Alright, so here's the next chapter, and I hope you enjoy. Zuko's wound comes back to hurt him again, and Aang and Katara's love is stronger than ever. So once again, everyone takes a break from the war to heal, rest, and love. But rest doesn't even cut it for Zuko. He receives the biggest surprise from Uncle so far. And it will change his life. Enjoy, and please read and review!

Soon they were called to dinner, and were led to the royal ballroom. They were then seated and couldn't help but notice that this room was the most simple, yet they were again surrounded by tea plants. Firelord Iroh walked in. "You two certainly look well rested. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please!" they both said in excitement.

Iroh personally got up and poured the tea himself. "Uncle," Zuko started. "I've been meaning to ask, why don't you use the servants as much or dress like or act like royalty?"

"Nephew, I have been so long without these earthly belongings that I just do not need them. Humility is one thing I've mastered and have loved being. I can be myself, love my tea, and treat my subjects as equals, because they are." He sipped his tea. "And I hope nephew, that you always treat others with respect, humility, and love."

Zuko looked at Ara. Over the years, she'd certainly taught him how to love and care more. She reached deep down to his heart, maybe even his soul, something most could never do.

Iroh interrupted Zuko's thoughts. "Who's hungry? We've got roast duck, noodles, fruit, pies, fruit pies, beans, and soup. With tea!"

They all helped themselves and ate silently. Ara smiled as she ate. "Uncle, this is the best food I've ever tasted. Thank you!"

"No Ara, thank you." He turned to his nephew. "While you two were resting, I took the liberty of announcing the plans to my generals and admirals, and every soldier, warrior, and bender that is with us will be notified tomorrow and ready to go by next week."

"Wow, Uncle, thanks," Zuko said. "And we should get going in a few days. We're both needed at home."

"I completely understand. Now, since it seems we are done with our dinner, and it is dark out, Ara, call your eagle in. I'd love to see it!"

Ara took out the eagle whistle, sucked in a huge airbender's breath, and blew as hard as she could. "Just wait," she said. "He'll come."

Soon they heard a deep beating from the sky. "He's here!" she ran out to the balcony and blew the whistle again. The beating from his wings stopped as he soared down and landed next to her. She patted him and he ruffled his feathers. Iroh and Zuko joined her, and Uncle's jaw dropped. "What a magnificent creature!" he breathed.

Warrior looked up and gave a prideful look at the older man, as if he understood (which he did).

Uncle walked up to the giant eagle. He stroked his feathers. Warrior replied with a quick chirp and then started to sniff Uncle. Iroh laughed and took out a bag. "Does your bird like jasmine tea?" he opened the bag, took out a few tea leaves, and held them to the eagle's beak. Surprisingly, Warrior gobbled them down. "Warrior, you like uncle's tea too?" Ara asked as she hugged her animal guide. "I guess we all do."

Warrior burped and all three of them laughed. "He can stay in the stables tonight. Ara, why don't you get him comfortable and go to bed? I need to speak to my nephew alone. Don't worry. It doesn't involve you."

"Okay Uncle. Goodnight. Goodnight Zuko. I love you guys. C'mon Warrior, let's go."

Zuko walked her to the large doors, and he moved to open them for her. Suddenly a messenger swung the doors wide open before them, one of them hitting Zuko squarely on the right side of his chest. He grimaced, coughed, and fell to his knees as the old shooting pain overcame him. "Zuko!" Ara cried as she ran to catch him. He started to fall backward, but she caught him in her lap. He groaned. "Ughh…" he whispered as he clenched his teeth. He struggled to stay conscious as the pain was overwhelming.

"Zuko!" Iroh cried. He ran towards his nephew.

Zuko held his chest. He couldn't breathe or move. All he felt was the searing pain again. The messenger looked like he was going to faint with worry. "I am so sorry, My Lord! I am so sorry sir! I had no idea you were there. Please, I ask for forgiveness."

He fell on his knees towards where Zuko was lying in Ara's arms.

"Don't…ugh… worry," he said in a raspy voice. "It was ughhhh…an accident. Ughh…I forgive you."

He tried to stand but Ara kept him down. "Don't get up," she whispered. She softly took one of his hands in hers and placed it on her heart; her other hand she placed lightly on his chest.

The messenger bowed again and sighed with relief. "Thank you, sir." He turned to Iroh. "I will give you this letter in an hour." He bowed and walked out, while Iroh just turned to Zuko. "What happened to you? Are you alright?"

"Uncle," he sighed heavily. "I'd be dead if it weren't for Ara. She's my guardian and friend. She saved my life, from this." He pulled down his vest and shirt and tears came to Iroh's eyes when he saw the scar, covered in bruises. "How—wha—who did this to you?"

"Azula."

Anger, hatred, and fury overcame Uncle. "Now she's gone too far," he said deeply. "First Aang, Katara, and now you—no—I can't afford to lose you, Zuko. You are my son."

Zuko smiled weakly. "I'm healing. It's just very tender, and it's killing me. Do you have any teas or herbs that can numb the pain?"

"Of course. But the talk can wait until tomorrow. You should rest. We need you fresh for the war."

"No, uncle. I'll talk with you tonight." He groaned as he leaned on Ara's shoulder to get up. "We're running out of time. Ara, take Warrior to the stables and get to the room. You can stay up or go to bed. Uncle, just please lead me to a chair and let me sit down."

"Zuko, this will numb the pain," Ara said, bending her water out. "Take off your shirt." Zuko did, and Iroh nearly cried at the sight of the whole wound. But Ara didn't notice. She simply bent the water around his chest and froze it. "It'll numb you."

"Thanks."

Ara smiled and walked out, leading Warrior behind her.

Iroh led Zuko to a new room, furnished with pillows, a warm fire, and couches. "Rest here," he said, letting Zuko lay down on a couch. "I'll get the medicinal tea." He walked out and Zuko winced, trying to get comfortable. Iroh came back a few minutes later and sat down next to his nephew. He handed him the tea, and while he sipped it, the pain slowly went away. "Thank you uncle."

Iroh nodded. But he began the conversation. "So, nephew, have you met a special someone by any chance?"

"Actually uncle, Mai and I are together again. We love each other, and are getting married after the battle."

"Congratulations, Zuko. I knew you would find love." He smiled joyfully. "I wanted to know. But that's not really why I asked." He sighed and stood up. He stared into the fire. "Zuko, since my wife and son died, I have thought of you as my own. And you are the only true family I have left. Zuko, I am getting old, and have had a good, long, happy life. I think I won't be around for much longer. And without an heir, the throne goes to non-royalty, for the government to choose. You are the only one when I'm gone. I want you to be the next one."

Zuko knew what his Uncle was talking about. "Uncle, I'm sorry. I can't be Firelord. I love being with my family and friends, in freedom and peace in the South Pole. I am loved by everyone. That's never happened to me. I am getting married and maybe we'll have a few kids, enjoy ourselves, and the world will finally be at peace again!"

"Zuko," Iroh said, grabbing his nephew by the shoulders, careful of his chest. "I understand and I am happy for you. But I trust you and only you to take the throne after the war. You can restore peace. You are strong and wise, and you are a born leader. You didn't get many chances much when you were younger, but now, you have that gift, and I've seen your changes. You think before you act now (most of the time). You have patience, peace, and love inside of you. You are courageous and strong. And from what I've taught you, I believe you are now wise enough to lead this nation."

Zuko's heart wanted to burst from the pride he felt from his uncle's words about him. But deep down inside, he felt two things; first, was the fear of how his nation would treat or listen to him if he was Firelord, as he was the evil Firelord's son. They wouldn't trust him. Second, he loved his life at the South Pole. He was happier there than he ever was.

He got up slowly and looked at his uncle. "I'll at least think about it," he said with a heavy sigh.

Iroh closed his eyes. "Thank you Zuko. You should get some sleep, and I'll call on you two in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Uncle. I think I'll walk a bit outside and get some air though first. Thanks for the great tea."

"I'm glad it helped."

Ara was reading a scroll when Zuko pushed the door open and walked in, dragging his feet. He looked exhausted, and he felt even worse. The dull ache that seared through him made him plop on his back onto the couch. He covered his face with his hands and groaned.

"Zuko, what's wrong? Do you need another healing session?"

"Yea, please."

Next thing he knew he was on the table, lying face up and trying to take off his new shirt that Iroh gave him, but by now his chest was so swollen that he couldn't move his arm to take it off. Ara just bent the water underneath his shirt, inside the now reopened scar, and tried to heal it from the inside out. She pulled out the water and bent it back into her pouch and cut off his shirt. She began to wrap his chest and arm in bandages and a sling. When she was done, he sat up and she softly hugged him. "You okay?"

"No. Uncle wants me to be the next Firelord."

"Zuko, that's great!"

He got up and turned away from her. "But I don't want to be."

"Why?"

"I'm scared. Ara, you don't know what it's like for that kind of pressure. And I got enough of it before I was banished. I don't want to live like royalty. I love where I am now; I've never been more peaceful. I don't want that much responsibility leading a nation."

"But you won't be alone,"

"Yes, Ara, I will be." He started to pace back and forth. "Meeting after meeting, only seeing my family at night and certain occasions, and I don't know if Mai will even agree to be my wife if I accept the throne. And I won't see the South Pole for months, or years, at a time. I'd leave behind Aang and Katara, and everyone else, and—and…"

"Me."

Zuko sighed and fell to his knees. "I can't do that."

Ara kneeled beside him and wrapped him in a hug. "Zuko, I'll be okay," she softly said, trying to comfort him. "I'll miss you terribly if you leave, but I'll come and visit, and you know what?"

"Huh?" he mumbled, downcast gold eyes looking at the floor.

"Zuko, I believe you are the only one for the crown. You're smart, and brave, and you care for all people. You give people chances, and you listen. You also let your actions now be guided by what's right, not by outside pressure. You will lead this great nation as the best Firelord there has ever been, because you brought peace back to the world, and finished with good what your ancestors started. I believe in you. You can do it."

Zuko's heart wanted to explode for the second time that night. He smiled and got back to his feet.

"I'll think about it. But thanks, Ara. Goodnight." He kissed her forehead and turned to go to his room.

"Zuko?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm really proud of you."

He turned in surprise to the young girl. She smiled at him and her sparkling grey eyes saw through to his heart, again maybe even to his soul. Tears gathered in his eyes. "Thanks, Ara."

Down at the South Pole, the nearest Earth Kingdom soldiers had started to arrive, so new tents were set up and the leaders met with Aang and the leaders of the Water Tribe. They had been planning and strategizing all day, and it was to the point where everyone's eyes started drooping. So Hakoda finally called everyone to go to sleep.

Aang dragged his feet through the snow. He was the last one besides Sokka to leave the war tent, and his best friend, too tired for words, clapped him on the back and mumbled a simple 'goodnight.' Aang returned it and turned to his tent, where Katara was waiting for him. She was sent to study the maps and read Zuko's scrolls, so she left early to her tent to work. Aang couldn't wait for them to finally be together once more.

He entered the tent and saw that she had waited up for him, she was wearing a light robe, and it caught the candle's light as she got up. She walked towards him. He sighed happily. She reached him and touched his cheek. "Katara," he breathed. She put her finger over his mouth and smiled softly. She leaned into kiss him, and he reached back. Their lips met, and Katara's arms wrapped around Aang's neck. He threw his staff down and his arms wrapped around her. His hands gently pressed into her back, massaging her. She reached to take off his jacket, while he continued to kiss her lips, her face, and her neck. She threw the jacket to the floor and undid his robe. She removed that and reached for his pants. He kicked off his boots. She undid the sash, removed his pants, and he turned her around as he touched and kissed her. He directed her to their bed, where she fell down onto it and he crawled on top of her. As her legs caressed his, she felt the long textured skin of his scar, running up and down his leg. But she thought it felt good against her own. She wrapped her legs around his waist and while he was still kissing her, he fumbled for her sash. He removed it and took off her robe softly. She helped him remove it, and she tossed it to the side. She wrapped her arms back around his neck and continued to kiss and caress his face. He managed to open his eyes for a moment, and suddenly his eyes flew to her chest. The ugly scar stood out against her smooth brown skin. He looked in her eyes.

"Now we match," she whispered, breathing hard. They were both breathing hard and sweating. But he just chuckled softly and traced the scar with the tips of his fingers. She closed her eyes and breathed out softly. He looked at her face and he saw, knew and felt that she enjoyed that. He smiled and met her lips with his again. They kissed furiously while she again wrapped her arms around him and he lied on top of her. He ran his hands down her body and his hand curled into the curve of her back. She also ran her hands up and down his body, letting her fingers trace the scar on his back. He still winced and pulled away for a second. He bowed his head away from their kiss. But suddenly Katara had an idea. She grabbed Aang and pulled him deeper into their kiss. Swiftly she took her other hand and placed it on his scar. He cried out in their kiss and tears came to his eyes. He groaned and nearly fell over beside her. But she didn't pay attention as she deeply massaged the scar.

After a few seconds, Aang notice that the searing pain was gone. He relaxed on top of her, and Katara knew that it had worked. She knew now that he was enjoying it. She pulled him closer and he began to kiss her furiously. Between each kiss and breath of air, he would mumble, "Thank…you…"

She smiled and continued to hold him as he slid his hands down her body and passionately kissed her again. She closed her eyes, and he did too, both enjoying the pleasure they gave each other, their skin touching, their warm bodies against the other.

Their love they made was powerful that night. It had been built up after 15 years, and yet, they both remained faithful to the other. Their love lasted. And now, they wanted to unleash all of their love on each other. They couldn't get enough.

Soon they were just facing each other, smiling happily. Her deep ocean eyes looked into his soft grey ones, while their foreheads touched and Katara's arm was around his waist. He closed his eyes and soothingly ran his fingertips along her bare stomach, feeling her smooth skin, letting her enjoy his light touch caressing her body. She smiled and nuzzled closer to him. "Thank you for saving me," she whispered. Aang opened his eyes and looked at her. "Why wouldn't I?" he softly smiled and kissed the end of her nose. She sighed. "I love you, Aang, more than you'll ever know."

"I love you, Katara. You are everything to me."

She sighed, closed her eyes, and fell asleep, leaning on her husband. He looked at her for a while, taking in her peaceful features, stroking her hair, and realizing how lucky he was.

How lucky they all had been.

He noticed that now, that Katara and Zuko were alive, as were Toph, Sokka, Ara, and himself. He smiled, sighed, and leaned his chin on the top of Katara's head. "What would I do without you all?" he asked, half to himself and half to the sleeping Katara. He smiled, closed his eyes, and also soon fell asleep.

Okay, so I hope you enjoyed it! Man, I wish every marriage lasted like this. I'm sorry for all of the readers' whose parents are divorced, but, thank God, mine are still together and love each other unendingly. So a lot of the time, I try to base Aang and Katara's love off of my own parents. And in a way, Ara's a lot like me: adventurous, spirited, loves life, is a tomboy, loves to laugh and smile, and cares for everyone. So all you readers whose parents are still together, go up, tell them you love them, and that you're glad that they love each other and are still together.

Anyway, where are all of you guys? I miss you! Come back to me! WAAAAHHH! Anyway, yeah, Zuko's still not fully healed, Ara has to heal him once more, and on top of all that, Iroh wants Zuko to be Firelord? Poor Zuko! He's just having a stressful few weeks! Getting married, getting hurt, getting the crown…I feel bad for the guy. But I hope you all enjoyed, and please read and review! Or Iroh will come back… no!! No tea!!

Iroh: Did someone say tea?

Me: No! Uh, yes! Zuko made tea! Go get him!

Iroh: Zuko? Tea? Yay!!

Zuko(to me): I hate you.

Iroh: Zuko, shut up and enjoy the tea!

Read and review!

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