Well, we're back for a sixth chapter. You may have noticed I've been doing these chapters daily. Well, after Chapter 8, I have a hiatus that will last four weeks. Sorry, guys. There's a chance I'll get one in on the weekends, but I doubt it. And thanks, Second daughter of Eve, BlackestSpirit, and The Sun's Fire for reviewing. :D

Now, this chapter is completely Gaang-oriened. For you romantic softies, you'll definitely like some of the flashbacks; if you don't like the romance, I'd suggest skipping them. No Kataang or Zutara, though……. yet. (evil laughter)

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A standalone bar sat in Earth King territory. It was rarely visited except by its regulars, and two of its rare visitors were about to arrive.

"There it is," Zuko said, pointing out the small building in the middle of the woods. "There's June's bar."

"How are you so sure?" Aang asked with curiosity.

"I've been there twice," Zuko thought back. "Looking for you,"

"Eh-heh," Aang sighed. "Good… times?"

They landed Appa, who was already getting tired again. They had ridden him all the way from the Fire Nation to the Earth Kingdom, and it was almost morning.

Only five days to Sokka's proposal, Zuko thought.

Only six days to my proposal, Aang thought.

When they walked in the bar, they found in its usual state; the hustle and bustle it was a decade ago. And… would you believe their luck? June, now in her 30's, was still there! She didn't look nearly as fierce as she once was. She happened to look up, to see the Fire Lord and Aang.

"Hello," she mumbled, drinking a shot. "Lost your girlfriend again?"

"No," Zuko shook his head, rolling his eyes. "I need you to find someone else." Zuko pulled out the drawing of Ziyeng.

June, slumped back in her chair, lazily grabbed the piece of paper. "Nyla hasn't seen any action in years. Now you sure this guy's touched it, else it won't work."

"Yes," Zuko said, slightly annoyed. "He drew it himself."

"Okay, okay" June mumbled, taking one more chug and stepping up. She walked out her door. They found June's old Shirshu, sound asleep,

"Wake up, lil' girl," June stroked the Shirshu's head, causing its eyes to open. "I have a job for you,"

Aang smiled as the Shirshu excitedly got up and wagged its tail. It sniffed the drawing, and immediately started going crazy.

"Jump on, you two!" June said. Zuko jumped on.

"I'll go with Appa!" Aang said. "I'll follow you two."

"Got it," Zuko nodded as Aang Airbended from where he was standing onto his sky bison's lap, waking up the tired old Appa,

"So where would you like to take him after we catch him?"

"You don't do delivery services," Zuko said, confused.

"That's because the first time you wanted to catch your girlfriend yourself, and the second time you just wanted to find your uncle with his sweaty sandal."

"Kyoshi," Aang said, chuckling at what June said. "We've got business there." Aang then turned to the rising Appa. "Yip-yip!"

And the search was on. Almost instantly the five of them were gone… which was why they failed to notice what happened next.

Almost out of nowhere, the entirety of June's bar was up in flames, and without warning. Everyone quickly ran for his or her life out of the small burning wreck.

"What do you think you're doing?!" the bartender screamed, walking towards the origin point covered in shadow.

"Barely missing my target," a female voice grumbled to where he was heading. "Now, if you excuse me, I've got an errand at Kyoshi Island and I have to run." Out of nowhere, a white-hot blast of blue fire catapulted itself before the bartender, who ducked out of the way just in time as the blue fire dissipated in on itself.

Seconds later, everyone's shocked faces got even more shocked as they saw the mysterious woman catapult herself high in the sky… with fire.

"Now there's something you don't see everyday," a man outside the bar said.

FLASHBACK – SUKI'S POV – FIVE YEARS AGO

Ergh… Believe me, I love Sokka… but how could he be so stupid?!

I mean, he just has to be the most thickheaded, oblivious guy I've ever met!

Um… let me start from the beginning. So I was minding my own business after five years of dating Sokka. I think five years is enough, don't you? You know, for a marriage proposal? So for the past few months we had been touring the world and visiting lots of old friends – Bumi in Omashu, Fire Lord Zuko, the Earth King and ex-Freedom Fighters in Ba Sing Se, and so on. Well, we had been spending one to two weeks at each place, and we were three days into our visit to Toph's residence, far away from her parents' home.

I had grown sick of it. During our five years together we had had many romantic places, and too many moments where it seemed like the perfect place to propose. Anyway, we were in Gaoling Village, and Toph was gone for a few minutes. I sat next to Sokka who was lying down and looking at the beach that was near us. After a few minutes, I decided to give him a hint and see how he'd react.

"Hey, Sokka," I said casually. "You know what would be funny? If you proposed to me."

"Yeah," Sokka said, still admiring the ocean. All right, time to pour out Plan B.

"Do you think you ever will?" I asked, with a hint of annoyance in my voice that he apparently didn't catch.

"Maybe," Sokka shrugged. This was not the response I was hoping for.

"We've been dating five years!" I said, rather loud. He definitely caught this one. "Don't you think it's been long enough?"

Sokka didn't answer, and looked away, much to my aggravation. Just as I was about to speak again, he spoke. "I guess I can't make the commitment. We've been through this. We're nineteen! I just… think it's too young!"

"Can't make a commitment? Too young?" I retorted. "What's wrong with being too young?... or maybe you don't love me the way you act like you do and are hoping someone better comes along! Because whenever I bring it up, you try to avoid the conversation!"

"Suki!" Sokka gasped, shocked.

"No, we're through!" I yelled. Of course I didn't mean it. We'd done these temporary break-ups many times before over similar topics but got together within a week. Maybe I was too rough on him, though… I just felt especially hurt this time. Was that really it? He was afraid of making a commitment? Hurt, I walked away from him to our rented apartment we were staying at, telling him to "get his own apartment".

PRESENT DAY – THE GAANG AT KYOSHI ISLAND

Funny. Yesterday Katara and Sokka, clearly mad at each other over something, just walked away when Suki walked up to them. Suki thought it was just another sibling moment.

That was yesterday, and today everyone was cheery because they had four new arrivals today: from what Iroh said, he would be arriving early today. A few hours after that, Sokka's father and swordsmaster, Hakoda and Piandao, were slated to show up thanks to Pakku, who collected them. Bumi was already here, and seemed to be content hanging out by himself around the Kyoshi statue, which wasn't visited often. Finally, Toph was arriving late.

Sokka had spent a long time thinking up an excuse for all these arrivals, and settled on the easiest and simplest he could think of. A 10th War's-end anniversary reunion!

Before anyone knew it, Iroh's Fire Navy ship had already arrived with tea (what else?) in his hands.

"Greetings, ex-General Iroh!" Katara bowed her head. "Your nephew is hunting down a prisoner with Aang!"

"That's my nephew, always tracking things down," Iroh said, shaking his head. "And please, just call me Iroh."

Just as Iroh settled in, Pakku showed up with Piandao and Hakoda, and surprisingly, Gran Gran.

"Dad!" Sokka and Katara yelled, greeting them warmly. "Gran Gran! Pakku! Piandao!"

Finally, several hours later, the final arrival showed up on a small boat for two with… Haru!

"Toph!" Katara ran, being the first to greet Toph. "Haru!"

"Wassup, Sugar Queen?" Toph asked in her casual ways, stepping off the boat. "Finally, land!"

"Hello, Katara," the mustached man said to her.

"Okay, listen you two," Katara whispered as everyone started to approach. "Sokka, Zuko, and I are the only ones who know about you-know-what. I think you found out by mistake,"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Toph yawned. "I just want to lay back."

"Hello, Toph, did you have a good trip?" Iroh walked up to where they were as Sokka and Suki approached.

"Hey, Iroh. Well, if you consider a blind girl who can't see in the ocean paddling purely on what a man tells you to do 'good', yes, I did have a good trip."

"Hello, Toph!" Suki and Sokka both said, Sokka clearly nervous.

"Hey, Suki!" Toph shook Suki's outstretched hand. "Great to see ya again!"

Sokka sighed. This would be tougher than he thought.

FLASHBACK – SOKKA'S POV – STILL FIVE YEARS AGO

Oh, no. Not again.

Here she goes, breaking up with me again. I swear, she rehearses these speeches of hers. I don't really love her? Ouch. Of course I love her. As I said, I don't want to make the commitment… but why? Am I scared of getting married? Of having children? Or is it something else?

I had these inner meditations every time after she broke up with me temporarily. On the first three days, I would go to her house, but she'd never answer. On the fourth day, she'd give me a warning to stay away from her. Then I'd leave her alone on the fifth day, and on the sixth or seventh day she'd apologize, give me another brief scolding, and make up with me. It happened every time. Now I was getting used to it. Of course, I had to get my own rented room, which was on the same street.

On the first day, there was no answer.

On the second day, there was no answer.

On the third day, there was no answer, even though I saw her walking through her rented room, glaring at me.

On the fourth day, I got my warning, in the form of a note on the door, which was unusual.

On the fifth day, I left her alone.

On the sixth day, I again left her alone.

On the seventh day, to my surprise, I got no response. Nor the eighth day. Nor the ninth day. Nor the tenth day. Not even on the eleventh day did she even make a sign.

I was now really starting to worry. On the morning of the twelfth day, which was the second-to-last day we were initially scheduled to stay with Toph, I went over to Toph's house to seek some advice.

PRESENT DAY – ZUKO, AANG, AND JUNE

"How close are we?" Zuko asked. "Are you sure you have the right scent?"

"Nyla's never been wrong," June assured him, rustling the Shirshu's head. "What's that, girl? Oh, we're getting close."

It wasn't long before they reached the Outer Wall… which wasn't really an Outer Wall anymore after the Fire Nation broke through the wall with the help of the treacherous Dai Li.

Once they got in Ba Sing Se, Nyla got twitchy. "Nyla's getting twitchy. We're within a block from him."

Nyla, Appa, and June stayed back. Zuko and Aang, meanwhile, stepped forward on the empty road. There was no traitor in sight.

Suddenly, there was a sound. Avatar and Fire Lord whipped to the left. The sound grew louder… it sounded like… it sounded like a little girl laughing. Aang and Zuko exchanged relieved glances, that is, until a giant rock hurled across the street from where the little girl's voice was heard from. Where the rock came from was unseen; it was a large alley in between two houses.

"That rock's far too big for a young girl," Aang darkly noticed, and Zuko and Aang cautiously stepped towards the corner from the ally.

Zuko peered over, to be hit head-on with another giant rock. Zuko cried out in pain, collapsing on the ground as the girl's voice spoke once more. "Uh-oh," and another, older voice saying "I know that voice anywhere."

"Zuko!" Aang yelled, helping his old enemy up as Zuko held his throbbing head. Aang wasted no time to jump in front of the alley and saw a strange sight.

He saw a ladder being climbed up to the roof of the house to the right. Both a little ten-year-old girl and a man were climbing it. Aang turned around to see Zuko staggering towards the alleyway, and missing a loud scream. Aang turned around and Zuko ran forward. They saw a horrifying sight. The man was carrying the little girl up the ladder.

"That's Ziyeng!" Zuko yelled, watching as the old man turned to him. "And he's kidnapping that girl!" With an angry yell and a flaring fist, Zuko Firebended at the old man, who craftily jumped out of the way and out of sight.

"Get back here, you murderer!" Zuko roared, running after him and jumping to the low ceiling.

"Wait for me!" Aang yelled, opening his glider and gliding after him.

When Zuko and Aang made it to the roof, they found nothing. No sign of him, not a trace. They looked around for the next several minutes.

"I think we've lost him, Zuko," Aang sadly said, as the still-furious Zuko turned to him. "I'm sorry,"

Zuko stayed quiet for a second, head down, and eyes closed. He then opened bloodshot angry eyes and craned his heads toward the heavens, with a loud yell and a large stream of fire.

FLASHBACK – NO POV (NARRATOR'S) – TOPH'S HOUSE, FIVE YEARS AGO

There was a knock on Toph's door. Toph yawned, walking through her house and opening it. She had gotten used to where the doorknob was now, she had always seemed to grab for the wrong side of the door…

Toph opened the door, to hear Sokka, downcast. "Hey, Toph."

"Oh, hey Sokka!" Toph said, cheerily. She then noticed something was wrong. "What is it, Sokka?"

"Nothing," Sokka sighed, settling himself on one of the living room chairs. He smiled and asked about the weather in an in-vain attempt to sound cheery.

"Seriously, you're not fooling anyone, Sokka," Toph smirked. "Especially me. I can tell when people are lying, remember? What's wrong?"

Sokka sighed again. "It's… it's Suki. We had a fight and she… she broke up with me again."

Toph laughed. "Well, she's done it before. What's got you so down about it this time?"

"Well, this may sound silly, but she usually apologizes and forgives me on the seventh day… but it's been twelve days, and she hasn't said a word."

"It's okay, Sokka," Toph tried to comfort him. "So what was she mad about this time?"

"She was angry I hadn't proposed to her after five years, I said I didn't want to make a commitment. She got real mad then and said I didn't really love her and that's why I kept stalling a proposal and stormed off."

"Ouch," Toph sympathized. After a pause, she inquisitively asked, "Do you really want to make a commitment?"

Sokka sighed and slouched forward, putting his elbows on his knees and his head on his hands. "Of course I do. I just… I don't know why, but I just feel like I can't."

"Is it because you don't really love her?" Toph hypothetically asked, raising her eyebrow.

To Toph's surprise, Sokka stood up.

Toph stood up. "What is it, Sokka?"

"Remember when you joined our group?"

"Of course,"

"Well… I had just been to Kyoshi Island, and heard Suki was away. I started to lose hope in a romantic relationship, since I had just lost Princess Yue, who seemed like the one… then I met you. I didn't like you at first, but…"

Toph looked away, confused and blushing. Was Sokka saying what she thought he was saying? No, he couldn't.

And this was why Toph was completely taken aback when Sokka walked up to her and kissed her. Toph had always had a small crush on Sokka, but… regardless, Toph returned the kiss. After a few seconds, they broke apart.

"Sokka, I…" Toph started, but Sokka shushed her.

"Toph, I'm sorry," Sokka quickly mumbled, running out the door.

After a few seconds, Toph blinked her blind eyes. What just happened?

PRESENT DAY – KYOSHI ISLAND

It was midnight. The moon shone high above Kyoshi Island as everyone was sleeping.

Sleeping. How convenient.

Convenient for one person, who was rocketing across the ocean.

Convenient for one person, stepping on the sands of the island.

Convenient for one person, sneaking into the trees.

Convenient for Azula, plotting a diabolical foolproof plan.

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The flashbacks here answer a few mysteries… and raise new ones… I'm sorry Tokka haters D:

With the scene in Ba Sing Se, remember that things are not as they seem. A story can be entirely different in another's perspective.

To be honest, the next chapter is pretty much a continuation of this one. There are similar flashbacks, the same centric characters, etc.