Well, it came out a little later than planned, but here's the next chapter. It's kind of preparatory, but it does have a little more action. You'll have to let me know what you think…

Also, do I still have to say that I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender? Well, just to be safe: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

The next day passed rather quickly. Aang insisted on wearing air nomad clothing again, but otherwise the day went smoothly. The sky bison were fed, their fire-bending exercises were completed, and the house was put in complete order. Because it was the day before their father's return, Zuko refused to ignore meat. He ate what was required, though Aang refused to eat for another hour. Aang was doing better, though, and Zuko could tell. There were still a few loose ends, and Zuko was still worried for their father's return. He was also worried for the air nomads' return. Occasionally, after an especially hard battle, some would return to regroup and get ready for their next fight. Zuko was worried that Aang would either do something he would later regret or shut down again.

"Zuko… can I talk to you about something?" Aang walked out to the balcony, looking nervous.

Zuko shrugged to lighten the atmosphere. "What's up, Aang?"

"Well, it's just… I mean, well, Father's coming home tomorrow, right?"

"Most likely," Zuko sighed. "He did say at least three days, but I find it hard to believe he wouldn't return as soon as possible."

Aang nodded. "Yeah. That's probably right." He shifted uncomfortably.

Zuko put his hand on his shoulder. He should have expected this. "Hey, don't worry. It'll be fine. We did everything like we were supposed to. And the battle mostly went in their favor."

Aang bit his lip. "I… I know. It's just… I have this… plan, and I want to do something. I'm not worried that he- that it won't be good. It's just, I think, well, it's just that, I… I'm going to… well…"

Zuko swallowed. This didn't sound good.

"You're going to what, Aang? It's okay, you can tell me."

Aang took a deep breath. "I'm going to do something you don't like. And… and Father probably won't like it either. So… I just wanted to warn you. But I am going to do it. I know what I'm doing and I've planned it all out. It should work. So, I just… I just wanted you to be ready. You don't have to do anything, hopefully. I mean, I have an explanation. I… Zuko, stop staring at me like that! It's not like that! This time it'll work!"

Zuko turned back to the balcony, his face in his hands. This really didn't sound good. "Aang." He had to choose his words carefully, or risk having his brother do something really stupid. "I don't know what you're planning, but you remember what happened last time you tried to speak with Father about something important. And that was just talking. This sounds a little more dramatic."

"I know! But I've thought about it! And you shouldn't get in trouble, so that's good. And if I'm right, Father should be pleased in the end. It should work out, in the end." But Aang looked a little less certain.

"If you remember, Aang, last time I wasn't supposed to have gotten in trouble, too." He sighed. Aang took the opportunity to speak again.

"I know that, Zuko. I've thought about it. At first, I thought Father would just be pleased that I was finally… anyways, I thought he would be pleased. But he isn't usually happy with us-even when he should be! So he wouldn't like it at all. I was going to tell you then, but you were just so… against me doing anything like it that I decided not to. But then I realized that in the end, Father had really no reason to dislike it. My idea, that is.

"So I just thought, I could make it all work, you know? But… without telling you first, I guess? I know it's a stupid idea. I mean this whole thing is crazy. It's just crazy." And that quickly, Aang's expression subtly changed from earnest to hopeless. "I just wish I could talk to someone else about it. That's why I was going to tell you, you know? But… it's not the same. You're not the same."

Zuko's expression softened as he realized who Aang was talking about. He turned back to him and knelt to just below his level. "Aang, I'm sorry I'm not as easy to talk to as Gyatso. I want to help you, that's why I'm worried about you, and that's why I'm generally against this whole thing. Can you try and explain what you're doing? Maybe you're right; it sounds like you've thought a lot about this plan. I promise I'll listen without telling Father."

Aang closed his eyes and shook his head. "I… I'm sorry Zuko. I don't think I can tell you more. But don't panic. I'm not dying or anything, and I'm not going to… go crazy or anything. It's just something to help me remember Gyatso. And it's not much change, either. I'm… basically telling Father a secret. So don't worry. I'll be fine." Aang watched as Zuko sighed and stood. "I promise it won't be as bad as you're thinking."

Zuko tried to force a smile. How would Aang know what he worried about? Of course, Aang had been there when he got his scar. He just hoped that Aang had over, not under, estimated their father's anger.

"Alright. Okay, sure. That works. Just… be careful, okay?"

Aang nodded immediately. "Of course. Um… would it be okay if I rode Appa around for a while? Then I'll come to bed. I promise."

Zuko turned to face him. "Aang, you're a firebender. The sky bison are for the air nomads. You should probably just come in, okay?"

Aang's face fell and he nodded again. "Yeah. A firebender. And we should probably get ready for tomorrow. It makes sense. Thanks for letting me go yesterday, though. That was nice." Aang nodded again. "Yeah, I'll just go get ready. See you tomorrow, Zuko." He turned and slowly walked inside.

Zuko sighed. To be completely honest, he wanted to call Aang back and let him ride for a while. Nobody else was there and it wasn't like they would mind if they were. But he was concerned for Aang. The day before he had suggested that he had been supposed to be born in the air nomad community. All week, he had continued to follow their precepts (no meat, air nomad apparel, and more) - and now he was saying he was going to do something that might make their father mad.

That wasn't like Aang; he usually wanted to stay in the background when their father was home. He had even spent a few of the nights he was home at Gyatso's house.

"If you're not noticed," he'd once told Zuko, "you can't get in trouble."

The base of the problem was Gyatso. Aang had just had his best friend in the world taken from him. He usually acted differently when Ozai returned, and he was bound to act a little stranger than normal when faced with this problem.

What was Aang planning? But if Aang wouldn't talk, Zuko didn't want to make him. And, it would be good for Ozai to notice Aang, even if just for a moment. Zuko sighed again. This was tricky. Aang was probably right, though. It was time to get some sleep. They would most likely need their energy when their father returned.

The next morning, Zuko awoke to Aang sitting on his bed. When he saw Zuko was awake, he jumped up, looking a little awkward. "Sorry, Zuko, didn't mean to wake you."

Zuko blinked, waiting for the sun's energy to fill him and wake him up like it normally did. Finally, he felt it, and he sat up, stifling a yawn. "No, it's fine, Aang. How long has the sun been up? Wait. How long have you been up?" And since when do you get up before me?

Aang shrugged. "I think the sun just came up. I couldn't sleep, so after a while I just sort of came in. I've been here for a while. You sleep like a rock. I thought I wouldn't bother you."

Zuko nodded. "Is Father… I mean, has anything happened yet?"

Aang's face lit up. "Yeah. Did you know a bunch of air nomads would be returning, too? There's at least twenty of them, and Leehn's with them. I'm going to talk to them as soon as I get a chance!" Aang grew quiet. He rocked back and forth on the bed as Zuko stretched and came to sit on the side of the bed next to him.

"That's great, Aang. I didn't know anyone would be coming back. We probably should wait until we see Father to go see air nomads, though," Zuko replied carefully. "The Fire Nation-as well as our family-come before they do."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Zuko, the air nomads practically are family. Plus, I sort of promised Leehn that I would see him as soon as I could. And, I totally can now. I'm not abandoning the family, I'm just seeing my friend. Seriously, stop taking everything to the next level, Zuko."

Aang could tell Zuko didn't like it. And he didn't - Zuko especially didn't like the way Aang had looked away when he had said he wasn't abandoning the family. Or that he had turned the blame on Zuko. He noticed something else, something that bothered him even more. "Aang, I'm sorry, but you can't wear those clothes again today." Aang was still wearing air nomad apparel.

"Oh, this?" He asked sheepishly. "I just wanted to. Come on, it's just clothes!"

"No, Aang. It's not just clothes, it's air nomad clothing, and more importantly, Father doesn't know you have it. So you really need to go back to your room and change."

Aang made a face. "No, I don't have to. I don't think Father will notice. It's not that big of a deal, and I won't go change."

Zuko glared at Aang. Aang glared right back. Finally, Zuko sighed. "Aang, you can't wear those while Father's here. You don't want him to take it! Is there anything I can do to get you to wear the proper apparel? You know, maybe clothes from our nation?"

Aang folded his arms. "Maybe if you let us go see Leehn, I might be inclined to wear your fancy Fire Nation stuff. Otherwise, I don't care if you punish me. Or if Father does. I wear what I want - why do you care anyway?"

Zuko sighed. Because I care what happens to you, airhead, and I don't want you getting a scar like mine. "Alright. Fine. But we go now, and we go fast. If we see anyone from the Fire Nation, we turn back immediately and you get changed. And we pretend we ate during this time. It's a good thing I had us eat a little extra last night. We pretend we ate little the first two meals after I got home. Deal? We're not going to get caught, and we're going to be quick."

Aang grinned and jumped up. "Deal! Do you want me to get started or wait for you to get dressed?"

"Wait outside. I'll be there in just a second." After watching Aang run out the room, Zuko took out his official Fire Nation clothing. Like Aang had said, it was 'just clothes', but his father would notice, and he wanted to look professional. Once he was ready, he put his hand on the doorknob and sighed again. Aang meant well, but he was making this really hard. Talking to an air nomad before their father came home… Aang was really pushing it. But it wasn't like Zuko had a choice. He needed Aang in his proper clothes, because Ozai would definitely notice the drastic change. The light yellows and oranges strongly differed from the dark reds and blacks he was used to.

When Zuko found Aang right outside of their house, he was already in deep conversation with Leehn. "Aang, I thought I told you to wait for me."

"Oh yeah, you did! I, uh, well, Leehn was just right here. So I decided to talk to him. It would have been awkward to just stand here, right Leehn?"

The older air nomad nodded. "Yeah. Don't worry Zuko, Aang's not breaking any rules. And your father won't be ready for at least another fifteen minutes. He's finishing up things with the last of us 'air people'." He smiled reassuringly. "There's really nothing to worry about."

Zuko smiled tightly. "Right. Well, sorry to interrupt your conversation. Carry on."

Aang rolled his eyes. "Zuko, he just came back from battle. Can't you give him a break?"

Zuko kept up his tight smile. "Of course, Aang. Does this mean we're done?"

Leehn sighed. "No, Zuko, not unless you order me to leave. It just means your unrelenting attitude to us air nomads does get a little old sometimes." He smiled. "Not that I'm complaining, you're pretty chill compared to the rest of the Fire Nation." He glanced at Aang. "But please tell me he's not like this all the time!"

Aang grinned. "Nah, I told you about him, remember? He's just like this when he's nervous. Or facing someone who scares him." He put up his fist. "Like an all powerful air nomad!"

Leehn grinned. "Yeah, sure, sure. You know, if we were all powerful, we would end this war and go back to the air temples. That is our overarching goal, you know. But we actually aren't that good of soldiers. Especially compared to a bunch of angry-and well trained-fire benders."

Zuko, feeling like Leehn was insulting his nation, felt the need to speak up. "That's why my father's there. He's trying to help you defeat those who want you gone. That's a good thing - and he's a fire bender. Don't forget that I am too. And so's Aang."

Leehn sighed. "I'm not so sure your father's really helping, Zuko."

Zuko glared at him. "Right. That's why he's been gone the past few days trying to help you finish up the battle. He's totally trying to get you all killed."

Leehn simply turned to Aang. "So how've you been doing, Aang?"

Aang shrugged, his smile slipping. "I've… been okay. It's been hard, but I've had Zuko, you know. I decided, well, you know our secret?" Leehn nodded. "I'm going to tell it to Father now. There's no reason to keep it hidden anymore. Um… Zuko still doesn't know."

"Wait. Leehn knows your little secret?" Zuko was appalled. Why would Aang tell him that? And how long had this been a thing?

"Uh, yeah. We talk all the time, Zuko, and most of the air nomads do. You know how much I like them. I'm not like you. Or Father."

Zuko blinked. "Yeah, I know. Leehn, um, how was the fighting?"

Leehn narrowed his eyebrows. "It was fine, Zuko. We're here to regroup. I need my bison-and so do some others. We have to leave soon, the majority of the fighting is happening on the mainland. We're hoping to leave by tomorrow morning." He glanced at Aang. "Of course, if we need to wait for anything, that works, too."

Aang nodded. "That's great. Tomorrow sounds great." He looked up at Zuko who was staring at the pair, trying to figure out what they were talking about. "Well, we should probably go get ready. You know, I still need to change, and… stuff."

Leehn nodded. "Thanks for talking, Aang. If you need to, you can come back later." He gave Zuko a small customary bow. "And thank you, Zuko, for letting your brother entertain me for a moment." He then turned and walked away.

Zuko turned and looked at Aang. "Well. I certainly hope that made you happy."

Aang smiled. "Yeah. Sorry it was so awkward for you, Zuko. As promised, I'll go change now." He turned and went back to the house. Zuko shook his head. Dealing with air nomads, or really anyone, was especially difficult for him. But for some reason, Aang always seemed to be at ease.

Of course, it was different with their father. Zuko usually was able to appease him, while Aang usually was ignored or happened to say the wrong thing. But as far as Zuko knew, he still had a few minutes of peace before the storm that was sure to follow. He sighed once more before following Aang into the house. This would be interesting.

Hello again… I originally had this and the next chapter combined as one, but it just didn't work out. That next chapter should come out within a week, so if you're interested, stay tuned! I haven't received many comments, so I'm still pretty new at this. If you're confused, or want more information, please let me know! I would love to improve. One more thing, thanks so much to my friend for editing this before I posted. You're awesome! And to you all, thanks for reading!