new chapter! all right! well, i'm excited, at least. is anyone else excited? and how about the fact that the UK is ahead of the US in Avatar episodes? hmm? sadly, i have already skipped ahead...shameful, i know, but i just couldn't wait for the US releases...please forgive my weakness!!!!!

okay, now for the disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender. if i did, the US would have aired just as many episodes as the UK.

Chapter Seventeen: Spirits

The same dream haunted to Katara as she slept alone in her bed. Again and again, she was left alone, mourning her lost love. She couldn't escape the dreams, not when they came to her every night.

"Katara?"

"Hmm?" Katara gazed absently at Ty Lee, thoughts still circling her nightly visions.

Ty Lee shook her head and snapped her fingers in Katara's face. The waterbender jumped, blue eyes going wide. Ty Lee smiled. "That's better," she said smugly.

"What?"

The pregnant acrobat frowned. "What's wrong, Katara?" she asked. "You've been out of it all day!"

Katara shook her head. "Oh, it's nothing...just some weird dreams."

Ooo...this was interesting. Ty Lee scooted closer. "Tell me."

Katara glanced towards the corner of the room where the twins were playing quietly. After a moment, she sighed. "All right..."

Ty Lee listened intently, nodding at certain scenes sympathetically, eyes wide. When Katara feel silent once more, the young acrobat frowned. "I think I've heard that before," she said.

"Really?" Katara perked up. Maybe her dreams were just the result of some forgotten story. She dearly hoped it was because if it wasn't, then her dreams meant that the spirit world was once again entering her life.

"Well..." Ty Lee frowned, trying to remember. "I know I heard it somewhere..."

Katara's shoulders slumped. Sometimes Ty Lee could be such an airhead. "It's all right, Ty Lee. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually," she declared, rising to get some tea.

Suddenly, Ty Lee brightened. "Oh, I remember! Your dream sounds exactly like Akira's tale!"

"Akira's Tale?" It didn't sound familiar but Katara sat down once more, settling in for a new story.

Finding that she had her friend's attention, Ty Lee began. "Well, there was once this beautiful Fire Nation noblewoman whose parents died when she was young. They left her with a mansion situated just next to a nearby lighthouse. It is said that everyday, young men from all around the Fire Nation would come to ask for her hand in marriage for she was the loveliest woman ever seen and her inheritance was vast." Ty Lee sighed. "But every young man was turned down. Akira, you see, had fallen in love with a general's son and, though he was below her station, she would have no one but him.

"Finally the young man, Haruto was his name, went to the young woman and asked for her hand. She accepted and the two were soon married. But one of Akira's spurned suitors was Haruto's superior and, feeling cheated, he sent Haruto off to war.

"Akira begged her love to stay, but he would not go against his duty and lose his honor. And so he kissed her goodbye and promised he would return to her. Akira waited in the lighthouse every night but he never came. Finally, a letter arrived declaring that young Haruto had died. Akira grieved and grieved and wished that she could join her love in the spirit world but she could not for she had to care for their son. It was then that she swore to help all those who lost their loved ones. Akira never remarried and opened her mansion to countless women who felt their lives could not go on. And, though Haruto was dead, Akira never stopped searching for him from the top of the lighthouse."

As Ty Lee's voice faded out, Katara shivered. She was now certain she had never heard the story before and yet...she was oddly familiar with it. Another shiver raced down her spine. She was just taking a soothing sip of tea when the door to her rooms opened.

"Sorry to disturb you, milady," a hesitant maid said softly, "but there is a letter for you."

"Oh." Katara stood and walked over to the door. "Where is it from?" she asked.

The maid, unusued to such question, muttered, "Air Temple," before racing from the doorway.

Shaking her head, Katara sat down again and opened the letter from Lady Ursa. Speaking of the Spirit World...

Dear Katara,

I must tell you that Aang is doing quite well. He returns to the Air Temple every now and then but mainly travels about, helping anyone he can. Toph, too, accompanies him, though I am certain she would much rather be off battling. As for our spirits, Savitri and Nilam disappear occasionally, but they refuse to move on. "Too attached to the world," as they put it. Still, they seemed a bit troubled. I wonder if you have noticed any strange happenings? Well, let's not dwell on these things. Not when you should be enjoying your visit to the Fire Nation. Yes, I know you have left your hide-away and yes, I know about your engagement. This makes me so happy. I had hoped that you and my dear Zuko would finally return to one another.

Have you heard anything of Azula? I have asked many people, but none seem to have any word. It is as if she disappeared from the world, as if she were a spirit herself.

Again, congratulations. And say hello to those darling children of yours. Savitri and Nilam tell me they are quite adorable.

--Ursa

Katara folded the letter. She and the former Princess had begun their letters a few years before when Katara realized that Aang was a hopeless source of news. Since then, the two had corresponded regularly, and over time had become friends. Never before had Ursa mention her son, but, then, it seemed as if she understood. After all, she had once loved her husband and knew how painful such memories could be.

Suddenly, she frowned. "I wonder fi you have noticed any strange happenings..." Katara shook her head, wondering what it could mean. Lady Ursa normally wasn't so criptic.

"Who is it from?"

"What?" Katara glanced up to find Ty Lee staring at her. In her musings, Katara had forgotten all about her friend. "Ah, it's from Lady Ursa."

Ty Lee was silent for a whole minute. Amazing, really. "Zuko's mother?" she finally asked.

Katara nodded. "We've been writing to each other for years."

"...Oh! Yes, that's right. Lady Ursa stays in the Air Temple and watches out for the Avatar, no?"

"Yes," Katara replied, nodding. A smile flitted across her face. "I suppose Zuko was a bit upset over her decision to stay in exile, but Aang really needed some supervision. And Toph is more of a bully than a supervisor."

Ty Lee laughed. "I never really liked her too much."

Katara sighed. "Toph can be a bit...blunt. But I really do like her, despite all the fights we used to get into."

Ty Lee smiled and slowly rose, holding a hand to her back. "Well, I'm going to go take a nap," she told Katara. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Katara nodded absently, thoughts already shifting. What did it all mean?

"Ah, young Katara. There you are!" Iroh hurried over to where Katara sat in the garden, lost in thought. He sat down. "Wanting a bit of calm before teatime?"

Katara glanced up, startled. She had been out of it all day. What was wrong with her. Silently chastising herself, Katara smiled up at Iroh. "Hello," she greeted softly. After a pause, she leaned closer. "You wouldn't happen to have any tea stashed anywhere, would you?" Strangely enough, after having spent a few weeks with Iroh's non-stop teatime, Katara had found herself wanting tea all the time.

Iroh grinned conspiratorially and dug into his robes. After a moment, he brought out a sealed container with a flourish. "Jasmine tea."

Katara clapped appreciatively. She had come to expect Iroh's odd tea habits. Such as having servants hide tea around every corner and carrying his own private stash, heated by his firebending.

Iroh sipped delicately at his tea for a moment before clearing his throat. "Ah, Miss Katara. I heard from Ty Lee that you are interested in Akira's Tale?"

Shocked, Katara nodded numbly.

Iroh brightened. "Then you will be happy to learn that the tale took place right in this very city."

Katara paused. "Really?"

The former general nodded and took another sip. "Of course. The Fire Nation is full of such wonderfully romantic tales." He glanced towards Katara. "Perhaps you would like to see the lighthouse?"

"...The lighthouse?"

Iroh nodded. "Of course. From the story," Iroh replied innocently.

Katara glanced at him, mind whirling. No matter how innocent Iroh looked, there was always a reason behind every action. No wonder he had been once so widely praised. Now, however, Katara only wondered what his motives could be. She had already accepted Zuko's proposal. What else could he be scheming for?

Taking another sip of his tea, Iroh watched Katara. He wanted to help her more, but this mystery was for Katara and Zuko to solve. The mystery of the stones was for them to figure out. When Ty Lee had mentioned Katara's dream earlier, and the waterbender's interest in Akira's story, Iroh knew its significance. Katara had the knowledge. Now all she needed was inspiration to put the puzzle together. And, though Iroh already had an inkling of what her dreams meant, he wanted Katara to figure things out on her own.

Finally, Katara shook her head. "Not today, Uncle," she answered wearily. "I'm a bit tired."

Iroh nodded, a bit disappointed, and patted her leg affectionately. "Then rest a bit out here." He stood and turned to leave. "And drink the rest of your tea?"

Katara chuckled, though her heart wasn't in it. So the lighthouse from Akira's story was here, in the city? Perhaps that was why the dreams were haunting her. Because somehow, she had known all along. "Perhaps Haruto is searching for Akira, too," she whispered, before taking another sip of her tea.

oooh...twists! actually, more like deviations which are just beginning to form into subtle twists. anyway, excuse my odd words. how did you like this chapter? i know, i know, short, as always. i really should write more...so, anyway, i hope you enjoyed this chapter! if you did (or didn't), please review!

oh, and thank you, again, to those who review. i love you all! (author blows kisses to reviewers and giggles happily while attempting a very awkward jig)

okay, so one more time: Please Review!!!