All right, here's the new chapter! Please read and review!

Chapter Sixteen

"It took you long enough to signal, Ty Lee," Azula said a she approached the acrobat. "If I didn't know any better, I would say too long."

Ty Lee looked down at the ground. "They didn't really trust me, especially that one Water Tribe boy. He thought I was a spy and convinced the others that I was, too. They watched me all the time."

Mai frowned, a brow arched above her eye. "At least you can tell us which direction they went. That's good, at least." She sighed. "If only things were a bit more exciting."

Azula ignored her sardonic friend and moved closer to Ty Lee. "Did you see my brother or uncle?"

Ty Lee shook her head. "I thought I saw them, but I couldn't be too sure." Suddenly, she brightened. "But the Avatar said something about meeting up with the Water Tribe girl. And, seeing how Zuko had her, I'm pretty sure I did see them."

The princess ignored the confusing words of her friend. "Which way did they go?"

Though she wanted to lead Azula away from the others, Ty Lee wasn't sure she could get away with it. She pointed west. "They went northwest," she said softly. "Straight to the Western Air Temple."

A slow, vicious smile crossed Azula's face and she turned back to her fast lizard mount. "I believe it's time to teach ZuZu a lesson." She looked back at Ty Lee. "Come on. We brought one for you, too."

Ty Lee hung back for a moment and then sighed. She hated this, really, but Azula was her friend. What could she do when her best friend could just as easily become her worst enemy? Some things were worth risking, but slowly. Acrobats took risks, but they always knew their limits. She couldn't push this too far.

"Why's this temple so important?"

Katara looked over at Zuko, drying her hands on her skirt. "It's a safe place we can stay while Aang trains. It's too dangerous traveling all the time. And we all need a bit of rest."

Zuko watched as Katara rose and moved away. He and his uncle had been traveling with the Avatar for three days now, and there hadn't been any incidences. But Zuko was edgy. He wanted to talk to Katara alone but her brother hardly let her out of his sight.

He sighed and stood up, heating his hands so that the water evaporated off of them. He didn't really understand what was going on, but he couldn't stop thinking about Katara. His mind kept going back to the kiss they shared before the Avatar and the blind earthbender interrupted them.

"Nephew?"

Zuko swore silently and turned from the sight of Katara to face his uncle.

"Yes, Uncle?"

Iroh hid his smile at the irritated note in Zuko's voice. He knew exactly what was bothering his nephew, and it made Iroh very happy…and smug. "Rocks might dam the river, but the water always finds a way."

"What nonsense are you spouting now, Uncle?" Zuko asked wearily, confused and irritated.

"That, Prince Zuko, is something you must work out on your own." This time, Iroh did smile. "Think on it, Nephew. You'll find the answer soon enough."

Zuko shook his head as his Uncle walked off, humming some odd little song.

"Come on! It's time to go!"

Zuko frowned and walked towards the Avatar's flying bison. He hated this thing. It was so disconcerting to fly through the air, knowing that the only thing that was holding you up was a fuzzy animal. He paused, not wanting to have to get back on the thing.

But Katara was there, laughing and looking down at him, her sapphire eyes glittering with amusement and some other emotion. "Zuko, come on!"

Behind his sister, Sokka growled. "Yeah, Zuko. Come on," he grumbled sarcastically. "Ouch!" He lifted a hand to where Katara snapped him with a water whip. He glared at her back.

"What's your deal?" he practically screamed.

Katara turned away from Zuko, hands on her hips. "What's your deal? Stop with the attitude already, or you'll be cooking your own food."

Sokka's eyes grew wide at the threat and he shook his head in disbelief. "You wouldn't really do that, would you?"

"I will if you don't behave," Katara retorted.

"Aw, Katara…I didn't mean it."

"It sounded like you did."

"Shut up, Aang."

"Ah, the sky is beautiful today, don't you agree, Miss Katara?"

Katara looked at Iroh in surprise. "Huh? Oh, yes. It's very beautiful."

"The sun is just rising and the clouds are a lovely pink." Iroh sighed. "Almost as lovely as you and Miss Toph."

Both Katara and Toph blushed, surprising the others. It wasn't often that they got compliments; it was such a rare treat, even from Uncle Iroh.

"Thank you, Iroh," the two girls chorused together. Zuko and Sokka rolled their eyes, not even noticing that their expressions were almost exactly the same. Aang did, though, and began to laugh.

"What's with you?" Zuko practically growled.

Aang shook his head and turned back around. "Yip, yip."

"Look, Toph! There it is!"

"Oh, so wonderful, Aang. I love all the reds and how it looks exactly like a giant flame."

"Huh? What are you talking—Oh. Sorry."

Katara stifled a giggle at the exchange between Toph and Aang. When she was finally able to compose herself, she said, "It's wonderful Aang. I'm sure we'll be comfortable here."

Aang's face fell. "It's sad. This temple should be full of Airbenders, but it's empty. All because of me."

Zuko was shocked. The Avatar was blaming himself? There had been no Air nomads for a hundred years. How was it his fault?

Katara placed a hand on Aang's shoulder as Toph moved closer. "It couldn't be helped, Aang. Even if you hadn't gotten lost in that storm, you wouldn't have been able to stop the Fire Nation all by yourself. It's not your fault."

Aang sighed sadly as he urged Appa down towards one of the large platforms. "I know, but I can't help how I feel."

"Cheer up, Twinkle Toes," Toph grumbled awkwardly. She really wasn't very good with helping people. But she had wanted to say something.

Aang smiled and took hold of her hand. "Thanks, Toph."

Appa landed and everyone gratefully got off. Aang patted his friend, saying, "You'll get some rest now, Appa. We don't have to go anywhere for a little while." Appa gave an affectionate growl and took off. "Thanks, Appa!"

Katara sighed as she caught a glimpse of Sokka watching Zuko's every move. Shaking her head, she turned to Iroh. "I think we should explore a little bit, Uncle Iroh," she said softly. "We can clear some rooms up and make it homier, even set up some defenses. Just in case."

"An excellent idea, Miss Katara! We shall get to it right away." Iroh called the others over to where they were. "Miss Katara has suggested we split up and explore the Temple." He smiled. "Aang, perhaps you and Miss Toph could clear out any debris. Sokka…I'm sure you would like to hunt something up for us."

Sokka puffed out his chest, proud to be chosen to do the hunting. Finally, something worthy.

Iroh was grinning by the time he turned to Zuko. "Nephew, you and Miss Katara can clean things up a bit."

Sokka's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? Katara's not going anywhere with Zuko!"

Katara glared at her brother. "Sokka, we don't have time for you to get all moody."

"Moody! I'm not moody!"

She sighed. "Then prove it. Go on, we need some food."

Sokka waved his arms. "What about him?" he asked, motioning towards Iroh.

Katara smiled at the old man. "I'm sure he'll be happy to set up a fire and make some tea. After all, he's still recovering from what Azula did to him, if I'm not mistaken."

Immediately, Iroh made himself look as pathetic as possible, a hard feat for the Dragon of the West, but he managed.

Sokka reluctantly agreed. "Fine," he grumbled. After sending a warning glare towards Zuko, he stomped off.

After a moment, the others left to go explore and Zuko and Katara were left alone. Though she really wanted to go exploring, Katara's eyes were drawn to the sinking sun. Night was coming and the moon was already rising. She watched in wonder as the moon was lit by the fiery colors of the sun. A faint smile crossed her face and as the sun disappeared, she lifted her arms up towards the moon.

Zuko watched Katara. She was so beautiful. Moonlight washed the dying colors of the sun from her body, bathing her in silvery light. Her body began to sway, as if to a melody only she could hear. Strangely, though, he could hear it as well. He moved closer.

"Katara…"

"You shouldn't be up."

The young man pushed his companion away and moved towards the door. "I have to go. I have to find her."

"Find who?"

"Katara."

The young tomboy moved to stand before her friend. "No! You're still injured. You're still in pain."

"I have to. You don't understand. She's…" The young man leaned against the doorframe and looked up at the moon. "Her eyes…" He shook his head. "I don't want anything to happen to her."

And with those last words, he disappeared into the night.

Smellerbee swore and moved forward. "Jet!"

Mwahaha! Isn't it wonderful? Jet is so cool, I just had to put him in there…oh, did you see the Avatar short on it was so cute…well, you know the routine, by now…review, please. sniff there haven't been many reviews, but I profusely thank all those who did review. Well, until next time…