Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender, but haven't you ever wished you did? Talk about a money maker!

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

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Author: I know, I know... I'm slow. Get over it.

Toph: Yeah no kidding.

Author: Hey, I have a life you know!

Toph: So do we. The difference is you control ours!

Author: Good point. Well, my life is in the real world! So there!

Toph: Pathetic.

Aang: Now Toph, you know the Author has to do what he does. Otherwise, he won't even have a computer to type our story up on.

Toph: You honestly think he can't find the time to write a pitiful little chapter for us more than once a month?

Author: Hey! You try juggling everything I do! All you have to do is save the world, and you have a whole team of warriors, scientists and super-powered folks to help you. All I have is normal little old me!

Sokka: Normal? You!? HAHAHAHAHAHAH.

Author: Alright, that's enough from the peanut gallery! Just allow me to remind you who's in charge here!

*Suddenly all the troublemakers are finding it very hard to breathe due to the Author's metaphysical hands reaching out from the fourth wall to strangle them.*

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Chapter 30: Chasing Hope

"Katara?" Aang asked as he checked room by room below decks for her. His vision still held that annoying blue tint that was beginning to make him dislike the color. Katara had run away from their interrogation of the pirate captain; she had fled below decks on the water tribe ship. Hakoda had sent Aang after her, though he would have done the same thing himself regardless. He wanted to apologize for how he had been acting. It was just so frustrating to love someone so much it hurt and not know if they returned your feelings. He had been going over everything they had been through and tried to determine her feelings for him. All it did was make him surer she didn't love him which in turn made him more irritable.

Aang called out for Katara as he searched the ship. "How do they find anything on a ship so large?" Aang muttered to himself.

A girls' sob came from the last door on the right and Aang approached quietly, not wanting to scare her. When he got closer he could hear a gentle voice coming from the room. "There, there. It will all be alright, Katara. Just let it out." Kita told Katara. Aang peeked into the room via the crack in the door and found Katara crying into Kita's shoulder. She was sobbing uncontrollably and Kita simply held her, patting her softly and rubbing her back as the tears poured forth. Normally, Aang would not have stayed, but he was worried about Katara and couldn't seem to make himself move. It was a few minutes before Katara cried herself out and managed to pull herself away.

"I'm sorry Kita. I don't know what came over me." Katara apologized. Kita just smiled and grabbed Katara's hands in her own.

"It's alright Katara. It's a scary thing to know that everyone sees you differently. It must be even worse that you've lost a part of yourself. No one blames you for feeling like you do; you're only human after all." Kita said soothingly.

"It isn't just that though. It's just... It's complicated." Katara stammered.

Kita gave a knowing smile, "I don't suppose that you're feeling a bit confused about a boy we know, would you?"

Katara looked startled as she pulled her hand away. "What? What makes you say that?" she asked, obviously flustered.

"It isn't hard to figure out, Katara. Everyone seems to know how you feel about Aang except you." Kita said, her smile never leaving her face.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Katara stated as she withdrew further.

"Katara, why are you being so hard on yourself? It's obvious that you care deeply for the Avatar; why don't you give in to your feelings and let yourself be happy?" Kita asked.

Aang from his position by the door couldn't help but think he would need to give Kita a huge thank you present some time soon.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Katara said defensively.

"Really? Is that what you think?" Kita asked rhetorically. "Well I think your too busy coming up with excuses to distance yourself from him to realize there is no reason for you to be doing so. Every time you see him your eyes light up; whenever someone mentions his name your ears twitch. It's obvious that you love him. You're only happy when you're around him."

"That's not true!" Katara defended herself hastily.

"Yes, Katara; it is. Your father couldn't stop talking about you and your brother; he practically implied he will be starting wedding preparations when we get to the South Pole. He was joking, but you get the point." Kita pointed out.

"Why does everyone insist I am in love with Aang?" Katara demanded, stomping her foot. The water in the pitcher beside the bed began to bubble up as it boiled. "Just because we're friends..." she began, but Kita cut her off.

"It has nothing to do with your being friends, Katara. Everyone can see it because it's there. What may have started out as innocent friendship has blossomed into something deeper? Aang already knows he loves you. Apparently he's known for some time. He even came to see me about it back at the North Pole, asking about water tribe courtship customs. He feels about you the same way you feel about him." Kita told her.

"How could anyone know how I feel?" Katara demanded. "Fine, I like Aang, a lot. Fine, we are really close, maybe more than friends. But it doesn't matter! He isn't staying; he..." Katara shouted before once again bursting into tears.

Once again Katara threw herself into Kita's arms and once again Kita comforted her. When Katara finally calmed down a bit, Kita asked, "Katara, what is causing this? What do you mean he isn't staying?"

Katara tried to compose herself before blurting out, "Aang... Aang is going to die!"

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Aang slid to the floor, stunned by what he had just heard. What did Katara mean? Why would she say such a thing?

"What do you mean Aang is going to die?" Kita asked, shaken by the finality of Katara's remark.

"I... I can't explain it. I just know it's going to happen!" Katara shrugged Kita's question off. "Aang is going to... to..." and she burst into tears anew, flinging herself once again into Kita's arms.

"Katara... no one can see the future. Perhaps one day Aang will die as life intends, but you can't believe..." Katara shoved herself away from Kita.

"I can believe it; I saw it! Aang is going to be killed, and it's all my fault!" Katara exclaimed.

"But how..." Kita began again, suddenly nervous about all this strange talk of seeing the Avatar killed.

"I dreamt it, alright!?" Katara exploded, her cheeks flush with rage and her eyes tear stained. "I watched it happen!"

Kita finally relaxed a little as she understood. Katara must be scared of losing the one she loves; a fear Kita herself faces every day. The thought of losing Hakoda... "It was just a dream, Katara."

"NO!" Katara said so fiercely it was like a slap to the face. Then quietly, "It wasn't a dream. I know it's going to happen, just like I knew..." Katara stopped herself once she realized what she was about to say. She had foreseen things before and always shrugged them off as dreams. She had known things... things that would come about whether she tried to stop them or not. She knew some things about Kita and her father as well; things she would be hard pressed to tell.

"Alright, let's assume that it was not just a dream. Do you recall how Aang was killed? Can you warn him?" Kita asked. She was obviously concerned for Katara's well being, but she was actually beginning to give credence to the possibility that Katara was telling the truth. Kita was a perfect example of strange powers being possible within people. No one else she had ever heard of could heal with a touch; no one else who shared her curse.

Katara shook her head. "It won't work. When I try to prevent something it usually helps cause what happens." Katara used her sleeve to dry her eyes.

"So that's why you're refusing Aang? You're afraid if you let yourself go and be with him he'll die?" Kita asked. Katara only nodded. "But Katara, you just said yourself that trying to prevent things doesn't work."

"I know, Kita! But what I saw... I can't be with him. If you thought that staying away from my dad would save his life, even if it wasn't guaranteed, wouldn't you do it?" she returned.

Kita nodded. She really would. "Still, how will not being with Aang save his life? You're still with him all the time anyway aren't you?"

Katara gasped. She hadn't thought that through. She knew that being with Aang would lead to his death, but just being near him... "Your right! I need to stay away from him; send him on his way without me!"

"Katara, your both still suffering from that blue mist syndrome. You need to continue with Aang or risk failing to be cured with him." Kita reminded her.

"I don't care. If it will save his life..."

"You DO care, Katara." Kita chided. "Your bending is a part of you, as is your beauty. You can't stay like this. Keep travelling with Aang a while longer. Do what you must to keep him safe. If you feel you can safely part ways, well then..."

"I guess you're right. I don't know exactly when it will happen. I will stay with him a while longer." Katara said.

Aang had heard enough. He finally managed to get to his feet and slip away. As he headed back above deck his thoughts were going a mile a minute. So Katara DID care about him; so much so she was keeping her distance for his sake. How was she able to dream the future? Why hadn't she told him this before? Shaking his head in a futile attempt to clear the blue tint from his vision, Aang went to the point of the ship and took a seat. Some quiet meditation was definitely in order.

--

The ship had turned about towards Kyoshi Island as it was fairly close and because of the Pirates there was no time to head to the southern air temple and still make the rendezvous. As the ship closed in, Aang approached Katara.

"Katara, go ahead and let the others know we still need to go to the southern air temple. I think we need to get a move on and we don't want to be too late."

"Alright." Katara agreed. She headed to the village with Bato and her father to halt anyone from attacking her.

As soon as they were out of sight, Aang went over to Appa. "Ready to go, boy?"

"NNNGGGHHH" Appa growled in return. Aang leapt up onto Appa's back. The supplies they had taken from the beginning were still in place. Aang threw a note to the nearest sailor. "Get that to Chief Hakoda please." he asked the sailor.

"Aye." the northern tribesman replied.

"Yip yip!" Aang called, and Appa took off. Aang headed towards the southern air temple with great reservations. He may have just left Katara to suffer the blue mist without need. Still, there was no reason to believe he would find a cure at the southern air temple. He was only going there to retrieve his old friend and master's amulet.

It was a beautiful clear day, but Aang's head wasn't cooperating with the feel of the weather. He spent the entire flight to the temple thinking of Katara, what she said, and their current predicament. Was he really going to die? Not if he could help it.

As the air temple came into sight, Aang steered Appa towards the spot where Monk Giatzo's skeleton lay. He jumped off Appa and walked over towards Giatzo's last stand, remembering his last visit here. He had lost control of his emotions at seeing his surrogate father dead and had gone into the avatar state. Katara had braved his power to hug him and calm him down. She had said she was his family. Wiping a tear away from his eye, he entered the enclosure to find that everything was still the same as it had been before. Walking carefully so as to not disturb the skeletons, Aang leapt over to Giatzo's body and gently removed the amulet from its resting place. As he touched the amulet however, a bright light engulfed him.

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Katara headed into the village and found the people hard at work repairing some buildings. Looking about she noticed Ty-Lee supervising and headed towards her. As she approached, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at her. A little girl screamed.

"Everyone, may I have your attention please!?" Bato boomed. "This is Katara, the same water tribe girl you all know. Somehow this was done to her, but do not be alarmed."

Ty-Lee dropped what she was doing and tumbled over to the three of them. "Is that really you Katara?" she asked, her face only inches from Katara's.

"Yes, Ty-Lee, it's really me. Aang and I were both turned into this somehow."

Ty-Lee walked around Katara once taking in her new look. "Neat." she said simply.

"Where are the others? We need to let them know what's going on." Katara asked.

"Oh, well after Sokka went blind, he's been on bed rest. Follow me." Ty-Lee said, turned and heading into the village proper.

"What do you mean blind?" Hakoda asked quickly.

Ty-Lee explained about the combustion man's attack and how Sokka had been blinded during the fight. "But he's okay now?" Katara asked quickly.

"Yep. He's only still in bed because Suki won't let him get up for anything. In here." Ty-Lee led them into a simple cottage, the one Katara remembered as belonging to Suki. Sokka lay in the bed tucked in and fussing as Suki fluffed his pillow.

As soon as she saw Katara walk into the room, Suki leapt to her feet and took a fighting stance. "It's okay Suki. It's just Katara." Ty-Lee told her simply, as if it was just another usual day.

"Katara?" Suki asked. Sokka was just staring at her. Hakoda and Bato followed in behind her and Sokka said "dad!" before leaping to his feet before Suki could stop him and giving his father a crushing hug.

"It's really me, Suki. Sokka, let go of dad before you kill him." Katara told them.

Sokka let go of Hakoda and turned to Katara. He stroked his chin as if in thought and said, "Take it back. I didn't think anything could make you look worse, but..."

He didn't get the chance to finish as Suki hurled a pillow at his head just as Katara slapped it.

"What happened to you?" Suki asked her.

Katara explained about the blue mist and how she can no longer bend. When she finished, everyone was just glad they were alive.

"So Aang looks like you?" Sokka asked her.

"Sort of." Bato answered for her.

"We just came to see how your search was going and to tell you we still had to go to the southern air temple so we would be running late." Katara told them.

"Well, I'm glad you did. You can help me get that nut back into bed where he belongs." Suki stated.

"Suki, I told you I'm fine!" Sokka huffed.

"Of course you are." Suki said gently as she grabbed his arm and pulled him back to the bed.

"Sir, a word?" a sailor called from outside the hut.

"I got this Hakoda." Bato told him, leaving the room.

"Suki cut it out!" Sokka whined as she pushed him back onto the once vacated bed.

"Sokka, if Suki is taking care of you, I suggest you listen to her." Katara said with a laugh.

Bato came back in swearing profusely. "Bato!" Katara chided.

"What? Oh, sorry." Bato said, actually managing to look almost ashamed of himself. "Hakoda, you may want to get back to the ship. It appears that Aang just took off."

"What?" Katara demanded.

Bato tossed the note to her, which she quickly read out loud, "Everyone thanks for the help. I think it best if Katara stays with her family for a while, so I am heading to the air temple by myself. I will return to Kyoshi Island to pick everyone up as soon as I can. Be well. And its signed Aang."

"That little punk. What was he thinking?" Bato said as he began to curse again.

"I'm sure he's only doing what he thinks is right. Besides, there's no way we can catch him now. He'll be fine." Hakoda said calmly.

Somehow though, Katara just knew he would not be fine.

--

It was later that same day that a messenger hawk found its way to Sokka's room on Kyoshi Island. Suki was at his bedside as usual, but so were Hakoda and Katara. Ty-Lee was out talking with the people and helping with the repairs, giving them a family moment. Bato returned to the ship to oversee everything.

The hawk entered via the open window and landed on the bed without so much as an extra flap of its wings. It stared at Sokka exclusively and leaned towards him.

"A messenger hawk?" Katara asked.

"Hawky!!!" Sokka shouted as he leaned forward and grabbed the bird in a soft hug. The bird cawed at him and nipped him affectionately. "Where have you been?" Sokka asked the bird seriously, actually expecting a response.

Taking the note from Hawky, Sokka opened it and as he read, his expression turned bleak. "Sokka, what is it?" Suki asked.

"Apparently Hawky returned to the fire nation and when he couldn't find me took roost in one of the shops. Courier hawks know their master though and won't be resold, so the place has been caring for him. Zuko found him and sent me a letter. We've got trouble." he said, getting out of bed and heading for his clothes.

"Sokka, get back in..." Suki began, but Sokka shook his head.

"No." he said seriously as he began to put on his outer clothing. "Zuko and Mai are in trouble. The Fire Nation is back under Ozai's control. Iroh is in prison and they are trying to rescue him. They need back up."

"Ozai? Are you sure?" Hakoda demanded.

Sokka nodded. "Zuko was pretty blunt. He wrote the letter in code in case it was intercepted but the message is pretty clear. They are hiding out in the capital and on the run from the authorities. Apparently Azula is free also."

"That little bitch? I'm going to kill her!" Katara jumped up.

"No Katara, you're not." Sokka said calmly. "Without your bending you wouldn't stand a chance." He said it so coldly that Katara felt a chill go down her spine. He was right. Without her bending, she couldn't fight at all. "We need to get back to the Fire Nation as soon as possible. Dad, I know it's a bit out of the way, but..."

"Of course Sokka. We can bring you all to the Fire Nation, but we won't be able to stay. Without Zuko on the throne, those are not waters to be trusted. The blockade should still be down, so it shouldn't be too much trouble."

"Alright then. Suki, gather what forces you can. It's time we make that tyrant bow to the prince."

--

Zuko and Mai met up with Lu-Ten as Iroh had requested. Zuko wore a heavy mask to hide his identity, and Mai changed her hair style a bit and covered her face with it so as to evade patrols. Lu-Ten arrived shortly after he was due, and Zuko was happy to see he was alone.

"Zuko?" Lu-Ten whispered quietly to them. Zuko nodded and he took his seat. "It's good to see you again, cousin."

"You too Lu-Ten." Zuko replied, a tear in his eye. He wanted to do more to show his emotion, but given his predicament refrained. He noted the totally white eyes of his cousin.

"And you must be Mai, the lucky lady that bagged this tough guy?" Lu-Ten said in jest.

"I remember you, Lu-Ten. The last time I saw you I was no more than eight or nine years old I believe." Mai told him.

"Ah right! Azula's friend..." he said, trailing off as he realized what he'd just said.

"Not anymore. So tell us, what happened here?" Zuko demanded.

Lu-Ten shrugged. "It's my fault of course. When I woke up I found myself here with your father. He told me my father was a traitor and he had been made fire lord. I am sure you can imagine. Once I snuck in and spoke to my father though I realized the truth. I am going to help you free my father and get you back on the throne."

"Thank you, Lu-Ten." Zuko said. "Our first step is to get Uncle out of jail. I sent for reinforcements; hopefully they will get here in time to help us depose Ozai. Worst case we may need to handle things ourselves."

"That will be easier said than done." Lu-Ten stated matter-of-factly. "Ozai has his firebending back."

"What?!" Zuko exclaimed before taking a quick look around and regaining his cool so as not to draw more attention to himself.

"It's true. Seems somehow he got his bending back. Azula's as mad as a disturbed hornets' nest as well. And then there's the consort. That woman scares me more than anyone else."

"Consort?" Zuko asked.

"Yeah, Ozai picked her up during one of those things he does where people come and grovel before him. She's wicked impressive." Lu-Ten admitted.

"What's so impressive about her?" Zuko asked. Mai stomped hard on his foot under the table.

"Owe." Zuko muttered as Lu-Ten spoke, "Well, rumor has it she's a killer firebender and specializes in the fire whip. She's got some wicked moves as well; her martial arts training must have been fierce. Oh, and she's really smart as well; even Ozai listens to her most of the time."

As Lu-Ten spoke, Mai became uneasy. She had a bad feeling… "Lu-Te, can you describe what she looks like?"

"She wears mostly black and blood red clothing, mid-five feet and long hair. Her name is…"

"Rose." Mai stated with distaste and fear. Turning to Zuko she added, "Zuko, we are in way over our heads. We need more than just back-up. We need the four kingdoms to unite and pray they don't get wiped out." She said with fear evident in her voice.

"What? Mai, what are you saying?" Zuko asked in concern.

"I'm saying what I know; if Rose is involved with the fire lord, it is going to take a miracle to defeat them."

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Aang: Okay, what happened to me!?

Toph: You're the avatar. Nothing is going to happen to you. Get back to MY story!

Katara: Please stop that you two. He will get to it.

Toph: Why don't you go back and cry us another river, sweetness.

Author: Alright, behave you two. Life has been kicking my butt and you know it. You're going to get your stories told eventually, so stop it.

Sokka: Get to it then. We need to get back to the Fire Nation as soon as possible.

Author: Alright already; I'm a going!

Toph: You tell em Sokka!

Author: Quiet you!

Sokka: Truth is truth. You want us to save the day? Get to work! And don't forget to get my good side.

Author: You have a good side?

Hakoda: One point for Sokka.

Bato: Seconded.

Author: Hey! And since when does playing require a second?

Bato: It doesn't actually. I just wanted to be heard. You haven't given me any time lately.

Jet: Join the club.

Toph: Hey that was my line!

Jet: Well then, say it.

Toph: It.

Jet: *slaps forehead*

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Author's Corner:

Again sorry for the delay folks. I moved into my new place and its… err… mostly put together… sort of. I decided to rent instead of buy. Made a lot more sense. Besides, this economy blows!

This chapter focused mostly on various thought processes and catching up with others. When you stop writing consistently, you forget things, so let me know if I forgot to add something, or said something wrong. I need to go back and re-read my story so I don't miss any loopholes.

Thanks again to those reading this still, and even more so to those who are reviewing. Without reviews, I wouldn't have the will to keep writing. Hey, maybe if I get more reviews I will update faster. Now there's a thought!

I admit I am guilty of splitting my attention though. I was working on a Harry Potter fan fic that seems to have fizzled. I suppose no one likes the totally new cast, locations etc that were being used prior to meeting with canon. Ah well. I stopped working on it, but I may post the rest, just because. I am also working on my own epic fantasy series with a world and characters of my own. I can't post that however as I want to get it published, and since its original, it doesn't belong here anyways. I think I will buckle down and get cracking full speed on this fan fic again. I miss it and really want to see the epic ending myself, so…. Yeah.

Until next time, please REVIEW!