AN: Alright, no beating around the bush. I owe you all, my wonderful readers, a huge, ginormous, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, larger than time, space, and life itself apologee. This update is what? One, two weeks late? But that's not the point. I am very very very very very very sorry. I was grounded last weekend, but I did have a chance to write on Wednesday, I was just too lazy. Please please please forgive my laziness!

O.k. now that that's over with on with the story!

Chapter Eleven: Eyes in the Trees

Had Zula come to the conclusion that she, indeed, loved Ruhuo?

Yes.

Was she to dare tell a soul?

Not a chance.

Zula and Ruhuo were out on the deck of the ship by sunrise and, as usual, firebending. Ruhuo was learning surprisingly fast, just like Zula had. Yet, somehow, today was different from all of the other days, but why?

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Zuko was just waking when the sun peeked over the horizon. He bolted up from the river bank when a large wave of water washed over him.

"It's about time you woke up."

"What was that for!" Zuko sputtered through the water, knowing she was the reason he was soaked.

Katara shrugged. "What wasn't that for?" She countered.

She couldn't help but laugh when she noticed Zuko's temper rising. She was cooking three plump fish she had caught with her waterbending. She knew that she should be more afraid right then, but, for some reason, today felt different from all the other days. Yet she couldn't help but wonder - why?

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"Follow the river. Katara's smart enough to head for water." Sokka instructed as the three - himself, Aang, and Iroh - mounted the fluffy bison.

Iroh just couldn't hide that "I told you so" look from his face, which was slightly starting to get on Sokka's nerves. Just slightly.

"What is your problem?" Sokka nearly screamed as he turned to the old man.

"What ever do you mean?" Iroh gave the boy a small smile.

"Your just sitting over there with that - that look on you face!" He threw his hands up in the air as if that somehow emphasized his point.

"Well, dear boy, I am usually not one to brag," Iroh's small smile turned into a broad grin, "but I told you so!"

Sokka just crossed his arms, huffed, and looked away.

How, in the name of Shasa, does Zuko stand this guy!

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The sun was just setting after a long day's firebending. Zula leaned against the rail and watched as the massive golden orb slipped beyond the horizon, tainting the clouds different shades of pink and gold.

She took a deep breath of the ocean air, and noticed that Ruhuo was walking over to her.

He stood straight and tall, with his hands behind his back, watching the sunset as she was. It wasn't until the sun had completely vanished that they spoke.

"How much longer until we reach Lunro?" Ruhuo questioned.

"If we're lucky we should reach the port by tomorrow, if not then it shall be the next day." She glanced over to him. "Why the sudden interest?"

"In case you haven't noticed," He joked," I was around water and ice enough at the Northern Water Tribe. I honestly don't need to be around it the rest of my life."

Zula couldn't help but smile as he offered a small laugh.

"You're a firebender, it's only natural that you'd dislike water."

"True."

He finally relaxed and joined her in leaning on the rail. This is when Zula noticed a thin black string tied around his neck. Ruhuo didn't notice, or mind, when she reached out and tugged on it, revealing a coin-sized, black necklace.

He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as she stroked the smooth stone. There was blue and gold lettering, but she could not quite make it out.

"What - ?"

"It says 'My four benders, I love you forever and always, Mother and Father'. I have had it as long as I can remember."

"What does it mean by four benders?" Zula felt as though she were getting closer to discovering more to Ruhuo's past.

"I don't truly understand, but if I'm correct, I might have three siblings."

They gazed at the stars until their eyeslids grew too heavy to hold open, then bade eachother 'good night'.

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Zuko and Katara went pretty much the whole day sitting around, waiting for Aang, Sokka, and Iroh to figure out where they were. Finally, as the time passed, and our couple grew more and more bored, Katara decided to strike up conversation.

"Sokka is always late."

"Huh?" Her statement had caught him off-guard.

"Sokka, he's late to pick us up, and he's always late for everything else. One time, back in the South Pole - "

And so went the day. Katara passed time by telling Zuko stories of the South Pole, and Zuko passed time by listening.

Little did they know, two pairs of bright blue eyes watched them from the safety of the trees.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"You bet I am."

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AN: No, it's attack of the OC's! Run for your lives! O.k. Just kidding. Yes I'm going to add in more origonal characters - maybe more than you think...

Anywho! I am, again, really really really sorry for the late update. Thank you thank you thank you guys for reading.

Anywho squared! The next couple of chapters are going to be a slight bit strange/ interesting/ Eeeekk! But eh, at least I'll be updating twice this weekend right? As for why that day was different, you'll find out eventually...

Until next I apologetically update,

- JAAF