As some of you saw I posted this chapter up twice now, After a one bad review and an even worse day I took Cold Embers down. After some good old venting to my sister and some Enya I bucked up and went in and fixed some things, I'm hoping this will be better, if its not; Let Me Know! lol, Yesterday I received two wonderful reviews another one today, I wanted to give out a special thanks to Slytherin Princess and Sarcasm22, you guys really gave me the boost I needed. This One For You Guys :).

One more thing I'm sorry for the spacing I'm having problems with it working on fanfic, if you guys really hate it let me know and I'll try to fix it some more. Anyways.

Happy Reading!

Four days had passed since Katara and Zuko had parted ways with Ling and Lee,

Three since they had left the rest of the group. After a few awkward hugs and some uncalled advice from Lee they set out. Lilly had decided to stay with Ling and Lee for the time being, she talked of going out to find her departed fire-nation husband sometime very soon. This worried Sokka, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

It was about mid day and the ride was very quiet to the small village, and even Sokka managed to keep his thoughts to himself for the trip. He kept his seat next to Katara who had been very quiet since she discovered that her mother necklace had been taken by the Earth-kingdom soldiers. She didn't cry like the first time when the piece of jewelry had gone missing, but Sokka often saw her hand go up to her bare neck.

"So what do you plan to do once we separate?" Aang asked Zuko, while sitting on a large rock shaping his knife.

Zuko had been more grumpy then usually since the EarthKingdom soldiers attack. The behavior baffled Aang he wondered if it had to do with the war, or his lack of Firebending. However, Aang was no longer sure if Katara leaving was a good idea. He believed there was good in him, he really did, but even Aang knew that it wasn't enough for him to change his mind overnight, he looked at Zuko who was staring into space.

Zuko was not much a dreamer but dreams wear all he seemed to have left in this world. Without his bending Zuko could never claim his throne.
He was imaging a life where he could capture the Avatar this moment, take him to his father, who would welcome his back with open arms and honor. Finally get the respect and power that was his.
This was a sweet vision, the one that he desperately wanted more then anything, but he knew without his bending he would never see it.

His eyes wondered to Katara who was also staring into space, she had been rather sad for the last two days, and he didn't know what it was, he watched her place her hand onto her bare neck, where the empty spot of the blue stone usually rested, he supposed the earth soldiers had taken off the night stand next to the bed, with a sigh he turned away from her and spoke to Aang who was looking at him still waiting for his reply.

"We'll head back north, and travel along woods until we reach that old witch, it should take us about two weeks to get there and back, so in the mean time you guys hang tight and do not draw attention to yourselves I will not have you two putting my uncle in danger." He snapped.
Aang nodded and looked at Katara, she turned a bit and gave him a small smile. Aang returned the smile and he turned back to Zuko. "Just do one thing for me, take it easy on Katara she's been through a lot lately and-"

"You think I haven't." Zuko snapped, and Aang rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "No, no that's not what I meant its just... Katara lost her mother's necklace, and she's been having a bad week." He said.

Zuko's eyes shifted to the young women who was still staring aimlessly with her hand near her neck.

"If there is one thing about me avatar that you need to know, it is that I'm the last person on earth you should ask to show another human kindness," he got up and left.

Aang stood there and watched the young man walk away, he couldn't feel angry at him, only pity.

Iroh stood by watching his nephew carefully, he saw Zuko as many things strong, brave, devoted, and more of a man then he could ever wish to be. However, Zuko still lacked one thing when when it came to his future, any and all social skills. No matter what, who, or where he was, he always seemed to fail when it came to basic conversion, he had always been that way, and over the years Iroh noticed that it wan't because he didn't try or care.

Zuko was too outspoken for his own good, Azula never had that problem although, she was so scary she could threaten anyone into believing whatever she wanted. Zuko on the other hand seemed to fail tragically at conversion, not being as scary as Ozai and Azula, and certainly not as charming as his dear uncle. He also spoke the truth but he didn't realize the truth would burn him.

He sighed and turned his attention to the young water tribe boy who was wondering around with a map in his hands, the little lemur was carelessly jumping around him. Iroh chuckled knowing Sokka would be a great leader, Sokka would one day ruled over the whole water tribe.

Sokka was the kinda friend Zuko needed, and though they fought continuously Iroh knew there was some sort of respect there, even if they didn't see it yet. He looked away and he prayed that Zuko saw the light soon, he had a good heart, but Iroh feared his heart was still longing for something he knew he could never have.

Iroh knew Zuko would never let harm come to a certain young Water-Tribe woman, he claimed to dislike. He let out a wicked smile, as his gaze moved to Katara, she reminded him of Zuko and he felt it would be good for both of them to have some time alone.

Looking into the fading sunset he took a deep breath, he didn't know why the spirits switched their bending, but he had a good theory. He ginned wider when he saw his nephew go over to her and flare his arms up in anger, her face turn red in anger as she fired back. Iroh chuckled at Zuko's face, he always made that face when he talked to her, it was confusion, anger, and staggering curiosity. She wasn't a women Zuko understood.

The girls from the Fire -Nation were all nobles, who married into money. The women of the Earth-Kingdom were more on the fun side, liking a good time and a good looking boy. These were the kinda women Zuko was used to seeing, ones that would roll over at any kind word, or heavy wallet, but not Katara, not in the slightest.

Iroh saw as he watched her every chance he had, it sometimes seemed he was torn between either wanted to hit her senselessly or, kiss her passionately. His gaze always fell back to the Water-Tribe maiden, he wondered if Zuko would ever admit his feelings, nevertheless Iroh knew the ending would be unhappy for both as long as Zuko chased the Avatar, and there would be no future for them, only bitter disappointment. Deep down they both knew this.

Zuko has never taken a real interest in girls, not that he didn't like girls, he just saw them as props, a pretty face, a remedy for sexual pleasure, and producing an heir. Even with his girlfriend Mai, he had no real interest in her, sure they would attend balls and take walks together, but they never connected, never blushing around each other, teased one another, or had those awkward moments that Iroh could recall so clearly when he meet his wife.

After Zuko was banished he and Mai wrote on and off for about a year, when the letters stopped, Zuko didn't seem a bit upset. He sighed and wondered why Zuko and Mai dated at all, but then again , status was everything to their kingdom, it looked good for both their families.

Pressing the cup to his the lips letting, out a sour look, the drink was cold, and tasted bitter, like some kind of herb that s shopkeeper just pulled out of the ground and dumped it into a pitcher without care or thought.

"Pity, oh well, tea is tea, even awful tea." as he always said, he then sighed and looked over back at Zuko" pity" he said to Appa, who was eating some hay behind him. "I guess i'll have to wait another day to fix the worlds problems." Appa groaned.

"It's final then, we'll leave tonight". Zuko's voice snapped through the air.

Fighting for the last ten minutes, Katara thought traveling by night was safer, but Zuko was dead set on leaving in the morning. Zuko finally snapped and said they were leaving in the morning, however, Katara's eyes narrowed and he quickly found that she was dead set of leaving at night, finally Zuko gave up, even though he clearly wasn't happy about

Katara said goodbye to her brother and the Avatar and, Zuko noticed the knife the her brother slipped into her bag. Making Zuko's eyes roll.

"Lets go!" Zuko yelled , he climbed on the Ostrich Horse, they only afford the one animal, but Zuko figured this way there was no chance of separation.

Iroh smiled at his nephew who was sitting tall on the creature, his hair was getting longer everyday, people always said that Zuko was spitting image of Ozai, Iroh always thought he looked more like his mother, he held her same sad eyes and sweet smile, although the smile was rare.

"Uncle." Zuko whispered to Iroh, and he looked up at him with a curious smile. "If anything happens, if Azula comes-"
"Calm down, my nephew." He said with a chuckle.

"I will be perfectly safe, besides I can defend myself or, did you forget who trained you?" He asked raising his eyebrow.
Zuko scoffed and ran his hand trough his hair.

"It's not that I worry about, don't let them sacrifice you to protect the Avatar."

Iroh couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter.

"Sacrifice? My dear Zuko, have you been getting into the rice wine again?"" Zuko stiffened

"Everything will work out or the best, you'll see." Iroh said giving him a gentle smile.

"Sacrifice me, Hahahaha." Iroh laughed as he walked over to the others. Zuko glared as he watched his uncle walk away

"Remember what I said Katara." Sokka said giving his sister another tight hug.

"I know, I know aim for the eyes and neck I know." She said.

"And then run, Katara run." He shook her shoulders, his eyes wide.

"Stop it Sokka I'm going to be fine." She said playfully pushing her brother off.

" I know it's just..." He looked at Zuko who was sitting very impatiently on the Ostrich Horse.

"I can take care of myself Sokka, water or not." She said, Sokka sighed.

"I know I just worry about you." He said. She shook her head and turned over to Aang who was balancing Momo on hisshoulder. He smiled and gave her a big hug.

"Be carful Katara, and try to be nice to Zuko, I know his hearts in the right place." He said, and Katara nodded but he did not let go. She felt somewhat strange around Aang now, his hugs seemed to last a little longer then usually. She felt something for Aang she really did but, it was wrong something lingered there it made her nervous, her mind shot to the night with Zuko when they shared a bed, it still gravely disturbed her, everything was wrong and everything felt weird.

"Any day now Water-Bender!" Zuko shouted from the Ostrich Horse, he rolled his eyes at the sight of the Air-Bender and Katara, when she pulled away, he noticed how she quickly removed herself.
Finally Katara turned to Iroh who gave her a respectful bow. "Until we meet again Lady Katara."
She blushed and made her way over to Zuko, he looked intimidating on top of the beast, the setting sun only altered his looks and she all of a sudden, she did not want to go. She wanted to run away.

"Come on Katara, it was your stupid idea to leave at sunset, now let's go." He snapped angrily. Her eyes narrowed and her fear quickly turned to anger, she walked over the Ostrich Horse with deliberate steps.

"How am I-"

She was cut off when his placed his hand in front of her, his expression was still hard when she carefully placed her hand in his. He scooted back a bit and she placed her foot onto the holster and he lifted her into the saddle, her face turned bright red while she got herself adjusted in the seat.

A quiet, 'thank goodness' went throughout his mind when she finally stopped. He kept a good distance between them at first, then she felt him press her legs with hers and Katara's blush turned her blood red.

"Let's go." He snapped, kicking the beast into a gallup.

They rode fast in complete silence for the first few hours, the air was thick with the smell of rain and, the clouds shifted over the moon blacking their path. Zuko pushed the animal into a faster pace, he felt very much awake right now, the wind pushed through his hair. The moon was giving him energy, it felt raw, breathtaking, and never could he recall feeling so in touch with water, it made him want to burst into a sea of liquid.

Katara felt herself be thrown back again as Zuko picked up speed and she gripped the front of the saddle to keep herself from being tossed back into Zuko's chest.

"Zuko, your going to kill the poor animal, slow down." She nagged.

"He's fine," he said dryly, and he kicked the horse again to gain more speed.

"Zuko." She snapped.

He ignored her and she whipped her head back and gave him a cold glare.

"You-"

Anything she was going to say was stopped when the Ostrich Horse foot made contact with a rock on the ground he stumbled forward throwing its riders out of balance.

Katara gasped and the animal stumbled forward and let out a loud roar.
her heart leaped in her chest and as she slammed into Zuko's chest she let out a small scream, and shut her eyes, preparing for the impact, but it never came, and instead she felt something wrap around her waist. Zuko tightly gripped her in his arms and pulled her further into his chest, she moved her head to the side and buried it into neck while gripping his shirt at an attempt to not to fall off.

Zuko gripped the rein, wrapping his hand around the leather, and jerked the beast back up before he it could stumble to the ground. The Ostrich Horse landed back on his feet. Making a loud cry, it started bucking and trying to get away. "Take it easy boy." Zuko soothed, while the animal slowly calmed down.

The feeling of falling stopped and Katara felt Zuko's breath on the side of her neck. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Zuko, her heart continued to beat fast, and she thought he looked flushed.

"Are you alright?" He asked calmly.

"Yes." She breathed, and then took a deep breath and locked her eyes on his. He knew what she was thinking by the daggers in her eyes, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of being right, she opened her mouth to speak when he cut her off.

"We should camp here tonight." He said before a sound could escape.
She narrowed her eyes and jumped off the beast. She quickly disappeared into the woods, the Ostrich Horse let out a squeal and Zuko sighed This was going to be a fun night.

Katara laid in her sleeping bag looking at the stars, the sun was going to come up soon, and she knew she needed to get some sleep.

She finally turned to her side to look at Zuko sleeping about ten feet from her, she didn't know if she should be worried or happy that he was keeping such a far distance, just a few nights ago he, held her close stroked her hair and slept in the same bed, hell he almost kissed her.

She sighed and looked back up at the sky, this was to damn confusing. They had not said a word when they made camp, and it worried her.

Katara wasn't usually so speechless, but he seemed to steal her words, she moved her hand up to her neck and let out a silent cry, she missed her necklace, it hurt her to even think of someone else wearing it, it was hers, it was her mothers, the only thing she had left of her, and now it was probably in an Earth-Kingdom pawn shop, she shook her head and closed her eyes to forget that image and Zuko.

It was going to be a long two weeks.

Part 2

Zuko was in a state of half sleep half passed out, and he was getting annoyed. Why couldn't he sleep like he did a few nights ago, he sighed and took a breath.

He opened his eyes and looked over to the sleeping Water-Bender, she was laying on her side with her back to him, he could only make out the outline of her moving body in the darkness.

Zuko rolled onto his back and looked up at the sky, although there was nothing to see because of the clouds covering the stars and moon, it would be dawn soon, and again they would on the road.
He hated this awkwardness between them,he was sure that he wouldn't survive a day with her. Letting out a puff, he sighed, she would never pass as a proper Firenation lady.

Zuko looked back over at her, she was a quiet sleeper she didn't squirm around or breath very loudly.

He didn't understand why he held such in infatuation with her, she was dirty, poor, cocky, stubborn, Watertribe peasant. Her breathing hitched and she tolled over, giving Zuko a glimpse of her distressed face. He blinked back his wandering thoughts, Watertribe girls were not suppose to be that pretty.

He didn't like the feelings that were bubbling up inside of him, it was a bad feeling,… oh crap, he wanted her. There was no doubt , she was beautiful, attractive, but so very annoying.

Zuko blinked "whats wrong with me" he said quietly.

A sharp sound was pounding on his ears, and he shot over to Katara who was sleeping peacefully. A few moments past and he thought maybe he had imaged the noise, when the sound happened again, Zuko to shoot up. He looked around the darkness for the origin of the sound. The next time he heard the noise, it was closer and Zuko turned quickly, still not seeing anything.

"Who's there!" He yelled gripping one of his swords in his hands, his gaze shifted over to Katara who was still soundly sleeping, and his eyes widened when he saw the dark man standing over Katara. "Hey get away from her" He shouted loudly, Katara remained unmoved and the men didn't seem to notice Zuko.

"Wake up, Katara!" He yelled moving towards them. He couldn't see a face, only a tall figure. "I said get back, Katara, get up"he shouted. Nothing.

He was wearing a black hood that covered his face, slowly bent over Kartara, Zuko flinched.

"Get away from her!" He yelled swinging his sword in front of him as he moved close enough to act.

The man then put a finger up to his lips ordering him to be quit, and while Zuko took another step forward, slowly trying not to act to hastily and cause harm to , Katara who was still unmoved.

"What have you done to her?"" He shouted, but the man ignored him and carefully reached into his cloak.

Zuko prepared for an attack, but instead the man pulled out an old hourglass. He stared in confusion, as the strange man looked at the item and then tipped it over making the sand poor into the other side.

"what are you?." he said softly then stopped. The man finally lifted his head, and Zuko's eyes widened in horror as two bright yellow eyes burned into his.

"Zuko!" He opened his eyes, and quickly sat up, or a moment he was blinded by the light. "Zuko, wake up", His eyes adjusted he looked around for the man only to see Katara sitting on a near by rock braiding her hair.

'It was just a dream.' He realized when he saw no hour glass only the cold light of morning. He ran his fingers trough his hair and took a deep breath.

"Zuko?" She said again, and he glanced at her worried expression.

"Are you aright? You were thrashing around like a Polar Bear- Dog." She said with a frown. He sighed and then untangled himself from his blankets and stood up.

"I'm fine." He finally said.

She looked at his distressed face. She wanted to ask him what was wrong but, she knew it would make him angry, so she fell silent and went back to her hair.

He glanced around and saw the camp was already cleaned up, and pot of something cooking was over the fire place. "How did you light the fire?" He asked. He quickly turned around with an angry look on his face. He forgot the man from the dream, and hoped nobody had seen her Firebend in the open.

"I didn't use your stupid Firebending." She snapped, as if reading his mind, she then reached into her pants pocket and held up the piece of flint.
Zuko turned away.

"We need to be more careful, we don't want thieves and unwanted visitors like my sister finding us." He said as he started rolling up his sleeping bag.

She rolled her eyes and tossed her braid behind her back.

"Sure I'll get right on that." She mumbled, standing up and brushing the winkles out of her light green tunic.

Ling had given her some of Sonya's clothing for the road, she still felt strange wearing the dead girl's clothes, but then again, she really didn't have a lot of options.

She had gotten up at dawn and had been bored out of her mind, she had originally thought they shouldn't leave until dark but the Idea of being stuck here with Zuko seemed hardly worth any safety the night would provide.

"if you're hungry there is soup in the pot." She said,

he nodded and went over to the soup and took out a bowl. Katara rolled her eyes at him 'thank you Katara for making me breakfast, and cleaning up camp and thank you for putting up with my annoying bending that wakes me up to damn early' she thought sarcastically.

"I think it would be a good idea to leave sooner then tonight." Katara said, and Zuko didn't look up but nodded instead, she rolled her eyes.

Zuko took a bite of a soup and made a sour face.

"What is this?" He asked bitterly. Katara shot him a dry unimpressed look.

"It's vegetable soup, but since only turnips grow around here, we are having turnip, cabbage, and some spices soup." She snapped, she had spend all morning looking for food but found nothing.

"Is there even any meat in this?" He asked observing it closely.

"No, I never cook meat in the soup, I cook to to the side and we add his own." She said.

"Why didn't you just cook it in there, it's easier." He added simply.

"Aang's a vegetarian, I can't cook the meat with it cause it mixes in too much." She said.

He looked blankly at her. "Are you insane?, The Avatar isn't even here." She crossed her arms and turned away from him.

"You're telling me that you didn't put meat in this just because some little monk, who is not even here, won't eat it?" He snapped bitterly.

She turned around and shot daggers with her eyes.

"Then next time you can get up and fix something." With that she turned away from him, even though the truth was that she was going to add meat but had forgotten, of course he didn't need to know that.

He looked at her with a blidsighted look."that girls is nuts" he mumbled eating his soup.

They barley spoke for the next two days.

Katara thought she was going to explode with the tension. Her Firebending was getting more intense and she was having a hard time handling it, during the nights she would get too hot she would find herself sweating and panting in the dark. Sometimes it was so bad that she was half tempted to strip down and sleep naked in the cool night air.

Day time wasn't much better, riding with Zuko was becoming annoying, he wouldn't even look at her half the time, and she wasn't one- hundred percent sure what they were mad this time, but she was sure that it was mostly his fault.

She shifted on the Ostrich Horse and looked up, the sky was darker then yesterday black clouds covered the sun and thunder roared in her ears with flashes of lightning that lit the sky. She had been feeling sick since last night, and the ride wasn't making her any better, she was lightheaded and drained, she felt the urge to put her head on Zuko's shoulder. However, her stubborn self would not let her.

After stopping they set up the tent, and settled inside. Zuko pulled out the oil lamp and set it in the middle of the space. He thought of the strange dream, what did it mean?., his uncle had once said that dreams show us things, that we don't want to face. He then rolled his eyes, he didn't believe in that sort of thing, it was just a dream.

Next he pulled out some of the jerky from this morning, and he ripped it in two and took a bite. Katara had left the tent after they had set up, he could hear the gaging sounds from outside.

He knew he needed to get a grip on the situation, he just wasn't sure how, he had never really had any friends, or really known any women. When it came to Katara he couldn't see her has a friend, she was full book with no cover, and Zuko didn't know if wanted to read it.

He sighed and took another bite, he saw the flaps open and Katara crawled inside, she didn't speak but went straight over to her mat and laid down, oh good, she was avoiding him again.

When she buried her face in the pillow he turned away to give her the allusion of privacy.
Katara moaned, and pushed herself as hard as she could into the pillow, her head was pounding, and she coughed hard, tearing her dry throat. After puking her guts outside, the very last thing she wanted was to deal with Zuko.

She felt a cold touch on her shoulder making her jump, Katara turned around to see Zuko sitting on his knees. He said nothing but held the canteen to her mouth, she hesitated but then took the canteen and drank heavily.

"You look like crap." He said without emotion, she coughed up some of the water and then fell back into the pillow.
She turned her head just enough to see Zuko's face.

"Bite me." She muttered.

"You look sick, what's wrong?" He spat back. At her silence he sighed and looked at her face again, she was clinging to the pillow for dear life and wouldn't look at him.

"You look very pale, are you running a fever?" He asked, and she once again ignored the question.

"Get away." She finally muttered, and he rolled his eyes.

"Don't be so dramatic, are you running a fever or not?" He asked. She shot him another glare and turned her face away.

"What did you eat this morning?" He pressured her, shifting his position.

She stayed silent for a moment.

"I didn't eat anything, just some jerky." She said quietly. He reached out and touched her head with the back of his hand only to have it smacked.

"I'm fine, just go away." She spat, moving further away from him.
"You know what, fine." He said getting up, he moved over to far end of the tent and rubbed his temples with frustration, he was ignoring her while he sat in a still poison to think.

He took a deep breath to clear his mind he wondered if his Uncle was having this much trouble with the Avatar and Watertribe boy as he was.

"Now this my friends is what we call a hot-tub." Iroh mused, as he stuck his hand into the water and it bubbled to perfection.
"You know, I thought this was going to be a bad I idea but, I have to admit, for a Firebender you're a pretty cool guy Iroh." Sokka said as he flipped his head onto the back of the hot spring.

"Yeah this is great.." Aang said, splashing in the water swirling the water above his head, he had been working on some new tricks to show Katara. When she got back.

Iroh let out a chuckle.

"You're welcome young Avatar, it's nice to have some company, Zuko never wants to indulge in the simple pleasure of life, he says hot tubing together is strange."

"Three men sitting in a tub, I don't see anything strange about that." Sokka said, and Momo jumped up onto Sokka's head and chirped.

"Look even Momo likes it." Aang laughed,as he bended the water into the air."

"I wonder what Zuko and Katara are doing." Aang mused, Sokka sighed and looked up at the cloudy sky.

I know this chapter is kinda of boring, that's why its in two part, the next chapter is much better and it will be up in a few days.

Thanks Again guys, I always love to read your reviews, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Note: there will be a time skip In Cold Ember.

Thank you all for reading.

MadGirl.