Sorry I haven't updated in a bit, but it has been hectic, trust me and my computer sucks. Thank you to those who thought that last chapter was sort of funny. I try to put a little humor in everything I do. That's how I am! Some of you have asked specific questions about the story and I have to honest…sometimes even I don't know. Please forgive me if I make a stupid mistake that contradicts the story and go ahead and tell me. It won't hurt my feelings. Promise. I'm serious though, sometimes I just sit down and type and I loose…all…train…of…thougt…yeah…anyway, on with the story!!

Disclaimer: If I owned ATLA, Zutara would rein Supreme!! Supreme, I tell you! And all Zutarians would unite!! Like they already do… ;)

"Give me a boost."

"What?"

"I said, give me a boost."

Zuko groaned and got down on one knee. He clasped his fingers together and motioned towards his companion. "Well?"

She slowly lifted her foot and planted it on his fingers. Zuko grimaced and looked upwards.

She was grinning.

She's enjoying this way too much

She placed her hand on his back and reached upwards to grasp the branch.

He smiled to himself.

Well, let's put an end to that

She bounced once to test his strength. Zuko frowned. "What? I can hold you."

She shrugged. "Just checking."

She bounced again. Zuko braced himself and inhaled. As she bounced once more, Zuko exhaled and tossed her up with all his might.

Needless to say, his companion was not prepared. Her arms flailed briefly before she neatly twisted her body upside down. She grabbed on to the branch second highest from where she intended.

Zuko heard her exhale from above. He placed his hands on his hips and smirked.

"So…am I strong enough?"

She was in a handstand position, and though he could not see her eyes, he knew she was glaring.

"You're a bastard, you know that?"

There was a twinge of hurt, but it passed. His smirk widened and he shrugged.

"So I've been told."

She sighed and limberly brought her feet down to rest on the branch. Her hand extended towards him.

Zuko arched a brow. "What are you up…,"

"You won't be able to see them unless you get up here with me."

Zuko studied the distance between her hand and himself. At least 6 feet.

"…And, how am I supposed to reach you, exactly?"

A slow smirk began to spread across her face. "You're going to have to jump."

Zuko blinked.

"I ain't jumpin'."

The woman above him crossed her arms and pretended to pout. "Why not?" The smirk returned. "Don't you trust me?"

Zuko shuddered.

"I don't think I can."

The wind stopped blowing. The leaves stopped rustling. Everything stilled. Even Zuko held his breathe when he realized the error of his words.

"I didn't mean it the way it came out. I should have said that differently. I mean, I do trust you! I just…," his words trailed off. He didn't know what to say.

Silence.

"You're going to miss them."

Zuko blinked in confusion and looked up.

"I'm…what?"

The woman was looking out towards the clearing that could only be seen at her height in the trees.

She jerked her head towards the clearing. "My brother, his wife…you're going to miss them." She looked down. "You better get up here."

Zuko licked his lips. Was she upset with him? Did he hurt her feelings? He couldn't tell. He could never tell. She was so unreadable.

Zuko took a few steps back, then launched himself upwards. He would have missed the branch, were it not for her grasping on to the back of his shirt.

She helped him pull himself up, then climbed one branch higher. She motioned forward. "Look."

Zuko situated himself and ignored the minor scratches he received. He looked at the clearing.

A simple hut. Made of logs and earth. Smoke curled from the chimney followed by the aroma of a tasty meal. The clearing was at least an acre. Nothing but grass, dirt, and an occasional woodland creature wandering from the darkness of the woods into the lighted clearing. It was pleasant.

A soft creak. Zuko turned his head towards the sound. Someone was walking out the house. Zuko squinted to see who it was. It was a man. A tall tan man with long brown hair that hung to his shoulders. His clothing was as simple as his house. It was a dark color, probably a faded blue, and slightly tattered around the edges. His feet were bare, and in his muscled arms he held an axe.

He paused, basking in the glow of the rising sun. The man threw back his head and yawned while he scratched his thick beard with his free hand. After releasing his morning breath into the air, he tottered over towards the side of the house.

Zuko tilted his head as he watched the man roll a cut tree out into the clearing. It was a small tree, but a tree nonetheless. The man grunted and sometimes slip in the still soft earth as he rolled it. After getting it to where he wanted, he wiped his brow and turned towards the house. He was saying something. Zuko cupped his hand to his ear to try and better hear him.

"He's calling for his wife."

Zuko looked up. He had almost forgotten she was there. He was surprised at the look upon her face. It looked, almost…serene.

"He wants some advice from her," she continued. "He's not all that smart, my brother."

The last two words, though easily said, were filled with pride, but sorrow, too.

Zuko turned back to the scene before him.

A woman lumbered out of the house, holding her swollen stomach with one hand, and a baby clutched to her chest with the other.

Her black hair was cut short and her bangs hung in front of her eyes. She was wearing a green dress slightly covered by a yellow smock. Zuko watched as she made her way over to her husband.

The man motioned towards the log, then back at himself, then back at the log, then at her.

To Zuko, it seemed that the woman sighed as she moved the child from one hip to the other. She pointed towards his axe, then at the log. The man shrugged and turned his head away as he murmured something.

Whatever he said, it was not a good thing.

Even from where Zuko was, he could see the woman's face turn a bright red as she carefully, though awkwardly, set her child down on the ground. She marched, as best as she could, towards the man and punched one pale finger into his chest to emphasize her point, whatever it was.

The man seemed unfazed by her rant and merely shrugged again and tilted his head towards the sky in an obvious appearance of stubbornness.

The woman above let out a soft hissing sound. "Ooooh, bad move, brother."

Zuko furrowed his eyebrows. Now he was interested. He changed positions on the tree and leaned forward to get a better view.

Impossible as it seemed, the woman's face turned an even brighter red. She brought back her hand and punched him in the arm. The man's eyes shot open and he dropped his axe to grasp his arm. The tall once rugged looking man was reduced to a whimpering husband within seconds. The woman wagged her finger at him as she continued to verbally abuse him.

Above Zuko, he heard a sigh. "He should have known better."

Neither of the couple seemed to notice the young babe that was wandering away from them, moving towards the axe. Both continued to bicker as the child got closer and closer towards the dangerous tool. Zuko's eyes grew wide and his heart began to pound.

"The baby! They don't notice the baby! We have to…!"

"Ssssh," his companion whispered from above. There was a soft scratching sound as she moved around. "Don't worry. Just watch."

Zuko swallowed his urge to help and held the branch even tighter.

He watched as the spouses continued their argument. The baby was getting closer and closer towards the axe, then….

The woman suddenly stopped talking, then looked down to where she had put her child.

She swiveled her massive stomach out of the way to try and find her baby. The man looked at her with confusion, then looked down himself. It was then he noticed the child that was wandering towards his tool. He quickly reached down and scooped up the runaway baby. The baby writhed in his arms, displeased at being plucked from his quarry.

The man rocked back and forth and reached towards his back. He pulled out (what Zuko thought) was a rattle and handed it over to the child. The baby jumped in delight and shook it rapidly.

The woman looked upon her husband and her shoulders sagged in relief. She reached towards her husband and motioned for the baby. He nodded his head and handed the babe back to the mother. Her head rubbed against the top of the child's brown topknot (that was something Zuko hadn't seen in awhile) and she swayed back and forth. The man moved towards his wife and gently gathered her and his child in his embrace. Even from his distance, Zuko could feel the love that radiated from the couple.

He heard the woman above him sigh once more. He looked up.

"What? You want a hubby to keep you warm?"

Zuko could have swore he saw her face break into a blush, but if it was there, it was gone as quickly as it came.

"No, you idiot. I'm just…happy."

Zuko nodded. "They do look sweet." He yawned and moved so his legs dangled over the side of the branch.

"Do you mind if I get down? I can't feel my legs." Zuko turned his body so that he could easily climb down when…

"No!"

The words had so much force behind them, he stopped and looked back up. His neck was beginning to hurt. "Why?"

She pointed towards the clearing. "You don't want her to know we're here."

Zuko arched a brow.

"She can't hear us from here."

The woman nodded.

"You're right, she can't…,"

She looked down. "But she can feel us."

Zuko blinked.

"Feel…us?"

His companion nodded. "Yep. I thought you could see it."

Zuko was getting more and more confused by the minute.

"See what?"

"My brother's wife…she's blind."

"What?"

"You're saying that a lot, what is up with you?"

Zuko ignored her comment and touched his forehead in frustration. "What did you mean by, 'She can feel us?'"

"You noticed that she was barefoot, right?"

"Yeah?" There was no way he was going to admit that he missed a detail.

A knowing smirk pressed at her mouth.

"No you didn't, but the point is," she rushed on before he could rebuke, "Is that the only way she can see is with her feet."

Zuko nodded slowly. "Yeah, I've heard of people like that. They feel the vibrations in the ground and can sense where anyone is."

He paused. "Is that why you had us climb the tree? So she couldn't… 'see' us?"

She held up three fingers. "One, yes. Two, this is the only spot where you can see them from a safe distance, and three…,"

She smirked. "I wanted to see how well you climb a tree."

Zuko tried to look angry, but failed. "You're sick, you know that?"

Her smirk widened. "So I've been told."

He couldn't help but smile.

Her head turned away from him and she motioned towards the house. "They're leaving."

Zuko turned his head and indeed, saw the loving couple plus baby go back into the hut, chores seemingly forgotten. "Well, technically they're not going anywhere. I mean, it is their house and all…,"

He heard her snort as she jumped from the high branch and landed smoothly on the ground. "Don't be a smartass."

Zuko grinned and joined her on the ground. "Can't help it. It's in my nature."

She shook her head as she wiped herself off. "Hmm."

As he began to wipe his own person, he watched his new found friend and tried to gather any clues. He found none.

"Hey."

She looked up. "What?"

"Why…why did you bring me here?"

She froze.

"I…I'm not sure."

She shrugged and went back into the motion of wiping herself off, though she was perfectly clean.

"You…I…," she sighed.

Zuko was in shock. Not once since he had been in her company had she ever sounded flustered, but now…she seemed so uncertain, so lost.

Just like me

"I dream about you, I think."

Zuko was snapped from his revelry. He held back the need to be smug. This was not the time. "You think?"

She looked up towards the sky. "I think…I don't know, though." She scratched her neck, still looking towards the heavens. "I feel like…I know you."

Zuko was confused, but, something was clicking. There was something in the back of his mind, trying to come forth, but…the right words had not been said. There must be a key word, something to make this come to light. Maybe it needed to be said by him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breathe.

"I dream about you, too…I think."

She gave a dry chuckle as she rubbed her arm, as if trying to warm herself. "We seem to share everything, yet nothing at all."

Silence reigned for a time. Zuko reached up and took a nearby leaf from the branch and held it between his fingers.

"Who do you work for?"

Without missing a beat, she shook her head. "You know I can't tell you that." She hesitated. "Besides, I don't work for them anymore."

Zuko tried to control the sudden jump in his heart. "You…you quit!?"

A corner of her mouth arched. "I, guess you could put it that way."

He could control his amazement no longer. "I didn't know you could just quit! I thought there'd be some sort of punishment…," he paused.

"They…they didn't punish you…did they?"

Her face grew solemn and cold and she turned her back to him.

"She can hurt me no more."

Zuko blinked. "Your boss is a girl?"

Awkward silence, then a sigh. "Damn, I can't believe I said that."

Zuko moved towards her. "No! Your secrets safe with me."

He gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "You should know that."

She stepped away from his touch, but turned around. His reflection stared back at him. That scar. It was his turn to turn away…but she stopped him with the same gesture that he had given only moments before.

His companion slowly turned him around so that he faced her once more. She reached up and touched the disfigurement. Zuko closed his eyes, treasuring her soft caress. She traced her finger across the edges, from ear to forehead, slow and gentle.

Zuko let out a shuddering breathe as her finger reached his forehead and tussled his silken hair. He didn't know how close she was until he felt her breathe against his right cheek. He didn't think, he just leaned forward and placed his own head against her own.

As soon as their skin touched, he felt an electrical jolt go through him.

Pictures:

"Help me! Oh God, please help me!"

He rushed towards the furnished room.

He knew that's where they were. That's where He always conducted…business.

"Your husband should have known better than to cross me." The voice barely made it through the oak doors, but his meaning was clear enough.

"What? But…he paid you back!" The other more strained voice reasoned. "Why are you here!? What have we done to you!?"

The boy leaned closer against the door as an audible thump was heard.

"Mommy!!"

Panic. There was a kid in there!

The boy could make Him out by his slow steady gait towards, supposedly, his victim.

An inhuman chuckle. "Your husband is gonna receive quite a surprise when he get's home!"

A groan. "Please, don't do this…,"

The boy could feel His malicious grin. There was a soft click.

Sobbing. "Please! Just don't…!"

A growl. "Oh, shut up."

BANG!

The boy jumped away from the door, his heart beating rapidly.

Did he just…did he just..!?

"Get someone in here to clean up this mess," He said. "I don't want that stuff staining my carpet."

There was another noise, slightly muffled. The boy couldn't make it out.

"Oh, the child?"

The boy felt a wave of revulsion rush through him when the man laughed.

"I know exactly what to do with her…,"

The boy could stand no more. He took a running start, then slammed into the door. It gave way and opened to a horrid sight.

The boy ran past the body and straight in front of the child. He crouched down into the fighting position he knew so well…that He taught him.

"Get out of the way, boy!"

"No!"

Zuko was brought back in a cold sweat. He clutched his face and took staggering steps back. What the..? He had never seen that before.

He looked for his companion. She was on her knees, clutching her head. Zuko went to her and gently shook her.

"What's wrong? Tell me, what's wrong?"

She was moaning and her nails were digging so hard into her hair he was afraid she scratch her scalp off.

Zuko shook her harder. Suddenly, her head snapped up and her glasses flashed.

Her lips were trembling and her eyebrows were jumping up and down, as if she was in pain.

She reached out and grabbed his shoulders so roughly he felt her fingers dig into his flesh.

"Zuko…,"

Zuko blanched. Her voice…it was shaking. Had she undergone the same thing? Had he introduced her into his own troubled nightmares?

She licked her lips and gripped him even harder. He reached out and touched her face.

"What? What's wrong?"

She bowed her head and placed her hand over his own. She leaned into his hand and sniffed.

As she raised her head, a trickle, a tear trailed down her cheek.

"I know who I killed last night."

Cliffy!! I do love cliffies!! Unless the person doesn't update, which I will try NOT to do. Anyway, I know I got an old and very respected reader back, the anonymous Claria (claps her hands vigorously). It's good to hear…or write (whatever) from you again! Your questions…I would answer them…but I forgot what they were and I don't have time to go check because I have a crapload of stuff I'm supposed to be doing right now. Ya'll probably be able to guess a lot of stuff until I come back, but I can tell you this: ALL (well most, I think) will be revealed next chapter, and the ones after that…BATTLE SCENES!! Anyway, thanks for reviewing and review again pleaaaze (Man I miss doing that!)!! ;) (Also, yesterday was my birthday!!! I can vote!!)