Zuko stared, wide-eyed at the blade that was about to end his life, when suddenly the man stopped mid swing. Zuko look around and saw Sephiroth holding the man's arms. He smiled at the thief and picked him up. Seph threw the thief over his shoulder and sent a large fireball at the man. The fire hit him and he screamed as he burst into flames. "You OK, little brother?" he asked, holding out a hand to help Zuko up.

Zuko took the hand and stood up. "Ya, just a little shaken up." Zuko looked around the clearing and saw Iroh repacking the ostrich horses. The boys walked over and helped Iroh pack. Soon they remounted and where off to Gaoling.

Iroh looked over at Zuko and noticed a depression hanging over him. "What's wrong, Lee?"

Zuko looks at Iroh and sighs. "I wasn't strong enough to protect you or Zack. I am a horrible fighter and bender, just like father always told me." Zuko growled out the last sentence.

Iroh smiled. "No, you did good. You just need to practice with your weapons. You chose the most complicated weapon at the academy." Zuko pulls the dao blades off his back and inspects them.

"Of course I did. I needed something to be good at that Azula wasn't." he turned to look at Iroh and smiled. "But you have mastered them, so could you teach me to use the better?"

Iroh grinned. "Of course I will."

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jee stood on the deck of the ship, watching the pirate ship sink. He smiled as he remembered their victory. After the initial shock, they won rather easily. Only one casualty was reported. The captain of the pirate ship was hung on his ship, and then it was sunk in a fiery blaze. He turned and saw Yuna walking towards him. "Captain, your presence has been requested in the med bay." she told him with a smile. He nodded and made his way to the med bay. When he got there he was in shock. Kalo was standing and comforting Mai. "Kalo..."

Kalo looks up and smiles. "Hey Jee, long time no see." He let go of Mai and shook the shocked captain's hand. "What's with him, he looks like he saw a ghost?" Kalo asks Mai.

Mai giggled and looked back at Jee. "I think he has." Kalo laughed and Jee broke out of his stupor.

"Kalo you idiot, I told you not to challenge the fire lord." he says, punching Kalo in the arm.

Kalo rubbed the spot and smiled. "Ya, I deserved that one. But at least I woke up. How long was I out?"

Mai frowned. "About ten months. You missed the birth of your nephew." Mai walked out of the room. She returned a few minuets later, carrying a small child. "He is about six weeks old. His name is Tom-Tom." she tells Kalo as she hands him the child.

He smiles down at the young one. "Just don't end up like your father, and we will get along perfectly." he hands the child back to Mai and walks towards the door.

Mai frowns. "Where do you think you are going?"

"You said we where in Doma port, right?" Mai nodded. "Then I need to go get a drink."

Mai's frown deepens. "No you do not. You will stay here till Iroh, Zuko, and Sephiroth get back."

Kalo smiles. "I need to meet with some people. I will be at a bar called 'The Golden Shirshu'. It is about ten minuets east of the dock. I promise I will be back soon." he tells Mai as he leaves. Mai sighs and cuddles Tom-Tom.

On Kalo's way out, he meets up with Ty Lee. "Kalo, you're awake. That is awesome." she shouts loudly, hugging him tightly.

"Ya, I woke up during the pirate attack. How are you, little acrobat?"

"I'm doing good. Where are you going?" she asks curiously.

"A bar about ten minutes eats of here. Now I need to get going."

"OK, but we need to talk later. I missed you."

Kalo smiles at the girl, before leaving the ship.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kain walked into the Golden Shirshu and found Jun in her usual place, arm wrestling the other men like they where nothing. She took down the next guy and Kain went to take the seat. Jun looked up from her glass of tea and frowned. "How do I lose you, kid?"

"First, I'm no kid. And second, you won't. Now quit talking and wrestle." he replied holding his arm out.

Jun shrugged and grabbed his arm. Jun started pushing on Kain and found out he wasn't going to be easy. She smiled. "Finally, a challenge." Then both parties started pushing with all their might, neither budging an inch. "Why do you want me so bad?"

"Why don't you want me?"

Jun smiled. "Because, I am already in love with someone." Jun hears the door open and she watches as Kalo walks in. "And there he is now."

Kain looks up and sees a tall, pale man, with spiky black hair walk in. He had golden eyes, and was obviously fire nation. "And I thought you would have better taste than that fire scum." Suddenly Jun feels Kain's strength grow, and she looses her first match in years.

Kalo watches as Jun loses a match and smiles. "And here I thought you where unbeatable." he looks at Kain. "What's you name? Mine's Kalo."

"Kain. So you are Jun's love interest?" he asks.

Kalo frowns. "Yes, why?"

"I guess I have a little competition now."

Kalo looks at Jun questioningly. "He has been chasing me for weeks, stuck on the idea we where meant for each other."

"I though you where untraceable."

"I was, until Mr. Dragon Boy over there started."

"Dragon?" Kalo asks, confused.

"Yes, I have a dragon guardian. I am the last of the dragoons and possibly the last air bender. And I have chosen Jun to be my mate."

Kalo walked right up to Kain and said "Not everything is written in stone Kain, I suggest you get the fuck out of here before I destroy you, right here right now, got me?".

Kain only stood up and replied. "Watch your back, Kalo. Or I will steal her right from under you your nose." With that, Kain left.

Kalo had a familiar look of anger in his eye's and very much considering killing this man right here and now. Mai quickly grabbed Kalo's hand, and tried to calm him down.

Kalo only shook his head as he watched Kain leave and kissed Jun. "It's good to see you again my love"

"You too Kalo, so what are you doing here?" Jun asked.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Toph was sitting on a rock in the middle of the arena, with the five newcomers knocked unconscious around her. Xin Fu walked up onto the arena and smiled. "How are they?"

"Unconscious." Toph replied.

"Not what I meant, Bandit."

Toph smiled. "Avalanche, the Monk, and the Guardian are excellent fighters. The Returner is an OK fighter. We need to get rid of the Mercenary Seed. He is to wild in his fighting style. Look at the arena." Xin Fu looked around and saw the massive damage he caused. He looks at the men and they start waking up.

"OK guys, good news. Most of you have made it."

Avalanche looked up and frowned. "What do you mean 'most of us'?"

"Raijin, you need to leave. You cause too much damage to be allowed to compete. Try again next year, when you have more control."

Raijin opens his mouth to protest, but Toph shuts him up. "Don't argue. You destroyed most of the arena. We can't let you fight when their is an audience. Your technique is too unrefined." Rai looks at the blind girl and turns to leave.

"I will have revenge, ya know." and with that he left.