AN: Hey all, sorry for the wait but school's been busier then I thought it would be. /Shudder/ I'm just happy the semester's over. One question; Who else was calling Zuko an asshole at the end of the finale? Show of hands. Anyways, since I can't see them, on to the story.
Disclaimer: Nope.
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"Okay everyone, breakfast is served." Everyone came back to the camp and was drawn to the stench coming from the pot boiling on the fire. They looked down at the gelatinous grey blob with horrified expressions.
"I think it moved." Zuko tapped the pot cautiously.
Sokka glared at him. "If you don't like it, your highness, then don't eat it." He spooned out a serving for everyone.
It landed with a soft plop on Toph's plate. "What the heck is this?"
"Breakfast."
"I know that's what you claim it is, snoozles, but what is it really?" She jabbed at the lumpy grey matter on her plate. Her finger went in with a squish and came out with a slurp. She stuck her tongue out in disgust as the smell reached her.
Sokka was annoyed with all the remarks on his cooking. "Come on. It's not that bad. Watch." He took a large mouthful and the group waited. He chewed once, twice, then the taste hit him. He turned green, then white, then green again before swallowing.
He dove for Katara's waterskin and poured in down his throat, trying to drown the taste that stuck behind. Around him, the entire group was laughing at the disgusted sounds coming from the figure writhing on the ground.
After about five minutes, he could finally speak normally although he did sound a little nauseous. "See. What did I tell you?" He broke off into a coughing fit. "Tastes just fine."
O.o.o.o.o.O
Suki woke a few hours later to a gentle knocking on her door. Quickly she stood, wincing as her feet struck the cold metal floor. Ishi stood there, looking remarkably well rested considering what they'd been through. "I need to talk to you." Suki stepped aside to let her enter.
"What's the problem?"
Ishi paced across the small room. "I can't stay. Not with them heading into battle. But there needs to be someone here too, one of us needs to stay."
Suki shook her head. "No. I'm not letting you travel alone. Who knows what could happen. I'm not doing it."
"You can't. Don't you see what'll happen if a ship full of firebenders shows up in port, claiming to support the Avatar. There'll be a fight and that's something we can't afford. There needs to be at least one other person from another nation."
"Yes, but…"
"I don't like it anymore then you do. But that's the only way. Now come on, I want to check on Iroh." They were almost to his room when a shout was heard from outside. Following the others running on deck, they stopped short when they saw a boat from Kyoshi flagging them down.
Soon, there were twenty people aboard. Suki's second in command stepped forward. "We couldn't stay behind, not after what happened. We're with you, all of us."
Smiling, Suki hugged the girl tightly. "Thank you. All of you." A short while later, they finally arrived to check on Iroh.
He smiled when they told him of the arrivals. "Excellent. I knew your people cared too much to remain apart. Your strength was a good example for them." Suki blushed slightly and his smile widened.
Ishi leaned forward. "How are you feeling?"
"As well as an old man can feel. But this is nothing a good deal of rest and time won't fix." He covered the right side of his chest. "My niece has very good aim though, and no restraint as to who she harms." He took in their hesitant faces and his eyes softened. "You've come to say goodbye."
By the grim looks on their faces, he knew he was right. "That's the best course of action. They'll need your help more then I will."
"But we don't even know where they are.
Iroh smiled. "I have a solution for that." He got up with a slight wince and they followed him to a room on the other side of the helm. There was a flutter of movement in the corner that drew their eyes. "Ladies, I'd like to introduce you to our messenger."
O.o.o.o.o.O
They settled into a routine; train by day, travel by night. Each knew they were heading for the final confrontation, so they worked their hardest to improve. At times, personalities clashed, tempers flared and words were exchanged but the peacemakers tried to keep everything in control.
That is, until Katara finally snapped. "I've had it up to here with that brat!"
"Katara, please just give her a chance." Aang pleaded with his irate friend as Zuko and Sokka looked on with amusement. It wasn't everyday they got to see her so flustered.
"One more word, Aang. One more word from her and I'll…" She broke off into a frustrated scream and stormed off.
"What's with the Sugar Queen?" Another scream was heard from Katara's direction. "Look, I can tell when I'm not wanted. And I can't stand her attitude. I take care of myself and if the princess can't handle it, too bad. I'm not gonna put up with her bossiness. I'm outta here."
"Wait!" Aang called out to the retreating form without getting a response. He looked back to Zuko who sighed, got up from his seat and followed Katara. Aang ran off in the other direction. "Toph! Wait up. Please."
"Leave me alone, Twinkle Toes. I'm not going back and dealing with that bossy princess."
"Come on. Please Toph. We need you." She stopped and turned to him. "You're part of our team now, you can't go."
"But I don't need your guys help."
"But we need yours. That's the way with teams. We help you, you help us. That way, we're not alone. We know you're strong and we're not not going to let you do things we know you can handle. And you can handle anything. So, please, come back."
She thought for a few moments. "Fine, I guess I could come with you. Even if you guys are annoying. I guess I could even help out." Aang's smile lit up the entire clearing as he grabbed her hand to drag her back to camp.
Meanwhile, Zuko was leaning against a tree as he watched Katara pace back and forth across the clearing, mumbling to herself. He only caught snippets of what she was saying but it was enough to get the drift. "Why does she bother you so much?"
"She's rude."
"So am I."
"She's childish."
"So's Aang… and Sokka."
"She… she thinks she's so above us, that she's not apart of a team."
"So did I. I was used to being alone and so is she. I was just as bad."
"Yeah, but you're… you're…"
He arched his eyebrow. "I'm what?"
She blushed and snapped, "You know very well what you are."
He pushed off the tree and walked towards her. He normally didn't show affection so it was even more special when he did. He cupped her cheek and traced it lightly with his thumb. "Just have patience."
That made her chuckle lightly. "You're one to talk."
He smirked. "But you're not me."
She sighed and leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. "She's just so impossible sometimes. But I'll try." She smiled up at him with a glint in her eye. She reached and gently tugged his head down into a kiss. Her arms slid around his neck when his wrapped around her. She sighed, it had been so long since they'd done this.
"Would you two break it up?!" They sprung apart to see Sokka scowling at them. "I thought I said no touching."
Katara opened her mouth but stopped when Zuko placed a hand on her shoulder. She caught his unspoken request and left to the camp. Zuko cleared his throat. "You know, we weren't doing anything."
"Yeah right. And my eyes are burning why?"
"That's your problem, not mine."
"She's my sister. It's my job to protect her from guys like you."
Zuko gritted his teeth, fighting to keep his temper in check. "Your sister can protect herself from anyone. And I am not going to hurt her."
As much as he hated to admit it, Sokka could see the truth in his eyes. Damn it. I really don't want to believe this guy but… He looked back the way Katara went and sighed. "Just as long as you guys don't have…" He gestured helplessly.
Zuko blushed all the way to his hair-line. "Not that it's any of your business but, no, we haven't. And we won't till…" If anything, he got even redder as he trailed off.
"Until you what?"
"It's the custom in my nation to wait until marriage. I'm sure it's the same in yours." He tried to keep up his tough, aloof exterior but he wasn't completely successful.
The thought of having Zuko as a brother frightened Sokka. Hell, it frightened him a lot. But, unfortunately, it wasn't his decision, it was Katara's. "Just… I just don't want to see anything, okay? I don't think I would take it."
Zuko cracked a small smile and nodded. They started back when a cry was heard from above. Zuko looked up in surprise. "Shu?" A delicate snow hawk came to rest on his outstretched arm. And, resting on her leg was a scroll bearing Iroh's seal.
Eagerly, Zuko slipped off the scroll as she rested on his shoulder. Sokka moved to his side and they both read the letter. Soon after, Zuko moved off to fill in the others while Sokka ran after him.
Everyone was sitting calmly around camp; Aang and Toph bending a rock back and forth while Katara cleaned up from breakfast. They looked up, though, when the boys rushed into the clearing. Katara glanced at Zuko then at the bird on his shoulder and swallowed. "What's wrong?"
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he shook his head. "Nothing like that. Listen." Everyone gathered close as he read the letter.
My Dear Nephew,
I hope Shu finds you all well and safe. You'll be happy to know that we've found some allies, thanks to Ishi's influence and the strength of a girl from the island. From here, I am going to continue on to find more assistance, strengthening ties for later on. Ishi, however, has decided that she is well enough to join you. Along with her is someone I believe our friends already know. She, too, has expressed wishes of joining you. The most logical meeting place would be Ba Sing Se. From there, you can regroup and re-supply before moving on. Write back with your answer, Shu knows the way.
Your loving uncle
P. S… Pick me up some tea while you're there.
Zuko looked around him. "So, everyone okay with that?" There were nods all around and he bent over a piece of paper to reply.
O.o.o.o.o.O
A soft cry made Iroh look up. He stretched out his arm and Shu gently settled. She held out her leg expectantly and Iroh took the letter. Suki and Ishi watched as he silently read it. When he reached the end, he smiled. "Looks like you girls are going on a trip."
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AN: Again, sorry for the wait but school sucks BIG time. Hope you enjoyed it and drop me a review. Please. They make me write faster. Oh, And Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza and, for my fellow pagans, Merry Yule. Hope everyone has fun a fun filled vacation.