Disclaimer: don't own it…still….damn

Chapter Two: This Time Will be Different

The three returned to the camp to find Zuko dodging attacks left and right but curiously doing just that. He was playing only the defensive yelling 'wait!' and 'stop!' every few moments.

Aang realizing this shouted, "Everyone stop!" causing an immediate pause in the attack. "What do you want Zuko?"

"Please, I don't want to hurt you. I'm here to help. I'm here to help the avatar take down the fire lord," he said in such a voice the group had never heard before which alone was convincing enough. He was always such an angry foe and this new, soft tone showed such an apparent change in character: somewhat of a balance.

"How do we know you really mean that and this isn't some trick to try and get us while were sleeping?" Sokka interrogated, obviously missing the change everyone else seemed to have caught.

"Sokka, I think he really means it. Let's just hear him out," Katara said genuinely. She really thought there was good in Zuko. Maybe he'd finally found it in himself too.

The gang and its few guests agreed to listen to what Zuko had to say and Zuko was ready to talk so into his story he plunged: "Those months that I was following you, always trying to capture the avatar, were during the third and final year of my banishment." By seeing the looks of confusion on his listeners' faces he plunged deeper, telling stories of his childhood, of his mother, his prodigy sister Azula, and of his father, the fire lord: "All I ever wanted was his approval." He told the story of the Agni Kai (sp?) his father challenged him to after standing up for the right cause: the cause of his scar. He told of how he refused to fight his own father, the man he thought he loved, and was banished because of it, never to return unless with the avatar in his possession: "which is why I couldn't stop following you, hunting you down day after day. I was doing what I thought was right. But someone always made me question my morals." He grew sad when he began speaking of his uncle. Katara, Aang and Sokka knew of Iroh from the North Pole and of his understanding for the need of balance in the world. He continued his story speaking of how he confronted his father, telling him he would help the avatar take him down, and of how he tried to free his uncle from the prison but when he arrived, he'd already escaped. "He's probably trying to find you too," Zuko finished after at least an hour of talking.

Somewhere during the middle of Zuko's story, Toph had felt extra vibrations coming from the edge of their clearing where the stranger sat apparently also listening to the story, but not moving. Toph let the stranger be for now; she knew those vibrations and they weren't here to harm anyone. But now that Zuko had finished, the vibrations began moving closer towards the camp. A voice now accompanied the vibrations.

"I am proud of you, my nephew," said the old uncle whom Zuko longed to see more than anyone. At the sound of his voice, Zuko jumped in shock and misbelieve. He figured he'd run into his uncle sooner of later but not this soon.

"Uncle!" Zuko yelled in surprise and joy. "I'm sorry, Uncle. I-"

"It's ok Zuko. I know it has been a difficult time for you these past years. I'm just glad to see you've made the right decision in the end," Iroh said, not wanting Zuko to have to say anymore. He didn't need to explain anything; Iroh was understanding in that way.

"Um, sir? You're a master, aren't you?" Aang asked in a hopeful tone.

"I am," Iroh answered knowing where it was going. "You have not mastered fire bending yet?" asked Iroh already knowing the answer.

"No, I haven't. I was wondering if you would be willing to teach me." Aang asked in a humbling tone, showing that he understood that he may be the avatar but Iroh would be his master and without a master the title avatar meant nothing.

"Then I will teach you the art of fire bending. You will need it when you face the fire lord." Iroh said causing a look of relief, excitement, and fear all mixed in one to wash over his face. "But first, I think we should finish our journey to the air temple where we can begin our training in a safer place for you and your friends," Iroh finished, basically answering all questions on if they were going to be joining the group or not.

"Right. Everyone rest up, were continuing tomorrow at sun up," Aang said with a new tone of authority and hope. Things were finally going to work out the way they were supposed to. He was going to become a fully realized avatar. He was going to be ready this time. He would defeat the fire lord next time. He knew it. But for now, he stayed awake consumed with thoughts of fire bending. His first and last attempt at the element was a guilty memory which he hated to think about. The last time he played with fire, the one he loved got hurt. Katara. He closed his eyes tight trying to brush away the guilty feeling twisting in his stomach as the memory played itself over in his mind. This time will be different though,, I'm a master at water bending and earth bending like Jong-Jong said I had to be. This time will be different, he thought reassuring himself as he slowly drifted off to sleep. This time will be different.

ok sooooo I know it was a short and boring chapter but it was necessary

sorry!! Ill post the next chapter quick so that u guys don't have to wait too long for some good stuff like kataang moments :) which we all love…and firebending! Which will be fun so sit tight:))