AN: This story is a tad unorthodox, with the less-than-likely couples (MaixZuko and SokkaxSuki at this point). It has violence, death, maybe a bit of swearing, people falling in love, making love, and making life. If that sounds gawdawful to you…don't participate.

Encounter with Embers

ZUKO GROANED AS he crawled into his tent. This night had been, by far, one of the worst nights in his young existence.

Mai, having been dozing prior to Zuko's noisy arrival, sat up, rubbing her eyes groggily. "What's the matter Zuko?"

He sighed dramatically and crawled over to Mai. "Do you really want to know what's wrong?"

Mai blinked, then nodded.

He promptly dropped his full weight on top of Mai and buried his face into her neck.

She laughed and squirmed. "Zuko, you're heavy! Cut it out!"

Zuko laughed as well, then caught Mai's lips in a kiss. "Tonight was horrible. I need kisses to make it better."

Mai showered his face with kisses, and then looked into his eyes. "Aw…poor baby ZuZu." She cooed softly.

Zuko sniffled and then started tickling her.

Mai squirmed and giggled again, then knocked Zuko upside his head and tackled him. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her once more.

"I missed you today." He murmured softly to her. His mouth found her collarbone quite easily and his finger found the fastenings to her night cloths.

Mai shivered under Zuko's ministrations. "I missed you too…"

Zuko ground his hips against hers, eliciting a soft moan from Mai. He laid back and Mai kissed her banished prince roughly. Zuko gripped her slim hips, causing more friction between the two of them.

"Oh…Zuko…" Mai made quick work of undressing her lover as he did of her. She was already aching for him, and eased herself down on his hard length.

Zuko groaned softly, bucking his hips. Every time he made love with Mai he felt like she was soothing yet another part of his tortured soul. Perhaps they'd spend the rest of their life giving one another this comfort.

He hoped so.

SOKKA BEGAN TO tiredly clean the campsite. He hadn't exactly liked the day's events, but it was over now, and he had had a good meal nonetheless. Katara, Suki, and Mai had excellent cooking skills. And it wasn't a sexist thing either.

Iroh retired early for the evening. He and Aang had been assigned the same tent, since all they could purchase in such a short amount of time were two person tents. Aang was carried to his tent soon after, since he had been all but unconscious at the campfire. Sokka smiled softly, for sometimes he forgot that Aang was only a twelve year old boy. Or one hundred and twelve. However you wanted to look at it.

The two Kyoshi warriors that Suki had brought with her had scouted the area, made sure everyone was safe, and then also turned in for the night. The two girls were quiet, and seemed rather duty bound instead of being there to make friends. Oh well, not everyone could be as outgoing as Toph or Aang.

Katara kissed him on the check sleepily. "Goodnight Sokka." She smiled and dragged a sleepy Toph off to bed.

"Goodnight." He smiled back at his younger sister and continued to clean up the campsite. Even though it wasn't his assigned responsibility, per se, he always enjoyed it. It gave him time to reflect on things…and talk to the moon. Yue…

He sighed softly and chose to disregard that thought. She was gone, and he was still here. He was trying to live his life in a way that would make her proud and thought he was doing rather well.

Suki walked over to his side, her warrior make up removed for the night. Sokka smiled at her. He was in awe of how beautiful she looked as a normal, teenaged girl. "Do you need any help?" she inquired.

Sokka just stared at her, wondering how such a beauty like Suki would ever be interested in a lunkhead like himself.

"Hello…?" She blinked, tilting her head at him curiously.

"What? Ah…yes!" Sokka blurted, realizing that Suki probably thought he was crazy now.

"You do need help?" She asked.

Sokka blushed. "Ah…no…" he sat down near the campfire and patted the spot next to him. "Come sit with me Suki."

She obliged and promptly rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad to be here with you." She sighed in contentment.

He automatically wrapped his arm around her, his hand squeezing her shoulder. His other hand began to rhythmically stroke her hair. "Me too." He whispered to her.

They stared into the fire together, silently enjoying one another's company. He reveled in having her next to him, here, tonight. He had truly missed Suki and knew she felt the same. This godforsaken war had brought them together, but also pulled them apart continuously. How long would Suki be with him this time? A day? A week? A month? None of these was long enough for him.

Suki bit her lip in thought, leaning further into Sokka. She was so glad to finally be by his side. Traveling with him was already fun, and she could tell that this adventure ahead of them would change their relationship for the better. Perhaps they could share another kiss…and more.

"We're sharing a tent tonight." She whispered sultrily.

Sokka unexpectedly shivered. "I'll be a gentlemen." He reassured her.

"What if I don't want you to be?" she leaned up and kissed him.

Sokka blushed and deepened the kiss before breaking away. "I'm not sure if I…we…are ready for this?"

"We can learn together Sokka." She seated herself in his lap, gazing deep into his ocean blue eyes.

His hands trailed from her shoulders down to her waist. "So small…" he murmured, his fingers tickling her sides.

She squirmed in his grasp and wrapped her arms around his neck. Sokka gasped softly, for when she squirmed, she brushed up against his member, which was already becoming hard.

He kissed her deeply, his hands stroking her down her back, and he massaged her shoulders. She sighed in pleasure, murmuring his name breathily.

He shivered and kissed his way down her neck. "Suki…" he nipped and licked, drawing his name from her mouth.

He heard a soft moan, but it hadn't come from him, and Suki was busy suckling on his ear. He paused. "Did you hear that?"

Suki paused as well. "What?"

Sokka looked around. "Listen."

Sure enough, a soft feminine gasp was heard, accompanied by a masculine groan. Suki giggled. "It seems Mai and Zuko had the same idea as us."

Sokka blushed hotly. "I would have rather not known."

Suki grinned. "Maybe they want to compete with us."

Sokka blushed even redder. "I am not competing with that snobbish scarred banished brat." He replied sullenly. "I don't even want to think about him being aroused like that."

Suki laughed and latched onto his ear again and elicited a soft moan from him. "Then let's go to our tent."

He picked her up, and ignoring the waning campfire, carried her into their tent. She hurriedly pulled him on top of her, wrapping her legs around his waist. He unfastened her clothing slowly, his mouth tracing every inch of unveiled skin. He enjoyed every noise of pleasure that came from her mouth.

Having Sokka nestled between her legs was something that only happened in very wonderful dreams, but yet it was the now, the here. She had long dreamt of his mouth and hands everywhere on her body. Nothing else mattered now.

"Suki…" he sat up and took her hands, placing them on the hemline of his clothing. She quickly removed his tunic and tossed it aside. She ran her hands worshipfully across his toned chest. She pressed kisses against his stomach as she fumbled with his pants.

She gasped when his manhood was revealed. It was so big, would it fit? She found herself stroking it curiously and smiled with delight as Sokka moaned softly. No matter, they'd fit somehow.

Sokka eased Suki beneath him, giving her a crushing kiss. Their nude bodies sliding together gave them both shivers. "Sokka…I want you…I've been waiting so long…"

"I know…me too…" he positioned himself at her entrance, stroking her gently. "So wet…"

Suki pulled Sokka closer and whimpered softly when he slowly entered her. He kissed her brow, her forehead, her cheek, and her lips. "I'm sorry baby…I'm so sorry."

Suki kissed him deeply. "I'm okay…keep going." And she moaned as pleasure coursed through her.

Sokka was in heaven. He hadn't imagined that Suki would feel this good. "Suki…" his heart swelled with all of the feelings he had for this girl. His hands almost had a mind of their own. All he cared about was making Suki feel good. He wanted to make her cum as many times as it was humanly possible.

Sokka found that he could usually do whatever he wanted, as long as he put his mind to it.

Suki bit down into Sokka's shoulder as an explosion of pleasure coursed through her. He groaned and thrusted a little more roughly, reveling in the feel of her. And in this moment.

Picking up the pace to match Sokka, Suki dragged her nails down his back. He hissed and smirked at her. He squeezed her rear roughly and thrusted even harder.

Suki pulled her fingers through his hair and moved to meet him, gasping as she came again. "Sokka…" she pleaded, not even knowing what it was she was pleading for.

"Suki…I'm going…I'm going to…" Sokka whispered in his lover's ear. He increased his tempo and buried his face into Suki's neck.

"Good. Do it." She was more than satisfied, having lost count of all the times Sokka made her cum.

He buried his face into her neck, and felt his release come swiftly as Suki's walls tightened around him. She cried out as she experienced an orgasm of her own. Sokka collapsed upon his lover, panting softly. "Suki…"

She kissed him, smiling softly.

"You're alright?" he asked, concerned that he had become too rough with such a petite girl as Suki.

She giggled softly and kissed his nose. "You're great."

Sokka grinned. "I asked about you, silly."

Suki nuzzled her warrior's cheek and sighed contently. "Perfect."

He hugged her tightly and wondered if anything could be better than what he had with Suki. And not just physically. Emotionally, she made him feel like…amazing, wonderful, superb.

"Never leave me. Stay here always." Sokka murmured.

Her response was a kiss, and she drifted off to sleep. He studied her face and smiled, and fell asleep with the girl he loved in his arms.

KATARA HUMMED TO herself softly as she began breakfast. Toph had slept in and she had allowed her to do so. The young girl was more than pulling her weight around here. And now they had more hands to help around as well.

She smiled softly. Just yesterday she, Aang, Sokka, and Toph were looking to tell the Earth King about the solar eclipse, and now they had Zuko, Mai, Iroh, Suki, and her warriors traveling with them to win back the City of Omashu.

A thrill ran though her at the thought of winning back Omashu and winning the war. Peace…such a simple word held so much promise and excitement in it. It was something she had only known in dreams. To have peace…a new world where her children could roam safe and free…where her sons and daughters would never know pain, hurt, and loss, but only freedom, happiness, and a quiet life.

She sighed, admiring the tasty breakfast she had prepared, and called for everyone. "Breakfast is ready!"

Aang, Iroh, Toph, and Suki's two warriors immediately joined in at the campfire. Katara smiled and they all began eating. But…where were Zuko, Mai, Sokka, and Suki? That was strange…Sokka was always hungry, and Suki seemed disciplined enough to rise with the sun even. And by the looks of Mai and Zuko, even though Katara did not know them well, they didn't seem like the type to sleep in.

She blushed then, realizing that their two tents were the only 'couples' tents. Perhaps they were 'busy' last night. She didn't know whether to be embarrassed or happy for the young couples. And actually jealous even, because she had yet to find that special someone.

Sokka stumbled out of his tent, tying the drawstring to his pants and yawning loudly. Katara couldn't help but to look at her brother differently. He was a man now, in every way mentionable. An adult… she blushed slightly. "Sokka, come have breakfast."

He sat beside her, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. He seemed to be in an extremely good mood, and Katara forced herself not to think about it. "Good morning Katara, Aang, everyone." He beamed and proceeded to dig in.

Mai emerged from her tent she shared with Zuko, her hair neatly styled and not a wrinkle in her robe. She was a very beautiful girl and seemed very relaxed this morning. Radiant almost. Katara tried not to think of her and Zuko either. What kind of world were they living in where they did not worry about things like pregnancy, honor, and…and…well, other things too!

She sighed and felt not hungry all of a sudden. Damn it, where was her Prince Charming?!

AANG BLINKED AS he watched Sokka and Suki be even more cuddly and silly with one another today than they were the day before. It was almost nauseating, and the way they kept blushing when they looked at one another was becoming annoying. What was going on here?

"Ne, Toph, don't you think Sokka and Suki are being weird?" Aang asked. He looked at the young master Earthbender, who prickled at the question.

"Who cares? They're just being mushy." Toph snapped. Her response was too angry in relation to the question, so now Aang had to wonder what was the matter with Toph as well.

"Katara?"

"Yes, Aang?" she replied in a delayed fashion.

Aang sighed in frustration. It was very rarely that Katara was ever so distracted that she didn't pay attention to him. What was wrong with her?

Maybe this whole mission was a bad idea. How could they storm Omashu and win it back when his original Avatar GAang was acting funny. Perhaps Iroh could help.

"Iroh?"

"Yes, young Avatar?" he replied, smiling softly as he rode his ostrich-horse.

"Why is everyone acting so weird?"

Iroh stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Young love."

Aang sighed, exasperated. "Great."

"Don't you have a love, Aang?"

Aang sighed and looked wistfully at Katara. "Yes…but she views me as a friend."

Iroh patted Aang on the shoulder reassuringly. "Give it time, and she'll come to see you for a young man, instead of just a friend."

Aang grinned. Suddenly he felt very optimistic about conquering Omashu.

JET FROWNED AS he watched Sokka and Zuko flirt with their respective women. He had actually enjoyed the quarreling that the three of them had. Each had their own specific reasons for disliking one another and it kept things interesting throughout the monotony of travel.

Gah…women…nothing but trouble. He sighed softly, not aware that he wistfully wanted somebody to care about him the way those two girls cared about their respective lovers. He noticed how Mai would give Zuko soothing massages and how Suki would mend Sokka's pants for him. He also did not forget how these two couples had satisfying bed business. No, he didn't watch, but he knew whenever either couple did because the next morning the girls would be serene and relaxed and the boys would have huge Cheshire cat grins on their faces.

He sighed once more. He sincerely hoped that they would all get to Omashu soon. He wanted a nice bed all to himself where he could work out his own frustrations. Sleeping in trees was very unsatisfying indeed, since there were not enough tents to go around. He was offered Aang's tent he shared with Iroh, but sometimes the older man snored, so he declined.

The group had been traveling together for nearly a week now, and he knew they were close to Omashu. Even though the two young couples flirted constantly, he enjoyed certain parts of the trip.

The jokes and stories everyone told when they were traveling were highly entertaining. The mornings where they were all so tired funny things just were said and happened. The boys' hunting hijinks were always amusing in retrospect. The girls with their girly mannerisms were also funny. And dinnertime was always a pleasure. To be in the company of friends, comfortable in silence was great. And bath time, when they happened upon rivers or ponds, was always a fun water war.

Maybe he didn't want to get to Omashu as soon as he thought he did.