hello again. here's a new chapter. but first i have to thank all those who reviewed. you don't have to but you do anyway. thanks. now...on to the chapter...hope you like it!

Chapter Nine: Secrets and Tea

Katara groaned as she opened her eyes. What was she thinking? How could she have allowed herself to get so close again knowing she would only have to pull away? She sighed. If she didn't know better, she'd think she was completely crazy.

"But I'm the only sane one," she muttered, getting out of bed. "There's a reason I'm doing this."

Katara was just finishing her morning routine when the door to her room opened. There stood Sunil and Mitsuko, grins on their faces. Great, Katara thought, they remember, too. The twins rushed into her room, jabbering excitedly, and latched onto her hands.

"Come on, mama," Sunil said, tugging. "Uncle Iroh wants to talk to you." Mitsuko nodded.

Unable to resist their smiles, Katara laughed and allowed her children to drag her from the room. When they had succeeded in pushing her out into the hall, they grinned and raced off down the hall towards Sokka's room.

Shaking her head, Katara continued on down the hall, debating on whether or not to actually speak with Iroh. Her shoulders slumped. It was inevitable, really. If Iroh wanted to speak with someone, he would end up popping up from a coil of rope or something, teapot in tow, friendly smile on his face. That was Iroh.

She was just about to knock on Iroh's door when a feminine voice made Katara turn around.

"Katara!" A young woman, brown hair flying, ran up to her. She held a hand over her growing stomach and smiled, trying to get her breath.

"Ty Lee!" Katara gasped, more out of concern than surprise. The ship had probably picked her up early that morning. She rushed to the other woman's side, taking hold of her arm. "You should sit down!"

Ty Lee waved a hand but allowed Katara to help her down the hall. "Sorry, Katara, but I needed to get away from Sokka." She laughed. "I came onboard and was breathing just a bit too hard and he went nuts, saying how I was a woman and should be careful and 'what if you fell?' and it was getting to be a bit much."

Katara laughed. "I can understand that," she said. "For all his sexist comments, he's a good guy. Still, you should probably get back to your cabin; you don't want to upset the baby."

The other woman nodded, tugging on a braid. "You're right. And though I'm anxious for the baby to be born, I don't want it to come too early."

The waterbender smiled and patted Ty Lee's pink-clad arm. Did the girl never wear any other color? "Yeah, I know you've not been able to practice your acrobatics for a while," Katara murmured sympathetically.

"Oh that's not it," Ty Lee replied brightly. "I just don't like having to eat more than Sokka."

Katara snickered. "Yes, well, eating as much as Sokka is cause for concern."

The two continued down the hall in relative silence but Ty Lee couldn't keep quiet for long. She turned to her sister-in-law. "So how are you doing?" she asked gently.

Startled, Katara turned towards her, eyes wide. "F-fine, I guess."

Ty Lee smiled mischievously. "Are you and Zuko back together?"

"What!? No! We…we, uh…no. No, we're not."

The other woman smirked, a slender brow rising. "Uh-huh." She looked away. "Well, nobody's perfect."

"Hey!"

Ty Lee laughed delightedly. "I'm just kidding," she said. They had reached Sokka's room and the two women could hear giggling from inside. "Well, it looks like I'll be watching the twins today…" she frowned. "And Sokka."

Katara smiled sheepishly. "Well, Iroh wanted to talk to me and I--"

The Fire Nation girl shook her head. "It's okay," she interrupted, opening the door. "You go on. Things will be fine here."

Katara nodded and gave Ty Lee a quick hug before heading back to Iroh's room.

Azula was not going to let them escape her. A sneer crossed her face. Zuko and the others had been sitting back and relaxing the past few years, she had done nothing but train. They would not be able to get away from her this time, not when she was the most powerful firebender. And especially since she had something new on her side.

"All right, here we are, miss."

The young woman barely spared the coach driver a glance. Instead, her eyes were on the city before her. "So, this is where Zuko has decided to hold his Festival." She turned back to the driver and threw a coin at him. "Here. Now get lost."

Knowing this one was not someone to mess with, the driver scrambled back onto his coach and sped away. Azula simply laughed. People were so amusing. And so fun to play with.

After a moment, Azula calmed down and raised the hood of her cloak. It was no good if anyone spotted her; there were too many who would recognize her and she needed to make sure she caught Zuko by surprise.

Azula entered the city, her face determined. "Masaru said that the other stone was somewhere in this city," she murmured to herself. "And I have only a month to find it." She frowned, eyes turning cold. "If Ty Lee and Mai hadn't betrayed me, this would be much, much easier. As for now, I'll find a place to stay. After all, Zuko doesn't even know about the stone, much less know how to use it."

Iroh looked up as his door opened. "Come in, Miss Katara," he said to the hesitant young woman. "I've been wanting to have a talk with you for a while now."

Katara shut the door and took a seat across from Iroh. He was having tea. Again. "About what?" she asked softly.

Iroh's gaze rested on Katara for a moment and then he looked down to pour her some tea. "First, I must ask one thing: What happened to make you willing to spend the rest of your days in solitude? Why do you hold yourself away from Zuko when you still care so much for him?"

The sound of breaking china sounded through the room as Katara stared open-mouthed at Iroh. She had been so shocked, her tea had turned to ice, shattering the cup in her hand. His question had been so unanticipated, Katara didn't really know how to answer.

"Miss Katara?"

Suddenly, Katara stood and headed for the door. She couldn't take this. How could she answer his questions when she wasn't entirely sure of what to do? How could she tell anyone and make them understand what she had to do?

"Katara!"

At Iroh's shout, Katara turned, eyes averted. What was this? Iroh never shouted.

Iroh stood slowly. "No matter your reasons or intentions, denying what is in your heart is only hurting those around you!" His fierce expression softened. "If you tell me what has happened, then I will try to understand, but this can't go on any longer."

Katara sighed and took her seat again. "All right," she whispered, "but this is a long story."

Iroh sat down and poured Katara another cup of tea. "Here," he said. "Have some more tea."

Katara nodded and took a sip. Frowning, she looked up at Iroh. "Jasmine tea?"

"It is good to change things up once in a while," Iroh replied, taking a drink of his own tea. "Besides. Jasmine tea is very good."

"Hmm."

"Please, begin."

"All right." Katara took a deep breath and then slowly began to tell Iroh everything.

-------

When Katara finished her tale, Iroh sat back and frowned. "Hmm. It does appear to be a bit unusual." He looked at Katara. "Do you have the stone with you now?" he asked.

Katara nodded and reached into a pocket, bringing out the stone. "Here."

Iroh took it and examined the red and blue surface. Turning it, he ran a careful finger over the small indentation on the back. "It looks as if this goes with something else," he muttered. "As if…" He trailed off, still frowning. After a moment, he looked back at Katara. "Tell me…what was the prophesy that the old woman told you?"

Katara hesitated a moment and then repeated what the seer had told her. When she stopped, Iroh smiled.

"Perhaps it would have been wise of you, Miss Katara, to stay and listen to what else she might have said."

Katara hung her head. "I know, but it's too late now."

Iroh chuckled. "Too late to listen to her, my dear, but not too late to find out what she would have said."

Katara looked up, startled. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Iroh stood. "Let me show you something, Miss Katara, and then you'll be able to see just what is going on."

hmm...this chapter was okay...and i did leave a bit of a cliffie in there...but what about azula? she came back and she has a nasty little plan too...and there's someone who's pulling her strings...who could it be? well, you'll have to read the next chapter to find out...please review!