DISLCAIMER: don't own AVATAR.

Ok, let's see if I have the attention span to make this the last chapter!

Chapter 17: Goodbye

Her life was draining from her body, and it was his fault. He shouldn't have let her done this, why had he? He was such a failure. He continued to watch his sister die.

This couldn't be happening, he had loved her with all his heart, protected her to the best of his abilities (which was pretty good) and now, he had failed. Only Agni could save his wife now.

He had barely known her, and now, he felt rage course through his being at the thought of his aunt being so ruthless. Iroh said that his grandfather had done this to his aunt, and, for a split second, he felt a twang of pity for his aunt. But when he saw his mother, lying on her deathbed, barely alive, rage was made anew. His mother continued to die.

I'm going for a walk.

Maiku thought, and left the infirmary. His father nor the strange soldier noticing.

Prince Maiku was recognized in the city of Souzen, but there weren't many people to get out of his way, the whole city was in after shock of the battle in the Palace.

Soon, Maiku reached the docks. He sat down at the edge of the dock, and let his legs swing beneath him. He couldn't believe, his mother was going to die, and he had just barely met her!

"What is wrong with my sister! TELL ME!" Aaron yelled at the healer in charge of the infirmary of the Palace.

"Karma." Aaron turned around to face Zuko, who was staring blankly at the wall.

"Excuse me?" Aaron asked suspiciously. Zuko sighed.

"The karma plant is found only in the Fire Nation. When the sap from the plant is squeezed from the flower and drank, it will give a bender's bending ability ten times its normal power. And for a non bender, it enhances their natural abilities and senses." Aaron nodded.

"So why is my sister lying on her deathbed?" Aaron snapped. Zuko sighed.

"But once the effect of the sap wears off, it drains a lot of the bender's energy. If too much is consumed, it takes their life." Aaron bit his lip as Zuko walked over to the bedside table next to Kellie's bed, where she lie, taking shallow, labored breaths. Zuko picked the small, glistening black bottle that had held about a tablespoon's worth of the karma sap. The bottle was empty.

"The amount that's usually in this bottle could kill an unagi eel in 2 hours." Aaron raised an eyebrow.

"Unagi eels are the biggest creatures known in this world." Aaron gulped. Zuko looked down at his wife.

"I'm surprised she made it this long."

"Is there a problem, young Prince?" Maiku looked around at the sound of a voice. There was no one on the dock.

"Down here." Maiku looked down and gasped at the speaker. She had pale blue skin, purple hair, and strange wings on her back. The strange being smiled up at him.

She held up a small bottle, and spoke to the Prince.

"Give this your mother, and when she wakes up, tell her Chieftess Katara of the South Pole sends her greetings." Maiku nodded, and leaned over the dock cautiously, and grasped the small bottle. He examined it, it was a small, blue leather pouch with tufts of white fur sewn into it. When he looked down to tell the stranger thank you, she was gone.

Maiku stood up, and ran to the Palace. Normally, he would be suspicious, but now, if anyone said that something would cure his mother, he would take it.

When the Prince ran into the infirmary, no one was around, not even the healer. Just his mother, just about to die. Maiku crept over to his mother's side, lifted her head, and with his teeth, ripped off the cork holding the leather pouch shut, then poured the contents into his mother's mouth. Kellie's body accepted it, and Maiku left the infirmary.

That evening, after a sad dinner, Zuko and Aaron trudged back to the infirmary, to see the healer laughing in bewilderment. The two men looked at the grizzled old healer, confused.

The healer looked at them, and smiled.

"Fire Lord! She is fine!" Zuko's jaw dropped.

"H-h-how?" He stuttered. The kind healer smiled.

"Someone gave her water from the North Pole's oasis." Maiku smiled, and shut the infirmary door.

"With a good night's rest, Kellie will be back to her old self again in the morning." Zuko grinned. He couldn't wait to return the demolition derby that Kellie's life brought. Zuko scooped Kellie up in his arms, and turned to face Aaron.

"I'll take her to her room." Aaron nodded in agreement, and Zuko took Kellie to their room.

The next morning, Aaron yawned and shuffled to Kellie's bedroom door. He knocked once, and when he didn't get a reply, he knocked again. When Aaron still didn't get a response after 10 times, he opened the door quietly.

For lack of a better word, Aaron was shocked by what he saw.

Kellie and Zuko were on the same bed, no, sleeping on the same bed, with his little sister in the firebender's arms. They were both asleep, and despite the fact, Kellie was squirming, and snuggling her face closer to Zuko's bare chest.

Aaron bit back a growl, and saw Zuko stirring. He shut the door quickly, and walked briskly away. He would deal with Zuko later.

Zuko's golden eyes flickered open, and they rested on Kellie's peaceful, sleeping face. He smiled, and poked Kellie's shoulder. In her sleep, she swatted his hand away, telling Aaron to leave her alone, it was 7 AM on a Saturday morning.

"Wake up, Kellie." Zuko whispered in her ear, poking her again. She grunted, and turned over. Determined, Zuko shook her gently. When he got no response, he shook her harder. Kellie growled at him, and turned over on her side to face him.

"I told you to leave me alone!" She snapped, glaring at him. Zuko chuckled.

"So you were awake!" He laughed. Kellie frowned.

"Ya, until you oh so unkindly shook me awake!" Suddenly, she started sniffing.

"I hate you!" She cried, and turned to face away from him. Zuko stared at her back, bewildered.

"What'd I do?" Kellie laughed at him. She turned back to face him, smiling.

"Haha, fooled you." She said, grinning. Zuko frowned.

"Well, as much as I would like to stay in bed and ponder over my near-death experience, I think I'll go take a bath." Kellie declared, hopped out of bed, and walked into the washroom. Zuko shook his head, and changed into his robes, now that he was Fire Lord again.

When Zuko arrived at the dining hall, Aaron was already there, dressed in a crimson short sleeve shirt, and black pants. When Aaron saw who walked through the door, he growled.

"What were you doing with my sister, in her room?" Zuko raised an eyebrow.

"Don't give me that look, you were in her room, on her bed, sleeping with her!" Aaron snapped, not realizing he was making it sound worse than it really had been.

"I didn't do anything!"

"She was defenseless! How do I know that you didn't take advantage of her?"

"How dare you think that I would go so far as to rape a woman! I have more honor than that!" Zuko snapped. Aaron grimaced, and grabbed Zuko by the collar.

"You rotten-"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" A blast of fire aimed straight between the two men made Aaron let go of Zuko, giving them both time to get out of the fire's way. In that instant, Kellie was between them, holding up her hands as a gesture to stop. Kellie sighed, lowering her eyes, and then her hands.

"Aaron, please, Zuko, and," Kellie was chewing on her finger nervously.

"AaronZukoandIaremarried." She said so quickly in that low tone no one ever understood her in. Aaron looked at her, puzzled.

"What did you say?" He asked. Zuko sighed it was his turn.

"We're married." Aaron stared at the two, then his eyes traveled down to Kellie's left hand and her fourth finger; there was a golden band on it.

"Well, why didn't you just tell me in the first place?" He laughed.

Aaron sat moodily at a table in the giant hall. A feast was being held in honor of the freedom of the world once again.

He had acted like he hadn't cared that his sister had married the Fire Lord, but the cut ran deep. He was angry, for lack of a better word.

Kellie was tugging on Zuko's sleeve, begging him to follow her; she had a surprise for him. He finally gave in, and Kellie led him through the giant maze of tables in the hall. She finally led him to one table near the back of the hall, where two people sat.

"Zuko, this is your son and uncle." Zuko's face paled when one bright young face and an old wise one smiled up at him.

"Dad?" Maiku asked tentatively. Iroh wasn't so shy. He stood up, and wrapped his arms around his nephew's middle, crushing him.

Kellie giggled and she turned to her son. Once Iroh had released him, Zuko joined her. Maiku stared up at his parents, and then he stood up, and made an attempt to hug them both at the same time.

"Maiku," Zuko whispered, and swept his son off his feet in a hug that he had never received from his own father. Kellie just stood back, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

Prince Maiku was eventually let back on his feet, and faced his mother.

"Chieftess Katara sends you her greetings." Kellie gasped, and smiled, tears making her eyes seem like emeralds.

Suddenly, the giant door into the even bigger hall burst open, and a hush fell over the room as everyone turned to face the panting yellow and orange figure who had just intruded.

"AANG!" Kellie yelled happily, and ran to meet him. The Avatar looked up just in time to be swept up into a giant bear hug.

"Nice. To. See. You. Too. Kellie. Crushing. Spine…" Kellie blushed and released the Avatar. That's when she noticed he was taller than her.

"No fare! You've grown!" Aang smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head.

"Guess I missed the big fight, huh?" He asked, grinning and looking around the giant hall, which had resumed its merriment. Zuko joined his wife and smirked.

"Yup." He said. As Aang turned to leave, Kellie grabbed his shoulder.

"No, Aang. Stay the night. It'll be a long traveling back to, er, wherever you came from." Kellie said. Aang shrugged, and with his glider, soared into the air. The hall was huge, and the ceiling was very far up.

Aang landed at the table where Aaron sat.

"Hi, I'm Aang! I'm-"

"Shut up." Aaron said indefinitely. Aang looked at him bewildered, before he wandered back to Kellie and Zuko, who were halfway back to the front of the hall.

"Mister cranky is a let down." Kellie laughed.

"His name is Aaron, and he's my brother." Aang blushed. Her brother looked very well built.

"Is he a bender?" Kellie shook her head.

"I have an uncle?" Kellie, Zuko, and Aang turned around to see that Maiku had followed them, staring the trio in disbelief. Kellie grinned.

"Yes, you have an uncle. Want to meet him?" Maiku gulped, and nodded nervously.

Aaron saw a young man standing somewhere off to his left. He didn't notice that the boy looked like Zuko.

"Uncle Aaron?" His head snapped up to see the boy from earlier was looking at him nervously.

They had a kid.

Aaron knew that he should feel angry, but somehow, he didn't. He smiled, and beckoned his nephew to the seat next to him.

"Hey kid."

"You can do it." Zuko whispered. Kellie took a deep breath, and walked on stage. This was not her first time singing in front of people, but it was her first time singing in front of her brother.

Hush fell over the crowd and everyone leaned in to hear the Fire Lady sing, they still remember how her voice had sounded, 13 years ago.

It's not like I'm walking alone into the valley of the shadow of death

Stand beside on another, 'cause it ain't over yet

I'd be willing to bet that if we don't back down

You and I will be the ones that are holding the Crown in the end

When it's over, we can say, "Well done"

But not yet, 'cause it's only begun

So, pick up, and follow me, we're the only ones

To fight this thing, until we've won

We drive on and don't look back

It doesn't mean we can't learn from our past

All the things that we mighta done wrong

We could've been doing this all along

Aaron, all of a sudden, stood up, and joined his sister in singing. He remembered the song.

Everybody, with your fists raised high Let me hear your battle cry tonight Stand beside, or step aside

We're on the frontline

And we'll be carrying on, until the day it doesn't matter anymore

Step aside, you forgot what this is for

We fight to live, we live to fight

And tonight, you'll hear my battle cry

We live our lives on the frontlines

We're not afraid of the fast times

These days have opened up my eyes

And now, I see where the threat lies

We've got to lead the way

Everyone in that room stood up and cheered for the two. For many years to come, that song would not be forgotten, and stories would be told of the siblings that sang of saving people.

Something no one else did.

Aaron sat down, and Maiku grinned up at him. Aaron returned the grin. Kellie took a steadying breath, and belted out.

I waited for you today

But you didn't show

No no no

I needed You today

So where did you go?

You told me to call

Said You'd be there

And thought I haven't seen You

Are You still there?

I cried out with no reply

And I can't feel You by my side so

I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone

And though I cannot see You

And I can't explain why

Such a deep, deep reassurance

You've placed in my life

We cannot separate

'Cause You're part of me

And though I haven't seen You

I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply

And I can't feel You by my side so

I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone

We cannot separate

'Cause You're part of me

And though I haven't seen You

I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply

And I can't feel You by my side so

I'll hold tight to what I know

You're here and I'm never alone

Kellie fell to her knees, sobbing. This song, she felt it was meant to symbolize the bond that siblings shared.

She felt Aaron's hand on her back. She looked up at him and sniffed. She shouldn't be crying, but she had needed to cry for a while now.

"I'm always here for you, Kellie." Aaron whispered. Kellie smiled, and nodded. A tear rolled down her cheek, and the moment it splashed on the floor, time froze.

Everything and everyone in the hall froze except for Kellie and Aaron. A giant blue hole appeared to the siblings' left. Kellie sighed.

"You need to go." She said. Aaron nodded solemnly. He wrapped his arms around his sister in one goodbye hug, and she hugged him back.

Kellie felt herself crying again, and she felt her brother crying too.

This is different.

In all her years, Kellie had never seen her brother cry. Finally, after what seemed like days, brother and sister released each other.

As Aaron walked into the portal home, he looked back at his sister. Her eyes were glistening with tears and red and puffy from them. But they said it all.

Goodbye.

With one final, unsure step, Aaron disappeared into the blue light.

Aaron shook his head, and found himself back at his house. Mary had just opened the door, and was calling to him. He glared. He reached into his pocket, and found his cell phone.

"Aaron, honey, what are you doing?" Mary asked. Aaron grimaced.

"I'm calling to file a divorce."

Kellie dreamed a rather familiar dream that night.

"Hello Kellie." The Master said, smiling. Kellie nodded.

"When you wake up tomorrow, time will have reset. You and Zuko will have returned from your hike, Sierra and Iroh are still alive, Maiku's a baby, and only you, your brother, and your husband will remember any of this terrible ordeal." Kellie nodded, and smiled.

"Tell Kierra I said thanks." The Master nodded.

"Will do."

The Fire Lady moaned, and opened her eyes to the glaring sun. Zuko was smiling at her gently.

"How long have you been watching me sleep?" She muttered.

"About an hour." Zuko smirked. Kellie punched his arm. Zuko's smirk got better. He leaned and kissed his wife.

"I had the weirdest dream," he murmured against her lips.

"I dreamed that Zula took over, and turned our son into a monster." Kellie sighed.

"It was real." She mumbled. Zuko sighed, and kissed his wife again.

"But I don't think it's happened yet." Zuko whispered. Kellie smiled.

"It hasn't. And never will." Just as about as Zuko leaned in to kiss his wife again, a baby's wail broke the silence of morning. Kellie smiled, and got up out of bed. Sliding on a robe, she went to the door.

"I'll go."

The End

Woo! I did it! And there are nine pages for this story written, and I only used two songs! over 3,000 words! new record! I'm so proud!

there will be an epilogue. i will tyr to post it up sometimes this weekend or this week.

INSANITY AT ITS FINEST
LONG LIVE THE HIPPIES!

Zukoscute2