Well guys here is the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it!

Aang was gone.

The group had spent the entire morning searching for him with no success. Everyone was feeling anxious and thoughts of doubt began to creep into their minds. 'Had Aang left?' 'Was he taken?' 'If so why did no one see or hear anything?' As morale dropped to an all time low Kyla couldn't help but feel sorry for the group. She wished she could tell them that everything would be alright and that Aang was not only safe, but being prepared for the final battle, but knew she couldn't. It would only raise questions that she would have difficulty answering.

"Did anyone find anything? Information? Clues? Anything?" asked Sokka.

"No." Replied Katara. "Suki and I went to look in the city but only came across those silly Ember Island Players."

"We didn't find anything either." Added Zuko. "Toph, Kyla and I covered the whole beach but saw nothing. Not even footsteps."

"Well we can't just wait here wasting time in the hope that he'll come back. But he can't have gone far. He left his staff!" Sokka replied.

"You're right." Katara sighed. "What should we do Zuko?" At this point, Zuko looked shocked. Whether this was due to being asked what the group should do or the fact that Katara was the one asking it Kyla couldn't be sure.

"Errrr... Why are you asking me?" He asked sheepishly.

"Well, out of everyone here, you've had the most experience chasing Aang. If anyone is the most qualified to decide what we should do next it's you."Katara replied. Kyla could have sworn that she saw disappointment on Zuko's face but decided not to make an issue of it.

"Oh... Well... We need to find Aang"

"Yeah we kinda knew that already." Toph interrupted sarcastically.

"And... I think I might know someone that might help us."

"Who?" Asked Suki.

"Her name is Jun."

"The bounty hunter?!" Said Sokka.

"Yes. She has a Shirshu that can find anything on the planet. If anyone can find Aang right now she could."

"Where is she?" ask Katara.

"If she's where I think she is, it might take us half a day to reach her. We should pack up and meet by Appa as soon possible. "

oOo oOo

The journey on Appa was sombre at best. Sokka, Suki Toph and Kyla sat in Appa's giant saddle while Zuko and Katara had rode up front. Kyla couldn't help but feel happy that Katara and Zuko were talking more and arguing less. Even when they were getting ready to leave Ember Island, Zuko had gone to help Katara pack her things before starting on his own. She was glad that this slow transition was taking place and hoped that her little pushes had contributed towards it but at the same time, she really wanted to go home. She missed her mother brushing her hair and her father asking her about her day. She even missed her annoying big brother blaming her for the cakes he stole from the kitchens. It wasn't that she didn't like being part of the group, she loved seeing her parents at this age and had definitely grown closer to her Uncle Sokka it's just that, this wasn't her time and as selfish as it was, she missed her own bed.

Kyla sighed softly. There was nothing she could do about her situation other than hope that her parents would hurry up and fall for each other. As she watched them talking she wondered what they were talking about. Zuko while holding Appa's reigns seemed to be stating something to which Katara agreed. Suddenly, Katara rested her head on Zuko's shoulder. An act that caught both Zuko and Kyla by surprise. 'This is it!' They must be getting close now!' She thought to herself looking at Sokka excitedly. Sokka replied by winking knowingly. Zuko on the other hand was extremely stiff from what Kyla could tell. It wasn't until a few moments had passed that he began to relax. He even rested his head on Katara's after a while. Kyla couldn't help but grin widely. It was happening. This must be it! She could finally go home! With her thoughts on seeing her family again she fell comfortably into a much needed nap.

"Kei! Kei!"

"Mom?"

"No it's me."

"Oh... Katara. I thought that... Nevermind" Kyla replied sadly. She was still in the past. She thought that perhaps the next time she woke up she would be greeted by her parents, her real parents. But it seemed that fate had other ideas.

"We're here."

oOo oOo

If there was one word that Kyla would use to describe this tavern it would be "Rough". The building itself looked like it could do with a bit of TLC and the customers looked...Hard. She could only imagine how angry her father would be if he ever found her in a place like this. The irony that it was him leading her here made her smile.

"This place is a dump." Said Suki.

"I like it!" Toph replied.

"You would. So Zuko can you see her?" Asked Sokka.

"There she is." Zuko replied pointing to a raven haired woman by the bar.

"Oh great, it's Prince Pouty." Jun said sarcastically not turning away from her drink.

"Jun we need your help."

"Where's your creepy Grandpa?" she asked.

"He's not my Grandpa he's my uncle. And he's not here."

"Hmmm." She replied turning around to finally face the group. She looked between Zuko and Katara. "I see you worked things out with your girlfriend..." Zuko and Katara blushed immediately.

"She's/I'm not my/his girlfriend." They said simultaneously.

"Oh no." Kyla thought to herself. The result of all of her hard work gone in an instant.

"Alright alright sheesh. I was just teasing. So why are you here?"

"We need your help finding someone."

"Pfft.. Pass. Besides, doesn't sound like much fun for me." She said returning to her drink.

"Does the end of the world sound fun?!" Zuko replied angrily. Patience was not one of his virtues. Jun looked at Zuko questionably. From what she could remember, he was not the type to exaggerate. That was more his uncle's style. So if he was serious about the world ending, she might as well help. Besides, she had nothing better to do at the moment.

"Fine." She replied. "What do you need?"

As Zuko explained the situation to Jun, Kyla kept behind to talk to Katara.

"So what do you think of her?" she asked.

"She's blunt. But then she was like that the last time we came across her."

"What did she do last time?"

"She said I was Zuko's girlfriend again. Why does she think that?" Katara asked appearing slightly more flustered than the situation warranted. Kyla only shrugged her shoulders. She didn't want to put Katara off her Dad but she couldn't be too forward either. "Anyway... I just hope we find Aang. That's all that matters." She continued.

"Katara, you will see Aang again. I promise." Kyla said resting her hand on her shoulder.

"I wish I had your optimism Kei."

Once they reached the stables where Jun's Shirshu was being kept, Sokka handed her Aang's staff and anxiously waited for a trail to follow. After sniffing the glider, the Shirshu sniffed the air tentatively, moving round and round in circles until eventually... Nothing.

"Well I hate to tell you this guys, but your friend is gone."

"We know he's gone, that's why we need you to find him." Toph added sarcastically. 'Why did everyone keep stating the obvious'. She thought to herself.

"I don't mean he's not here. I mean he's gone. He doesn't exist."

""Is... Is he dead?" Suki asked timidly.

"Nope. We'd be able to find him if he were dead. Hmmm it's a real head scratcher." Jun replied. "Well, I tried guys, but your friend is gone."

"Wait. All you need is an item right?"

"That's kind of how this whole thing works Prince Pouty."

"Wait here." Zuko said suddenly before running off. Moments later he returned with a peculiar item in his hands.

"You kept your uncle's slipper?!" Sokka said holding his nose.

"That's so weird." Added Toph.

"I think it's sweet." Katara said smiling at Zuko. Who would have thought that Zuko would be the sentimental type.

"That should work." Jun said leading her Shirshu to the slipper. There was no way she was going to touch that thing. "Good, she's picked up the scent. Let's do this."

oOo oOo

They had been travelling for about 3 hours before Jun signalled for the group to stop.

"We should rest for the night. It's dark now and also not safe to travel around these parts at night."

"You're right besides, Appa is tired. He's had a long day haven't you buddy?" Sokka added while petting Appa lovingly.

"Everyone get some rest. We move at first light." Jun said leading her Shirshu away. She was probably tired from running for so long too, Kyla thought to herself.

As the group unpacked their sleeping supplies off Appa, Kyla couldn't help but notice that the mood of the group had improved slightly. Yes they weren't on their way to find Aang, but Uncle Iroh always had a plan and Zuko was sure that he would know what to do.

"Zuko aren't you going to sleep." Asked Katara. She had noticed that Zuko wasn't preparing to rest like everyone else.

"You all go ahead. I'll take the first watch."

"Are you sure? I don't mind if you..." Sokka suggested.

"No, it's fine. Besides, I need to think about some things."

"Ok. Well, wake me when you're ready to change shifts."

"Thanks Sokka."

oOo oOo

Zuko was anxious. No he was more than that. He was stressed and nervous and any other fear inducing emotion you could think of. All he could think about was his uncle. How much he must hate him. How much he must never want to see him again. The only person who had cared for him recently and he had pushed him away.

"For honour..." He whispered to himself angrily. "I was such a fool." Thoughts or what had happened seem to play over in his mind again and again. "I don't deserve his forgiveness..." he thought to himself sadly. The full moon was high in the sky at this point and even though his body ached from travelling for most of the day he knew that he would find no peace in sleep this night.

"Ready to switch?" Katara asked talking a seat next to him. "You've been up for a while now. I'll take over."

"Thanks. But I think I'll stay up. I'm not tired."

"Well... I'll keep you company then." Katara said nudging his shoulder causing Zuko to smile slightly. He had been doing that more often around her he noted to himself.

"Wait, I thought Sokka was going to take over?"

"Seriously?" She said pointing at her snoring brother. "I wouldn't hold your breath. Besides, it would take an earthquake to wake him up now."

"So why are you awake then? Besides Sokka's snoring?"

"Zuko, was that a joke?"

"Why does everyone think I'm not funny? I'm a funny guy!"

"Riiiiight. And to answer your question, that." Katara replied pointing to the full moon. "I've always had trouble sleeping when it's the full moon, and sleeping rough doesn't help."

"Oh... I'm sorry about that."

"Haha! You don't need to apologise. It's not your fault."

"I know... I just... Well... "

"I understand. So why are you still up?"

"I've been thinking. About my uncle. About what I did. About seeing him."

"You're nervous."

"Yes... I..."

"Zuko." Katara said holding his hands in hers. "It will be alright, you'll see. Your Uncle will understand, and he'll see how much you've changed. How much you've grown. I know he will."

"But I don't feel any different. I've tried to be good but I still feel the same. Like the old me."

"That just means that you've always been good Zuko." Katara replied softly. It was then she realised that she was still holding his hands and let go suddenly. "Sorry. I'm being over emotional again."

"No... It's fine. Thank you for being... nice." Zuko replied. He wanted to say more, to tell her that he appreciated her kindness and that he was glad that she was with him right now but he was never very good at putting his feelings into words and he didn't want to scare her away.

"Can I join you guys? I can't sleep."

"Full moon?" asked Katara.

"Full moon." Answered Kyla. As she sat down, she noticed that Zuko seems slightly uneasy now that she had come. Did she interrupt something? Should she leave? If her parents were getting closer she of all people did not want to stop them. "So... errrr... What were you talking about?"Asked Kyla. Katara looked at Zuko, she didn't want to share something he wasn't comfortable with people knowing.

"Family." Replied Zuko. It wasn't that he didn't trust Kei. He didn't really know her and besides, she wasn't Katara. What he had with Katara was... Well... What? He thought to himself.

"Are you ok Zuko? You look like your mind is elsewhere."

"I'm fine Kei, just thinking." The three of them sat in silence for a while.

"On nights like this, my mom would tell me stories to help me sleep when I was little." Kyla said looking at the stars. "She had trouble sleeping too when it was the full moon."

"What type of stories?"

"Water tribe ones usually. They have polarbear dogs and penguins in them. Sometimes, if I was feeling really brave, she would tell me tell me the story of The Ghost Girl in the Igloo." Kyla said smiling.

"I know that story!" Katara said happily. "Gran Gran used to tell it to me and Sokka."

"Sometimes, when dad was awake with us too. He'd tell me the story of how he fell in love with mom. He'd always say that that was his favourite story."

"Awww... That's really nice Kei."

"Your father..." Zuko said sheepishly. "How... What I mean is...How did he?" Kyla looked at Zuko shocked at his sudden interest. Usually during their conversations he simply listened while she talked to Katara. It was usual for him to contribute, but she didn't mind.

"How did he fall for my mother?" Kyla asked? Zuko nodded blushing slightly. He wasn't usually into romantic things but Kyla's parents and their situation resonated with him recently.

"Well, they met during the war." Kyla started. She knew she had to keep this as vague as possible. She wanted to push things along but she didn't want to scare them."My father met my mother while she was opposing the Firelord and his troops and they just fell for each other. It wasn't easy, both of my parents are stubborn but it worked out in the end."

"But... How?" Zuko asked. "How did he do it?"

"Well, my father wasn't good with words so he would show his feeling though actions. I guess my mother eventually realised and picked up on them."

"He sounds really sweet Kei." Katara said nudging Kyla playfully.

"Did that answer your question Zuko?" Kei asked looking directly at him. Zuko simply nodded. He had never seen Kei eyes so focused. Was she trying to tell him something? 'Kei really is odd', he thought to himself. A comfortable silence overcame the small group once again with each of them lost in their own thoughts.

"It's a nice night." Zuko stated.

"It is." Agreed Katara.

"I think I try and get some sleep before dawn. My brother told me I should try counting Koala-sheep so I give that a go. Goodnight guys."

"Goodnight." The both replied simultaneously. After Kei had left, Katara turned to Zuko and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You should try and get some sleep too. You've been up all night."

"I don't think it will come Katara. My mind is...Troubled right now."

"I could try telling you a story." Katara said playfully. "Like Kei's parents." Zuko only rolled his eyes and grinned.

"I don't think that will work Katara. I'm not a little girl unfortunately."

"Why don't we try it first before you say it won't work."

"Fine. Tell away... But I wouldn't be surprised if you're the one that falls asleep."

"Are you saying my voice is boring?" Katara asked raising an eyebrow.

"No no no!" Zuko said apologetically... "Your voice is...Errrrrr..." Soothing. Beautiful. Comforting. "Nice."

"Gotcha..." Katara said tapping his nose.

"That was mean." Zuko replied smiling slightly. He was glad he hadn't upset her.

"No. It was clever. So are you ready for my story."

"Fire away."

"Was that a Fire Nation pun?"

"Just tell the story Katara!"

"Ahhh so you do want to hear it..."

"When did you become so annoying?" Zuko said grinning.

"Just listen and sleep Zuko."

"We'll see."

"Ok... " Katara said looking up to the stars. She had the perfect story in mind. "There once was a Prince that was really bad at telling jokes..."

FallenFireDemons: Thanks you for the review! I'm glad you liked it! No ember island players in this chapter but they did get a little mention! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter!

ALIASTESIN: Time travel is crazy. But is does give you a lot of freedom when writing. Thank you for the compliments and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

CherishRedemption: Thank you! I'm glad you like it! Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Guest: Greatness! Wow! Thank you so much! I hope you like this chapter too!

PicturePerfect21: Here you go! The next chapter is up!

SierraLobo: Awww I'm so glad it made your day! Thank you for reviewing! The next chapter is up and I hope you like it!

shelzykid: Thank you for the lovely compliment! Zuko and Katara do make an awesome couple and they are slowly... very slowly... seeing it for themselves too! I'm really glad you like the way Kyla interacts with the group. It's hard adding new characters into ones that are so well known, so for you to like it means that I'm doing something right!

Kirihara Rei: Done!

StormFullbuster-0: I love Zutara too! I'm glad this story makes you love them more... They are super awesome!

*** DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A REVIEW! ***