I keep worrying that I'm under rating this story so I'm upping it just so I don't go getting reported and saying bye bye story. Hope everyone can still read it. :)

Please note that any and all songs I put into this story are not mine. They belong to their respective artists. If you'd like a copy of a song I'll see about getting you one though. Just send me a message. :)

Oh, and no I don't own Avatar. insert temper tantrum

Chapter 3: New Friend, Old Friend

"And though they tell you I am lost and their words report my death has come, the Fates have left me breathing still. Very much alive."

from the song "Return (Coming Home)" by Cruxshadows

The small trading port of Haven was an occupied city. One couldn't tell though. True there was soldiers patrolling and more firebenders about then any others but Haven had always been something of a neutral territory. It's spot on the far coast of the Earth Kingdom's western border made it close to the center of the map. It was a good stop no matter which way one was going and an easy place to disappear into.

It was a perfect place for the gang to stop for supplies. Although they were rather broke.

"How are we gonna get the money to pay for supplies." Sokka said in a despairing tone. "I not going to go jumping onto another fishing boat!"

"I'm sure we'll come up with something Sokka." Aang said as he pulled the cloth he'd used to hide his arrow down some as a patrol walked by.

"I would help if we could get through this crowd." Toph said in a disgruntled way. She was really tempted to use her earthbending to force people to move.

"Here," Katara said grabbing Aang's arm and pulling him to the side. "We can cut through this park area."

As they walked they saw a small gather of people. Music could be heard and someone was cheering.

Aang, ever curious, creeped over and jumped up and down to see.

There was musicians. Doing some fast paced tune he thought no one would ever be able to dance to. There was a girl dancing though.

"Come on Aang we should keep going." Katara said.

"But there's a dancer. I wanna see." He said in a pleading tone.

Katara sighed as Sokka grinned. "We can always stop for the arts."

"You just wanna see some pretty girl dancing." Toph said in a dangerous tone.

"Yep." Sokka answered only to get a pebble to the head as the gang moved to the far edges of the crowd that was in a semi circle around the performers.

Katara had to admit the girl dancing was beautiful. Her hair was jet black and only a little shorter then Katara's. She let is hang loose and it seem to float around her. What really cause Katara's attention though was the fans.

The girl was twirling about a pair of golden fans. For a moment she thought they were the same fans that Suki and her warriors used but as the girl slowed down towards the end of the song Katara could see that the fans she had were more showy then the pratical fighting fans the Kyoshi Warriors used.

"Wow," Sokka said drooling slightly. Aang also stood staring at the girl with wide eyes.

Toph looked confused. "She's weird."

"Weird?" Katara asked.

"Yeah. My parents would have dancers over on occasion so I kinda know how they move and such. She's lighter on her feet though. I swear she wasn't touching the ground there a couple times." Toph said. "She makes me think more of Twinkle Toes here then a regular dancer."

Katara looked back at the black haired girl. She was smiling and holding out a pouch to some people who were dropping money in. As if picking up on Katara staring she looked over, storm colored eyes looking curiously at the group.

"Hey! You!"

Katara's blood froze. The two words never meant anything good.

She was surprised though to see that the two soldiers and the firebender who were advancing walked right past them and up to the girl.

"I thought you looked familiar. Your under arrest." The firebender stated.

The girl snorted. "I think not. Go away before I have to leave the lot of you in the dirt."

The firebender laughed and reached for her arm to restrain her.

The girl jumped and flipped over him. One of her metal fans smacked into his helmet with a resounding clang that made the whole gang wince. The man's ears had to be ringing from the hit.

The two non- benders advanced on her as she landed. The girl dropped onto the ground and started spinning, her legs sticking out like a pair of propellers on a helicopter. The men stood back waiting for her to stop with spears at ready. When the girl shifted and brought her legs down though she swept them under the spears and knocked the men's legs out from under them.

Katara jumped into action. The firebender was recovering and soon the girl would be at a severe disadvantage. She uncorked her water skin and quickly froze the two non-benders to the ground.

Aang also jumped in, quicking blowing the firebender into a tree and knocking him out.

They could hear shouts though. Reinforcements were coming.

"This way!" The girl called picking up the pouch that she had dropped into the dirt. The other musicians had fled at the first sign of trouble.

The gang plus the girl plunged into the trees and soon out another side of the park and into the streets.

"Here." She called and skidded around the corner and into a crumbling building with no roof. "Up." She stated and started climbing a ladder.

"Toph?" Sokka asked in a worried tone.

"I'm good." She replied, both happy he had thought about her but annoyed that it had been because he didn't think she could handle a ladder.

Aang simply shot himself up to the top of the building and Katara came last.

"Here they are!" A shout came from below.

Katara looked down to see a firebender light the ladder on fire. She pulled out some more water and lashed it at the flames trying to keep them off her as she climbed.

A sudden gust shoot down from above pushing the fire back at the soldier as a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her up. The girl stood in front of her with a grin. "No need to boil the water." She stated and headed for the edge of the building.

"We need to jump across." The girl said.

Toph whimpered. She didn't like this idea at all as she looked down the tall building with sightless eyes.

"I got you Toph." Aang said and his legs suddenly wrapped around her waist and he flew the pair of them over.

"You two go, I'll bring up the rear." The girl told the siblings.

The two backed up as far as they dared then raced forward. They only just made the edge of the second building.

"Come on!" Katara yelled after the girl who was standing at the hole in the roof swiping down with her fans. At least they're practical weapons as well as fancy. Katara thought to herself.

The girl spun on her heel and race for the edge. Katara was certain she wasn't going to make it. Her and Sokka had had more running space then her.

The girl brought her arms and fans up and when she hit the edge seemed to push down with all her body. She sailed through the air and did a quick roll, landing rather lighter on her feet then Katara would've thought possible by anyone other then Aang.

"Run straight." She said pointing forward with a fan. "Keep going will we hit the trees."

The buildings were now much closer together and jumping them was easy enough for everyone. Soon they were past the treeline.

Everyone flopped onto the grass breathing heavily. "Toph...anyone...after...us?" Sokka asked through pants.

"No...we're...good." She answered.

The girl smiled at them. "Thanks for the help." She said still sounding out of breath.

"No problem. We couldn't let those soldiers just walk off with you." Aang said cheerfully.

"Why were they after you anyways?" Katara asked.

The girl looked uncomfortable suddenly. "Let's just say that important people...don't like me."

"Hey that's great! Important Fire Nation people don't like us either!" Sokka said happily.

The girl laughed. "In that case. I'm Mari."

Katara smiled and shook Mari's hand. She was liking this girl already.

"I'm Aang." The monk said happily and proceeded to introduce everyone.

Mari seemed to stare at Aang for a second before smiling at everyone. "Well with those troops stomping around the city I'm thinking the lot of us should just camp out here tonight."

So Mari joined them in finding a camp site in the woods. "I doubt the soldiers will bother coming after us all in the woods but it doesn't hurt to be careful." She explained as she held a piece of cloth in her teeth and gathered her long bangs away from her face. She gathered the bangs and some hair at the back of her head and tied it to keep it out of her face but still flowing free. "What were you guys in the city for anyways?"

"We're trying to find a firebending teacher for Aang." Katara stated.

Mari stopped. "Firebending? Good luck with that. There aren't any outside the military anymore, besides I thought he was an airbender. You know from all the flying around and wind blowing."

"He is," Toph answered. "He's the Avatar."

Mari stopped in her tracks and looked at Aang with wide eyes. "Your the Avatar? I thought you were dead."

"Nope, was an ice cube for a bit though." the monk stated with a laugh.

Mari looked close to tears as she stared at Aang. "You have no idea...how much the Avatar being alive means to alot of people."

She suddenly fell into such a sad silence that no one had the heart to break it.

The group walked for a bit, fearful of using Appa and getting spotted by the soldiers. Momo seemed to have taken a particular liking to Mari as he was perched on her shoulder most of the walk.

"This spot should do." Mari said finally. "The river is far enough away that you can't been seen from it."

"That's good. I'll need to restock on water." Katara said.

Mari nodded. "I'll leave you guys to camp and be back in a bit."

"Where are you going?" Aang asked.

"There's a farm not to far from here." Mari said. "The family that runs it are nice people. I'm sure they'll spare some food and supplies for you guys, specially since I'm paying them."

"Really we were just helping out." Katara said.

Mari shook her head. "Nah-uh. I owe you guys. Where I come from debts are honored. I should be back in a couple hours, and you guys are in no position to argue with me."

Everyone was forced to agree and watched their new friend walk south for the farm.

"I hope she brings back lots of meats!" Sokka said cheerfully.

Katara simply laughed and went to find the river.

She found the river easily enough. Filled her skin and a few others that were empty from their trip. She almost just got up and went right back to camp but there wasn't much else to do aside from wait for Mari to get back with their food and supplies. Katara reasoned that she should practice her waterbending some. Although with all the fighting lately she didn't have to worry about being out of practice she hadn't simply bended for the fun of it recently.

So she pulled a stream of water out and started playing with it. She let her thoughts simply flow as she bended.

They quickly rested on Mari. There was something not quite right about the girl but Katara couldn't put her finger on it. She seemed genuinely friendly but there was a pain and sadness hiding in her eyes.

It reminded Katara of Zuko actually.

She quickly shoved the thought away. She'd manage not to think of him since the temple and intended to not think of him ever again. Now that his name had snuck into her brain though it seem to sit there staring at her.

Angry with herself Katara practically threw the water back into the river and stared at the ripples. Her mind went back to one of Yagoda's lessons.

Water ripples out from the lightest touch. In healing the same can be done. The slightest touch can ripple forth and change a whole person.

The last time she had thought of that lesson...was in the crystal cave with Zuko. She had thought that in helping him and healing his scar it would ripple out and change him. She'd been wrong.

She watched the ripples. Watched as the water slowly calm again to reveal two reflections.

Hers and Zuko's.

When Azula had ordered the search of the woods upon hearing the events of the afternoon Zuko had almost jumped for joy. The woods were thick, large, and more then likely troops would get lost, frustrated, and return with reports of nothing. None of them knew enough about the Avatar to know their camping habits, and this time Azula didn't have a handy trail of fur to follow from the city. This added up to him finding the Avatar first.

He knew to follow the river. The small group liked camping near lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water when they could manage it. Always far enough away that they couldn't be spotted by boat but always close enough to use it.

When Zuko spotted Katara waterbending he praised every spirit he could think of. Of all the group he figured she was the one most likely to listen to him. After all they had managed to have something of a conversation before.

She'd been distracted. Her thoughts not on her surroundings. At one point the water snapped out and her face looked dark. Zuko wondered what made her so angry at that moment, she had probably gotten into it with her brother again. She grumbled angrily and threw the water back into the river. Zuko thought to simply call out but her body language seemed one of defeat. It tore at him so instead he simply walked over raising a hand to touch her shoulder in an effort to comfort.

He was rather shocked when a jet of water shot him up against a tree. His back hurt from the impact.

The jet stopped and he blinked his eyes open to see a very sharp piece of ice flying at his head. He instinctively ducked and it sunk into the tree.

"Wait..." He said thinking to start trying to explain why he was there but Katara didn't allow him to speak. Two icy pillars raised themselves out of the river and she sent razor sharp discs at him in a rapid fire pace.

Zuko ducked, punched, and carefully blasted. He didn't want to hurt the girl but she certainly seemed intent on killing him. He had to get her to stop and listen to him. He knew for a fact she wouldn't leave the river. With water in such supply he was going to have to physically stop her bending. He definately had to stop it soon, he already had some cuts from her, it was only a matter of time before he got a serious one.

Zuko drew a pair of circles with his hands making a pair of flaming shields. Just breathe. He reminded himself in an effort to stay calm. You don't want to hurt her...you need her to listen...

He was getting closer. He was expecting any minute for her to move but she kept launching water at him. Whips snapped by him, one manageing to snap him in the forehead, he was gonna have a nasty welt there he could feel it.

He was at arms length now and seriously surprised she hadn't moved. As she moved her arms back to lash at him again he shot his hands forward, quickly putting out the fire and dropping their temperature back to normal as they closed around her wrists. He felt himself smirk in triumph as he looked down into rage filled blues.

Stars erupted in his eyes and he covered his nose. By the spirits it hurt!

He blinked rapidly to clear his vision and saw the girl had her hands on her head. Apparently when she'd head butted him it had hurt her as well.

Quickly Zuko tackled Katara to the ground. She clawed, kicked, and bit but he managed to pin her down. A hand held down each wrist and he was sitting on her legs. She attempted to buck him off a couple times with no success. He simply weighed too much. The water of the river seem to lap at them angrily.

Katara cursed herself. Her sudden blind rage at having seen Zuko had left no room for thought. Now she was trapped! In her mind she really should've been afraid. Zuko had her completely helpless. She pulled against the firm but gentle grip on her wrists. Her angry blues glared into blinking golden eyes.

"I'm sorry," Zuko said regretfully, "I don't want to hurt you but I..."

"SOKKA!" Katara yelled at the top of her lungs. Zuko cringed as his ears rung. "AANG! TO-" Katara's eyes widened in shock as Zuko silenced her in a rather effective manner.

Having her friends drop in on them before they talked would ruin all of Zuko's plans. So when she started screaming he had panicked. His hands were occupied with keeping her arms down so she couldn't waterbend and he didn't want to hurt her...

So he did the first thing that popped into his head.

He kissed her.

Katara wasn't entirely sure which shock was harder to handle. The fact that she was getting kissed for her first time or that it was Zuko doing the kissing. Even though she rationalized that he was only doing it to keep her quiet she couldn't say she wasn't enjoying it. She was only a little disappointed when he pulled away, or so she told herself.

Neither said anything. They both waited to see what the other was going to do. Blue and gold eyes inches apart trying to read what was in the other.

Zuko moved first. With a wondering look he brushed a loose lock of hair away from her face.

Katara quite suddenly became aware that her hands were free. They were flat against Zuko's chest. She wasn't sure if they were intending to push him away or pull him closer. She sent a mental order to them to push but they didn't respond, they positively itched to close into fists and pull. It seemed difficult to remember to breathe. She could however feel his breath on her lips. Is he gonna kiss me again?

Zuko wasn't sure himself. His feelings and his mind seems to be everywhere at once and refused to settle on any one thought. He did remember thinking that the water girl was really rather pretty at some point. He remembered brushing a lock of silky hair away. He even remembered her hands on his chest flexing as if unsure what to do.

The one thing that most stuck out in his brain though. Was an odd feeling of peace, wonder, and curiousity. Curiousity about what she'd do if he kissed her again.

Then he was on his back on the ground blinking up at the stars. Something had hit him in the head and he could've sworn he heard someone yelling about a sister before the inky blackness of unconsiousness closed in.

"Are you sure your ok Katara?" Sokka asked for the third time in less then a minute.

"Sokka I'm fine. Little shakey maybe but fine."

"If I'm seeing correctly Sokka I'd say Princey is in worse shape then Sweetness here." Toph stated. She could feel blood dripping from the prince. It wasn't life threatening but it probably hurt.

Sokka glared at said prince. He'd flown into a rage when he'd found Zuko on top of Katara. His first swing with his club had knocked Zuko out and he'd hit two more times before Katara and Toph had pulled him off.

Aang stood looking down at Zuko with an expression none of them had actually seen before. Zuko would've known it from the crystal cave though.

"Guess we should tie him up to a tree and leave his out here." Aang said.

"Good idea!" Sokka said. He flipped Zuko over and started tying up his wrists.

"Aang, he could die out here!" Katara said in a tone that shouted her shock.

"No he won't." Aang stated. "I'm sure someone will come looking for him and find him here."

"Yeah, and that person just might be an angry refugee or bandit." Toph added. "Why don't we just bring him?"

"Sure so he can wake up and attack us?" Sokka asked.

The four started arguing. Aang wanted to leave Zuko tied to a tree, Sokka was also for this option. Toph wanted to leave him be as did Katara. Momo

Mari manage to find them mainly because of the racket they were making. Momo was with her making anxious noises. He'd heard his humans fight before but not like this.

"HEY!" Mari yelled at them. "What the heck is going on here guys? You trying to pull firebenders down on us?" Then she saw that there was a boy laying on his stomach all tied up. She only saw the back of his head but he was wearing clothes that were fire nation style. "Who's your friend?"

"He's not a friend." Sokka said sourly as Mari walked over and started turning the prince over. "He's a pain named..."

"Zuko!" Mari yelped and jerked back, ungracefully landing on her butt. Her face held horror and shock alike.

"You know him?" Aang asked.

"No." Mari said quickly.

"Your lying..." Toph said in a matter of fact tone.

Mari glared at Toph. "He had wanted posters all over the place I'd say plenty of people can recognize the face."

Toph's eyes narrowed. "While your stating a fact you do know him...actually you seem kinda scared of him."

Mari let out a frustrated sigh. "Ok ok, yes I know him. No I don't want to talk about it, especially not right now. I've been walking for a few hours and my feet hurt. Can we at least put it off till tomorrow please?"

Everyone seemed to remember suddenly how tired and hungry they all were. They agreed to let the matter rest for tonight.

"What about Zuko?" Katara asked looking down at his pale face. Blood was smeared down scarred side of his face making it look like a bloody mess.

"Bring him with." Mari stated.

"Yes let's bring the guy who's..."

"Gonna get eaten by something if we leave him out here unconscious and bleeding." Mari finished for Sokka. "From his head wound I'd bet he's not gonna be getting up for at least another two hours. You got him tied up so the only bending he could do is maybe spit a little fire at us. If it really makes you feel better we'll post watches so that he can't burn the ropes and kill us all in our sleep. Ok?"

Sokka grumbled but Mari had hit each problem and covered it.

"I'll even take first watch." Mari stated.

"No I'll do it." Katara stated quickly. Everyone stared at her making her shift a bit. "I doubt I'll sleep after that fight."

Everyone else seemed to take this excuse. Toph gave Katara a funny look that stated she knew better. Toph couldn't however see any harm in Katara taking watch first and shrugged it off.

"Alright." Mari said, annoyance sparked in her eyes but she would just be inviting trouble if she pressed. "Wake me up when your sick of him or want to sleep."

Katara got bored quickly. With everyone asleep and Zuko still unconscious she played with some water as quietly as possible. It quickly grew old.

Katara sighed. She'd already checked all their clothes and there wasn't any mending to be done.

With nothing else presenting itself she started singing. Katara didn't sing in front of people due to nerves but there wasn't anyone up to hear her...so she thought.

Zuko was awake. He'd been taking stock of his situation. He had to escape but he also had to make these idiots listen to him. He had noted that they had picked up another person although he couldn't tell anything about them from where he was sitting. He prayed to every spirit he knew that it wasn't a firebender or his uncle would be doomed.

His frustration and anger at everything was starting to eat at him when Katara started singing.

The tide's come in

But I can't go on again

I fell the voice within fading

I need your touch

Oh why does it hurt so much

I've never known such loneliness

The world is right

But I'm so alone this night

I cannot find the light; guide me

Take heart

I'm by your side

Though we're apart

I have not died

Zuko simply stared until she was done. "It's a beautiful song."

Katara almost jumped out of her skin making him grin a little. She hadn't realized he was awake till he spoke.

She glared at him but softened when he twitched. He had to be in pain.

Let him be in pain. I hope he bleeds to death the jerk!

So she sat at the fire stubbornly warring with her own nature as she watched Zuko struggle some against his bonds.

"If you don't stop that your gonna hurt yourself more." She told him.

He simply growled at her and actually spat a little ball of fire at her. It missed her by inches but angered Katara alot.

"Hey! Watch what your doing." She said,

"You watch it!" He snarled and continued to struggle. He could burn through these in a minute...

"Don't even thing about it." Katara stated. "You'd light the tree and probably yourself on fire. Even firebenders can burn."

"Oh haha...funniest thing I've ever heard." Zuko said in a low tone. He slumped forward some and closed his eyes. His scar was actually hurting as is was, throbbing like it was infected...

Katara watched as Zuko sighed. He quite suddenly looked utterly defeated, tired, and sad. Even in Ba Sing Se he hadn't looked so dejected. "Maybe I should just set myself on fire..."

It was said so quietly that Katara almost didn't hear it. It also prodded her into action. She grabbed the water bowl she'd been playing with and a rag. "Now surely being a prisoner of ours isn't that bad." She said as she walked over and sat next to him.

"It's not that." Zuko stated. "I can't keep my honor. Now matter which way I turn I lose it."

Katara dabbed at the dirt and mud covering one of the nastier cuts on his arm. "You'll have to forgive me for not caring about your honor when it means kidnapping Aang."

Zuko blinked at her and laughed. It was a sad scornful laugh that Katara could see was directed at himself. "I didn't come out here to get the Avatar ironically. I actually came out here to help Uncle. Much good it's done me."

"Your uncle?" Katara asked.

"He's on a ship heading for the Fire Nation to be executed. I can't let that happen...I owe him too much. I even wrote down notes to give to you. I figured you all could break Uncle out and he'd teach the Avatar firebending. Even if I was found out and executed for it at least Uncle would be safe. He'd know that I'm sorry..." A pained expression crossed Zuko's face.

Katara had finished tending Zuko's worse wounds and now glared at him. "Why didn't you say something in the first place?"

Zuko snorted. "I was a bit busy trying to keep my head on my shoulders thank you."

"Well what did you expect. An invitation to tea? After what you did in Ba Sing Se!?" She hissed as loud as she dared.

Zuko ground his teeth together. He'd already beaten himself up enough over that. "I'm sorry ok? I did what I thought was right at the time."

"Well you did the wrong thing." Katara snapped.

Zuko gave Katara a look. If looks could've killed she'd have been dead. "If I wasn't tied up..."

"You'd what?" Katara challenged. "Last I knew I've won most of our one on one fights."

"We've only had three, and unless I'm mistaken I won the one by the river." Zuko smirked.

"You did not! I was about to get the upper hand when..."

When you kissed me...

Katara felt herself blush and Zuko looked away. Both feeling like they were on shaky ground suddenly.

"I'm sorry I attacked you." Katara said pleasently. Surely if she apologized for that he'd apologize for kissing her. A little give in the interest of peace.

"Apology excepted." He said before returning to silence.

Katara shifted impatiently after a minute. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Aren't you gonna say your sorry?"

Zuko gave her a look that plainly stated he thought she was crazy. "Apologizing would mean I regret doing it." He felt many different things about that kiss but regret was not one of them oddly enough.

Katara didn't see it this way. She knew Zuko hadn't actually wanted to kiss her, he had no interest in her! He was just being a pain at her expense!

"You...stuck up...stubborn..." She sputtered at a loss for words.

Zuko grinned a bit, he was finding he rather enjoyed riling the water girl up. "Your forgetting spoiled, infuriating, horrible..."

The bowl of water between them erupted as Katara let out a frustrated screech. She stomped off in a huff with a drenched but inwardly laughing Zuko behind her.

Zuko closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the tree. He heard the water girl waking someone up and telling them it was their watch. He could've sworn she said something about killing him.

He simply sat and breathed. The whole interaction with her had actually helped clear his head. He almost wished he could keep her with him for that reason.

"Hey Zuzu. Wanna see how a brat feeds a turtleduck?"

Zuko growled and looked at the new girl about to snap at her for calling him that went a piece of bread nail him in the face.

"Why...you...little..." Zuko growled. It was obviously his turn to be at a loss for words.

Zuko's mind however was working better then his tongue. He stared at the girl with her laughing grey eyes. For a minute he was reminded of the Avatar. She had called him Zuzu. His hated nickname from Azula wasn't common knowledge, neither was her habit of throwing bread at the turtleducks when they were children.

Zuko's eyes widened. There was only one person who had ever called Azula a brat and gotten away with it...

"Mariko?" Zuko asked, remembering a girl who'd been two years older then him from his childhood. She'd stopped coming to play at the palace with them after his mother had vanished.

Mari gave Zuko a crocked grin. Something else he'd probably remember.

"How you doing Zuko?"