Disclaimer: I do not now, nor have I ever owned Avatar: the Last Air Bender. I might, in the future be the owner, but that's for Madam Wu to know, and you to find out.

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Rated M: Mature Content. Blood. Guts. Sex. Drugs. All the good stuff.

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Author: So Zuko and Mai finally had some fun together that wasn't picking on a servant. Did you two have fun?

Mai: I am so not answering that.

Zuko: None of your business! Now stop spying on us!

Aang: What's going on here? What did you guys do? Why wasn't I invited??

Author: Um, Aang, I don't think they invited anyone else. It was just those two.

Aang: Well that's not nice. I invited Zuko to go ride the giant Koi Fish with me after all.

Author: Aang, I don't think your understanding what I am saying. Zuko and Mai had some time alone together…

Aang: Right and they didn't even invite me! How mean can you get?!

Author: On that note, I think it's time to get back to the story…

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Chapter 9: A Destination Set

Mai awoke in Zuko's arms the following morning. She hadn't slept that well in as long as she could remember. Turning her head slightly, she noticed Zuko staring at her. "Good morning." He said softly.

"Good morning to you too; have you been awake long?" Mai asked him.

Zuko smiled and replied, "Only a half hour or so. I was just enjoying watching you sleep." He sat up and stretched a bit, working out the kinks. Mai admired his naked form, once again feeling certain stirrings within her. His muscular torso and bulging arms were definitely getting her flustered. Zuko got up from the bed and put a robe on. Mai was about to follow suit, but instead just pushed the covers aside and lay there bare to Zuko's eyes. She gave him an amorous glance; Zuko got the hint.

--

The gang met once more in Zuko's meeting room, but Zuko and Mai hadn't arrived yet. Hakoda and Bato, however, had. They had come in late last night and found Sokka waiting for them in Hakoda's room. He had done his best to explain about the previous day's events and what happened to Katara. Bato stood there dumbfounded as surprise after surprise was thrown at him. Hakoda took it in stride, except for when Sokka told him about Katara.

"Is she alright?" Hakoda asked him quickly, a hand on in shoulder and suddenly on his feet. They had been sitting down in his room talking for hours. Sokka had left Katara's involvement in the attack until the end so as to make sure his father was ready for it.

"Yeah dad, she's fine. Once she woke up she healed most of her own injuries. And like I told you, Jet's one of the good guys… we think." Sokka explained.

"I will feel much more comfortable when I meet this Jet myself. But if you say Katara is alright, I will take your word for it. Still, living dead and the spirit world and the King of Spirits… this is a lot to take in, Sokka." Hakoda told him.

"I know dad. If you come to the meeting in the morning you can see Jet for yourself." Sokka said.

"Oh, don't worry; I will be there. Something about Star Fire Island is nagging at my memory." Hakoda said.

The morning had come and everyone had been trickling in. Hakoda, Bato in tow, had been the first to arrive and had begun asking questions as soon as people walked through the door. When Katara had come in he had engulfed her in a huge bear hug and made sure she was alright. That done, he went back to questioning everyone. Once he had all the details sorted out, he grew quiet, thinking. Something about the name Star Fire Island kept picking at his memory, but for the life of him he couldn't quite recall…

Zuko entered the room with Mai on his arm. All eyes turned to face them as they entered. Zuko blushed furiously, but the look on his face almost dared anyone to say anything. Mai was calm and collected as always; no one would have guessed she had spent the night with Zuko from her demeanor.

"Sorry we're late. We, um… had breakfast together and lost track of time." Zuko apologized, blushing again.

"Did we miss anything?" Mai asked them.

"Something is bothering me about this." Hakoda said suddenly. "I know I have heard of Star Fire Island somewhere, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Don't worry about it so much, dad." Sokka told him. "It's like Gran-Gran always says…"

Suddenly Hakoda looked up, surprise on his face and he snapped his fingers in glee. "I got it! Sokka, you're a genius!" he exclaimed. Sokka tried to play it off as nothing, but Suki leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I remember hearing the legend of Star Fire Island when I was just a little boy. Gran-Gran was telling us the story around a campfire one night. If only I can remember how it went…"

Bato suddenly chimed in. "I think I remember the night you're talking about. You stuck that arctic hen in Bota's tent, right? She started screaming right around the time we were starting story time."

"Right." Hakoda said, not paying any attention to Aang's and Sokka's looks of admiration. "If I recall, it had something to do with the spirit world. It said that there was a magical island somewhere with the ability to move around at will. It was supposed to be some sort of nexus; a gateway that linked the spirit world to the living world. I believe the story was about a man who lost his love to a tragic accident. He refused to give up on his love and sought the wisest men on the planet for help. Eventually he was told of the magical Star Fire Island, the gateway to the spirit world. He learned how to go there and not be harmed and travelled to the spirit world to find his love. He found her and persuaded the King of Spirits to release her and return her to the world of the living. It's more involved than that of course, but that's the gist. They returned to the South Pole together and lived happily ever after." Hakoda concluded. "I know it's pretty vague, but that's the most of it."

"I remember the story now." Bato piped up. "The hero of the story had to travel to all four nations and even found the great library before he managed to find the island. I remember he couldn't safely go there either, not without some sort of mystical protection. Maybe we should ask the original storyteller." Bato suggested.

"But Gran-Gran is back at the South Pole. It would take a long time to get there. Besides, don't you two have to go to the North Pole?" Katara pointed out.

"Wait, that's it!" Aang said. "The spirit oasis at the North Pole might know. Why don't we just ask the spirits if they know anything? It's on the way, and I already sort of promised I would go back there." He said, trying hard not to notice Sokka's big grin. Suki noticed it all too well though.

"Well, it's true I promised the men we would go to the North Pole before heading home to pick up provisions and people to take with us. I guess we can take the long way around." Hakoda said, stroking his Goatee. It was obvious where Sokka had picked up the habit.

"Wait, wasn't Gran-Gran from the North Pole? She may have learned the story from her childhood. Maybe someone there knows the answer!" Katara added.

"That's true. Very well then; I think we will be setting out for the North Pole a bit earlier than we planned. I will just clear it with Arnook and see to the ships. You kids have done a great job, and I am proud of each and every one of you." Hakoda said.

"Wait, we can't all go." Sokka said. "Some of us have obligations elsewhere. Zuko has a nation to run, and Toph needs to see her parents. Suki and Ty-Lee need to get back to Kyoshi Island…" Sokka said as he tallied groups on his fingers.

Ty-Lee looked over to Suki and said, "Well? I can wait if you can."

Suki smiled. "We aren't in a huge hurry to get home Sokka. I can send the others ahead and we can help get to the bottom of things. Besides, I always did want to visit the Water Tribe."

"And I am in no hurry to see my parents again. As soon as I do, my life will be over. Count me in." Toph said.

"I… don't think I can go, but I can do my part from here." Zuko said.

"Enough. We can debate this later. Let's get to work." Bato chimed in.

"What's the rush, Bato?" Sokka asked.

"I really need to get out of the Fire Nation. There's a lady I really want to avoid at the moment." He replied, looking around the room as if he was being chased. Everyone laughed and started to get up and leave the room.

Katara looked over to Aang and asked, "Can I have a word with you, Aang?"

Aang nodded, and the group started to go about their business. Aang joined Katara and they walked hand-in-hand out to the causeway where she had been attacked. Aang had been pretty sure she would avoid this place, but Katara had led them right to it. It was going to be an interesting conversation.

--

Hakoda had just spoken to Arnook and he was quite willing to get back to his tribe. "Don't worry about the ships, Hakoda. I have had them all taken care of in the last week. We just need to load up the provisions and pack our things. We can be out with the morning tide." Arnook said jovially.

Sorry Arnook; I guess I am just the worrying sort." Hakoda replied.

"Everything will be fine. Our ships will sail with ease and my waterbenders will be spread out amongst the fleet in case of bad weather. We will be at the North Pole within a few days, weather permitting." Arnook said.

"Thank you my friend." Hakoda said in parting.

Heading back to the palace, Bato ever at his side couldn't help but comment, "You do worry too much, you know."

"Better to worry about the future than to suffer through it." Hakoda retorted.

--

Toph remained with Jet most of the day. She had not realized she had inadvertently become his babysitter. He seemed nice enough, but having him tag along all the time got really old, really quick. "Is there a reason we are hanging around in the garden?" Jet asked her; obviously upset being stuck with just Toph for company.

"Hey, being stuck babysitting you is no picnic either, but everyone else had things to do. I don't have anything to pack and neither do you, so just stay out from underfoot and we will get through this quickly."

"Pack? What are you talking about?" Jet demanded.

"What, you weren't paying attention? We are going to the North Pole. No way am I getting left behind. And if I am going, so are you. Besides, you're our only link to the spirit world." Toph explained impatiently. She paused for a moment before asking quietly, "They said your eyes are white, like mine. Why is it you can see?" Toph asked him.

--

Suki was in her room packing when a knock came to the door. "Who is it?" she called as she continued to fold her warrior uniform.

The door opened slightly. "May I come in?" Sokka asked from the door way.

Suki turned to him and said. "Sokka, I didn't say come in. It's very rude to barge in on a girl like that." Suki chided gently. She then turned back to her packing. All of her belongings had been returned to her by Zuko. She had a feeling this wouldn't be a very good conversation so she chose to avoid looking at him in the hope he'd go away.

Sokka didn't move to leave, instead coming in and closing the door behind him. "Suki, we need to talk."

--

Zuko headed to the throne room to take care of his daily business. Mai accompanied him as she had taken to doing each day as he dealt with the bureaucratic nonsense. She had a real affinity for politics and was a huge help. "So, I guess now we get to go treasure hunting for an island that isn't supposed to exist. I could use the excitement, but I am having a lot of fun at home lately too." She said.

Zuko blushed again. "I don't think this is going to be so bad. It will probably take a while to travel, but there won't the same kind of dangers faced before the end of the war." Zuko replied. Besides, I don't think I am going. I have a nation to run, and I haven't been on the throne a month; how am I supposed to justify time away?" Zuko said sadly. "I think you're going to have to go without me, Mai."

"I can always stay behind you know. No one is forcing me to go." She retorted.

"Actually Mai, I am. I know how bored you get sitting around and I can't spend every moment with you like I want to. You need your new friends around you and you need to get out and see the world." Zuko told her, stopping and gently taking her hand.

"You're sending me away." Mai accused him.

"Not at all; I want to go too. But I have obligations to our people now that cannot be ignored for any reason." Zuko told her.

"Well, if you want to go so bad, let's go! Nothing is stopping you. You're the Fire Lord. Do something about this!" Mai told him.

"There's nothing I can do. I have to be here to serve the people, especially since the war is over. There is so much to do!" Zuko defended himself.

"What about your Uncle? He could take your place while you're out saving the world again. You wanted him to be Fire Lord anyway. He can manage things until you get back." Mai suggested.

Zuko stood there, his jaw on the floor. Uncle? It was just crazy enough to work. He knew his uncle had refused the throne and passed it to him, but it was the politics of the situation that had caused it. Maybe his uncle would be willing to be regent until Zuko came back? "Go on ahead and let them know I will be a little late. I am going to go have a talk with my uncle."

--

Ty-Lee was in her room packing. She had decided immediately upon having the option to travel, she would go with her new friends to the North Pole. Ty-Lee wasn't used to having friends; just Mai. Of course there had been Azula, but Azula didn't count. And then there were all the boys, but they only wanted to be her friend because of her looks and not because of who she was. It was fun having so many new friends to spend time with. And she still had Mai, and Zuko.

Ty-Lee came to the Kyoshi warrior outfit that had been a gift from Suki and her group. She held it fiercely to her chest, sobbing a little at the thought of finally belonging. Maybe she was a circus freak and maybe she was different, but at least now she felt like one of the crowd. She didn't have to feel like an outcast anymore. Now, she had a family.

--

Ozai had woken up in the middle of the jungle a goodly ways from the capital. He had been freed from his cell by some strange masked spirit who had single handedly bested the avatar and his friends. Whoever the spirit was, there was no sign of him now. Ozai tried for the thousandth time to firebend, and was once again disappointed by the lack of results. "I will get you for this, Avatar, even if it costs me my life!" he swore under his breath.

"Well father, I will be holding you to that." A voice came from out in the woods.

Ozai looked around, searching for the voice. He thought he recognized it, but it seemed off, strange. "Azula?" he asked.

From deep in the brush, some noise alerted him to something approaching. Riding a lizard mount rode Azula; she was dressed in rags and filthy. "So glad to see you remembered your wayward daughter, old man. I was afraid that prison life would break you." She taunted.

"Don't you dare take that tone with ME Azula. Remember to whom you speak." Ozai threatened.

"To whom I speak? Why, aren't you the dethroned Fire Lord that proclaimed himself Phoenix King? The man who can no longer even light a match from what I hear? Why should I care about someone like that?" She asked sarcastically, obviously knowing the answer.

Ozai looked at his pathetic offspring in front of him and something became clear. She had recently snapped. She had bags under her eyes, her hair was a mess, and she looked at him with haunted eyes. "What happened to you, Azula? No one has told me why Zuko managed to take the throne."

"All of a sudden you care about what happened to me? Well, doesn't that make you father of the year." She said snidely. "If you really must know, I was dethroned because of my idiot brother and his waterbending harlot. I faced Zuko in an Agni Kai, and she interfered. I would have won, otherwise." She explained, obviously sore on the subject.

"You had the whole palace guard and the Dai Li agents with you. Why would you have accepted such a foolish challenge?" Ozai challenged her.

"Because…" Azula started, but she couldn't seem to get the words out. "Anyway, what's done is done. I assume you were freed by our little traitorous friend in the blue mask?" Azula said offhandedly. "He freed me first; didn't talk much though. Just pointed and made me follow him. He had me wait here for the last day or so."

"I see. Any idea who he is?" Ozai asked her curiously.

"Not a clue. The original Blue Spirit was Zu-Zu, until he suddenly came back to us. Of course, now that he left again, who knows? Still, this one could earthbend, and I don't quite think Zuko has learned a new trick so fast." She said, blatantly sarcastic.

A noise in the brush brought their discussion to a halt and both readied for a possible attack. Neither of them had any intent on being captured again. A Fire Nation uniform greeted them, but not with the malice they had expected. It was Admiral Kang, the man in charge of the entire Fire Nation Army. He stood 6'6" and was very broad shouldered and highly muscled. A giant among men, Kang was a master firebender and had never lost a battle that was not obviously futile. His reputation for ferocity in the field was legendary, and he had always been Ozai's favorite, even above that fool, Zhao. A rough scar ran across his face from the upper left eye to the bottom right cheek, a memento of one of his many battles.

"Ah, there you are." Kang said calmly, obviously at ease. "I had thought it would take forever to find you. Fire Lord, Princess, I am here to take you to join your army." He said, bowing to his former and obviously still current liege lord.

"Admiral Kang, how is it you knew to find us here? And how are you able to say such things when my son sits atop the throne?" Ozai asked curiously.

"Simple, sir; I received a message from the spirits that told me where and when to find you both. They have told me that the war is not over and have said that you can still lead us to glory. The spirits left detailed instructions on where to take you sir; something about a gift they want you to have. I have the entire army loyal to you still, sir. The navy may have betrayed you for now, but I am sure we will be able to change their minds as well." Kang reported.

"I see. Please Admiral Kang, let us be off and you can tell me all about the spirits." Ozai said as he headed off in the direction Kang had come. Kang saluted and followed his lord. Azula was dumbfounded, but quickly reigned in and followed.

--

Zuko found his uncle in his newly opened tea shop down in the city. His uncle had wasted no time, opening two shops one right after the other and quickly finding apprentices to brew tea as well as he could. Suddenly a business owner, he had a shop in Ba Sing Se, and also here, in the Fire Nation capital. Zuko took a seat while a waitress went to inform his uncle of his arrival.

"ZUKO!" Iroh shouted, coming over for a hug as if he hadn't seen his nephew in ages.

"Hello, Uncle." Zuko replied, returning the hug. "Thank you for the letter. I know you told me you were keeping your distance so I could learn to be Fire Lord, but I need your help." Zuko said quickly.

"You know I am always here for you, nephew." Iroh replied. "What do you need?"

"Well…" Zuko began filling his uncle in on everything that had occurred. Iroh took it all in stride, not showing any surprise until Zuko mentioned the King of Spirits. Iroh spit out his tea and started coughing. "Uncle, are you alright?" Zuko asked him.

"Yes, yes. I'm fine. Please, continue." Iroh said, catching his breath.

Zuko finished his story and Iroh leaned back, obviously lost in thought. "I was afraid this day might come. Zuko, I cannot forbid you to give up searching for the island, but I suggest you do so. It's far too dangerous." Iroh said.

"But Uncle, my mother may be alive. My father is free, and the dead are living again. I have to do something!" Zuko exclaimed, a shadow of his former self shining through.

"I understand, Zuko. You want to make the world a better place and see your mother again. I can't blame you. Just promise me you will be careful." Iroh said.

"Does this mean you will act as Fire Lord in my absence?" Zuko asked hopefully?

"No. I will never be Fire Lord. I will, however act as regent for you while you are gone." He said. Then he laughed. "Now who's going to run my new shop?"

--

Mai sat in the throne room on the lower chair Zuko had insisted be placed there for her. No Fire Lord had ever had his Lady sit on meetings like this, and the men below her had no idea how to act. Zuko had told everyone to treat her like they would him, however. Mai took outrageous advantage of that.

"Given that he obviously stole the land during a war situation; reparations are due, including returning the land to its rightful owner. I know Zuko will agree with me, but it will wait for his judgment. What's next?" Mai said to the men gathered about the room. No one dared deny her and she figured that doing some of the work for Zuko might make things easier on him. Besides, she was enjoying herself immensely.

--

Sokka came over and sat on the bed as Suki continued to pack her clothing. "You know, Sokka, if anyone catches you in here you are so going to be busted." Suki told him somewhat mechanically.

"It never stopped us before, did it? Remember when Zuko almost caught us? That was quite the night, eh?" Sokka said, obviously trying to lighten the mood. He was not much good at emotional conversation or sharing his feelings. Suki remained quiet, and Sokka finally realized something was wrong. He may not be the brightest when it came to women, but he finally caught on. "Suki, you've been avoiding me lately. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. Just because I spend some time with my other friends doesn't mean anything has to be wrong." She replied calmly. Unknown to Sokka, Suki was trying very hard not to cry at that moment. Her warrior training was all that saved her. On the outside, she was calm and collected.

"Oh. Well, I just thought…" Sokka started when Suki interrupted him.

"I know what you thought, but I am fine Sokka. I just need to finish packing. We can talk later. Now would you please leave me alone?" Suki said quickly and as calmly as she could. She needed him gone before the tears broke through.

Sokka sighed and got up. "If that's what you want. Let me know if you need anything." He said, and then let himself out. In the hallway, Sokka leaned on the door and tried to think of what could be going on. Through the door, he heard something that nearly broke his heart. He heard Suki cry.

--

Toph had finally brought Jet back into the palace and headed for her room. Jet maintained he was trustworthy and stuck to Toph even though it was driving them both a little nuts. While walking through the halls, they nearly ran into Ty-Lee as she came out of her room.

"Oh, sorry Toph didn't see you there." Ty-Lee apologized.

"No worries. It wasn't me you almost ran over." Toph grinned, noticing through her bending that Jet had fallen over.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Jet! Let me help you up!" Ty-Lee said, bending down to take his hand. Jet took the offered hand and got up.

Once he got his Barings he noticed Ty-Lee for the first time. She was dressed in her Earth Kingdom travel clothes instead of her normal Fire Nation garb. Jet had to blink a second before remembering where he was. "No problem. See you around, Ty-Lee." Jet said, and then continued on down the hall.

Toph stood there a second before following after him. "So, even the dead notice a pretty girl, do they?" Toph asked him.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Jet asked her.

"Oh, nothing; nothing at all." Toph replied.

--

Aang and Katara had stood there on the causeway alone for over an hour. Katara had been the one to ask Aang out here, but she didn't seem able to say what she wanted to say. Instead, they had been enjoying the scenery and each other's company, just being there together on such a beautiful day. A small waterfall fed into a pool off to the side, sparkling in the sunlight. To keep cool, Katara had taken some of the water and frozen if into cubes and left it in the pool, cooling it and making it a great spot to sit and drink. Katara kept glancing at Aang, then turning away as if she didn't want to say what she was about to say.

Finally, Aang had had enough and decided to speak first. "Katara, what's on your mind?" he asked, obviously nervous but not willing to wait any longer.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you; about us." Katara said, blushing just a little. Katara knew what she wanted to say, but had no idea how to say it. "I… I don't know what's been happening or what's going to happen in the future. I know things haven't been ideal for us, and maybe there will never be a time that's best for us. So I guess what I am trying to say is…" Katara trailed off, searching for the words to say.

Aang didn't wait for her search to be successful. He leaned in and kissed her right on the lips. Katara returned the kiss fervently, wrapping her arms around Aang and reveling in the bliss she was feeling. She cared for Aang more than a little brother; she knew that now for sure. Obviously Aang returned the sentiment. They sat there in the shade by that sparkling pool and kissed for hours. Neither wanted the moment to end. Finally, as the sun was low in the sky and clouds became a scarlet blush giving witness to what they saw, the two finally broke apart.

"I love you, Katara. I have since the day we met, and it has only gotten stronger. I tried to tell you lots of times, but… I guess I just couldn't figure out how. Now, it seems like the easiest thing in the world." Aang said, his gaze boring into her soul and his eyes holding hers with a force she couldn't explain. Katara tried to speak, but Aang held a finger to her lips and continued, "I know it may be too soon to say it, and I don't expect you to say it back. I just want you to know how I feel. Maybe one day you will be able to say it to me too." Aang said. He removed his finger from her lips and she didn't try to speak again for a bit. They sat there a little longer, watching the sunset and enjoying each other's company.

Finally, Katara found her voice. "Thank you for understanding Aang."

--

A knock on Hakoda's door brought him out of his reverie. He had been in a dose, thinking about Kya, his wife. Sitting up in bed, he said, "Come in."

Katara entered the room and closed the door behind her. Hakoda's room was immaculate, but only because he had finished packing. If she had showed up any sooner, she might have been chased away. Hakoda wasn't the neatest man in the world. He wasn't as bad as his son though, either.

"Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?" Katara asked. Hakoda motioned for her to have a seat with him on the bed, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Are you alright, Katara? You seem a little… not yourself." Hakoda observed.

"I'm fine dad, really. I've just been doing a lot of thinking and was hoping for some advice." She said, choosing her words carefully.

Hakoda noticed her insecurity and decided he'd better be tactful here. "Ask me whatever you want dear. You know you can talk to me about anything." Hakoda told her gently. He took her hair in his hand and moved her so she was resting her head on his shoulder.

"Well… um… Can you tell me when you knew you were in love with mom?" Katara asked.

Hakoda was taken aback. What in the world brought this on? "Well, Katara; before you or Sokka were born, I was just a little older than you are now, about Sokka's age, I would say. I had already been interested in girls and had my pick. Your old dad was quite the ladies man back then." Hakoda chuckled, posing a little. Katara giggled. "But no matter who I was with, I never felt any different with them. They were just girls, like the boys were just boys. Nothing about them stood out to me. Of course, there were some very pretty girls, but they didn't move me in any way other than their looks. There is a lot more to love than just a physical attraction, you know." Katara nodded into his shoulder. "Well, one day when I was going out hunting with my friends, Kya came up to us and asked to join us." Hakoda said.

Katara looked up into his face with wide eyes. "But the women of the water tribe aren't allowed to hunt; not even at the South Pole." Katara admonished.

"Your right of course. We laughed at her and told her to stay home with the other girls as was her place, and we left shortly thereafter. We were gone a few hours when suddenly we heard some loud noise. Bato said it sounded like a Walrus lion or something just as monstrous, and then he heard a man shouting. We raced to investigate, and there facing off against some strange beast I couldn't name was a water tribesman. The beast was large and looked almost like a white furred platypus bear, but it had the face and tail of a lizard and icicle-like claws. The strangest thing about it was it seemed to almost breathe ice. The others were quite scared of it, and I was no different; but when I saw that water tribesman about to be mauled, I leapt into action. I slid down the high hill we had been on and down into the gulley where they were. I jumped before reaching the bottom and sprung onto the creatures back. It roared and started thrashing about, focused more on me than on its prey. Well, needless to say it threw me quite easily. Deciding I was either a bigger threat or a bigger dinner, the thing approached me. I had lost my weapons in the scuffle, and had nothing but my knife left to defend me. I drew it, knowing I was about to be eaten, when the water tribesman leapt onto the creature and began punching it. It threw him off as well, and roared again. The snow started to fall, trying to bury us under. The men couldn't save us at that point. We were buried under a ton of snow with that creature; all hope seemed lost."

Katara moved away from her father and looked up at his face. He appeared to be lost in his memories. "Obviously you survived, but what does this have to do with mom?" she asked him.

"Let me finish the story and you'll see." Hakoda replied. "There was no light and I was braced for my own death. Strangely, I didn't die. I opened my eyes and felt no snow surrounding me. I took out my tinder and started my lantern. We were in a sort of snow cave. The creature was lying in the middle of the cave, sniffing at something. I couldn't quite see it, so I slowly moved forward. It was the man I had tried to save. He wasn't moving, but the creature didn't seem to be trying to eat him. When it noticed me, it moved aside and let me closer. I checked the man and discovered my mistake. It wasn't a man; it was Kya." Hakoda said, pride in his voice.

"Mom? What was she doing out in the wilderness alone?" Katara asked.

"She had decided that if we wouldn't teach her to hunt and take her with us that she would do it herself. She had tried to follow after us and slid down the ravine where she startled the creature. It had scared her at first, and that was what we had heard." Hakoda explained. "Anyway, I noticed she was unconscious and turning blue. She was in dire danger of freezing to death. I tried my best to warm her, but nothing helped. The creature had just left us alone, watching us. I think that once it realized we meant it no harm, it understood. It came over to us and moved me aside with its snout, then started to breathe on Kya. The breath looked like water and it began to glow a little. After a minute or so, Kya started to look normal again. She woke up in my arms, and I felt right then and there that I would make her my wife." Hakoda finished a tear in his eye.

"But dad, that can't be the whole story! You were still buried with that creature!" Katara said, obviously wrapped up in the story. It was one of her vices.

"Well, once Kya woke up, we talked for a bit. The creature started digging a tunnel and once it broke through to the outside it left us, going back into the snow. I carried Kya back to the village and we stayed up all night talking. That's when I knew she felt the same way about me." Hakoda said.

"Wow… I had no idea dad." Katara said honestly. "I had always just assumed you were a normal couple." Then she giggled.

"Ha ha." Hakoda pretended to laugh. "Now, I answered your question; how about you tell me what this is all about." Hakoda said gently.

"Well…" Katara said. "I was just talking with Aang, and… he told me he loved me." Katara admitted. She was not afraid of what her father would think, but more afraid of what he would say.

"I see." Hakoda said. "Well, there is a lot about you to love, so I guess it was going to happen eventually."

"What?" Katara asked, confused.

"I knew some boy was going to fall in love with you sooner than later. I am just glad it's someone I like." Hakoda laughed. "The real question I guess you're trying to answer is: do you love him back?" Hakoda asked her. Katara nodded and remained silent, staring at her feet. "Well Katara, now that I know why you asked me your question, I think I know better how to answer you. Your mother and I were friends for a long time and never felt a thing for each other until events brought us together. Once we saw each other in a different light and grew closer together, everything just clicked. People will tell you about love at first sight, but it rarely happens that way. In truth, people fall in love with someone they get to know far more often. You may want to think about that as you search your own feelings and learn more about how you truly feel about Aang." Hakoda told her.

Katara thought about it a moment, searching her feelings as best she could. "Thanks dad. For an old man, you sure know your stuff." Katara said softly, trying to make light to hide her feelings once more.

"Thanks… I think."

--

The next day, everyone was at the docks fairly early. The waterbenders had been put on all the ships to help speed things along as well as prevent incident at sea, and the ships were fully provisioned for the trip. Hakoda was on the dock, saying his goodbyes o some of the fellows he'd met when he noticed Katara coming over to him, a full pack on her shoulders. "I am glad you're coming, Katara. I am glad not to lose you again so soon." Hakoda said.

Katara smiled at her father. "Me too, dad." She said happily. Hakoda then noticed Zuko and Mai making their way down to the ships. "Is anyone planning on staying behind? Who's going to run the Fire Nation?" he asked rhetorically.

"Well, I believe Iroh is going to act as regent for a while, and everyone's coming. We just couldn't stay away from you." She said.

"Alright, get your friends on board. I have a few open cabins on the flag ship. Let's get this show on the road." Hakoda said, granting defeat.

--

Author: So, now that things are changing locale a bit, maybe something can happen.

Aang: Plenty has happened, if you ask me.

Katara: Seriously.

Author: Well, I am sure some people were looking for more action. It's coming.

Katara: More action? I was nearly killed. How much more action can we take?

Toph: Sweetness, you worry too much. We took down the Fire Nation. We can handle anything the Author throws at us.

Katara: MUST you call me sweetness?

Toph: I could call you late for dinner if you prefer. It might do you some good.

Katara: Did you just call me fat?!

Toph: Nope. You did though.

Katara: ARGH!! Come here, you midget!

Toph: Bring it on, sweetness! Let's see who would win a REAL duel!

Aang: Um, guys? We are on a boat out in the ocean. It's a little unfair.

Both girls: Stay out of it, Aang!

Sokka: 10 silver pieces on Katara.

Bato: You're on.

--

Author's Corner:

And here ends another long chapter. I hope everyone is enjoying this as much as I am enjoying writing it. And now, to the notes…

Sorry all you sex fanatics, none here. Not to worry though. When it's time for more, you'll get an extra disclaimer again. Thanks for the praise on the scene in the last chapter. I tried to make it as real as possible.

Yes, I sort of created the original waterbending animal. However it doesn't play any other part of the story and is irrelevant to it. I simply needed a way to create the Hakoda back story and it really sort of worked out. I wasn't going to make anything, but it seemed a good idea at the time. I took the bear from the fortune teller, bade it polar, gave it a couple dragonish traits as it opposes the dragon (Dragons breath fire and fly, so this digs through water and ice and breathes ice and water) and threw it into a story. In the reviews, let me know if you care. If enough people hate it, maybe I will change it. I chose it because water tribe shouldn't have a flying totem, and because burying one's self in snow is a way to live. Plus, polar bears swim quite well. Let me know what you think.

Everyone got a bit of spotlight in this chapter, but Hakoda got the most. I am sure Kira73 will love that. Like I said before, they all have a part to play. If you feel I am leaving anyone out for too long, let me know.

Ozai and Azula are back on the march and actually have support. Who would have known? I suck at making up names, and Kang came to mind. Tell me if a character was already using the name in case I missed it.

So the gang is off to save the world again. Not they realize the world is in danger much, but still… If you find any plot holes, please let me know.

And to the fact that Jet can earthbend… Notice he denied doing it? He doesn't remember doing it. There are reasons for all of that. If you want to make some guesses, by all means go nuts! I like to make people think. I am not doing anything on a whim. Everything ties in… well, except the water animal, but I digress…

I am really hoping everyone is looking forward to what happens next, as that's the key to any good story. And thanks again to those few that are reviewing me. Looking for reviews throughout the day has become a hobby. I just wish I got more than 1-3 on average. Come one people! Only 9 Chapters and almost 900 hits! If that's 100 people reading each chapter in theory, I should be getting more reviews right? :-P

For those that don't review, try it. Even if it isn't on my story, give it a shot. Say what you like or want to have happen. Point out things, make guesses, and tell the author you enjoy what he/she is doing. It really means a lot to us. Till next time…