Just so everyone isn't confused, the prologue was of Katara and Zuko during Aang's reign as avatar. NOW in this chapter we go on to the present where we meet their reincarnations and the mysteries begin! Please Comment and tell me what you think.

No Flammers unless your Zuko! lol

I hope you enjoy Chapter One of "Heartless" a Zutara Fan Fiction.

JeSs

Chapter One

"Okay Pencils down!" I groaned as I collapsed against the white lined papers on my desk.

Torture Session number two of the day, had ended with my Algebra II teacher warming up to the idea of a pop quiz on just about every lesson I didn't understand. I could see the big fat F now.

I passed up my paper and smiled when I heard my saving bell ring through the room.

"Alright Class, remember to do pages 100-105 tonight for homework."

I gathered up all my books, spread out below my feet and quickly sprinted out of the room.

The hallway was bustling with teens trying to get to there next class, but I wasn't really in a hurry. Fifth period was next which meant lunch. I wasn't exactly hungry so I thought I might go up to the library, do some research for a History project I had due next week.

As I suspected, barely anyone was there. Only me, a free stray freshman, the books, and of course the computers.

I found my regular seat and logged onto the computer using the school's login and password.

The project was to trace back our heritage and to quote Mr. Trousdale, "try to date back as far as possible."

So far nothing came up, with a last name like Wendell, how could you? It was like the most uncommon name anyone could ever inherit.

I kept looking but only came up with stupid stories about some long lost uncle who'd invented some kind of ice cream cooler.

"You got Mr. Trousdale's class too?" I turned my head to see one of the freshman's had taken a seat next to me. He was really short for a freshman.

"Yeah, but you're a…"

"Freshman, I know. I got moved up in some classes. I'm a bit too smart for my age." He laughed and I couldn't help but smile back.

"So did you find anything on your heritage yet?" he asked, trying to make conversation. I found it sweet.

"Not really, everything's pretty boring… oh wait, look here, one of my great great great grandfather's was married five times… oh that's sooo amazing." I sighed, frustration taking over my boredom.

"Well its pretty much the same here, nothing about my family line is interesting." He turned his head to me and stuck out his hand.

"My name's Alex." He said, his green eyes glistening.

"I'm Sophie, It's nice to meet you," I took his hand firmly and shook it.

His cheeks gave a crimson glow and he turned back to his computer screen.

"Oh look at this… that's interesting," he rubbing his chin in concentration.

"What is it?" I asked, leaning closer to get a better look.

"My computer screen came up with some legend. It has like nothing to do with my family it just kind of… came up." We looked at each other, our eyes narrowing in thought.

"That is strange. Well read it, maybe whatever it's about will make sense somehow." Alex nodded and started to read aloud the text on the screen.

"Ages ago, before any knew of a man named Christ, the world was in dire need of a savor. Nations were at war, and great kingdoms began to crumple and fall before the feet of their people. Not even the most powerful of leaders could save them. No one could." Alex paused and I saw him swallow, his Adam's apple moving up and down.

"Go on," I urged and he continued.

"A powerful soul was created to restore peace between the nations, and to balance the good and evil in this world. He was the bridge between the spiritual world and our own. He was known as the Avatar."

Alex pushed away from the computer, his chair tilting till he fell to the ground with a thump.

"Whoa, are you okay," I extended my hand to help him stand.

"Something about that story creeps me out," he said, shivering.

I looked at the computer scene and suddenly knew how he felt. "Yeah, it is a little strange," I reached out, took the computer mouse and 'X-ed' out of the site.

"See now we don't have to worry about it," I said, calmly sitting back in my own seat to continue my research.

"I guess… you're… right." Alex said stammering.

"Of course I am, I'm your superior," I said laughing.

The bell rang and we both took up our things and headed out into the hallway.

"Well good luck with your project," I said waving good bye.

"Yeah…you too." Alex said, blushing as he waved goodbye.

'Cute kid,' I thought with a smile.

The rest of the day was a miracle compared to my failure in math class. When school finally came to a close, I gave out a sigh of relief and headed to the parking lot, where I hoped to find by brother 'slash' chauffer. Even if his car was a piece of trash and didn't drive quite smoothly.

I saw him parked in the front of the parking lot, leaning out of the car window, trying to flirt with some passers by. He was truly pathetic.

"How's about you and me get out of here and…" I'd heard this line before, get a girl in his car and try to make out with her in the back seat until she slapped his face red and ran off. Yup, that's my brother.

The girl scowled and walked off with her best friend both of them whispering some kind of comment about my brother as they passed.

"Lance, you know you're never going to get a girlfriend that way." I threw my backpack in the back of the truck and sat in the passenger seat of the car, adjusting the music from hard rock to something more like pop.

"Who died and made you queen?" he said groaning.

He moved the car out of the parking lot and out onto the free road. He'd gotten his license months ago but didn't really drive as smooth as I would have hoped. He blamed it on the car.

"Well I only speak the truth. When was the last time you had a date?" I questioned.

He was silent for a while before turning to me and coming up with a wise come back.

"What about you, having seen you get any guy action in like… what two years?"

I punched his shoulder and ordered him to keep an eye on the road.

"Well I only speak the truth," He said. The wise ass.

I sighed and looked out the window. It was true. I hadn't had a boyfriend since eighth grade and I couldn't even count that time, since I'd gone on one date with some guy you'd had a crush on me since fifth grade. Some date he turned out to be.

"Stop staring out the window and get out of the car, we're home and by the looks of it so is dad." I looked up to see our Dad's SUV parked in the garage.

He worked as a fire fighter at the local station. We hardly ever saw him anymore. This was a rare occasion.

When we stepped inside, our mother was already cooking dinner, fish fillet, I thought by the smell of fish.

"Hey kids, how was school?" she said cheerfully. She asked that question everyday and yet we always answered the same.

"Fine."

"Well that's good." She replied with a smile.

"Where's dad?" I asked sitting down at the table and playing with my dinner napkin.

"Went upstairs to take a quick shower, he'll be down in little bit."
And just like that… as if by some strange force beyond us, our father came running down the stairs in a panic.

"A fire broke out on Martin Avenue, I have to get down there…" he ran to the door and stopped before leaving.

We were all looking his way. We knew his job came first, there were innocent people he had to save. But… still… he was never there, never here with us. Never part of our family.

"I'm sorry guys," he frowned and with that he left.

The house was silent through dinner. Feeling the tension grow around the table I asked to be excused.

Once I was in my room, I crashed against my bed, only praying to go to sleep early and not have to worry about what might bring tomorrow.

Yet, my night was far from over.