**it's shorter than what i wanted to do, but eh. i like it, just because of the fluff... and don't worry your fluff-lovers out there, they'll be more. thanks for the reviews and keep them coming! they really do make it easier for me to write, knowing my readers are enjoying what i'm writing.**

Katara stood on her bedroom balcony, looking at the bright moon and twinkling stars. The cool wind whipped her hair around her face. A light went on in the bedroom next door, and a second later Ashley walked out onto her porch. She also looked up at the sky and then Katara could see her shoulders shake. Katara looked away when she heard Ashley's heart wrenching sobs. Tonya had died before they even reached the palace. Kiven was slowly healing from his burn, while Matchu would have no permanent damage from the fight. Katara grieved to see Ashley's sorrow, but couldn't find any words of comfort. She walked back into her room and shut the door.
A knock came from Katara's door as she was just about to climb into bed. Zuko was standing there in only black slacks; his hair was a mess and his eyes were wide.
"Can I talk to you quick?" He asked.
"I guess…" she let him into the room.
"I couldn't sleep…all I could see was that girls body when they brought her back…what if that was Iroh? What if he's already dead? I don't know what I would do if that happened…he's the only father I've ever known…" he rambled on, walking in circles.
"I'm sure he's not dead." said Katara, always the optimistic.
"How do you know though?! They've killed hundreds of innocent villages, what's stopping them from killing Uncle?" He exclaimed. Katara sighed, and grabbed his arms.
"Look, he's no use to them dead. They will probably keep him as ransom; so what good will he be if he's dead?" she said calmly, staring into his intense amber eyes. Suddenly his eyes softened and he pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"I never noticed before. Your eyes have strands of a pale blue running through your normal sapphire color." he muttered. She blushed. They both started to lean into one another, the air tense around them as they slowly closed in on each other.
"KATARA! OPEN UP!" Sokka's voice yelled from outside. The couple jumped away from each other and Katara ran to the door and cracked it open.
"Yes?" She asked, hoping she wasn't blushing too much.
"Is it true that you told Suki about the time I was four when I woke the whole village up one morning because I had…" he dropped his voice "…went to the bathroom and my pee froze in mid-air?" Katara heard Zuko snicker behind her.
"Um sure. Good night!" She shut the door on Sokka's outraged expression.
"THANKS A LOT KATARA!" He yelled. They heard him grumble down the hallway. Katara giggled and turned around to face Zuko.
"Well…I guess I should leave." Zuko said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Oh…ok." said Katara, clearly disappointed. Zuko began walking towards the door but then stopped and turned around. Katara looked at him hopefully, and that seemed to give him hope. He approached her, cupped her face in his hands and slowly kissed her. Katara put her arms around his neck and drew him closer, entangling her fingers in his chocolate locks. He kept one hand touching her face, but slipped the other onto the small of her back, and pulled her so close, there wasn't an inch between them.
"Excuse me for interrupting…" Aang had opened the door without Katara and Zuko noticing. The surprised couple slowly untangled themselves as Aang watched with a smug look on his face.
"Yes Aang?" Katara asked breathlessly.
"I just wanted to inform you both that there is going to be a meeting tomorrow morning at ten in the largest conference room."
"Alright. Thanks." Katara said.
"Come with me Zuko, I would like to talk to you." Aang said. Zuko nodded.
"Um, night Katara." He whispered, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.
"Night Zuko." She said sweetly.
Aang and Zuko left the room quietly and walked down the hall to Aang's room.
"I hope you're not mad." Zuko said quickly. Aang chuckled.
"No Zuko. I'm not mad. I just wanted to ask you to… well, to not hurt her. She's the only sister I have ever had and… I just want the best for her."
"I know Aang… I do too."
"And I'm pretty sure you're the best there is." Aang added before walking into his room. Zuko stared at Aang's door for a couple minutes after he shut it, questioning the young Avatar.

Andreea was surprised at how quiet and serene the Earth Nation palace was in the early morning. Sitting in the gardens behind the palace she watched the sunrise, showering the day with brilliant oranges, and startling yellows. She sat on a bench and sighed. It had been a rough night, which was for sure. She had barely slept, and when she had managed to, it was very fitful and she only dreamt of the horrible day. Finally, she decided she needed to get up and out. She had wandered the palace aimlessly, until she found the beautiful gardens.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Riley limped out into the gardens.
"I suppose." She scooted over on the bench to allow him to sit. They had only met once before, in the meeting yesterday, but Riley had noticed Andreea and had been meaning to talk to her.
"I'm sorry about your friend." He muttered.
"Thanks." She said, staring intently at a bug on the ground. They both went silent.
"When you were attacked by them… were you scared?" She asked hestitantly. Riley was taken back by her question.
"Um, yea. It was… quite unnerving what they could do."
"I know. Watching that man just… freeze Tonya until she was basically a human iscicle was so… messed up. But what was really scary, was the look on his face. He looked like he was enjoying himself; or more like, he didn't really care what he was doing. How could that happen to someone? How could they be so used to killing people, they don't care anymore and they find it actually fun?" she vented, purple eyes swirling with fury.
"I…I don't really know." he stammered out.
"It just makes me so mad." she said through clenched teeth.
"I can understand." he whispered. "But maybe they think it's the only way they'll be accepted."
"Accepted?" Andreea cried out. "How in the hell are they being accepted by anyone?! All they're doing is killing innocent people. They're abusing their power." she spit out. Riley sat in silence.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I have a bad temper sometimes." Andreea apologized a couple minutes later.
"It's fine. Don't apologize. Besides, your temper isn't even bad to some people I know." He said, thinking of Nutashi.
"Well I should probably go eat some breakfast before our meeting this morning." said Andreea, standing up.
"Can I tag along?" Riley asked. Andreea smiled.
"Yea, sure."