A.N. Sorry this took so long, some idiot decided to infect my computer with disgusting spyware, but I've been using the one at school. I hope the length of this one makes up for the wait. Tell me what you think, not just the plot but my writing style as well, i need the feed back because the people who know me won't tell me i suck to my face. ( But still give me a compliment or two as well, i need the emotional boost or i might not finish the series ) (Smilie face!!)

Somewhere in the spirit world

Yue hated the transition from the mortal realm to the spirit one. It always made her feel somewhat lightheaded and unstable.

She brushed her moon white hair from her shoulders and glanced around the pavilion. It appeared to be made of bricks of stone that supported a canopy of what could have been a strip of the night sky, though beyond the pavilion, on the apparent endless body of water daylight glinted off the small waves.

Around the shaded area sat the many different spirits she had come to know so well.

She immediately recognized the young dark skinned man who sat farthest from her, his ebony colored hair was braided down his back and he appeared to be in a calm meditative state. She felt herself being pulled towards the beautiful ocean spirit, but resisted.

The many rituals they had to go through just to give the waterbenders their powers had been exhausting, and frustrating, but he had been very patient.

Many said that the ocean and moon spirits should be lovers, but her mortal memories were still fresh in her mind, especially the ones of the young warrior who had so charmed her. And she would love him for as long as those memories lasted, but she had been warned that memories of mortality faded over centuries. The ocean spirit didn't seem to mind at all for he was still mourning over the loss of his previous lover.

The woman who sat beside him was whispering in an excited high pitched voice in his ear. The summer wind spirit, Yue had learned quickly, was a cheerful person who was prone to gossip. Her long brown hair was always moving around her as if she stood in a constant whirlwind, which she probably did.

Yue sat on the only available cushion which was between the ever so silent winter wind spirit who sat, like the ocean spirit, in a calm meditative state, and with the Avatar Roku on her left.

Roku smiled at her and whispered a greeting before having his attention grabbed by the flirtatious sand spirit on his other side.

Yue had only been sitting for a few moments when Sol stood.

The Sun spirit, she lit up the small pavilion with her presence, her power giving off a wave of heat that pushed against Yue and lifted her almost lifeless hair from her shoulders. She stood so regally, her chin held high and her amber eyes glowing with the fires of life. Her golden robes flared out around her and her pale skin was so bright Yue had to squint her eyes to see her clearly. Her platinum-blonde hair was cut short and seemed not to move at all in the winds present or her own heated power.

Then she spoke, with a voice that seemed almost musical if not dangerous. "Forgive me if I have taken you from your tasks for the up coming battle, but there has been a small invasion of property that must be addressed." Yue felt her body tremble at the threat that was there.

Then she turned her eyes to Yue who nearly shrank away from her gaze, "Yue, you have not created a deep bond with your subjects yet, but that will come with time which is why it was Tui who brought this to my attention." Yue felt her cheeks flush with a bit of embarrassment but refused to look away, i may not be a strong as they are yet, but i will be soon. So i have just as much right to be here as them. Sol gave her an encouraging smile and Yue felt a thrill of belonging, but that was soon forgotten at what Sol said next.

"Someone has been influencing one of my subjects as well as the Water's."

"Who?"

Yue hadn't realized that she'd spoken until Tui turned to her and said in his deep voice, "Master Katara."

"Katara? Influencing her to do what?"

"To fall in love with Prince Zuko,"

Yue's eyes grew wide, "Zuko, that's impossible. I may not have the connections you all have but she has prayed to me many times to protect them from him and, if it were possible, to destroy him. She hates him."

Sol smiled, "The language of love," then she grew solemn, "But i fear that these dreams might work, which is why I'm worried for Avatar Roku has told us about the young Avatar's feelings for her. I fear it might be enough to throw Aang off from his mission. Which is why i called for this meeting to discover who has done this."

There were murmurings around the circle,

Fire and Water, impossible, they will just destroy each other.

This could be a disaster.

Zuko has a major role to play, will this interfere?

What about the Avatar?

Who would be so stupid to do this?

Suddenly Yue felt movement beside her and an icy breeze had her shiver as the winter wind spirit stood and said in an emotionless faint yet powerful voice, "What about Reve?"

The pavilion went silent and Yue knew she was one of the many who stared at his with wide frightened eyes, the rock spirit said in a rumbling voice,

"He wouldn't dare..."

"Who knows what that little demon would or wouldn't do." Tui said angrily, his braided hair had changed to a furious gray. "if it means a bet then yes he would."

Sol gave an exasperated sigh and said, "If someone finds him bring him here and call the rest of us."

"Sol," Yue recognized the voice of the dragon spirit Ryu as he spoke up, "How is the search for Agni?"

Every spirit who had stood to leave stopped to hear the answer of the sun spirit who searched for the traitor.

She shook her head, " he has left so many false trails and pot holes he is very difficult to find, but the moment he is found i will let you have the first go friend."

And with that Yue knew the meeting was finally over.

ZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutaraZutara

The Western Air Temple

The cold water seemed to dampen the steam that had invaded his mind. It ran down his face in small droplets, mixing with the sweat that came from suppressing the motions of his body with only the will of his mind.

Why did she have to walk by him on her way to the bison? Why did she have to smell so deliciously of water lilies and cool vanilla? Why was he having those overpowering dreams?

The dreams, they felt so real, he could still feel her cool smooth skin under his fingers, his lips. Her fingers in his hair, and that want to simply consume her with every kiss-.

He splashed more of the water onto his face and he could breath again.

No, no more thinking about those dreams, no more thinking of her. He was here to train the Avatar and that was what he would do and be damned if that wretched waterbending enchantress would stop him.

Would make him betray the Avatar.

Probably not in the way she had thought, but he wasn't blind like most of that group, he knew how they young Avatar felt about her.

How could he even like that little witch! She was always so snide, so rude and so full of herself and how exotic she looked with her bronze skin and those dazzling blue eyes.

Zuko splashed more of the water from the basin in his room onto his face, unaware of the chuckling at the door until he heard, "I think you will need to dip your whole body in that water to calm yourself."

He turned around sharply to find Toph standing in the doorway, leaning easily against the frame, her feet now healed, planted firmly on the ground, just like an earthbender. Her pale face held a mischievous smirk and though her eyes were a milky green they had an excited twinkle in them.

"Toph," he said nervously, "is something wrong?" he had heard many times that she could hear other's heart and breathing with earthbending and he was suddenly aware of how his own heart beat queasily against his ribs.

"Maybe," she said slowly, "Actually, I just have a question."

Zuko felt himself relax a fraction and said, "Okay?"

"What's going on between you and Katara?"

Blunt as an earthbender.

Zuko felt his heart stop and cursed its treachery. She found out, how did she find out?

Toph still stared at him expectantly, Zuko decided to play stupid, "What do you mean? That she hates me and doesn't trust me?"

Toph snorted, "Come on Zuko, you know about my sensitive bending and what i can hear. Every time she walks into your view your heart does this funny little jump. Then you get angry at yourself and look everywhere but at her."

Zuko felt his face flush and muttered, "I don't know what you're talking about." and turned back to the near empty clay basin.

"Really? Is that why you're blushing right now? You have no idea what I'm talking about? Well, I still need to get back at you for burning my feet, I could just tell Katara, or maybe even Aang-."

"Okay! okay!"

He rushed over to the door and roughly pulled her inside, shutting the door behind her. "Fine, you win, I like her, okay?"

She gave another smile, "Yes, i knew it, so what are you going to do?,"

"But it's not what you think," he turned away from her and sat on the edge of the moldy mattress they called a bed, it probably hadn't been slept in for a hundred years.

"Is it? You like her a lot, I've noticed it happens mostly in the morning over breakfast. Are you guys having a secret affair while pretending to hate each other?"

"There's no pretending about it," Zuko yelled, coming quickly to his feet.

"I hate her! I hate her so much! You should have heard how she reacted to me offering to light the fire this morning! She insulted me! And you wouldn't believe the things she says about my training with Aang, even Aang noticed. He had to mention we move to somewhere where she couldn't watch."

"Then why does your body say that you love her?" She said it so simply, still glaring at where she guessed his face to be.

Zuko felt his cheeks burn again as he recalled the dream from the previous night and the ones from the nights before. "I can't say,"

"Why?" then she frowned and Zuko felt his heart beat out the dangerous truth. "You're embarrassed?"

"Okay, I've been having some strange dreams," he paced over to the door and back, trying to find a way to explain it.

"And just what are these dreams about?"

Again Zuko felt his heart say what his mouth could not.

Toph's eyes grew wide, "Wow, man, can you tell me the address of the spirit you got those from, i want some too!"

Zuko ignored her sarcastic comment and finished his little defense statement, "i guess it's just those dreams that I'm remembering when i see her."

Toph sat on his bed, her feet dangling off the edge and Zuko felt somewhat safer.

"Maybe, your subconscience is trying to tell you what you really feel about her."

"No, i don't think so, she hates me. There is nothing between us, Toph, but hate and distrust."

"You sure?"

Zuko nodded, "Positive." with that said he picked up his Dou swords and his bag he had packed the night before with what would be his and Aang's lunch. "Don't tell this to anyone, please,"

"Why not?"

He gave her a warning look not even realizing that she couldn't see it, "Because Aang likes her, and if he thought i was trying to take her from him, then he would think i had betrayed him."

She sighed, "Right there. Well, i hope this works out for you."

Zuko walked out, and prayed it wouldn't. He had come so far and was beginning to really like the Avatar, to betray him and everyone else would have him fall from very far up and he would hit the ground hard. The best thing to do would be to pretend that the wonderful Katara from his dreams didn't exist.

What had he done to offend the spirits to the point that they would try to tempt him with these dreams?

As he came to the fountain area he had to duck from the rock that had hurtled across the room and smashed into the wall where his head had been moments ago. Aang and Haru danced across the chamber, bending the earth as they went.

Zuko chuckled, everyone was concentrating on Aang and getting him ready for the battle with Zuko's father.

Haru and Toph worked together in improving his earthbending, Katara had claimed evening times in waterbending and Zuko had the noon and after. And between his and Katara's lessons he would go out flying with Appa, seeing if he could learn anything from him as he had with the dragons and Toph with the badgermoles.

Zuko was always amazed with the young boy's ability compared to his age, he was barely even thirteen. They had his birthday a few days after they returned from the Sun Warriors and it had been an interesting night. There weren't many presents to be given so it was mostly Katara outdoing herself on dinner and using up most of their supplies, he and Sokka had to go and get more the next day when all they had for breakfast was travel bread and cheese.

As if called by his thoughts Sokka walked up to him, his own sword slung across his back, that sword, Zuko had to admit, was quite amazing, well balanced and made of a strange ore. Sokka said it had come from a star, Zuko wasn't sure whether to believe him or not, so he kept quiet.

"Hey, Zuko, you ready to leave already?"

Zuko nodded, "Ya, it's almost midday and it takes me longer to get up the cliff than it does Aang."

"Well, be careful, I'm worried about how long the peace we've been having will last. Not even a whisper from the Firenation."

Zuko had known that Sokka had accepted him when he stopped saying 'your nation' and 'jerkbending' though he wasn't quite sure when that had been. He had just realized it one day and he wondered if Sokka even noticed he was doing it.

"Do you think they've even realized where we are?"

Sokka shook his head, "Maybe, this temple is in the Firenation borders, but they might overlook it because it is so close, they could have headed back to the North Pole, or the Earthkingdom."

Zuko nodded, it made sense, who would be stupid enough to hide behind enemy lines.

Well, he thought, i guess that would be us.

"We will keep an eye out," he assured Sokka. "And if i happen to see Katara up there i will warn her as well."

Sokka smiled and muttered a thanks before going back to his little corner where his maps were lain out.

Zuko whistled to Aang who only glanced up long enough to nod before turning back to his duel with Haru.

Zuko climbed up his rope, as soon as he reached the top he raced to the edge of the forest that lined the stream. They had become paranoid of being out in the open ever since the Firenation took to the air in Teo's father's technology.

But Zuko didn't relax once he entered the shade of the trees. He scouted out the river bank, avoiding the place where they had practiced last time. Too much firebending in one place would leave its mark.

As soon as he found a place that was clear enough for movement and close to the stream in case of an accident he sat on the ground. Focusing on the fire inside of himself he began meditation until he felt that flame grow and dim with each breath, once he felt more neutral and open he let his mind wonder along the sounds of the wood around him. Everything seemed fine, the animals were active, and there was no unusual scents or any sign at all of humans other than himself.

Satisfied he climbed a tree where he hung a red scarf for Aang to find him and began to go through some of his own exercises before he had to teach what he was beginning to run out of.

He had only been teaching the Avatar for a few weeks and Aang was quickly catching up to him, he had learned the nature of firebending and was still a bit resistant to the go and attack and tended to evade most of the time, but he was learning, just as he had with earthbending he learned the different natures of the element and was adapting.

Zuko tried to keep his mind focused on his pupil but he was soon going through the exercises he had gone through that morning. And he remembered Katara's cool gaze on him as he worked, her cold and merciless eyes.

She had threatened him more than once since he'd come, but as he lived among the small group he began to notice the part of Katara that wasn't always threatening and dangerous.

The part that would laugh at her brother's ridiculous comments, the part that would smile as Aang learned a new waterbending move, the part that would make sure everyone (except for Zuko) had enough to eat. The part that was happy, instead of angry and vengeful.

A rustle in the tree branches above brought Zuko's attention back to Aang as he landed, pulling in his blue glider before his feet even touched the dirt.

Aang smiled at him and Zuko smiled back, the sun had reached its highest point in the sky as they began the exercises together. The heat of the sun and the fires had them sweating as they dueled.

Soon they were forced to stop and Zuko unpacked the breads, cheeses, and fruits he had packed.

They ate in silence.

During their first few lessons Aang had been uncomfortable in these silences, but he soon learned that Zuko was usually silently going through their sessions.

And unfortunately Zuko realized that they had reached a point he had feared, lightning. As he contemplated how to explain the strange element to the boy Zuko subconsciously realized why he had feared it. Because he would have to admit to him that he couldn't create lightning. But he needed to reach this point with Aang, Aang needed to know how to redirect lightning or else he would die for sure this time. After all, the only reason Zuko was there to teach him was because of the technique.

Breaking the now easy silence Zuko said, "Do you know your weakness with firebending?"

Aang bunched his brows thoughtfully, "Am i still not getting the elements personality right?"

Zuko shook his head, "No, you got that fine, what I'm talking about is what defeated you last time, lightning."

He saw the fear cross the boy's face and he turned away from Zuko, "I don't think i want to learn that one."

Zuko felt himself begin to turn angry, what happened to the boy who was so eager to learn a few weeks ago?

He forced himself to breath deeply and calm the fires, but when he spoke his voice was still smoldering, "Do you think that Azula is the only one who knows how to create lightning? Do you think she did not learn it from her father's own knee?"

Zuko had surprised himself with referring to the Fire Lord as Azula's father rather than his own. Aang had turned back to stare at Zuko.

"How do you think i was able to defy my father to his face and still be here to teach you?"

Aang's eyes widened, "You faced him when you told him that you were betraying him?"

Zuko nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of pride in his stomach at the boy's awe, "And the only reason i was able to do that was because i could defend myself against his lightning attack. Lightning is not something that can be controlled Aang, it is a wild beast that you cannot conquer, only direct."

Again Zuko saw that eager to learn face that had made it a joy to teach him, even if it had been a bit frustrating. But now Zuko had to walk through fire and face the truth.

"But the thing is, i was never able to create lightning, i guess i just don't have that inner calm that Azula has. So to create it is something i can't teach you. But my uncle did teach me to redirect it, which is what saved my life."

They spent the rest of the time going through the motions of the lightning's traveling path, always taking care to avoid the heart as Zuko had been taught, he wasn't sure why, but his uncle had stressed it, and so would he.

It wasn't until they were getting ready to head back that Aang stopped dead in his tracks. It took a moment for Zuko to realized that Toph was sending him a message with earthbending using the kind of language she and Haru had come up with.

When Aang's eyes grew wide with fear Zuko drew his blades and scanned the surrounding wilderness that was slowly starting to loose its light. Nothing moved, and nothing spoke. The forest was quiet.

Zuko waited, his senses taut and his muscles tense.

Finally Aang said, "Katara never came back, and Teo was flying when he saw Firenation airships nearby."

"Looks like they decided they'd given us enough of a rest," Zuko answered.

"We need to find her,"

He didn't need to say it. Zuko had felt that desire to find her the moment he said that she never came back. Katara, for some reason he needed to find her, protect her.

He believed that Aang felt the same and if the Avatar was feeling what Zuko was feeling, then he was being reckless, "We should get back to the others first, make sure things are okay."

"But what if they are hurting her! We have to find her-!"

"Oh, i wouldn't worry about finding her."

Zuko turned sharply at the silky smooth voice that rang through the silence of the night. She stood, with her knife-like smile and her dangerously steady burning amber eyes. A slight breeze picked up her dark hair and brushed it against her mercilessly well painted face. She would make a severe tyrant, what the Firenation believed was all a leader had to be, she was perfect.

Zuko couldn't suppress his joy at seeing Mai standing beside his sister, but her cold and usually indifferent face said clearly that she did not care if she had to kill him, she would do it.

His joy was replaced by sorrow. Mai. The word that rang in his mind was so full of longing and feeling and pain.

Until he saw who sat unconscious in her grip. Katara had obviously been waterbending since she was still in her bare wrappings she practiced with Aang in. Blood stained her back and her beautiful face was twisted with pain.

Zuko felt his fury rise like lava to the surface, but he suppressed it, and let warrior inside of him take over.

He scanned the pair, just the two of them, Ty Lee was no where around, and they stood with out guards or even soldiers. That wasn't right, even when she chased the Avatar there was always an entire army just behind her.

Zuko listened to the forest, nothing, not even the murmurings of men hidden in the dark.

"Let her Go!" Aang yelled angrily.

Azula simpered, "Oh, my, are you afraid i will hurt her?"

Aang growled and took a step forward, Zuko grabbed his shoulder and held him back.

He glared at Azula. This wasn't it, there was more. Every part inside of himself screamed to attack, to get Katara away from them, to protect her. But he had grown up with Azula, and there was always more.

Azula grinned, "Is that you, Zuzu, i hardly even recognized you."

She stepped forward, her arms held out as if to embrace. "What, no hug?"

"Since when have we ever hugged with out knives hidden in our hands and mother urging us to do so?"

Her grin grew wider, "I heard that you'd finally discovered that you were a born traitor, Zuko, I mean, look at mother."

Zuko held back the fire that raged inside of him like a herd of burning pheonixhorses.

"So, you knew all along."

"Of course, who do you think it was that told her about grandfather's request for father's stupidity. Did you really think i was kidding when i came in saying that father was going to kill you."

Zuko felt ready to explode with the angry emotions he kept inside, but the Avatar's hand on his shoulder and the questioning look he gave him was enough to dampen his anger.

As he calmed down he realized what Azula's trick was, after a whispered comment to Aang he walked towards Azula.

She sighed, "You're not going to challenge me to another Agni Kai are you?"

Zuko grinned, "No, Azula, you're not worth it."

With Azula's and Mai's attention on him it was a surprise when Aang did a quick little spin and disappeared into the earth as if it were water, to do battle with the Dai Li.

Azula swore, "By the flaming skirts of Sol," Zuko grinned, he always liked that phrase, it could have a lot of meanings to it.

She leapt at him and Zuko only barely got his now flaming blades up in time to fend off the attack that would have killed him.

Mai stayed in place holding Katara with an expression that said it would be more exciting to join the fight.

Zuko fought with his sister across the field, flames caught onto the dry bark and weeds starting a fire that he knew would soon be out of control.

She swung at him with a flame engulfed fist and Zuko parried it with one of his own and a kick with his right leg, then with out warning she jumped back.

And Zuko felt it, there was no way to describe the feeling other than the way his uncle had described it, something splitting, and a release of energy.

She let it go.

Zuko easily caught it in his fingertips, there was something about lightning traveling though his body, it was so thrilling and full energy. And it was so dangerous, it ripped at his insides and tore through his fingertips in the opposite hand to Azula, who had leapt out of the way.

He didn't even get the chance to turn around when she struck him from behind.

He recognized the pressure point she'd pressed bringing on a groggy darkness.

He faintly heard Azula say, "Did you really think that father would not warn his true heir of the dangers you possess. Zuko, I've been preparing for you these past three weeks, and you weren't worth the time."

A.N. Thank you! Thank you! (Bows)

What did you think of the spirit world? I thought that it was a nice touch. You get to find out what happened to Yue after she became one of 'them'.

And yes, Zuko and Katara are having the same dreams, and that it is being done by another spirit just makes it more thrilling. (My opinion) Is Reve good or bad, or does he even have a side.

The fact that their love could disrupt everything is so exciting. (squeal!!) i love forbidden love stories!! Tell me what you think!

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