Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 27 of Sparks Ignite! Thank you all for being patient with this story and continuing to come back and read it after I've been away. I love writing this story and I will finish it at some point! As always, I do not own Avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.

Chapter 27: The Valuable Time

"Where's Katara?" Sokka asked at breakfast the next day. They all looked around, normally Katara was the first one there, saying good morning to all the cooks and servants. But today when Aang, Sokka and Suki walked in, only Iroh sat at the head of the table, sipping his cup of tea and looking over a stack of papers.

Iroh looked up, "I'm sure she is just resting after a long night and will join us soon. Please, sit before the tea gets cold"

The other three sat in their seats. Aang looked over next to him, "Toph isn't here either…" he noticed. Sokka scoffed a little, "She always sleeps in…" trying to reason in his head, but there was a small nagging in the pit of his stomach.

Rohan walked in the room and bowed, "Master Sokka… Avatar Aang… I have a letter for you" he held out the letter in his hands. The two men exchanged a confused look as Sokka took the letter for him, "Thank you…" he said as the boy bowed again and ran from the room.

Sokka, Aang and Suki,

There is something I need to do. I know you wouldn't understand, which is why I didn't say goodbye. I'm sorry. Toph and Appa are with me and we will be back in 5 days. That's all the time we have left before…

Aang, keep the bath moving when you can. The water will keep him hydrated but keep an eye on him always. I don't think that was the last strike against him.

I love you all,

Katara and Toph

Sokka read the letter out loud and then bounced out of his seat, "We have to go after her!" he exclaimed. Suki grabbed onto his hand, "Sokka…"

But Sokka shook her off, "No! I'm not gonna let her go on this wild goose chase when there's somebody out there that is trying to kill people!"

Iroh raised a hand, "Let me explain Sokka…" he indicted him to sit back down. Sokka paused for a moment and sighed, sitting back down and taking Suki's hand once again, giving her a look of remorse for pushing her away. Suki smiled back slightly then looked back to Iroh.

"Zuko has been searching for his mother for months… And Katara has come closer then he ever did…" Iroh paused for a moment, "I do believe she can do this…"

A figure heard the words from Iroh's mouth and scurried down the hall. They had to hurry back, as they quickly fled from the palace.

Katara sat at the head of Appa, looking out across the sky. Could she actually do this? Or was she just wasting the valuable time at Zuko's side? She just wanted to save him… She just wanted to start over and undo the last year and spend it at his side.

Now that she knew… She knew that she wanted him, she didn't want to waste another minute. But was it already too late?

"Katara?" Toph called out, pulling Katara from her thoughts. Katara looked back at Toph who was looking down at her, "Are you alright?" she asked her. Katara then faced forward again, "I'm fine… I'm just anxious to find her…"

Toph nodded a little, "We'll find her Katara…" she tried to reassure her. Katara sighed, "I hope so…"

The figure placed their fiery palm against the stone. When they did, the stone cracked and parted. They walked down the long hallway and straight back to the chamber. The man in the black cloak stood at the head of the table, standing over it, but looked up at the sound of the wooden door opening.

"They are trying to find her sir…" the figure said, bowing when he entered, "Is this our time to make our next attack?"

The man in the cloak thought for a moment, "Who is going after her when Iroh needs to take over the kingdom?" he asked. "The waterbender and earthbender sir…" the figure responded.

The man put his fingers to his scraggly chin, "No… we must go after them…"

"And end them?" the figure asked.

The man in the black cloak turned to them and gave them a disheveled grin, "You read my mind…"

Iroh walked into the throne room to see all of the advisors bowed before him. He walked towards the throne and through the fire, kneeling on the small cushion behind it. It was a place he never imagined himself being in again, especially under these circumstances. When he agreed to be Zuko's adversary should anything happen, he never imagined anything would.

Advisor Wan stood and bowed towards him, "I must say General Iroh… although it is under the most devastating circumstances… It is a joy to see you on the throne…"

Iroh gave him a solemn smile and nodded, "Thank you… Now… where shall we begin?"

Advisor Chen cleared his throat and stood, "General Iroh… This was the exact reason why we were prodding Fire Lord Zuko to wed. So we wouldn't be in this mess" but Iroh cut him off. Iroh raised his hand and spoke, "I'm aware of your misgivings with the situation and I promise you, it is heard… But right now, my focus is on this country and my nephew's health… So unless your discussion is based on those two things, then I am not needed here…"

Chen nodded, "Of course sir…" he sat down, his chin still stuck in the air as if it were hanging by a string. Advisor Wan cleared his throat and began again. "How is the Fire Lord's condition if you don't mind me asking sir?"

Iroh sighed under his breath, "It is grave… But I have the upmost hope that he will improve…" he spoke. The advisors all exchanged silent looks. This didn't go unnoticed by Iroh, but as he looked around the room, he noticed one advisor was missing. "Where is Advisor Ming?" Iroh spoke to the group.

"He is home General… His wife has fallen ill" Chen informed him. Iroh nodded, "Ahhh how awful… I must send him a fruit basket then…"

A few advisors chuckled at the older man but Advisor Chen continued, "General Iroh… If, by Agni's will… Fire Lord Zuko does not recover… is it your intention to take the throne?" he asked him. The room fell silent, anxious to hear the general's answer.

Iroh smiled slightly, "I don't believe it will come to that…" he then began to stand, "Now if you excuse me, I have some business to attend to…" he said, striding from the room, leaving several anxious advisors in his wake.

Ta-Daaa! That's it for this chapter! What do you think is gonna happen to zuko? Will Toph and Katara find Ursa in time? Find out in the next few chapters! Until next time!