A/N - Oh my gosh, so did everyone completely lose faith that this story would ever start up again? Well surprise, here I am! So so sorry, new job, new apartment, boyfriend's mom having major health problems. It's been a crazy and rough few months. But I'm glad I found time to get another chapter out for! Thank you immensely for the patience! Please review and let me know what you think!

Chapter 5: Douse the Fire

As Aang swiftly made his way toward camp his heart pounded in his ears, blocking out everything but his own racing thoughts. Had he really just done that? Had he really…kissed Zuko?

He was enormously relieved that he had been able to play it so coolly though. That was actually all thanks to Zuko really, and his being utterly flustered by what had happened. It had given Aang the opportunity he needed to appear nonchalant, seeing as how it was so easy to seem so when next to Zuko.

But the truth was, he never imagined that when he went to Zuko's room to fetch him for breakfast that he'd end up leaving, like this:

Heart deafening his ears (as mentioned), throat closed up, and mind racing a mile a minute.

It was entirely true what he had told the prince. The Avatar had never found himself being attracted to women over men or vise versa. But, he had also never found a male he was fascinated by enough to go this far…

And, it was also true that it had been somewhat of an accident that they kissed. A happy accident, but an accident nonetheless.

Aang had always considered himself to be a 'go with the flow' kind of guy. And that was exactly what he had done when Zuko's lips met his: gone with the flow.

But going with the flow usually didn't mean ending up in his current state! He knew he'd have to pull himself together before reaching camp. Not only would the others notice (particularly a certain Water Bender with a knack for being motherly). But once Zuko showed up he knew his condition would only escalate…

He quickly looked around to see if anybody was watching. When he saw he was alone, he scooted around one of the large marble pillars that lined the stone walkway so that he was off the path, and leaned his body against it.

The cool stone sent a welcomed chill into his back, which he now realized was warm and tinged with a thin later of preparation. He placed a hand on his chest and felt his heart race under its touch.

He tried to concentrate on his breathing, as he had been taught by the monks to do in times of stress and anxiety. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. He hoped this time wasn't the later.

Aang filled his lungs slowly, counting to ten, blocking out everything except the sound of his own breath. His hand that rested over his still fluttering heart rose with his chest.

He held his breath, continuing to count. He imagined the stress melting away.

Just let it be released into the air, to be carried away by the wind…

A small smile graced Aang's features as he remembered Monk Giatso's words. It helped him remember who he was, after doing something so utterly foreign. After a while he began to feel slightly more relaxed.

As he released the breath, he began to become more aware of the world around him. Mind less clouded, ears regaining the ability to hear…

In fact, they were hearing something right now. Someone was walking down the pathway towards the Air Bender.

Aang peeked around his marble hiding-place to see who it was.

Zuko stepped across the tiled stone floor, the heel of his fire nation boots clicking lightly with each step. His gait was strong, as that of someone who is late for something but refuses to actually run to get there on time. It dawned on Aang that this was actually his normal stride. Maybe this was how fire nation royalty were supposed to walk all the time…

Except, when Aang had taken Zuko to the Endless Echo Chamber the night before, the prince had meandered slowly with him, taking his time, talking, and letting the Avatar lead the way at a leisurely pace (up until Aang had pulled him along at lighting speed, of course).

The Avatar crouched behind the pillar entirely as Zuko passed. His heart jumped back into his throat.

He took another deep breath and began to count again. This was going to be a long day…

Zuko approached the camp and made sure to keep his best pai sho face on. Nobody, especially Katara, was going to suspect that anything was up between him and Aang.

"Good morning everyone."

The various members of the group muttered their tired greetings back, eating slowly and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.

Katara's head snapped to Zuko, "Where's Aang?"

Zuko's eyes widened slightly. But not enough to reveal his surprise…he hoped, "How should I know?"

His answer came off sounding more defensive than he had hoped, and Katara's stare held fast.

But luckily, Aang saved him once again by breaking the tension as he had the night before.

"Good morning, all!"

Zuko whipped around as he saw a chipper Avatar walk into camp. The group muttered their respective salutations again. A bit more warmly than they had with Zuko, he couldn't help noticing.

They locked eyes a moment but Zuko quickly turned away as he realized that he had started smiling warmly at the Avatar.

Finally after months of anticipation, the moment he had been both waiting for and dreading had arrived. It was time for his first official Fire Bending lesson. Although he had one once before on his journey, the results had made him swear off ever doing it again. But being the Avatar, he knew deep down that this was of course, impossible.

He had to master the elements if he was to become fully realized, and this included fire.

And of course, at a moment when he already felt conflicted over what he was about to learn, the one person who could teach him was practically giving him heart palpitations!

"Aang, why do you keep taking such deep breaths?"

Aang opened his eyes and looked at his teacher. He closed them again before he could blush at the fact that Zuko was staring down at him, shirtless, and looking directly into his eyes with those mysterious golden ones. He saw him practically naked not but an hour ago and hadn't blanched. But things had changed considerably for Aang in that short time…

"I'm meditating, I thought Fire Benders shared that with Air Benders."

"We do, but we usually don't lay flat on our backs with our limbs sprawled out."

Aang lifted his torso from the cool stone floor of the courtyard that Zuko had chosen for their training grounds.

"I can't help it, it's so hot!"

"All the better for training! Although Fire Bending is all in the breath, so I guess I approve of, whatever it is…you're doing."

Zuko hesitated a moment, then extended his hand for Aang to grab. The Avatar looked up and saw the prince had his head turned slightly so as to avoid eye contact. His cheeks had a light flush which he wasn't sure was from the heat or their present situation, but either way it made him look all the more lovely, which Aang hadn't imagined possible.

Spirits give me strength…

He grasped Zuko's hand and felt the Fire Bender easily pull his lithe body up and off the ground.

Aang rubbed the back of his smooth head, his nervous habit. It dawned on him that the last time they talked in private, he had acted cool and confident about the whole state of affairs. As far as Zuko knew, that hadn't been an act.

He didn't know that Aang had left the room feeling as if he might faint, and then had to hide just to regain his composure. Zuko didn't know that his breathing exercises were mostly due to the fact that Aang had never felt this way before, and that it excited and terrified him simultaneously.

"So what first, Sifu Hotman?"

Zuko gestured to a short wall at the edge of the courtyard with a nod of his head, "Sit there, I'll demonstrate some Fire Bending for you."

"Heh, I've seen plenty of your Fire Bending, Zuko!"

Zuko looked at the Avatar with shame in his eyes.

Shoot!

"That was a joke, Zuko! A joke between friends, about things from the past that are done and over with! Haha, right? I'm sorry…too soon."

Zuko brightened up and smirked at Aang, "You and your "jokes". Now sit on the wall!"

Aang floated onto the wall with a small laugh, "Alright Sifu, show me how it's done!"

Zuko took the correct stance. He breathed in through his nose, as he always did. Felt the power and the energy course through his body. And then…

::Fwip::

Zuko blinked. His arm was extended, his fist was clenched, his form was correct. So where was the fire?

"Uh..great job Sifu, that's more fire than I could do!"

"That wasn't right! Let me try it again."

::Fwip::

Zuko blanched again, "What…"

"Isn't it supposed to be..bigger than that?"

Zukos' short temper had reached its boiling point even quicker than usual. Not only that, but he was scared to death. What was happening? What was wrong with him?

He tried again and again, but nothing more than a small burst of flame, which quickly extinguished.

In the midst of his turmoil, he heard the chime of feminine laughter from behind him on the stone stairs. Katara had taken a seat at some point without saying a word.

"Oh this is priceless! Zuko chases us around for months, and then when we finally need him to Fire Bend, he can't do it! How convenient."

Zuko let out a yell of frustration and began to walk away. Aang floated down from the wall, "Sifu wait, where are you going?!"

"To figure this out!"

Zuko walked from the round courtyard off as Katara let out another burst of laughter. Aang's stare lingered after the used to be Fire Bender sympathetically, before turning to his antagonist.

Aang scowled at Katara, a look she very rarely saw from him. She attempted to stifle her laughter, somewhat unsuccessfully. She wiped a tear from the corner of her blue eye, "H-ha, I'm sorry Aang. I know you need to learn Fire Bending and this isn't good. But I mean, talk about Karma!"

"Karma? Don't try to tell me about Karma, Katara! I spent years learning about it, andthis isn't Karma. Something is wrong with Zuko…"

"Well if that isn't the understatement of the year…"

That did it. Aang felt hot anger burn behind his eyes, "Instead of being happy that he's lost his ability to bend, maybe you should be concerned. What if he's sick or something!"

Katara stared at Aang, not realizing until then that he was truly upset by her laughter.

"Aang, calm down. I just meant.."

"I know what you meant, Katara."

Aang stormed off from the courtyard, following the path Zuko had taken though low hanging palm branches. He left a shocked Katara sitting on the steps, jaw slightly agape.

Anng pushed leaves out of his way as he tried to find Zuko's whereabouts. The area was very quiet, with only the occasional sound of a toad or an insect's buzz to break the silence. Aang was sure to keep his movements and voice soft as well,

"Zuko?"

"Over here, Aang."

Aang turned to his left and saw Zuko sitting in the lotus position within a small clearing in the trees. His eyes were closed and he was clearly attempting to meditate.

Knowing this, Aang continued to keep his voice low as he approached, "Zuko, whatever is going on…we'll get though it together okay? We'll figure out what the problem is."

"I appreciate your optimism, Avatar. But I've never heard of anything like this happening before…bending just, leaving. I'm afraid maybe it's just Karm.."

"No it's not!"

Zuko popped open his eyes, being jarred from his calm meditative state.

"Err..sorry. But it's just not, so don't say it…"

Zuko closed his eyes yet again, "I'm just not sure who'd I'd even ask for help. I doubt even Uncle would have advice for this I'm afraid…"

Aang thought on this, "Well..then I'll meditate too. Who knows, maybe something will come to me!"

Zuko opened his scarred eye and watched as Aang lowered himself into position. He smiled, "Thank you, Avatar."

"It's AANG, remember?"

"Sorry…thank you, Aang."

The two sat in silence for several minutes, the hot stagnant air making it quite difficult to concentrate. But luckily, both were trained in the art of meditation and eventually were able to relax enough to do so.

After about forty minutes of breathing and concentrating, Zuko begin to feel a swirl of air surround them. It couldn't have been the wind, as despite being on a mountaintop they hadn't felt a breeze all day.

Zuko let out a long refreshed sigh, "Thanks Aang, it's getting pretty stifling out here."

No response, as the wind grew stronger.

"Aang?"

Still no response. Zuko opened his eyes.

"Aang!"

Aang's eyes were still closed but his arrows were glowing a bright blue all across his limbs and over the arch of his head.

"The Avatar State? But why! What triggered it!"

Zuko jumped over to where the Avatar still sat, staying on his knees and trying to shake him out of it. He didn't know what caused this, but if it got out of control being on a mountain with tornado or a hurricane would be the end of them all.

And perhaps more importantly, Zuko didn't like seeing Aang this way. He had seen it before, from afar. But this was completely different. Aang was technically here but he was…gone. Gone and powerful, and if left unchecked, unstoppable.

The prince shook the Avatar harder, "Aang can you hear me!? Stop doing this!"

The wind grew stronger and as it did, Zuko was forced to release Aang and shield his eyes lest the wind cut them.

As he fell back, the funnel of wind finally stopped. Zuko opened his eyes cautiously and as he did, he saw Aang was now standing, shoulders pulled back, hands fisted and head held high. His eyes were finally opened and fully glowing along with his tattoos. He made no motion or movement.

Zuko quickly rose to his feet,"…Aang?"

"Prince of the fire nation! Avatar Aang has told me of your troubles, and he has also told me that you seek guidance."

What was happening? The voice coming from Aang was his own, but with a deeper tone behind it. A second voice? Zuko couldn't really tell…

"Who…are you?"

The edges of Aang's "borrowed" lips tipped upwards just slightly, "Have I really been erased from fire nation history to this extent?"

Zuko paused a moment, "Roku?"

"Ah, then again it appears not."

Zuko felt dazed. Then realizing whom was speaking, quickly dropped back down to one knee and bowed his head.

"Avatar Roku, it is the greatest honor to be in your presence. There are no words to express my admiration."

"Rise, Fire Prince Zuko. Your family has committed hideous crimes. Crimes that can not be easily accounted for…"

Zuko stood once more but lowered his gaze from "Aang's", as he felt the deepest of shame hit him in the pit of his gut. He wanted to throw up, but knew he had to commit himself with decency around such a legendary Fire Bender and Avatar as Roku.

"I know, Avatar Roku. It is my eternal shame, and I came here to try and…"

"Silence! Let me finish…"

Zuko's head shot up once again.

"You are not like your family. I see what Avatar Aang sees, as we are one. I can feel how he feels for you as well."

Zuko felt a slight blush rise to his cheeks, thankful that the blue glow would hide it. If Roku and Aang were one, it was most likely true that Roku knew what had happened earlier that day…

"Aang believes that you are truly a changed soul, and that your actions in the past were merely misdirected, as you were led to believe that hunting the Avatar was your one, true destiny."

"..I'm afraid so, Avatar Roku. Although…"

Zuko stopped, hesitant to speak so boldly to Roku. This time the Avatar responded softer,

"Speak, my son. Despite what atrocities your nation has commit during the past century, we are still connected in spirit, as are all Fire Benders."

Zuko looked into the glowing eyes of Aang, no longer his to control.

"I'm afraid that although Avatar Aang thinks the best of me, he may be mistaken. I'm…not very good at, being good. I tried once before and failed, miserably."

Aang's lips curled into a smile once more, "My boy, although he may be young you must learn to trust Avatar Aang. He has the wisdom of many and the judgment of none."

It was slightly jarring to see, well, Aang, or at least his body…talking about…Aang. It was all very strange for Zuko.

Roku continued, "In fact, the greatest proof that you have changed is your current inability to Fire Bend."

Zuko felt a wave of excitement crash through him, "So you know what's wrong with me, Avatar Roku!"

"In a sense. When a Fire Bender loses their powers, it means that the source from which they drew their energy is gone."

Zuko stared blankly at the Avatar, "Gone?"

"Yes. And from what I've seen through Aang, I would imagine your source of power came from anger. If this is so, and you have altered your path through life, then it is likely that this anger has left you. And so to, your Fire Bending."

Zuko paused before answering. He suddenly realized the Air Bending had started up again, and Aang's body was starting to suspend into the air. He guessed this was a sign that their talk would soon end, "So then, what can I do? Has becoming good really punished me!?"

"You must return to the source of Fire Bending. Seek out the Sun Warriors. I could not give you their ware about in words, but I will provide Avatar Aang with the knowledge to find it."

"Thank you, Avatar Roku!"

And with those final words, the glowing begin to dim from Aang's body, the air swirled slower.

Aang begin to hover closer to the ground and Zuko stepped forward to make sure he didn't fall. With the less severe wind, the fire nation prince could once again reach out and touch the Avatar. He stood on his toes and grasped Aang's hands in his, gently pulling his floating body downwards.

As he did the wind immediate stopped and the glowing followed suit. The Avatar State was complete. Zuko caught Aang before he could hit the ground and held him tightly in his arms.

The Air Bender rubbed an eye and looked around confused, before looking up into the face that held him.

"Zuko?"

"Yeah Aang, I gotcha."

"What happened? Did I go into the Avatar State?"

"Yeah, Avatar Roku was talking through you. He told me how I might get my bending back."

Aang smiled, "That's great! Wow, I've never gone into the Avatar State so easily without being in danger or something."

"That is strange…were you angry?"

"Not really…I mean I was sort of angry at Katara, but not enough to make me all glowy. I guess Roku just understood how important it was to help you!"

Zuko though about what Roku had said, I see what Avatar Aang sees, as we are one. I can feel how he feels for you as well…

The prince subconsciously squeezed Aang closer, "I think maybe you yourself helped more than you think."

Aang chuckled, "Nah I didn't do anything."

Zuko smiled warmly at the boy in his arms. Boy. Arms…

"Uhhh so I'll just put you down now!"

"Oh yeah, thanks for catching me Sifu Hotman."

Zuko maneuvered his arms to let Aang out of them, immediately missing the weight he held.

"Roku put something in my head. I don't know how to explain it. It's a place, and I think I could get us there…but it's like, I wouldn't be able to explain it. Does that make sense?"

Now it was Zuko's turn to laugh, "No! But Roku said he'd show you the way to the Sun Warriors, who supposedly can help. I'm guessing we'd just have to, go. And you'll be able to find the way."

Aang shrugged, "Sounds about right. Stuff like this isn't new to me, at all."

Zuko felt a deep sorrow shift and release from within him. Perhaps his bending wasn't completely lost after all. If Aang AND Roku thought it could come back to him, well…he had no reason not to believe two Avatars,

"So when should we leave?"

"Why wait, lets go tonight!"

"…but what about the others?"

"I'll think they'll survive…I mean between Toph and Sokka…"

"And…Katara?"

Aang stopped for a second and thought about it. A moment passed. He then turned to Zuko with a mischevious smirk, "We'll just leave her a note…"

Whether it had been during months of trying to capture the Avatar or in the brief time they had been on the same team, Zuko had never seen Aang act this way towards the beautiful, strong Water Bender.

This was going to be one interesting trip…

A/N - Well it looks like the Fire Bending didn't go according to plan, as per the actual show. But what will happen when we get these two out of the Air Temple? We shall see! Please leave a review so I can know how you're liking it so far.