A/N: Thank you to everyone who read my story, and especially my reviewer, Justicar347.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.

Chapter 11: Happily ever after

Kalaya awoke to the dawn light coming through the window, feeling warm and happy. She wasn't sure exactly why until she tried to get up. An arm around her waist pulled her back down onto the bed.

"Morning," Kozu whispered in her ear before kissing her on the neck.

"Morning," she replied, smiling. She hadn't realized how warm he was before. She had assumed it was natural body heat, but he gave off more. She snuggled back into his embrace, but the need to get moving made her fidget.

"Fine," he said laughing, "You can get up."

She did and turned around to kiss him before cleaning up. Kozu watched her wash her face and re-braid her hair before getting up himself and cleaning up as best he could. His clothes were all back on his ship, but he looked better and not as if he had just rolled out of bed when a knock sounded at the door. Li poked his head in when Kalaya replied and smiled at them knowingly.

"Here," he said, handing Kozu one of two packages in his arms. "Some clothes for today. And for you, my lady, a new dress." Kalaya beamed at Li before kissing him sweetly on the cheek.

"Thank you Li, you're so kind."

Li blushed at Kalaya's comment, and watched eagerly as the two opened the packages. Kozu looked up at Li in shock after he had seen the clothing in the package.

"What's wrong?" Kalaya asked him. Her new dress was in the same style as the one she had first received from Li, but it was blue, with a pattern of dragons on it.

"These are more than just new clothes. They're wedding attire!"

Li blushed again and looked like a boy who had been caught with his hand in the sweets.

"I'm heading back to the fire nation with the governor and Zow as another witness and since I have been with you all of this time. I also may never get another chance to see my daughter and granddaughter. I had hoped to see you married before I left since I don't know how long I'll be gone."

Kozu got up and walked to his master, looking him in the eye with a stern expression on his face before grinning.

"Then it's settled, we'll get married before you leave. If that's all right with you, Kalaya?"

"Yes," she said, joining Kozu before Li. "What else have you planned?"

Li grinned at the couple. "The ceremony is at noon and a feast afterwards. Governor Fong insisted on performing the ceremony. I only insisted on some changes, which I think you'll approve of. Now come, get dressed so you can eat and get ready. Kalaya, Yings' wife, Jen, insists on doing your hair and makeup. She should be here, and waiting for you to eat some breakfast. I'll see you both downstairs shortly."

Li turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Kalaya glanced at Kozu. "I'll head down now so you can change."

She headed down stairs and had begun eating when Kozu arrived. She stopped and stared at him as he entered the room. He was dashing in black pants and a silk, red shirt, with a dark red, sleeveless robe over everything. He smiled back and was about to join her when Li took him to the side. Jen hurried Kalaya back upstairs before she could say one word to Kozu to do her hair and makeup.

Before noon, Jen led Kalaya back down to the main room where everyone oohed and awed at how beautiful she was. The blue dress fit her better than the red had, and had a slit up to her thigh. Jen had made her look like a noble, with part of her hair hanging down her back with the rest piled high in an elaborated bun with her last blue ribbon woven expertly through it. The makeup enhanced her beauty and made her look older and more mature.

Li approached her, smiling as she looked around for Kozu. "He needed to talk to the governor; you'll meet him in the square for the wedding. You look beautiful, Kalaya."

She blushed and took his proffered arm as he led her out to the square where the wedding was to take place.

The square had red and blue ribbons hanging everywhere, and it looked completely different than it had the night before during the Agni Kai. All traces of ash and burn marks from the fight had been erased. Flowers bedecked every storefront and all the windows lining the square, and the fountain was full once more, having small lanterns and flowers floating in it. Also just about the whole city showed up to witness the wedding.

Kalaya saw Kozu talking to the governor and smiled shyly as he turned to her, smiling. He stopped and stared as she came to him. He regained his composure as she reached him and Governor Fong started the ceremony. Before the ceremony finished, Kozu placed Kalaya's silver ring on her finger before Fong tied their hands together with the blue and red ribbons they had given each other. The governor pronounced them married and everyone cheered as they kissed.

They remained inseparable throughout the feast and greeted everyone who congratulated them. As it got late, Kozu led Kalaya to Li, carrying a small package under his arm.

"Since you're going to the palace, I ask that you return this for me," Kozu said, handing Li the package. "I found it when I was ten in the west wing, second corridor behind the statue of Agni."

Li looked at the package, but didn't dare open it. It was small and light and though the box could have held anything, Li suspected it was a mask. "Are you sure?"

Kozu smiled. "I've done all I needed it for. It belongs back in the palace, in case someone else needs it."

Li smiled and bowed to them both before hugging them. "I'll try and visit after Zow's trial. Where will you go?"

Kalaya and Kozu looked at each other and grinned. "Wherever the sea takes us," Kalaya said. "We don't know, but we'll send word once we find the right place. Now, if you excuse me Master Li, my husband promised me a dance."

"Of course," Li smiled, backing away as the newlyweds headed out into the square, and joined the other dancers. He was proud of Kozu. He loved him like the son he never had, and Kalaya as much as he loved his daughter. They were perfect for each other and if two from such opposite worlds could find love in this world of war, there was hope for the world.

Kalaya and Kozu snuck off after the sun set to Kozu's ship and the feast continued till midnight. Kozu said goodbye to Li and Fong before they left in the morning with Zow. He then set out himself with his ship and crew, looking for a home where he and his new wife could be themselves.

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Two years passed before Li saw them again. He arrived on a small island just off the mainland of the earth kingdom as the sun was setting. The fire nation ignored this island since it was simple and held no military, nor was it a strategic point. Li looked around as he walked. It was a good sized town with well taken care of wooden buildings. Fishermen and their boats surrounded the small harbor while farmland surrounded the town.

"Li, is that you?" he heard behind him. He turned around and saw a blue eyed woman holding a one year old boy. She had long brown hair, braided with a blue ribbon in it, tan skin, and a red ribbon encircling her neck.

"Kalaya?" he asked as she walked up and hugged him.

"It's been too long."

Li held her at arms length. She had grown and looked more mature. Her face was also tanner, but her dark blue eyes were still bright and had a mischievous glint to them. He looked at the child in her arms and the boy was an exact copy of Kozu, with pale skin, golden eyes and dark brown hair. The boy held his arms out to Li, and Li picked him up.

"I'm glad Kaid likes you, he's usually so shy," Kalaya said as she grinned at Li. "I'm just heading home, if your not staying anywhere, you're more than welcome to stay with us. Kozu will be so happy to see you."

Li smiled and nodded, following her to a tea shop. It was settled on the outside of the town, but still on the main street. He was surprised, for Kozu had never been good at making tea. "Kozu doesn't run this, does he?"

"No," Kalaya replied, laughing. "He can't make tea. I do. He's in the back, and runs a smith."

"A smith, a blacksmith?!"

"Yes, he's quite talented and enjoys it. Come in and take a seat, I'll get you some tea."

Li followed Kalaya into the shop and looked around. Little Kaid demanded to get down, so Li let him down gently and smiled as he walked after his mother into the back. The tea shop had several couches and tables with large, comfortable chairs. Windows everywhere let in lots of light. A bar and kitchen were in the back, as well as a door which Li assumed led to the living quarters. Kalaya came back with tea and snacks.

"Ah, ginseng, my favorite," Li said as he took a sip of tea. Kalaya smiled and took a seat next to Li. "So how did Kozu become a smith? I never pictured him that way."

"He tried fishing and farming and even tried making tea when I started the shop, but he never quite fit in anywhere. Then the old smith saw something in Kozu and took him in. Kozu fell in love with it. He is now almost a master and Sanga, the old smith lets him do most of the work now. He should be in soon."

Almost as she finished, Kozu walked in, covered in sweat and soot. He stopped in surprise as he saw Li rise up and walk over to him, grasping his arm in greeting.

"I got your letter last week, but didn't expect you so soon," Kozu said, still surprised.

Li grinned. "I made some changes to my travels."

Kozu nodded. "Please excuse me while I clean up, then we can catch up."

Li nodded and entertained baby Kaid while Kalaya prepared a meal for them. Kozu came back out and joined Li to play with his son. Li noticed that Kozu had let his hair grow out and had it tied back into a neat ponytail. Kalaya served them dinner and when she sat, Li noticed her midsection now that she wasn't holding Kaid.

"Kalaya, do you want more children?" Li asked when they finished and relaxed over tea.

Kalaya grinned at him. "Yes, but two will be fine. She'll be due at the end of summer."

Li saw Kozu roll his eyes and Kalaya caught it too. "Kozu wants another boy, but I would like a girl, especially a waterbender."

Li stared at Kalaya. "Is Kaid a…"

"Yes," Kozu said, smiling. "Kaid's a firebender!"

Li smiled along with his former student.

"He could use a good teacher though, if you're not going anywhere," Kozu said.

Li smiled. "I would love to. This is a nice place to retire to."

They talked more as Kaid fell asleep in his fathers' arms, relating what had happened over the past two years. Zow had been found guilty and had been executed, leaving a son in the navy from his first marriage, and the fire lord had a son and heir whose name was Iroh.

"A good name," Kozu remarked.

Kozu and Kalaya told of coming to the island and finding it perfect. They had left the crew two months after they had set out from Tu Lon and were excited and scared to find Kalaya pregnant. But Kaid was a blessing, and Kozu was thrilled that their first child was a boy and a firebender. They told of opening the tea shop a month after arriving and Kozu's failures until he became a smith.

"I missed the fire," he told Li as Kalaya took Kaid to bed. "I didn't realize how much I missed it until I was in it again. By the way, did you return my package?"

He looked at his teacher expectantly.

"Yes, I placed it where you told me to."

"Thank you," Kozu said as he got up, stretching. "Let me show you to your room. It's

good to see you again, old friend."

Li smiled back at his student. He had grown, and had an air of peace around him that the old master had not seen before. Li nodded and followed him into the living quarters. It was going to be a nice retirement, and he could follow his passions, tea and training.