Chapter VII: Dragon Fire

After a lot of introductions and a few stories exchanged around a nice fire, everyone found themselves laying down for some much needed rest. Raya found that she very much liked her new water tribe companion's father. Hakoda was a natural born leader, and she could tell that he had a strong will. The two fire nation prisoners were a bit odd, and she found herself wondering how they got themselves locked up, though they didn't seem dangerous in any way.

Aang slept against Appa, and Zuko filled the space beside the Demitar that he usually occupied. He was a good distance away from her, but she still found it a nice gesture. She forced herself not to read too much into it, and rolled away from his direction, which left her staring at the back of Katara's head. The last thing she remembered was admiring the full bodied chestnut locks as she let her mind darken into sleep.

It felt like she had just closed he eyes when a large blast erupted near the temple. She shot up like a bolt and looked around. Everyone around her was doing the same and Aang was standing at the edge of the outcrop ushering their animal companions into to temples safety. Fire Nation air ships hovered all through the crevasse and the largest one held a face she thought she recognized, though it was extremely far away.

More bombs flew toward the temple then, and Raya darted to an open part of the outcrop, using an air cushion to deflect one of the two projectiles. The one that made it past the Demitar blasted apart the sky bridge that she and Aang had crossed so many times during their stay there. Raya clenched her fists and noted that Aang had managed to pull the sky bison into the large temple room, but Rai Jin would not budge.

"Come on!" he shouted to her, and she obliged, quickly tugging at the dragons reigns. He gave a growl of protest but followed her. Every step was stubborn, but she finally managed to get him far enough in that Aang could close the massive shutters with a strong air current. She turned to the people around her and saw Toph creating a large tunnel that they were going to use to escape.

Another blast erupted against the shuttered room and Raya grabbed for Rai Jin to steady herself. Large chunks of rock began to fall haphazardly from the ceiling as she regained her balance, and she realized they were coming straight for Katara. Without hesitation, she sent out a large blast of air to push the water bender back. Zuko caught her arm to keep her from falling, but the uninhibited force of Raya's blast sent them both tumbling to the ground.

"Ouch! What are you doing?" she asked angrily as she wrenched her arm away from the Fire Prince.

"Sorry, I was just trying to keep you from falling."

"Well you didn't," she said hotly and ran from him towards the others. More projectiles hit their mark and Raya watched as Aang, and Sokka struggled to get Appa to enter the tunnel Toph had created. The beast was not keen on dark places or anything that had to do with going underground, and she saw the moment Aang knew it was not going to work.

As another blast made contact with the shutters, a large hole was blasted into the room, and Raya raised her hand to shield her face and eyes from debris. As she lowered her arm, and the dust began to clear, she knew what she had to do.

"I'll hold them off while you find a way to get Appa out of here," Raya said as she grabbed the dragon's reigns.

"It's too dangerous!" Aang protested, but she was already mounted upon Rai Jin's massive shoulders.

"I'll help you," Zuko said, climbing up behind her. "I think this is a family visit, anyways."

"It'll be okay Aang. This is what I'm supposed to do: protect you; help you. Besides, Rai Jin is a lot more fire tolerant than a sky bison," Raya said, directing the dragon toward the gaping hole in the wall. He nodded once in reply as Sokka, Toph, and Katara began to devise a way to create an exit for the bison.

Rai Jin leapt through the wall easily and landed on the outcrop. As Raya looked out at the air ships she locked eyes with someone she had wished to never see again.

"Zuzu," Azula said with a mocking tone. "I didn't realize you and the Demitar were a thing. Mai is going to be so hurt." As she spat the last word she launched a blue fire ball toward the dragon. Raya jumped high off his shoulders and over his head, deflecting the blast with a ball of air.

She followed it with an emerald blast of fire, sending Azula off her perch. Before she knew it, Zuko was running past her and toward the ledge. Azula landed gracefully atop an air ship and Raya could see that was what Zuko was aiming to jump for. Azula raised her arms to bend; Zuko wouldn't have time to defend as he jumped.

"Rai Jin!" Raya shouted and in the same moment dragon fire sprayed from his maw towards the Fire Princess. She leapt from the fire's path quickly and sneered at the Demitar.

"Is that the best you can do? Throw a little dragon fire at me? It didn't even land its target!"

"It didn't have to," Zuko said, appearing suddenly at her side. Blasts of red and blue began to erupt around them, filling the air with vibrant color. Raya heard a large crash, and looked to see Appa had finally made it out of the temple. Knowing they would need as much cover as she could give, she mounted the dragon once more, and he leapt easily into the sky.

The cover she provided was barely enough, and Katara was rapidly deflecting fire blasts with her water bending. Suddenly a massive explosion rippled through the air and Raya turned quickly to see a plume of smoke where Azula and Zuko had been standing. As the smoke abated and she could see more clearly she noticed they were no longer atop the air ship, but instead falling rapidly through the air.

Without another moment of hesitation, Raya unstrapped herself from her saddle and dove off the dragons shoulders.

"Catch me!" she shouted into the wind, and Rai Jin began his descent. He was – as she knew he would be – slower because he had more mass to fight the wind with. Raya however was more stream line, and as she pointed her arms and hands bent a current of air behind her to propel her faster. She trusted Rai Jin to catch them, and once she reached Zuko, she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"Hang on," she instructed as she began to bend a current of air around them that drastically slowed their descent. Zuko obliged and she felt his strong arms grip her torso. It only took seconds for Rai Jin to pass by them, and Raya reached out, grabbing the dragon's saddle straps. The jerk of their weight suddenly against the dragon made him roar in protest, but once they were all balanced, Zuko pulled himself up quickly to alleviate the Demitar of his weight. He grabbed her hand and began to pull her up into the front of the saddle.

"She's not going to make it," she heard Zuko say from behind her as she situated herself in the saddle. As she turned, she watched Azula free falling and thought he might be right. A large blue flame erupted from her feet then, and she propelled herself to the crevasse wall, using her hair piece as an anchor in the rock face. "Of course she did," Zuko said in disgust.

X

They landed on a grassy expanse and set up a new camp. Raya helped assemble tents in a circle around a camp fire that Zuko and Aang got going. Katara bent water into jugs and sat them around the camp while Toph went to work on re-enforcing the tents with slanted walls of earth. When everything was finally said and done, they settled around the fire with a bit of food and talked.

"Camping; feels like old times," Aang said happily as he watched his friends.

"If you really want it to feel like old times I could . . . chase you around a bit and try to capture you," Zuko joked and everyone laughed. Every except Katara, that is, who looked exceptionally sour since their escape from Azula's wrath.

"Har har," she muttered as she glared into the fire. Zuko frowned and turned his eyes downward. Raya wanted to comfort him, but had no idea what to say.

"To Zuko!" Sokka said suddenly, raising his cup. "Who knew after all those times he tried to snuff us out, that today he'd be our hero." Sokka toasted the Fire Prince and took a sip of his drink. The rest of the group gave a 'here-here' and drank to him.

"Don't forget about Raya. I wouldn't even be here without her. Besides, I don't deserve it," He said, waving a dismissive hand at them.

"You're right. You don't," Katara said finally getting up and leaving the circle.

"What's with her?" Sokka asked.

"I wish I knew," Zuko said as he got up and walked after her.

"What's with him?" Sokka asked and everyone around the fire shrugged. It didn't take long for Katara to reappear and she headed straight for her tent. Raya watched her go and decided that maybe she could help solve her and the Fire Princes' differences. She moved from her place around the fire and followed Katara. As the water bender made to open her tent, Raya stepped up to her.

"Hey," Raya said with a little wave, wondering what kind of mood Katara would give her.

"Hey," Katara said, her voice low and hard. Raya flinched a bit at the hardness but shook it off.

"I was hoping we could talk," Raya offered.

"If you're here to tell me why I should just suddenly love Zuko, you can bestow your infinite wisdom upon someone else." She made to enter her tent again, and Raya placed a patient hand on the water benders arm.

"I'm not here to make you do or feel anything," Raya said with a gentle smile. "I just hoped we could talk about why you are feeling the way you are."

"It's nothing you would understand," Katara said, but she stopped trying to enter the tent.

"Try me."

"Sokka and I lost our mother to the fire nation when I was very little. I know it's been years and I should be over it by now, but . . . I'm just not. And every time I see Zuko in his Fire Nation clothes and that scar on his face I just . . . Feel like I'll never get away from the memory of her loss. We're constantly surrounded by the ones that took her away."

"Zuko didn't take your mother away any more than I did. I know it's hard, but you'll never find peace like this; lumping people into what their nation stands for."

"I knew you wouldn't understand," Katara said, looking irritated that she had allowed herself to share her pain with the Demitar.

"I do understand. Fire Lord Sozin took me from my mother when I was seven and I never saw her again. I lived under strict palace regimen for seven years with no family, no friends, and no loved ones." Raya took a deep breath and regained her train of thought. "What I'm trying to say is, you won't find peace until you make it within yourself."

Katara said nothing and simply looked away from Raya. The Demitar sighed knowing their conversation was officially over, and nodded a good night to the water bender as she walked away. As she walked, face down in thought, she ran headlong into Zuko.

"Ooof!" she said as she tottered backwards a bit.

"Sorry! Gah, I'm sorry," Zuko said, catching her arm to steady her.

"I should have been watching where I was going," they both said in unison. Both Raya and the Fire Prince blushed at this and an awkward silence settled over them.

"Looking for Katara?" Raya finally asked if only to break the silence.

"Oh, uh, yeah . . . I need to talk to her."

"I think she turned in for the night. I tried talking to her, but . . . She seems pretty set on the way she feels."

"How does she feel?"

"Anything that has to do with the Fire Nation is like a reminder of her loss. I just wish she could see . . . We aren't all bad. Everyone's past is laced with mistakes. But we've all suffered." Raya fiddled with some of the cloth around her waist.

"You must hate me, too," Zuko finally said, and with that Raya looked up quickly. She searched his face, trying to understand why he would say this.

"Why would you think that?" She asked, hurt.

"I'm nothing more than a constant reminder to you of how my family tried to end you," he said, looking ashamed.

"I don't think that at all . . ." Raya said, her heart beginning to beat quickly.

"You don't?"

"No. When I see you, I see . . . good. I see that people can choose their own path. And I'm glad," she said, feeling fire in her cheeks. She shifted uncomfortably where she stood and feigned a yawn. "But anyways, I'm bushed. Gonna turn in." She walked passed him and quickly made her way to her tent.

"I'm an idiot," Zuko mumbled under his breath as he watched her go.

X

When Raya woke the next morning, she found a small commotion occurring near Appa. Splashing some water over her face and running her fingers through her hair, she finally approached the group. Aang looked quite discontent and Sokka's arms were folded tightly across his chest.

"So you're just going to take Appa anyway?" Aang accused, irritated.

"Yes," Katara said simply, her voice hard. Zuko was also packing a bag into the bison's saddle and Raya felt her stomach twist.

"What's going on?" she asked, her eyes trained on the Fire Prince.

"Zuko is taking Katara to find the man that killed our mother," Sokka said. His eyes were stern, but Raya could see that it all stemmed from concern.

"And what will you do when you find him?" Raya asked suddenly, and she watched as Katara paused to think.

"I don't know . . . Nothing good," she decided, her eyes cold and fierce.

"She needs closure," Zuko chimed in, and Raya was almost surprised he was taking her side so indefinitely. She supposed it had everything to do with him trying to gain her trust and approval. This was as much about him proving his worth to Katara as it was helping her gain 'closure'. And he was going to help her even if it meant she would regret it.

"This isn't about closure at all; it's about revenge," Raya observed, her voice hard.

"So what if it is?" Katara asked, jumping down from the bison's back to meet everyone on level ground.

"Because you're going to regret it. You don't need to hurt this person to right his wrongs. It won't bring your mother back. You're not the person you're letting your pain turn you into." Raya's face softened and Katara's resolve faltered for a brief moment. It was short lived, however, and with everything ready to go, her expression turned hard again.

"I'll keep that in mind," Katara said without bothering to look at Raya before she climbed into the bison's saddle. The Demitar turned her eyes up to Zuko to find him looking back at her apologetically. She searched his face, trying to silently convey her concern. 'Please help her see this isn't the way,' she thought, willing the words to make it to him somehow. The only thing she found in his eyes as a reply was, 'I'm sorry'.

X

"Just breathe through the technique," Raya instructed as Aang failed once again to complete a more advanced move she had shown him. "It took me a while to get this one when I first learned it, but I know you can do it."

"I'm breathing as much as I can," Aang said, and she could hear the mild agitation in his voice. It wasn't like him to get bent out of shape during bending lessons, even when he wasn't getting things right away.

"Try again," she nudged, moving to stand directly in front of him. "And move this arm a little more this way. Head straight, knees bent." She tapped different parts of him respectively as she instructed him on where to improve. He nodded, and there was an intense determination behind his stormy gray eyes. She stepped away from him and with a few movements fire erupted from is open palms. Just as it seemed he had the technique conquered, the jets of flame faltered and the fire bending abated.

"I hate this!" he said suddenly, placing a hand over his arrow and scowling at the dirt.

"This is so unlike you. What's the matter?" Raya asked.

"It's just . . . I can't stop worrying about Katara. It's ruining my focus. I'm trying, I swear I am," Aang said, looking up at Raya apologetically. "You're a great teacher."

"Maybe we're both a little distracted," she admitted.

"You're worried too," Aang observed. "But not about Katara." Raya found Aangs eyes and watched him apologetically. She didn't think he meant the words to be cruel in anyway, or accusatory. They had been together long enough now that she felt she could speak to him openly without fear of misinterpretation or judgement. Their connection was also growing strong enough now that she could allow him to truly feel what kind of emotions lay behind her words.

"I'm worried that Katara will do something she'll regret, but . . ." She trailed off as she tried to find the right way to phrase her response. "I'm more worried that Zuko will have to bare the shame of having helped to accomplish that regret. He just wants her approval so badly. I can see that he feels like he's walking on egg shells around her. I just wish there was another way," Raya said, taking a deep breath and trying to expel the negativity she felt in that moment.

She had thought long and hard about it, and no matter the light in which she tried to view it, it always seemed that Katara was being incredibly unfair to Zuko. She was hurt by him, and it was fair to say that, but she had taken that hurt and twisted it so badly that now, the only way for Zuko to redeem himself was to put them both in compromising positions. She could see the good in Zuko; she felt it. Had even experienced it first hand when he released her from her prison cell. It seemed the universe was bent on making him prove himself to each and every person he had ever crossed paths with.

"I see it, too," Aang agreed, taking in her long silence. Raya continued to look off into the distance, her face a bit crestfallen as her thoughts were consumed by the Fire Prince. "You know what would make you feel better?" Aang piped up suddenly, forcing Raya to give him her attention.

"Hm?" she asked, her eyes inquisitive.

"Showing me a sweet fire bending move!" He looked excited, and knew she wouldn't turn him down on that. Demonstrating impressive moves was always enough to make Aang perk up, and Raya had to admit that she enjoyed the thrill of remembering how strong she truly was; especially in the Avatar's presence.

"Okay," she said reluctantly. "This is probably the best move I know. But stand back some," she warned as she walked a few paces from him herself. Aang obliged and she watched him move toward the large boulder that rested nearby. He sat down and Momo bounded into his lap. The flying lemur never missed an opportunity to be the object of the Avatars affection.

Raya took a few slow, even breaths, and Aang could see small puffs of fire erupting from her mouth with each exhale. She drew her arms up, her hands open and facing each other on either side of her mouth. Then, drawing in a large breath, she twisted her hands so that her palms were facing up – still near her mouth – and let the breath come forth. Emerald fire erupted from her lips, extending several meters, and painted the air. Aang raised his hand to shield his face a bit from the intense heat, and his eyes were wide in awe.

"That. Was. Awesome!" Aang said, punctuating each word with excitement. He had leapt from his seated position and Momo went flying awkwardly onto the ground. The agitated lemur chittered at him and bounded away. "Where did you learn that?" he asked incredulously, already looking forward to learning it himself. Raya smiled and shook her head at the Avatar's enthusiasm.

"I learned it from Rai Jin, actually," Raya said, inclining her head toward the white dragon that was resting several meters away. Aang gave her a 'no way' expression and turned his head toward the dragon.

"Do you think he could teach me?" Aang asked, and he wasn't entirely joking.

"It takes a lot of time together, and a lot of observation. I can just teach it to you myself." Raya tried not to laugh as she pictured Aang following the dragon around, begging him to divulge his fiery secrets.

"Really?!" Aang whooped and leapt unnaturally high for joy. "I mean; thank you, Sifu Raya. I would be honored." He was suddenly calm and bowed low before the Demitar before he felt a sharp flick on his bald head.

"No Sifu," she said, her flicking hand still outstretched as he raised his head to look at her. He had a large grin on his face and she returned it in kind.

X

As the sun set a few days after the departure of Zuko and Katara, Raya spotted the bison coming at them rapidly. She hopped up from where she had been seated with Rai Jin and called to Aang. He came running and she could see the elated smile on his face at the sight of the flying beast. She waved to those aboard with relief, but her hand faltered when she realized that only Zuko was on Appa's back.

"What happened?" Aang asked quickly as he too realized Katara was absent.

"She's fine, but she wanted to be alone. I dropped her off at my family's old vacation home. Don't worry, no one's been there since my family was actually happy," Zuko said, his expression reserved at the mention of his family. "I think you should talk to her. She's been pretty down since we headed back – don't worry; she didn't do it." As Zuko confirmed that she was alright and hadn't gone through with anything she might regret, Raya felt Aangs energy lighten. He climbed up on Appa's back, then looked down expectantly at Raya.

"Come on," he said, and she nodded.

"I'll take Rai Jin."

The three arrived at the old vacation home and Raya took in its splendor. Even though it looked as though it had been abandoned for a great many years, it still held a royal grandeur that time could not erase. They landed on the beach, and Raya spotted Katara sitting on the end of a dock, her feet kicking back and forth gently through the water.

"Katara," Aang said, his voice quick with concern.

"I'm okay Aang," she said quietly. Raya walked up to Aang at Zuko's side.

"Zuko told me what you did; or, didn't do, I guess I should say. I'm proud of you," Aang said, though he was still colored with worry. Katara seemed crestfallen and as she got up, Raya could see the raging storm of thought in her mind.

"The thing is . . . I wanted to. I don't know if I was too weak to do it, or strong enough not to."

"Forgiveness is the first step towards inner peace," Raya said, her eyes soft.

"That's just it though; I don't forgive him. I don't think I ever can," Katara said, her voice and face relaxing a little as she looked towards Zuko. "But I am ready to forgive you." She walked up to Zuko and gave him a tight squeeze. The Fire Prince returned it briefly and Raya could see the relief flooding through him. Raya smiled and the fact that Zuko could now breath more easily meant she could do the same. As Katara and Aang walked away up the dock, Raya fell into step with Zuko, heading in the same direction.

"Thank you for helping her see what she really needed," Raya said.

"Aang was right . . . Violence wasn't the answer."

"It never is," she replied.

"Then I have a question for you," Zuko said, pausing and looking down at Raya with more emotion and concern than she had ever seen from him. It made her heart jump in her chest. "What are you two going to do when you face my father?"

[A/N: I love you guys and I adore your reviews. Raya/Zuko is definitely going to begin making itself known as the story progresses from here. I'm trying to make sure it comes about with good timing, and a natural, non-rushed feel. I hope everyone is still enjoying – Cheers.]

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