Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It's a shame.

"You boys sure are brave when you're ganging up against one guy. How about I even the odds a bit?"

All the men immediately stopped attacking the battered young man on the ground who lay curled in a fetal position unmoving at their feet and stared at the slim, short, attractive brown haired girl with a braid standing a few feet away from them, looking like she might float away at any moment.

One, obviously the leader, stepped away from the others and addressed her directly.

"Just who do you think you are girlie?" he growled angrily. "No one insults us!"

"Well maybe not to your ugly face!" she giggled behind her hand then did a little twirl and faced them again, her hands clasped behind her back demurely.

"How dare you!" the leader stepped forward and suddenly punched fire from his hands and feet straight in her direction.

The girl danced away and did a little cartwheel, bouncing on the balls of her feet and grinning like the cat that ate the canary.

"Oh did the big bad man miss the little girl with his blasty fire?" she taunted in a baby voice, grinning all the while as she did a couple more cartwheels away, goading them to follow her.

"Oh, that's it kid, you're dead! Get her!" he shouted, and they all ran after her completely forgetting about the young man on the ground and the young woman they had first seen.

The moment their attention was elsewhere Umi darted over to Tiron who was already pushing himself off the ground. She helped him stand, where she supported him as he staggered slightly, attempting to keep his balance.

"You're badly hurt we need to get you to a healer." Umi stressed. The irony of her words was not lost on her, and she inwardly felt a pang of loss.

"No…" he groaned "home"

"Ok, I'll take you home. I mean, my home, I don't know where your home is…" she babbled as she helped him over to a bench not too far away.

"Sit here while I go get the buggy from the restaurant."

"Not…safe…" he muttered.

"I'll be fine, they're gone. I'll be right back!" and with that she took off running.

She ran as fast as she could, worried about the young man who had been a stranger scant hours before, and had moments ago faced death for her. He reminded her of Zuko.

She quickly retrieved the cart and after asking the stable boy how to drive it, he offered to do it for her, just till they got back to the festival. She agreed thankfully and watched carefully as he drove the buggy, how he handled the animal that pulled it and what he did to start and stop.

Once they arrived at the bench where Tiron was still sitting slumped over, breathing raggedly, the stable boy hopped down and helped her down as well, then quickly helped her date into the back and laid him down so he wouldn't fall out as they drove.

Umi thanked him profusely and he blushed and waved her off with an "awe shucks, it were'nt nothin' at all".

She bravely yet nervously drove the thankfully docile ostrich horse with its precious cargo back to her 'home' with the kind couple. Time seemed to stand still as she drove, seeming to take three times as long to get back as it had taken to leave.

Every time she glanced back it looked like he was unconscious or sleeping, she wasn't sure which. He had moaned a couple of times when she had driven over an extra large bump in the road she couldn't avoid, and she cringed every time.

Finally reaching the house, she hopped down from the driver's seat and ran into the house, shouting for help. In moments both appeared and she explained what had happened as the man carried Tiron from the cart bed into the house and with a quick questioning look at Umi, who nodded, his wife directed him to be placed on the bed in Umi's room which was the only other bed besides the master bed in the house, and began to examine visually the young man's wounds.

"Kelak, ride over to his house and notify his family of his condition and invite them to visit, please." She said briskly. Her husband nodded and was gone in a moment.

"Saral, what should I do?" Umi asked uncertainly. "Can I help?"

"Heat some water and bring me a clean cloth to tend his wounds and please close the door on your way out and knock upon entering to preserve privacy. Oh, yes" she added "you may want to pick up whatever project you were working on and move it out of the room temporarily."

Umi nodded "Of course, I'll be right back." She grabbed the delicately embroidered handkerchief she was partially finished with and quickly left the room for the items she'd been requested to fetch.

After delivering them she moved to the living room and sat down on the couch to continue her embroidery. Her fingers busy, her mind quickly drifted to the frightening events of the evening. She had so much to thank that boy for; she hoped he would be ok. The girl too, if she hadn't shown up, the night might have ended far worse for both of them.

Who was she? Why had she taken on several grown men without fear? Umi shook her head. She may never know, but she was eternally grateful. She had felt so helpless watching them kick and beat Tiron, and knowing she was next. She never wanted to feel that way again and suddenly hated the fact that her powers were lost.

The moment she had that thought she repented of it; she would do it all over again if it meant the two men whom she cared for most were alive and whole. It had been well worth the sacrifice.

Umi sighed. She missed them. Ok, if she were honest with herself it was mostly him. She missed Zuko. Her heart had not wavered. In fact, if anything, her feelings had intensified rather than weakening.

"How is he doing?" she wondered "Is he happy? Is he doing well? Does he…does he miss me?"

Shaking her head as if to shake off the thoughts and questions with no answers she admonished herself for daydreaming while there was a young man in the next room possibly fighting for his life because he had tried to protect her.

Umi sighed again and leaned back, closing her eyes. Being mortal was complicated. So very complicated. Once again, as she often did, Umi imagined the ocean, its colors and creatures, its changing moods, its infinite memory and comforting embrace.

She jumped when the door burst open sometime later, nearly dropping her sewing as several people crowed inside.

"Where is he?!" A nearly frantic, teary eyed older woman cried when she saw Umi.

"He's just down the hall with Saral." She stood up quickly and led the anxious woman to the door of her room and knocked.

"Saral, it's Tiron's mother." She called through the door.

"Of course, she may come in." came the reply "Please make our guests comfortable Umi, won't you please?"

"Yes, ma'am." Umi responded quickly and retraced her steps back into the living room where the rest of the family stood uncomfortably looked worried.

"They are with him now." she attempted to reassure the family members. "Please have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink while you wait?" she asked politely.

"Water, if you please." The request was from the man who was most likely Tiron's father.

"Of course, I will bring a pitcher and some glasses in case anyone else is thirsty."

It was but the work of a moment and she had returned, placing them on the coffee table and pouring water for anyone who asked. This she had learned from the lady of the house, when they had decided she would be staying with them. Saral had insisted she learn how to entertain and be a hostess, and Umi could not easily refuse while she lived under their roof. Now she was glad of the training. It kept her focused and gave her confidence.

As soon as she once again took a seat with her sewing, the questions began.

"How did this happen? Why was Tiron hurt? Who did it?" Were just a few of the questions rapid-fired in her direction.

Most likely sensing her panic, the man of the house, Kelak interrupted the barrage of questions with a raised hand.

"Please, we are all curious, but give the young woman time to respond." He admonished. She thanked him with a relieved look and cleared her throat nervously.

"We had a lovely dinner and decided to walk around and found a festival and circus. While we browsed the shops a group of rowdy and drunken men led by a fire bender began to attempt to accost me, and, Tiron, being a gentleman, stood up to them very bravely." She added, still feeling embarrassed about having to relay the details of her failed date to the young man's family.

"How many were there?" asked a boy she decided must be a younger brother.

"I remember at least seven or eight, I was very afraid, so I don't quite remember exactly." She answered kindly.

"I would have been so afraid if it was me!" chimed in a young girl who was firmly scooted into her father's side.

"I was certainly afraid, but I'm very lucky your brother is a good and kind man and he stood up to those bullies, even though they hurt him for it." She replied.

"Ohh..did they hurt him bad?" the little girl said with big eyes, as if she were about to cry.

Umi was unsure how much to say in front of the child, and looked quickly to the girl's father for direction.

"Now, now, sweetheart, let's not ask the nice lady any more questions right now ok?" he said, patting her head gently and wrapping his arm around her small body. The small child shook her head.

"But I want to know if big brother's gonna be ok?"

"He's going to be fine, just you wait." Her father answered with a confidence he couldn't back up, but wasn't about to tell the child that.

He shared a look with Kelak, and he walked over to the front door. "Kids, our barn cat just had kittens about a month ago, they're tame enough to play with."

"Oh daddy, can we? Can we?"

Their father laughed at their obvious eagerness. "Of course, just go straight to the barn and come straight back when you're finished playing." He agreed. "And be gentle!" he called out to their retreating backs as they were almost out the door.

He stood up and nodded gratefully to his host. "Appreciate the help." He glanced out a window to watch the two children as they scampered to the barn.

"Now, what really happened?" his focus was directly on Umi now and she shrank back slightly.

"I…It's just as I said." Her voice quivered slightly. "We were at a shop and saw the gang of soldiers, I think they called them, and Tiron grabbed my hand and tried to pull me behind the stall before they saw us because they were very rowdy, but they had already seen me."

Her eyes lowered to the ground as she continued. "They became combative and aggressive quickly, threatening…things…they would do. Tiron stood in front of me and wouldn't let them have me. They…" she swallowed hard as she relived the horror of that moment once again "they attacked him, one on one, then when he was knocked to the ground they all began to kick and hit him with their blunt weapons if they had any. He just lay there on the ground all curled up as they beat him. There was nothing I could do…" her voice trailed off.

Kelak walked over to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"You got him to us alive." He answered gently. "Never blame yourself for things beyond your control."

Tiron's father nodded his agreement.

Motioning for her to sit down on the couch, Kelak prompted her to continue.

"When I thought all hope was lost, a girl suddenly appeared, looking like she would simply dance away at any moment and taunted the men using baby talk and making fun of men that were many times her size. She made sure they were angry and then they chased her and forgot all about us. I ran and got our cart and the stable hand drove it back for me and taught me how to drive it on the way. He put Tiron in the back and I drove us here on his request."

"He didn't want to come home?" Tiron's father asked quickly.

"He was dazed, unfocused…he said not to go to a healer, and passed out. My only option was here, as I do not know where you live." Umi answered hesitantly.

"Ah, of course. Forgive me." The man replied. "You did the best you could, thank you for being so quick thinking and level headed."

Umi blushed and ducked her head. "Thank you." She murmured quietly, still unable to take a compliment gracefully without embarrassment.

Saral came down the hallway into the room looking a little brighter. "He's doing well. It would appear that he has no permanent or lasting injuries, though he is rather bruised and will be sore and stiff for some time as he heals. The boy is resilient." She offered a small smile.

Tiron's father gave an answering smile of his own. "That boy is of tough stock, he is. Good to hear he'll be ok." He replied with relief.

"You may go visit him with your wife, he is awake now." She continued.

"I will go check on the children for you, if you like." Umi added quickly.

The man thanked them both and hopped off the couch, darting down the hallway before any of them moved.

"Will he truly be ok?" Asked Umi quietly.

"He will. I did not exaggerate, the boy truly is quite resilient." She shook her head. "He was clearly beaten, badly. I presume you have related what happened already?"

Umi nodded.

"Kalek will tell me later then, no need for you to repeat the tale again."

Umi smiled appreciatively. "I'll go find the children now, then." And she quietly left the house and headed towards the barn.

It didn't take long to find them, she merely followed the sounds of giggling and chatter until she came across the two youngsters, seated happily in the straw, with at least two kittens each in their laps, and a couple more running about chasing a piece of straw the boy held. It was such a happy, homey scene that she couldn't help but stop and watch, as they hadn't noticed her yet.

She imagined what they would look like if they were Zuko's and her children. She blushed profusely at the thought, but couldn't quell it. The girl…she would have dark hair and golden eyes, just like her father. The boy, he would have blue eyes and blond hair and be sweet and cute, just like his father.

She smiled dreamily as she watched the happy children play contentedly. She hated to interrupt their innocent fun so stayed as quiet as possible. How she missed the days when she played innocently that way until she met human beings..until she thought to take on a human form…until…

She immediately halted that train of thought. Those days were long since past; and the future was always approaching every day. She could not live in the past. Allowing herself a genuine smile she turned and softly stole out of the barn, the children none the wiser and still completely occupied with their new feline friends.

When she made her way back into the house she was quite astonished to find none other but Tiron seated in the living room drinking some water. He looked rather worse for wear but he was awake and seated upright as if nothing were amiss.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Your highness, a word, if I may."

"Speak."

The doctor looked around the room pointedly. "Perhaps I can speak with you when I may be more discreet."

Firelord Ozai caught the man's drift and ordered everyone in the room to leave immediately.

"Now, what is it that has interrupted my day?" he growled.

The man steeled his nerve and replied. "The princess, your majesty." He began hesitantly.

"Well?" Ozai prompted "what about her?"

"Sire, she, well, she is…" the man stumbled about for the proper words.

"Out with it man or I'll find myself a physician without a speech impediment!" the firelord barked impatiently.

"She's acting..odd!" the man blurted out. "She no longer merely screams. For a couple months or so we believed she was becoming docile as she had stopped the incessant screaming and made little noise at all. The screams began again a short time ago; however, the strange thing is that she no longer screams incoherently. She is beginning to attempt communication."

"She's trying to talk to you?"

"Not me per se, I am not normally there during her 'lucid time'." He explained. "The guards are hearing her call out to them. Not just to them, but they say she calls for you."

"Impossible!" Ozai scoffed. "That child is mentally unstable and doesn't have the faculties to properly form words, how could she possible even know who I am, much less ask for me?"

He shook his head. "I should never have taken pity on her in hopes that she would still be a useful tool." Suddenly, he tilted his head with a gleam in his eye. "Then again, maybe it was exactly the right thing to do. My fool son has designs on my throne and may just come back some day and he'll be looking for her; if he does, he'll be mine."

"It's time she had a change of scenery." He barked. "Has she used bending since her defeat at Zuko's hands?" he asked distastefully.

"No, sire." Came the reply.

"Good, then move her things into her cell from her old bedroom. Bed, furniture etc. She will no longer need to be strapped down if she behaves herself. Tell her that. Make sure she understands."

"Wouldn't it be best if it came from you?" the doctor asked. "She will no doubt do anything you ask, and be sure to obey and stay compliant."

"She is revolting to behold, but there is truth in what you say. The last thing we want is for her to get out." He shook his head. "Oh very well, when her room is complete send for me."

"Of course, it will be done." The doctor agreed.

"Dismissed." Ozai muttered and the man skittered out of the room.

The firelord rubbed his hands on his temples. His children were out of control. He had such high hopes for the girl, she was every bit as ruthless, cunning and powerful as himself, possibly even moreso, and yet, here he was, hiding her almost corpse in his dungeons like a disgusting secret he wanted to hide.

She should have been his firelord when he ascended to Phoenix King, now there would be no one, he had no more heirs. His mind wandered to his banished wife. He occasionally thought of her, she was a tall dark-haired beauty and he had fancied himself in love once. She, too, had been a disappointment.

Yet, sometimes, he almost envied her simple life. Oh yes, he knew where she resided. He would never allow such a thing to be known by any other, but he would never have let her disappear. She knew too much. She was under constant guard and her life would have been forfeit the moment she opened her mouth, but she never had. And so she lived.

The next day the doctor himself one again requested an audience with Firelord Ozai, this time to give him the message that the princess' things had been moved into her cell and as her time of lucidity was nearly upon them she was prepared to receive him.

With reluctance and a strange trepidation he made the journey with the doctor down into the dank and dirty dungeons below the palace proper. The low light of the wall lanterns cast eerie shadows on the damp stones of the walls and down the stairs as they climbed down.

By the time they reached the cell Ozai was actually almost glad to see the furnishings of a normal room inside the dank cell. His eyes gravitated almost unwillingly to the slight form on the bed in a white hospital gown.

He grimaced but was unable to look away. The charred black remains were gone, but in their place was nothing recognizable. It looked like some horrific alien creature and he had a hard time believing it was his only daughter.

The man finally found his voice. "So THIS is the princess?" he barked.

Suddenly the figure on the bead began to moan and whine in a disturbing and pathetic manner, the hands that were mere frozen claws and arms locked in permanently bent positions began to move and flail and the nurses rushed to restrain her.

"Ah, sire, I should have remembered to mention to you; she, for some unknown reason, reacts extremely badly to that word." The doctor explained.

"What word? Princess?" Ozai repeated.

More moans and whines came from the white clad figure, and Ozai could see drool leaking out from the permanently open mouth with charred teeth that stuck out like some grizzly skull. He grimaced and almost began to regret lunch.

"Yes, sire. It really sets her off."

"I see that. What she needs is some discipline." Ozai walked over to the bed and ordered the nurses away.

"Listen to me Azula. I am your Firelord, and your father, and I command you stop that infernal racket at once!"

The moment he spoke she stopped mewling and lay perfectly still.

"So you can hear me. Good. Also you appear to understand me. If you can understand what I am saying, nod your head if you are able. If you are unable to nod your head, move your right arm."

Azula slowly nodded her head as far as she was able. "Aaaaaggckaaa…."

Ozai looked disturbed. "What is she saying?"

The doctor asked one of her guards and then replied. "The guards believe that she is attempting to say 'father' when she makes that sound."

Azula nodded her head faster and made the sound again.

"So you know me, good. You must also know where you are, the dungeons below the palace. It's for your own good. You're hideously disgusting; no courtiers could possibly stand to see how revolting you are." The firelord told his only daughter.

A whine from the open mouth greeted him.

"Toughen up girl!" he shouted. "You are too soft to be the ruthless daughter I raised!"

"You're nothing more than a whining, crying child, useless to me in every way except as bait for my even more worthless son."

"Gccuuugccuuuu" came the loud cry.

"Now that one I need no translation for." Laughed Ozai. "Yes your pathetic brother is still very much alive, not only that, somehow miraculously the boy is hale and hearty and perfectly whole."

"Gnooooo…" she moaned.

"Yes. You failed even in that. Somehow he is perfect and roaming around out there somewhere planning who knows what while you sit in my dungeons, practical worthless and nearly a vegetable. What a disappointment you are."

"Haaeeee…haaaeee aaggckaaa."

Ozai looked at the doctor. The man glanced at one of the nurses who replied "I believe she is apologizing, sire."

"Sorry will not help you Azula. You are weak and you failed your duty. I was going to make you firelord when I ascended to Phoenix King, now, you will be nothing but bait to die down here alone if they forget to take care of you when I'm gone."

"Ggnnoooooo!" she cried loudly.

"Your fate is sealed, quit crying girl. Now behave as a daughter ought and obey your father and king. I command you to stay in this room and obey the doctors and nurses who are taking care of you. Be calm and compliant and you will be free inside this cell, cause trouble and you will be shackled. It is your choice. You will never see me again."

Ozai marched out the door to pitiful wails and cries. For one moment, he heard what was supposed to be 'father' and in that moment, that split second, he wanted to change his mind, then it passed, and the wails turned to screaming and he took the stairs two at a time, eager to rid himself of the stench of death and the dankness of the dungeon.

0o0o0o0o0

Time seemed to pass quickly, yet crawl by, as Zuko and Iroh became more and more integrated into the small group of unlikely friends and allies. One by one, he began to bond with each member of the group, slowly earning his place with them. In the mornings, Aang had taken to getting up with the sun, like Zuko, and copying his katas as he greeted the sun. The young Avatar would not attempt to bend fire, but he seemed to enjoy the companionship of the early morning ritual.

He would spend time Toph during the day, or with Iroh, sparring. Occasionally he and Sokka would spar as he had skills with a blade.

In the evenings he would sometimes practice water bending stances and moves with Katara. She had such a fluid way about her it reminded him of Umi, and he couldn't help but spend time around her. Especially when she was bending, it almost drew him, her bending, and he would think of Umi so strongly that sometimes he would forget what he was doing.

If they were sparring when that happened it would end up with him soaked and Katara scolding him to pay attention. It was only inevitable, then, that she ask him one of those times, how he was so easily distracted when they sparred.

Zuko sighed. He wasn't ready to talk about Umi yet, but it looked like he just lost his choice.

"It's a long story." He muttered noncommittally.

She flopped down on the stones and patted the ones next to her. "I have nothing but time right now."

"Remember the water spirit Umi I told everyone about when we first came here?" Zuko began.

"Of course! Then Sparky Sparky Boom Man showed up and…well we got interrupted." She added quickly.

"Yes, well I..I didn't mention that I…well you…I mean…" his voice trailed off. She looked at him strangely.

"You remind me…of Umi." He finally said before he lost his nerve.

"I remind you…oh because I'm a bender?" she concluded.

"Yeah…"

"Oh. Oh! You liked her didn't you! I mean really liked her!"

Zuko's head ducked lower and he tried to hide a blush.

"Ooh, I'm right, you do!" Katara laughed and Zuko felt like disappearing.

"I'm sorry Zuko, I can't help it, I'm just glad I know why you always seem so distracted when we spar, or when you watch me bend." She chuckled. "I was beginning to think you might fancy me instead and I…well I, there is someone else I…prefer.." she stuttered.

"Not so easy when the shoe's on the other foot huh?" Zuko taunted lightly with a grin.

She blushed and splashed him with a well aimed water whip, gently, but it was enough to dampen him slightly.

He used his inner fire to burn away the water and she watched the steam rise as he did so.

"You're a really advanced fire bender aren't you?" She asked curiously.

"I guess so…"

"Why are you here anyway? I mean really." The question was serious.

"I'm here to help the Avatar defeat the firelord. Any way I can." Zuko answered equally serious.

"Have you considered being Aang's firebending teacher?" came Sokka's voice from behind them.

Both jumped and stood up, turning around to see him standing there, looking almost smug.

"How long have you been standing there Sokka?" Katara growled.

"Long enough to find out my sister is holding out on me." Sokka glared. "Who's this guy you like? Do I need to beat him up and make sure he treats my sister well?" the boy puffed out his chest and attempted to look manly and intimidating; he only succeeded in causing himself to cough, losing the heroic pose he'd been attempting to strike.

Katara and Zuko chuckled and Sokka, coughing, wasn't letting them off the hook.

"I'm waiting Katara, who is it?" he pushd.

"Not now, Sokka!" she hissed.

"I'm sorry to interrupt this little sibling bonding thing, but did you just mention that I should think about being Aang's firebending teacher? What do you mean? Shouldn't he be finding a master for that?" Zuko asked.

"He has, he did, he tried, I mean." Katara stumbled through her answer, still distracted by her brother's insistence she tell him who she liked.

"It didn't go well, in fact, he lost control of the fire and…um…he accidentally burned me."

Zuko's eyes widened in surprise.

Katara shook her head. "It's ok, I'm fine, my hands healed fine. In fact, it was then that I learned how to heal. If not for that accident, I don't know when I would have found out I had the ability to heal with my bending."

"That's pretty amazing Katara. I can imagine though, that Aang feels incredibly guilty for burning you. I take it that's why he has never tried again."

"That's right. He swore he'd never use fire again." Sokka interjected.

"Doesn't the Avatar have to wield all four elements though?" Asked Zuko.

"Yes, that's why I asked you to be his teacher."

"Do you really think he would, after what happened?" Zuko wasn't so sure it would be possible to get Aang to even consider it.

"We'll just have to talk him into it."

"Talk who into what?" Aang asked as he sauntered up.

Zuko coughed at their conversation almost being heard by the one they were talking about.

Katara and Zuko wouldn't look him in the eye and Sokka realized it was up to him. He sighed.

"You guys are gutless you know that?" He groused. "Look Aang, I know what happened with Katara was traumatizing and everything man, but the comet is coming and we are going to need a fully functional Avatar when it does if we're going to have a prayer of actually defeating Ozai."

"What do you mean Sokka?"

"Let Zuko be your firebending teacher."

Aang's head snapped to the side to look at Zuko. "No." he answered simply.

"Aang…" Zuko began. "Do you know what is more dangerous than a powerful bender?"

Aang shook his head.

"A powerful bender without training." Zuko answered. "You are going up against quite possibly the most powerful fire bender in the world. You will not be able to defeat him using only three of the four elements. He is cruel, powerful, clever and can't be trusted. You are going to need to be at your best and most powerful to stand a chance against him."

Aang seemed to shrink before his very eyes.

"Aang, I'm not trying to say this to scare you or put you down. I'm trying to help you understand that you need to learn fire bending. Your refusal to bend fire simply because you hurt someone will actually end up hurting many more people in the end. If you do not learn to control the fire you already possess, you will be a danger to everyone until you at least master control."

"Hey Aang, remember that commander dude that we defeated with Jeong Jeong? Remember how he lost his cool and couldn't beat us?" Sokka prompted.

Aang nodded slowly.

"I think that's what Zuko is saying."

There was silence for awhile before Aang let his shoulders relax. "Ok, guys, I'll do it. But not when anyone is nearby."

"Fair enough." Zuko nodded. "I'm hungry, let's see what there is to eat."

Katara laughed. "You boys and your stomachs!" She smiled secretly to herself though. She was glad Zuko and Iroh had come. Now Aang had a firebending teacher, a really super powerful one who would help him learn the right way, and now he would have a chance of beating the firelord and actually surviving. It was a good day.

Over the evening meal everyone sat chatting about this and that, and somehow the subject of firebending once again surfaced.

"So twinkletoes has finally agreed to learn firebending? Has the world already come to an end?!" cried Toph dramatically, a hand with palm outward on her forehead in an overly theatrical pose.

"Oh stuff it Toph" mumbled Aang as he rolled his eyes. "It's not that amazing."

"When do you want to start?" Zuko directed towards Aang. "How about tomorrow?"

Aang stiffened slightly. "So…soon?"

"Actually" Katara interrupted "wouldn't it be better to practice in a place with a lot more earth and water? Then Aang could practice easily with all four elements at once."

"That's actually a good idea Katara." Sokka grinned.

"Yes, Sokka, occasionally I have those, thanks." She mock glared at him.

"So where are we going to find a place with more water that we can stay at until it's time to confront…until it's time?" Katara asked, amending her question at the last moment.

"I would expect that with all his plans and war waging, Ozai has had little time to visit the beach these days." Iroh replied, seeing if Zuko would catch his drift.

He did. "Of course! The house on Ember Island!" he grinned. "It would be perfect!"

"What do you mean?" Katara asked curiously.

"It's been long since abandoned; the vacation home the royal house owns on Ember Island. We used to spend time there when I was a child, but no one goes there anymore. It would be the perfect place to relax and train!" Zuko was pleased, and gave a smile of thanks Iroh's way. Iroh nodded and smiled back, understanding without words.

"That actually sounds great, but are you sure it's abandoned?" Sokka asked, ever cautious.

"We can check to make sure, but I can't imagine why Ozai would use it. The last time it was used, as I mentioned, was when I was only a small child. We never went back, and since it belongs to the royal family no one would have used it, it's just been sitting empty." He answered.

"Well then, next stop, Ember Island!" Toph added. "Can we leave tomorrow? Not that I hate this place, but I prefer a bit more earth between me and, well..the earth."

Everyone laughed and they all agreed that tomorrow they would pack up and be on their way.

0o0o0o0o0