Chapter 32

The group of friends stayed at Zuko's place again, each one of them tense. Everyone had a feeling something was going to happen tonight, and it wasn't hard to figure out what. They decided to stay indoors, hoping that whatever is coming won't come but knowing that was false hope. They knew the Black Mamba would stop at nothing until these teenagers were dead and buried.

Toph had come in blind for the benefit of Ursa, but now she can see the beauty of the house, looking at anything to take her mind off the tangible tension in the air. She didn't want to fight these people anymore, even though she enjoyed her new found powers. She still wasn't sure if she wanted to keep her powers or not. It was hard, and she had never felt so torn with herself.

Toph knew the risks of keeping them. If she kept them, the risk of being found out would ruin her chances at being a normal teenage girl, or as normal as an Earth seeing person could be. Not to mention it could put everyone she cared about in danger. Her parents would worry for her sanity, and probably put her in an asylum.

Looking at her friends, which was still shocker for her, Toph knew the others were having the same thoughts about their own powers. The indecision was clear on their faces as if they had already spoken about it out loud.

Zuko kept mumbling to himself, herself thinking and observing, Aang and Katara grasping each others hands and looking at each other like they were talking. But she couldn't hear them, and Toph knew something was up with the couple. They haven't spoken all that much except to share ideas. It was almost like they were communicating with their thoughts. Under normal circumstances Toph would have laughed at the absurdity of the idea. But things were as far from normal as they could get.

She studied the couple again. They were looking at each other again but not saying anything. Something was definitely up.

Even though she can see, her hearing is still spectacular, and it was then that she heard a type of rustling sound, which saved everyone's lives. Closing her eyes, Toph thought the words for blindness, and her feet gained their sight again.

So brief she almost thought she had imagined it, Toph felt feet outside near the trees before they vanished, and she knew the snipers had come to take a shot at killing them. She almost laughed at the irony of the thought, but instead she quietly said, "Prepare yourselves. We've got company." If the tension got any thicker they could cut the air.

There was silence for a few agonizing heartbeats before the glass window shatters, and everyone ducked quickly as a bullet sped pass them. The Gaang knew that was just a warning shot, however. The next one could hit any of them. A boy's voice called, "Come on out and fight! If you don't, we'll keep shooting until everything is covered with your blood."

Toph grimaced at that. "It isn't like they won't stop shooting at us anyway," she muttered darkly. Taking a deep breath, she centered herself, and, using her new powers and the memory from where the feet had been, used her Earthbending to make the ground shake.

At first it was soft, but gradually the vibrations increased in strength, and the trees that held the snipers started wobbling, causing the gunmen to grip the trees, making it impossible to shoot. Toph kept the vibrations going, causing them to get stronger with every pulse of power she pushes.

Then, finally, the vibrations became too much and the snipers fell from the branches with a thud. Since Ursa already knew about the Gaang's predicament, there was no need to keep quiet. If only her own parents had that understanding as well. Life would be so much easier.

When the spis landed on their feet, they brought out knives, knowing the guns would be worthless. The blind girl would he able to sense them shooting and would therefore bring up a wall a Earth. What next? One of them controlling Air? If only they knew.

Aang and his friends ran out to meet them, hoping this would be the last threat to come to them and everyone they love. The spies were nervous, considering there were only two of hem, but the Gaang knew they will be as deadly as the snake they represent.

Everyone got into their stances, and silence reined for about three heartbeats before one of them threw a knife in Mai's direction. She dodged nimbly, bringing up one of her own throwing knives and chucking it at the spy, who dodged just as gracefully. The second done did the same thing but threw it instead at Zuko, hoping to catch him off guard. But no such luck, for the teenager saw it and blasted fire at it, melting the steel into a pool of silver.

Toph sensed more movement coming from behind the trees and shouted, "We have more company!" She sensed them having guns, and brought up an Earth Wall around their group just before they started shooting at them.

Ursa sat at her window, watching the kids fight for their lives and sighed, worried. She knew they were strong, and their skills were incredible considering they just got them. But what she worried about was there were two Benders on the other side of the wall Toph had erected. One water and the other fire.

The Waterbender was unsure about all this. Ursa can tell by the person's physique that it was a boy, probably fifteen years old. She had the feeling he was regretting being what he was, and her heart went out for him.

Ursa knew what it was like to be pressured. Her parents had wanted a perfect child, to do anything and everything that was ordered. As a girl, Ursa had had no choice in the matter unless she wanted to get beaten. She had the feeling that boy was new to the company, and that he would get hurt if this mission failed. She hoped everything would work out, for every child that had been forced for fight this battle.

The Firebender, however, had no such hesitations. She, again Ursa knew from the body shape, swooped her hand in circles, two fingers pointed out while the others were held in, and lightning sparked out. Ursa panicked as the girl aimed at the wall, and shot a hole through it. And it zapped right into Zuko's arm.

The wall exploded, and an agonized cry followed the sound of falling rocks. Katara turned around in time to see Zuko fall to the ground, spasms making his body shake from the electrical currents coursing through his body.

"No!" she cried, and Aang turned around to see her sprinting to where Zuko lay twitching, sparks dancing on his skin. His anger exploded out of him like a whirlwind, seeing his friend in pain and his girlfriend worrying. Hurting Aang was one thing. But to bring pain to his friends, his family, was an entirely different matter.

Aang turned to the spies, about a dozen of them now, and they seemed to sense his anger since they stopped to gawk at him. Raising his arms, he let the winds grow stronger around him, fluttering everyone's hair about. The power going through him was unlike anything he had ever felt before. His gray eyes nearly glowed with power of the winds.

Then, with a cry, he hurled the winds at the surprised Snakeheads, and watched with satisfaction as they turned as one and were swept into the trees by the gale. There were screams as the enemy flew into the trees, smart enough to run away when the power was too much for them to handle.

However, from those few who had managed to escape the gusts, one of them, the female Firebender, looked back, and her golden eyes smothered like flames as she watched the boy she shot writhe in pain. Then she was gone, the shadows of the trees swallowing her up along with her comrades.

Katara was kneeling by Zuko's form, twitching every now and then, and she couldn't seem to stop the tears from falling from her eyes. It was hard watching him like this, so in pain and feeling like she couldn't do anything to help him.

But she had to do something, or else she would lose one of her best friends. Zuko had been there for her when Kya died, and had played with him and Mai and Suki for as long as she could remember. Besides, Katara knew he would never give up fighting for his life. It was who he was, a fighter.

Suddenly, she had a strange impulse to take water into her hands, so she did so. Then a tingling warmth occurred in her skin, and the water started glowing. Katara stared at it in awe as her friends gathered around to see for themselves. Katara placed her glowing hands on Zuko's upper left arm, near his shoulder, and took a deep breath; then felt energy course through her system at the water started healing his burn.

Zuko winced from the stinging pain. Spirits, it felt like needles were poking into his skin. All he could think about was the pain. Then it became numb, and he opened his eyes a little to see the glow starting to fade. Twelve pairs of eyes stared him in concern, even Toph. She must have made herself be able to see while Katara healed him.

Speaking of, he turned to his childhood friend and quietly said, "Thank you."

Katara smiled with relief. "That's what friends are for, Zuko."

Aang moved to Zuko's side by Katara's silent plea, and together they helped lift their friend up into a sitting position, him wincing. His body felt fried to the core. Then again, he was shot by lightning. He got lucky it was just his arm that suffered some damage.

Mai came over, relief on her pale face as she knelt next to Katara. Zuko looked at her. "Are you okay?" she asked.

He smiled. "Yeah, I'm okay," he answered, and she kissed him gently. Aang and Katara smiled at one another, knowing what the other was thinking. This is it. Tomorrow it will all be over, and peace will be brought back.

Mai and Zuko pulled away as Toph fake gagged. "Okay! Enough mush! Seeing it happening with eyes is worse! Can we get back inside? I'm freezing my feet off!"

And the tension broke as laughter filled the air, but Zuko cut off his own with a wince of pain. Everyone stopped too when they heard his gasp, and watched him gently rub his arm. The mark was red and pink, definitely going to scar. Katara was worried about him. She hoped he would get better because that lightning bolt was strong. And the attack seemed too... personal, like the one who shot Zuko wanted to prove a point.

Gently grabbing him around the waist, she ordered Aang, "Help me get him inside. Ursa might have something that could help." Aang nodded, and together they lifted their friend off the ground, and everyone went into the house.

Later that night, the family went to bed. Ursa had put salve on Zuko's burns to cool it, and to keep infection away from it even though Katara tried to heal it. She felt guilty that she couldn't do more, and it gnawed at her like a soul eater. The girl hated it when one of her friends were hurt, no matter in what way.

She and Aang were lying down on the large bed, both too wired up to sleep. Aang was playing with her soft hair while Katara traced his white scar again. The memory of him almost dying flashed before her eyes again, remembering the blood, the cold skin, his shallow breathing.

And after what had happened tonight, she couldn't keep the tears at bay. A gentle sob escaped her, and Aang ran his fingers through her hair, murmuring, "Hey, it's okay. It's over now. No one else is going to get hurt. We're safe."

Katara took a shaky breath to calm herself and cuddled closer to his warmth. He was right; the fight was over. Or at least, it seemed like it. But Katara had the feeling it wasn't quite over with yet. It was like a calm before the storm rages, and if one comes, it's going to be a big one.

She pressed her face into his chest, feeling comfort, the reassurance of his heartbeat, and sighed. "Then why do I feel like the battle is far from over?" she asked quietly.

He pulled her close, trying protect her from her doubts; even though he was having the same thoughts. "Maybe it's because we haven't given the evidence yet," he answered. "That will be when we're finally done. I promise."

Katara clung to him, wanting to believe it, but the doubt was too strong, and Aang seemed to sense it. He started humming a tune she didn't recognize, a soothing melody that sounded like a lullaby. It sounded old, like from the old days when electronics have not even been an idea yet.

Aang's voice started to soothe her nerves, and sleepiness started to seep in, driving consciousness away with every note. The song itself was beautifully eerie, calming yet telling a story, a time of peace where the Spirits helped make nature. Katara had no doubt that Aang had learned this music from his uncle. The old man was mystic, like he had seen countless lives. The Waterbender was beginning to think he had; he and Aang both.

Aang stopped humming long enough to say, "I'm really proud of you. You had saved Zuko's life back there."

Katara sighed. "But you got yourself exposed in the process."

Aang shrugged lightly. "I had no choice. We were being overwhelmed. I had to do it to protect you guys."

"Still," she persisted. "I wish you didn't have to. Now Jet has another excuse to attack you. You made his spies run away, and he won't take that lightly." She looked into his face. "I just don't want you to get hurt again. I couldn't bear it if I lost you. Forever this time."

He kissed her forehead tenderly, inhaling her scent like a person dying from loss of air. "Same with me," he murmured. Looking her in the eyes again he added, "But I promise that we won't have to worry anymore after tomorrow. We'll finally be free, all of us. And if the fighting does come again, we'll be ready to face it, together."

Katara felt the tension leave her body as she stared into Aang's silver gaze, sincerity showing from deep within. She smiled, a little sleepy, and said, "As long as we're together, right?"

Aang grinned. "Exactly." It was then that Katara yawned hugely and Aang brought her closer. "Get some sleep, Water Lily," he whispered. "I'll be here when you wake up. I love you."

Katara smiled, never tiring from those three little words. 'I love you more' she managed to think back before darkness enclosed on her, Aang's lullaby making its music.

Sorry it's so short, but I felt bad for keeping you guys waiting for the last chapter. I wanted to make it up to because you guys are do awesome and supportive.

Anyway, we're getting closer the end, and that makes sad. I really enjoy writing this. Thank you all for commenting. Keep th coming. I like the feedback. Thanks guys, and remember: KATAANG RULES FOR LIFE!