AW! School's almost starting! That means I'll be caught up in that jungle everyday for 7 hours...the AGONY! Oh well, I'll need it for college. And I'll still try my best with classes (school and martial arts), to finish this story.

Disclaimer: The only thing I own related to this story is my laptop...nothing more- nothing less.
Spoilers: This chapter may have a few spoilers for The Beach.

Same ages; Zuko- 8, Azula/Mai/Ty Lee- 7

Chapter 8: First Day on the Island

The young prince stood at the edge of the ship feeling the nice, refreshing wind rush past his face. He hadn't been to Ember Island in two years. Normally, he and his family would visit there every summer, but last year was different. There was a lot of problems concerning the other nations, leading to very busy parents.

But now, those small tensions were resolved and everyone was ready for a nice vacation at the Fire Lord's beach house.

They were just about to take off for Ember Island. Everybody was already on board. Everybody but Iroh. Zuko was totally unaware of what was going on though, mostly because he was too drowned in his thoughts.

Suddenly, a man with grayish hair arrived. He was greeted with hugs, bows, and 'welcome back's'. "It is very nice to see all of you again," he looked at everyone.

"But where is my nephew, Zuko?" Azula pointed up the boat to him, with his back turned- still unaware. Iroh made his way up the steps. "What, your old uncle doesn't get a hello?" he asked causing Zuko to turn around.

"Uncle!" his arms flew open as he gave him a hug. Other than Ursa, Iroh was his only relative that really cared about him.

"I missed you too, Zuko." he said as the servants loaded his stuff on the ship as well as everyone else's. Once they were all on-board, the ship took off for the island.

For most of the trip, Zuko sat quietly and behaved with his mother while Azula and her friends would mess around and occasionally drag Zuko into their crazy games.

Hours later, the royal ship arrived on the island. From afar, they could see the clear blue waters that surrounded the sparkling gold sand. The nice, big houses all over the island stood on hills, and the beautiful green mountains painted a nice background for the island.

"Hello, and welcome back to Ember Island." two identical figures stood in front of them. They were Li and Lo.

Stepping off the boat, Azula breathed in the fresh island air. She watched as the servants took her stuff and headed for their house.

"Oh, this is so cool!" Ty Lee squealed.

"Have you ever been here before?" Azula asked once her friend was by her side.

"Once, I suppose." she answered. "But I was only 2 years old then." Suddenly, Mai was by their side as well.

"Okay, well let's go to the house- I'm tired." she pulled them along. The sun was near setting, and the chefs (that have come along) were already preparing their supper for later on.

--

Zuko lay flat on his face on his bed. He had just gotten to his room, and was pretty tired, so he decided to relax for a while before dinner. Suddenly, the door burst open revealing Azula.

"What are you doing here, Azula?" his muffled voice quickly asked her before she could even say anything.

"Like I want to be here..." her smile faded away. "Mom's making me stay in your room."

"What?" his head shot up in surprise. "You!...I!...But! Huh?"

"Calm down, spaz. It's either me or Mai- Ty Lee won't leave the room with the balcony." she thought for a moment, then realized an opportunity here. "On second thought, I also prefer the room with the balcony. I'll be right back..." Zuko sat up, curious at what she said.

"What?" he heard from across the hallway.

"Yes," another voice replied.

"Why?"

"Just...go."

"But-"

"No."

"I...ugh."

"Go."

"Stop touching me!"

"Then go!"

"Ow!" Azula came back with a pretty frustrated Mai and her stuff in hand. She set it by the bedside drawer, took her own bags, and bolted out the door.

Tension rose between the two as well as another awkward silence. Luckily, Iroh stepped into the room, saving them from embarrassment. "Dinner's ready you two." he informed them.

"Uh, sure, uncle." Zuko said thankfully.He then walked out the room followed by Mai. His uncle slowly shut the door and followed along as well.

Wow, I've gotten far. But it's no where near over...I'm planning on getting all the way to when they're like 16 and/or 17- and I'm pretty sure that's how old they were near the end of the series, and right now they're only like 7 and 8. So just...hang in there!

Also, I'm probably going to have about 3-5 chapters at Ember Island. If I go for more, the story will get really long...

-Black5Belt