Disclaimer: Don't own
Authors Note: Well, this is chapter 11. I will try to update more often and please, please review. And thanks for everyone that did review and/or add me to story alert and favorite story.
Moonwillow: Yea, I know not the best, but I'm trying as hard as I can.
AND You now have another Makkora shipper :) they remind me of Zuko and Katara. I just finished watching the premiere on TV and I loved it. And Lin Bei Fong is SO like Toph. Also is it me or does Mako kinda look like a really really hot Zuko? (not that he isn't already –drools-)\
Sharpay Evans 11: If you read this lol. k Thanks so much for the review! :) And i was thinking the same thing. I just wanted to see what other peoples opinions where so ya!
"Ok, so you are telling me that King Bumi said you have to find someone who will 'listen to the earth'" Sokka questioned, looking back at Aang. Aang nodded his head and Sokka sighed. Katara and Zuko were off to practice with Ursa and Iroh to show off their, more advanced, fire bending skills. The group had come into a village outside of a city called Gaoling, and decided to make a small campsite while Aang went off to search for an Earth Bending teacher. Sokka, left all alone decided he would watch Katara and Zuko's bending practice. He heard yelling off in the distance that Katara and Zuko went that morning, and assumed they were in one of their usual arguments.
"CHILDREN STOP," Ursa yelled, gathering the two's attention.
"Zuko, stop provoking Katara into attacking you, Katara you need to stop playing pranks on him." The two teenagers looked at the ground ashamed, embarrassed at being scolded for their wrong goings.
"Now, I'm here to test both of your skills. Katara, you go first since I have never seen you fire bend. Basic's first, then advanced if pass my evaluation." Katara nodded her head and stepped into stance. Katara took a deep breath, and a punched a few fireballs at a target that was set up. She sent dozens of fireballs at the target, then after the target was burnt to a crisp, fire daggers appeared in her hand, and Katara flung them into a tree behind Ursa. Sokka visibly flinched at how deadly and intimidating his sister could be. Katara created an arc of fire, and sent it towards the small tree, cutting it in half. She then upped her ferocity, having the bright yellowish orange flame, turn an ice blue color. Ursa's eyes opened slightly at the blue flame, but said nothing. Katara stepped into the defensive stance, surrounding herself in a wall of blue fire. A few minutes later, the wall disappeared instantly, and revealed a panting Katara. Ursa stood there in shock before clapping at the performance. Iroh and Zuko started clapping as well and praised her on her performance. Sokka stood there with his mouth agape before clapping slightly. Katara turned to her brother and smiled slightly, at his acceptance of her being a fire bender. Katara passed Ursa's test, now it was time for Zuko to pass his mother's test. He was actually as strong and good, if not better than Azula because he and Katara trained. He never told anybody aside from Lu Ten, so he was the only one that truly knew how well Zuko was a fire bending.
"Zuko, come forward. Don't hold back, I am truly curious to see how well your skills have developed. From what I hear, you and Katara are an unstoppable team. Iroh praises you very much. Don't be afraid." Ursa coaxed softly. Zuko nodded his head slowly and took a deep breath, just as Katara did.
Zuko took a deep breath and summoned the fire to his hand, light flickering about. Ursa produced another target for Zuko to use, which he was grateful for, and started to aim at the center of the target. Approximately twenty fireballs hit the center of the target. He 'tripped' and while on his back knocked the imaginary enemy down on their feet breaking their root. Iroh raised an eyebrow at that move. He then hopped up, sent a line of fireballs at the 'attacker' and got into a defensive stance. He concentrated harder, like Katara did and created a wall of blue fire blocking all 'attacks' out of his way. He created an inferno of blue fire, sending it at the tree and burning it to a crisp. After the tree dissipated, he stopped his attack and panted as he looked at his mother. Ursa looked at him wide eyed, as Iroh did too. Katara on the other hand grinned, knowing that their practices in the palace helped him achieve that level of fire bending. Ursa stood and looked at her little boy while Iroh just looked at him in plain awe. Iroh stepped forward, opening his mouth thinking of something to say.
"Zuko, that was beyond amazing. Why have you never showed me any of this? It was spectacular!" Iroh praised, grinning at his panting and sweating nephew. Ursa looked at him too, wondering the some question as well.
"I didn't want to be put through the rigorous training Azula went through. I have been this well of a bender since I was 8. When Azula started the training, she used to come to me because she would have so many burns from her training with Father. That's why I never told anyone, well aside from Katara. She was already a master by then though." Zuko shrugged, not really caring about his childhood very much. Iroh and Ursa looked at Katara and Zuko in wonder.
"You were a master at eight?" Ursa questioned. Katara nodded her head in conformation as she looked at Zuko.
"Zuko taught me everything he was taught that day and when I mastered literally everything that he knew, I went to Lu Ten. I knew Lu Ten would keep my secret, so I then started to train with him. On my eighth birthday, Lu Ten declared me a master." Katara explained to Ursa. Iroh and Zuko already heard this already. Ursa nodded her head once again, silently.
"Guys! Guess what!" Aang exclaimed, rushing through the bushed running into the clearing with a grin on his face. The group turned to look at him, questioning looks all covering their faces.
"There's this competition in the city. I went asking around, and I bet I could find an earth bending teacher there!" Aang exclaimed, everyone looking at him with amusing looks on their faces at Aang's enthusiasm. Katara shrugged, not really caring. The group members murmured in agreement, and they all started to head back to the campsite to gather their belongings together to put onto Appa.
"Hey," Katara said sweetly as two boys passed. The two boys stopped what they were doing and stared at her, with googily eyes.
"Do you two boys," Katara paused before smiling seductively at the two boys, "Do you two boys know how to get to the earth rumbles? My friends, well we're new to town and we wanted to see the earth rumble championships. They are very well known," Katara murmured seductively before smiling.
"Well uh, the-, they are in the uhm, they are at the end of the city limits." The taller, seemed to be older boy stated with googily eyes. Katara snapped out of her seduction, and smiled at them before running off into the alley, leaving the two boys to stare off at her.
"Guys!" Katara yelled, catching up to the rest of the group. Everyone turned to look at her with curious eyes.
"The Earth Rumbles are at the outskirts of town."
"How did you find out?"
"I have my ways!" Katara huffed, crossing her arms to look at Sokka. He stood up just as stubborn as she, and didn't back down. Zuko rolled his eyes and grabbed Katara by her arm dragging her out of her brother's sight. Katara turned and glared at him as he pulled her across the street. Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at who was down the street, confusing Zuko.
"What's got you all shocked Katara?" Katara pointed over near the inn she was staring at.
"Mai and Ty Lee," Katara whispered, shocked. Zuko stood next to her, gaping at the two girls just like Katara was.
"Well hello there!" Ty Lee exclaimed. The vendor rolled their eyes and asked what the acrobat wanted to buy.
"Can I have a bag of bananas, moon-peaches, and some papaya please?" The vendor nodded her head and started to gather the fruits the young acrobat ordered.
"I'm bored. Is there anything else we can do Ty?" Mai questioned, looking at the acrobat with a boring glint in her eye. Ty Lee shrugged and looked over Mai's shoulder gaping at who she was seeing. Mai raised her eyebrow and turned around. A small gasp emitted from her lips as she looked at who she thought was dead.
"I thought Azula said that she was dead Ty." Mai stated. Ty Lee kept looking at the two and left Mai to go greet them. Ty Lee cart wheeled over to Zuko and Katara. The two saw Ty Lee start to run towards them and took off. Mai and Ty Lee on the other hand were much quicker and caught up to them in record time. The two pairs glared at each other before letting down their defenses.
"Where's Azula at?" Katara spoke quietly, not looking into the acrobat and knife wielders eyes. The two friends shared a look before sighing.
"Why do you assume we are with Azula?" Mai questioned peering at her two old friends, whom she hasn't seen in many years. Ty Lee nodding her head wondering the same question. Zuko rolled his eyes and looked at Katara.
"Hm. Maybe you three were best friends and used to play pranks on us all the time?" Katara tapped her feet waiting for an answer. Not getting one, she continued. "Or maybe it was when you planned ways to tease and bug us? Hmmmmmmm." Katara tapped her foot impatiently once again waiting a response from the knife wielder and acrobat.
"Azula, she got to…..self-centered," Mai started. Ty Lee nodded her head.
"Ha, like she wasn't before?" Zuko snorted.
"Well, she's much worse than she was before Zuko. It's like ten times worse. If you think what we did to you when we were children was bad, next time you ever see her you'll wish you weren't related,"
"So, like I asked before. Where is Azula at Mai, Ty?" Katara questioned once again trying to get to the point again, putting her hands on her hip waiting for an answer from her two old friends. Mai and Ty Lee sighed.
"Azula's in Omashu. She wanted us to track the Avatar to give to her father, but we came here and decided not to. From what I have heard he is only a little boy. Do you by any chance know who he is?" Katara and Zuko shared a look before answering.
"Mai, Ty Lee are you willing to betray your nation?" Katara questioned, Zuko nodded his head looking at them waiting for their responses. Mai and Ty Lee's eyes widened at the request.
"What do you mean by 'betray your nation?'" Ty Lee questioned.
"Well Ty, do you want to help end this war?" Zuko questioned. Ty Lee nodded her head up and down.
"I'm tired of having to follow everyone's orders. You know how it was like back home, which is meaning you as well Katara. I guess I'm in. Azula has gone too far and I don't like it. I'm tired of following her orders. I will help you." Ty Lee bowed down to Zuko giving him her loyalty. Mai peered at Ty Lee and bowed as well.
"I will help as well. Like Ty Lee, I am tired of following her around like a puppy all day, and it's getting on my nerves."
"Well Ty Lee, Mai. I would like to officially introduce you to Princess Katara, Master to the Avatar, and Master double bender." Zuko stated proudly, leaving a small smile on his face. Katara smiled warmly at her three friends, trying not to laugh at their reactions to her being a bender, and a double bender at that.
"YOU'RE A DOUBLE BENDER?" Mai and Ty Lee yelled in unison. Katara nodded her head and smiled.
"Well come on, I want to introduce you to the Avatar." Katara said smiling warmly at her two friends.
"Zuko, go tell Ursa and Iroh that Ty and Mai are coming," Katara explained in tribe tongue. (water tribe dialect. I will just call it tribe tongue since it's not so long and it makes in simpler on me). Zuko nodded his head and walked ahead of the trio of girls and ran ahead to warn the rest of the Gaang.
"What did you say Kata?" Ty Lee questioned, Mai wondering the same thing.
"I told him to warn our group that you are coming." Katara explained.
"Your group?" Mai arched an eyebrow and Katara blushed.
"You'll see soon enough. Also as of right now we are searching for an earth bender willing to teach the Avatar earth bending."
"Wait, I just remembered something. Azula said after Lady Ursa left the palace mysteriously that the last water bender of the Southern Water tribe was killed. How are you alive? We knew you were the bender, but how are you alive?" Mai questioned in a monotone voice, with a bit of curiosity in it. Katara took a deep breath.
"Sokka and I, Sokka is my brother by the way, uhm we were having a snowball fight. Suddenly the Southern Raiders come and attack my village. I ran to my house and I saw Yon Rah questioning my mother. Yon Rah saw me and taunted my mother. My mother sacrificed herself for me. Yon Rah was even sadistic enough to take her body from us. There was blood on the floor and that was the last time I ever saw her." Katara's voiced coldly. Mai and Ty Lee's eyes widened.
"Oh Katara." Ty Lee said sympathetically before pulling her into a hug. Mai walked over to the two and joined the hug as well.
"Thanks you guys." Katara said looking up to her two friends. They nodded their heads.
"Wait." Ty Lee thought aloud.
"Mai, when Azula got that new servant didn't that remind you of Katara when we first saw her?" Ty lee questioned peering at Mai. Mai took a moment before thinking.
"As a matter of fact it kinda did. She looked exactly like you Kata. Ozai said that she was from the southern water tribe and was their cheiftess. She was Azula and Zuko's care taker after Ursa left. Zuko rarely saw her, but Azula saw her all the time." Katara looked over and looked at Mai and Ty Lee.
"Wait, so you're saying that the Southern Cheiftess became Zuko's and Azula's care takers?" Mai and Ty Lee nodded their heads. Katara took off from the conversation and ran off to where the campsite was, were everyone else was at. After a few moments, Mai and Ty Lee followed her. When they reached the campsite, they were shocked at who was sitting there.
"Uncle!" Katara exclaimed. Iroh turned from his conversation with Ursa and looked at Katara.
"Yes?"
"Zuko told you who we ran into right?" Iroh nodded his head.
"Well, Mai, Ty Lee come out I know you ran after me."
The two came out from behind the tree and grinned sheepishly. Ty Lee and Mai bowed down at Ursa in respect, and then hugged her quickly. They turned to Iroh and did the same thing to him.
"Ok, you know Uncle and Ursa already, obviously. Mai, Ty I would like you to meet Aang, the Avatar." Aang got up from his seat near the campfire and shook the girl's hands.
"And I would like to introduce Sokka, my older brother." Katara lead them over to Sokka who looked at them skeptically, before begrudgingly shaking their hands.
"He's a cutie!" Ty Lee whispered to Mai, who rolled her eyes.
"Anywho I need to ask Iroh something, and Zuko as well." Katara stated quietly. Sokka and Aang knowing that voice walked off together towards the village to search for the Earth Rumble.
"Iroh, after Ursa left, is it true that there was a water tribe woman who became Zuko and Azula's care taker?" Iroh nodded his head silently.
"Yea, she was mine and Azula's care taker. I barely saw her since she was to serve Azula. She did see me right before I was banished though." Zuko wondered aloud.
"Did you father say anything about her?"
"Uhm not that I know of." Zuko scratched his head. Iroh on the other hand had an unreadable expression on his face, all joy falling from it.
"I listened to him as he said that she was to serve Zuko and Azula. He said that she was the Cheiftess of the Southern Tribe." Ursa's eyes widened in shock as she gasped. Katara had unreadable look on her face as well.
"She's….she's alive…" Katara whispered dropping down to her knees, tears falling from her eyes.
"Zuko get Sokka!" Ursa exclaimed. Zuko ran out of the campsite to get Sokka so he can hear the news as well. Zuko returned with a confused Sokka following him. His eyes narrowed to an icy blue as he saw his sister weeping loudly.
"What did you do?" He screeched, dropping down to comfort his sister. Katara sniffled as she looked up to him.
"Mom … she's alive Sokka." Katara whispered.
And that my friends, is the end of chapter 11! Well what do you think? Mai and Ty Lee were introduced to Sokka and Aang in this chapter and well Kya is… Well alive. REVIEW PLEASE!
P.S Did ya know Zuko is still alive in LoK? Old People Zutara xD