I have good news for those who love a long read, this chapter is twice the size of my normal ones! From now on, all chapters that I post will be longer than my old normal chapters. When I was writing this chapter, two songs came to mymind, for writing Katara's part in this chapter Fall To Pieces by Avril Lavigne inspired it and for Zuko's part, If You're Gone by Matchbox 20. Two great songs and if you know how they go, you'll know what this chapter is all about.

Chapter 21 It's Not Goodbye

"Katara?" The room was dark except for the light shining through the glass door. She must be asleep, Zuko deduced as he grabbed his night clothes from his drawer and went into the bathroom to change.

Katara sat eyes wide open in the bed, watching the stars and the moon shine. She heard the sliding door re-open and felt the blankets move as Zuko crawled into bed beside her. She turned and faced him, he was staring intensely at her.

For a moment or so they just looked at each other. She thinks I'm the only one who has changed? She has changed too. She's so polite and scared all the time, not to mention her change in clothes, but I guess that's not her choice. Zuko cleared his throat. "Katara, about tonight," he paused as he searched for the correct words. "I'm sorry I--"

"Don't worry about it Zuko, it's my fault really. I shouldn't be talking about you behind your back, especially not to the servants. I don't know why but I just seem to put all of my trust into them because they're my friends. I've just been so lonely and I looked to you for help but I couldn't find you. I'm still not really use to this kind of life but I'll get a hang of it and everything will be alright." she moved closer to him and snuggled up against him. "I'm just not use to you not giving all of your attention to me. I'm a bit jealous of your father, I think you love him more then me." They both laughed, an uncertain, awkward laugh.

Zuko cleared his throat again and placed a hand around her back. "But Katara, you do have a point and you were right to say it. I'm just--"

"Can we just forget everything that happened today? Let's not dwell on the past and just look forward to the future. Now, let's get some sleep." Katara nuzzled herself against Zuko's chest.

"That sounds like a good idea." He closed his eyes and placed a kiss on top of Katara's head. "Oh wait," he opened his eyes and sat up in bed, knocking Katara off of himself. "What did my father say to you? How did you prove that you were worthy?"

"Oh, he just asked me a couple of questions and I gave him my opinion on them and he said I was worthy. Everything is taken care of, don't worry about it." Katara smiled as she placed her hand on his shoulder and pushed him down. "Now let's get some sleep, I'm so tired."

Zuko nodded and wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer into him. "Can you imagine it Katara? By next week at this time exactly, we'll be married." And we won't be sleeping either. He grinned at his own dirty thoughts.

"Isn't it wonderful?" Katara quickly wiped away a tear.

"Yes, I only wish that this week will go by faster." Zuko took a deep breath and made himself comfortable. "Goodnight, Katara."

"Goodnight," she turned in his arms. This week will go too fast for me, she quietly cried herself to sleep.

"It's been great Uncle," Zuko sat next to Iroh on a stone bench in the garden. "Katara and I have been talking more and we haven't fought once since six days ago in your room."

"Did my advise really help you that much, Prince Zuko?" Iroh watched as flower petals fell off of the trees while the wind blew by.

"No, it wasn't that. Katara just seems to be in such a good mood lately, she's become more agreeable and really adaptive." Zuko grinned. "And tomorrow, we'll be married."

Iroh stroked his beard. "That is great news." Iroh glanced down the pathway to were he saw three figures moving toward them. "Isn't that Ms. Katara now?"

Zuko looked up at the figures ahead. "Yeah, that's her and our servants. I don't particularly like that male one, I think he was putting rumors and bad ideas into Katara's head."

"Now why would he do that?" Iroh stood and started walking toward them.

"Because," Zuko followed closely behind. "He wants to start an uproar in the court. He's just like the rest of those Earthbending slaves."

"Hello, Prince Zuko, General Uncle." Katara smiled as she bowed her head to them. Mika and Vincent stood to her sides and followed her motion. Iroh smiled and bowed his head back at them all. He stared at Mika and she began to feel uncomfortable.

"May I help you?" she asked, her voice showing her confusion and a bit of fear.

"Why were you crying my dear?" Iroh asked as he examined her red eyes.

Mika quickly began to wipe her eyes. "Oh, it's just that I, um, well, I--"

"My sister has allergies and it tends to make her eyes watery and red. Nothing to worry about though, she'll get over it soon." Vincent replied, covering up for his sister.

"That explains it." Zuko glared at Vincent. I don't trust you with Katara alone. I'll be watching you very closely and tomorrow, I'm getting Katara a new personal slave.

"Prince Zuko, General Uncle, I'll see you two in a little bit for lunch. I believe I need to go practice the wedding ceremony one more time. Vincent, Mika, if you two would please come along." Katara quietly stepped around Iroh and Zuko as she bid them a goodbye. Mika and Vincent walked after her.

"See what I mean Uncle? She fits in so well now." Zuko continued walking. Iroh glanced behind at the three as they walked farther away.

"Yes, Prince Zuko, I see."

"Mika, Vincent, I really appreciate all the help you guys have been to me over the past month or so. And thank you so much for being such great friends." Katara tied the bundle of clothes and money together and handed them to Mika.

"Are you sure this is the only choice you have?" Vincent asked as he used all of his might to not cry.

"Yes, this is the only way everything can be alright. It's not going to be goodbye though. I may be leaving tonight, but I'll see you guys again when I return along side Aang. He'll stop Ozai and then Zuko and I can get married and you two can be free. I'll even make you two part of the new court." Katara smiled as she brushed away a couple of tears.

"Katara, don't go!" Mika hugged her around the waist. "You're my only friend, besides Vincent, but I don't want to see you go!"

"I told you, Mika, I'll be back. Please stop crying, you have to be strong and act normal or else you might blow my cover." Katara hugged her back.

"I will, for you, I will be strong." Mika backed away. She looked up at Katara and smiled. "When you return, I wish you all the luck in the world."

"So do I." Vincent placed a comforting arm on Katara's shoulder. "You really are different from these people, Katara. And you will always be a friend to those who need it the most, that's just who you are."

Katara smiled. "Thank you, both of you. I'll see you one last time tonight. I'll knock three times, remember, three times."

Mika and Vincent nodded as they walked out of the room. Katara turned around and sat down on the bed. When I'm sleeping on Appa again, I think I'm going to miss this bed. She looked around the room one last time.

"Dinner went really well tonight. Azula didn't even try to insult anyone." Katara dangled her legs over the bed and swung them back and forth.

"Yeah, I think that's because she knows that she's not going to be the only girl in the family from now on." Zuko called out from the bathroom. He slid open the door and looked at Katara. "Why aren't you in your night gown yet?"

"I was thinking I'd go visit Iroh, I have some questions I'd like to ask him." Katara stood up and folded her figures over one another as she locked her hands.

"Nervous?" Zuko eyed her as he went to her closet. He pushed it open and looked at the elegant clothes that were inside. "Where's your dress?"

"The dress is being kept in another room, something about you not even allowed to just see it. They said you might picture me in it and that's as unlucky as seeing me in it before the wedding. But yes, I am a bit nervous, that's why I need to go ask your uncle for advise." she wrapped her arms around his neck as she stood behind him.

He turned around and held her in his arms, hers still around him as well. "I love you." he smiled down at her.

"I love you too," she kissed him and pulled away. "So much, and I always will." Another short kiss. "Always." She kissed him and this time waited until he pulled away.

"Before I forget," he reached into his pocket and pulled out two rings. Both were silver but had a small stone in the middle. The stone was small but swirled with different colors. Zuko placed one on Katara's right fingure, her left fingure still holding his engagement ring, and did the same with the other on his own hand. "These stones are enchanted. Our people call them Lover's Mood stones. Your ring shows you my emotions while my stone shows yours." Both of the stones shined a bright pink.

"What does pink mean?" Katara asked as she gazed down at her gift.

"It stands for in love." Zuko smiled. "Red means anger, blue means sadness, green means peaceful, yellow means happy, black means scared, and purple means neutral."

"It's so beautiful." Katara embraced him, not wanting to ever let go.

"Alright, if you want to visit Uncle you should go now before he goes to sleep." Zuko suggested. Katara nodded and pulled out of his arms. She watched as he sat down on the bed. She turned the door knob and stepped out into the hallway. She looked back and watched as he watched her. "Katara, go now or else it will be too late." Zuko called to her.

"You're right," she closed the door. "If I don't leave you now, I never will be able to. Goodbye, my sweet Prince Zuko." she whispered as she walked away.

Iroh opened his bedroom door after he heard a light knock. "Ah, I was wondering when you would get here." He grinned. "Please come in. Would you like a cup of tea?"

"Yes, please," she sat down across from him as he took his usual spot. "How did you know I was coming?"

"You wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to me first would you?" he poured her a cup of tea and passed it to her.

"How do you know I'm leaving?" she took the cup and drank it all. She sat the empty container back on the table.

"Ms. Katara, you've been acting different all week and your personal servants have been crying all day. Also, I happened to literally run into them and knock all of your packed belongings out of their hands." he chuckled. She smiled and seemed satisfied with his answer.

"No one else has suspected a thing, right?" she hoped.

"No one else is aware. Now, before I let you leave, you have to first tell me why you are leaving." Iroh frowned. "Prince Zuko won't take this well and I'd like to be able to help reassure him that he didn't do anything wrong. He didn't do anything wrong did he?"

Katara chuckled softly. "No, it wasn't him, it was--"

"Ozai," Iroh finished her sentence.

She nodded. "Yes, he--"

"Asked you to disown your tribe." Iroh nodded. "Yes, I heard Commander Zhao talking about it to Princess Azula."

"No, it's not only that though." Katara looked into her empty cup, a stern look on her face. "He's planning on having Zuko killed before the wedding."

Iroh gasped. "I didn't know my brother could go that low but it seems like I have misjudged him. He will not get away with it."

Katara agreed. "Exactly, that's why I have to leave. It's the only way to stop it from happening. If there is no wedding, there's no reason for him to kill Zuko. That way, he can still be safe."

"But he will be so miserable without you. It will be as though he did die, or at least that is how he will act." Iroh sighed. "You are the real reason why he is so happy now."

"I know," Katara watched as a teardrop landed in her cup. "But it's the only way. We can't accuse Ozai of planning Zuko's murder and even if we could, no one would care. He's the Fire Lord, while Zuko, he's not even the true heir anymore, Azula is."

Iroh placed a hand on top of Katara's. "I will tell him that it wasn't easy for you to leave, but you had to, for his own good."

"Please do," They both stood up and Iroh walked her to the door. He opened it up for her and she stepped into the hallway. She handed him a small box and he tugged it into his pocket. "Give it back to Zuko, and tell him, if he still wants to, to keep it safe for me when I come back some day."

Iroh nodded, he didn't need to check, he knew what was inside the box. She hugged him and he smiled as she pulled away from him. He waved goodbye as she ran down the hallway, toward the slave quarters. She's a good girl, no wonder Zuko loves her so much. He sighed and headed back into his room to wait until everything erupted.

Three knocks, that's her, Vincent opened the door to the now empty library area. The walls were full of different books and scrolls on different shelves and bookcases.

Katara walked in and looked around the enclosed room. "Where's Mika?"

"She decided she couldn't come. She claimed that she wouldn't be able to handle it so I left her back in the room." he handed her her change of clothes and turned around as she quickly slid into a black outfit and cloak.

"How do I look?" He turned around and laughed.

"Like the Blue Spirit himself." Vincent joked as Katara put her hood up.

"Shut up," she laughed, confused. Who's the Blue Spirit? She tied her water pouch around her waist and was set to go.

"Don't forget this," Vincent handed her the bundle of stuff. "I'll tie it to your back, move your cloak for a second." When he finished he spun her around. "You're ready now."

"Remember, this isn't goodbye, I'll be back." Katara promised.

"I know," he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug. "Just be safe." For a moment, Katara was surprised by the hug, Vincent never seemed like the kind of guy to hug someone. Katara smiled as she wrapped her arms around his waist, she felt safe and cared for. Vincent reminded her of Sokka, but she couldn't enjoy this moment any longer. She owed it to herself and everyone else to keep moving.

"I'll see you soon," she whispered as she pulled out of his comforting arms.

"I know," he smiled as she closed the door softly. I just hope that in time, my feelings for you might change.

Katara opened the door a crack and looked inside the dark room. There he is! She smiled as she opened the door enough so that she could squeeze through.

"Katara?" Sokka squinted through the darkness. I'm surprised I still recognize her figure.

"Shhh!" Katara placed her finger to her mouth. "Are you trying to get us both killed?" she whispered. That's it, we're both dead already! Azula is awake and just waiting to light us both on fire.

"Azula isn't here if that's what you're worried about." Sokka rolled his eyes, even though Katara couldn't see them. "How stupid do you think I am? If she was here I wouldn't have said anything! Besides, she would have been aware of you the moment you touched her door." He replied smugly.

"Stop contradicting me! We're leaving, all of us. Come on," She tugged on his arm.

"What? Why? What about Zuko? Isn't your wedding tomorrow?" Sokka stood and groaned as pain shot up through his back.

"I'll explain everything later, on Appa. What happened to your back?" Katara asked, worry dripping with every word.

"Azula had me whipped. I'm okay though, it's healed by now, just a bit sore." Sokka rubbed his back.

"She'll pay for that when we come back with a fully trained Aang." Katara grinned as she reached toward her pack and withdrew Sokka's weapons. "Miss these?"

Sokka grabbed his precious weapons and started kissing them. "It's okay, daddy's here now and he's never letting those bad Fire Nation people touch you again. Katara, how did you get these?"

"The same way I got these keys," she dangled them in front of Sokka. "From Zuko."

"Katara, you haven't changed a bit."

"Katara, there's three guards out there. Should we take them out now?" Sokka leaned on the wall and quickly glanced around the corner.

"No need, just stay here and when I come running out, be prepared to help Aang and me." Katara flicked her hood back and wrapped the breezy cloak around herself. She walked out of the shadows and toward the guards. "Excuse me," she stopped when she noticed one of the familiar guards. "Lt. Jee?"

"Ms. Katara?" Lt. Jee was surprised and lowered his weapon. The other two guards followed his example, noticing who the 'intruder' was. They didn't know her like Jee did, they weren't a part of Zuko's old crew, but they did see this girl walking around in the arms of Prince Zuko.

"What are you doing here this late? Shouldn't you be getting your rest for the big day tomorrow?" Jee asked as he smiled down at her.

"I couldn't sleep, too excited. Also, Lord Ozai has given me special permission to see the Avatar. He said it was a wedding gift for me to talk to my old friend." she smiled innocently. Just like back on the ship. Seems like I'm repeating my ways. I just hope this time, I can actually succeed with my plan and not have Zuko barge in on me at the worst moment.

"That sounds acceptable." Lt. Jee started opening the door.

"Hold on a minute." Another guard grabbed his wrist. "How can we be so sure of her?"

"Would you like to go wake Lord Ozai up and ask him?" Jee asked.

"No way!" the guard retorted. "That would mean instant death!"

"Exactly," Jee opened the door and handed Katara one of the two torches that hung on the wall. "Walk all the way down the hall. He's the last room on the right."

"Thank you." Katara bowed her head as she took the torch and headed down the dark hall. As she walked she heard different wails and cries coming from the cells. She quickened her pace and made it down to the last cell. "Aang?" she peaked inside to see a small figure chained up on the wall.

"Wh...Who's there?" came the muffled reply of her close friend. A squeal from inside the room reassured her that Momo was with him.

"Aang, it's Katara. I've come to get you and Momo. I have Sokka and we're all ready to leave. I'll explain everything to you guys when we get safely on Appa." After a moment of fumbling with the keys, she unlocked the door and ran inside.

Aang was strapped against the wall, two feet off the ground. He still wore the choking collar that Zuko had put on him. She quickly unlocked his feet and then stood on her tiptoes as she unlocked his arms. He fell against her and she braced herself for the impact, only to be surprised by how light he was.

"Aang, haven't they been feeding you?" she felt his ribs as she helped him to his feet.

"Barely, just enough to keep me alive." Aang stretched out his arms and legs while Katara unlocked the collar.

"Now for you, Momo." she unlocked Momo's cage and the small mammal flew out of the cage and around the room until he landed securely on her shoulder. "Aang, where's your staff?"

"They never got it. It's with Appa, on his saddle." Aang smiled as he cracked his knuckles. "So what's the plan?"

"Can you run?" she patted Momo on the head.

"Sure I can! I've been dying to do something then be a wall poster." he grinned as he chuckled softly.

"Good, then get ready to do a lot of it. Follow me." She walked into the hallway, Aang stayed close behind her. She started off slowly but then quickly turned into a sprint as she headed down the hallway and threw her weight against the door, slamming it open against a guard.

"Sokka, now!" she screamed as the guards tried to grab for her and Aang. Sokka ran around the corner and threw his trusty boomerang, knocking two guards unconsiouce.

"What are you doing?" Jee cried as he pushed the door away from his damaged body.

"Sorry! Please don't try to stop us or else we'll have to use force." Katara yelled as she continued to run, Sokka, Aang, and Momo following behind her as she navigated through the hallways.

"I won't try to stop you, but I do have to sound the alarm. Katara, what ever you're planning, it better be good enough for you to just ruin everything you have." Lt. Jee frowned as he blew on the conch shell, waking everyone in the castle who was sleeping.

Zuko woke up suddeny from his disturbing sleep. He had a bad feeling when he looked around the room and noticed that Katara wasn't there. She couldn't still be talking to Uncle, could she? They must have lost track of time. I'd better go down there and get her, she'll need her rest for tomorrow.

He glanced down at his hand and noticed the glowing mix of black and blue escalating from it. Something is wrong. He shot out of bed and out of the room, not even bothering to throw a shirt or shoes on and took off running down the hallway. Please, Agni please, let me find Katara in Uncle's room. Please, don't let this be what I fear!

Zuko slammed open Iroh's door, a cold sweat of worry dripping down his brow when he found no Katara in the room. "Uncle, don't tell me she...she..."

"She's very sorry, Prince Zuko, but she had to, for your sake." he stood up and held the box for Zuko to take. He reluctantly did and when he slowly opened it and found his engagement ring in it he placed a hand over his forehead and squeezed his eyes tightly shut.

"Please, sit down, I can answer any questions you may have. She explained everything to me and I think you should--" Iroh was interrupted when a loud whistle was blown. "Oh dear." he sighed.

"Uncle, did she," Zuko stopped when he heard loud footsteps and heavy breathing in the hallway. He poked his head out of the doorway and saw three figures and a flying lemur hurry out of the doors. He immediately took off after them.

Why? Why! WHY! He couldn't get the repeated word from his mind as he stormed out of the doors and into the cold, crisp air of the night. His feet grew cold and scolded himself for not putting shoes on. He caught sight of the three figures, one placed a key in the contraption that opened the gates and they flung open.

She even stole my keys! Zuko curled his hands into tight fists, almost crushing the small box he held in his hand. "Katara!" he shouted, surprised at himself for how loud he could be.

Katara stopped where she ran and looked behind her at the stilled figure standing before the castle. "Zuko," she whispered in agony. Aang and Sokka quickly ran back and grabbed her hands, urging her to keep running. She turned away from Zuko and kept focus on the task beforehand.

Zuko growled and dashed after them, sprinting at top speed. They began to run down the slope toward the docks. Everyone with their own thoughts buzzing through their heads.

Have to keep running. That crazy bastard will kill us all if we don't continue to run. One foot after another. We're coming Appa, be prepared to fly again! The pounding rhythm of their footsteps evaded the quite city's slumber. Please Zuko, don't chase after us. Don't make this any harder then it already is! Each of their hearts pounding in their chests. Stop now Katara, stop now before you go too far. You'll regret it if you don't stop now!

They made it to the dock area and flew past the guards standing in front of one of the ports. "Hey!" they shouted but their voices quickly faded away as they all ran past them and continued into the darkness.

"Where's Appa?" Aang shouted as he ran next to Katara.

"I'm not sure," she yelled back.

"You don't know! How are we going to elude that crazy Prince if we don't have a way to travel? My legs can't go too much farther." Sokka complained.

"I'm pretty sure they're keeping him in that hut." she pointed ahead. "If not, then he's still in the lower parts of Zuko's ship." she pointed to her left at the small ship docked.

"You two try the hut, I'll check the ship." Aang suggested.

"No, Aang. We need to stay together and besides, you'd get lost on his ship." Katara screamed. "Follow me to the hut." She banged her side against the door and it fell off of it's hinges. They looked around the hut for any sign of a giant bison but found none. "They have him in Zuko's ship then."

They turned around once they reached the back and she froze when she saw him in the doorway. He was panting rapidly and his eyes were a mixture of furiousness, pain, and confusion. "None of you are going anywhere!" he demanded as he slowly advanced forward.

"This place is rotten, break down the wall!" Sokka commanded as he pulled out his weapon and started banging it against the wall. Pieces of rotten wood were hurled from their original places and onto the ground as Aang and Sokka clawed and banged against it.

Zuko continued to slowly advance toward them, his eyes were connected with Katara's. Their rings, along with the moonlight, illuminated the room. A bright red seeped from hers and a dark black from his. Katara pressed herself tightly against the wall, pushing back on it with all of her weight.

"Ah!" she screamed, startled, as the wall gave in and she fell backwards back into the open night. Sokka and Aang jumped through the hole and helped her up. Zuko growled and leaped through the hole just in time to see the three of them running up the plank to his old ship.

"How do we close this thing?" Sokka asked as he stopped once he was on the deck.

"Forget it, just follow me and don't get lost!" Katara opened the door down to the lower decks and took the first left.

They're heading for the beast. I know a shortcut that I know Katara doesn't know. He smirked for only a moment as he turned the first and second rights.

"Appa!" Aang shouted as he jumped onto his furry friend and grabbed the reigns.

"Sokka, press that red button!" she shouted and pointed to the wall. He hurried over and slammed his open palm on it. The back of the ship slowly started to open. "Now help me close this door. It's rusted and really heavy!" she complained as she pushed against it.

"Sure thing!" Sokka ran over to help her when a fireball was hurdled through the door at him. He quickly dodged to the side. "Zuko's coming!" he shouted as he looked down the hall at the angry Prince sprinting toward the room.

"Sokka! Help!" Katara cried desperately as the door slowly started to budge. Sokka rushed at the door and almost closed it fully. Zuko banged against the door as he started pushing it open, gaining an inch every hard push.

"Guys, the door's open. Let's go!" Aang shouted to his friends.

"Sokka, you first." Katara yelled to her brother.

"Are you sure you can hold the door closed long enough--"

"Just go, Sokka!" she pushed him toward the giant bison. He quickly stumbled up Appa's tail and sat in the saddle. Katara used every ounce of energy she had and pressed used it to press against the door one last time. She quickly turned and ran over to Appa, running up his tail and making it into the saddle before the door was slammed open and an angry Prince emerged from it.

"Yip yip!" Aang cried and they were off. Zuko hurled himself toward the furry beast but it was too late, it had taken off and was now over the water. Fireballs were thrown at them from him and many different guards on the ports. Appa was able to easily dodge them and while he did, Katara glanced at the open boat below them.

He fell to his knees as the animal took off high into the sky. He pounded his fists at cruel, metal floor. He looked up at the sky, still in his kneeling position. His chest was cold from the night air, his feet dirty from the streets, and his emotions were running wild. He opened the small, and partly crushed, box in his hand. "This isn't the last you've seen of me Katara. I'll chase you and the Avatar down again and I'll catch you both. I did it once, I can do it again!" he vowed as he slowly stood and headed back to the palace.

"I hope you understand how disgraceful this situation is!" Ozai banged his fist against his throne's arm.

"Yes father, I understand." Zuko bowed before him. "That's why I'm asking permission to recapture the Avatar and bring back Katara."

Ozai pondered this for a moment before he spoke again. "Are you sure she wants to come back? Maybe she ran away for a good reason. Prince Zuko, do you not think she ran away with her friends because she believes that she doesn't fit in with this life, your life."

"I don't care!" Zuko exclaimed. "If I really have too, I'll drag her back her in chains next to the Avatar." Iroh frowned at his nephew's outrage. He had really hoped for a chance to talk with him privately but everyone was called to the throne room before he had the chance.

Ozai grinned at his son's proposel. "Father," Azula rose from her position. "Are you really go to allow him to go after the Avatar again? It took him two years before and I don't think that girl deserves another chance to join our family."

"Silence, Princess Azula, although you may have some points, I don't remember asking for your opinion on the matter." Ozai scolded. Azula's mouth dropped open but she quickly regained herself and dropped back into position next to Iroh, who couldn't help but smile to himself.

"Prince Zuko, you shall take your old crew and ship after the Avatar again and your run away bride. This time though, you will have a limit for catching the Avatar. If you do not return with him by a month before Sozen's Comet hits, never return." Ozai declared as he folded his hands.

"I understand," Zuko bowed and stood. His old crew and Iroh did the same as they followed his example.

"But before you go I have some advise and a gift for you." he calmed the wall of fire down to a low simmer and threw an object to Zuko. He caught it and knew what it was by the familiar feel of the blue material and the smooth, carved stone attached on it. It was Katara's treasured necklace. "Show her some tough love and she'll be too afraid to leave. Don't make the same mistake as I did and give her too much freedom or else she'll leave you forever." Ozai frowned as his son bowed and left the room, his men followed after him. Make me proud, my son.

Katara was able to finish her explanation without going into a sobbing fit but as soon as she finished she allowed it all to come out. Her sobs shook her entire body and her tears streamed down her face and stained her clothes. She sat in between her brother and Aang, both of them tried their hardest to comfort her.

Her tears finally stopped when her head went limp and leaned against Aang. This was the second time in a week that she had cried herself to sleep only this time, there was no Zuko to hide her tears from.

As Zuko walked down through the streets of the still sleeping city he clenched the two most important items he had with him, neither of which right fully belonged to him. These are Katara's and when I see her, she'll get them both back. He stood tall and kept a cold expression on his face.

He stepped on his ship and ordered his men to get a move on it. He told them that the Avatar and Katara are their top priorities at the time and that they were both to be brought back to the Fire Nation, Katara un-harmed but the Avatar was a different case. "Now get to work!" Zuko shouted, "They have a head start on us but I won't allow that to keep me from achieving my goal."

This is not goodbye, this is only the beginning of a whole different story.

I don't think Zuko could have worded it any better, okay maybe he could have. He's right when he thought that this isn't goodbye for our two lovers, but this isn't a new story. In the last chapter I said that all chapters up to this one weren't important, I really worded that wrong. So I'll explain it again, with help wording it correctly from Summerstar042, that chapters 1-21 were part I of this 2 part story and that chapters 22-? will be part II. So, I'm figuring that this will be a long story, maybe around 40 chapters and then a sequel. But I promise you all, and you have my word on this to hold me by, I will keep up the quality of this story and I will continue to keep your interest in the story and not have the plot drag on. But now I must say goodbye to you all for two weeks because I'm going to camp where thereare no computers. I'll be back July 14 with chapter 22.