here we go...another new chapter. i want to thank everyone who reviews...you are great! i hope you like this chapter...i have more coming, too, after this...there are still threads to tie up...and i have a BIG surprise for everyone at the end...i'm still uncertain if it's good or bad, tho...anywho...enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-six

They knew he was following them. Azula definitely knew and she was biding her time, waiting for him to come close enough to rope him in. Jet watched from the treetops and wanted to laugh. She appeared to be one of those people who invoked something great in others. She put the fear in them but in such a way that they remained loyal.

His eyes drifted to the other. She was quite intriguing and possessed a singularly angular beauty. She seemed the epitome of a bored noble, but Jet knew exactly how dangerous she could be.

Azula stopped suddenly and Mai followed suit. "If you're going to follow us, at least have the dignity to make sure we don't know you're there," the princess said quietly.

Jet smiled faintly and dropped to the ground before the two young women. "When I first saw you, I was under the impression few things got by you." He flashed his patent smile. "It appears I was right."

"What do you want?"

Jet leaned up against a tree, his eyes on Mai. "Let's just say the firebenders traveling with the Avatar are not at the top of my friends list," he answered sardonically. "And, considering how far it appears you'll go to bring them down, I figure I should join you if I want the same thing." He shrugged. "You know, consolidate my assets and whatever."

The barest whisper of a smile ghosted across Mai's face but it quickly returned to her usual cynical façade.

"I can use this pathetic plebian to my advantage," Azula thought to herself. She took the time to watch his movements, how he carried himself. "A good fighter. He uses his own techniques in a particular area, though he uses more intimidation than anything to get his way." A slender brow raised above her cold eyes. He was fast, his lean figure told her that, but he was also ruthless, a quality she could use to her own advantage. Her eyes followed his gaze and she barely contained her smirk. "He seems a bit infatuated with Mai. That, too, could work to my advantage."

"Fine," Azula allowed in a bored tone. "But I don't allow just anyone to travel with me."

Jet smiled. "I wouldn't expect you to."

Azula moved closer. "Well, just so no one's expectations are crushed…I would like you to complete a task for me."

"I'll do whatever it takes."

A dark, sinister look appeared on Azula's face and she smiled. "Excellent."

Even before her eyes opened, Katara was blushing. She felt it rise to her cheeks but, oddly enough, she didn't feel in the least embarrassed. Instead, she felt warm and loved, as if she were lying out in the sun on a beautiful summer day.

When she opened her eyes, she almost laughed. It was summer, and it seemed to be the middle of the day. And the sun was looking right at her, his golden eyes fixed on her blushing face.

He kissed her and then ran off, flashing a smile at her over his shoulder. Katara sighed and stretched dreamily. It was so warm out and she smiled. Clouds drifted across the sky, making intriguing shapes. The sound of running water surrounded her and the waterbender jumped up. She was going to take a swim.

She reached the edge of the large pool and looked cautiously about. The door to the garden was closed and Zuko had run off somewhere. She was completely alone. Well, except for the birds singing in the willows.

She stripped out of everything except for her chemise and then dove into the pool. The water felt so cool and soothing. Everything was so clear and beautiful beneath the water. But she needed air. Katara rose to the surface and then bended a water bubble filled with air. She put this against her mouth and then dove back underneath the surface.

Light rippled around her, silver and gold, and she went deeper. She was amazed at how deep the pool went, almost as if it went on forever. Katara smiled through her air bubble. It was so peaceful.

Finally, after what seemed forever, Katara reached the bottom. Fine white sand spread in all directions, perfect and pristine. Except for something…The young woman swam towards a small lump on the pool's bottom. As she neared it, she frowned. Perhaps it was only a trick of the water, but it seemed to her as if it was beating.

She reached out to take hold of it, almost entranced. It was glimmering now, like a sapphire, but still keeping its constant beat. Her fingers touched it and she moved closer still, to hold it. Her hand settled over it and the world around her burst with millions of tiny bubbles. In them, she could swear she saw everything.

The bubbles swirled around her and she closed her eyes, listening to the rhythmic beating of the sapphire heart. It sang to her, and her heart began to match its rhythm. She felt sad, somehow, but happy all the same. And then she opened her eyes.

She was sitting on the grass beside the pool, her right hand closed, and her left arm raised in entreaty. She was sopping wet. Frowning, she opened her right hand and looked down. Nestled in her palm was a beautiful stone. It was blue with swirls of red veins all over. Katara smiled faintly and closed her hand once more. She didn't know what had happened, but she didn't need to.

"Hey, where's Katara?"

Sokka lifted his head at Aang's inquisitive voice and then he scowled. "Where's Zuko?" he retorted, standing.

Ty Lee laughed. "Don't worry, Sokka," she said, putting her hand on his arm. "I'm sure everything's fine."

Sokka half turned and frowned down at her. "But she and that…that…" He growled. "You don't see how he looks at her!"

Ty Lee stood and took his face in her hands. "Would it really be so bad if she were happy, Sokka? I'm sure she knows what she's getting herself into. You don't need to worry."

"She does have a point, you know," Toph said drolly.

"Yeah," Aang said. "Katara's had a lot to worry about. Why don't you just let her have fun?" He grinned and held up a cup. "Have some tea!"

Sokka let out a huge sigh and was just taking hold of the cup when he frowned. "Where's Iroh?" he asked.

Toph answered. "He said he's going to go 'appreciate the beauty of nature,'" she said, mimicking the old general's voice. She shrugged. "I don't get it."

"No offense, Toph, but I can see why."

Toph didn't say anything, merely slammed a fist into the ground, sending Sokka flying into the air. He landed roughly on his butt and Ty Lee walked up to him, giggling furiously. He glared at her.

"Sorry, Sokka," the acrobat said in apology, "but you have to admit, it's pretty funny."

"Which part?" he grumbled.

Ty Lee giggled harder as Sokka stood, rubbing at his backside.

When things had settled down and everyone was sipping at their tea, Sokka said, "We sure are drinking a lot of tea. Are you sure they're not trying to poison us?"

Everyone laughed. They knew Sokka was starting to accept Iroh and Zuko just by the lack of intensity in his voice. And, though he didn't like the relationship that seemed to be growing between Katara and the banished prince, Sokka loved his sister and would accept what made her happy. Even if he hated the idea.

At that moment, Zuko walked into the courtyard, looking rather…cheery, if it was possible. He walked over to Aang. "I talked with my Uncle and he wants me to help you with your training today."

"Oh," Aang said, discarding his tea. "Is he all right?"

Zuko nodded. "Just a bit tired. He's off staring at lilies and such, determined to find 'true meaning' and such. He says that sometimes it's good for the soul if you just sit and take things in."

Aang nodded. "I know what he means."

"Shall we get started, then?" The Avatar nodded again and the two moved off.

Sokka, however, had other plans. "Hey, Zuko."

Zuko turned, keeping his face carefully blank. "Yes?"

"Have you seen Katara?"

The scarred young man hesitated a moment before answering. There had been no real animosity in Sokka's voice; maybe he was getting less aggressive, for now at least. Zuko gave a nod. "She's in one of the gardens, I think."

"Okay." Sokka turned to the others. "Come on, I could use more practice at the jabs."

Toph waved a hand in his general direction. "You two lovebirds go on; I want to watch this."

"Toph—"

She didn't even listen to the rest of what Sokka was going to say, she simply pressed a hand to the earth and shoved Sokka from the courtyard. Ty Lee followed, laughing softly. Toph smiled. Sometimes it was a pain to be around so many people, but most of the time it was quite fun. Besides, if she were at home, it'd be a lot worse. This was great.

She sat still and quietly "watched" as Zuko began Aang's training. Everything was going so good. They all seemed to be stuck in a timeless place, but she knew time was running short. The solar eclipse was less than two weeks away. They couldn't forget that.

This one was a bit hard to write; writer's block, ya know? So I solved the problem by watching Avatar. And it worked! My little mind went whirring away, but I don't know if I'm completely happy with this chapter. Still, there's just a little bit more to go, what with the end of the summer coming up...maybe five more chapters, at least. I mean, Azula still has some sneaky plans and all...anyway, what did you people think? Review, please!