Heck yes! I finished up sooner than I expected so here's your new chapter! Hope you love it!

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"Dad!"

"Katara! Sokka!"

Katara ran up the steps to hug her father, Sokka following in close pursuit. He hugged them both hard and pulled back to take a look at them. He ran his fingers through Katara's hair, noticing the golden streaks.

"Where did this come from?"

"It's a long story, Dad. I'll tell you later."

"How've you been? It's been so long and you've both grown up so much."

Sokka and Katara beamed at him, both incredibly excited. "A lot has changed since you saw us last, Dad. You'd be surprised," Sokka started. "But we're glad to report that we're doing more than find, right Katara?"

"Most definitely," she agreed. They stepped back as Kana approached and hugged him.

"It's good to see you again, Hakoda."

"You too, Kana."

Katara was shaking with excitement. She just realized that she'd almost thrown Eryx into Zuko's arms with his sister. "Dad, there are some people I'd like you to meet." She led him down to where her husband was standing with their children. She sounded so nervous when she began to talk. "This is my husband, Firelord Zuko. He's the one that ended the war."

Hakoda nodded his head slightly and went to shake hands when he realized he couldn't. "And who are these beautiful little things?" he asked, leaning down to Eryx and Echo.

"These are your first grandchildren, Eryx and Echo, but they're much more than that."

"Is that so?"

"Dad, I'm the mother of the Avatars."

Hakoda looked curiously at her. "Avatars.. as in more than one?"

"They're twins. They're both the Avatar. Here, look."

She took Echo carefully from Zuko's arm and showed Hakoda the birthmark on her stomach. He studied it before realizing what it was. "Is that.. half of a yin-yang?"

"The other half is on the opposite side of Eryx's stomach. It's one of the first things we noticed about them when they were born."

"How do you know that they're the Avatars? They're not old enough to have picked out the Avatar relics."

"I'll explain later. Right now, there's a party waiting for you."

Sokka touched his arm to get his attention. "Where's Bato.. and all the other warriors?"

Hakoda looked back towards the door. "They should be coming."

Just then, Ty Lee walked over to them, dressed in her usual pink. "Oh, Dad. There's someone I'd like you to meet too. This is my girlfriend, Ty Lee."

Hakoda took her hand and kissed it, making her giggle. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Ty Lee." He caught a glimpse of her blush before he turned back to the firelord. "May I speak with you, Firelord Zuko?"

Zuko looked shocked and nervous at the same time, but nodded his acceptance. He handed Eryx to Kana and lead him outside to a balcony that overlooked the garden. "You must hate me for taking your only daughter. I must assure you, she's being more than well-cared for. I-"

Hakoda held his hand up, stopping Zuko short. "You're the one who brought an end to the war, right?"

"Yes, sir. Of course, I couldn't have done it without Katara and Sokka."

"What happened to the Avatar kid that they were traveling with before?"

"Wow, that's a long and complicated story," Zuko started. He explained everything, from when he joined them to Katara's new hair all the way to when they discovered the birthmarks on the babies. Hakoda didn't interrupt once, only nodded his head every once in a while. By the time he was done explaining, the moon was high in the sky. Katara had peeked out at them once or twice, but decided against interrupting because they were talking and her father didn't look a bit mad as she had expected.

"Well, I'm glad you've taken care of her. I couldn't have picked a better man yourself a friend among the Water Tribes," Hakoda said after the explanation. He held his hand out and Zuko shook it as an unofficial treaty.

"Thank you, sir. I'm glad to hear that. The Earth Kingdom isn't so welcoming, even after I restored most of their lands back to them."

"Most?"

"Yeah, I gave some of the Northern and Southern coastal pieces to the Northern and Southern Water Tribes, just so they'll have a warmer place to stay if they want to and so they'll have a piece of the mainland. Of course, they thought I was joking to be mean or something. Perhaps you could tell them, they seem to trust you."

Hakoda laughed. "Perhaps I will. A good deal of my people are inside right now. Maybe we could rejoin the party?"

"Absolutely," Zuko smiled. They made their way back inside smiling, most of the men in blue looking their way with confused looks on their faces. Bato approached cautiously.

"Is everything okay, Hakoda?"

"Everything is more than fine, Bato. Have you met Firelord Zuko?"

Bato bowed his head at the firelord. "Pleasure, my lord."

"He is a new friend to the Water Tribes. No need to be so tense around him, he's my daughter's husband. He's technically a son to me now," Hakoda said, clapping a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

Zuko's heart jumped at those words. His uncle was already like a father, now there was another one ready to jump in. He was very happy at that moment and let a smile spread across his face, making Bato a little less tense. He held his hand out for Bato to shake, hoping to win over the rest of the people of the Water Tribe as easily as he had Katara's father. Surprisingly, it was easy enough. Katara had told him before that they were peace-loving people, but he had never thought it would be as easy as it was.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me," Zuko said. The men nodded at him and he went to the front of them ballroom to make a speech. "May I have everyone's attention, please? First off, I want to welcome the brave warriors of the Water Tribe. I've heard many stories from Lady Katara and her brother Sokka. I've spoken with Hakoda tonight and been deemed a friend to the Water Tribes by him and I hope that the rest of you will come to accept friendship from the Fire Nation as well." He paused for a second to nodding heads before continuing. "I'm not sure how many of you know this already, but I'm a father. I have a beautiful daughter and son who are the heirs to the throne, but they are also both the Avatars." There were gasps in the crowd at that from both the warriors and the nobles. "When they take over, I can assure you that peace will continue through the lands, and since they are half Water Tribe due to their wonderful mother and my wife Katara, my search for peace and friendship between us will remain as persistant as ever."

Hakoda raised his glass. "Here's to a long and peaceful relationship between water and fire!"

"Here here!" everyone yelled, raising their glasses. Zuko smiled. Maybe they could help me win over the Earth Kingdom now, he thought. I have the friendship of the only airbender left, and now the Water Tribes, and even the little earthbender Toph Beifong.

The party ended soon after and most of the Water Tribe men went back to the ship for the night. Hakoda and Bato stayed in the palace at Zuko's invitation. They were currently huddled in the old war chamber discussing who-knows-what. Katara had put the babies to bed and was in a deep discussion with Kana and Sokka.

"Are you going back with them?"

"I think I will. My place is there, but I will visit. I was hesitant to stay there after the princess' visit in case that ship came back, but with the warriors going home I think I'll be safe."

Katara hugged Kana. "Everything is fine now. The world is at peace and no one is going to ruin it."

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Azula and Mai had docked at an Earth Kingdom city on the coast of the mainland. They were browsing through the shops, looking for something that would pass for a suitable costume to sneak into the Fire Nation unnoticed. They were getting all kinds of looks from the citizens of the small city because they were very recognizable as Fire Nation. Most of them knew Azula's face, others just saw the golden eyes and knew.

Mai examined a black robe with a hood while Azula looked at a dark red one. They both had their hair fashioned differently so it would be harder to recognize them and Azula made Mai put a small bit of make-up on so she wouldn't look so pale. They did indeed look different.

"We should be back at the Fire Nation in a week, right?"

"Two at the most."

"The sooner I take back my throne, the better. My brother isn't fit for the crown, he doesn't know how to run a country, much less the world."

"But the war is over-"

"Not if I get my way. I'll have the world graveling at my feet, the traitors killed, and you by my side as the only loyal I have now. My brother and his water wench will pay."

Mai smiled. She hated Katara much worse than Azula, for her own reasons, and hoped dearly that she would have a hand in her death. Knowing her friend, she would. They paid for their things and headed back for the dock when they realized they needed a different ship.

"That one down there will do nicely. Go see about a trade. If they won't cooperate, tell me and I'll handle it."

Mai ran down the street to the ship Azula pointed out and hoped for the best. They weren't in the Fire Nation, but they still didn't want to draw more attention to themselves than they already had. There could be people there that knew Azula was supposed to be dead that would run and tell Lord Zuko about it and ruin their whole plan. Mai came upon an older looking man that she took for the captain.

"Are you the captain of this fine ship?"

The older man looked at her. She wanted to back away when she got a good look at his face because he looked eerily similar to Zhao, but she stood her ground and continued her business.

"Yes, I am. Do you need something?"

"I have a ship that is too easily recognizable as mine by the Fire Nation and I wanted to trade with you. There's an easy way to this, which is you saying 'okay', but there's also a hard way. Are you going to make this easy?"

The captain eyed her carefully. "What exactly would you do if I refused?"

"Let's just say that either way, you lose your ship. Let's say that the rumors of the evil Princess Azula's death aren't true. Let's say you go home alive tonight."

"I knew she was stronger than that. We're calling this a favor, I owe her anyway."

Mai cocked an eyebrow at him, but didn't ask questions. She walked back to Azula while listening to the captain shout orders at the crew.

"What happened? Everything go smoothly?"

"More than I expected, actually. The captain seems to know you, he said he owed you a favor anyway. He looked like he could've been Admiral Zhao's twin or something. Do you know him?"

"I don't know, did he say his name?"

"Nope, just said he owed you."

Azula thought about it for a second, unsure if she wanted to approach the man. She finally decided it's the least she could do if he was trading ships. She was curious as to who this man was as well. They walked back down to the man who was still barking orders at his crew. He even sounded like Zhao, which made Azula a little nervous because everyone knew that he was dead. She couldn't say she recognized him though because of that.

"We greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. We didn't want to make ourselves further known to these people less one of them be a spy for the firelord."

The captain smiled at her. "Think nothing of it, princess."

"Forgive me for not recognizing you, but how do I know you? You look like someone I knew, but that someone died some time ago."

"Admiral Zhao, yes I know. I get that alot. He was actually a cousin of mine. Our parents thought it odd that we looked so much alike. My name is Li."

"And how is it that you owe me?"

"You are the one that was sent to kill the current firelord after Zhao died in the North Pole. I know Zhao hated Lord Zuko as much as you. Take my ship and his life and call us even."

Azula smiled her trademark evil smile. She liked this guy already. "Very well, Li. I thank you very much for your help in the matter." She nodded her head at him and he bowed slightly.

"And your ship is..?"

"That one down there," Mai pointed, looking at the raggedy thing in disgust. She hated it so much.

Li sighed but said nothing. He directed his men to it. They were confused but he wouldn't tell them any more than, "My decision may change the world."

Then, Azula's mind sparked.

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After the meeting with Hakoda and Bato, Zuko showed them to their rooms before making his way to his own. Katara was already in the bed, but he could tell by her breathing that she wasn't asleep yet.

"What did you talk about?"

"We were going over a treaty and maps that showed the new territories for the Water Tribes. Why aren't you asleep? It's very late."

"I don't know. I guess I was just waiting for you. I'm not used to sleeping without you next to me and I couldn't make myself sleep."

Zuko chuckled as he crawled into the big bed and pulled her up against him. "I'm here now and you're tired," he started, stifling a yawn. "Let's go to sleep before the sun gets here."

As soon as his arms wrapped around her, she was out. It was so hard not to fall asleep with him that close. His body was so warm, the heat just emanated from him, it was so soothing that you couldn't help but relax to the point of unconciousness. He kissed her on the head and drifted off to sleep himself. Neither of them woke up until around midday, but only because a bird was tapping at their window.

Katara's eyes fluttered open first. She laid there for a minute not wanting to move from the warmth, but the tapping got the best of her curiosity. She got up as slowly as she could, careful not to wake the sleeping firelord, and walked to the window. She opened the window and the bird hopped in, carrying the letter on its back in a small pouch. As soon as Katara opened the letter, the bird flew off to the aviary to rest. She slowly opened the letter hoping it bear good news.

Firelord Zuko,

I write to you anonymously for I am but an unknown friend of another nation. I have recently witnessed the goings on in my little town that disturbed me as I'm sure they would yourself.

A ship arrived here just a couple days ago bearing two teenage girls, both of the Fire Nation judging by the eyes and the way people reacted to them. One of them, I believe to be the princess, your sister Azula. No name came to mind when I saw the pale one with her. I saw the two girls conversing with a man at the docks who looked eerily similar to the late Admiral Zhao. I think they were trading ships, but I wasn't close enough to overhear them so I can't be for certain.

I thought it best to inform you immediately so you may prepare yourself as necessary for any attack that may be coming your way.

Sincerely,

A friend

Katara's hand began to shake as she held the letter. A hand slowly made it to her mouth to stop herself from crying. She knew what reason they would be coming back for. Suddenly, Zuko's hand was on her shoulder, causing her to jump and halfway fall out of the chair she had been sitting in.

"I'm sorry," he started, helping her back up. "What's that?"

Her shaky hand handed him the letter. "It came just now for you. You might want to sit down."

He looked into her scared blue eyes before taking her suggestion and sitting in a chair across from her and reading the letter. His eyes widened and before she knew it, he was out the door and down the hall with his fists lit up in flames.

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"Uncle Iroh! Uncle Iroh, where are you!"

Zuko was running down the hall at full speed towards his uncle's room, hoping he was in there. He threw the door open but he was gone. He had another idea and went for the dining hall. As soon as he flung the doors open, he spotted his uncle with a few of the Water Tribe warriors, one of them being Hakoda himself. His uncle looked up at him and noticed his panicked and distraught state.

"Zuko, what's wrong?" he asked as he made his way to his nephew, Hakoda following. Iroh noticed the paper gripped in his hand and reached for it. Zuko handed it to him and watched as his normally cheery expression turned hard. "When did you get this?"

"It came this morning."

"Well then, we must prepare immediately. Who knows how many people she will bring, you know about her power of pursuasion."

Hakoda's eyes shot between the two, hoping to be filled in on the situation. Zuko picked up on it and looked at him. "Will you help?"

"As a new ally, I would be happy to."

"Good. Gather your men in the chamber we met in last night and I'll explain what's happening and what's needed."

Hakoda nodded and started back towards where his men where eating a hearty lunch. Zuko and Iroh stayed in the doorway.

"What are you going to do?"

"If I know my sister, she'll recruit people and fight us head on. We won't recognize her ship if she really was trading, so we'll have to be careful about who we let in now."

"What are you going to do to Mai? If they really are coming here, that's against her banishment."

"Hmm. I think I'll let Katara decide her fate. I already decided once and I'm pretty sure Katara hates her more. Plus, Mai hates her as well and it would be perfect if her enemy decided how she should be punished, don't you think?"

Iroh chuckled. He loved how his nephew's mind worked sometimes. "Very well then. Should I accompany you in the chamber?"

"Absolutely. I may need your help too, Dragon of the West."

Iroh smiled as he and Zuko headed for the old war chamber while Hakoda rounded up the rest of his men.

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"Sokka!"

Katara came flying around the corner and almost ran into her brother and Ty Lee. Sokka grabbed her arms to stop her before she hit them. "What's going on?"

"Mai and Azula are on their way here. I think they're after the babies!"

Ty Lee's eyes widened. "Are you sure? How do you know?"

"A letter came this morning. They were spotted in a small town talking to people and probably trading ships. What are we going to do?"

"I'm sure Zuko is thinking of something right now. Wait, he knows right?"

"Yeah, he was there when we got the letter. Ty Lee, are you okay?"

Ty Lee looked incredibly nervous. "Um.. I don't think so. When they get here, they're going to kill me for betraying them!"

"Not if I can help it!" Sokka yelled. "Whatever Zuko is cooking up, I need in on it. I want to help."

"Chances are, they're in the war chamber."

"Sokka, no!" Ty Lee started. "Please, you don't have to do this. I can handle them myself, it's my duty."

"Please don't say that. The last time a girl said that to me, she died right after."

"I'm sorry, I just don't want you in a mess that's my fault."

Sokka hugged her, then hugged his sister. "I'm helping anyway. There has to be something I can do." Then he ran off to the old chamber that Zuko's meeting was being held. Ty Lee and Katara were left standing there, watching him leave.

"Is he always like that?"

Katara giggled, "I thought you would've already known that."

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"Zuko! Are you doing anything?" Sokka screamed as he burst into the war chamber. He noticed Zuko standing up in front of all the Water Tribe warriors and realized he was already planning something.

"Yes, I am."

"I want to help." Hakoda stood up to object but Sokka kept talking, making him sit back down. "Dad, I'm old enough now. I didn't get to help last time because of my age, now you can't object. I'm protecting my sister like I promised, but I'm also protecting Ty Lee. Chances are that they're going to go after her for leaving them and I can't lose her like I did Yue."

No one knew what he was talking about when he mentioned the princess' name, but no one asked because it was obviously painful for him. Zuko nodded and Sokka sat down with the other warriors and listened to the battle plan.

"Are any of you benders?"

"Just a few of us."

"Good. Everyone else, sharpen your weapons. Any suspicious ships that come into our waters will be searched before allowing them to dock. Azula's ship will not be allowed to dock because I don't want her to be able to burn my people and my city to a crisp."

"So we're fighting on the water then?" one of the men spoke up.

"It's the only way."

"Good," Katara said as she and Ty Lee walked into the room. "You'll need at least one waterbender master there."

"No, absolutely not," Zuko said as he walked towards her.

"Um, I'm pretty sure I've made up my mind," she replied, crossing her arms.

"I'm helping too," Ty Lee said, walking up to Katara's side and stopping next to her, also crossing her arms.

Zuko glanced back at Sokka, who was fighting back a smile.

Stubborn or brave.

Both.

The boys finally sighed and replied at the same time, "Fine."

Zuko pointed a finger at them. "But if either of you get hurt, remember that you volunteered for this so you can't blame us.. just try not to get hurt please." Katara and Ty Lee smiled at each other, then nodded at Zuko. "Good, then it's settled. Everyone, be prepared to be called to battle at anytime. I'll take a couple of you whenever we search the approaching ships and the rest will be on standby just in case. Just like in the war, be prepared to take losses. My sister is very powerful and her friend is dangerously accurate with her throwing daggers, some of them even with poisonous tips. Who knows what kind of makeshift army she'll have bribed or persuaded into coming with her."

Hakoda stood to address his men. "This is our first battle with our new ally. Let's make it memorable, let's keep the peace and defeat the resistance."

He held his fist in the air, his men following suit. Then they all walked out, talking amongst themselves. Some of the voices sounded nervous, some excited, some both.

"Should we tell Aang?" Katara asked Zuko and Sokka once everyone had left.

"No, he'll try to come help and Toph wouldn't appreciate that, especially when she can't help because it'll be on water," Sokka replied.

"I wonder what they're doing."

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Toph and Aang were wandering through the forest. Aang was watching up in the trees, looking for any signs of the people he was looking for while Toph was concentrating on feeling vibrations not only in the ground, but in the trees as well. She could feel vibrations bouncing through the trees into the ground, therefore telling her someone was approaching.

"Aang, stop. I feel someone," she whispered, gripping his hand tight.

"Where is it coming from?"

She moved her foot forward a couple inches, thinking about it. "A few directions. I think they're surrounding us."

Aang knew what he should do. He yelled, "Jet! It's me, Aang! Come out here, I know you're near!"

Sure enough, Jet swung down with his hooks in hand and landed in front of the young airbender and his girlfriend. "Aang, it's been a while. Who's your friend? You didn't have her last time we met."

"I didn't come here to make small talk, I was just making sure you knew that the war was over so you don't kill anyone else."

"Since when?"

"Since almost a year now."

"How do you know?"

"Um, hello? I was the Avatar! I helped bring down the firelord. How did you not know about all this?"

"The last news we got was that you were dead," Pipsqueak spoke up from behind them.

"I was, but I'm not now. I died after we defeated the firelord, how did you get that much but not that the war was over? Didn't you notice the lack of Fire Nation soldiers running around here?"

"We did, but we only thought it was because of us," Jet jumped in again. "What do you mean, 'I was the Avatar'? And if the war is over, who is the firelord now?"

"When I died, the Avatar spirit had passed on before I was brought back so now I'm just a regular airbender," Aang smiled. He knew what he was about to say would make Jet very upset, the whole reason they had agreed to come visit him. "And the new firelord is Zuko, the former banished prince. He and Katara are very happy ruling the Fire Nation."

Jet's eyes almost popped out of his head and the trademark grass fellas his jaw dropped. "Katara and the firelord? When- what- AARRGG!" he growled as he spun and started back towards the trees.

"They have children too, just thought you might to know!" Aang called after him. "Twins! They are the new Avatars!"

Jet spared one last glare at him before disappearing into the trees. All the others had disappeared too, except for Pipsqueak. "Does that mean we're not the Freedom Fighters anymore?"

"Yeah because you don't have to fight for your freedom anymore. Now you're just a bunch of guys with a really cool clubhouse!"

Pipsqueak laughed. "I'd better get back to the clubhouse then. I don't think Jet is very happy with the news." And with that, he disappeared as well.

Toph giggled. "Well, that was fun. How do you think he's taking it?"

"I think he's going berserk trying to comprehend all of this news at once," Aang laughed loudly. "Let's go, there are probably some guys waiting for you at the arena. You wouldn't want to upset them by not showing up to kick their butts, now would you?"

They laughed as they walked back to where they had landed Appa.

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"That couldn't have been voluntary. We have to save her from that monster, she can't possibly be happy there. Guys, let's go get her back."

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"We're almost in Fire Nation waters. Li, are your men ready?"

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Don't hit me! If you've read my last chapters, you know I love cliffhangers! Haha! You'll have to wait even longer for the next chapter now because I haven't even started on it yet, but I promise I'll update very very soon! I know what it feels like to be left in suspense too long, after a while I lose interest, so I promise not to do that to you guys! I love you! R&R!

Jenn, waterbending.. ah, I'm gonna stop using that..