Hey guys! I'm soooo sorry for the long delay between this chapter and the last. I lost my mojo... But it's back now and hopefully is here to stay! I hope you enjoy this chapter and please review!

"Ugh. Why is it so hot?" Toph moaned.

"It's the Fire Nation. It's supposed to be hot." Sokka replied tiredly. He was feeling just as hot and bothered as Toph was but was slightly better at not letting everyone know about it every 5 minutes. The blazing sunlight was all too apparent in the courtyard of the Firelord's summer home and all (except Zuko and Kyla) were feeling quite uncomfortable due to the almost overbearing heat.

"Isn't it a bit weird hiding from the Firelord in his own house?" Katara asked as Zuko and Aang finished their training for the day.

"We haven't lived here since we were actually happy." Zuko replied flatly. "No one will ever suspect that we're here." Kyla looked sadly at Zuko. It was weird hearing her father talk so negatively about the holiday home she had grown to love. During her time, she remembered spending many summers here as a child and having a wonderful time. Her parents were happy and other than her brother annoying her every so often, so was she. Perhaps that change was one of the many good things to happen after her parents married.

"Kei aren't you hot?" Suki asked fanning herself unsuccessfully.

"No. Not really." Kyla replied sheepishly.

"I guess you're used to heat being half Fire Nation and all." Aang said innocently. "Where did you live before?"

"Errr... Well... Not far from here."

"That could mean anything!" Suki joked. "If its close by perhaps we could go there if you want?"

"Errrr..." Kyla looked round sheepishly. Although she was touched by Aang and Suki's genuine interest in her, she really didn't want to talk about home, especially with Toph being so close. She had already tried to be as vague as possible but now she felt cornered. Perhaps a bit of the truth might not be so bad.

"BEACH PARTY!" Sokka said instantly breaking the growing tension. The rest of the group looked at each other with confused expressions. Kyla sighed with relief.

"Sokka, you really think now is the best time for a beach party?" Katara asked resting her hand on her brother's shoulder.

"Of course it is!" Sokka replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We're right by the beach, it's super hot and we need something to cheer us all up. Besides, it's only for an afternoon come on!" And with that, Sokka ran off towards the beach grabbing Suki's hand in the process. Katara and Aang simply smiled and shrugged before following them with Toph close behind. Only Zuko and Kyla remained in the courtyard.

"You never did say where exactly you lived." Zuko stated bluntly. Kyla grinned at his hidden frustration. Who knew her dad was so moody as a teenager.

"I guess I didn't." She replied knowingly. She would have to thank her uncle for that distraction later. "Why aren't you going off with the others? Don't you want to join the party?" Kyla continued changing the subject.

"No. Now is not the time for parties. Don't they know that the comet will be here soon?! We should be making plans not making sandcastles." Zuko said pointing towards Sokka, Aang and Toph. Kyla looked at her father sympathetically. Even though she guessed that part of his reluctance to join the group was due to his own feelings of shyness, she had to admit that he was right. The comet would be here sooner rather than later, and from what she had gathered, there was no real plan for what would happen when it would arrive.

"You're right Zuko. You guys should be making plans. We should talk to the group. Perhaps they don't realise how serious this all is."

"Oh I'm going to talk..."

Before Kyla could ask what he meant, Zuko had ran directly for Aang firebending wildly. Kyla was perplexed. She had known that her father was rash at times but this was crazy! Had her father gone mad? Here he was attacking Aang!

"Zuko wait !" she called out after him. But it was too late, he had already chased Aang to the summer house which had alerted the rest of the group. Before any of them could reach either of them a loud "ENOUGH!" was heard followed by Zuko flying through the side of the building.

"Have you gone mad?!" Katara asked furiously. "You could have hurt Aang! What's wrong with you?"

"What wrong with me? What's wrong with you guys?" Zuko replied angrily. "You're here playing games and having beach parties when you should be making plans. The comet will be here in three days! Do you not know this?" The rest of the group looked at Zuko blankly. All except Kyla, she was on Zuko's side; she just wished that he had made his point a bit more tactfully.

"What? Why are you looking at me like I'm crazy?" Zuko continued.

"Well, Zuko. We were thinking. We were going to attack the Fire Nation after the comet passes. That way would be safer for all us." Aang stated flatly.

"You're wrong." It was then that Zuko explained the plans of his father. The plans that would result in the suffering of more than half the world. "That's why you can't wait till after the comet hits." Zuko finished. "If you don't act now Avatar, there won't be a world to save." A moment of silence descended onto the group. It was as if they were all in shock from the revelations that Zuko had just shared.

"Man..." Sokka said sadly wrapping his arm around Suki. "I knew that the Firelord was a bad guy but I didn't know that he could be so evil."

"Yeah..." Aang sighed. "Why didn't you tell me about your dad's crazy plan before!" he shouted.

"I didn't think I had to." Zuko replied. "No one told me you were going to wait!"

"Hey guys, now is not the time to argue. Aang, remember you're not alone in this. We're going to help you through this no matter what." Sokka added causing the group to move into a much needed group hug. Except Zuko... who squeamishly looked on from the side.

"Hey Zuko, you're part of the group too." Katara said smiling.

"Yeah Zuko, get in here." Kyla continued, opening up the space between Katara and herself for Zuko to enter. Which he did... Shyly as always.

oOo oOo

Evening had come and the group's morale had dropped significantly. Although they had created a plan that involved going head on with the Fire Lord, Aang couldn't deal the final blow causing everyone to worry what would happen when the time came. Kyla had noted the growing tensions within the group and wanted desperately to reassure everyone that it would be ok but knew she couldn't. As the group finished their meals a cold silence fell upon the group.

"Hey guys!" Katara exclaimed causing everyone to raise their heads. "I was looking through the store room for anything that might be useful and I found this!" She held up a sheet of parchment that had a painting of the sweetest baby on it.

"Oh no..." Kyla thought to herself. She knew who that baby was.

"Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cute!" Katara added glad that she had lightened the mood of the group. Even Aang was smiling.

"That's not me. It's my father." Zuko said.

"Oh..." Katara sighed deflated.

"Wow... Who would have thought that such a cute baby would turn into a monster..." Suki whispered.

"Ugh! This is all making it worse!" Aang shouted.

"Hey don't shout at her. She didn't know!" Zuko added. There was no need to shout at Katara, she was not the one at fault here. Secretly, Kyla couldn't help be feel glad that her father stood up for her mother.

"Exactly, she didn't know. None of you know!"

"Aang. We're trying to help you. Just tell us how."

"Katara's right. Aang, we're right her for you buddy. You're not alone."

"No Sokka! I am alone. All of you expect me to do it, but I can't... and none of you knows how that feels. To feel the pressure of the fate of the whole world on your shoulders. None of you understand. None of you!" Aang replied harshly before walking off. Katara began to follow him before a hand on her shoulder stopped her.

"Let him go." Zuko said softly.

"But... He's my friend. I can't let him deal with this alone."

"He won't. But now, he just needs time and space and to think things through. Believe me. Time alone is the best thing for him now. "

"Zuko's right Katara. We can talk to him in the morning. For now, you should rest. We all should. It's been a long day." Sokka said. Kyla looked at her uncle seeing for the first time how much of a natural leader he was. No wonder her father trusted him so much in the future.

"Ok Sokka... I'll be up in a minute."

"I'll stay with you!" Kyla added. It was clear the events of this even had really affected her mother, and if she needed someone to talk too, she'd be there.

"Ok, see you all in the morning." Sokka said hugging his sister goodnight before leaving with the rest of the group.

After they left, Katara sat on the steps pondering the things that were to come.

"What are you thinking?" Kyla asked taking a seat next to her.

"It's weird. I've known from the very beginning that it was all leading to this point. From the minute I found out who Aang was I knew that one day it would all come to this. But now that's it's here, I'm...scared. It all seems so sudden now. So real. I just... I don't want to lose anyone else."

"You won't! I promise." Kyla said clasping her mother's hands.

"Thanks. I know you mean well. But how do you know? How do any of us know? I just... I want to... I don't know. I'm so confused. I don't know what to do."

"I know what you mean." Kyla said looking at the stars. They were always so bright here in Ember Island. "But if we don't keep fighting, then we won't succeed. That's why we have to keep going and not give up"

"That sounds like a very Fire Nation thing to say." Katara chuckled. "But you're right. I just wish I was more certain of our success. And with Aang now... Well I guess I'm only human."

"It's ok. Things will work out. You'll see. How are you feeling now?"

"Better... How are you feeling Kei? I've been going on about my thoughts and feelings and never asked about yours..."

"Oh... I'm ok. I'm worried about Aang, but I believe in him and in our team." Kyla said confidently. Knowledge of the future had its benefits. "Besides, how will you meet your prince with the pretty eyes if we don't win? Or was it the price with the pretty hair? I can't remember." She said playfully bumping Katara's shoulder.

"You remembered!"

"I never forget girl talk."

"Of course." Katara said grinning. "And I wouldn't worry about that..."

"What? Why?" Kyla asked excited. Had she fallen for Zuko already? Did that mean she could go home?

"Well there are no more Princes left."

"What? That's not true. What about Zuko!"

"Oh... Zuko?" Katara screeched almost a bit too loudly.

"Quiet... He might hear you. Besides, why the shock? Zuko is a Prince you know."

"Yes I know... I just... I never thought... Well... I kind of forgot. I don't see him as Price Zuko. He 's just Zuko to me now. Weird huh?"

"So... What about him?" Kyla said, hoping she wasn't being too forward. She really wanted to move things along and hadn't made much progress recently.

"What about Zuko? Wait... What are we talking about?" Katara asked suddenly confused about the point Kei was trying to make.

"Nothing. I was just asking if you and Zuko were getting along better that's all."

"Oh I see. Yes... I think we are. It's... nice..." Katara said fiddling with her hair. For some reason she felt very self conscious about talking about her new found understanding with Zuko, a fact that Kyla didn't fail to notice.

"That's errrr... well... nice." Kyla grinned.

"Why are you grinning like a sly panda fox?"

"Nothing really. Like I said... I believe in my teammates." Kyla replied looking up at the starts again.

"You're a weird one Kei." Katara said smiling lightly. "But I'm glad you're here."

"Me too... Wait... What's that?" Kyla said point towards a light near the shore.

"A campfire? Zuko?"

"Looks like it. Should we join him?"

"Errrr no." Katara said sheepishly. "He probably want to be alone Kei." Kyla rolled her eyes.

"Wuss." She said running over to him.

"Kei! Wait!" Katara said following close behind.

oOo oOo

"Couldn't sleep?" Kyla said sitting around the campfire on the opposite side of Zuko. Zuko sighed frustrated. Kyla just grinned. Her dad would warm up to her one way or another.

"No."

"Want to talk about it?" It was weird how direct she was with her dad compared to her mom during this time period. In the future things were very different.

"Not really Kei."

"Kei! I said wait up!" Katara said slightly out of breath. We should leave. Zuko probably want to be alone."

"It's ok. You can stay."

"Told you." Kyla said smugly. Katara only glared back in return. The three of they sat in silence for a few moments before Katara decided to take the first step.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

"No." Zuko said less abruptly than when Kyla asked. The two of them looked at each other and waited for Zuko to continue. "I tried to. But I kept on thinking about my uncle. I wish I could see him before... Well... Before it happens." Kyla looked at Zuko's face. The sincerity of his words was clear and she could understand how he felt.

"I never got to say goodbye to my parents before I met you guys. I miss them every day and wish I could tell them how much I loved them" Kyla added. "I took them for granted a lot. I kind of regret that now."

"Where are they now?" Katara asked. Kei never spoke about her parents and she was genuinely interested to find out more about them. Even Zuko seemed interested.

"Far away from here."

"The Water Tribe?" Katara asked.

"Haha! No." Kyla said laughing. "Dad hates the cold. He would never move up there. Not for all the gold in the Fire Nation."

"Then where are they?" Zuko asked firmly. He would not allow Kei to get out of this one. Kei looked up at the sky. She was doing that so often this evening. How could she explain that her parents were right there with her?

"I'm sorry." Zuko said. "I didn't realise."

"What?" Kyla said confused.

"They're dead right. That's why you looked up."

"Oh no no no no. They're alive. They're just... Far away. It's odd. I've thought about my parents a lot today. About how they were."

"What were they like?" Katara said hoping to cheer her up. Kyla on the other hand gulped. She couldn't give too much away but perhaps this would be a good time to help push things along. Get them to realise what they like in each other before they knew it themselves as Sokka said.

"Well my mother is kind and very caring. She would help anyone and everyone if she could. She also is really bad at telling jokes. She tries, and is getting better, but her jokes are pretty bad. I have no idea why dad always laughs at them. "

"Awww. He sounds sweet." Katara said.

"He sounds stupid." Zuko replied.

"Zuko!" Katara exclaimed. "Anyway, go on Kei."

"Zuko's right, my dad is silly, but he has a tough job so I suppose my mom's jokes make it easier for him. Plus he loves her. I remember once, he told us that one of the first times he saw her he thought to himself "If the world were a simpler place, before me..."

"...would stand the woman I would give my heart." Zuko finished. Katara and Kyla looked at him shocked by his sudden eloquence. Zuko on the other hand began to blush at his sudden outburst.

"Yes! That's right. Zuko... How did you know?" Kyla asked. She knew it was him that she was talking about, but she didn't think that the moment had occurred yet? Had it? When was it? Was it when they were getting ready to leave?

"I... Errrr... It's from a classic Fire Nation Story. My sister and I were taught it by our tutor when we were young."

"Really? What's it about?" Katara asked.

"It's about a poor man with nothing to his name who falls in love with a princess. He says that when he sees her for the first time."

"Wow, you're father sounds like a real gentleman."

"Thanks. He is. Especially when it comes to mom. Anyway, I should go." The moment felt right and perhaps some time alone might help things along. Kyla thought to herself.

"Would you like me to walk back with you?" offered Katara.

"No, I'm fine. Goodnight both of you."

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight Kei." Katara replied.

oOo oOo

"She's a weird one Kei." Katara said to Zuko after Kyla had left. "But I'm glad she's here"

"She's... Odd." The both of them grinned.

"Where do you think her parents are?"

"I don't know. Perhaps they're freedom fighters of some kind?"

"Fire Nation freedom fighters? Is there such a thing?"

"Perhaps he did it for her mother, she is Water Tribe right?"

"Yes she is...Perhaps he did."

"She must be an amazing woman."

"Or he an honourable man."

The two of them sat in silence for a moment letting each other's words sink in.

"He must really love her." Zuko said breaking the silence. "It must be nice."

"Why do you say that?"

"To be so certain of something and have complete faith in it. It must be liberating in a way. Especially when it's something that no one can take from you."

"No, why do you say he must love her?"

"The quote. You only say that about someone you really care about."

"I'm sure she loves him too." Katara said grinning at the stars. "I mean, who wouldn't love a guy that laughed at her lame jokes." Zuko chuckled.

"Wow... You can laugh!" Katara smirked.

"I am human you know."

"Oh and here I thought you were a watermelon."

"I'm not that round!"

"No..." Katara said blushing slightly. "You're not."

The two of them smiled at each other. "Your uncle would be proud of you now."

"Huh..."

"I know it might not be my place. But I just thought that that I'd say. He would be proud of you Zuko."

"Thank you..." Zuko replied sincerely. "Katara I ... Well... Thank you."

"You said that twice." Katara grinned.

"I guess I did." Zuko said scratching his head awkwardly.

"I should get some sleep. It's late and we all have an early start tomorrow."

"I'll walk you to your room." Zuko said almost too enthusiastically.

"Thank you... It's ... Well ...Thank you."

"You said that twice." Zuko replied grinning.

"Jerk." Katara replied.

taymac21: Thanks for the review. Unfortunately no Ember Island Players in this chapter but I'm glad you like it! Hope you enjoy this chapter.

4minute: I'm glad I've swayed you! And thank you for reviewing! Hope you like this chapter too!

Zutara22; Wooo! It's back! I'm so sorry for the long wait. Uncle Sokka is awesome! I really hope you see this chapter too! Thanks for the review.

Guest: Thanks for the good review. Sorry for the late update. Hope you see it soon and enjoy!

Jen: Thanks! Here you go! Sorry for the delay!

blueaoineechan: Thanks very much! Here's the next chapter!

FallenFireDemons: HERE YOU GO! Thanks for waiting and sorry for the delay. ^_^

Kushinada-hime: Thanks for the compliement. Zuko and Katara are the cutest couple even if they don't know it... yet. Anyway, thanks for the review! Hope you enjoy the next chapter.

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