Okay, chapter 20! Hope you enjoy! And Iroh comes back into the picture! HOORAY!! Enjoy! Please read and review!

Warrior was flying as fast as he could. Ara kept pushing him and all Zuko could do was hold on to Ara for dear life as well as hold onto their supplies to keep them and himself from falling off. "How long will this take us?" he managed to yell to her.

"If we keep flying like this," Ara yelled back, "It took Appa, what, 2 days? Warrior will probably pass over the prison we went to a few weeks ago by the time the sun is up. Warrior's fast. He won't let me down. Come on boy!" she yelled as the eagle beat his giant wings. "So your uncle's palace is 130 miles from the prison? We should make it by noon. And Warrior won't have to stop like Appa."

"Why not?"

"Why do you think I was gone every few days from sunrise to sundown?"

"You snuck out? Since when?"

"Since I was four. And it was only to get his endurance up for trips like these. And don't worry. Warrior will always protect me. He knows when I'm in danger. Just don't tell my mom and dad, 'kay?"

Zuko rolled his eyes.

"Fine."

Around 2 AM, with the messengers and messenger hawks sent out, Hakoda finally called everyone to rest. They all went to their tents, and all were exhausted. Aang went to his tent and stopped as he got inside. Candles were lit all around and Katara was sitting on a soft chair in the corner. She looked up from the book she was reading and smiled. "I wanted to wait for you. How did everything go?"

Aang took off his jacket and hung it on its peg. He took a deep breath in, and then let it out. "The letters and messengers have been sent. Hopefully, we will get replies in the next week, and have everyone here by the time of the solstice. Geez!" he fell, back first, onto their bed, and covered his eyes with both hands. "Why won't that darn Ozai give up already? I hate you, Ozai! You hear me?" he yelled, pointing at the ceiling. "You ruin my life!" He groaned.

Katara laughed softly. "You're so funny when you're tired. Remember when you had those nightmares and daydreams before the Day of Black Sun? We were all worried about you, but if you look back now, you were so funny."

He sighed quietly. "Yeah. But I'd just wish that this would all be over."

"It will be, in a few weeks."

"No, it won't, Katara. You don't get it." He sat up and looked at her. "It'll never be over for me. Once the battle is won, if it even is won, it'll take me years to restore balance to the world."

"Aang, you're not alone. "I'll be with you always, as are Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Ara, and everyone else." She got up, sat next to him, and kissed him lovingly. "I'm always by your side. Always. I love you. And I may look soft and gentle now, but I turn to a killer on the battlefront. I will be next to you, fighting by your side. And you can't stop me." She put her arms around him and kissed him lightly. "You know, we haven't really kissed in 15 years. I've missed it."

"I have too." He yawned. "We should both get some sleep, and we'll spend some time alone tomorrow night."

She laid Aang down gently on the bed, covering him in the blanket. She leaned over him and leaned in to kiss him softly, when he suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met, and they were lost in love.

But he parted them. "We should save it for tomorrow. You need one more healing session and I haven't slept well in weeks."

She kissed him, and then lay next to him. "I completely understand. I love you."

"I love you too."

She turned onto her side and he put his arm around her. He blew out all of the candles with firebending, and they were both fast asleep within a few minutes.

Ara and Zuko saw the prison as the sun rose the next morning. "There it is!" she yelled. "We need to hurry past this point, but once we do, I'm following your directions!"

Zuko nodded and looked down as they flew right over. Warrior just screeched and flew faster.

It was about 6 o'clock in the morning when Katara woke. She stretched and looked at Aang. The exhausted Avatar was lying on his back next to her, hands folded on his chest, still fast asleep. She watched the rhythmic pattern of his chest rise and fall, gently but deeply. She looked at his face and studied him. He hadn't changed much in 15 years, but he looked exhausted and worry and stress were etched into his forehead. As he slept, Katara touched his cheek and thought about him. "I am so lucky," she whispered to him. "You carry so much on your shoulders, Aang. But you are still the wonderful, fun-loving, caring young man I've always known. I'm glad I found you all of those years ago. I love you."

She kissed him lightly and got up. She made breakfast quickly for herself, grabbed her coat, and walked out. She needed some time to herself.

She walked to the barn, and had completely forgotten that Appa and Momo were back too, and when she spotted them in the last (and biggest) stall, she smiled. Momo was curled up deep in Appa's fur on his head, and Appa was curled up too, sound asleep deep in his straw stall. She opened the stall door and walked in.

The bison, hearing the rustling, opened one eye. Suddenly he caught her scent. He growled happily and lunged for her, knocking her off her feet and into the straw, licking her up and down. She laughed hysterically as he mopped her like a giant polar bear-wolf puppy. Momo, who was thrown backwards when Appa lunged, saw Katara and chattered, nuzzled, and licked her too. She laughed and finally managed to sit up. Appa lay down in front of her and while Momo rested in her lap, she stroked the bison. "I've missed you guys too!" she smiled. "Have you been good to Aang? You guys haven't changed much in 15 years, have you? Maybe you're a bit older. So much has happened." She sighed. "You guys get some rest." She kissed the lemur on his head and kissed the bison on his nose. "I'll be back later."

She left and bended all of Appa's drool off of her, then went to the hot springs. She took off her coat and pants, stripping down to her undergarments, and she then removed the bandage around her chest. She waded into the hot water, but cringed as it hit her chest. She bent a healing layer around her hand and placed it over her wound. She breathed in deeply, dropped the water, and melted some of the ice nearby. She bent it around her upper torso, froze it, and walked lower into the warm water. She let the heat melt the ice around her, letting her wound grow accustomed to the temperature. She sighed deeply, and just let the water move around her, feeling the movements of the push and pull, her element. She closed her eyes and floated awhile.

Finally opening her eyes, she took water once more and bent it around her hands. She placed them over her chest and breathed in and out. The water around her began to glow, and she felt the heat from the water coursing through her body, healing her, giving her life. She smiled and dropped her hands, feeling no pain now. She felt free. She then took a deep breath and went under.

She came up underneath, where the crystal cave entrance started. Katara climbed out and looked at herself in the reflection of the crystals. A beautiful young woman stared back at her. Her eyes fell to the reflection's chest, where even though she had tried to heal it all, a scar much like the one on Aang's back stuck out of her chest. A small, deep red and purple slit was in the middle too, marking her deepest dagger wound as well as the lighting's mark. Her fingers traced the scars, but she just sighed, thankful that she was alive.

She took her top and tied it back around her, and she could only see the top part of her scar out of the middle. She smiled and dove back into the water.

As she came up and shook the water from her hair, suddenly a man yelled, "CANNONBALL!!"

Katara looked up just in time to see Sokka jumping into the air. She burst out laughing and swam away just as her brother hit the water where she had been swimming. He came up and she snuck behind him, dunking his head.

"Oh no! I'm drowning! Someone help me!" he mocked as he spun around and dunked her. She came up sputtering. "Oh, you're gonna wish you were!" she laughed, raising her hands. The entire area that Sokka was swimming in rose up 50 feet, and he couldn't move. "Katara! Put me down! You can't use waterbending! You have an unfair advantage! Come on!" he yelled, crying like a little child.

Katara dropped her hands suddenly with a smile, and Sokka's eyes widened. "NONONONONO!!" he yelled as the water dropped and he fell too.

He hit the water with a splash, and as he came up, he dunked her again. She laughed and splashed him.

Suddenly another man's voice cried out.

"LOOK OUT BELOW!!"

This time Katara and Sokka looked up to see Hakoda of all people jumping in on top of them. They each struggled to swim out of the way as he landed where they had been swimming. He surfaced and his children both tried to dunk him.

But the older warrior had the advantage of being stronger and quicker. He dunked them both! They came up and looked evilly at each other. They both nodded. Hakoda's smile vanished as Katara raised her hands, shooting their father high into the air, higher than Sokka. She held him there, and Sokka just laughed and laughed.

"Katara! Get me down!" Hakoda cried. She giggled and let her arms down slowly. Stopping about 20 feet above the surface, then dropped her hands quickly and her father fell into the springs.

He came up coughing, and started laughing uncontrollably. Sokka and Katara stopped. They hadn't seen him laugh like that for a long time. They just smiled at each other and each thought that it had been so long since they had heard him laugh at all. Pretty soon they were all laughing hysterically.

They got out of the water and quickly put their parkas, long pants, and boots on. Katara bent the water out of her hair, and sat down next to her father and brother.

"Why'd you join me, Sokka?"

"I thought that you and I should spend some time together, like we used to, as

kids. We loved having water wars. Remember?"

Katara nodded. "But why did you join us, dad?"

Hakoda looked at his children. "I wanted to step back from the war and killing

and stress, and just be with my kids. You two have grown up, and I've missed being a father. I wanted it to be like old times, where we all had fun and we didn't worry about the war."

Katara smiled. "I was glad to see my two favorite guys besides Aang and Zuko turn into goofballs again." She hugged them and stood up. "Thanks, dad. Thanks, Sokka."

"Thank you," Hakoda said, "for letting me have fun with my kids again." He nuggied Sokka. "Da-ad." Sokka whined playfully.

They all smiled and walked toward the tribe.

Zuko looked up from behind Ara. He squinted and saw the palace in the distance. "Ara!" he yelled. "We need to land!"

"Now?" she shouted back. "Why?"

"Just do it!"

Ara turned Warrior downwards into the forest, and he stopped on a dime. She got off and patted the panting bird. "Good job, boy. You'd better rest up! But great flyin'."

The giant eagle tucked in his tired wings and rested. Ara began to look around, but she realized Zuko wasn't with her. She spun around and saw him, still clinging to Warrior's saddle, with his teeth clenched, wide eyes, and tense limbs. He was also shaking. She giggled. "Zuko? Are you okay?"

"Fine," he said through his teeth. "Never better."

"Well, then get off Warrior and let's go!"

"Uh, well, I…okay."

He tried to swing one of his legs over, but he was so sore that he couldn't, and before he could catch himself, he slid over the side onto the ground. "OOOMFF!!"

He sat up, rubbed his aching chest and shoulder, and stretched. "I hate flying," he mumbled.

"Why did we stop?" Ara asked.

"The palace is near, but we cannot just enter the city. Warrior would stand out. And even though the Fire Nation is in good hands, many of the people still work for my father." He stood up. "Warrior must stay here. We go on foot. Keep your hood up and your headband on."

"Why do you need one?"

"My father and sister want me dead. I need to cover my scar. If anyone besides my Uncle recognizes me, you never know who's a friend or an enemy. And you need to cover up because your father's wanted dead too. And any family member, especially airbenders." He pointed to her forehead. "Let's go, but quietly." He pulled his hood over his head and ran into the trees.

Ara patted the eagle. "Stay here buddy. We'll both be back soon. I'll use the eagle whistle if I need you." She kissed his beak, and he chirped. She smiled. "Bye boy."

She pulled her hood on and followed Zuko's trail.

They ran quickly and soon reached the road to the city, the new capital, and followed it. They reached the gate an hour later and were stopped by two guards.

"Halt! What is your business here?"

Zuko stepped forward. "We are here to see Firelord Iroh. Our business is private. Would you lead us to him?"

"Your access is granted. And yes, we will escort you two to him."

As they were led through the city, Zuko caught Ara looking at everything. She couldn't look away. Nothing was like this in the South Pole. She gasped and gazed in wonder at all of the things going on around her.

Zuko smiled and looked up in wonder as well. He hadn't been here in more than 15 years, and it seemed that the whole city had become bigger and more extraordinary since he was last here, helping his uncle move in, and rounding up the troops after Katara and Aang's wedding. He sighed and started to walk up the steps to the palace.

As the giant red and gold doors opened to the throne room, Ara became nervous. Zuko had always talked of how wise, loving, and humorous Uncle Iroh was, but meeting the Firelord still gave her chills. She breathed in deeply and they both walked in. Zuko smiled when he saw his Uncle, sipping tea and laughing with one of his servants. He leaned over to Ara as they walked forward. "When I start to bow, you do the same, and don't get up until I call you to, 'kay?"

Ara nodded. "I hope he likes me."

Zuko chuckled softly. "He will." He squeezed her hand and they continued to walk forward.

The guard who led them in bowed. "My Lord, you have two visitors." He turned back to the two cloaked figures, and Zuko began to bow. Ara followed his lead, keeping her head covered with her hood and her hair. Zuko began to speak next to her.

"My Lord," he started, "we request an audience, please. A secret, audience, if you don't mind."

"Of course," Iroh said. "Leave us, please," he said to the guards and servants around him. They left and he rose from his throne. "Now, what is it you need? Who are you?"

"I'm surprised, Uncle, you weren't clever enough to see past the disguise."

"Oh, but I did, the second you walked in the door. Zuko!"

Zuko got up. "Uncle!" he cried joyfully. They ran to hug each other. Ara looked up and they embraced. She saw a regal older man who had tears of joy streaming down his face. He did look loving and wise, and even humorous in his smile and tears.

"Zuko, you're alright; I worried about you everyday! Why didn't you come back?"

"Well, I've been busy at the South Pole, and I had to watch over a friend's daughter." He turned and raised one hand to the other visitor. Iroh looked questioningly at her. "Ara," Zuko said. "Come and meet my Uncle Iroh."

Iroh watched as the girl got up. He studied her face. She looked familiar; like Katara but with grey eyes and a rounder face like Aang's. She walked up to the two men and smiled.

"I'm so happy to finally meet you, Uncle Iroh. I've heard so many inspiring things about you from your nephew. And I must say he is the best mentor and friend I have ever had. You taught him well, and I see where he learned."

Iroh blushed and jabbed Zuko in the arm. "I like her, Zuko," he laughed. "Now, Ara, who are your parents?"

"Aang and Katara, Uncle Iroh."

He turned in surprise to Zuko. "You never told me they had a child, Zuko. I would have congratulated them in the right way and would have visited. Oh well. But I guess I have a grandniece, since Aang's like your brother, huh Zuko?" He winked at his nephew, and then turned to Ara.

"How did you both get here?"

"My polar eagle flew us, nonstop."

"Where is the great bird?"

"In the forest near the palace, Uncle. We didn't want to stand out."

"Well, we'll just have to put him in the stables tonight. Are you two tired? Rooms will be made up for you."

Zuko looked at Ara, and she looked at him. He turned back to Iroh. "I think we'll be okay until tonight. I know Ara wants to have a look around, and I miss your tea. Let's go to the gardens, have some tea, and relax, for now."

Iroh smiled. "Yes! Let's have some tea! But first, you two should wash up. And Zuko, you can take off the cloth over your eye. These are safe walls. Ara, you too."

Ara's eyes widened and they flashed to Zuko. "Uncle, she can't right now. I'll tell you later."

"Very well. But go get cleaned up, and you will be given new clothes, your old will be washed and given back to you when you leave. Meet in ten minutes in the palace garden."

Two servants came in and beckoned them to follow. "Uncle?" Zuko asked before Iroh walked away. His uncle turned. Zuko looked up at him. "It's really good to see you. I missed you."

Iroh smiled with unshed tears. "Same with me, nephew, same with me."

So, Ara has met Iroh, and they bond instantly! Aang and Katara are finally allowed to rest with each other, and Katara's family gets to bond a little more! I hope you like Sokka, Katara, and Hakoda acting like a happy great family, with the two siblings acting like kids again, and Hakoda just a little younger! And I loved this part, because it shows that even Adults can be kids again! Just so you know, Ara is 15, Aang is 33, Katara is 35, Sokka is 36, Toph is 33, and Hakoda is 50-ish. The rest, you probably guess, right? and so please read and review!! Thanks for all of your support, but where did you guys go last chapter? I miss you! And Iroh might come back! NOOOO!! I like his company, just not tea!

Iroh: Tea?

Me: No! I said, uh, me!

Iroh: Oh, okay! (Runs to find the gaang for tea)

Thanks guys! Read and review!!

Also, does anyone know if Azula is older or younger than Zuko? And by how much? That never was clear for me, and I need to know! So if you know, please tell me! thanks so much!!

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