K15: I wanted to write this chapter differently, but when I started it and got the second page I didn't like where it was going.

Zuko: She didn't like the fact…

Me: -Cover's Zuko's mouth- That's enough of that one Zuko.

Zuko: March 17th is the new Avatar season.

Me: Yeah. Anyway enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: So lets see, a new season of Avatar, a TCG game, and DVDs sounds great! Has anyone seen Zutara yet? No didn't think so. That means I don't own Avatar.

Chapter 10 Tearing them apart

It had been one month since Zuko's almost death. Both him and Katara were getting along now, and Sokka was happy to see that. Though even though their relationship was going well, many others weren't.

Aang was still trying to break up Katara and Zuko, though he really didn't try anything dangerous. Just a bunch of lies made up; his efforts were slowly vanishing and he was starting to accept the fact they were dating.

Yue had not gotten pregnant by Sokka, and left him about two weeks after locking the prince and the peasant in the hotel room together. And personally it was because of Jet, whom they had met on their way to Omashu. It seemed that the moon spirit had liked the whole rough guy image type thing.

Suki and Haru turned out to be one of the better couples (Not that Zuko and Katara weren't fairing off well) they had left the group just a couple of days ago. They figured that it was best if they started trying to bring up a rebel group against Lord Ozai himself.

The only one who didn't seem to show any emotions was Nyla. She seemed to ignore the fact of all the couples around her. Not even Sokka's constant eating bothered her, or Aang's worthless spending. It was not certain that she wasn't affected by the kiss that Sokka and the water princess had shared, before Yue left.

All seemed quiet for the most part. Zuko had not heard from Agni in a while, or any other spirits for that matter. He didn't care about his well-being any more, but more about Katara's. Not only had their friendship improved, but so had their relationship.

But the prince had a bad feeling, it was like Shadow was going to be coming back any soon. The question was, how soon? So far trouble had come to a stop, which gave Aang time to start earth bending, but it still left awkward silences at night and at dawn.

"Zuko, you seem worried." Nyla told him one early morning.

Zuko had tried his best to hide his frustration, but as anyone knew it wasn't working. He finally released his anger and brunt down a nearby tree.

"There is nothing, no leads, no attacks, no evil plots to break me and Kat up. It's like life has come to peace at last." Zuko took in a few deep breaths to calm himself down; it wasn't working. So he continued his rant.

"I mean how is a guy supposed to live always watching his back. It's like someone's trying to kill me, but not quite."

Nyla started laughing. "How are you going to live when this war is ended?" She questioned. "Zukki you're a paranoid person. I've never seen anyone so jumpy about quiet. It's good for us. Maybe you can focus on making my nieces and…"

Zuko quickly cut her off. "No, I will not do such thing. You know as well as I do, I'm not some royal…

"Zuko, I know you're not. I'm just sayin' you know that Father would have started looking for a wife for you by now. Sixteen is old enough to get married." Nyla reasoned. "Royals do more arranged marriages than anyone else. Almost more than water tribes."

Zuko took in a few deep breaths, before giving one of his trademark smirks. "Speaking of arranged marriages, I've found you the perfect guy. He's sweet caring, though he could use…"

"Oh no, Zuko you know that only father is allowed to marry me off." She stated, backing away from him slowly. "I refuse to be married off by my brother."

"Especially since I know this boy really likes you. And that I know you really like him."

The princess let out a short scream before running off. The prince couldn't help but start laughing at her. He truly knew that Sokka liked her, but it made him wonder if she really liked the boy.

"What's so funny?"

Zuko turned to see Sokka before him. He was slightly depressed due to the fact that he hoped it would be Katara. "Huh? Oh nothing. Is Katara up?"

The warrior rubbed some sleep out of his eyes. "Yeah, she just started moving." Sokka replied. "She's been fixing breakfast since a few minutes ago. I hope it's not nuts."

The prince let out a laugh. Of course the water tribe warrior would only think about his stomach and whether or not he ate nuts. It only made sense. That's all that Sokka seemed worried about now, if he was eating nuts for his meals. And personally Zuko was glad that nothing really affected the water warrior any more.

"Are you alright?" Zuko asked; it was about the third time this morning that the prince of fire asked that question. Like it was mentioned before, Zuko wasn't worried about his own well being quite as much. And Sokka just spent time moping around and eating. Not that he didn't do that before, he just seemed to do it more. Zuko also took note that the fifteen year old wasn't causing self-inflicted pain.

"I'm fine, just upset… stupid rebel…" He pulled out his boomerang and threw it at Zuko. The prince quickly ducked as it hit a branch above him. He then sidestepped a falling branch. "Sorry, I didn't mean to take out my anger at you."

Zuko put an arm around Sokka, "you know there's this girl. She's really beautiful," he started to explain, "she's lonely but won't admit to it. And I was wondering—"

"No, I refuse to meet some stupid fire bender, no offense." Sokka told him sternly.

"None taken." Zuko walked back towards the campsite. "Just think about it alright?"

"'Kay," Sokka replied.

The prince walked into the campsite and froze. It looked like a battlefield, but without the blood. "Sokka," he croaked, "where did you say Katara was?"

"I thought she was making bre—" Sokka froze at the sight. "KATARA!" He yelled.

Zuko walked around flipping over various items with his foot. His mind was wondering who in their right mind would attack; he froze when he realized the answer. He bent down and picked up an item.

"I'm going to kill her," Zuko muttered.

"What is it?"

Zuko held out his mother's necklace. "It was around Katara's neck last night, and the night before, well you get the idea. I'm going to kill her."

"Who?"

"Zula, Zhao, and Mei."

"Who's Mei?"

Zuko sighed, "Aang's sister. Don't ask stupid questions, I might just kill you."

"Yes sir." Sokka saluted. "Anything you want me…"

"Stay here. There's a chance that they might come back. Or Nyla might. She could be the only one besides us that haven't been kidnapped yet." Zuko commanded. "I'm going to go find Uncle and my crew. I'm returning back to my old ways again."

"Avatar, hunting again?"

"Correct."

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K15: Okay, I'm extremely sorry that this chapter took so long to get out. And that it's so short.

Zuko: No your…

Me: Yes I am. I hope this was a cliffy. I'm due to one of those. Anyway, yes Katara's been kidnapped. Go ahead yell at me. I thought it would make it perfect. And I'm already to work on the next chapter.

Zuko: Only cuz you don't work for the next few days.

Me: Yup. And it's final week at my school so I'm getting ready for that. But I should post up a new story. Soon. Oh you guys have to go and read The Coalition of Rivals by LunaChaos, I really enjoy it. And Zuko enjoys it too!

Zuko: yup. I love that story.

Me: -Starts laugh- sorry. Anyway so I'll update as soon as I can. So until then, actually until my new story. Later. K15