New chappy! Yes, they're in the future and all that will be explained in this chapter. I know it's shorter than most but it gets the story along. I watched the new episode and I must say IT ROCKED! I only breathed when the commercials were on. I couldn't believe how intense it was. I was amazed at how I was rooting for Iroh more than Zuko, tho. o.O Then I realized how amazingly and horribly inaccurate I am with the story! Zhao got taken under the ocean by the Ocean Spirit, Zuko and Iroh are now fugitives with now crew or even a boat, and Sokka's a good fighter! I hope everyone will forgive me and continue reading the story none the less.
Nilikeye: Thank you!
breathlesslove: hehe, it wasn't hard to get Sokka into character. Somehow it's easier to complain than compliment.
Suna-Tsuki-Koinu: I'm glad you like the way Zuko is. He's not being too mushy, is he? I don't him to be too soft.
Bunny The Assassin: Same comment or not, thanks for always writing in!
Element Girls: He's gonna meet his "future self" in the next chapter and maybe even he'll get some love action.
After a few minutes of calming the panicking group, mainly Sokka, Kiko and her father Haru managed to lead them back to the West Fire Temple. Haru had explained to them that they have been using the temple as a base since the war began five years ago. While inside sitting at a low table for tea, a medicine man, old and bent, with a red robe walked over to her with more agility than expected from a man his age. He was told of Kiko's condition and he placed a vile under her nose. With one breath Kiko stood straight with her full color returning to her.
"Old man's 135 years old and even I have trouble fighting him," Haru said with a laugh as the man bowed and walked away. "He works with herbs and potions that are incredible with healing."
"No poisons?" Zuko asked. The only person who looked at him strangely was Iroh and Kiko. He cleared his throat and looked down at the table as three women came in and served tea to the group.
"He has the knowledge, but I don't ask that of him," Haru said, looking at Zuko with raised eyebrow.
"Who was that statue behind the front doors?" Aang asked excitedly.
"That was Avatar Rikku," Kiko spoke up. "The avatar before my mother. Born from the Fire Nation and supposedly friends with Mijo's father. Speaking of mother, where is she?" Kiko asked her father.
"Resting," Haru replied. "She sleeps an entire day after she attempts to time bend. A whole month she tried. This time it was a little harder on her, seeing how she accomplished the task. Though she used too much power and brought all that were in the room with Kiko."
"Wait a second, a month?" Zuko said surprised. "Wouldn't you want to try to find her as soon as possible? Six months is a long time to be gone away from home."
"Six months?" Exclaimed Haru. "Kiko had been sent back thirty seven days ago." Everyone at the table looked at one another, looking for an answer, but knew there would be none. All the while Iroh was sitting in his place at the end of the table opposite of Haru, sipping his tea, his eyes moving from person to person as they spoke in turn.
"So, could I meet her, your mother?" Aang asked with more and more enthusiasm.
"Of course, Aang," Kiko said with smile. "I doubt my mom with want to time bend any time soon so you'll have plenty of time to meet her."
"Oh my gosh, what should I do? Is there any special greeting I have to learn, should I change clothes?" He took a handful of his shirt and sniffed it. "Is two month old smell inappropriate?"
"You haven't washed your clothes in two months?" Kiko said, scrunching up her nose, not from the smell just the thought of it.
"Aang, why are you so worried, you're just meeting her mother," Katara said.
"Because she's the Avatar!" Shouted Aang.
"Hello?" Sokka said. "If I remember right, so are you."
"But she's the only avatar alive who's master all four elements," Aang said. Everyone's face light up with realization. This was something very important to Aang. "I mean, I talked to Ruko before, but only in spirit."
"So Chihiro wasn't exaggerating," Haru said. "About her life as Avatar Aang. Traveling with a water bender girl, a warrior brother, and going against a banished prince and his General uncle." Kiko cleared her throat and glared at her dad from the corner of her eye. Haru looked up and saw Zuko's fists clenched and his face looked cross. "Excuse me," he said lightly with an uneasy smile. "Kiko, there's some people here to see you."
"Oh no," Kiko groaned as a maid by the door was signaled to let them in.
"Who is it?" Iroh asked curiously. Zuko tried to hide his curiosity by drinking the tea in front of him, which he oddly found tasted good.
"My crew," Kiko said. "There's something I have to warn you about them. They're very loyal and very…" By that time the door burst open and over a dozen men came sprinting into the room. Three of the first wrapped their arms around her, all of the crying out," Commander Kiko!"
"… affectionate," Kiko said in a monotone. The crew or at least the part that had come to see her were on their knees surrounding her explaining how they were worried and searched for her every time Chihiro had attempted to time bend.
"Compared to our crew, these are children," Zuko said in shock. He was sitting next to Kiko at the time and leaned to Iroh to not touch the other men. Iroh laughed in response. Three claps brought everyone's attention to Haru as he stood up.
"It's starting to turn dark. Our guests and Kiko need their rest, so they will be given guest rooms and will continue to get to know one another tomorrow," he said.
Waving her crew off, Kiko stood up and turned to her father, "I'll lead them to the guest rooms, papa," she said before lightly bowing to him. He returned the bow before hugging her once and kissing her forehead. Zuko watched on with a curious, sad look. Iroh pulled him out of his trance by placing a hand on his shoulder and smiling tenderly at the younger man.
"I hope you don't mind sharing rooms," Kiko said as she led them through the halls. "W only have two pare rooms at the moment, that I know of. Things may have changed the last few weeks I've been gone. The first door she opened showed a spacious room with a bed in two opposite corners. The wall facing the door had a large window with red curtains that looked out to the sea. The center of the room had a woven black rug with the Fire Nation symbol in red. The sheets were red and maroon silk.
"The door on the right is the walk-in closet," Kiko explained. "The door to the left is your bathing room. Zuko and uncle, I hope you don't mind sharing this room."
"No, it's fine," Iroh said pushing Zuko in first before he could argue.
"Breakfast will be served in the room we just left," Kiko said. "My room is down this hall, right at the split and first door to the right, in case you need anything."
"Thank you, Kiko," Iroh said with a wide smile. "Good night."
"Good night, Kiko!" Zuko yelled out from inside the room. Kiko and Katara giggled and Kiko said her good nights before heading on.
"Kiko, is it me or is it hot in here?" Sokka asked. Her was out of his heavy coat, but pulled the collar of his shirt none the less.
"That's because we're on top of an active volcano," said Kiko.
"Say what?" Sokka screamed. "Why would anyone be stupid enough to put temple on an active volcano?"
"Fire benders," Kiko said, stating the obvious. "This is the spot where Avatar Rikku died, that's why they put a temple here for his memory. Besides, it's one of the best defenses we have against enemy forces."
"Makes sense," Katara said. "Just like how the Northern Water Tribe built their city out of ice."
"Still creeps me out," Sokka said with a shiver.
"I think it's cool," Aang said with a silly grin.
"I somehow knew you would," Sokka said, his shoulders dropping.
"I can learn more fire bending here," Aang said. "And maybe Avatar Chihiro can teach me a few things, too."
"Why don't we make this giant fieldtrip?" Sokka said with an irritated voice, throwing up his hands in surrender.
"Calm down, Sokka," Katara grumbled. The next room the stopped was the room before the hall split in two direction like Kiko had said. It was nearly identical to the last guest room, but the beds were against the same wall and beside the door was a mural of all the pervious avatars.
"I thought you'd like this room for the painting, Aang," Kiko said and by the look on this face, she knew he liked it. " "Sokka will be sharing the room with you. Breakfast in the min hall and my room is around the corner."
"But you said there was only two available rooms," Aang said in concern.
"Katara will be sharing my room," Kiko said before turning to Katara. "If you don't mind, that is. I have a pretty big bed we can share."
"I don't mind," Katara said with a smile. "See you at breakfast, boys."
"Night," Sokka and Aang said together before cling the door to their room. As the girls walked to their room Katara noticed Kiko looking around.
"What's up?" She asked.
"I was sure he'd be here to see me back," Kiko said softly before opening the door to her room.
"Who, an admirer?" Katara said with a smirk.
"Unfortunately, yes," Kiko said with shy smile. The two girls broke out in a fit of giggles before closing the door. Outside in the hall a figure watched the two as the exited the hall, his eyes solely on Kiko.
Okay, I want answers! In the future Zuko and Kiko will be put in a odd situation where Zuko sees Kiko nude... You reember be blushed when she was in a kimono, which nearly coveres ever piece of skin on her. What will his reaction be when he sees nothing on her! Your answer might be his reaction in the story. Your answers count!