Believing in Everything

"Hey, do you guys know why the dining-OH MY GOD!" Zuko and Katara jerked away form each other and looked at the door to see Sokka. The water tribe warrior gaped, wide eyed, pointing, at the two. "How-why-you-my sister-enemies-kissing!" Sokka sputtered out. For once Sokka was at a loss for words. He had come into ask why the dining room was trashed and what he got was an eyeful of his sister making out with the prince of the Fire Nation.

"Oh good, you two made up!" Aang grinned as he stuck his head in the room. Sokka spun around and pointed at Aang now.

"You knew!" Short as it was, it was the first coherent sentence he could get out. Aang nodded as he stepped fully into the room, causing Zuko and Katara to stare at Aang.

"'Course I did. I told you, you could see it by the way they looked at each other." Aang looked back at the waterbender and firebender.

"I thought anyone could tell." Brenda muttered as she and Iroh stepped into the room, having heard Sokka and Aang. Zuko dropped his head into his hands and shook his head. It could not get any more awkward or embarrassing. Everyone seemed to have decided to come to his room right when he was trying to make up for the fight he had had with Katara.

- - - - -

"Um . . . . I understand that you're concerned about your sister, but we're both waiting until marriage to do anything." Sokka grunted as he laid in between Zuko and Katara with Aang by his side. The four were piled on Zuko's bed (which was barely big enough for them all) and were trying to sleep. Sokka was next to his sister while the young avatar was next to Zuko.

"Don't worry Zuko," Aang was wearing some of Zuko's old clothes (along with Sokka seeing as how Zuko didn't want them to dirty up his bed with their everyday clothes) yet no matter how small the clothes were, they were still to big and draped off his small frame. "We'll be going in a few days. Appa just needed a long rest. He's been flying pretty hard." There was silence before Zuko answered Aang very calmly.

"So why exactly is the lemur under the covers, crawling up my leg?"

- - - - -

Brenda laughed as she looked at her nephew as she entered the newly repaired dinning room. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.

"What's so funny, aunt Brenda?" Zuko hissed as the older woman slowly stopped her laughter.

"Did you sleep well, my Prince?" The woman barely had time to dodge a fireball. "I take it as a no?"

"Do not test me Brenda. Not today." Zuko hissed as he glared at his aunt. "Last night I barely had any room to sleep, I had to listen to Sokka's snoring, I had to try and ignore Aang's attempts at conversation, and I had a lemur that found me to be an excellent person to try and sleep on. Do you know what it's like to have a lemur have a nightmare while it's sleeping on your head! DO YOU!" Brenda roared with laughter, falling to the ground and tears coming from her eyes. A snickering from the side made Zuko slowly look toward his uncle. "Can I help you uncle?" Iroh waved him off as he sipped tea with a barely contained smile.

"No, no. I am just an old man. My mind wanders at times." Brenda finally managed to stand back up, her face red from laughter.

"I have to admit that around you, Prince Zuko, there is never a dull moment." Before Zuko had a chance to respond, Katara, Sokka, and Aang come into the room with Momo on Aang's shoulder.

"Good morning everyone!" Aang yawned as he sat down across from Iroh and took a sip of tea from an extra cup Iroh laid out. Momo jumped off of Aang's shoulder and onto Zuko's. The young prince glared at the lemur as it wrapped its tail lazily around Zuko's neck. Katara smiled at the sight while Sokka plopped down in front of the table and began to eat. "I had a good night's sleep, how 'bout you guys?" Aang looked around at the other four, excepting an answer. However, he didn't get one. All he got from Sokka was a grunt, Zuko merely glared at him, and Katara sighed heavily. "What?" Brenda moved forward and petted Momo.

"What is his name?" She asked quietly.

"Momo!" Aang smiled as he responded. The lemur in question looked up upon hearing its name. He let out a few chirps before leaning into Brenda's hand as she scratched its head. A faint smile tugged at her lips.

"Nephew . . . ." Zuko looked at Brenda through the corner of his eye.

"What is it Admiral?" She frowned as his formal response but other than that she ignored it and continued as she removed the lemur and gently put it on Aang's shoulder.

". . . . . why don't we show Katara the rhinos?" She didn't wait for Zuko to answer. Brenda grabbed her nephew's hand along with Katara's and dragged them from the room. Sokka stood up to protest but was stopped by Iroh.

"I wouldn't. You probably smell like food right now and they might tackle you if they're hungry enough. Besides, Brenda is with them." Begrudgingly, Sokka sat down. Iroh smiled as he sipped his tea. True, Zuko might smell like food, but the rhinos were used to him. And maybe Hyun would like Katara too.

- - - - -

Brenda looked around the stables. Komodo rhinos were munching on their hey, causing a sigh to escape Brenda's lips. Katara looked back at the woman as she stood with Zuko's arm lightly wrapped around her waist.

"Is something wrong?" Startled, Brenda looked up and her eyes softened the the site of the two. She looked back at the rhinos.

"I prefer horses, that's all." Katara looked up at the ceiling as she thought back to what she had heard to horses.

"But . . . doesn't the Fire Nation find the rhinos better?" Once more the admiral sighed and stroked her braid.

"True. But I prefer the artistic flare that horses have. They are much more beautiful in my opinion, don't you agree?" Katara shrugged as she looked at the rhinos, slightly embarrassed.

"I grew up in the South Pole. I've never seen a horse." Brenda smirked as she began to walk away.

"Well then, next time you are on my ship, I'll have to show them to you." She threw over her shoulder as she left. "Enjoy your time together. I doubt your brother will let you have much until he leaves." Katara was about to respond when she felt Zuko's hand leave her waist and a low whisper entered his ears. A rhino stuck its head up and upon spotting Zuko, lumbered over to the two.

"This is Hyun." Zuko murmured as he pulled Katara close to him. "This is the rhino I always ride." Katara looked up at Zuko, curious to know why he was telling her this and what he wanted her to do. ". . . . my mother . . . . she gave me Hyun when she was nothing but a baby. She said that it would do me good to take responsibility for another life and raise it. She said by doing that, I was practicing for when I became the Fire Lord." Katara looked down as sorrow ebbed at her heart. Zuko, however, sensing this, pulled her closer to him. "Hyun is very picky about those she lets pet her." Zuko waited as Hyun came closer and ran his hand down Katara's arm. He grabbed her hand and guided it to Hyun's head. Katara bit her lip and waited for Hyun to jerk away when Zuko placed her hand on Hyun. However, the beast only leaned into her touch. "I knew Hyun would like you." Zuko whispered as he wrapped his arms around her. Katara slowly removed her hand from the leathery skin of the rhino and turned around in Zuko's embrace. She stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips against Zuko's. Hyun, sensing that she was no longer needed, left the two as Zuko deepened the kiss. Finally, the need for air got the better of the two and they had to pull away. Zuko rested his forehead against hers and smiled down at her.

"I . . . . love you." It was still hard for him to say this. But Katara understood. Showing his emotions, other than anger, was something that was stomped out of him when he was little. No doubt right after his mother's death Ozai began the tedious work of making Zuko a replica of himself. Yet she was lucky enough to get Zuko before his heart turned completely black.

". . . . I love you, too." Zuko smiled and was about to capture another kiss from her when there was a coughing and a voice.

"And I love food. Now, if you would so kindly let go of my sister, she can see us off." Zuko glared at the ground as he regretfully removed his hands from Katara who was blushing like made at her brother finding them in a compromising situation again. But her blushing soon stopped when she realized what he said. Katara turned and looked back to see Sokka with his arms crossed standing next to a smiling Aang.

"Wait, see you off?" Sokka nodded with a glare towards Zuko.

"Yeah. Aang says that we need to get him to finish learning Earthbending." Aang winked at Katara from behind Sokka's back and Katara instantly knew the real reason. Now that she and Zuko had stopped fighting they wanted more alone time together as they could get with Ceres after Katara. But that couldn't happen with Sokka constantly showing up and spoiling their moments together. But there was one question Katara had. Why did Aang want the two to be together. After all, if it weren't for Ceres, Zuko would still be hunting him. But then again, if it were for Ceres, she would never have fallen in love with Zuko. Sokka narrowed his eyes as he glared at the prince. "Keep your hands to yourself while I'm away." Zuko opened his mouth to retort but before he could say a word, Iroh stepped into the stables.

"Ah, there you are Prince Zuko. Brenda is going to train. Perhaps you could train with her." Zuko rose his eyebrow as he stared at his uncle. Iroh smiled and explained himself upon seeing his nephew's confusion. "I am an old man, Prince Zuko. True I am a master, but still, I am old. However, Brenda is not only young but a master. A full out spar with her could help you improve greatly." Zuko sighed in annoyance but nodded, stalking off to change into his training clothes.

- - - - -

"This is boring." Brenda sighed as she knocked away another soldier, making him fall onto the floor of her ship. He had burns and bruises all over. She wore training clothes similar to Zuko's but hers she had a black sash wrapped tightly around her waist. Her long usually braided hair was in a bun and was up in a tight bun. "Can someone please present a challenge to me before I lose my edge."

"I hope I'm enough for that." A smirk played on her lips as she turned and faced Zuko.

"I hope so too, my dear Prince." Her eyes flickered behind him briefly. "Oh, and the great Avatar is gracing this spar with his presence." Her words caused Zuko to glance behind him. Aang was smiling along with Iroh. Katara wasn't going to watch, she had to talk with her brother. But he was surprised that Aang was there. "But where, I wonder, is our dear Katara?" Brenda tapped her finger against her chin in thought. "Has she abandoned you already?" Zuko bit the inside of his mouth as he remembered Brenda's tactics. However, Brenda had noticed him tense. "Oh? Did I strike a nerve? Are you so weak that Katara goes to another when she is in need?" He dropped into a stance and waited for Brenda to do the same. "Well, I had hoped to humiliate you in front of your precious Katara, but it appears I cannot. However, I wonder if she will be willing to tend to your wounds afterwards." Brenda's smirk deepened. "I hope so. After all, if she won't, then who will? Certainly not your mother. Because you don't have one." Zuko said nothing and waited as Brenda finally dropped into a stance. Aang looked at Iroh, confused.

"Why is she being so cruel towards Zuko?" Iroh smiled, proud of Zuko.

"Brenda is known for getting inside her opponent's head. That is one of the reasons why she is such a fearsome firebender. She makes the other person lose control and makes the other fighter fall victim to themselves before she delivers the finishing blow. For Prince Zuko to keep his head when she makes such insults towards him, well, he has already proven to Brenda that she will have to make an effort in order to beat him." Aang nodded before turning back to Zuko. "Avatar," The young monk looked back at the Dragon of the West. "Though crude they may be, Brenda's tactics are something that you may deal with when facing Ceres or Ozai." Aang nodded. "Hopefully, Prince Zuko will keep his head completely. After all, just because they don't work at first doesn't mean she'll give up." Aang looked over at Zuko as the two stared each other down.

'Alright Zuko, when you deal with Brenda you can't make the first move. She's a brilliant tactician. But she gets impatient too easily. Just let her make the first move.' Zuko told himself, trying to remain calm. Unlike with Zhao, he couldn't let his temper get the best of him. Besides, this spar was far more deadly. After all, Zhao wasn't known to burn his opponents to the point of serious scarring in just a plain spar like Brenda was.

'Where is Katara? No!' Brenda thought as she narrowed her eyes. 'He may have planned this to distract me by my own curiosity. But I can over come that with ease.' She breathed out slowly as she pulled back her arm with tiny sparks already igniting around her fingertips. 'Should I come from the air? No. I did that last time. He could think that to be one of the ways I lead off. And being unpredictable is key.' Brenda frowned mentally as she tried to find which way to start off. She couldn't let her expression be used to read her thoughts. A constant smirk was the only way to throw off her opponent, even if she was not on the offensive. It would unnerve them after while, aiding her in their defeat. 'So . . . . should I go with speed? Zuko relies heavily on his strength. And he far surpasses me in pure strength.'

"This is pretty intense." The avatar whispered to Iroh who only nodded. Several of the crew members aboard the Phantom Flame had stopped to watch. It wasn't everyday two of the royal family sparred. Finally, Brenda, having gotten bored with waiting, slammed her hand forward into the air, letting fire erupt from her fist. Zuko rolled forward, underneath the flame and dashed forward. Brenda narrowed her eyes as she flipped backwards when Zuko tried to swipe her legs out from under her. She landed and spun around with her leg extended. Flame spewed forth from her foot and Zuko had to jumped back in order to avoid it. He barely had time to bring his arms up and block Brenda's kicks as she came back down to the earth from a high jump into the air. Brenda kicked his arms twice before using them to push off and flip in the air, twisting so that she could land in a crouch. 'With his superior strength . . . . if it came to plain blows, he has a greater chance of winning, even though I'm faster. I have to make this a long distance fight.' Brenda kicked out and sent flames towards her.

'I have to make this close range. The closer I am, the more likely Brenda will have to go on the defensive.' Zuko blocked the first blast of fire and sidestepped the second. Charging forward Zuko smirked as Brenda flipped back several times to dodge his flame covered fists. However, the smirk soon dropped as he hand to lean back to avoid the trail of fire that followed her as she flipped back. Brenda landed once more in crouch but this time darted forward.

'If he wants close range . . . he'll never let me get far enough to make it long range. I'll have to comply, for now.' The sound of skin hitting skin was heard as the two began to block each other's punches and kicks as they fought. Zuko pushed away her leg as she tried to kick him and he followed through with a kick of his own. The kick movements of their kicks and punches were becoming blurs as they moved like the wind. Trading blow, neither truly hit the other. Punch, kick, punch. Block, duck, jump. It continued for nearly a short while as the two fought purely with their fists and feet. Finally, when Zuko and Brenda both let fire trail behind their kicks and punches, the two were forced apart by the heat alone. 'Well, he's gotten good.' She thought, annoyed. 'Time to try and mess with his head again.'

"Well, it seems the girl still isn't coming." Brenda remarked smugly as she rolled out of the way of a blast of fire. Zuko wasted no time in following his punch with a kick. "I wonder if I was right, that she has abandoned you." Zuko bit the inside of his cheek once more, trying to drown out her words. No matter how untrue they may be, it was still a fear of his. Brenda jumped up high, avoiding the fire from the kick completely. He watched as she flip and twisted in the air before coming down with her heel leading towards Zuko. He brought up his hands and crossed them above his head, blocking her heel. With ease she twisted so that she landed on her hands and flipped away from him as he tried to knock her hands out from supporting her weight. "But I wouldn't blame her."

"This isn't time for chit chat." Zuko grunted as he kicked out again. By now both were covered with sweat from the intense fighting and all the heat. Those watching had lost track to time. Zuko dropped down and made to swipe Brenda's feet out from under her but she leapt up and aimed a kick to the head which Zuko blocked with his forearm. He grabbed her ankle with his free hand and spun around, hanging onto the ankle. Brenda was thrown roughly to the ground and barely had time to roll out of the way of a ball of fire. She was on her feet with a dangerous smirk dancing on her lips.

'I have to end this. No more time to play around. It was foolish of me to not take him seriously. With Iroh as his teacher . . . . soon my precious nephew will be able to surpass both Ozai and me. Soon after that, Iroh.' Brenda crouched down and sprung up when Zuko came close enough, using him as leverage to push herself up higher into the air. Zuko stumbled back, surprised by her actions. Up in the air, Brenda spun around, emitting flames as she came spinning back down to the ship. Spinning like a top, she did not stumble as she landed, only spun towards Zuko. The young prince tried to deflect the flames but the soon caused him to be thrown to the ground. By the time he looked up Brenda stood about him, her right fist pulled back while her left one pointed at his head. Brenda's smirk matched her eyes.

"Looks like I win, dear prince." After a moment she stood up and offered her hand to him, which her grudgingly took. Helping him to his feet, Brenda pulled the boy into an unexpected hug, causing him to stiffen at the surprise contact. However, the hug was brief, almost over as soon is it started. Brenda put a hand on her hip and walked away before throwing some advice over her shoulder. "You need to focus more on breath and pick up your speed alittle. Then you can beat me."

- - - - -

Wow! Did you like the fluff I had in there? The funny parts? The action? IF not, tell me so I can fix it. And if you do like it, tell me so I can keep it up. So please review, they help me greatly. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews so far. Ja ne!