"Just where do you think you're coming from?" Katara was waiting awake with her arms crossed in the middle of the courtyard. Her angry eyes glared at the younger girl.

"I went to see Zuko," she sighed growing annoyed.

"Her I understand!" Katara glared at Tsai who was just about to walk into the courtyard. "But you?"

"Nice to see you too," the red head muttered sarcastically under her breath before stalking over to her sleeping bag.

"I just wanted to talk to him. I think he can be helpful to us. So, we talked, I think maybe we could work something out. He really is willing to do anything to join our group." Toph explained bored.

"Andthem?" Katara narrowed her eyes to the Fire Nation girl who was laying down to bed. "What were they doing?"

Toph felt the nausea creeping up her esophagus at the sappy duo. "Ugh, don't remind me."

Xxx

"Wake up!"

Tsai opened her eyes and they immediately composed into a deep scowl. That voice. "Wake up!" Katara repeated again. "It's bad enough your snoring didn't let any of us sleep last night." She hissed both hands on her hips as she looked down at the girl. Talk about a rude awakening.

"What could possibly be so urgent?" She spoke through gritted teeth rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"What are you and Zuko plotting?" She sneered still glaring.

"What are you talking about?" The girl sat up.

"I know you're up to something," Katara warned menacingly.

"I just woke up. I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about?" She said groggily as she stood up.

"Oh yeah? What is this then!" Katara pulled a paper from her back. It was a note with some writings in it.

"'Tsai, pretend like you are their friend and infiltrate them. Let them let their guard down. ThenIwill attack when the time is right. - Zuko'" She read the note.

"What?" The other retorted. Let me see what, she wanted to snatch it out of her hands.

"Tsai is that true?" Asked Aang sounding hurt as he stood next to Katara.

"I have never seen that note in my life!" She said eyes wide.

"Then why was it in your stuff? Katara challenged with a slight smirk. "You were looking through my stuff?" The girl roared. "Only because I suspected something was wrong and of course I was right!" She clenched the note in her fists.

"That is not mine," she shook her head. "First of all, why would he give me a note if I literally had a conversation with him last night? Second that's not even his handwriting and third if he had actually written that he would've said"We"not "I""She said sternly both fists clenched at her sides angrily.

"Zuko is still clearly dangerous." Sokka stated without second guessing his sister as he pulled out his boomerang ready to go after a rumble "We're gonna have to go after him."

"You're right Sokka." Aang agreed with a disappointed shake of his head, "After this, I don't think we have a choice."

Tsai's mouth opened as she looked at the three of them in aghast in disbelief.

"Zuko's crafty, but we'll find a way to capture him."

"She's telling the truth." Toph suddenly said. "She has no idea about the note."

Both Aang and Sokka looked at her confused. "Then why is the note here?"

"It really doesn't make any sense," Toph said. "I saw them together last night. There was no conspiration or any of that. I don't understand why they would exchange notes."

"We should invite him back here. Whack him and take him as our prisoner!" Sokka said smashing his first into his palm.

"Stop! You all are insane!" The red head roared in frustration.

Suddenly, the ledge above the fountain exploded. Katara gasped and swung her arms, bringing the water from the fountain up to shield the group from the falling rocks. Tsai, Sokka and Aang and Toph quickly retreated, but stopped when they heard Zuko's voice.

"Stop! I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore."

Zuko ran towards a massive muscular man he looked like a bounty hunter. He was standing in front of him with his arms spread out to keep him from attacking them.

"The mission is off!" Zuko shouted at the man, further shocking the group by the fountain, "I'm ordering you to stop!"

"It's Combustion man!" Sokka said.

Combustion Man shoved him to the side and fired another blast from a third eye in the center of his forehead. The blast hit the top of the fountain destroying it. Aang, Sokka, Katara, Tsai and Toph ducked behind the fountain's edge and covered their heads from any incoming debris.

She looked up just in time to see Zuko rush towards Combustion Man with his hand pulled back and covered in flames.

Zuko charged towards the Fire Nation assassin with his flame-covered fist pulled back, "If you keep attacking, I won't pay you!" He shouted as he ran.

Combustion Man didn't even glance at him as he grabbed the prince by the shirt. Zuko grunted and threw the fireball in his hand but missed. He struggled against the assassin's grip on his shirt, "Alright! I'll pay you double to stop!" He quickly swung his arms down, finally breaking Combustion Man's grip.

Zuko turned on his heel and slammed his foot into the assassin's gut just as Combustion man fired another shot, knocking his aim off and pushing Zuko away with the force of the kick.

Aang peered over the edge of the fountain and stared at the incoming shot with fright the blast hit the pagoda below the fountain, destroying it.

"We have to help him!" Tsai looked at the group who had no reaction to her words. She looked at the man with determination and leaped off from her hiding spot running towards them.

Zuko grunted as he landed on in a crouch and he whirled around when he heard the assassin step towards him, staring at him in shock. He lurched to his feet and turned fully, creating a shield of fire in front of him just as Combustion Man fired a blast at him.

The blast hit the shield and exploded, pushing Zuko across the ground and over the edge of the platform where he vanished. Combustion man was approaching the group walking across a thick cloud of dust and debris ready to terminate them with an explosive blow when he felt a hard blow to the back of his head. It was then that the dust cleared. He winced and snapped his head to the side to see a teenage girl with red hair bouncing a medium sized rock in her hand.

"Hey!" She called as she threw a second rock at him this one hitting him on his temple. The man's head moved back an inch and he glared at her seething. A string of blood ran down his temple. "Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?" She shouted out a teasing laugh. A smug expression on her face. As she threatened the man from a safe distance.

The man then looked at her furiously.

"Woah!" She said as she was barely able to dodge one of the man's sudden blasts.

"Uh-Oh.." She said as she saw him angrily leap from across one ledge to the other.

Aang leapt to his feet and ran towards the edge of the courtyard, executing a quick spinning back kick that kicked up the dust around him and jumping straight up just in time to whip a whirlwind of air that made the man stumble on his stance. The man turned his attention to the Avatar who avoided a blast as he spun in mid-air and airbended a mini-tornado then kicked it directly at him.

Combustion Man leapt over the tornado and fired another blast at Aang as he descended.

Aang grabbed Tsai by one of her sleeves and hurriedly rushed over to their friends, all of them watching as Combustion Man slowed his fall by catching a small ledge with his clawed, metal hand. He landed on another ledge and rolled forward, launching another blast at the five friends a moment later.

They tried everything against this man earthbending, waterbending icicles which he simply shook off his body. It was useless.

"What is that thing?" She panted heavily with her back pressed against a large pillar where the five of them were hiding behind. She flinched when a pillar a few feet from them exploded and she turned her head away from the explosion.

"Combustion Man," Sokka repeated simply stating the facts.

Katara peeked out from behind the pillar and recoiled quickly when another blast struck the ground, exploding mere feet from them. She shook her head slightly, "I can't step out to waterbend at him without getting blown up! And I can't get a good enough angle on him from down here."

Sokka paused and thought furiously then he grinned, "I know how to get an angle on him!"

He gently pushed Katara aside and pulled out his boomerang, pressing his back against the pillar. He peeked out from behind the pillar just as another blast caused the ground the explode a little bit a ways. Sokka furrowed his brow in determination and the pillar again as smoke billowed passed him then he watched as two more blasts of energy shot out from behind another stone pillar and hit the ground in a loud explosion.

Sokka raised his boomerang towards the source of the blasts and mentally calculated the blasts' trajectory.

'There is no way in hell that's going to work…'

He smirked when he figured out the right angle and pulled his boomerang back, "Alright buddy, don't fail me now." He threw the boomerang forcefully and watched with his sister and friends as it flew through the air and curved behind a stone pillar.

Standing on a different platform, Combustion Man inhaled deeply and prepared to fire another blast when a sound reached his ears. He turned towards the sound and the boomerang hit him in the middle of the forehead. He grunted and stumbled back, falling to the ground.

Sokka cheered and darted out from behind the pillar with a triumphant grin with the other following him. His boomerang flew back towards him and he jumped, catching it happily, "Yeah, boomerang!"

He and Katara looked up with wide grins that quickly turned to frowns when they saw Combustion Man struggling back to his feet, his hand to his forehead. Sokka looked down at his boomerang disappointedly, "Aww, boomerang..." Sokka said sadly as the group began to run away collectively.

Combustion Man growled silently as he swayed slightly on his feet. He turned towards the fountain courtyard and reared his head back, his vision blurring. He inhaled deeply and tried to fire another blast of energy, but sparks began to fly from his forehead then a small explosion erupted from his head. The assassin put his hand to his forehead.

A massive explosion filled the air and she peered around the pillar, gawking as the pagoda Combustion Man had been standing on fell into the misty chasm below the temple. A glint of light among the falling debris and smoke caught her eye and she watched as the assassin's metal arm flew through the air, landing at the edge of the courtyard with a clang. Behind the group, Teo and Haru peeked out from behind a pillar with perplexed expression while the Duke poked his head out and stared in awe.

"I can't believe that actually worked!" She looked at Sokka with awe. "I can't believe you took out that thing with a boomerang."

Sokka smiled smugly, "Never underestimate the boomerang," he said cockily.

It was then that a sound made them all turn their attention to the upper platform. Zuko was currently hanging on to a vine climbing back to safety. It took him a couple of moments before he approached the group which was waiting for him.

"I can't believe I'm saying this..." Aang commented as he lifted his head and stared at Zuko gratefully, "But, thanks Zuko."

"Hey," Sokka whined slightly and gestured with his arms, "And what about me? I did the boomerang thing."

Honestly Sokka deserved an award.

Zuko stopped a few feet from the group, "Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday. I've been through a lot in the past few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honor," He bowed his head slightly and closed his eyes for a moment, "And that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right."

"All I want now is to play my part in ending this war." Zuko said sincerely and he stared at Aang with an earnest expression, "And I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world."

Aang stared back at Zuko for a moment and his expression softened.

"I'm sorry for everything I have done to you all." He bowed lowly to her then straightened, "You must master fire before you can face my father. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a Firebender, I promise we will be careful and control our bending well so nobody gets hurt unintentionally."

Aang blinked in surprise and he stared at Zuko in realization. He looked over his shoulder at Tsai who looked her heart was melting. A small smile on her face as she looked at the prince with a dazed love-struck look. Aang cringed a little at this his eyes averted to the ground intently for a moment then turned his gaze back to Zuko.

"I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher." He said and he took a few steps forward, "When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara. After that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people to love." He walked up to Zuko and bowed, "I'd like you to teach me."

Zuko smiled warmly and bowed back to the young Airbender, "Thank you. I'm so glad you've accepted me into your group."

"Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's okay with them." Aang said. "Also, what about the note?"

"What note?" Zuko responded just as confused. Sokka who was standing next to Katara took it from her belt and read it out loud.

"Did you write this? Or did you not?" Sokka said accusingly.

"I didn't write that," he said after a moment.

"He-He's telling the truth as well," Toph said surprised. The group exchanged a confused look between them. And then it all clicked.

"I know who wrote the note," Tsai suddenly said her teeth clenching in rage. "Who else can't even stand the sight of me? Next time try putting a little more effort into your little ploy Katara!" She stomped over to Sokka and snatched the note from his hands tearing it in half dramatically tossing the papers over her head.

"Katara wouldn't do that!" Aang said defensively. He looked at then hesitated. "She wouldn't… Right?" He looked at her with questioning eyes.

All eyes were now on Katara, guilty as charged.

"Fine," she admitted bitterly. "It was me."

"Why?" Aang asked more hurt than either Fire Nationer in their presence.

"I can't stand the sight of ONE Fire Nationer in my presence. I don't know what I'll do with TWO."

"Boo-hoo! Cry me a river!" The red head rolled her eyes. "You know what why we don't solve things the old way?" Tsai began cracking her knuckles. "Hand to hand?"

"No," Zuko suddenly said. He placed a hand over Tsai's balled fist and lowered it. "No more fighting. This has to stop. If we want to defeat my father. We have to work together. Put all of our prejudices behind." He spoke wisely.

She looked at him almost in awe. When had he become so wise? How much had he actually grown during all of this and why did he suddenly look a thousand times more attractive? Embarrassed the girl lowered her hands and tugged them behind her back.

"He's right." Aang suddenly spoke. "We all have to work together. Like it or not. What do you guys think?" He turned to look at Toph first.

She simply shrugged tugging her hands behind her neck casually. "Fine by me," she said. "Go ahead and let him join," she grinned.

"Sokka?"

"Hey, all I want is to defeat the Fire Lord." Sokka replied with a dismissive shrug after a moment of thought, "If you think this is the way to do it, then, I'm all for it."

Aang nodded and approached Katara cautiously. He was so disappointed in her for doing what she had done. "Katara?"

The Waterbender glared at Zuko for a moment and then her eyes bounced to Tsai who was still glaring at her. Then answered reluctantly, "I'll go along with whatever you think is right."

Aang smiled weakly at her then turned to face the girl from the colonies who stood next to the prince. "Tsai? I have to ask." He asked even though he had a feeling he already knew what her response would be.

"I think we should look for another teacher. Maybe a better looking one," she laughed slightly an edge of flirtation to her voice.

"I won't let you down." Zuko said excitedly as he took a few steps towards the group, "I promise."

All the other stood up swiftly and quickly dispersed as well. Leaving Zuko and Tsai alone in the ruined courtyard. She turned away walking away just the same but stopped halfway and turned to face him. He smiled at her slightly. She hesitated if to engage with him or not.

She shouldn't give him half the time of day but after that stunt he pulled. There was something ardent about the diplomacy and leadership she had just witnessed.

"Don't worry they'll warm up to you," the eternal optimist said kindly. "I am so proud of you!" She turned approached him with a sly smile. "I gotta say, I'm really impressed."

"R-Really?" He beamed and then proceeded to hate himself for stuttering.

"I know Uncle would be too!" She said her smile matching his own. "Come on, I'll get some tea ready," she nodded her head towards the center of the courtyard both of her hands held behind her back as she lead the way.

Xxx

"So here you go," Sokka drawled uncomfortably after leading Zuko to one of the rooms in the temple. He gestured towards the inside of the room and Zuko walked inside, "Home sweet home, I guess. You know, for now. Unpack...lunch soon." He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, "Uh...welcome aboard?"

Zuko turned towards him and smiled slightly. Sokka returned the smile awkwardly and shuffled out of the room. He walked over to where Aang was leaning against a pillar a little bit a way from the room, "Yeah, okay, this is really, really weird."

Aang smiled in amusement and the two walked away, heading back to the courtyard for lunch.

Zuko sat on the bed in the room and rummaged through his pack, pulling out the small portrait of his uncle. He stared down at the painting for a moment then closed his eyes.

With his eyes still closed, Zuko smiled down at the painting in his hand, nodding his head in agreement. A soft scuffling sound caused him to snap his eyes open in alarm and he turned his head towards the door, staring in surprise at Katara leaning against the door frame.

He stood up and faced her, opening his mouth to say something but she cut him off.

"You might have everyone else here buying your 'transformation'." She spat venomously as she glared at him, "But you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past." She stalked over to Zuko and leaned towards him threateningly, "So let me tell you something right now. You make one step backwards, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang...and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore."

"Because I'll make sure your destiny ends, right there."

xxx

AN: Phew, alright, nothing too exciting happened in this chapter. (I'll admit it was part of the other one but it was waayyyyy to long so I split it into 2.) We are nearing the end of our story and I've been writing some chapters ahead but boy are they long. So I think we have 5-6 more to go (since I'm splitting them in half ) before we reach our conclusion.

As always thank you so much for reading and all the love and support. - x G