Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.

Rewrite of "The Headband" written by John O'Bryan.

"Previously, on Avatar, Sokka and Katara reunited with their dad and captured a Fire Navy ship. With Zuko's help they were able to navigate through the Fire Nation easily. Aang woke up after being unconscious for weeks," said Avatar Roku.

A mysterious cloud scuttled over water, and voices are heard from it as it approached land.

"I think I see a cave below," said Aang.

"Sshh... keep quite!" Sokka exclaimed. The cloud dispersed with a blast of airbending to reveal Team Avatar. "Great job with the cloud camouflage, but next time, let's disguise ourselves as cloud who knows how to keep it's mouth shut."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want a bird to hears us chatting up hear and turn us in," said Toph sarcastically.

"Hey! We're in enemy territory. Those are enemy birds," said Sokka as he pointed to four birds. One hopped on his head and squawked. Then Sokka moved around stealthy. "Well this is it. This is how we'll be living until the invasion begins. Hiding in cave after cave..." Sokka dropped his head.

"We don't need to become cave people," said Katara. "What we need are new clothes."

"Yeah, blending in is better than hiding out. If we get Fire Nation disguises, we'll be just as safe as we would if we were hiding in a cave," said Aang.

"Plus they have real food out there. Does anyone wanna sit in the dirt and eat cave hoppers?" Toph asked as she punched the wall and caused cave hoppers to come out. Momo ate one.

"Looks like we got out voted, sport," Sokka said to Momo.

"Let's get new clothes," said Zuko.

At a Fire Nation laundry the gang look around.

"I don't know about this," Aang sounded unsure. "These clothes belong to somebody."

"I call the silk skirt!" Katara leaped from rocks and snatched her prize.

"But if it's essential to our survival...then I call the suit!"

They plundered the laundry, while the attendant slept.

They arrived at a nearby secluded beach, and make adjustments to their outfits.

"How do I look?" Katara asked.

"Uh...you're mom's necklace."

"Oh...oh yeah...I guess it's pretty obvious it's Water Tribe isn't it?" Katara replied and reluctantly removed it.

They went to a Bazaar nearby. Zuko purchased a necklace that Katara had been eyeing, while Toph bought a new headband and Sokka bought a hair piece for his topknot. Aang hid Momo in his suit.

Zuko held the necklace out to Katara. "I thought you'd like this. I saw you looking at it and I was hoping it would make up for that time I stole your mother's necklace. I'm sorry about that."

Katara looked at the necklace. "Oh, thanks Zuko. I was just thinking of getting it." Katara hugged him.

Zuko helped Katara put the necklace on, while Aang glared at him.

"Aren't you worried people will recognize you?" Aang asked.

"Being banished for three years and no longer having a scar that covers almost half your face helps," said Zuko.

"Why would not having the scar help? I mean you're their prince aren't you?" Toph asked quietly.

Zuko laughed dryly. "Some people only see the scar and nothing else, especially when it was so big. But to be safe you guys can call me 'Lee.'"

Katara touched the left side of Zuko's face. "At least now, you have both eyebrows and eyelashes."

Aang rolled his eyes, then said, "I used to visit my friend Kuzon here a hundred years ago. So everyone just follow my lead and stay cool. Or as they say in the Fire Nation 'Stay flaming!'" Aang sauntered away before Zuko could reach out and stop him. "Greetings my good Hotman!"

"Uh, hi, I guess."

Zuko caught up and pulled Aang aside. "Look, Aang, I know you were here a hundred years ago, but a lot has changed in that time and some of that lingo is out of date."

"Zuko, I know you're just trying to help, but it'll be fine," said Aang.

Sokka came up and put an arm around each of them. "Come on let's go check out the meat!"

Aang moved out from under Sokka's arm. "You guys go head. I'll just get some lettuce out of the dumpster."

Aang ended up attending class at the Fire Nation School, where he met On Ji, Hide, and Shoji.

"Where have you been? We've been worried sick!" Katara exclaimed.

"I got invited to play with some kids after school," said Aang who was covered in scorch marks.

Sokka stood up. "After what?" Sokka asked flummoxed.

"I enrolled in a Fire Nation School and I'm going back tomorrow," Aang said happily.

"Enrolled in what?!" Sokka keeled over.

Inside the cave, the gang is around the fire.

"Aang, I'm trying to be mature and not immediately shot down your idea, but it sounds...really terrible," said Sokka.

"Yeah, we got outfits. What do you need to go to school for?" Toph asked.

"Maybe he wants to be a regular kid for once," said Zuko.

Aang shot Zuko a glare, then brightened to everyone else, "Every minute I'm learning new things about the Fire Nation. I already have a picture of Fire Lord Ozai." He held up a picture of the Fire Lord. "And here's the one I made of noodles!" Aang displayed his master piece.

"Impressive I admit, but I still think it's too dangerous. Besides Zuko could teach you," said Sokka.

"Actually, I wasn't that good of a student," Zuko admitted.

"So would you know about the secret river that goes to the Fire Lord's palace?" Aang asked deviously.

"Why? Are you learning about that?" Zuko asked.

"Tomorrow, we're suppose to learn about it," Aang said deviously.

"You never mentioned a secret river," said Sokka.

"Sokka, if they are learning about it in school, do you think it's really a secret?" Katara asked.

"Look, it would just be for a few days," Aang plead.

"Fine," said Sokka.

Aang enjoyed school. Then he got involved in a fight started by Hide.

Sokka and Katara dress up as Aang's parents, Wang Fire and Sapphire Fire, and meet with the headmaster.

The trio went back to the cave.

"That settles it! No more school for you young man!" Sokka exclaimed. He stroked his beard.

"I'm not ready to leave. I'm having fun for once just being a normal kid. You don't know what it's like Sokka. You get to be normal all the time," said Aang.

Toph laughed mockingly. Sokka scowled.

Zuko was about to say something, but Aang beat him to it.

"Listen, those kids are the future of the Fire Nation. If we wanna change this place for the better, we need to show them what freedom is like," said Aang.

"What could you possibly do for a country of depraved little monsters?" Sokka asked.

"Sokka!" Katara exclaimed.

"No offense Zuko," said Sokka.

"I'm going to throw them...a secret dance party!" Aang announced.

"Go to your room!" Sokka pointed.

Aang left, and Zuko moved by Sokka.

"Aang has a point," said Zuko.

"What do you mean?" Sokka asked incredulously.

"Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history and somehow, the war was our way of sharing our greatness," said Zuko.

"That's ridiculous," said Katara.

"It may be, but children aren't allowed to speak their minds until they reach a certain age. That's why I had that scar. After they are no longer children, they are expected to serve their country. Until then, they have no idea what war is really like," said Zuko.

"Hmm...I guess it makes sense," said Sokka.

Toph earthbent a bandstand and everyone prepared for the secret dance party.

Sokka arranged candles for Zuko to light.

"I can't believe we're having a secret dance party. It sounds so...silly," said Sokka.

"Don't think of it as a dance party. Think of it as a cultural event to celebrate fancy footwork," said Aang. He demonstrated a few moves while he bent water into cups.

"They're coming! Everyone stop bending," said Toph.

Aang hid Appa.

The band arrived and played various instruments. Other children arrived and Aang demonstrated various dances. The students were amazed.

"Who knew Twinkle Toes could dance?" Toph asked.

Katara smiled and Zuko approached.

Zuko usually avoided music and dance because they reminded him of his mother and happier times with his family, but now that he was finally free, he realized the happier times could be yet to come.

"Would you like to dance Katara?" Zuko asked Katara.

Katara was surprised, "Sure."

They danced, while Aang and On Ji danced.

Then the headmaster arrived and broke up the party.

The gang managed to escape on Appa.

"That was close!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Yeah, but at least we had fun," Katara replied.

They headed to a nearby island that was more isolated and deserted than the previous one.

"Katara, can we work on my waterbending?"

"Sure Aang. Let me get changed," said Katara.

After Katara and Aang were ready, they went to a nearby river, and began waterbending.

"So, what's on your mind?" Katara asked.

"Huh? Oh well, I was getting rusty. I haven't had a chance to work on my bending. I also haven't had much chance to talk to you," said Aang.

Katara looked confused for a moment then said, "What did you want to talk about?"

"Zuko," Aang replied.

"What about Zuko? Shouldn't you be talking to him?" Katara asked.

"Well, it's not just about him. It's about you too," Aang replied.

"What about me?" Katara asked defensively as she sent a huge wave to Aang.

Aang parted the wave, "You and Zuko seem close. Closer than I am to you. What happened in Ba Sing Se? I mean I know you healed him, but why?"

"I don't know how to explain it or why. I guess we bonded over the loss of our mothers. I was surprised when he told me about his mother. I was more surprised when he mentioned his banishment and his scar," said Katara.

"He told you how he got it?" Aang asked surprised.

"Not exactly," Katara shifted and created ice daggers. Aang turned them into water. "Look Aang, I think you should be talking to Zuko about this. Who knows, he might open up more to you than he has me."

Aang sighed, "Actually, what I want to know is, do you and Zuko have feelings for each other?"

Katara sighed as she created a waterwhip, "I don't think this is the right time to be talking about this."

Toph approached.

"Alright, enough splashing around. It's time for your earthbending lessons. Going to school has put you behind," said Toph as she earthbent Aang up and out of the river and drug him away.

While Toph and Aang were earthbending, Katara approached Zuko, who was collecting wood.

"Hey!" said Katara.

Zuko turned around after picking up a branch.

"Hey! How did the lesson go?" Zuko replied.

"Huh? Oh, actually, it was an excuse for Aang to ask about us?"

"Us?" Zuko asked confused.

"Yeah, us. He has this ridiculous notion that we are in love with each other," Katara said incredulously. "Can you believe it?"

"Well, we did bond in Ba Sing Se, and he was out of it for a few weeks. Then..."

"Then what?" Katara asked.

"Then there's the fact that he's crazy about you, Katara! He's been jealous this whole time. I can't believe you haven't picked up on that!" Zuko exclaimed.

"What?!"

"I'm sorry yelled, but the fact is he's in love with you," said Zuko. "And am I really that bad of a choice?"

"I guess I knew he had feelings for me, but.."

"But what?" Zuko asked.

"I'm not sure how I feel. You aren't a bad choice, but I thought..."

"Thought that we are total opposites and have nothing in common?"

Katara looked down, "Yeah, but that's not true. If anything we have a lot in common."

Zuko pulled Katara's chin up, "It's okay to be confused." He brushed her hair with his free hand. "I'm sure you'll figure everything out."

Katara hugged Zuko.

"Thanks you are a good friend," said Katara. Katara went get Sokka.

After Toph finished her lessons with Aang, she approached Zuko.

"Hey," said Toph.

"Hey. How did the lessons go?" Zuko asked.

Toph sighed, "Not too well, but he's better than he was when he first started. When are you going to teach him?"

"Somehow, I don't really think he wants me as his teacher," said Zuko.

Aang approached them.

"I heard you guys talking and I want to wait until after the invasion to learn firebending. I may not need it," Aang announced.

To Be Continued...