AN: Everyone! Avatar: The Last Airbender's Season Three trailer is now on youtube! Check it out! I screamed with joy! I am so psyched! ATLA's first episode of season three airs on television on September 21st, 2007!!! I am dying with glee!!! And I won't spoil anything, but you're all gonna think I'm psychically linked to the shows creators for foreseeing a certain couple… 3

Encounter with Embers

SOKKA FELT RESTLESS, and had felt so since the moment Suki had ridden off with Mai to rescue a key player in this war they were raging. He did not know why this Ty Lee girl was so important, but he did know that it was risking his future wife's life to save her.

He paced back and forth, ignoring Aang's attempts to sooth his worry. His father even came to his side, asking if there was anything he could do.

"No, Dad…I…" he searched for something, anything to say to let his father know that he had tried his best, but he couldn't even muster the strength to do that.

"Talk to me." Hakoda sat at the small table that sat in his son's quarters that he shared with his Kyoshi woman.

"I just…don't feel right about this." Sokka explained lamely.

"You're worried for your woman, it's only natural." Hakoda prayed that his son would never learn what it was to lose the love of your life. He told his son this and Sokka scoffed.

"I've already lost my first love." Sokka informed his father.

Hakoda started in surprise and sighed with remorse as Sokka told him the story of Yue.

"I'm sorry, Sokka." But those words were not enough. Funny, it seemed that there was no real word to describe love to the fullest extent, nor was there a word to describe the feeling of losing someone so dear to you that you'd die just so they could be happy.

"Dad…I'm sorry about Mom." Sokka replied, knowing his father knew all too well the pain of losing your woman. And his father had it worse, he had known her longer, had married her, and had made a family with her.

His father bowed his head, and they took a while to mourn the loss of their beloved wife and mother. And Sokka thought of Suki, and prayed that she'd return to him, safe and sound.

He had already lost his first love, he wasn't about to lose another. And he vowed that as soon as he could, he'd leave to meet up with Suki, Mai, and Ty Lee. Just to make sure Suki was safe and alright.

KATARA COULDN'T SHAKE off the feeling that something was wrong. Maybe Sokka's anxiety was merely rubbing off on her. Maybe it was something more. Aang tried to help her, as he did with Sokka, but it did little to calm her fears.

He abruptly changed the subject. "So, you and Haru are…" he had seen Haru enter Katara's bedroom that morning. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he had listened intently to what was said.

He silently cursed Aunt Wu. Her predictions really, truly sucked. To say that Katara would marry a powerful bender and have it be Haru instead of him…

He also heard the kiss. He knew that it was a romantic one. It couldn't pass for a friendly one if it had tried. He scowled inwardly.

Katara blinked. "Involved, yes. So?"

Aang looked very disappointed. "Katara…"

She was surprised to see tears roll down Aang's normally happy-go-lucky face. "Aang, what's the matter?" she touched her shoulder.

"I love you." His breath hitched and he fell to his knees. Aang covered his face with his hands. He could only sob softly; the knowledge that Katara would never love him back was too much to bear.

Katara knelt beside him, pulling him into a hug. "Oh…Aang…" she soothing massaged the nape of his neck. "I do love you…just as a brother. A friend." She confessed.

He sobbed harder, his small frame racking with each heave of his lungs. "Katara…please…" he begged. Nothing seemed right in this world unless Katara was by his side, offering her words of encouragement. The idea of her loving someone else more, of giving them words of encouragement, hugging and kissing them instead. He just couldn't imagine a world like that.

"Aang, I'll always be your friend. Your sister."

"It's not the same!" he cried.

Seeing that she could offer no words of comfort for her young friend, Katara began crooning a soothing lullaby she remembered from her days as a child. He quieted, listening to her sweet voice coo gentle words.

He pulled away from her embrace, wiping at his tears. "I'm going to go feed Appa." He made any excuse that was halfway feasible. He had the sudden urge to escape, to get as far away from Katara and Haru as possible.

Katara watched her friend leave, mustering as much dignity as he could. Her heart felt heavy with sympathy for Aang. She knew he loved her, had always known, but she couldn't bring herself to reciprocate. He was not the man of her dreams. He would always be sweet, silly Aang. Her brother, her friend. Nothing more.

ZUKO WALKED THROUGHOUT the palace of Omashu, feeling nervous and restless. He worried for Mai…the condition she was in would make her soon unavailable to participate in any sort of battle.

They did not know how far along she was, but estimated about a month, give or take. Only eight months left to go… it seemed so far away, but at the same time, so close. He was concerned about his own abilities as a father. And the gender concerned him as well. A son would be easier to relate to, a daughter would…well, simply annihilate him.

He shook his head, deciding not to think about it. He would cross bridges as he got to them. He would try not to worry unless there was something to worry about. And right now he had to worry about Mai returning safe and sound, their child safe in her womb.

So, hopefully, she would not be captured, would not be killed, would not be injured badly, and would return safe. There were a lot of ifs in the equation. And Zuko found himself slightly miffed by Mai's loyalty to Ty Lee.

But that was like her. She hid her heart and her emotions well, but when they were called upon, they would not fail. That was something he loved about her.

He came to a conclusion that he would meet up with Mai on her way back. He would leave as soon as he could, watch over her from afar; make sure she'd be alright…

It was the least he could do in a situation like this.

MAI AND SUKI reached Azula's camp as the sun began to climb behind the horizon. Darkness quickly fell upon them, and they dressed in black to match the night. They tethered their ostrich-horses to a small forest that was near Azula's army.

Azula's army, or more like what was left of it, had set up camp for the night. The men all tended to their own needs, which were mainly food and rest. They all seemed weary from travel in such a mountainous terrain.

Suki couldn't blame them; she was feeling very weary herself. Perhaps it had not been such a good idea to expend energy making love to Sokka… well, never mind, it was too late now. As a skilled warrior, she wouldn't allow a small detail like exhaustion to hinder her fighting.

But she did, however, feel warm at the memory of having Sokka in her arms. She longed to be back in Omashu, safe and warm in bed with Sokka. They could hold one another, whisper soft nothings, and fall asleep in one another's arms… she sighed longingly at the thought.

But for now she had to concentrate on the task at hand. "Let's find Ty Lee's tent quickly. I'll stand guard while you speak with her." Suki whispered.

Mai nodded and they stealthily infiltrated Azula's camp, black figures in the still of the night, hell bent on their mission.

Finding Ty Lee's tent was almost ridiculously easy, considering her pink tent stood out from all of the other red-brown ones. It was practically an eye sore. The only challenge was to sneak around unnoticed by Fire Nation guards, but even then, it became easier as time passed and more men retired to bed. Mai almost laughed at the child's play aspect of it all.

She stood at the entrance of Ty Lee's tent and slipped in quietly. Suki followed her and stood vigil, peaking out to see if Azula was going to enter at any given time. Mai had mentioned that Azula had little respect for one's privacy.

Ty Lee snapped into fighting stance the moment Mai and Suki entered her humble, pink tent. Mai quickly removed the black fabric covering her mouth and pressed a finger to her lips to quiet any outbursts that Ty Lee might have.

Ty Lee broke into a smile and threw herself into Mai's arms. "Mai, how did you know…?" she whispered softly.

Mai smiled one of her rare smiles. "I saw it in your eyes on the battlefield. I knew you'd come with me if I gave you time to think about and asked you a second time."

Ty Lee remained in her close embrace with Mai. "Oh, you know me too well, Mai."

"So, will you come with me and assist in the fall of Lord Ozai?"

Ty Lee nodded eagerly. "Let's go!"

Mai covered Ty Lee's mouth. "Keep it down." She hissed softly. Suki kept peering out, her senses alert to anything that might happen.

Ty Lee packed only the necessities: clothes and toiletries. She donned her pack and they silently snuck out of the tent. They moved one by one, sneaking around corners cautiously, and made it out of camp unnoticed.

"Oh Mai! I'm so excited! We're rebels now! Traitors! How romantic!" Ty Lee gushed, waving her arms around enthusiastically. She figured they were safe now that they were out of camp.

That was not the case. "Please shut up." Mai smacked herself in the forehead as a Fire Nation soldier spotted them and attacked instantly. They all barely dodged the blast of fire.

Suki brandished her folding fan. "Go get the ostrich-horses, I'll hold them off!" she cried.

Mai nodded and Ty Lee followed her to their getaway animals. Ty Lee looked back at Suki. "She's so brave!" she sighed.

"She won't be anything in a moment if we don't hurry up!" Mai hissed. She jumped onto the ostrich-horse's back and steered it back to Suki. Ty Lee did the same.

Suki was surrounded by several experienced Firebenders, but blocked each attack masterfully.

"Ah…a rebel." A malevolent voice cut through the noise of battle and everyone paused. Azula herself stood before the group, her arms crossed. "You wouldn't be trying to take my second in command, now would you?"

Suki scowled. "Just fight me, Azula." She only hoped she could hold out against the Firebending prodigy long enough for Mai and Ty Lee to rescue her.

SOKKA ENTERED THE ostrich-horse stable quietly, but muttered a curse as he stubbed his toe on something in the dark. He covered his own mouth and looked around. He was technically stealing, since he hadn't asked permission to borrow an ostrich-horse. But…he knew no one would approve of him going to meet up with Suki, Mai, and Ty Lee.

Sokka knew he was doing the right thing though. Suki's safety came first, and also he needed to make sure Mai and Ty Lee would be okay. He knew Zuko would be devastated if anything happened to Mai, and they all needed Zuko to be of sound mind.

Zuko was becoming their unspoken leader. He made all of the decisions, and made sure everyone else agreed. He knew when to ask for advice and when to make a tough, but wise choice. If he became the Fire Lord, Zuko knew the world would be put back to rights.

So thus, here he was, stealing an ostrich-horse. The animal whinnied softly, and Sokka hushed it.

"Who's there?" a voice demanded.

"Oh shit…" Sokka sighed. "It's me, Sokka." He proclaimed bravely.

A dark figure approached him, and fear welled up in his throat. What if it was a Fire Nation soldier, hiding out until the right time to strike?

But wait…the silhouette was familiar…and once the figure was close enough, he sighed in relief. "Zuko…"

"What are you doing here?" Zuko questioned. He had put down his defensive stance, his cloak fluttering at his heels.

"I could ask the same of you." Sokka replied. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot. He didn't have all night to play twenty questions.

"I'm going to go after Mai…I'm worried about her." Zuko answered.

"I was going to do the same. For Suki, I mean." Sokka admitted. He pet the ostrich-horse, his hand firmly grasping its reigns.

"Then lets go together." Zuko suggested.

Sokka nodded with agreement. "Hurry." He bestrode the animal, sweeping his cloak out of the way.

Zuko fastened his pack to the ostrich-horse. "Feed, food, first aid." He commented, mounting the animal swiftly.

Sokka nodded in approval, and they set out, racing in the direction that Mai and Suki had left in.

Both boys unknowingly repeated the same mantra in their minds: Please be okay, I love you, please be okay.

WHEN SUKI COMMANDED Azula to fight her, she obliged.

"Leave us." She told the soldiers, and they reluctantly did so, not daring to disobey the cruel princess.

Suki found herself in awe of Azula's fighting prowess, and also found it difficult to keep up with her aggressive pace. Every time she thought she had mastered Azula's fighting pattern, Suki would be surprised yet again.

Azula smirked. The best Omashu's rescue mission could send was one pathetic Kyoshi warrior and a traitorous Fire Nation girl? She was tiring of this amusement quickly, however, and chose to end it quickly. It was for the best really, because Mai and Ty Lee were quickly approaching upon ostrich-horse.

Azula charged her lightning strike and released it with a force stronger than she had ever produced before. It struck the Kyoshi girl dead on in her chest, and she crumbled with a groan.

"Suki!" Mai screamed, surprising Azula. She very rarely ever heard Mai raise her voice. This was interesting.

Mai hurled her fletched darts at Azula with passion and anger. Suki, no, Suki… she grit her teeth. "Ty Lee, get her!"

Ty Lee nodded and picked up Suki's prone form, setting her gently upon one of the ostrich-horse. Once she was sure Suki was safe on the animal and would not fall, she turned to join the fight.

Mai continued her relentless attack on Azula, but her skills were suffering from her rage. Azula took advantage of this weakness and stuck Mai in the abdomen with a blast of fire. Mai instinctively covered her stomach with her hands. She cried out in pain and worry. My baby….my baby…

Ty Lee frowned and attacked. She stuck Azula's pressure points, and finally knocked her ex-friend unconscious. Azula crumpled to the ground. "I'm sorry, Azula." She rushed to Mai's side. "Are you alright, Mai?" she questioned, concerned.

Tears coursed down Mai's face. "Let's go." She could see soldiers rushing to aid Mai and soon attack them. Ty Lee nodded and helped Mai onto an ostrich-horse. She vaulted the ostrich-horse Suki's unconscious form lay on. She wanted to make sure the girl wouldn't fall off.

Mai clutched her stomach, grimacing, and she forced the stead into a fast gallop. They needed to get back to the palace, and soon. "How is she?"

Ty Lee leaned Suki back against herself and inspected the wound on her chest. "Oh, Mai, this is bad." It was bleeding excessively and showed no signs of clotting. Every heartbeat betrayed Suki. She also noted how irregular her heart beat. There was most likely damage to her lungs and heart. Oh, if only they had a healer available…

Mai grit her teeth. "Hurry."

They plodded along; praying to whatever spirits would listen. The sun rose, and with it, their hope diminished. Suki had not woken up yet, and her lips were becoming blue.

And Mai was becoming pale herself. The front of her black tunic glistened with blood and seeped onto her stead.

Ty Lee regretted ever opening her mouth and drawing attention to themselves. But no one blamed her, making her feel worse than she already did. She clutched Suki more tightly, begging the ostrich-horse to go faster.

Then, in the distance, she saw two figures riding towards them Ty Lee tensed, hoping it wasn't foe, and instead a friend. As they came closer, she could see that it was two men, their black cloaks fluttering in the breeze created by riding so quickly. One was pale skinned, the other one tan. "Mai! Look!"

Mai looked up and smiled weakly. "It's Zuko and Sokka." She proclaimed. She looked relieved and slowed her beast to a trot.

Sokka and Zuko closed in one them quickly, and could see that things did not look good. Mai was hunched over when she normally sat tall and proud. And Ty Lee was clutching Suki's unconscious form.

Sokka jumped down from his ride and rushed to Ty Lee's side. "Let me have her!" he half shrieked. He cradled Suki in his arms, inspecting her wound. He lost hope then and there. She had one proverbial foot in the grave already. "Suki, wake up! Darling? Wake up…" he patted her face gently and her eyes weakly fluttered open.

"Sokka…" tears began to immediately fill her eyes.

"Suki…" his eyes, too, filled with tears. This was it. This was goodbye forever. Just like when Yue… No. he would not think of it.

"Sokka…I love…you…" she choked out. Her trembling hand reached up, touching his face tenderly.

He took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I love you too. Please don't go, Suki. I need you." He pleaded softly.

She sobbed softly. "No, you don't." she gasped in pain and for breath. "You're strong."

Sokka shook his head in protest, hugging her tightly, not caring that her blood was seeping all over him. He welcomed it. "Not as strong as you…" he murmured.

She half-smiled. "Promise…promise me…"

"What? Anything. Anything you want." Sokka felt so desperate. And so sad…

"Live." And she was slowly slipping away, out of his arms…to somewhere else.

"Suki…" he begged, pleaded, anything to make her stay. Her eyes closed and she drew one last breath, becoming still.

"Suki? Suki?!" he shook her slightly and got no response. She was gone. His beautiful lover, angel, baby, precious…she was dead. He could do nothing to protect her, to save her from this horrible fate. Sokka threw his head back and wailed like a child.