okay! a new chapter...here we go! in this one you get to see the whole prophesy in it's non-rhyming form...come to think of it, it's not poetic at all...more like some old biddie was just babbling on and on about stuff...well, anyway...onto the chapter...

Chapter Ten: Prophesies Revealed

Two lovers cross, hearts melted,

a single night to them awaits

should love remain, there brings an end

to a ruler of sun and of fire

Sun and moon, warmth and cold

together bring joy and love,

but with a price heavy to bear.

Two stones once found, blue and red,

a curse to bring to its finish

should two fuse and join, there brings an end

to love in pain and suffering

Pain and betrayal come again

when the great stone arrives,

to bring about a moonless night

Two lovers stay, strong and true,

a loving lifetime to them awaits

should love stand true, there brings an end

to a conflict of pain and of guilt

Do not fear the warmth so near,

or stray too long in dark,

for love is there for you.

Two lovers love, forever bound,

peace and calm to them awaits

should love renew, there brings an end

to the sorrow and pain once felt

Stones once fused and then once broken

brought together once more,

to banish the evil, to bring the peace.

Forever shall the world know light.

Katara stared at the words on the page in shock. This couldn't be true. She must be dreaming. Yes, that was it. She was stuck in some weird dream and she was only dreaming about seeing the seer's prophesy, about reading the part where it said she could hope to have her happy ending.

But it's not a dream, is it? she asked herself.

Slowly, Katara looked up at Iroh, blue eyes still wide with disbelief. "What…" she hesitated, took a deep breath. "What is this?"

Iroh gave Katara gentle smile. "The seer you spoke of recited a prophesy made by two young lovers a very long time ago." He frowned. "She must have seen something in you and known that this prophesy applied more to you than any other."

Two lovers…Katara had a faint idea of who Iroh was talking about. But still, she forced the question past her lips. "And who exactly made the prophesy."

"You know that already, Miss Katara. In fact, you've spoken to them before, though they said nothing of destiny."

Katara did know. Savitri and Nilam. She and Zuko had freed them from their curse and now the two spirits freely roamed about the temple they called home. She shook her head. "It's impossible," she whispered. Could she really dare to hope? Suddenly she stood up. "I'm sorry," she told Iroh quietly. "I have to…think." And then she was gone, leaving Iroh alone with the book.

The old general shook his head sadly and then turned a page in the book. He brushed his fingers over the small sketch there, his eyes lighting on the two stones and just what they could do.

"She'll be a bit difficult for a while, but I'm sure she'll eventually give in." Iroh smiled. "After all, they're in love, aren't they?" With a sigh, he closed the book and sipped at his tea. His eyes began to sparkle and he laughed. "Still, an extra teatime is always something to celebrate."

Another chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Perhaps I do drink too much tea…" He paused a moment and poured himself another cup. "No. Of course not. One can never drink too much tea."

Katara didn't know where to go. Everywhere she went, she was reminded of Zuko…of how she had been pushing him away. "It's too late," she muttered, going up deck. She stared at the sea for a long time and then quite suddenly, she straightened.

Without a moment's hesitation, Katara dove into the sea, ignoring the shocked cries of the crew. She closed her eyes and called the water to her. It reached up and cradled her close, sweeping her into a world that was all her own. Here, enshrined in the water so dear to her, Katara could pretend she was all alone, that there was nothing to call her back.

Katara opened her eyes. But there was something to call her back. Mitsuko and Sunil were there, waiting for her to come back. And Zuko…Zuko was there as well. Sokka, too. A small smile danced about her lips. She had to face reality; Sokka could hardly do anything by himself and Ty Lee was distracted by her pregnancy.

Katara…

Katara looked around in the darkening sea, trying to find who had called her name.

Katara.

She whirled in the water, sending bubbles racing towards the surface.

"Katara!"

Suddenly, Katara knew. She looked up and saw Zuko swimming towards her, his eyes full of worry. Katara smiled gently. She had worried him. And for no reason other than her own fears. When he extended his hand desperately to her, Katara took it, trusting that he would take care of her.

-------

Zuko's grip was strong, but he didn't feel that way. He felt weak from fear, afraid of what Katara had been thinking. As he helped to get her back on the ship, Zuko kept silent, thoughts whirring about his head. Was I the cause? he wondered. Did I push her to this? He turned to look at her, amazed, as he always was, by her beauty, even when sopping wet. On her, the water was lovely, roping her flowing hair, deepening the blue of her eyes.

When Katara turned to smile at him, Zuko looked away. He couldn't face her. Not now. Without a word to her, Zuko walked off, trying to sort through his emotions. He was angry. Angry that she could be so reckless. And afraid. Afraid that he had driven her to dive into the ocean. Oh, he knew she had only wanted to escape for a bit, but that did not excuse her actions. Had she been any slower in her reactions, she might have been killed.

Unexpectedly, something hit him and Zuko looked down into the anxious faces of Mitsuko and Sunil.

"Is mama okay?" Sunil asked, blue eyes shining up at Zuko.

The Fire Lord was silent a moment and then he hunkered down. A bit awkwardly, he drew the children to him. "She'll be fine," he told them. "She just wanted a nice swim, I guess."

Mitsuko giggled and Sunil nodded. "She just wanted you to catch her," he said. And then the two squirmed away from Zuko and ran down the hall, their laughter echoing in the darkened interior of the ship.

-------

Katara frowned as she watched Zuko walk away. He hadn't even said anything. Hadn't asked if she was all right. The young waterbender cocked her head to the side. It reminded her of the old Zuko, when he had hidden his feelings beneath a mask of rage and disinterest. Her shoulders slumped. Had she done that to him?

Katara pushed away the crewmembers as they tried to dry her off and bended the water from her clothes. "I'm all right," she told them. "I'm fine." She started to go after Zuko.

"It would be better if you left him to his thoughts, Miss Katara."

She turned and found Iroh right behind her. Where did he come from? she thought wildly. Did he just tumble out of a barrel of tea or something? What does he do, bathe in the stuff? "Are you sure?" she asked him.

Iroh nodded and offered Katara a smile. "He'll be fine. Zuko's just a bit confused at the moment." Iroh chuckled. "He might not always understand his feelings so quickly, but he'll sort them out."

Katara sighed. "I know," she said in resignation. She shook her head and a small, tired laugh issues from her lips. "It seems we're never going to catch each other, doesn't it?"

Iroh said nothing. He didn't have to. Sometimes, tea just needed to steep. (A/N: I think I need to stop with the tea references, don't you agree? They're getting just a bit out of control…)

As Iroh walked off, Katara stood where she was, thinking about what he had shown her. Hesitantly, she slipped her hand into her pocket and took hold of the stone there. Slowly, she took it out, looking at the unusual groove in the back. She thought, as she often did, that it looked as if the stone might be part of a whole.

What is this, she wondered, and what does it have to do with the prophesy?

"Two stones once found, blue and red," she murmured. "What could it mean?"

The sound of footsteps brought her from her reverie and Katara slipped the stone back into her pocket. Well, whatever was happening, she only hoped that it was nothing too serious. All she really wanted was to live a happy life with her children…and with their father.

did you like it? short, i know. i could say i'll make the next chapter longer, but i never really do...i mean, sometimes it's better to just stop a chapter before you get into too much stuff...and, i finally, actually said that zuko was the father...actually, i think i might have said it before, but i can't remember...i think i only hinted before...well, anyway...i hope you enjoyed it and if you'd just review, that'd be great!

once again; please review!