A/N: Thank you Pyscho-pyro-shrink for leaving a nice comment.So I've been on a writing streak for the past couple of days making very fast updates, and just so everyone knows, honestly I write these chapters on the top of my head. So I have no 'real' plotline to lean back on. I really would appreciate some reviews for my chapters and to know what to work on as a writer. If it's the yummy rated "M" Zutara-ness that I know you all want, don't worry. They'll have their first real intimate session soon enough. I still want this to be realistic, not to suddenly glomp each other like rabbits. Hehe…

Anyways, I hope everyone understands how I feel.

Also this is my longest story to date, and I want to know if I'm doing a good job on it.

Again, thank everyone for reviewing and reading my story! I hope you enjoy it and try to guess what happens next!


Book 4 Air

Chapter 53 Vindicated

Zuko opened his eyes as he rolled over his bed curled in his sheets. The sun rose above the shrine tower in the distance signaling ten after sunrise. Zuko grumbled in his pillow. The Fire Lord didn't want to rise with the sun and deal with everything today. Frustrated from last night, the young man did what he could to relief his mind and his body. Nothing helped.

Soaking in a cool tub did nothing but increase his desires in both his head and his loins. It made him angry and ill-tempted. Sitting from his bed, Zuko gazed at the floor of a pile of burned fabric on the carpet. Yes, he burned off one of his finest vests off his body during his physically outburst, much less for the fact he lost control. The beautiful waterbender continued to flood into his dreams, both innocently and romantically. The thought of touching her again, kissing her tender lips, tasting her in ways he could only imagine. It was driving the young lord crazy.

Personally he was almost afraid to see the girl again; afraid he'll do something he'll regret far more than ever betraying his uncle during the post-war. Something physical and irrational, the thought made his skin crawl with both disgust and excitement.

Standing up from the end of his bed, Zuko walked over and slipped on his outer robe and walked down the hall to the door. Once he opened it something fell from the corner of his eye. Looking down, the young man saw an unusual object underneath his doorway. A single red rose. Zuko bended down and picked up the delicate flower. 'I wonder who put this here…' Zuko thought as he looked down the hall.

Sighing softly, Zuko walked back into his room. Placing the rose down on his dresser, Zuko looked out the large window. Noticing a few leaves flowing in the breeze outside, Zuko closed his eyes.

Fall was approaching into the Fire Nation which meant another festival would come soon. It was a special event during the new season where his people used celebrated the Golden Dragon Dance. After Zuko's grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon was in rule. He forbid any form of dancing in the kingdom. He believed it failed to bring order and respect to his people. Now with Zuko as Fire Lord, Aang has mentioned to him to bring dancing back to the nation. Remembering this, made Zuko wonder of the new upcoming dance. It was a famous dance his people have done for generations; respectably created after the legend of Agni. The story was told of the great God becoming deeply angered by the Golden dragon's secret affair with a beautiful hime, his wife. A royal dance would be performed in a display of a fight from the God and the dragon-two powerful beings fighting for the maiden's hand.

Zuko barely remembered how the rest of the story ended during his lessons in school as a young prince; he was barely seven and didn't care much for folklore at the time.

Now as Fire Lord to his nation, Zuko had yet another big event to follow up on, which overwhelmed Zuko to no end.

Thinning his lips, Zuko decided to retreat to his study down the hall. He needed the distraction if only for a few hours to clear his head.

Once outside of his room, Zuko saw one of his servants, the young woman called Miki holding bundles of cloth and robes in her hands as she quickly disappeared down the hall. Zuko narrowed his eyes, what was she doing? Scoffing to himself, the young lord brushed his superstitions aside. He had more important things to attend to.

Zuko continued to walk down the narrow hallway to his second office hoping to finish some of his delayed work. Little did he know the plans brewing around the palace for a certain celebration.


Sitting on the shoreline, Aang sulked as he pulled his knees to his chest. Sighing heavily, the young airbender closed his eyes. Suddenly he felt a soft furry touch on his ankle, looking down Aang smiled lightly. "Hey Momo…" Aang said faintly as he reached over and rubbed the lemur's long pointed ears.

Momo lightly purred as he rubbed against Aang's palm, looking up with his big green eyes. The small animal curled up to Aang's side and closed his eyes. Aang smiled as he then looked out at the rising sun over the ocean's horizon.

What will he do now? He had no way to entered into the spirit world. Time was running short for him to save the blind earthbender. He had to find some way, any way he can to rescue her from the dark grasp of the evil spirit. But now everything seemed to be against him. Even the universe appeared to hold him back.

Unaware of the footsteps drawing near from behind him, three figures stood. The cool salty breeze flowed along the shoreline swaying their clothes lightly. Suki and Sokka remained silent as the older man took another step towards the airbender.

"I was told of your misfortune, young Avatar." Oyaji said calmly as he continued to look down at the boy.

"These are the responsibilities you must face in life. Whether or not you were ready to go forth with such challenges, the world will always seem to be against you." The wise man said as another gust of wind flowed pass the group as Aang buried his head in between his knees.

"Yet there will be a bright side in all of this." Oyaji said.

Aang slightly lifted his head to hear the man's words as he kept his gaze on the rolling waves.

"You have the power to change your own destiny. You are the symbol of hope, young Avatar. Fate is on your side." Oyaji said as he closed his eyes.

The leader's words rang true in the airbender's mind. No matter how many times he failed, Aang always fought back. Thus he was victorious in the end.

He can do this. Aang will find a way to enter into the spirit world and bring Toph back!

Standing up from his spot, Aang lowered his head. "Even if what you say is true…" Aang started to say as another breeze passed by.

"How can I reach pass the bridge to the spirit world?" Aang said.

Oyaji smiled as he opened his eyes, "Not many know of his journey, nor know how he has done it. But I have heard of one of members of the White Lotus actually enter into the spirit realm." The old man said. Suki and Sokka tensed with shock as Aang lifted his head.

Turning around, Aang's eyes widen with surprise. Someone, someone other than the Avatar has entered into the spirit world?

"Who?!" Aang asked as he looked at the man.

"I do not recall his name. Why not asked the Grandmaster?" Oyaji said with a smile.

"General Iroh…?" Suki whispered as Aang's eyes set firmly.

"Of course…We'll ask him!" Aang said with a new found confidence.

Suki and Sokka smiled, "Then go Aang. He's probably still in the Fire Nation." Suki said.

"Aren't you coming with me?" Aang asked hoping his friend will join him.

"No, Aang." Sokka said.

"We're needed here…" Suki said as she wrapped her hand around Sokka's arm.

The airbender's eyes then narrowed, "What about Azula? What should we do with her?" Aang asked as the two other teens tensed.

Oyaji simply smiled lightly, "Take her with you Aang. She needs to be with her family. Where she can be watched and cared for." The old man said.

"But what if she kills him!" Sokka cried out.

Oyaji turned to the water tribesman, "Her friends have helped the fire princess. She is stable enough to travel." The leader said as he paused for a moment.

"I think its best you take one of her friends along with you, just in case." Oyaji said as he rubbed his bread.

"Alright then…I'll go back to the Fire Nation." Aang said in a serious tone as the sound of crashing waves rolled along the sand echoed in the background.


"Thank you Miki, now return your post." An old man said as the servant bowed to the former general.

Iroh then turned to the beautiful burgundy robes with etched gold seams and soft silks. Brushing the material lightly with his fingertips, Iroh smiled faintly. 'She will look lovely in this.' Iroh thought as he moved from the dresser then out of the room. Once he closed the door he saw someone crossing by the long hallway. It was Katara.

Iroh smiled, he recalled how the waterbender took the small rose from the garden, perhaps to give to his nephew as a gift. Rubbing his bread, the old man smiled to himself. Maybe she could give the young man the greatest gift of all, to ease his broken heart.

Quickly the man followed the girl down the hall. Once he slowed down to see where she was going, his eyes glistened. Actually what was she up to?

Katara was seen entering the library holding a case in her hands. Once she closed the door behind her, Iroh decided to follow her again.

As he opened the door, he saw Katara writing a few notes on a scroll. "What is this lovely young woman doing on such a fine morning day?" Iroh asked as Katara jumped.

"Oh, good morning Iroh…" Katara said as she slowly hide the paper in front of him.

"I've been watching you for some time now, tell me. What are you up to?" Iroh asked as Katara sighed.

He caught her…

"I wanted to do something to cheer Zuko up, something that will make him happy." Katara said as she pulled out the paper on the desk.

"I see…" Iroh said as he folded his hands underneath his sleeves.

"And actually what are you planning?" Iroh asked as Katara blushed.

"I heard of a special dance coming up, and I wanted to surprise him with all of our friends to come for the celebration." Katara said as she smiled to herself.

"I see…How thoughtful…" Iroh said as he took a step closer to the girl.

"Hmm, I'll allow you to inform the others about the dance. As for a special guest, I'll leave that to my plans." Iroh said with a sly smile.

"A special guest?" Katara said in a curious tone.

"Oh, I've said too much…" Iroh said as his smile widened.

"Just keep it a secret between us, my dear girl." Iroh said as Katara nodded her head.

"Yes, you do the same, General Iroh." Katara said with a sweet smile.

"Shall you like me to send the letters out?" Iroh said as Katara shook her head.

"No, it's quite all right. I can manage. Ming has been very helpful to me in these arrangements." Katara said as she rolled up the scroll.

"Very well…I'll be attending a meeting soon. Is there anything I can do for you before then?" Iroh asked as Katara placed the scroll down.

Lowering her head she spoke softly, "Yes, actually…" the girl said as she looked up at the man with pleading eyes.

"I'd like to see my grandfather Pakku before he leaves." Katara said lightly as the old general nodded his head.

"I'll see what I can do." Iroh said as he bowed lightly then left the room.

Katara narrowed her eyes as she smiled faintly.


Walking along the harbor, Aeron remained silent as she and her companion traveled to the docks.

Cole sighed…Ever since they left the tavern, Aeron didn't say one word to him. Was she still mad or was she just stubborn?

"We better get a ticket for the ship." Cole said as Aeron scoffed.

Sighing once more, the young man entered down the dock to a booth. "Two tickets to the Fire Nation, please." Cole said as the man handed him two fire red papers once taking the four gold coins.

Once he had the tickets in his hands, Cole sighed. "There goes the last of our money." Cole said as he placed the tickets in his pocket.

Aeron let out a soft sigh as she turned away from Cole's gaze. Cole snorted in annoyance. How long will she keep this up?

Aeron then walked to the small viaduct leading up to the ship. Carrying her bag along with her concealed weapons, Aeron entered on the dock. Cole then picked up his leather bag and followed the adamant acting young woman.

Once on board, Cole asked a worker where the room 4-70 was as on the number from his ticket. The man pointed to the door leading to the passengers lodging then left the young man to the captain deck. Cole then turned to let Aeron know, looking around he couldn't see her. Finally he saw the girl by the railing, looking out at the ocean ahead. Sighing to himself, Cole walked up to her. Looking down at her bag, he then picked it up then told her where they're room. After that he left her alone, walking away with their baggage.

Narrowing her eyes, Aeron continued to look at the horizon as she sniffed lightly.

'Stupid Cole…' Aeron thought as she lowered her head.

Soon after, Aeron made up her mind and followed Cole into the ship.


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