AN: So, this chapter was a bit difficult to write, mainly because I was having major writers block for some reason. And it was this chapter only! It was driving me insane. All weekend I have been on a writing frenzy, with my new fanfic, "The Face That Launched a Thousand Ships" which that title is really long! And another that I've been working on for sometime, inspired by one of America's greatest moments in history. The revolutionary war, based off the movie "The Patriot" and as always, there will be much more to it and it will follow the story line some, but divert off on its own. Look out for it, sometime today or tomorrow. For those of you who have read "TFTLATS" thank you and thank you for reviewing. Also, I invite you to read my latest, well, other latest fic, "The Patriot" when it comes out.

So, enough of my babbling, please, enjoy my mentally challenged written chapter.

After an initial sweep of the village, Zuko and Katara headed back to the campsite where they confirmed with the others that the village was completely abandoned.

"So," Tyre began, everyone gathered around the campfire that was prepared, eating their dinner meal and to discuss Katara and Zuko's findings, "what all happened at the village?"

Zuko looked over at Katara, her face somber and her eyes glaring timidly at the fire as it blazed before her. She sat atop a massive tree trunk that had been strung out for sitting with her legs pulled up to her chest. Once they had made it back to camp, she discarded her uniform and merely wore black silk pants and her black training bindings. Every once in a while she would glance around the campfire; her eyes would constantly lock on the rebel captive, eyeing him constantly.

Zuko grunted slightly as he downed his food that was lodged in his throat, "Nothing really. The village was abandoned of all life by the time we got there," he pushed some more food into his mouth, "there were definite signs of a struggle, blood coated the entire perimeter and several dead carcasses," he shrugged his shoulders, "but no one seemed to have been there for days."

Azula sighed, "So now what?" she asked, "We can't just hopelessly gaze up into the trees while on our little search," she mocked, taking a sip of her rice wine.

Tyre seemed to agree with her, "Azula's right," his tone suddenly becoming coated with sarcasm, "we wouldn't want to cramp up our neck muscles now would we?" soldiers who had gathered around the bon fire began to laugh softly as they continued eating their meal. Zuko glanced up to see a soft smile on Katara's lips then met his sister's eyes to see her glaring at their cousin profusely.

Azula huffed as she threw her plate down, "Well, seeing how everyone is about joking, I'm going to bed. I'll see you all in the morning," with that she took off, storming to her tent with purpose. Once she got there she bolted in between the parted doorway, before poking her head out, "Goodnight!" and with that she sealed her door shut, huffing and puffing all the while preparing for bed.

Katara suppressed a giggle as she watched the Princess and her antics. She suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia wash over her as she remembered her relationship with Azula and how close they had grown together after Zuko's death. She missed her friendship with the Princess terribly but knew that it would take one step at a time; it always took one step at a time. Sighing heavily herself, Katara pushed herself off the tree trunk, walking over to where Azula had sat and picked up her dishes. She smiled curtly at Zuko as she passed him, her hips seeming to sway in an antagonizing way or at least to Zuko as she bid him and the men goodnight.

"Goodnight," everyone called after her, watching as she dumped the dishes into the dish bucket before walking calmly to her tent, disappearing behind its closed walls.

"So what message did you need to relay to me?" Seiran asked as he handed Ensei a cloak, "Put that on," he noted as he began to lead his brother through the rebels' encampment.

Ensei took the cloak greedily, throwing it around his shoulders before tossing the hood up over his head, "From our cousin," he whispered, pulling a tiny concealed scroll out from his sleeve.

Seiran looked down, grasping the tiny piece of parchment from his brother's grasp, before sticking it up his own sleeve. He glanced around for several moments as he tried to find the best route to take. Several of the rebels were awake and were roaming around from tree to tree. The last thing he needed was being caught by some child with their Fire Nation captive. He needed to get to Jet and clear this whole thing up and convince him that Ensei wasn't who they thought he was.

"So, if I may ask," he glanced at his brother, "exactly what were you doing?" he waved him over, pulling him up to the next level of the intricate base camp and pulled himself up as well. Glancing around, he looked for the best route to take up to jets hut and found a single rope stretching from his wooden porch like surface, to the ground of the next level below them. Running, he grasped hold of the rope and began to hoist himself up, all the while listening to his brother as he follow suit.

After they had successfully pulled themselves up onto the porch in front of Jet's hut, Seiran held up his hand, before approaching the small building. Ensei hid in the shadows, crouching down against the base of one of the hundreds of trees, watching his brother inspect the area. It was just like old times again, only now they were in a war and it wasn't pretend like before. He watched as Seiran entered the hut, the cloth door swaying after his movement and didn't see him exit for quite some time. He figured the young rebel warrior was still inside, but, when Seiran exited with a knowing smirk on his face, Ensei knew the coast was clear.

Quickly he bolted towards the entrance, the hood wrapped tightly around his face until he entered the small hut. It was quaint and logical, plain and not too extravagant…but then again, what would you expect from rebels dwelling in trees? The lighting was dim, merely by a few lit candles but it would do. Ensei sat down on the cot across the way, kicking his legs up to where one was on top of the other. His hands folded behind his head and he felt himself sinking into the home made mattress in delight. With a flickering gaze he watched as Seiran sat down on a stool across the way from him, pulling the small parchment from his sleeve. His eyes scanned over the tiny document apprehensively and Ensei knew he had reread it already like a million times. What was written there was only a brief message, but it held so much depth and importance to it, such surprise to it that it had to be reread over and over and over again.

Slowly Seiran rolled the tiny parchment up, his forefinger and thumb holding it in place, "Are you sure?" was all he asked his brother and Ensei merely nodded, watching as the tiny parchment was ignited, quickly consumed by the flame his brother created. Small, tiny ash particles littered the floor, only to be swept up by a gentle breeze from outside.

"You wanted to know," Ensei stated, "there you have it. You knew the Fire Nation was striking an attack on the Northern Water Tribe, but you didn't know why. Well brother," he motioned to what use to be a piece of parchment in his now empty hand, "that's why."

Seiran shook his head, "But to destroy the moon spirit's physical form…that's just…" he trailed off, trying to find the words. His long white bangs dangled in front of his narrowed azure eyes, flame light from the candles dancing shadows across his face.

Ensei merely sank back into the bed, his eyes staring up at the hay or leaf ceiling, "When Lu Ten heard of the Fire Nation's movements, he wanted to see who was leading the assault. After he found out it was Zhao, he wanted to know more. So, I had disguised myself up into the Fire Nation regalia and found myself stationed with the 9th regiment. They were on their way to a port just north of here to be intercepted by Zhao's fleet to help with battle, but, they were attacked only after spending two nights in these woods," he glanced over at his brother, a smirk splaying on his lips, "these rebels are like hogmonkeys! Took us by total surprise too. Never did I think that it was true what they said about these woods, I always thought drunkards came back with wild tales of tree dwelling demons…" he shrugged his shoulders, "sure surprised the hell out of us."

Seiran smiled softly before his features darkened, "Out of all the soldiers enlisted in the 9th, you were the only one they managed to capture?"

Ensei nodded, "Not because they could, but because I allowed them to. I knew you were heading this way and figured why not let you come to me than me come to you," he glanced over at Seiran with a smirk, "looks like I did a pretty bang up job if you ask me."

The two merely chuckled to themselves before being surprisingly interrupted by an unexpected, yet expected guest.

"What's going on?" Jet stood in the doorway to his hut, his eyes narrowed dangerously as they rested firmly on the prisoner who dared lie in his bed.

I know it was short and I know it may have seemed...retarded to say the least, but trust me, this was without a doubt one of the most difficult chapters to write. And I have no idea why! It was driving me bonkers! Anyways, several longer, less mind bogling chapters have been written, so, expect updates soon! Tell me what you think and remember, read my latest two fics!