Longer chapter, shorter update period. Weird.

A week later and the group was camped outside the manmade cave where Zuko and Iroh had parted ways. "This is a good spot to camp for awhile," Iroh said. "I did for three days before I left to track my nephew."

Everyone agreed and set up camp in the cave. The second Toph hit the ground, she paused. "There's someone here."

"Who?" Sokka pulled out his boomerang and fell into a fighting stance. Zuko followed suit.

"They're injured. I think I've met her before."

"Her? How can you tell?" Aang flew next to his Earthbending teacher.

"Each person leaves a mark on the earth, each one unique. This one feels familiar." Sokka sheathed his boomerang.

"Where is she?"

"About five yards away from where Appa is." Sokka ran off, looking around furtively.

"Suki!" Aang ran off to help Sokka when he heard that. "What happened to you?"

Suki's faint voice could be heard. "I was with the other Kyoshi Warriors when this freaky Firebender came and started attacking us. She got the rest of us, but they thought I was dead; I was just unconcious. I crawled over there and waited for someone to come."

Sokka came back with Suki in his arms; Aang carried her fans and shield. "Someone get me a blanket! Katara, I know you're hurt, but can you…?" Katara nodded.

"I'll try. Someone get me down from here. And please, do it the convential way."

"The what?"

"Don't Airbend me down from here, 'k?" Aang nodded.

"Appa, down boy." Appa lay flat. "Who's strong enough to carry her down from there?"

"Probably that guy." Toph nodded her head in Zuko's general direction. "Sokka's hands are full at the moment."

For the first time in his live (but certainly not the last), Sokka looked at Zuko pleadingly. "Will you get Katara down?" Zuko looked at Sokka, then at the fallen warrior. Dimly, he recalled a day when he had fought against her, and several dressed like her. It would be a shame to let her die.

Silently, he climbed up Appa and slipped his arms underneath Katara. She gasped as she nearly fell from his arms. "I've got you," he murmured. "I'm not about to let you fall."

"Yeah. Sokka would kill you," Katara teased softly. Okay…do butterflies in your stomach come with broken bones or am I just crazy?

She grunted as Zuko set her down on a mat in the cave. "Bring Suki over here." Sokka came in and set the badly beat-up warrior next to Katara. "Water," Katara commanded. Sokka ran and grabbed a flask. Katara uncorked it and began to heal Suki as best she could.

Zuko watched in amazement as Suki's wounds vanished. If he had known she could do this…maybe Iroh would have healed a lot faster when Azula had attacked him.

Suki looked at Katara when she was done. "Since when could you do this?"

"Since we ran into some Fire Nation deserters. Apparently it's a Waterbender thing, and only woman Waterbenders can do it." Katara stopped momentarily. Suki noticed.

"I'm fine now, just sore, and there's a few minor scratches, but nothing life-threatening. Thanks Katara." Sokka nodded his appreciation to his sister, then instantly started reprimanding Suki.

"You're staying with us from now on. I don't want to risk you getting hurt and me not being around to help you. What if you die? I wouldn't be able to live with it." Toph gagged.

"If you two are going to get a romantic, let the rest of us get out first. C'mon, Twinkle Toes. Let's go practice Earthbending, then Iroh can start you're Firebending lessons."

Suki covered her sweetheart's mouth for a moment (not that it stopped him). "You guys found a Firebending teacher?"

"Yeah. His uncle." Aang pointed at Zuko; Suki looked at the former prince as if seeing him for the first time.

"Isn't that the guy who…?" Suki asked. Katara nodded.

"Yeah, it's him, but he's on our side right now. Now, we'll leave you two to your conversation. Zuko, would you be so kind as to get me out of here?" Zuko nodded and lifted Katara up.

"Is he like this a lot?" he muttered curiously.

"Only when he's serious about a girl. You should have seen him at the North Pole," Katara muttered back. Zuko shook his head.

It was decided that Suki would stay with the Gaang, and they'd stay there for a few days to rest and get in some practice. Iroh advised it; it would do Katara's healing bones some good, and Suki would be able to get some rest after her fight with Azula. First thing Suki did was to wash off her make-up and change into a spare dress of Katara's, which was luckily green.

"Question, which one of you changed weight?" Sokka teased. "Either Suki lost weight or Sis gained it. You were two different sizes last time I checked."

"What would you know about my waist size, Sokka?" Suki asked.

"And are you calling me fat?" accused his sister. Sokka gulped and pulled at his collar.

"I'm…gonna go get some more firewood. Be back in a second!" He dashed off faster than Aang on chi-enhancing tea. Suki and Katara looked at each other and cracked up.

Break

It was late that night, and everyone was asleep. Everyone but Zuko, that is.

Zuko was still up, sitting near the dying embers of the campfire. Aang was sleeping on Appa's head, Momo was sleeping on Aang's head, and Toph was in her earth tent. His uncle was sound asleep next to Appa, snoring loud enough to wake the dead. Sokka and Suki were sharing a sleeping mat about three yards back into the cave, and Sokka had his arm around Suki's waist. Katara was the only one near the campfire. She was nestled on more cushioning than Zuko had ever seen on one bed. Not even his father used that many pillows.

The teenaged Firebender watched as Katara rolled over on the sleeping mat enhanced with two sleeping bags and several cloaks as pillows. Almost everyone had given a blanket (or wads of bison fur sewn into pillows) so Katara's leg and arm were comfortable. Zuko, on the other hand, hadn't. Now, he was feeling a little guilty.

Katara may have been cushioned, but it was chilly at night in this part of the world, so she was shivering. Idiots, not leaving a blanket for her to keep warm. Zuko sighed and stood, looking around for his pack.

There it was. It was by the rest of the unused luggage. Zuko picked it up and dug around for that spare blanket he knew he had. When he found it, he paused before grabbing it.

Why on earth am I doing this for her?

Well, she did get you away from Sokka.

Yeah, but she told me to jump in a river!

When you had her tied to a tree with hormones running through every man who had ever slept with a woman there! And you were out to capture her best friend! Of course she told you to jump in the river!

Shaking his head, Zuko pulled out the spare blanket and walked over to Katara. He unceremoniously covered the Waterbender with it, feeling a small amount of satisfaction when she stopped shivering.

"Mmm…" Zuko started. Was she awake? Katara grabbed at the blanket. "Thanks, Zuko," she mumbled groggily.

"Um…you're welcome," he stammered. Katara smiled, eyes half-closed. Zuko waited a few minutes, then realized she had fallen back asleep. With a sigh of relief, Zuko decided to follow suit.

Happy Halloween! (since I probably won't update between then and now.)