AN: Hey Guys! Ok so I didn't have to wait as long as I thought I would have to. Yes I know your happy but don't get too excited 'cause the chapter after this isn't coming 'til weekend unless a miracle is bestowed upon the world.

xXOathkeeperXx - Don't worry the Sokka-ish-ness is coming soon
Zukoscute2 - Hehe. I hear that a lot. :D
skovmand - Thanks for pointing that out. I probably wouldn't have caught that.
avafangirl - Yup, you got it! You guessed correctly.
Greaterfire - Did you realize your review rhymed? Lol.

Okie dokies people! Without further adu, heres chapter eight!

Katara's Cinderella Story

Chapter Eight: Giving it All Away

There were gasps. Fear built up within the teens (and preteen) as they heard the voice from the trees.

Then Iroh stepped out with a cup of tea in his hands. Everyone let out a massive sigh of relief.

"Prince Zuko." Iroh gazed sternly at his nephew.

"Uncle, I can explain, really, I -"

"There is no need." Iroh's expression softened. "I followed you here all the way from the palace."

"Then what's with the 'yes, what exactly is going on?' ?"

"I just wanted to spook you kids." Iroh replied with a grin.

Sokka's eyes weren't even on the old man - they were on his sister.

She's in the arms of a firebender! Not just any firebender.. The prince of firebenders! You could have gotten her away from him. You could have helped her...

I still can.

You better hurry before she loses it.

When the right time comes.

"But, "Iroh looked at his nephew, the Fire Prince. "You know you cannot tell your father - he would be outraged. What, exactly, will you do?"

Zuko turned to Katara.

"Any ideas?"

XXXXXXXX

Zula paced the floor of the great hall. A look of angered concentration upon her face. The Fire Lord and Lady, and Admiral Zhao watched her silently.

"Something's not quite right." Zula said as she looked up to her father. "Something on Zuko's face. What if he wasn't just searching to regain the Avatar?"

"What, my daughter, are yo proposing?" The Fire Lord's voice boomed around the room.

"His face. When he spoke of the waterbender there was hope on his face. Perhaps he believes she is the one he was with?"

"That woman could have been any in the Fire Nation."

Zula shook her head with a slight grin tugging at her lips.

"I just so happened to stumble across Zuko's journal." She began. "The girl he had been with had ' saphire blue eyes that seemed beyond this world, much less this nation '. Evidently he didn't quite believe she was of the Fire Nation either. If it truly is the waterbender, then it is possible that he could become so wrapped up in her that she could convince him not to bring back the Avatar."

The flame around the Fire Lord's throne rose with his anger.

"Zula, you must retrieve the Avatar, his friends, and your brother and bring them before me. Zhao shall accompany you."

Zula and Zhao both bowed to him before exiting the room.

"Tell me Zula, do you always read your brother's journal?" Zhao grinned.

"Usually."

XXXXXXXX

"Are you sure you want to do that?" Katara whispered.

"I'm sure." Zuko nodded to emphasize the point.

"There won't be any turning back."

"I know."

"You're positive?"

"I'm positive."

Katara sighed.

He's willing to sacrifice all of it - everything - for me and Aang?

"Alright. Let's share it with the others."

Iroh was sitting beside Aang and Sokka, sipping his tea, Sokka was sharpening his boomerang while keeping a close eye on Zuko, and Aang was playing around with his airbending.

Katara and Zuko sat beside the others.

"Well?" Sokka asked, obviously annoyed. He had already made up his mind that he would be as obnoxious to Zuko as possible until they left and he'd be rid of him forever.

"We have come up with a plan, Sokka, but you might not like it." Katara hesitated.

"Let's hear it!" Iroh and Aang said in union.

"Zuko is to come with us - " Katara started, yet was quickly interrupted.

"Say what?" Sokka nearly shouted.

"For it is too dangerous for him here. His family, especially Zula and Ozai, would become suspicious. Plus, it gives Aang a firebending trainer."

Iroh held his head high. As if reading the man's mind, Zuko spoke next.

"I'm sorry Uncle, but you must stay here. We need someone to cover up for us." Iroh nodded his head understandingly before he sniffled a bit.

"I remember when you were first able to firebend. You were still in diapers! Your sister waved a feather duster in your face and when you sneezed - "

"Uncle!" Zuko was turning slightly pink for everyone had started in a fit of giggles.

NO! No you can't come with us! NonononononononONONO! I will not let this hap -

XXXXXXXX

Zula and Zhao stumbled into a small clearing to find none other than -

"Uncle Iroh?" Zula sounded rather surprised as her uncle released a long sigh before getting up from the ashes he was inspecting.

"Your too late. The Avatar has already left. There was obviously a battle, but I can't seem to find Zuko anywhere." Iroh was plainly worried by the expression he wore.

"Come, Uncle, we shall go to the palace to report this to my father." Zula told the old man after looking over the ground herself.

What could have happened?

I bet this is a hoax.

I must be a better actor than I thought...

AN: Alrighty. I know I'm moving a little fast, but bear with me. I failed you on the Sokka -ish -ness. Yes, as in all the other fanfics, I have also imagined that Sokka would be completely against the ideas stated in this chapter and such. So please forgive me. The next chapter that I shall post this weekend shall be the epilouge. So it seems my story is coming to a close - but never fret! For I have many Ideas stored up in my head, that I shall post - EVENTUALLY! No I'm just kidding. However, this weekend after I post the final chapter for Katara's Cinderella Story I shall update on my other fic Not so Simple(finally). I did leave off on a bit of a cliffie on that one but what the hay, I will be able to update it soon...

Until last I update...

JAAF