Jet…died…I know I seem like a disloyal Zutaraian but Jetara wouldn't be so bad either…I like the guy. And if you didn't know this…sorry for the spoiler…ehe (sweat drop) This chapter honestly isn't my best, it was extremely hard to write. And on top of it all, you guys are getting really bad at reviewing and it doesn't really get me into the writing mood ya know?

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar JET WOULDN'T HAVE DIED!

"Thanks but no thanks. I don't need your peasant help." He hissed.

Katara whirled around with a shocked expression. "W-what? Are you kidding me?" she barked now becoming angry.

"No I'm not, now go splash around in a puddle or something." He snapped and swung the stick over his shoulder.

Katara blinked a few times becoming less angry and more hurt. "Fine, but one day your going to need my help and I am not going to give it to you."

Katara thought this angrily and created a large slice through the small lake with a swift motion of her arm. She plopped back on her rear and stared out into the water. She wished she didn't help Zuko because for one split second she thought he could be a human being and treat her with respect. And now Song was here, everything has gone back to the way it was only worse, he completely ignored her. He didn't even make rude comments to her anymore. And Jet was there too! Things were so awkward around him, sure he was as gorgeous as ever but she had to remember what he tried to do. But she really wanted to forgive him. And here he was surrounded by two skilled firebenders and he seemed fine. Things were so strange around here now.

"Hey," a smooth voice said. A body plopped down next to the distressed waterbender. Well speak of the devil.

"Hi Jet," Katara sighed and twirled her finger in the air to make tiny ripples in the water.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Is it that obvious?"

Jet smiled and leaned back on his elbows, "Yeah,"

Katara knew he wasn't going to pry, and she was thankful for that, maybe a little admiring.

Katara smiled slightly and turned her head to face him, "What made you change?"

Jet frowned, "I already told you." The boy blushed mildly, gazing out over the water, "You,"

Katara stared intently into his face, "What about me made you change?"

Jet smiled and shifted his eyes to look at her, "Everything,"

Katara blushed and looked away.

"So, how do you like hanging out with a group of firebenders?" she teased after a while of awkward silence.

Jet sighed and rubbed his temples, "It's difficult, but if I want to change I might as well start here."

Katara nodded in understanding and put a hand on his shoulder. "I understand Jet, and I admire you for doing this."

Jet looked into her eyes sadly, "I'm only sticking around for you."

Katara furrowed her brows, "For me? Why?"

Jets eyes looked pleading and frightened as he put his hand over hers, "Katara I have to tell you something. I am here because…" his eyes widened and then clenched close.

"Because why?"

Jet pulled his hand back and looked out, "Never mind. It's not important."

"We need to head out again." Zuko said coming through the bushes. Jet looked annoyed with himself and helped Katara stand up.

"We'll talk later." Jet said and walked to the group with his hands tucked into his pockets. Katara smiled and blushed after him.

…

"Okay, who's getting the ostrich-horse this time?" Akiko asked holding the reigns.

Katara tried to step forward but Zuko began speaking, "Song should get it this time. It is her ostrich-horse after all." He said. Katara scowled and stood back.

Song smiled softly and put a tender hand on his shoulder, "Thank you Zuko."

Song headed to the horse with hands folded as if she was expecting someone to help her. Katara scoffed at the idea but to her surprise, Zuko practically leapt forward and lead her from the elbow to the horse. Katara's jaw dropped.

"Here let me help." Zuko said and helped her gently up on the ostrich-horse. Katara crossed her arms absolutely fuming.

"Oh Zuko, a seventeen year old girl needs someone to lift her up on the big scary ostrich horse!" Akiko said in a baby voice. She threw the reigns in the blushing boys face. Katara giggled as Zuko grumbled indistinctly.

Song smiled sheepishly and took the reigns in her hands. She stared down at Zuko for a long while as if trying to make up her mind. "Zuko would you like to ride with me?"

Zuko cleared his throat, "Uh, no I think I'm okay."

Song smiled sweetly almost looking relieved, "Okay, maybe another time."

Zuko and Song locked eyes.

Akiko groaned and slapped the rear of the ostrich-horse to get it moving. Katara silently thanked Akiko. For whatever reason, she just didn't want Zuko to look at Song like that. Something was awfully suspicious about that girl. She could care less about Zuko's feelings, but Song was just down-right annoying! Yeah, that was it.

Jet came up next to Katara after a couple hours of silent traveling. "I didn't think Mr. Angst could have the hots for anyone." He nodded over to the couple casually exchanging glances.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, he seems more of the loner type. But with the way he's falling all over Song for that chick I don't know."

Katara turned her head, "I don't know. And I certainly don't want to talk about it."

"Hn," Jet smirked and stuck his hands in his pockets, "Okay, so we'll change the subject. So you're faking up some plot to be some spirit from the Water Tribe right?"

Katara bit her lip, "Right,"

"And you have to travel with these Fire Nation rejects to get there, right?"

"Does this conversation have a point to it?" Katara asked hotly.

Jet grinned, "Not really, but you're the one who wanted to change the conversations topic."

Katara chewed the inside of her mouth so she wouldn't smile. Something about this boy was so deathly charming! But she did find it hard to believe that Jet, the Freedom Fighter leader, was here traveling with them. It was so bizarre, but Katara honestly wasn't complaining.

"Alright I'll be serious now." Jet smiled, "Tell me about your adventures."

….

Zuko glanced over his shoulder at the two conversational teenagers. He couldn't stop looking at them. Part of him wanted to intervene and tell that Jet kid to shut the hell up. But why would he do that? They weren't being loud and from what he could hear they weren't saying anything about him. Well, he couldn't really hear them at but that wasn't the point! He felt so guilty about lying to Song and stealing that stupid ostrich-horse that he was butt-kissing more than he ever had before.

Jet was a smooth talker and Zuko didn't trust him. He could honestly care less if the girl got tangled up in his web of lies, but he had no honor at all. Yeah, that was it.

"Zuko I was talking to you!" Akiko said rising her voice. He hadn't noticed.

"Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Should we hit this town or keep going?"

Zuko looked over the hill. It was a pretty small town but it would have to do. They were all tired and needed the rest. It would another three days to travel to the seaside and to get to the Fire Nation would take even longer than that. He looked around his comrades, all worn down with boring travel. He personally wanted to go through the night but with this group it wasn't an option. "It's fine."

As they walked through town they noticed people were bustling around town putting up decorations, cleaning, and people were buying crazy outfits left and right! Some sort of party was going on that night.

The Water Tribe girl walked up to a man holding a vase of flowers. "Sir, what is going on?"

The man looked at her like she was crazy, "Why tonight we are celebrating Day of the Dead!"

The gang looked at each other excitedly.

"You all are welcome to come. It's a costume party and it begins at six sharp." he said and walked away.

"A party!" Song squealed.

Akiko giggled in excitement, "Just this time let's not talk to shirtless boys."

Zuko growled lowly in his throat at the memory as the Water Tribe girl looked away and up at the sky.

"I don't think I wanna know." Jet mumbled.

"Hey I know, why don't just us girls go shopping for outfits!" Song clapped her hands together.

Akiko shrugged, "Katara, do you want to come?"

The waterbender looked from Song to Akiko and back again. She sighed, "Sure. Let's just find the nearest inn first."

Zuko snorted. The girl obviously wasn't fond of going dress shopping. He had a thought it had to do with Song. He wasn't sure, but maybe the waterbending girl didn't like Song. He wasn't sure why, she was a relatively likeable

….

Katara lead them all to a shabby looking inn. But it would do for the night. They needed a good nights rest in an actual bed to sleep in for the next few days of Zuko drilling them all day and night. 'We need to get there as soon as possible!' and 'Come on you guys! No slacking off!' Katara smiled. It was all so imaginable.

Zuko scoffed, "Nice pick waterbender."

Katara whirled around and pointed a finger at him to yell but two warm hands on her shoulders made her stop everything and forget what she was just about to do. Jet whispered in her ear, "Forget it, come on let's pick our rooms." He put a hand in the middle of her back and led her up the stairs. Zuko watched and blinked a few seconds. As he witnessed Jets little act of 'flirtation' he felt a surge of electricity pulse through him. He had an idea but that was such an absurd thought…

0000

Katara felt the fabrics smooth between her fingers and sighed. So many beautiful outfits, so little money. She guessed that how the real world worked. Peasants don't have money, rich nobles and people do. Basic stuff really, but it really stinks.

"Oh, isn't this just beautiful!" Song squealed and pulled down a poofy lemon colored dress with colorful fruits trailing along in various places on the fabric. It looked hideous.

Katara smiled, "It looks lovely Song." Akiko gave Katara a warning glance before turning to her own costume. A snow white -what looked somewhat like a 'toga'- dress open at the front and trailing in the back. She pulled down some wings and a headband halo and smiled.

"Very beautiful!" Song exclaimed. Katara smiled and put the halo on Akiko's head for jokes.

"Where's your outfit?" Akiko asked buying her clothes.

Katara shrugged, "I haven't found one yet."

Then something in the store window caught Katara's eye. Jet was leaning on a wall casually flipping his straw side to side. She blushed and looked away to racks of clothes. She hoped no one noticed what she was looking at but Akiko did. The Fire Nation girl grinned slyly at a costume up on the wall. She grabbed Katara's arm and pulled her to the costume.

"Come on. I know just the thing."

0000

Akiko pulled her hot hands down Kataras ratty hair and sighed. "This is taking forever!"

Katara pursed her lips, "Hey this was your idea!"

Song popped the tall fruit hat on her head and grinned at herself. Song's hair was tucked up in the stupid hat while Akiko's was braided and swing over her shoulder to hide her scar. Katara would leave her hair straight and down. While Song thought she looked good, the other girls thought she looked like a conservative fruit market! But they weren't about to tell her that. Song asked Zuko to the festival and he shyly agreed. Akiko was just going to surf guy to guy while Katara was… dateless.

Jet leaned in the doorway of the girls' room. "Well I could name a few girls who are really getting into this whole deal."

"It's fun." Katara grinned.

"It's stupid."

"You mean your not going?" Katara said trying to keep her voice casual to hide her mounting disappointment.

Jet scratched the back of his head, "No, quite the contrary, actually." He tossed Song a glance. Her mouth popped into a perfect "o" and she nodded for both her and Akiko to take their leave. Akiko giggled and left with Song and they closed the door behind them.

Katara cleared her throat and looked away fingering her straightened hair. "So…"

Jet sat next to her on the bed and eyed her hair, "It's different, but I like it."

Katara laughed, "It's not even finished yet!"

"It doesn't matter."

There was a long silence with the young waterbender blushing away.

"Do you want to accompany me to this festival?"

Katara flicked her eyes up to meet his. She thought about saying no…after all she did have an awful past with him…but those brown orbs made her heart soften into a marshmallow and she shallowly nodded her head.

Jet grinned, "That's great Katara. I will see you tonight."

When Jet opened the door two female bodies toppled to the floor.

….

Akiko wobbled on her snow white heels as she came down the stairs. Song giggled, but she had FLATS on, why would she be giggling? She would be falling all over herself! Akiko scowled at her fluffing up the wide beautiful wings and straitened her halo. Zuko couldn't stop eyeing all the plastic fruit that covered Song's body. Fruit was tasty but this just wasn't tasteful.

Jet looked away from Song and eyed Akiko's long pale legs that peeped out from the front of her dress. Sure, he sounded like a pervert but when there was eye-candy he would take advantage of it. But what he did NOT expect was the largest eye candy he had ever seen to come walking down the stairs.

Katara blushed behind her gold mask that covered her nose and upper face, delicately crafted. She was supposed to be an 'erotic dancer' with a Jasmine (Aladdin) outfit in red with upturned gold slippers. Streams of delicate fabric draped around her waist and lack of a better word sleeves. Her bust was lifted and her skin glistening. She looked almost professional! Akiko grinned and crossed her arms as Zuko and Jet stared. Zuko was trying to hide his stares but he never thought he would see her in something…like THAT!

Katara looked down at Jet. He was wearing simple party clothes with a half-hearted plastic mask over his eyes. But Zuko, he was wearing a short open green vest that showed his chest and abs so perfectly white and toned. Brown pants and black upturned shoes. His mask was green and plastic very much like Jet's. Katara blushed heavily and ignored that bubbly feeling in her stomach when she took Jet's arm.

A/N: Notice only the love triangle (excluding Song because Zuko doesn't really even like her) have masks!

"Oh this will be so fun!" Song said and hooked arms with Zuko. Zuko grinned cheaply at her but thankfully she bought the comical toothy grin and giggled. This was going to be a boring night.

0000

"Master, it's been forever. What are we going to do?" Oliver asked.

Resbuto slammed his fist down, "SILENCE! I am thinking of something as fast as I can! They have gotten themselves into deathly situations without my help."

There was a long…long…long…long silence.

The green orb in the air glittered and an image appeared in its center. Resbuto grinned smugly as if silently saying 'I told you so' and scurried to it. "Something is happening!"

Oliver plopped down on the mans' shoulder and watched as a picture of a group of teenagers dressed in costume came in view.

"Well what does this have to do with anything?" Oliver asked impatiently.

"HUSH!" Resbuto scolded, "The old man is gone. Two more people have joined this little group. And from the looks of it relationships are forming into complicated webs, or they will be." He grinned wickedly. "Oh yes, I know this city well. And this is definitely going to work to my advantage."

0000

The festival with decorated with blacks and oranges and if felt so warm and inviting. People were dressed in so many outrageous costumes. And the dances weren't hard to follow. You leap around partner to partner at every different song. Katara was excited, no slow dances!

Akiko pulled the group over to the food and looked stern, "Okay let's not get wild tonight." She picked up a cup of alcohol and chugged it, "LET'S GET REALLY WILD!"

Jet, Katara and Song laughed. Zuko grabbed a cup as did everyone else and they held their cups up.

"For adventure," Akiko said.

"OW! For experience," Zuko said after Akiko elbowed him to say something.

"For friends," Katara said. Zuko averted his eyes.

Song and Jet said nothing. They clanked their drinks and drank.

….

"Hey," a shy boy said with curly ebony hair pulled into a half pony-tail, "Would you like to dance?"

Akiko looked at his sun kissed tan, deep brown eyes and fit body in a snug Earth Kingdom servants costume. She grinned and drank the last of her alcohol and grabbed his hand, "Of course."

They twirled out onto the dance floor. Katara smiled and finished her drink. She wasn't used to alcohol but it wasn't too strong so she wasn't too woozy. Jet touched her shoulder, "Do you want to dance?"

Katara shrugged, "I don't know how."

Jet laughed, "Well here it's just a bunch of drunken bastards jumping up and down and twirling. You'll be fine."

Katara grinned and took his hand. She glanced over at Zuko who was leaning on the wall drinking his first beer still with Song beside him looking shy and uninterested in the festivties. She sighed but before she knew it she was being twirled into his arms much like before. Only there was no golden set tone around her and she didn't blush. This was odd. But she didn't pay any mind.

Before Katara knew it she was jumping around being twirled in all directions, how she felt that night back in the 'Dancing City'. She didn't even dance with Jet for more than two seconds because every male there wanted to dance with her at least for a few seconds. It was a mistake to get in the "Pass Around Line" as they called it. Akiko and her partner were smart enough to stay clear of it. But the 'angel' somehow saw her distressed and confused look and made her way through being passed around as well. She brushed past her.

"Katara!" she said going one way.

"I'll get Zuko to pull-" they swapped sides.

"You out of here!"

Jet was lost in the mob too. Akiko pushed her way through the crowds; she probably shocked a few people too. She busted through and made her way over to Zuko panting her wings flat and her halo crooked.

"Zuko, you have to pull Katara out! I can't do it because I'll get passed around."

"I thought only attractive girls got passed." He said dryly on his second beer.

Akiko rolled her nose at him, "Shut up. Just go get her."

Zuko shrugged and handed her his glass. He made his way through the endless mob of passing people and looked for her. And then he saw the erotic dancers outfit being twirled around. Even when her face was behind the mask, he could tell she was still distressed.

….

Katara was being passed around like a rag doll between men. She was starting to become dizzy and wished Zuko would hurry up and pull her out of there. She didn't even have the time to straighten out her mask. And then she saw it, a glowing green figure standing at the mouth of the woods. She squinted her eyes still being passed and looked to see who on earth was glowing green!

The image didn't clear, it was just a dark shadow looking man with green light around his shape. But something was so familiar about him, about the way he stood and the way his body shape was crafted. She felt nauseous, she felt dizzy, she felt…alone. She didn't even feel herself being passed around anymore, there was nothing but her and this strange outline. She didn't blink her eyes, she couldn't then her feet began to move…

"Hey!" Zuko scowled and grabbed her arms and twirled the girl around to face him, "What were you doing? I've been trying to get your attention!"

Katara shook her head of its fuzziness and looked over at the now empty woods mouth. She looked back up at Zuko as they made their way out of the crowd, "Sorry." What else was she supposed to say?

Jet popped his way out of the crowd and grumbled something about 'stupid women'. He trotted up next to Katara and pushed his mask up his face. He looked highly irritated.

"Sorry Katara, I couldn't get away."

Katara smiled, "Its okay."

Zuko plucked his drink from Akiko's hand and took a swig. "So what happened while I was working?"

Katara pursed her lips, he was so ignorant.

Akiko shrugged, "Hin was just telling me about their haunted woods."

Hin pushed back his ebony hair shyly and smiled. Katara smiled back politely.

"Haunted woods? Tell us about it." Song said walking up trying to balance her ridiculous hat.

Hin nodded as they all leaned against a brick wall. "Well, many years ago our village was the center of all spiritual beings. Especially the good ones and we were quite a powerful force. Then, the evil spirits became jealous of all our power and invaded. After years of battling we came up with a strategy to push the evil spirits into the woods and defeat them there, once and for all. Well we successfully got them into the woods but something happened. The leader of the evil spirits cast a curse on the town for he knew they would lose. The curse was that they would lose but their presence would stay there forever and haunt anyone who dared go into the black shadows of their woods."

"Has anyone gone in there?" Song asked with wide eyes.

"No. No one has ever dared to ever since this happened."

Zuko scoffed and crossed his arms.

Jet smirked and stared at the mouth of the woods, "Anyone up for a little hike?"

Katara looked away, if what Hin said was true, is that what she saw earlier? But how would she be able to somewhat recognize it? Her head was suddenly spinning.

"Are you crazy?" Akiko accused with an appalled expression.

"Maybe," Jet grinned, "Unless you all are scared."

Zuko rolled his shoulders, "I'm not scared. I'll go."

Song sighed and looked from Jet to Zuko. "I will if Zuko's going."

"Oh fine I'll go," Akiko said and rubbed a hand down her braid.

Katara looked at the mouth of the forest and then back at her friends, "Okay I'm in."

Hin shook his head, "You can't! You won't come out!"

"How would you know?" Jet asked.

Hin just kept shaking his head.

"Look, we're going. See you later Hin." Akiko said and began walking to the forest. The rest followed. Hin watched them go with sad and fearful eyes.

….

"Okay, this is much creepier up close." Akiko said gulping up at the towering trees.

Jet groaned and looked at all of them, "Don't be babies, its Day of the Dead! Let's make it exciting."

Song chewed on her bottom lip nervously and dug her fingers in Zuko's arm until he winced. "Song it's all going to be fine. It's a stupid story okay?"

Song didn't look so sure when they began walking into the woods. And much to their dismay, the trees shadowed over them making them disappear into its mysteries.

0000

"Jet, where are we?" Katara asked yawning.

The gang had been walking for what seemed like forever with Jet leading them. Jet tensed.

"He doesn't know." Akiko said hotly. Jet spun around.

"I know where we are!" he said and spun back around to look around.

Akiko sniffed and crossed her arms, "Is that so?"

Jet sighed, "Okay look, I don't know where we are but I'll get us out of here okay?"

Song hiccupped, "We'll never make it out of here alive!"

Jet pursed his lips at her.

"Look guys fighting will get us no where." Katara said trying to prevent another argument. "It isn't Jet's fault."

"Yes it is! He's the one that brought us in this stupid forest!" Akiko cried.

Jet stepped up to her about a forehead taller than her. "Excuse me? You came with us!"

"Well I didn't think you would be stupid enough to let us get lost in this Agni forsaken forest!"

"Then why don't you lead us out of here?" Jet snapped.

Akiko's palms flared white electricity, "I think I will!"

The group kept walking along. It seemed to be going well they seemed more at ease now that the heated Akiko was leading. But when they thought they were almost there at the exit they toppled over a…hill? They all yelled and screamed as they toppled over the edge. And then they became separated. It was so unexpected that they had no idea what was happening for a while.

The rocks and sticks on the ground they were rolling over scratched up their bodies. Katara reached for an astray Zuko but her fingers only brushed his until everything went black when her head hit a rock.

….

Katara opened her eyes and sat up straight away. When she looked to see the hill they all fell over, she saw nothing but thick scary trees and darkness. She pulled off her mask breathing heavily as she scanned the area for anyone. There was no one around her! How did they end up getting so separated? Did they leave her? No, they wouldn't do that. She got up and brushed herself off.

"Hello?" she called.

There was no answer.

Her eyes became damp, "Hello!? Is anyone out there?"

"Yeah," Two male voices sounded weakly. Katara choked a little and ran to the voices. When she saw Zuko and Jet side by side holding their wounds she leapt and wrapped her arms around their necks.

"Oh, I'm so happy you guys are okay!" she paused and looked around her voice dropped low, "W-where's Akiko and Song?"

Jet and Zuko looked at her. "I thought they were with you." Zuko said with wide eyes. Katara bit her lip and shook her head.

Zuko opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he heard a branch snap. Jet pulled out his weapons from his back. Katara was smart enough to bring her pouch that was tucked inside her pants' she strapped it on correctly and opened it.

The air was still and it was so silent their ears all rang. None of them came out of their stances. Katara was the first to act to a bat-beetle launching itself at Jets neck. She launched her water out and encased it in a small orb of ice. They were so poisonous they could kill you in one tiny bite.

"Thanks," he breathed.

"We better get moving. We can't stay in one place for too long." Zuko said and looked around warningly before beginning to walk.

Jet and Katara trailed behind him. Katara was trying to think things out but right now, she was too mentally exhausted to think. Her mind went blank and she focused on the ground under her. Jet seemed to be deep in thought as he walked. Something was troubling him but Katara just wasn't in the mood to ask.

Zuko stopped making Katara crash into his back. "What are you…"

Zuko locked an arm around her and covered her mouth with his hand. He leaned down in her ear and shushed her, "Something's wrong. Something else is in the forest with us…"

Katara felt her eyes widen and tears burn her nose. Jet slowly put up his weapons. He snapped his head to the side when he saw something dart back in the trees. "Oh my…"

A large snarl busted through the area making the entire group cry out.

….

"Song try to keep up okay?" Akiko said trudging through the warm sticky mud up to their ankles. Song lifted her dress and closed mouthed moved through the gooey mess. But Akiko could tell she was totally grossed out. Song's head was lost of its hat and the plastic fruit fell from her dress. Akiko's halo was gone and her wings were bent and ruined.

"Oh Akiko this night has been awful!" Song said biting back a sob.

Akiko nodded, "Yeah well let's just worry about making it out of here alive."

Song burst into tears. Akiko clenched her eyes closed, obviously not the right way to approach this matter with her.

"Okay forget I said that. Uh, let's just talk about something else." Akiko sighed, great, fog was moving in.

"Okay," Song said drying her eyes.

"So, you like Zuko right?"

Song froze. She bit her lip, "…Yeah,"

Akiko turned her head around and eyed her warily she was about ready to open her mouth to say something but Song interrupted.

"So, how is living in the Fire Nation?" something was strange.

Akiko shrugged, "Its fine. It isn't too different from anywhere I have been recently. But there I could bend without getting shunned or thrown in jail."

"It isn't any different?" Song asked.

"No."

"I don't understand how it isn't different. I mean it's the Fire Nation."

Akiko grit her teeth, "Being Fire Nation has nothing to do with anything. We are still people Song."

"Oh right, of course." Song barked, "All the luxury must be quite similar to what we have here!"

Akiko grit her teeth, "You have it all wrong! You know nothing!"

"I KNOW NOTHING OF THE PEOPLE THAT TOOK MY FATHERS LIFE AND SCARRED ME?" Akiko heard something slosh in the distance, "I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT-" Akiko's hand clamped over Songs mouth.

"Shut up!" she hissed, "There's something in the mud…"

Song whimpered through Akiko's long pale hand. "Stay still…" Akiko commanded and she set her hands pulsing.

Akiko saw something in the distance move through the mud. Her eyes narrowed and her heart beat quicker than ever. She saw something else move on the other side of her. And then she realized what these things were, "Mud-crocs…"

The large animal leapt onto its four back legs and let out a chilling and frightening hiss. Song screamed and clamped her arms around Akiko's middle. Akiko pushed her off, cleverly aimed her two fingers at his heart and shot. But croc skin was tough, it would take at least two bolts to really kill him, only one made him pissed off.

The thing let out a loud call this time as it slowly sauntered forward. Akiko narrowed her eyes as Song whimpered and cried behind her. One mud-croc was bad enough, but now coming from the fog was more.

"Oh shit." Akiko said flatly.

0000

"WHAT IS THAT THING!?" Jet shouted over the monstrous roar of a beast they had never seen before.

The thing pounced down on its fours still being taller that Jet and Zuko stacked on top of each other. Its nose was long and thin with black eyes and sharp teeth. It wasn't…anything. This thing didn't even have a name!

The thing sniffed the air and its tiny eyes darted to Katara. He let out a loud roar and began running to her, claws out. Katara screamed and fumbled to get the cap off her canteen but she fumbled it and the whole thing fell to the ground.

Zuko slapped his palms together and slid them on the ground sending hot fire under the beasts' paws. It rose on twos and stumbled back away from the heat. Katara bent down and grabbed her flask with wide fearful eyes.

"Thanks Zuko," Katara said hastily as the beast began regaining composure.

Zuko smirked, "Just doing my job."

Katara gave herself a tiny half smile. She knew he was doing it to be arrogant but it made her smile anyway. She looked around, Jet was no where to be seen. Her eyes caught a figure crouching down in the trees weapons ready as the thing prowled closer to the benders.

Before Katara could open her mouth to tell Jet no, the beast was under his branch and Jet jumped down on its back. He took his weapons and began fighting at its ears and face. The monster growled with impatience and reached up to grab the boy by the leg. Jet was flung into a tree and was too dazed to get back up or notice the thing was after HIM now.

Zuko launched a fire ball at the large thing. The beast snapped his head in their direction and began running toward Zuko. He didn't have time to summon any fire and he was knocked back by the large trailing tail this thing had. Zuko slid back in the ground and tried to get his eyes to focus. He saw the beast hovering over him, teeth bared ready to take a nice chomp from his face. Suddenly, when Zuko thought his life was coming to an end, the thing gave a shriek and wavered to the side. Zuko's eyes settled on a good sized icicle dug into the beasts ribs.

He stood and nodded at the waterbender.

"Oh no don't thank me, I'm just doing my job." Katara smirked. Shockingly Zuko smirked back but they didn't have much time for that. The monster was getting to its feet after painfully digging out the icicle from its ribcage. Blood pooled on the dry earth.

The beast swung a mighty paw knocking Zuko next to Jet. Its eyes narrowed on Katara. Katara didn't know why it was looking at her that way. But something in the corner caught her eye. That glowing silhouette was standing off in the distance with its hands on its hips. It seemed that it was highly satisfied. OF COURSE! BAD spirits in the forest, her body held Mora's all GOOD spirit. Katara narrowed her eyes right back on the charging beast and launched small icicles into his eyes. It stopped and began shrieking and began clawing at its eyes frantically.

"Zuko, get up!" Katara said shaking his shoulders. Zuko slowly opened his eyes and they widened when he remembered what was happening.

"We have to get out of here!" Katara said as the beast continued clawing at it eyes.

Zuko thought a moment staring at the beast to Katara and to Jet. A sudden idea hit him, "Make an orb of water."

Katara arched a brow but the beast began shaking the last bits of ice from its eyes. She did as she was told. Zuko summoned a ball of fire, "Okay clash your water with my fire."

"One," Zuko said, the beast settling its eyes on them.

"Two," Katara said, the beast was running to them now.

"THREE!" the elements clashed and a screen of steam surrounded the area. The monster yelped and wailed in confusion and irritation as Katara and Zuko carried Jet as far away as possible.

….

Akiko and Song had their backs pressed together. "Where's an earthbender when you need one?" Akiko mumbled as the mud-crocs kept a steady pace on them. Song gulped.

"Well, the good news is that this is a small pack." Akiko said.

Song trembled, "And what's the bad news?"

"They just so happen to be huge."

Song choked out a sob. Akiko chomped down on her lip trying to think of something to do. She could try to fight them but it would take heavy strategy and she would also have to fend for Song.

"When I tell you to run, you have to run." Akiko said softly.

Song blinked a few times, "W-what? What about you?"

Akiko shrugged, "I'll be fine. Just wait for my mark. I need to make a distraction at just the right time."

Song nibbled at her cuticles as tears dripped down her face, "I'm so sorry,"

Akiko arched a brow and began backing away from the sauntering crocs, known to take their time catching their prey. "What are you sorry for?"

"It won't matter anymore after tonight. We won't make it through." Song said her tone miserable.

Akiko furrowed her brows, "Shut up Song, we will make it through this! Now let me fight and when I tell you to run, you run damn it! Do you understand? You have to find Zuko and the others."

Song nodded meekly.

Akiko gathered energy into her control and felt it tingle through her body. She straightened out her two fingers for a precise aim and her eyes narrowed on the leader, the largest one. Electricity vibes coursed at her fingertips and her shot was fired and sank right into the leaders' heart. It gave a cry of agony and plopped down in the mud. It wiggled and tried to stand but only flopped back in the mud, dead. The other crocs looked at their fallen leader and back at Akiko with hate filled eyes. They opened their mouths wide letting out all their cries and charged a full on attack.

"BACK UP! WAIT UNTIL I TELL YOU TO GO!" Akiko ordered. Song staggered back away from where the fight would take place.

One croc charged on fully mouth open wide enough to swallow Akiko whole. Akiko lunged to the side landing on her knees. The croc turned widely teeth bared at the girl. Akiko jumped to her feet and slid her hands towards the mud letting a thick stream of electricity shoot the croc through the air and land dead next to Song who screamed in response. That caught the attention of the crocs and they began scuttling towards HER.

"Oh Agni Song!" Akiko sighed and ran along one of long crocs backs. She jumped a good distance ahead of them when she jumped from the things nose. She out-circled out her arms a few times pulling the energy in. She spun and crouched low in the mud as both fingers shot two heavy bolts of lightning. The collision between that and the crocs tough skin made loud crack. Smoke swirled through the air.

"Song, run!" Akiko commanded as she pointed out her fingers once more and swept them out sending a long line of popping electricity at the temporarily blinded crocs. Song scurried as far away as she could get with Akiko right behind her.

Katara and Zuko's head snapped to where they heard running. Zuko and Katara slowly leaned Jet on a tree and positioned themselves ready to fight. Katara gnawed on the inside of her cheek nervously. That thing was almost unbeatable! Zuko lowered his defenses when he heard screaming. Two people running came visible running full speed. Katara gasped at Song crashed into her causing her to fall into Zuko and on top of that, Akiko tripped over all of them.

Katara's face was smashed so much into Zuko's cheek her lips brushed against the warm pale flesh. Katara let her body vibrate a chill and her lips tingled.

The Water Tribe girls face was so smashed into his cheek her lips brushed against the warm pale flesh. Her lips were soft and cool. Zuko let his body vibrate a chill and his cheek tingled.

Akiko tried pushing herself off Song but her arms turned to jelly and she flopped back down. Jet moaned and slowly opened his eyes. The sight he saw was not one he expected to see. His cracked lips made a cruel smile.

"Orgy, cool."

"WHAT!?" Zuko and Katara flung their heads up so fast they smacked together. Zuko hid a blush with anger and hatred. Of course he didn't like this half-naked peasant on top of his half-naked body. He hated that her eyes were so piercing blue, that her skin was so smooth, her hair was so perfect, her body fit perfectly with his. Yes, he hated it! DAMN IT ALL!

0000

Sokka and Aang clung to each other on the opposite side of Iroh as he told his scary story. The night sky was heavy black with an eerily orange moon. Iroh's face looked old, aged and even creepy from the fire shadowing his face.

Toph rolled her eyes and stood, "Well, I'm going to the bathroom. Have fun with your little story."

No one said anything as Sokka and Aang still huddled close hanging onto every word Iroh uttered.

"Then as the two young boys walked the long halls they stopped at hearing a small creaking noise." Iroh paused dramatically, "They heard even louder creaks and bangs. They heard chains and metal being dragged along the floors and were paralyzed with fear of what could leap from the shadows next!"

Sokka and Aang hung to one another with bug eyes. "Then, the small bald boy felt a hand on his shoulder. He froze with fear and then they heard a loud-"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" came a shrill scream.

Sokka and Aang screamed and fell back. Iroh cocked a brow. "I believe that was young Toph." Iroh stated. He fluidly got up and began walking to the forest but was surprised when a small body nearly flew into his. Toph was breathing heavily flailing her arms in the air.

"I'm dieing! I'm dieing!" she wailed and the earth rumbled with her panic.

Iroh chuckled, "And how so?"

Toph stopped and gulped, "I was bleeding…"

Iroh furrowed his brows, "I do not see a wound."

"Well, you shouldn't…" she trailed off holding a cloth over her bleeding 'wound'.

Iroh's eyes widened as the two spooked boys approached.

"What's wrong Toph? Where are you hurt? Did someone attack you?" Aang asked jumping around her from all angles. Toph rolled her eyes and shoved him over.

"Toph come into the forest with me." Iroh said and grabbed hot water and some toiletries.

….

"I started my what, again?" Toph asked changing her pants behind a tree.

Iroh chuckled, "Your period Toph. It is very common for girls your age."

Toph sighed and plopped down next to him, "And about this whole 'birds and the bees' thing. Is that exactly how it works?"

"Yes, indeed."

"And how would you know this?"

Iroh roughly cleared his throat and looked away, "An old man has learned much over many years."

Toph snorted, "That's one way to put it."

"Uh, TIME FOR TEA!" Iroh zoomed away.

0000

"Great, it's Halloween and we are stuck in this stupid fortress." Mai said negatively her cheek cupped in her hand.

Ty Lee sat on her forearms her legs bent over almost touching the top of her head, "I think that this is the perfect time to tell scary stories!"

Azula snorted behind her map, "You both are fools. Halloween is for children, scary stories are for the lame. Try and tame your child fantasies would you?"

Ty Lee smiled and flipped from her spot, "Oh come on Azula, we just want something fun to happen."

Azula sighed, "There is nothing scary about Halloween."

The door banged open and in came Boo just as a crack of thunder and lightning pulsed through the room. Both Ty Lee and Mai screamed. Azula gulped, "Except that…" she mumbled and stood up to bow.

"Asula darling," Boo said in his lisp, "Why on earths are you in this dreadful room!"

Azula grit her teeth as he came up gave her a peck on the cheek, "I am marking maps, Boo."

Ty Lee giggled as Mai's face was filled with mild amusement.

"But may I ask what you are doing here? You are supposed to be back at the Fire Nation palace." Azula said clenching her fists.

"Oh silly Asula! I missed you so terribly I just had to visit and I wish to travel withs you!" Boo said with a bucktoothed grin.

Azula was vibrating uncontrollably. Boo…traveling…with HER! "I'm not so sure that is such a good idea." Azula said coolly.

Boo laughed and snorted, "Oh silly Asula! Your father was the one that sent me heres! Likes I would be caught dead traveling in wilderness!"

"M-my father?"

"Whys yes my love! I ams to accompany you, just so you don't forgets about your loves for me!" Boo said with a full smile.

Azula covered up a scowl, "How could I." she said sarcastically. No one but Mai picked it up.

As the Fire Nation Princess whirled back to be seated at her throne she whispered in her friends ears, "Not a word."

"No problem," Mai smirked, "Asula."

0000

Katara tore a leaf from her straightened hair. Her cheeks were caked with dirt and her outfit was ripped in several places. She had just healed anyone with a wound and didn't have much water left to go on. So far they only had one encounter with a bat-beetle, but they knew they couldn't get comfortable yet. They all had the same lingering feeling that someone was watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Zuko had gone into Fire Nation Prince mode and decided the lead the gang which Akiko and Jet promptly protested saying they did just fine of a job and that he didn't need to bother with it. Katara didn't want to get involved.

"Man, I'm starved." Jet said clutching his stomach. Akiko winced and held onto her own empty belly.

"We all are, but we have to keep moving forward." Katara said putting comforting hands on the two of them.

Song stayed silent but everyone noticed the tears tracking down her large full cheeks. Suddenly there was a loud snap and everyone completely stopped moving. Katara tried her hardest to not breath heavily in case whatever was out there would hear or if they would not be able to hear.

Katara's heart completely stopped beating when she heard a long loud eruption of laughter boom through the forest. Something so familiar rested behind that laugh that made her blood run cold but boil at the same time. She slowly slinked over to Zuko.

"What is-"

"DOWN!" Zuko roared and thrusted her down on the ground as a giant green something shot out of the shadows and swooped him up into the sky. Katara shot up to her feet as Zuko began getting smaller and smaller.

"ZUKO!" she shrieked absolutely mortified. She jumped when someone clutched onto her shoulder.

"Katara lets go!" Akiko screamed fearful tears pouring from her eyes. Katara looked back at the sky where Zuko had just disappeared and followed regretfully. All their energy was entirely built on adrenaline. Their legs were pumping, chests burning, eyes' dry. They pushed their way through bushes and ducked under branches. They were fearful for their lives.

A body next to Katara crashed down to the ground. Katara shrieked when whoever it was grabbed onto her ankle. It was Song. She was screaming and wailing in fear, Katara noticed the long glowing tentacle of something around her ankle and launched her water at it hoping to break it off of Song. It didn't work, it only made a metallic ring and bounced back to slice of a branch that Jet just barely ducked.

Both Katara and Akiko where pulling on Song's arms. But whatever the thing was it was just too powerful and gave a jerk and Akiko and Katara's hands slipped from Song's wrists sending the screaming girl flying back into the shadows. Akiko and Katara were frozen as all went silent, they were in shock. Then the snap of a vine brought them back, but what really startled them was Jet's muffled scream.

The boys' eyes were wide and frightful as the tangle of vines enveloped him in their glowing green light. Akiko immediately went to action as she sent popping electricity to snap the vines. The made no effect whatsoever. Neither did Katara's efforts both physically and with her bending. Jet shook a vine from his mouth.

"RUN," he wailed, "GET OUT OF HERE-" he was sunken into the vines. Akiko and Katara looked at each other and bolted.

Katara and Akiko ran for what seemed like forever, never stopping never looking back. Their hearts were beating, their sobs were cracked and came out as heaves. Katara felt something leave her presence. She whirled around and gasped. Akiko's dress had snagged on a root. She kneeled at her side trying to get to fabric off of the trap.

"Get back Katara," Akiko said ready to send a small bolt down on the root. Her two fingers sizzled but something black with a glowing outline caught her and began engulfing her in its shapeless form. Akiko gasped and tried her best to send out deathly attacks but she was getting more and more sucked in by the minute. Katara attempted to push her hands into save Akiko but the girl slashed her away.

"No Katara get out! They are going to go after Mora head on! RUN NOW!" she screamed being lost completely in the blob. Katara tore herself away from them and bolted, her soft golden shoes made her trip once or twice but she pressed on, fearing for her life. She actually wasn't sure what to be scared of anymore!

"Mooooooooooooooooooraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Katara froze tears streaming down her face.

"Mooooooooooooooraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" the voice said sounding a little more teasing.

"Come on Mora…it's me." The voice growled. Katara gasped as all the images of the things they had faced before lined around the shadows, glowing a hideous green color. There was the beast, the flying demon, a large octopus looking creature, a shapeless black form, the glowing green vines and there in the center, was that tall familiar figure again. It was so familiar, but she couldn't place a name on it. Despite her fear and confusion her blood boiled at this figure, her heart ached at the sight of him and she had never felt such immense hatred in all her life.

"Get her…" the familiar voice hissed and all the creatures laughed themselves at Katara. But for Katara, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. The mans words seemed to drawl and the beasts were moving at a small pace. Pain and anger pierced her heart and then Katara took the backseat. When she opened her eyes to everything again, the beasts were nearly in her face. But she was seeing through new eyes, every angle every thought that was running through these animals mind she knew.

She let out a cry that was not her own and flung out her water. The normal blue was tinted in a violet but she didn't care, it almost seemed normal. And unlike before the water was working. The vines snapped and crashed to the ground in a dried up heap, all of the octopus' tentacles were sliced off, and the beast that she Zuko and Jet almost couldn't defeat was suddenly down for the count. She drew her arm back with the water in an orb at her hand. It hardened into an ice-sphere and sank through the blob no problem, it dispersed into nothing but gas.

Her cold eyes settled on the black figure. His thoughts were jumbled, hard to read but irritated nonetheless. She didn't feel like herself, her senses were heightened she had new feelings to memories! She cried out and saw nothing but a sheen of violet. The violet eruption was so deadly so silent that the figure was gone in moments. And Katara felt her body become real again. She fell to the ground and let darkness consume her.

0000

"AGHHHHHHH!!!" Resbuto wailed being flung across the room. Oliver scratched his chin.

"I take it that things didn't go to well?"

Resbuto brushed off his shoulders and glared down at the spider. "I knew I should have gone in the flesh!" he roared.

Oliver crawled up his masters arm and sat on his shoulder, "Tell me what happened."

Resbuto sat down, "Mora consumed the girl. If only for ten seconds she did. I take it the young girl is a waterbender and Mora used it to her advantage so she would not have to use her own powers too much. That is, until I was the last one standing."

"What do you suppose we do now?" Oliver asked.

Resbuto scratched his chin before he cracked his lips into a cruel grin, "Attack her from…the inside."

0000

"Kataraaaa…" a female voice said.

Katara moaned.

"Kataraaa…" another female voice said.

"Katara…" a male voice said.

"WATERBENDER!"

Katara snapped her eyes open to see three people glaring at one person. They were back at the inn already. Katara felt very, very relieved.

Zuko shrugged, "It worked didn't it?"

Katara sat up and rubbed her head, "Mm, what happened?"

Song pulled the covers more firmly over Katara, "You passed out in the forest."

Akiko snorted, "Yeah and Zuko and Jet had a big fight over who would carry you!"

Zuko growled, "Jet was too injured to even walk by himself, don't twist the situation around!"

"ANYWAY!" Akiko continued, "And as soon as Zuko became your knight in shining armor, we found our way out after about ten minutes."

"Oh, is everyone okay?" Katara said rubbing her throbbing head.

"Yeah, but that's the weird thing." Jet said flipping a piece of straw around his mouth.

Song brushed the hair out of Katara's eyes, "Do you know what happened?"

Katara bit her lip thoughtfully. She remembered bit and pieces, feeling weightless and out of control, the violet water and defeating all the monsters, but after that when she looked at the black figure…nothing.

"No."

0000

This chapter was MURDER to write. It took me a whole month but ironically it is DONE on Halloween. I wasn't sure what to call it so I used both 'Day of the Dead' and 'Halloween'. I had a whole day to finish it, I'm sick with the flu and life sucks! You can flame if you want. I hardly have any reviewers left…((sigh)) where did you all go? I think this is a great fan-art chapter too! Yeah yeah, a lot of jealousy and fluff that isn't Zutara but the next chapter takes care of all that. And if you don't remember 'Boo' then look at my first few chapters. Tehehehehehe! And yes Toph started her period. AND MY GOD IF YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING ON BETWEEN JET AND SONG AND THE GROUP THEN YOU ARE TRULY IDIOTS! Sorry if you don't know, that's just to get you to think about it!

Love it? Hate it? Tell me about it! REVIEW!