Rhythm of the Rain
Chapter Twenty-Four
By DamageCtrl

All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.


"This was a wonderful idea!" Iroh said as Suki spread the blanket over the top of the cliff side. "Breakfast with the sunrise!" He took a deep breath and released it, patting his stomach happily. "It doesn't even feel like I stayed up all night!"

"Personally, I'm impressed," Aang mused. "Some of us took naps during Music Night and we're still sleepy, but you stayed up the whole time."

"Well, at my age, I don't need much sleep." Iroh chuckled. He sat down on the large blanket.

"I still think it's a bad idea," Sokka grumbled. "I mean...this is Fire Nation land."

"And I'm Fire Nation," Iroh pointed out. "It is fine, Sokka."

"Really, Sokka, you worry too much." Aang assured him. Sokka looked around warily.

"I don't know...I just don't think we should get too comfortable here." he insisted. Katara sighed from Appa's back.

"Is it your instinct again?" she asked, mockingly. Sokka snorted and crossed his arms.

"Hey, you can mock my instincts all you want, but when Fire Nation soldiers come after us because we're having a picnic -"

"I prefer to call it a nice morning meal, outdoors, and among friends." Iroh beamed.

Sokka just looked at the old man. "A picnic," he persisted. Iroh merely chuckled. "I will not hesitate saying 'I told you so'."

"Heads up!" Toph's voice shouted. He ducked as the low stone table they had brought along swept past him. "Table coming through!" Sokka's arms flailed out, to balance himself on Appa's back as Toph casually bended the stone table they had brought, at the request of Iroh, over to the picnic area.

"Sokka, just relax for a moment," Katara said. "We're a good distance away from the capitol, no one knows we're here and even if they did, you think they could get away with fighting several benders, the Avatar, and Iroh, of all people?"

"I'm just saying it's best to be cautious." Sokka began untying the packs on Appa's back.

"Who has the food the cook packed?" Haru asked. He stood on top of Appa's saddle, scratching his head as he looked around.

"I got it!" Sokka said. He slid down Appa's tail, a large, bulky package in his arms. Haru jumped down to help him carry the food to the table. Toph carefully lowered the table below Iroh, on top of the large blanket. Katara climbed down, the tea set in her arms.

Suki began preparing the food for their early morning breakfast. The dark sky above them began to melt into the brilliant colors of the morning. Beyond the forest and hills in the distance, the sun began to peek, sending a golden glow into the sky. They would have breakfast with the sunrise.

"What a wonderful way to start the day!" the old general beamed. Iroh started a small fire to warm their tea as Sokka grabbed the first piece of meat available and started munching on it.

"It feels good to be back on land," Toph told them. "Finally! I was going to go nuts on that ship."

"Appa feels the same way," Aang nodded. "Isn't that right, boy?" The large bison merely snorted.

Katara grinned. "Maybe after breakfast, you two should go flying. I bet you'd like that, huh, Appa? Poor, baby, being cooped up on the ship." Appa seemed to nod as Katara patted his side on her way back to the table. With the food spread out, the group sat around the table and began to eat.

Katara smiled to herself as she watched the group talk obliviously on. Toph was laying on her back on the ground, relishing the feeling of the earth beneath her as she chewed on a piece of straw she had plucked from edge of the forest. Momo lay beside her, mimicking her with a smaller piece of straw in his mouth. Aang sat beside Katara. He was telling her about what she had missed when she fell asleep during part of Music Night. Iroh and Suki were discussing her skill at Pai Sho. Apparently, she had learned as a child with the village elders.

And at the other end of the table, Sokka was whispering something to Haru while taking occasional glances at Suki. Katara rolled his eyes. Sokka wasn't exactly the best secret keeper. Even if the secret was his own. He had been trying to get Haru to make him a necklace to give to Suki out of the remaining diamonds on the ship. In truth, Suki knew and just pretended she didn't. She didn't want to burst his bubble. At that moment, everything was calm...And Katara wished they could always feel that safe and comfortable.

"And then Iroh did this weird thing with his arms," Aang concluded. He looked up at Katara as he bit into a piece of fruit. He tilted his head to the side as he gave her a questioning look. Katara was staring aimlessly into space. "Katara? Katara?"

"Huh?" The waterbender blinked as she turned to look at him. She gave him a weak smile. "Sorry, Aang, what were you saying?"

"Nothing important," he told her. He looked hesitant to ask and carefully leaned forward. "Are you worried about Zuko?" he asked quietly, as if not wanting to upset her.

Katara's blue eyes slowly lowered. "He isn't exactly the most cautious man in the world," she admitted. "Yeah... I am worried."

"Don't worry," Aang assured her. "He'll be back soon. I bet he's on his way here as we speak."


Zuko leaned back against tree; his body situated high above the ground as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His hand clutched his arm, which had been bruised badly during the run. His sister was insane. Azula had been chasing him since they had a run in at the palace. Several times he had managed to lose her, but after an hour or two, she had found him again. She was relentless when it came to getting what she wanted. And she wanted him dead.

And he knew that somewhere on the forest floor, his sister was searching for him with as much fervor as she had when she first started. She was like a machine. Zuko took another breath and examined his latest wound. So far, there had been no direct hits. He was lucky. One hit from Azula would've cost him much more than he was willing to lose.

Instead, a few lightning bolts had skimmed past him. His clothes were torn and singed in several places. Azula had caused numerous things to fall on him. Pieces of stone from houses, parts of roofs; on their way out of the city, she nearly decimated the northern gates trying to crush him with stone as he ran beneath it. His body was sore, tired, and his mind was even worse.

As he ran, the only thing that went through his mind was how he had to see Katara. Even just once more, he wanted to see her. And yet in the back of his mind, he knew that as he ran, he had to lead Azula away. He couldn't lead her back to the ship. Back to the woman pregnant with his child.

In those short instances where he could rest, he wondered if Jet and Ty Lee had been telling the truth. Was Katara really pregnant? Why hadn't she told him? How did they know and he did not? How is a man supposed to react when someone told him that his lover was carrying his child? Especially when his lover never even mentioned it. He wracked his mind, trying to remember if there were any signs.

Zuko didn't know much about pregnancy, but he did know that women got sick in the mornings. Oh... He groaned quietly.

He looked up at the sky, through the thick canopy of trees. The sun was rising in the horizon. Katara was probably sleeping comfortably in bed. Especially now that she had enough room to move. He smiled softly at the memory. It wasn't that he was being greedy or just wanted to annoy her by taking up her bed. He just wanted to be with her and know that she was safe in his arms. Abet, uncomfortable, but safe none the less.

Gods, what he would do to protect her right now. To be at her side when those black ships of the Fire Nation crept upon them from all sides and the Fire Nation army surround them on land. And as much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that she was safer with the imbeciles he had left on the ship with her. Katara was their friend, their sister...family.

Everyone always seemed to credit their coming together to Aang. But they were all wrong. Katara found Aang. Katara went after Aang. Katara brought them together and kept them together and if she died... Zuko closed his eyes. He couldn't bring himself to think of it.

"Zuko!" His eyes flew open. "Where are you, big brother?" Azula's dangerously sweet voice carried into the tree tops where he sat. In a few moments, his dark clothes would provide him almost no cover in the bright vivid greens of the trees. "Dawn is upon us. In a few minutes, the navy will sink your ship with all your little friends aboard."

Never in his life had he wanted to hurt Azula more. Blood or no blood. From where he was sitting, Zuko looked towards the west and to ocean beyond the rows and rows of trees. There was rocky terrain just past the trees and then in the distance, what looked like a tiny black speck on a sea of blue...his ship. Zuko's chest rose and fell. He closed his eyes, the image of a content, sleeping Katara safe envisioned.

His eyes opened and he scanned the forest ground. He could see his sister walking below him, keen golden eyes ready to pick up the slightest movement. Zuko took his hand off of his wounded arm. It was time for him to keep moving.


"Who is up for a flight on Appa?" Aang asked as he and Momo scampered up the side of the ten ton bison.

"I can go for a flight." Katara said. She stood up from her seat and climbed up. "Anyone else?" She looked over the edge of the saddle as she got on. Toph still seemed content lying on the dirt, Haru and Sokka were resting from their meal, and Suki and Iroh had gotten into another game of Pai Sho.

"Nah...I'm good." Sokka said, patting his stomach happily.

"Same here!" Toph assured her.

"If you stop the by ship, bring us some of those little cakes the cook makes for a snack." Iroh told them. Katara nodded.

"I guess it's just us." Katara told Aang.

The Avatar nodded and took Appa's reins. "Appa! Yip yip!" The great beast let out a groan and lifted his tail. A second later, they were up in the air. Katara leaned back on her arms as she looked down at the group they had left below. Long, loose strands of brown hair flew around her face as she sighed.

"You know, I kind of miss this," Katara said. "Whenever I'm at home or stuck on a ship, I sort of miss flying on Appa."

"I don't blame you," Aang said over his shoulder. He patted Appa's head and joined Katara on the saddle. "Some of our best times were on Appa."

Katara chuckled and nodded, her face lost in memories of a time that seemed so long ago. Slowly, her smile disappeared; a more serious look took its place. "Aang," Katara began. "What would you say...if I wanted to stay here?"

"On Appa?"

"No," Katara sighed. "In the Fire Nation."

Aang's eyes widened and his mouth made the shape on an 'o'. He smiled slightly. "I'd say it's about time." Her eyebrows furrowed and she looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that ever since you decided that you were going to leave, you've been miserable."

"I have not-"

"Oh, yeah?" Aang challenged. "You can even ask Toph. There were some days where you would just stare off into space when we were traveling," He pointed out. Katara began to think back. "You were fine when we had something to do. I guess because your mind was occupied. But when we were traveling and you were bored..."

Katara's head lowered and she sighed tiredly. "I guess I've been kind of a downer."

"I wouldn't say downer..." Aang told her. Katara merely smiled. "I think you'll be very happy here, Katara."

"Thanks, Aang," She sat up straight and reached over, giving her friend a tight, warm hug. "I'll keep Zuko on his toes."

Aang chuckled as she pulled back. "So, you're really willing to be Fire Lady?"

"It's going to be a long fight just to become accepted," Katara admitted. "But, you know what they say... if you don't have to fight for it, it probably isn't worth it."

Aang nodded understandingly. After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Aang yawned and stretched his arms. "We better get down to the ship and get some of those snacks for Iroh."

Katara chuckled. "You can't have tea without snacks," The duo turned towards Appa's head, Aang reaching for the reins, when their eyes widened at the sight in the distance. "Oh my gods..." Katara whispered as she rushed to the edge of the saddle and peered over the side. "Tell me that isn't..."

In the sky, pillars of dark gray smoke were rising from dozens of vessels approaching in the horizon. They had seen that sight before and just the very image of it sent chills up their spin. "We have to turn back!" Aang said. "We need to tell them!"

He grabbed the reins of the bison and quickly pulled Appa around. "I think this settles it," Katara said as she gripped the saddle tightly. "Azula's here. And they'll reach us in...an hour at the most!"

"Come on, Appa!" Aang said. "We need to get back!"

Appa let out a groan as he sped up. Below them, the group was still where they left them. Iroh and Suki hadn't even finished their game. They circled the group over head, preparing to land. "Wow..." Sokka said. "That as fast."

"Maybe they forget to get the snacks." Iroh suggested, slightly disappointed at the thought.

Suki looked up and narrowed her eyebrows. "That's strange...Katara's waving and...pointing?" She mumbled. She squinted, trying to see what Katara was pointing out. She followed the direction of her friend's flailing arms out into the ocean.

"Is that a storm or something?" Haru asked as he followed Katara's directions as well. Iroh's eyebrows furrowed and turned. He squinted into the distance and saw the faint signs of dark smoke rising in the air.

"Uh-oh..." Iroh murmured. Appa landed beside them and Katara and Aang slid down his side.

"Fire Nation navy!" Katara gasped, pointing frantically to the ocean. "They know where we are!"

"Ah-hah!" Sokka shouted as he shot up to his feet. He pointed at Katara. "See? What did I tell you? I told you so!! I knew they'd find us and that it was dangerous and-"

"Sokka, shut up," Toph grumbled. She sat up on the dirt were she had been lying. "If you're so smart, what are we going to do now?"

"Well, I..." Sokka trailed off stupidly.

"Never mind that," Suki said as she got up. "We should get back on the ship."

"Now, hold on just one moment," Iroh said calmly as the younger members of the party began to stand up. "It is possible that the ships are not after us."

Suddenly, the forest around them exploded with men in red armor. Weapons were drawn and pointed towards them as at least two dozen Fire Nation soldiers made themselves known. Sokka frowned dully and turned to Iroh. "You were saying?"

Toph narrowed her eyes and wiggled her fingers, eager for a fight. "What should we do?" Haru asked.

"What do you think we do?" Suki said. Although not clad in her armor, she pulled out her fans that were hanging on her belt and snapped them open.

Aang stood carefully beside Appa, eyeing all the soldiers that had approached them. Behind them, Iroh stood up and slowly brushed off his pants. "I will handle this." he assured the teenagers that were around him.

"General Iroh, I'd be careful," Suki said. "These guys might be working under Azula."

"It'll be fine, Suki," Iroh assured her. "I happen to have a lot of status amongst these men."

"General Iroh!" a voice called out from the forest. The old general narrowed his eyes and stood his ground. A tall, well armored, middle aged man stepped from the forest. From the looks of his uniform, he was a high ranked officer. And his sword was drawn.


"So, is it true?" Azula's blue flame came down as Zuko twisted his body to the side, barely missing getting hit. "Am I going to be an Auntie soon?"

"Like I'd ever let you near my kids!" Zuko snapped. He jumped forward, sending a ball of fire towards his sister. The young woman merely lifted up her hand and deflected the ball with another sizzling blue ball.

"I must say, you work very fast," Azula smirked. She deflected and dodged every single attack Zuko sent towards her. Making him even more and more frustrated. "You haven't even broken it off with Mai yet and you've already laid someone else!"

Flames were practically rolling off of Zuko's body as he growled and jumped forward. Azula laughed mockingly and jumped back to avoid his attack. "What is wrong with you, Azula?" Flame daggers burned at his hands. "You have absolutely no sense of propriety, family, or friendship what so ever. I'm surprised Mai and Ty Lee stayed with you that long!"

"Friendship is over rated," Azula easily avoided all his attacks and then back flipped into one of the trees. She looked up at the sky. The sun was rising quickly and she smirked. "Speaking of friends. Mai should be arriving at the shore line soon. I wouldn't be surprised if we heard explosions any time soon."

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Shut up, Azula!"

"You think I'm lying?" she scoffed, as if insulted. "Not this time, big brother. Sorry to disappoint you."

Zuko growled and jumped on to the branches, swords now in hand and rimmed with fire. "Azula-" An explosion exploded in the distance behind him and Zuko felt his blood run cold. His eyes widened as the first thought that went through his mind was of Katara.

A vicious smirk graced Azula's ruby lips as she laughed. "We'll finish this later, Zuzu," she said as she jumped off the branch. "I've got people to watch be destroyed!" She laughed as she landed on the ground and darted off in the direction of the explosion.

Panic gripped Zuko as another explosion echoed through the forest. His heart nearly stopped as the possibilities slammed into him. The ship could've been hit. It could be sinking. He slammed the blades together and slipped them behind him as he ran after his sister. His eyes narrowed as he struggled to ignore the visions of everyone aboard the ship going down in a fiery heap.


"General Iroh!" The soldier lowered his sword and slammed it into the ground. He bowed his head and immediately bent down on one knee before the old man as Iroh walked forward. "General, it really is you."

"Well, of course it's me, Captain Ting," Iroh mused. "Who else would it be?"

"Men! Lower your weapons! Show some respect to the Dragon of the West!" the Captain ordered. Almost immediately, all the weapons that were pointed at them were lowered and sheathed. "General Iroh, we were told that you were still in the North Pole. And that the Fire Lord was sentenced to death for killing the Water Tribe Chief."

"Now where did you hear that?" Iroh asked, scratching his head slightly. "Ah...I can guess."

"Princess Azula has returned, General. She has claimed the throne as her own and has commanded that we destroy the Fire Lord's ship." the Captain reported.

"Destroy the ship?" Katara whirled around and gasped. "The navy!"

"We need to dispatch a cease fire order to the Admiral on the flag ship," Iroh said as he turned around and eyed the approaching ships. "Is there anyway to send a message to them. Do any of you have a messenger hawk with you?"

"No, General, I'm afraid not," the Captain said, regretfully. "And the Admiral on the ship is Admiral Lin."

"Oh dear..." Iroh frowned.

"What? What's that 'oh dear' for?" Sokka demanded. "Who's Admiral Lin?"

"Admiral Lin has been a staunch supporter of the war all through out Ozai's reign," Iroh frowned. "He's quite the war mongering sailor. No doubt Azula choose him specifically because of his background. Hmm...she always was a clever girl."

"Isn't there anyway to stop him?" Suki asked.

Iroh frowned. "Aang! Can you take me to the flag ship?"

"Are you crazy?" Toph gasped. "If he's as hungry for a war as you say he is, he won't listen to you."

"Princess Azula has labeled you a traitor, General. I'm afraid the little girl is correct." Toph let out a low growl and moved her foot casually across the ground. The Captain let out a yell as his feet were swept out from under him and he landed on his side.

"Ah...I'd be careful," Haru told him carefully. "Toph is the Avatar's earthbending master."

The Captain cringed. "My...my mistake..."

"If that's the only way to stop them, then I'll go, too," Katara said. She turned to Aang and Appa. "You steer, I'll deflect anything they throw at us with water. Come on, Iroh!"

Katara immediately began climbing on top of Appa as Aang nodded and jumped up on the bison's head. Iroh followed and climbed up Appa's tail, with some aide from the bison. "She's going to be my niece-in-law, you know." Iroh said as he passed the Captain.

Katara didn't seem to hear him as she helped him on to the saddle. "You guys wait here! We'll be back! Aang! Take us to the flag ship!"

"Appa! Yip yip!" The bison took off and Katara stood up, balancing herself on Appa's saddle as they approached the ship. They soared over their ship and Iroh looked over the saddle. He saw their men scrambling around. They had seen the navy in the distance.

The flag ship was the largest one in the fleet. They could identify it easily. As they approached, they heard something being pulled. And then the explosion of a launch. "Incoming!" Iroh shouted as he pointed as a fiery ball hurling towards them.

Katara narrowed her eyes and raised her arms. A wave of water collected around them and Katara yelled as threw it forward. The water slammed into the flaming boulder that was shot at them, pushing it back and eventually causing it to drop into the ocean.

"I don't think we're being welcomed!" Aang shouted.

"Take us lower! Closer to the water!" Katara ordered. Without verbally replying, Aang directed Appa lower. Katara assumed a fighting stance and began to direct the flow of water around them.

Behind them, Iroh watched with interest. Despite her brother's claims of Katara being bossy and a nag, she had serious leadership skills. Whether they were natural or learned, it didn't matter. Her strength during crisis would make her an excellent Fire Lady. She was a strong woman. And when it came to wives, the stronger they were the better.


"They're being shot at," Suki said as she squinted and looked out into the distance. Another explosion sounded as another ball of fire was thrown into the air. "Katara's blocking with water."

Sokka stood beside her, his eyes narrowed as he glared. "I don't like this..." Sokka frowned. "We should've gone with them!"

"She is protected by both General Iroh and the Avatar," Haru said as he stood behind them, also watching the sea battle take place. "She'll be fine."

"I'm actually more worried about us right now." Sokka mused. They turned around to face the Fire Nation soldiers standing there.

"Don't worry, Snoozeles, I'll protect you," Toph retorted sarcastically. Suki giggled and stepped around him. "Suki, why don't we give the Captain some tea. He's shaking... its kind of sad."

"Sure," Suki said. As if she were approaching a wounded animal, Suki approached the table and poured some tea. She slid it across the table. "Do you know where Azula is right now?"

"She in the palace," the Captain said as he lifted up the cup to his lips. "To my knowledge he hasn't left."

"Then your knowledge won't do us much good!" a low voice replied. Several soldiers screamed and scrambled out of the way as a riding lizard tore through the tree line and skidded to a stop in front of them.

"Lady Mai!" The Captain seemed to pale of all color as the young woman made herself known. Sokka stepped back and held his boomerang ready. Suki lifted her fans and both Toph and Haru took wary, defensive stances.

"Azula left. She went after Zuko after she caught them in the palace last night," Mai said as she held on to the reins of her lizard. She looked around, her eyes narrowed into slits. "They're not here."

"Where are Ty Lee and Jet?" Haru asked. Mai's lizard walked in a circle over the flat cliff side they were on.

"Azula nearly burned Ty Lee's shoulders off," Mai said with a frown. "She's with Jet at the infirmary. They're both fine now."

"Then what are you doing here?" Sokka demanded. "Come to finish us off?"

"Hardly," Mai retorted proudly. "Where is General Iroh?"

"He went to stop the navy from destroying the ship," Suki replied, still suspicious. "Why are you here, Mai?"

"Azula nearly killed my best friend and is after my fiancée, why do you think I'm here?" she spat out. "Azula should be here by now..." she said impatiently. Her eyes narrowed. "Unless he led her away...and is alive."

"What are you talking about?" Sokka gasped, frustrated.

"Azula is just like her father, she said she would come to the cliff side to watch Zuko's ship be destroyed. If she's not here, then that means she's still off chasing him somewhere in there." Mai said, pointing into the forest.

Just as she did, a bolt of lightning shot into the air in the distance. The soldiers jumped back and Toph frowned as her bare feet felt the vibrations on the ground. "They're coming."


"Stay away from them!"

"You mean them or her?" Azula laughed. She shot another bolt of lightning at Zuko as he darted through the trees above her.

He promptly ignored her, opting instead to focus on getting to the ship. He didn't know why he was running any more. Katara wasn't helpless. The people she was with weren't helpless either. She and everyone else would be fine, he insisted. Regardless, he ran. If only to see what was happening and verify for himself that Katara was, indeed safe.

He looked down at Azula. A depraved smile was on her face as she cut through the forest. She was looking forward to seeing him suffer by witnessing the down fall of those he cared about. He could see it in her eyes. Occasionally, she would throw a lightning bolt at him and he would have to move fast enough to get out of the way.

"You really think that the military will do what you say?" Zuko yelled, trying to faze her. "That they'd drop everything and do what you ordered?"

"Well, I am the Fire Lord!"

"You are not the Fire Lord!" Zuko growled. Azula merely laughed once more. She turned her body and skidded to a stop.

Her arms flew around her body and suddenly, another bolt of lightning, stronger than the last few she had thrown at him, was shot forward. Zuko swore as the bolt cut through the tree he had landed on. He jumped back as the blue flames cooled and turned into yellow and orange flames. The fire began to consume the tree.

Zuko jumped on to the nearest tree, wincing has his body slammed against the hard wood. He looked over his shoulder and watched as the burning tree fell. He was breathing deeply, his lungs burning from all the running and jumping he had been doing. The pain from the impacts of his body against hard surfaces that he either landed against or fell on top of him was throbbing and seemingly spreading through his body. Cursing, he looked down. Azula was gone.

Gritting his teeth, Zuko jumped down and ran after his sister. Up ahead, he could smell the salty air that signaled his arrival to the ocean. Panting, he burst through the tree line and immediately skidded to a stop. Azula was standing on the edge of the cliff, sparks of blue lightning coming from her body as she had her back to him.

His eyes followed her line of sight, out into the ocean before them. The morning sun shone clearly across the water, illuminating everything before them. In the distance, black ships below hovering pillars of dark smoke had stopped. Closer to the shore, a smaller, sleek black ship, baring the Fire Lord's banner, was anchored and safe.

And flying above the navy was a small dot in the sky. The flying bison. The Avatar. The corners of his lips curled up into a triumphant smile.

"It looks like I over estimated the loyalty of the navy to the crown." Azula mused in a dangerously calm voice.

"I didn't," Zuko retorted. "It's over Azula. You'll never be Fire Lord."

"Zuzu...you've misunderstood me yet again," He couldn't help but shiver at the tone of her voice. Slowly, Azula turned around, a clear look in her eyes showing her utmost fury despite her calm exterior. "I didn't care much for being the Fire Lord."

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "They why did you frame me?"

"Being Fire Lord was just a perk. The sweet red beans in the soft, steamy bun," she explained. "What I really wanted to was to finish what I started almost two years ago."

"You want to kill me," Zuko mumbled dangerously. Steam came out of his nose. "What's wrong with you, Azula? What have I ever done to make you hate me so much?"

"You'd never understand," Azula said as she narrowed her eyes. "You were always mother's favorite. Everyone's favorite! The only reason father valued me more was because I'm a better firebender than you. It didn't matter how pathetic you were, everyone at the palace liked you more! Why? You never deserved it! I did!"

"What the hell are you talking about, Azula? You were always surrounded by friends-"

"Friends? You all those two friends?" Azula laughed, almost bitterly. "The second I disappear, it's like I never existed! Never once did I hear those two looking for me! Not like you...even when you were enemies, other people cared enough about you to cover your back!"

"I don't see why you're so angry! Father loved you more! You're his favorite!"

"Are you so stupid that you don't even realize how it feels like to have your own mother ask you what was wrong with you?" Azula seethed. "Just because I didn't hang all over her didn't mean I never wanted her approval! She was always babying you. No matter what you did, she would run after you! She never did that for me! She even killed grandfather to spare your life! Did you even know that?"

Zuko's eyes widened. His chest was rising and falling, unwilling to believe his gentle mother killed his grandfather. "You lie..." he whispered, his blood running cold.

"I saw her coming out of his room just before the guards found him dead," Azula laughed. "See, Zuko, I'm more like mother than you think." She sneered.

"Shut up!" Zuko growled as he shot a ball of fire at her. Azula merely stepped aside and let it pass by her. "You are nothing like mother. It's not her fault or mine that you're the way you are, Azula. You always had to be the best at everything!"

"And it infuriated me how I wasn't!" Azula yelled. A burst of blue fire flew out of her hands and spiraled towards Zuko. He ducked aside, throwing a fire ball at it to change its direction. "When father banished you, it was the best thing that ever happened to me! But Uncle went with you...you teamed up with the Avatar. And you returned and won," she hissed, gritting her teeth. "Then you killed father! The only one who never questioned why I was like this and never thought anything was wrong with me!"

"I gave him a chance to surrender peacefully-"

"It doesn't matter any more, big brother," Azula frowned. "All that matters is that I show you just who is better amongst the two of us once and for all. It always has and it always will be me." She took her position, her eyes narrowed into vengeful slits.

Zuko shook his head and took a fighting stance. Azula's lighting crackled around her. He took even breaths, preparing himself for her attack. All he could see, all he could focus on was Azula. His sister. His enemy. It's not that we didn't want to love you. You just never let us.

Suddenly, a glowing ball of orange was flying towards them. Zuko's eyes widened and Azula whirled around. She growled as she jumped out of the way. Iroh's fire ball slammed into the ground where she had been standing. Approaching rapidly was the Avatar's bison carrying him, Iroh, and the waterbender.

"Azula! Stop it at once!" Iroh demanded.

Azula merely smirked. She stretched out her arms and shot forward. A bolt of ice blue colored lightning flew directly towards them.

"Appa, turn!" Aang shouted. He grabbed the reins tightly and pulled sharply to the right. Appa let out a groan as he turned, but they weren't fast enough. The lighting sliced passed Appa. A painful moan cut through the sky as the massive creature began to plummet. "Appa!"

As the beast turn on its side, a yell and scream were heard as two bodies fell off the saddle. Zuko felt all the blood leave his body as he realized who they were. "Katara! Uncle!"

He began to run forward, only to be held back by the flash of lightning to his feet. His eyes flew back up to his sister. A proud smirk was on her face. "Sorry about that," she cooed casually. "Had my aim been better, it would've been a faster death."

Zuko's body shook with fury. His eyes were narrowed, his gritted teeth locked as he sent a hateful glare at Azula. He could feel his blood pumping through his veins as he took on a position that mirrored hers. She raised a carefully shaped eyebrow. Zuko lifted his arms, creating blue sparks around him. She looked intrigued for just a moment before smirking.

She began to move her feet and felt resistance. Her eyes flashed down and saw ice anchoring her feet to the ground.

"Waterbender," an out of breath voice panted behind her. Azula turned her head a ragged looking young woman clinging on the cliff side behind her. "Remember?"

"Katara!" a voice shouted behind Zuko. The blind girl skidded a stop. Her hands shot down and she stomped her foot. Katara let out a surprised gasp as she was suddenly heaved upward by a piece of earth.

Haru stopped beside Toph and held his arms up, moving them around his body as he planted his feet on the ground. He quickly moved the piece of earth Katara was on around Azula and towards them. "Katara!" Sokka ran to his sister as Haru lowered the slab of earth down. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Katara said. She grinned. "What kind of a waterbender would I be if I were afraid of the ocean? All I had to do was bend some water to catch me and carry me over!" she said, rather proud of herself.

"Katara!" Zuko reached forward for her, only to be shot at with lightning. He whirled back around and faced his sister.

"Don't ignore me, Zuzu," Azula hissed. "It's rude."

Zuko gritted his teeth. "When I'm through with you, Azula..."

"What about Iroh and Aang?" Suki asked as she helped Katara off the piece of earth.

"I've got him!" They looked above them and saw Aang floating above Appa as a large sphere of air engulfed them. Iroh held on tightly to Appa's saddle as Aang maneuvered them down to the ground.

"Oh, no..." Katara gasped. As Appa was placed on the ground, the huge animal let out a painful moan. There was a gaping wound on his side, just above his third set of legs. "Appa!"

"Katara!" Aang said as he floated down in front of his airbending companion and took a steady position. "Can you heal Appa?"

"I can try!" the young woman said. "Sokka, where's my water skin?"

"Sokka, Suki, Haru, Toph," Iroh said as he climbed off the beast, careful not to go anywhere near his wound. The three nodded and took their places around Katara incase Azula tried any cheap shots. "Azula," Iroh frowned as he held his ground beside his nephew. "It's all over. You've lost."

"It's not over until one of us dies," Azula said in a low voice. Her eyes were locked on to Zuko's. She melted the ice on her feet and pulled them out of it. Narrowed gold eyes were locked on to the trio in front of her. "If I go, so does he!"

Azula raised her arms and began creating a blue ball of fire. She stepped back and launched it at them. As it whirled towards them, she jumped into the air, using their brief moment of distraction to attack Zuko. He looked up and crossed his arms over his head just as a blue flame slammed into him and shoved him down.

"Zuko!" Aang shouted. Unable to help herself, Katara's head shot up from where she was healing Appa.

Zuko let out a groan as he was thrown back. Azula darted into the forest, weaving around the trees until she appeared behind. In the background, Zuko heard another voice yell. He shook his head and opened his eyes just as another blue flame was coming towards him. Frantically, Zuko rolled to the side. He didn't notice the other attacks fly at his sister as she shot a bolt of lightning at the group.

At that moment, Zuko's only concern was to keep her away from Katara. He flew to his feet and rushed forward. "Azula!"

She smiled as he attacked her, welcoming the fight with blood thirsty relish. Zuko found himself stumbling back with each hit she administered. Even as others tried to take her attention away from him, Azula wouldn't be distracted. As she slammed her foot down against Zuko's shoulder, she turned to the others and unleashed a strong bolt of lightning at their feet.

The group jumped back as the fire turned into a wall of flames, cutting the siblings off from the rest of the group. She turned back to her brother, smirking as he wiped the blood off the corner of his mouth. "It's just you and me now..."

Zuko stared at her with hateful eyes. In the back of his mind he asked himself how it was possible for him to be related to such a person. "Fine...we'll end it."

Azula's smirk never left her lips. She stepped back, about to throw a shot of lightning at Zuko when a flash of silver caught her eye. Instead of shooting Zuko, she threw her hand in the air and sent a shot of lightning at the knives that were flying towards her head.

"Mai..." she said in a low voice. A young woman stood by the edge of forest, right by the cliff side. Her eyes were narrowed as dark red clothes hung on her tall, thin frame. "I knew you'd turn on me sooner or later. Although I'm surprised you did it this quickly. I would've thought you still would've been put off by Zuzu's little tryst in the North Pole."

"That was none of your business." Mai frowned as she glared at her former friend. Blades were positioned in her hand, ready to be thrown once more.

They surrounded her, Azula realized. Her brother by the cliff, her former best friend in front of her. And inland, to the side of them were benders and the Avatar. Her golden eyes settled on her brother.

It really wasn't fair. She was always best. Always. And yet her mother always favored him more. It didn't matter that their father favored her. He was callous and cruel man and she understood him. She understood him because she was just like him. No one understood them. In truth, she never really believed her father loved her. Valued her, yes...but not loved. Not like her mother loved her brother. That blasted woman...all she wanted was her mother to understand and accept her. For her friends to, as well. And it infuriated her when they didn't. Why did they have to make her so resentful?

This is it, then... the voice in the back of her mind said. Her eyes narrowed. "So be it."

Her arms rose around her and her feet moved to the side. Zuko prepared for her attack. The corners of her lips curled into a vicious, cold blooded smile. Then her golden eyes flickered to Katara.

Mai's eyes widened. "The baby!"

Zuko turned his head towards Katara after hearing Mai's scream. Everything seemed to happen at once. The murderous blue lightning came spiraling down at Katara as she knelt beside Appa. Her eyes went wide as she saw it coming down. Suki and Sokka couldn't react fast enough. Toph couldn't see what was going on and the stone Haru threw up was cut in half.

It wouldn't stop until it hit a human body.

Katara's heart stopped.

A blur of black and blood red jumped in front of her. A second later, Katara was thrown back by the force of a body slamming against her. Screams echoed around them.

Zuko didn't have time to run forward. As soon as she had let the lightning loose, Azula lunged forward. Zuko turned just in time to feel the force of Azula's body ram against his. His arms flailed out, trying to regain his balance as Azula brought her entire weight upon him. He fell backwards and braced himself as he slammed into the ground. Pain shot through his entire backside as he let out a yell.

"Zuko!" He could hear someone's voice calling for him.

Azula's scream cut through his senses as the weight of her body was flung off. He watched as she flew over him, flying towards the end of the cliff. Her eyes narrowed as they met his. A pale hand grabbed the material of his shirt, long nails digging into it as her body swung over the side. Zuko's was dragged forward, his head tittering over the edge.

"If I'm going, you're going with me."

Her voice was poison to his ears. His hands flew up, trying to untangle her hands from his shirt, only to find her grip like a vice. In the corner his eyes, he saw the flickering of blue beyond the side of the cliff. Azula let out a growl as she slammed her final bolt of energy into to the cliff side. He felt the ground rumbling beneath him.

"Hold on!" someone yelled.

The earth was falling apart under him. Azula's mad laughter flooded around him. His back slipped over the edge as the ground crumbled. His legs slipped from the edge, barely feeling the brush of hands against his feet as someone reached for him. He was falling.

His body turned as he plummeted. He could see the jagged rocks below, waiting to shred his body with the help of crashing waves. And he could see Azula. He gathered every ounce of strength he had left. Blue lightning. The cold blooded fire.

I'm sorry, Katara...

A collision of white and blue light. And then...he peaceful calm of nothingness.


Visions of a happy family flooded his typically dark dreams. He could almost feel the warmth of her arms around him and the see the smiles of his child looking up at him. It was the first time he didn't fall asleep in her arms or spent a few moments with her that his dreams weren't torturous memories of his past or scenes from an unwanted future.

That was odd...he didn't think he'd have dreams when he was dead. His eyebrows furrowed. The last image he had seen was the explosion caused by his lightning against Azula's. And then...

Slowly, golden eyes struggled to open.

Above him someone watched his eyes move in sharp movements beneath his eye lids. Earnest, she waited for his eyes to open. At his side, his fingers began to twitch slowly. Beneath black lashes, a small sliver of gold peeked out.

Zuko could see someone's head watching him. His eyes squinted, trying to get them to focus on the blurry figure. He opened his mouth. "Ka..." His mouth was dry and he winced. His eyes closed and he felt a hand reach down and cup the back of his head.

"Tilt your head up so you can drink." a voice said. His eyes struggled to open as his lips were parted and the cold plastic rim of a cup was placed against them.

He felt the cool, refreshing liquid course down his throat. He let the water settle and then tried to speak once more. "Katara..."

"Sorry," the voice said. "You just missed her."

Zuko's eyebrows furrowed and he opened his eyes. The blurry figure in front of him was pale and topped with long black hair. "Mai...?"

"Fire Lord Zuko," she greeted. She gently placed his head back on the pillows and sat up straight in her chair. "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

His eyes squinted. "What are you doing here?"

The corner of her lip turned up into a smile. "Why do you think? It was my turn to watch you," Zuko turned his head to the side. He was on a massive bed draped in red. His bed. "This is probably my last time in your room."

Zuko took a deep breath and closed his eyes once more. "You were watching me?"

"We take shifts..."

His lips frowned. His eyes scanned the room. Lanterns glowing via flame behind red cloth lit the room up dimly. Through the open windows, a cool night breeze blew the long, gauzy curtains into the air. He could see the darkness of outside. "How long was I asleep?"

"Three days," Mai said. "She didn't sleep for nearly three days, you know."

Zuko opened his eyes. Mai was clearer now. He could make out the sadness on her normally stoic face and he frowned. "I'm sorry."

His words seemed to have been expected. Mai lowered her head and looked down at her pale, slender hands on her lap. "No...don't apologize. I accepted the role as your fiancée knowing you would never love me...no matter how hard I tried. I always knew you would love her. She would always be the one for you."

"I still betrayed you," Zuko insisted quietly. "You are my fiancée and I spent a night with someone else."

Mai's hands clenched the cloth of her robe. "I know...Azula...Azula told me to go to the Spirit Oasis that night. And I saw you with her," Mai whispered. She shook her head. "I could never make you look at me like that."

There was regret in her voice and Zuko felt ashamed for making her feel it. "I'm sorry that I hurt you."

"I'm sorry that I hurt you," Mai said softly. She lifted her head and met his gaze. "I hid the fact that Azula had reappeared for my own selfish reasons. I didn't trust you...I was afraid. And because of me, a man nearly died. Ty Lee was injured. The Avatar's bison was injured...you were almost killed."

She seemed to choke on those words. From his bedside, Zuko tentatively moved his hand. He lifted his arm slightly and moved it over Mai's fidgeting ones. "Azula has a way of making people do as she wants. You and I both know that," Zuko assured her. His fingers coiled around hers and squeezed them comfortingly. "No matter how you look at it...I betrayed you. And I apologize. We are engaged-"

"No," Mai whispered. One hand slipped from under his and moved over his fingers. Gently, she wrapped her hand around his and moved it off her other hand. "Not any more...Seeing you with her and thinking about everything while I was with Azula, I realized it was foolish of all of us to even agree to this backwards plan," Mai swallowed and released his hand. "I have officially submitted a letter to the council that I have rejected your marriage proposal. Everything that was given to my family on behalf of the marriage will be spent back. I am no longer your fiancée, Zuko."

He mulled over her words. They sat in silence for a few minutes, allowing the situation to sink in. Zuko clenched his hand and nodded his head. "Will you give me your loyalty as your sovereign?"

"Yes, my lord," she said with a nod of her head. "Without question."

"Your intelligence and concern for this nation did not go unnoticed, noblewoman Mai," Zuko told her formally. "I would like to extend an offer for you to join my council as an advisor," He watched as her eyes widened. "This did not come about suddenly. I have spent some time thinking about this. Previous to when we left for the North Pole, I had a document submitted to allow you into the council. I see no reason why they should not approve it. If they speak against it, I will personally push it through."

Mai closed her eyes. She bowed her head. "It would be an honor, my lord."

Zuko smirked slightly. "Thank you," Mai nodded her head. She pushed her chair back, intent on leaving to inform the others that he was awake, when Zuko's voice stopped her. "Mai," She turned around and looked down at him. "Thank you for saving her life."

The corners of her lips curled up. "After I saved hers, she saved mine," Mai said. "And yours..." He gave her a questioning look, but before he could ask another question, Mai turned around and began walking towards the doors. "She left not ten minutes ago. Her brother wouldn't let her stay another minute awake after she stayed up for almost 72 hours sitting by your bedside," Mai sighed heavily. "But she wanted to feed some turtle ducks before she went to bed."

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "I see..." What a hint. Did everyone know about that now? The door closed behind her.

Slowly, Zuko forced himself to sit up on the massive bed. His head spun and he closed his eyes, bringing his hands up to rub his temples. He grimaced as he moved his legs over the bed. His entire body ached and he wondered what exactly had happened. He decided he would ask his Uncle in the morning.

With slow movements, Zuko stood up. He gripped the side of his bed to steady himself as he closed his eyes and repeated breathing exercises to help him relax. His body was sore all over. Gold eyes open and he looked towards the large red doors. Suddenly, they seemed so far away. Narrowing his eyes with determination, he stumbled towards the door. With each shaking step, he managed to grow steadier and more coordinated.

When he finally reached the door, he grasped the handle and pulled it open. It was silent out in the foyer of the royal quarters. His Uncle didn't seem to be anywhere near-by and he murmured a quiet thanks. He loved his Uncle, but the man would only be a distraction on his current mission. Barefooted and dressed in sleeping robes, Zuko walked towards the open doors of the entrance.

A cool breeze swept over his body as he stood there. It was raining.

He smiled. How fitting. Slowly, he walked out under the covered walkway. Water was running down its slanted roof and dripping over the sides. As he listened to the falling rain, relishing the familiar rhythm, he could almost feel his pain being washed away with each drop.

"Quack!"

Zuko turned his head towards the pound. Several grown turtle ducks were paddling in the pond. He could still remember when they were turtle ducklings, swimming around and diving for the pieces of food they tossed into the water. They were Katara's babies...

He leaned against the walkway's railing peered into the darkness. His eyes caught the sight of blue peeking from behind the tree. His heart skipped a beat as he stood up straight. Katara!

It was if his body had a mind of its own. Without paying any attention to the throbbing ache he could feel in his very bones, Zuko gripped the railing and easily jumped over. The movement had been drilled into his body since the night he saw her standing there, talking to the turtle ducks like a mad woman. His bare feet sank into the wet ground, but he paid not attention to it.

Mud from beneath the grass squeezed between his toes with every step he took as he rushed forward with only thought burning in his mind. "Katara!"

He rounded the tree and came to a halt. It was her parka. Her discarded parka. Zuko stood above it, staring down at its vivid blue against the familiar stone. He was confused. A wave of disappointment coursed through his body. He felt his legs give out from under him as fell to his knees on top of the blue cloth. His heart was still racing in his chest, the excitement and hope of seeing her was still fresh.

Pained golden eyes stared down at the water as the turtle ducks began quacking once more. He shook his head. Had he taken so long getting up that he had missed her completely? It had been her face he wanted to wake up to...her voice he wanted to hear...

A familiar ache of longing twisted in his heart as the rain fell all around him, drowning out all other sound in its relentless shower.

He didn't hear the footsteps walk over the rain soaked earth behind him. He didn't hear the turtle ducks quacking grow louder. He didn't smell the familiar scent of her hair or the feel the warmth of a body against him. All he saw was a piece of bread suddenly appearing in front of him.

"It's late and it's raining," her voice said as two slender brown arms sleeved within silken blue wrapped around his upper body. "And you're here to feed the turtle ducks," She rested her chin on his shoulder, her hand still holding the piece of bread in front of him. Soft lips gently grazed his scarred eye. "Now who's insane?"


A.N. - I am halfway through my 'thank you' drawing...I need to color Zuko...Um...expect stick figures with big eyes. Anyway, if you haven't already read my review responses from 22, please do so we can clear up the whole pregnancy thing. Now to write the final chapter/epilogue...Thanks for reading!