Chapter 4

-THE FIRST DAY-

It was a sunny day, a perfect day for a swim. After a few miles they finally reached Iroh's rest house. It was on top of a small hill and some bunches of trees surrounding it.

"We are here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Toph was the first to come out of Haru's car, she wasn't able to handle sharing the back seats with Katara, Aang and Jet.

"That fresh air!" Suki said as Sokka helped her out with his hand reaching to her.

Ty Lee opened the window and ducked out. "We're finally here!"

Mai just looked around, but was still unhappy. Azula saw her; she placed her head on Mai's shoulder and said softly, "If there's something wrong, you can tell me." (A/N: wow, the total opposite of Azula)

Mai sighed but she didn't respond. Then Ty Lee gave her a hug, "Come one, let's go outside and breathe some fresh air."

Mai gave a small smile to the two. She then noticed Zuko and Iroh,with their eyes wide open, looking at them from the rear view mirror.

She blushed, "What are you looking at?!" She looked away and crossed her arms.

Iroh chuckled; Zuko shrugged then went out of the car. Then they all got out.

Aang stretched when he went outside. He noticed that the area was secluded from the other houses.

Iroh said, "Welcome to my rest house, come one, I'll show you around."

Jet went to the back, "Haru, let's get these bags."

Haru nodded and helped Jet put the bags out.

"Iroh, we'll get the bags out first. You can tour the girls instead." Sokka reffered 'we' to them, boys.

Iroh nodded with a smile. And led the girls inside.

Zuko opened the back of his car and slowly slid the bags out. Jet was on the pick up and handed the bags down to Haru. While Sokka and Aang took the bags inside.

"Is something wrong?" Haru broke the silence.

Zuko looked at Haru, thought he referred to him. "What?"

"I meant Jet." Haru smiled. Jet made a pause then continued handing the bags.

"What do you mean?" Jet asked.

Haru smirked, "You've been quiet the whole trip." Zuko continued taking the bags out quietly.

"I'm just having a bad day." He explained handing Mai's heavy luggage to Haru.

"It's Mai, right?" Haru asked. Zuko stared at them, Jet paused, he didn't answer.

"Mai?!" Aang dropped the bag he took beside Zuko and dropped it on Sokka's foot.

"OW!" Sokka jumped.

Zuko observed Haru, 'when did he become so smart?' the thought raced through his head

Jet eyed Haru, then looked away, "What does it have to do with her?"

Haru shrugged, "I don't know, I just noticed that you two are awfully in a bad mood today. You never even talked to each other."

"That doesn't mean it has something to do with her." Jet said, pushing a bag on Haru's face.

Haru giggled, "But you made a reaction, man. I caught you already. Don't deny it."

Aang came closer, his hands on his back, "What are you guys talking about?"

"It's nothing!" Jet went down, the pick up already empty.

Jet walked away heading inside, but Zuko stopped him.

"What do you want?" Jet asked bitterly.

"I've spend a lot of time with Mai." he meant he spent a lot of time with this actress and has gotten to know her personally, "And if Haru is right about what he said, won't you do anything?"

Jet grunted, "What do you know?" he walked pass him.

"Jet.." Sokka said worriedly.

Then Jet stopped before opening the door, "Do you like her?"

Aang and Sokka looked at each other, didn't know who was being asked.

"No." Zuko gulped, thinking if he was the one Jet asked.

And without anything else, Jet went inside.

Zuko turned to Haru, who just shrugged back at him.

One. Two. Three!

Ty Lee, Katara, Toph, and Suki jumped into the pool together.

"Ah!" Toph floated.

"That was refreshing!" Katara said.

Ty Lee swam across the pool.

Suki went out of the water, then Sokka handed her a barbeque he and Iroh made. Haru was still playing his psp. Mai and Azula laid on those so called beach chairs. And Jet was no where to be seen.

Aang went to Zuko, who sat underneath the tree for shade.

"Zuko."

"Yeah?" Zuko turned to him.

"I need your help." Aang answered.

Zuko was surprised at first, but then asked, "sure..what's.."

Aang sat beside him. "Well, I know fun. I've been through a lot of fun things... like penguin sledding... but this isn't actually fun." he sighed. Zuko looked, he was right, it wasn't that fun.

"What do you want to do?" Zuko asked him.

"I want you to help me."

"Help you what?"

"I don't know. I just want everyone to have fun."

Zuko clenched his brows, "I thought you had an idea."

"I don't. That's why I wanted your help."

Zuko sighed. "It's not really me to.."

"Please, Zuko!" Aang begged.

"What for?" Zuko said, almost annoyed.

"I want Mai and Jet to calm down. Ty Lee, Suki and Toph have been jumping in and out of the pool. Katara had been awful quiet. And... and..."

Zuko observed him, he knew Aang just wanted Katara to smile. But still, helping the little guy out, with the idea he had in mind, might just ruin his ego. So, he leaned back and said, "What's in it for me?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me."

Aang though for a moment. "You could have the other bed for yourself."

Zuko jumped up, it sounded good, he wouldn't have to share it with anyone, he thought.

"You've got yourself a deal." Zuko smirked.

Zuko sat beside Katara, their feet playing with the water. He stretched his hand downwards and took a handful of water.

"Haru!" He called, "Let me show you something."

Haru stood and left his psp on the table. He approached Zuko, "Yup?"

Zuko splashed the water onto his face and then grabbed his arm and pushed him into the water. Toph and Ty Lee laughed. Katara was surprised. Zuko stood and ran towards Suki and pushed her into the water.

"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed. Out of nowhere, Aang jumped towards Sokka making both of them fall into the water.

Katara and Iroh watched Zuko as he made another lap around the pool. He took Mai's hands and led her beside the pool.

"Don't you dare!" Mai struggled.

Zuko just shrugged and pushed her into the pool.

"Zuko!" Mai grunted.

Zuko laughed. Then Azula took his arm and jumped carrying him with her.

"Ah!" Zuko threaded.

He heard Azula laughing, actually, all of them were. Haru, Toph, Suki, Sokka, Mai, Iroh, Azula herself, Aang...except...

Zuko swam towards Katara.

"Help me up, Katara." he stretched out his hand.

She hesitated at first, but she reached for his hand, and at the right moment, Zuko pulled her into the water. And everyone laughed.

Aang saw Jet inside the living room in the shadows... who was he watching? Them? Or the laughing Mai?

"Jet!" Aang called. They all turned to see him.

Jet wanted to turn away but he knew they did nothing wrong. So, he walked, stepped onto the garden and paused... Mai was looking away. There was this uneasy feeling towards them. They all felt that. After that long silence, Iroh pushed him into the pool! They all laughed, but Jet refused to smile. Haru splashed him with water, so, Jet played along, putting all that uneasiness away. Ty joined in and splashed the water to Azula. Aang laughed without knowing that Sokka was under the water ready to take his trunks off. All of them seemed to be having fun.

"I'm sleepy." Suki yawned. It was nine thirty that evening. They already had dinner which Iroh, Zuko, and Suki made. Jet, Sokka, Ty Lee and Top played poker in the living room. Haru had quit on his psp and joined them after they started. The players circled on the ground, Katara and Suki sat on the sofa; and Aang sat on a bean bag in front of Katara. Azula laid on a divan (a backless sofa) that was against the wall. Mai, almost sleeping, was sitting on the ground her arms supporting head on another bean bag.

Zuko entered the room; he finished cleaning the dishes... they took turns in washing them, and that night was zuko's turn.

"Where's Iroh?" Aang asked.

"Asleep." Zuko said as he sat on the sofa between Katara and Suki. He rested his hands behind his head on the back of the sofa.

OoOoOxxx to be continued xxxOoOoO

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Author's Notes:

I finally decided to end it here... I just realized that it was already too long... I'm already making the next chapter, it's almost finished! But I'm afraid I still won't be able to post it until I've met the hits I'm aiming to have... hehehe :P

thanks for reading!

my readers, i think i'm going to make a re-write about this... start all over again and make it better... yeah... because I'm getting confused with the plot... i actually forgot about the plot.... but I'll finish it first so, if there's any suggestions, comments... reviews press that button down there! Yes, down there! by in the middle! yeah, go ahead! i don't bite..... yet

(please review whether the story was good or didn't do too well, please tell me.. for me reviews are like tips you give in the resturant... hahaha..)

deathangel acey here.. anata wo zutto mayyrimasu!