Hello fanfic readers! Crazy last chapter no? Who would have guessed Zhao is back and he is now officially alive. Who did Azula choose to live? The answer may surprise you. Now let's see what he has to say to the Gaang. But first…

WARLOCK2552- Oh its an early call as to who will die and yeah Zhao is definitely a jerk. His antics are only going to worsen in this chapter

Ferret krazy101- I know…I just blew your mind!

Private Fire- Thanks for the compliments I'm going solely on the dreams that I had so whatever happens, happens.

Now brace yourselves ladies and gentleman here comes part two.

Book 4: Air: Water and Fire is Air

From the Depths Part 2

It was a night like any other; typical with its share of drama, humor and friendship. While some welcomed their slumber; others were riled up by earlier events unable to conceive of retiring. Whispers in the night echoed for the secrets being shared and kept. As a newlywed couple wanted to enjoy the others company for a late night; two spouses noticed that their beds were strangely vacant of their partners. Judel and Firelady Mai coming from separate wings of the palace went to investigate where their partners had gone; both determined and displeased. Suddenly, a bright blue flash of light awoke all. It was beautiful to look at from a distance as if a heavenly body had graced the earth with its presence. The radiance of this unidentified source caused certain occupants of the palace to investigate; they felt as if something was calling them to the garden. The scene that was stumbled was so astonishing that all anyone could do was just staring in awe. Ty Lee and Mai were in shock, Katara and Sokka were angry, Iroh was confused, Toph and Judel hadn't any idea what was going on. Azula stared up at Zhao as he held a stiff Zuko by his neck, "Let him go Zhao!"

"As you wish my dearest," he submitted.

Looking at the Firelady straight into the eye; he dropped Zuko nonchalantly. Aang instantly used a wind current to ease him to the ground. Mai, Azula and Katara rushed to his side. Katara checked his vitals with a glowing hand, "This isn't good he's…"

Mai sensing the gravity in her voice encouraged her, "Please save him"

Azula, observing, knew better, "She can't save him, Only Zhao can."

"He isn't your husband Azula this isn't your call!" said the Firelady resolutely.

"Open your eyes Mai and think of this for a moment. Zhao is straight from the healing waters of the oasis; he's doing this on purpose, he can't allow Zuko to die or else he will cease to exist."

"Mai I can heal him," Katara offered.

'There's no time Mai!" Azula insisted.

Katara was becoming sick of the Fire Nation Princess shouting next to her. She nudged her aside to begin remedying Zuko's wounds, "Exactly Azula; that's why I need to do this immediately."

Azula terminated the water tribe girls' actions before they began, "You will not lay a finger on him!"

The waterbending master with ferocity pushed back, "Get your hands off of me!"

Mai separated them almost tempted to bring out her stilettos, "Shut up the both of you!" The Firelady looked to her sister-in-law, "Azula I have to go with Katara I trust in her abilities."

Azula narrowed her eyes at Mai, "Then you are being a fool."

Katara brought up water from the ground and labored over Zuko's wounds. This did no good; his breathing became shallow. She looked into his eyes and he held his heart. He screamed loudly convulsing, blood was pouring out of his nose and mouth .Katara looked panicked, "I don't understand." She had to remain calm something about his body doing this; she knew immediately, "Zhao, he's bloodbending."

"And that is precisely why you should have listened to me." Azula addressed the former Admiral with abhorrence, "Zhao cease what you are doing and heal him now!"

"My, my it seems trust is still a scarcity amongst the Fire Nation royals. Some things never change. I will do as you bid Princess."

With a nod from Zhao; Zuko stopped convulsing, his breath normalized. The former Admiral placed his hands on Zuko's temple and he gasped for air; perfectly healthy, "There now as good as new; well I could have gotten rid of the scar; but he's earned it after all."

Zuko went to lunge for him; when Azula held him back, "He's not worth it"

The newly appointed waterbender pouted, "I must say I'm a bit offended; but that won't sully my visions of you."

Judel scrunched up his nose at the implication and stood next to Azula

Aang was holding on to his staff; clenching onto it in anger. Zhao looked him straight in the eyes. "Surprised to see me, Avatar Aang? I thought you Avatars talk to each other. I at least thought Kuruk would say something to you, he was my Sifu."

The ground beneath Aang formed tiny fractures, "What do you want Zhao?!"

Zhao smiled boastful, the Avatar was playing his game now, "Everyone relax; all I was having is a little fun I'm satisfied now. Since you're so eager to learn my purpose: it concerns Qigong. There is something you all must be made aware of before you venture into the wild wilderness unknown."

Aang still trying to wrap his mind around the ordeal inquired, "How are you alive? how are-"

Zhao gave him a stern look, "Do you really want to waste time asking me questions or would you rather I finished what I was saying?"

Iroh put his hand on Aang's shoulder and stepped forward, "Say your peace Zhao and leave this place."

"A wise choice; first, you must know about the location. Qigong is not what it once was: currently, it is hidden in plain sight. One of you will give life and the other will have to make the ultimate sacrifice. On this journey allies will become enemies; enemies will become allies," Zhao eyes honed in on a still shaken Zuko as he uttered, "and death with come closely. Farewell on your journey and good tidings, oh and one more thing," his sights drifting to his former betrothed with the most sexual of intent, "I'll see you in the dream world Azula."

With those words steam rose, leaving his amber eyes to show; when the fog lifted, he vanished without a trace. The group tried to collect themselves as best as they could. Toph the only one completely (and literally) in the dark posed, "Who was that guy?"

Sokka took a deep breath giving the world's fastest and shortest explanation, "Former Admiral of the Fire Nation, tried to commit genocide of the Northern Water Tribe; but failed and made the love of my life the moon. In short, we don't like that guy. He's BZG"

"Huh?" said the blind earthbender.

"Before Zuko and Gaang," he stated obviously, "geez Toph keep up!"

"Hey," Zuko butted, "I thought I was a part of the Gaang," he twiddled his fingers.

"You're all busy with Firelord stuff," Sokka waved off.

"I can still hang," The Firelord placed his hands in his robe kicking the small pebble on the ground like an upset child.

"Hey remember when he tried to join us?" Toph recalled

"Man he was funny," laughed Sokka, "and Katara-"

"I thought she was going to turn into a firebender," Toph finished his sentence.

As they broke out in laughter; Mai leaned into Ty Lee "Are you sure there's nothing going on between them?"

The Pink Kyoshi turned to Mai surprised she almost accidently mentioned Sokka's single status. She stuttered, stopped, smiled and changed the subject, "So what did he mean by someone would give life?"

Mai at the words, 'give life' unconsciously held her belly. It had been three years since
Mako—she didn't want to think about it. Whoever it was that was going to have a baby; it certainly wasn't her. She wanted so desperately to be wrong. Zuko had offered to adopt; but Mai was so resistant against the idea; it made her bitter: was he implying that she was broken?

The Firelady had to stop this; Zuko loved her with all of his heart; he was faithful; he would never leave her even though she was cold toward him lately. You never get over losing a child; not your mind and especially not your body. She had made up with Zuko days before; however the freshness of their son's death would plague her every time she would see a fire; visions of her sons tiny body being set aflame would ruminate. There was certainly no way to avoid such an element giving the geography and culture. .Just the thought of all this was making Mai sick. She noticed she was in fact, vomiting and lightheaded more often than usual. She chalked it up to stress and grief; it was taking a toll on her. She wasn't sleeping and had no desire to eat. She really hated to do this; but perhaps it was time to start a round of medicinal herbs.

Zuko wrapped his hand around hers, removing her from her deliberations, "Mai," he said softly, "You need your rest."

Normally what he said would have been right; the fact of the matter was Mai's displeasure at the sound of his voice; snatched her hand away. Zuko looking concerned took the mask off the top of his head and looked ashamed. "I'm sorry it was just—"

"We had an agreement Zuko. We would rely on each other and lean on each other for our problems."
"I know—"

"How could you go running off? Why didn't you make me go with you?"
"I—"

"I almost lost you today because out of all people; I didn't listen to Azula. Your just SO—"

Tears dropped down Mai's face. To her horror everyone looked in her direction. She was convinced they saw her vulnerability and so she ran inside. Zuko mentally punched himself in the face, you idiot. After everything they have been through it seems his head and his heart were at war once again. The message was clear; every precious moment they spent together should be cherished and not be disregarded over familial nonsense. He went up to Ty Lee who was already on her way to her friend. She folded her arms and glared at Zuko. Now he felt like garbage.

Katara looked up to Zuko with the deepest of sympathy in her eyes
The master waterbender shook her head; she could already see what this journey was going to do to everyone. Like always she would be the mother, the voice of reason and the referee. She would have to keep Sokka from killing Azula, Azula from killing Zuko, Zuko from neglecting Mai, keep an eye on Mai, Ty Lee and Azula, meanwhile she has to keep the secret of her marriage from being blurted out by Toph and said earthbender was indeed the keeper of everyone's privacy. If the discoverer of metalbending knew about Iroh and June; then she must know something about why Sokka has been acting funny. And Aang, yes, he was the Avatar; but he was still human. She was his wife now; she giggled like a little girl at that title. It was apparent he needed her more than anyone. She went to Aang and embraced him; he was still rigid and angry. "Why would they do this? I need to find out now."

"Tomorrow is another day; I'm sure we'll figure it out in time."

Aang relaxed in her arms defeated and confused. He conceded, "Yeah your right, I'll see you later."

Sokka at this sentenced perked his ears up. He stood in front of Katara defensively. "Oh no, NO! I insist that you go to bed and stay there; no oogies and especially no midnight Woohoo!"

She was getting so sick of this, "Sokka he meant in the morning."

"Katara, Katara so young," he patronized.

"I'm twenty one!"

"I don't care! You're still my little sister and dad left it up to me to keep your virtue from being reaped before it's ready for harvest."

Katara threw her hands up in the air, "You have seriously been in the earth kingdom too long. At any rate it's my body and if anybody decides what I'll do with my 'virtue' it's going to be me!"

"Or what?"

Toph and Iroh immediately ran over to the scene as fuming as Katara was; there were no limits to what she would do. Toph took her friend and ushered her inside. "Come on Sugar queen it's about time we had a girl's night in. Goodnight Sokka."

Iroh braced the water tribesman and Avatar by the shoulders, "There is a special brew of tea that can only be found here in the Fire Nation. What's say we have a heaping cup and retire for the night?"

"Good idea Iroh that way I can keep my eye on certain people," he eyed Aang accusing.

Iroh rolled his eyes and went inside with the young men.

Azula was still by the fountain staring at it; her eyes distant, staring out to nowhere. Judel took this time to wrap his robe around her; leaving him shirtless. "Darling you shouldn't be out here by yourself."

"I know: I just need air."

Judel pulled her close to him embracing her to his warm chest, "There's a little princess waiting for you I believe her name is Xiourong."

Azula didn't hear him at still lost. She was slipping from his grip. He felt a twinge of regret he should have never brought her here; there was no way she could possibly weather the storm that is her family and come out unscathed. He turned her face toward his, "What did Zhao mean when he said see you in the dream world?"

"I highly doubt it was important"

"I was afraid for you, that with all that power he would do something horrible to you. I couldn't help but feel that I would have been powerless to stop him."

Azula felt her cheek where Zhao had kissed her, if only he knew, "Judel if you don't mind; I would prefer that we not discuss this."

"I'm sorry I wasn't thinking. Are you going to be all right?"

She pulled her husband close to her and kissed him softly on his lips. "I just want to forget it all."

Judel understood; his wife desired him tonight more than ever. He scooped her up in his strong arms and found a small hidden spot in the garden. He laid her down gently. He looked at her face loving and warm. He interlaced his hands with hers as he lay on top of her. A year had ripped them apart. He had his obligations to the Jaw-Long and she had been alone to raise their child. Even with everything that has gone on; they shared the same bed nothing more. She almost left him had not Ursa stopped her. They were struggling in their new marriage. It wasn't as if he didn't love Xiourong; his daughter was his shining light; but the baby was something else to distract them from working on their relationship. He couldn't remember the last time Azula said she loved him or even when she stopped putting up obstacles for him to climb or break down. What was beyond Judel was if Zuko wanted to repair the damage of the family; why wasn't he included? This is what he chose for better or worse; compact all of the turmoil with what happened with Piandao so ever present in his mind he was conflicted. He wanted nothing more than to feel a longing for her; to make sweet inhibited love to Azula. With every touch he felt the chill of her words, "She's your responsibility now!" with her every moan of ecstasy he recalled her words, "After we come back from our excursion; consider you and I over!"

He looked at her amber eyes wanton and expecting; her lips parted open where he had kissed her. He had sacrificed his health and went against doctors' orders to be with her. He would support her through this difficult time but he just couldn't do this, not tonight. With that he left her embraces and sat down on the lip of the alcove. Yes, this journey was going to change them and he could only hope to Tui and La that it was for the better.