Korra would use her healing abilities and sooth his aching knee.

Sokka tilted his head. "You ok?"

Iroh nodded. "I will be. You know when the other Iroh said tag I thought he meant like a light tag with a hand or something similar. I did not think that a flying kick into another person's knee was a tag." Iroh checked to make sure that nothing had been knocked out of place. "I didn't think this was a full contact activity."

"Oh, that was a little rough even for Aang. You sure you're ok? You look like you're in a substantial amount of pain."
Iroh laid back. "Oh, your observation is correct. This hurts like a" He looked over at Sokka. "How are you about profanity?"

Sokka shrugged. "I'm not offended by it."

"Well then it hurts like a mother fucker."

"Where you really kicked that hard?" Sokka now was starting to get concerned.

"Not too hard its just Aang nailed an old injury. Word to the wise, never get in a heated argument with a metal bender. They will get angry and accidently metal bend the pieces right out of you and that will hurt so bad you will not even feel bad about crying like a child."

"Ew…that happened?"

"Yeah, while Korra and I were dating we got in to this really heated argument about things" whether I should step down as crown prince of the Fire Nation. "and it got really, really ugly, we both have fiery tempers when provoked and Korra made a move to metal bend this clip board that was behind me but got the metal in my left knee instead." Iroh looked up at Sokka who was cringing. "Yeah, the argument ended right then and there." He snickered. "We were on a United Forces battle ship at the time, in the bridge specifically, and people in the engine room heard my scream which is said to have not sounded human in any way at all. I was bawling because of the pain."

Sokka looked at Iroh in disbelief. "And you still love her after that?"

"Insanity runs a amuck on my mother's side. Yeah not only did I still love her I used the down time to carve the pendent on her engagement necklace. Proposed while still on a crutch."

"Please tell me you didn't marry her because she could hurt you."

Iroh sat up and gave Sokka a look of 'why the hell would I do that?' "No, I was planning on proposing to her before hand. I just realized that day that even in blinding pain I still loved her and would not have been able to love any other person like I did her. Also the thought of if I ever break up with her I would not survive crossed my mind." He looked at Sokka's pail face. "I'm kidding. Don't look so…" He turned and saw rising from behind him a dark shadowy figure.

The black from morphed and took the shape of a large back panther-stag and charged at the two. Iroh rolled out of the creature's path while Sokka threw his boomerang at it. The weapon did nothing to dissuade it. Sokka moved quickly and avoided being caught by the creature's claws. The panther-stag turned glairing at the two with absent eyes. Iroh stood up and balanced on his right leg. He pulled out a few of his throwing knives hoping but doubting they'd do any good. The beast lunged again this time only coming close to the two men. The creature swiped at both leaving deep lacerations where the claws caught them.

Unable to keep his balance Iroh stumbled and fell backwards. The cat turned all it's attention to Iroh. Iroh saw the cat lunge toward him and reacted on instinct and made a wall of fire between him and the creature bracing himself for the feel of claws and tarring flesh. He lowered them when nothing came. The creature was gone; leaving no trace it was ever there save the wounds it had inflicted.

Breathing hard he looked over at Sokka who looked just as shocked as he felt. "What the hell was that?"

Sokka shook his head slowly. "I have no idea." He held out his hand to help Iroh to his feet. "but I think we should find Uncle Iroh and end the game."

Iroh nodded. "Yeah, we have no idea if there's any others out there." The two turned as the sound of something fast approaching crashed through the forest. Iroh's heart stopped for a moment as the figure dashed into the clearing. Both men started breathing again when they realized it was a very muddy Korra and not another shadow creature.

She looked absolutely a mess her hair had fallen down, she was splattered with mud and her glasses were off her face and in her hand. She turned to the two guys with concern evident on her face. "You guys ok? I saw the white fire and headed over here as quickly as I could."
Sokka frowned looking at Korra's whole face for the first time. "How did you see anything at all."
Korra put the glasses back on. "Shit, I forgot I took them off while I was running over here." She 'looked' over to where Sokka was standing. "I-I don't think that's important right now." Iroh felt a slight breeze and knew Korra was trying to get a good look at them. "You're both hurt, we need to get you back to the ship and get you medical attention. Does any one need support to walk?"

Iroh tested his knee. "I could use some."

Korra walked over so she could help him limp. "Knee?"
"Yeah, I got tagged by being kicked there. I think Aang's a little too into this game."

Korra frowned. "Yeah, I guess." She turned to Sokka. "Are you ok to walk? I ran through a stream not to far off from here if you think you need immediate attention. Those cuts look deep."

Sokka looked confused. "How-how? How do you know that?"

Korra smirked. "I have a very unique was of perceiving the world now a days. So you good to get to the ship?"

Sokka looked down at the deep gash across his abdomen. "I think I can make it."

Korra nodded. "Ok then lets get going. If anyone starts to feel weak or cold don't keep it to yourself."

A/N Yay! Chapter done and there's movement in the plot. Hope you enjoyed! Comment if you feel compelled. See yah later! ~ C.C.