Comet's Arrival

by Gemstarzah

Sozin's Comet has yet to arrive. Aang needs to finish his training. What will happen when it finally arrives? Will Ozai be defeated? Zutara, Alternate Universe.

Zuko frowned, turning toward the sound, sinking into a crouch, ready to firebend if it proved necessary. "We're too valuable to them alive." His eyes widened as the dust settled and he relaxed a bit. He could see two figures. Both he knew, and neither was a threat. "Uncle! How'd you find us?"

He hurried toward him.

Iroh smiled. "Zuko. Knew you'd be down here. The Avatar was looking for one of his friends, and we decided to work together." He hugged his nephew. "I happened to hear the Dai Li mentioning that they'd locked a waterbender down here… and there's only one I know of who that could possibly be." He smiled at Katara over Zuko's shoulder. "Seems I was right!"

Katara smiled and walked over to Aang. "So, you're really working with Iroh?"

Aang nodded. "Yeah. He was eager to help. Said Zuko will want to help too, but I just think Iroh has him on a short leash."

Zuko coughed looking at Aang. "Right here you know, Avatar!"

Iroh chuckled. "Guess that's something to get used to." He paused. "Shouldn't linger here. No doubt someone's sent word to the Dai Li considering the hole we made getting down here."

Zuko winced. "That message will reach Azula. You think I'm difficult to evade when it comes to firebending think again when it comes to my younger sister."

Aang nodded. "Then we need to get going."

Katara nodded and used a ramp to go up through the hole. "You firebenders should be careful not to melt this. You're going to need to walk it to escape."

Iroh chuckled. "We're not always that hot, my dear… we can handle this."

"Where do you think you're going, Zuzu?" A blast of blue fire struck the ramp.

Zuko groaned. Only one firebender had blue flames. Not to mention that ridiculous nickname from when they were children. Azula, and with her at least thirty members of the Dai Li.

Iroh responded to her attack with a blast of fire of his own. "Go you three!" Seemed she'd irritated the last Dragon.

Aang made a gust of wind and used it to pick up Katara and Zuko, so they'd fly up to the hole.

Immediately Azula sent lightning right at Aang, to try and knock him out, or rather, kill him.

Zuko winced. "I could use something firm to stand on Aang, and quickly.. Or that's going to hit you!"

Aang sent up a platform of dirt and deposited Zuko onto it. "There, fire Prince!"

"Thanks!" He didn't comment on not hearing his name instead of his title. That would take time. Azula was laughing at the other end of the lightning she'd cast.

Zuko shifted, grunting as the lightning struck the fingers on one hand. He had to focus, since he knew Azula probably thought it would kill him. It was hardly easy with that much power coursing through him. The earth under his feet helped ground him against it.

Aang waited near the rim of the hole. "Don't spend too much time hanging around. We gotta go."

Zuko smiled slightly, looking at his sister. Who wasn't expecting this? He took another deep breath and brought his other hand around. The lightning shot from his other hand, straight at Azula. Someone managed to block it though, with Earthbending, but it was enough of a distraction. "Uncle! Come on!"

"Go Zuko! I'll find my own way to you!" Iroh called.

Aang used an air current to lift Zuko up through the hole. "No time to talk!"

Katara blinked. "Since when can you use lightning, Zuko?"

She and Aang began to run. Aang set Zuko down next to them.

Zuko followed them. "Something my uncle taught me recently. I can't create it… but I can redirect it!" He kept glancing over his shoulder. "Where's that bison of yours, Aang?"

Aang snorted. "Behind you. Well, above and behind."

A flying bison head bumped into Zuko.

Katara laughed. "I'm not sure he likes you."

Zuko spun around when he heard that. "Oh…" His eyes widened. This was not the first time he'd come this close to the flying bison. I hope he remembers what I did.

Aang blinked. "No, he actually seems to like Zuko. That's odd. Appa's normally a good judge of character."

The bison snorted and moved his head closer to Zuko.

Zuko turned to look at Aang. "Might be to do with the fact that I actually managed to set him free when he was trapped under the city by the Dai Li." He reached out a hand. "You do remember, don't you, Appa?"

Appa pushed his head onto Zuko's hand.

Aang blinked. "You freed Appa?"

Katara shook her head. "I'm starting to think you may have been telling the truth down there."

"Doing so put me in a fever for over a week." Zuko sighed, rubbing Appa's face, had to be careful that his skin wasn't too warm, even with all that fur. "Since it went against everything that defined me at the time. I had to sort out myself before I could wake up again." He looked at Aang. "One of your predecessors is in my family tree. In my blood."

Aang looked at him. "Which one?"

Zuko smiled. "Avatar Roku. He's my great grandfather on my mothers side, just as Fire Lord Sozin is on my father's side. I'm sure you know their shared history, I think you can see why helping Appa was troublesome for my spirit."

Aang stared at him. "It's… kinda weird that you're related to Roku. I mean, all the Avatars share the same soul."

Zuko laughed. "You're telling me! Considering I know he's somewhere in you."

He smiled slightly. "We better not linger here. Azula will get out of there after us."

Aang nodded. He and Katara got onto Appa. Katara laughed. "You'll have to get on too, Zuko."

Zuko Looked back at where they'd emerged from the ground. "I'm worried about my uncle."

Katara nodded. "We can't do anything about him now, unless we want to get caught again."

Zuko sighed. "I guess you're right…" He turned and climbed up onto Appa.

Appa rose into the sky. Aang sighed. "I'm sure Iroh can handle himself."

Katara looked around. "We need to get away from here, find a place to hide. But we have to pick up my brother and Toph first."

Zuko blinked. "I figured they'd be nearby somewhere." He watched that hole from where he sat, quickly locking a fireball Azula sent at them. "You need to get away from that hole, Aang!" He blocked a few more fire blasts.

Aang urged Appa higher and faster.

Azula kept striking at them. Zuko kept using his own to stop them from hitting. "She's fast…"

Aang frowned. "Come on Appa, go faster!"

Appa moved higher and further away from the hole. Katara winced. "How will we lose her? She'll just follow us."

Zuko blocked one last fireball. "I think we're out of range for now. Let's get your friends and get out of here." He sat down again.

Appa kept going until they got to the house. He landed and Katara called out. "Sokka, Toph, we need to get going!"

Now come more questions. Zuko knee they wouldn't be thrilled to find him up here.

Sokka and Toph came running out. Sokka frowned when he saw Zuko. "What's Zuko doing here?"

Toph laughed. "Did you guys manage to capture Mr. Firepants?"

Zuko winced. "No one captured me." Aside from the Dai Li but that was unimportant. He paused. "I offered to help Aang with firebending."

Toph snorted. "I doubt it. You're up to something."

Sokka nodded. "We can't trust him."

Katara frowned. "He just saved our lives and his sister just tried to kill him."

Aang nodded. "If this ends up a trick, we can take care of ourselves."

Toph nodded. "I'll kick his butt if he tries anything."

Zuko sighed. "Guess you'll work that out in time. I'm not who I was." He looked at Katara. "No, that lightning wasn't meant for me. Azula fires that at Aang." He'd saved Aang's life and the kid thought he was playing tricks on them? Some way of saying thank you.

Aang looked at Zuko. "Sorry, but we've been enemies so long it's hard to trust that it really is different."

"Fine…" zuko turned looking away from them all. They'd work it out. He looked back at the city. Uncle… he wished his uncle was with them. He'd know what to say.

Aang got Appa into the air once Sokka and Toph were on. Katara sighed. "Your uncle will be okay."

Sokka frowned. "What happened to Iroh?"

Zuko sighed. "He's down there. Azula has him, he stalled her long enough that we found get away." Which boded no good. "She'll probably return to the Fire Nation with him. As a prisoner." He pinched the air away from them fortunately as a fireball left his hand. "And considering the wanted traitor posters around with my face and his on them?"

Aang winced. "That's not good."

Katara sighed. "Maybe we'll be able to do something later."

Zuko frowned. "I don't know. That comets getting closer every day." He looked over at Aang. "You need to get learning once we find somewhere safe." He paused. "I may know of somewhere actually. Though you're going to want to hide those arrow tattoos as much as you can!"

"It's a bit hard," Aang said. "Unless I wear a hat."

Sokka snorted. "I'd like to see you in a hat."

Katara shook her head. "Where did you have in mind?"

"Ember islands. There's a small villa there with access to a private beach. My family hasn't gone there since I was seven. If Appa lands on the beach we'll be safe. Don't worry about clothing, I can get that," zuko said.

Aang blinked. "You want us to go to the Fire Nation?"

"How is heading straight to enemy territory a good idea, Sparky?" Toph asked.

Sokka frowned. "I don't like it."

Katara sighed. "Hiding in plain sight might be our best bet."

"It's known to be a vacation spot for the fire nation but only the nobles go there," zuko added. He paused. "It's safer than anywhere else they'll look everywhere aside from within their own borders as they'd think you not foolish enough to go there." Guess Sparky is better than Zuzu.

Aang eventually nodded. "But they'll be wrong because we are foolish enough to go there… Wait that came out wrong."

"It's the safest place and hopefully will give enough time to take care of you learning Fire bending," Zuko said. "You'll want to head east across the ocean."

Aang guided Appa east. "I hope you're right about this. I don't want to end up a pile of charred ash."

Zuko shook his head. "You won't. Besides you're kind of on a deadline here. You've got to stop my father before that Comet gets here!"

Aang sighed. "I know. I'll learn to firebend. I'm not going to fail."

Katara looked down. "How long to the villa?"

"From here? A few hours," Zuko said. "Get some sleep if you want. You too Aang. I think Aapa will listen to me."

Sokka frowned. "I'm still not sure if we can trust you."

"I'm going to get some rest," Katara said. "Unlike the rest of you, I didn't have a chance to sleep."

"Do you really think Appa is going to let me try anything?"

Aang snorted. "No. He'd probably toss you off if you tried."

Sokka sighed and nodded. "I guess that's true."

"I don't exactly want to end up in the middle of the ocean."

Katara nodded and closed her eyes. "Wake me when we get there."

Zuko smiled slightly. "Will do."

After a while, Katara fell asleep. No one else did, as they didn't need sleep.

Zuko eventually guided them down to an island asking Aang to get Appa to Land on the beach on the far side from the mainland.

Sokka woke Katara. "We're here."

Katara opened her eyes. "So, this is the Fire Nation, at least the outskirts."

Zuko smiled. "It is." It was completely dark too, not even the moon was showing itself since it was a new moon.

He lit a small fireball once he was off of Appa. "I'll show you guys the way in. The house is hidden by all these trees so you can't see it. It's not far away."

Aang nodded. "That's good. Means it'll be hidden from other people as well."

"Technically I won't be able to see it at all," Toph said.

"True, Sorry," zuko said. "My father's family has always valued privacy when we're away from the palace." He paused. "Though it was my mother who loved coming here more than my father. Kind of explains why I haven't been back…" Katara knew why that was.

Sokka blinked. "Why does that explain anything?"

Katara shook her head. "He has his reasons."

Zuko sighed. "I'd rather not talk about it." He paused. "Come on." He started into the trees.

They all followed him. Sokka looked around. "I bet you didn't come back because you nearly burned the place down and they banned you from the villa."

Zuko frowned at him. "Uh no, nothing like that was the reason. Besides, this place is one of the only places that is filled with only good memories… well aside from the one time I almost drowned."

Toph laughed. "You almost drowned? Aren't firebenders afraid of water?"

Sokka snorted. "Now that sounds like a good story."

"I was trying to help a turtlecrab that was being attacked by an eaglehawk," Zuko replied. "We're not exactly afraid of water, some of us can swim. Besides, Sokka, I doubt you would have done any better when you were six years old!" He kept walking, soon reaching the stairs. Here he had to firebend again, lighting a bunch of torches spread out every few steps so they could see where they were putting their feet. He did not need the firelight to know where he was going.

Sokka blinked. "You helped a turtlecrab? I… That sounds like a very nice thing to do."

Katara nodded. "For all Zuko's done, he's never actually done anything cruel. Only threats and chasing."

Zuko winced. He was glad he was in front of them. "Yeah, I chased you. Did I ever actually hurt any of you?" No, not even Aang! Always empty threats.

Katara nodded. "I'm glad it wasn't your sister after us."

Sokka sighed. "I guess maybe you really are telling the truth about wanting to help us."

"Now… Azula would have hurt you, and she wouldn't think twice about it." Zuko sighed as he kept walking. "Just because my father, Azula, Azulon and Sozin were cruel, does not mean that everyone in the family is." He reached the top of the stairs. "This is only one entrance to the house, there's another that faces toward town…" he paused. "I'll show you around, but then I'm going to duck down into town,l don't worry, the people here are much more loyal to my mother over my father, so even if there are guards here in the day time, which is rare, they won't say anything about having seen me here." He paused. "If anything, they'll be happy about it."

Sokka nodded. "Are you going to get supplies?"

Aang smiled. "This is quite a house. And it's just a summer villa?"

Katara snorted. "He's a prince, Aang."

Toph nodded. "I bet they have many villas scattered about the fire nation."

Zuko shook his head. "Sorry, Toph, but no. Just this one and the palace itself." He paused. "No, Soka, that will wait until morning. I need to go warn the housekeepers that my family employs to look after this place that it's occupied for a while again. They'll come and go as they do their business, but I would rather not startle them when they show up tomorrow." He smiled slightly. "Thanks Aang." He opened the door and stepped inside. The entrance corridor here was narrow but led to a huge open room at the other end with double doors looking outside at the far side of that room. There were several doors off to the sides of the long corridor toward the open room.

"There's even a place where we can practise outside one of the doors leading off from that bigger area," Zuko said, looking at Aang.

He showed each of them to a bedroom, avoiding the ones that Azula, and his mother and father had had. He sighed, looking around his own room. There on the table, looking slightly dusty which wasn't too surprising was one of the flame shaped headpieces he hadn't worn in far too long. Getting changed into something more normal in the fire nation, he picked it up, staring at it.

Katara stood at the doorway of Zuko's room. "Is that a sort of crown?"

Zuko spunarpind quickly. "This?" It was still in his hand. "Yeah, it's mine. The one worn by the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation." He blew the dust off of it.

Katara sighed. "Maybe one day you'll be able to wear it again and be able to come home."

"Not till my father's beaten will I be able to go home," zuko replied. "But I might be able to wear it here."

Sokka walked over. "Where what? Wait, is that a crown?"

"It's mine, Sokka. The one the Crown Prince wears."

Sokka nodded. "You should wear it. Just to annoy your father, at least in spirit. Though he won't be able to see it."

Katara nodded. "You should wear it because you should have never been forced to give it up in the first place."

Zuko chuckled. "Oh I will. I noticed when Azula attacked us that she was wearing the same one, which means when father falls I have to be at the palace. I can't let her become fire lord so that means an Agni Kai."

Katara winced. "If she becomes fire lord, we'd be right back where we started. But… you may not have to confront her at the palace. We might have to confront her when we confront your father."

Aang nodded. "She'll probably try and stop us."

"Only if our father has no other plans for her, Aang. The Fire Lord is your responsibility. Azula is mine." He searching in a drawer in the desk. Finding what he needed, he lit a lamp hanging near the mirror in his room. It did not take him long to get his hair back into the way he used to wear it, with the flame settled into the top of the top knot he'd made.

He turned to look at them. With the hair out of his face the true extent of his scar was only too obvious.

Aang winced. "That's one nasty burn. Did you get that in a fight?"

Katara elbowed him.

"You could say that." Zuko sighed. "From my father. Tried to make me fight him in an Agni Kai."

Aang stared at him. "Your father did that?"

Sokka and Toph walked over. Sokka shook his head. "Ozai is… I'll never understand him."

"I don't think anyone really does, Sokka." Zuko sighed. "There was a time when I thought I did, but that's long gone." He looked at Aang. "Yes, and I'll never forget it either… probably won't forgive him either. I was twelve and the next day on a ship beginning my hunt for you."

Aang shook his head. "That's terrible."

Sokka frowned. "Your father is a horrible man. You deserved better."

Zuko sighed. "And to think you all thought life there in the Fire Nation just because I'm a prince is easy and always good. Far from it."

Aang sighed. "Sorry about that."

Sokka nodded. "You've certainly been through a lot."

Toph nodded. "You're full of surprises, Sparky."

"You guys don't know me. All you knew was the constant hunting… I didn't have a choice there."

He sighed. "The door closest to the one we came in by has a lot of Fire Nation clothing. See if you can find something that fits you." He paused. "I'll head down into the village. Won't be long."

Katara nodded. "Thank you for helping us, Zuko."

Aang nodded. "Thanks."

Sokka sighed. "Thanks and sorry."

Toph snorted. "Thanks, but I'm still calling you Sparky."

Zuko looked at Toph. "Better than my sisters nickname and I'm not telling you that one!"

He smiled slightly before heading out of the front doors.

The townspeople went about their day, unaware that Zuko was there. It had been a while since any member of the royal family had been in town.

Zuko knew that eventually the flame attached to the topknot in his hair would be noticed. He walked quickly toward the shop he wanted and stepped inside.

The man behind the shop counter looked up when Zuko entered the room. He blinked a few times, then eyed the headpiece.

"It can't be… Prince Zuko?"

Zuko Smiled slightly. "Yes, it's me. Been a very long time since I last came here." He'd been a child. Now by Fire Nation standards he was an adult.

The man came around the counter and walked over to Zuko. "It's been so long. I hope you've come to stay, at least a little while."

Zuko smiled. "I have, with some friends. Which is why I came here. I needed to get something for one of them."

The man nodded. "What do you need?"

Zuko looked around the store. "One of your necklaces." He smiled. "I should be here until the day before Sozin's Comet comes."

The man smiled. "Good. And you can be sure no one in town will alert your father you're back. What kind of necklace are you interested in?"

"Considering I'm kind of banished from the Fire Nation at the moment? That is a good thing. I knew we'd be safe here."

Zuko smiled. "Something simple. It's just to replace the one my friend usually wears as we can't have that one being seen by anyone who might take the word back to my father." He walked over to take a look at what was available. "Considering she's a water bender." That said enough to say it wasn't a red necklace that Katata wore!

The man nodded and walked over to a display of necklaces. "May I ask why you were banished? We've only heard vague rumors. And water bender? I take it that's a whole different story about how you're friends with a water bender."

Zuko let his eyes search the display as he spoke.

"I spoke out against a general in a war meeting. His plan would have killed many innocent people, and I thought there had to be a better plan."

He shifted one of the necklaces so he could see behind it. Too bulky.

"Also for refusing to fight my father in an Agni Kai as a result of my words."

He paused, looking right at the back. There he could see something that Katara might like. "She's become friends since she's travelling with the Avatar. I was supposed to capture him, but instead I've decided to teach him how to firebend. Not only that but she seems to be the only other bender, aside from my Uncle Iroh, who can beat me in a fight." And that was rather impressive since he had long since master fire bending.

He managed to get the necklace out. It was simple, a red choker that was widened to a point at the front where it would rest against Katara's throat. There were three Amber stones quite small, attached to that point.

"I think this one will do." It wouldn't impede Katara's bending.

The man smiled. "I hope you can help the Avatar with his fire bending. We at the Ember Isles never liked the path the kingdom has been on for so long. Though we keep those thoughts to ourselves."

Zuko chuckled. "Speaking those thoughts around one who could bring those words back to my father is certainly unwise. I won't be the one to do it." He looked at the necklace now he'd managed to get it out. "How much is this?" He knew he had the money regardless. Ursa had taught him to pay for the things he bought, and not to try and get something if he had no money.

"Five silver," the man said. It wasn't an expensive necklace.

Zuko smiled, finding the coins without having to look in the pouch in his pocket. "Here you go."

The man took the money. "Thank you and good luck."

"Thank you." Zuko smiled at him, putting the necklace in one of his deeper pockets so it wouldn't be lost. "With any luck we'll have a new Fire Lord soon, and it won't be my sister!"

He left the store, and thought for a few moments, to remember where in town the housekeepers lived. Maybe he'd just use the messenger hawk that was kept back at the villa. Yes, that would be easier. The streets were a bit busier as everyone rushed about trying to get what they needed done for the day. He turned and started along the street toward his villa.

People watched him, as new faces weren't common in town. Several people gasped when they noticed who Zuko was.

A man followed Zuko. He didn't seem aware of who he was, but he was interested in the fact that he just left the jewel store. The man bumped into him and attempted to reach into his pocket to try and see if he could grab whatever Zuko had purchased.

Zuko turned swiftly noticing that hand. A fireball left his hand at the ground near the man's left foot. "Looking for something?"

The man's eyes widened and he took off running empty handed. Other townspeople came rushing over, while two town guards caught the thief.

Zuko sent a fireball over the thief's head safely up into the sky. "Coward, trying to pickpocket your own Prince."

The guards frowned. "We'll take care of him. And make sure he doesn't say anything about you being here."

The thief paled. "Prince Zuko? I… I didn't know it was you."

Zuko glared at the thief. "If I wanted to burn you with that, I would have." Zuko snorted. "You didn't recognise the flame in my hair? It's a dead giveaway who I am!" He looked at the guards. "Thank you."

The man winced. "I didn't notice it until now."

"What a fool." Zuko turned and walked away. It took him a while to get back to the villa, with these crowded streets. He opened the front door. "Sorry I took so long."

Everyone walked over to him. Sokka frowned. "We saw that fire. Were you attacked. Does the army know we're here?"

Zuko shook his head. "I'm the only firebender on this island, I have the feeling. No, I had someone trying to pickpocket me. That fireball was only used to scare him off. The town guards have him now. Not that he'd have earned much for his trouble, just a few coins maybe." It had been the wrong pocket for that necklace!

"If I do spot Fire Nation soldiers while in town, I'll send two blasts, alright?"

"I take it the townspeople didn't mind you being here," Katara said.

Zuko chuckled. "Nope. Considering they got along with me, and with my mother when we visited here long ago quite frequently." He sighed. "It's not changed much. Though I do recall there being other firebenders here back then. There used to be firebending displays in the town square for the children on holiday here. I quite enjoyed watching those." He had the feeling they'd been called away to fight in the war.

Sokka shook his head. "They're all probably soldiers now."

Zuko sighed. "Probably." He paused. "There should be one of the villagers coming up here with some food for us for tonight at least. Tomorrow I'll go back down and get more." He turned to go to his room and put his money away. He glanced at Katara as he did.

Katara followed him. "I'm glad the people here are on your side. Will they be on the rest of our side as well?"

He nodded. "Yes." Zuko entered his room, and hid the money pouch once again. "I .. uh.. got you something too, Katara."

Katara blinked. "You did?"

Zuko nodded. "Close your eyes, hold out your hand?"

Katara laughed and did as he asked.

Zuko reached into his pocket, retrieving the necklace. The material was at least smooth, so it wouldn't irritate her. He folded the ends neatly before putting it in her head. "Here you go." He took a step backward, uneasily, since he wasn't sure how she'd react. Considering the significance of such a thing to the Water Tribes.

Katara opened her eyes and stared at the necklace and gasped and blushed at the same time. She wasn't sure what to think.

"I… the one you wear already… stands out here… So…"

Katara nodded. "That makes sense. It kinda shows that I'm a water bender."

She smiled. "Thank you."

"Considering it's got the Water Tribe's symbol carved into the stone? Yes." Not that he cared much personally. That wasn't the only reason he'd given her this. He felt his skin heat up a little, annoying since he wasn't tan skinned and it would show pretty easily. "If… when Sozin's Comet comes you don't want it anymore, I'll take it back." He'd destroy it, since he wouldn't give it to someone else, and keeping it would be too painful.

Katara took off her old necklace and put the new one on. "It fits perfectly."

She wasn't sure if she would give it back or keep it, at least not yet.

"Up to you." He paused. "Want me to put that one somewhere safe for now?" At least she hadn't commented on the fact he, Prince Zuko, had blushed.

Katara nodded and handed him the old necklace. "I bet people will think I'm from the fire nation now."

She wore fire nation clothes.

"Kind of the idea for all of you," Zuko said. He took it carefully, putting it on the table for a second before opening the set of drawers underneath again. "Uncle gave me this table." This time he sent several small fire blasts at one of the drawers. Hidden underneath, revealed only by the flames was a small silver chest. It was in this he put the necklace, it was empty otherwise. Closing the drawers it was hidden again. "Once the wood cools no one will know that's there." He smiled. "I found something for Aang too." He withdrew a long strip of dark red material but unfolded revealed a golden arrow like design right in the middle. "Think he'll want it?"

Katara nodded. "He'll want it. I doubt they'll be any other way to hide his head until his hair grows in."

"Thought he might, though only think telling everyone you and Sokka aren't from here is your skin colour and eyes when it comes to all of you but nothing to be done there." After all, he was pale skinned and had Amber eyes. The odd arrow seemed fitting too. "The woman who made it only charged me one bronze coin. I think she's had it a long time."

Katara nodded. "I guess it's not something most people around here would wear."

He shook his head. "Nope. We should get back out there. Food should be here any minute. I even found something Sokka will like."

Katara snorted. "Let me guess. Something hearty and mostly meat. Which means I'll like it too."

Zuko chuckled. "Something quite common here though usually quite spicy. Made sure most of it wasn't, this time around." He walked toward his bedroom door.

Katara followed him. A woman was delivering the food to villa's kitchen. Katara, Sokka, Toph, and Aang walked into the room.

Sokka grinned. "Those sausages look great!"

"Not a meat you've had before, Sokka. It's something we have here in the Fire Nation." Funnily enough they'd seen the beasts these were made from, Eisen by General Zhao's men. "Komodo Rhino."

Sokka blinked. "They looked tasty when I saw them before."

Katara snorted. "You have a second brain in your stomach, don't you?"

"Of course," Sokka said. "Why do you think I need to feed it so often."

Zuko laughed and looked at the woman who'd brought it all up. "Which ones aren't spicy?" He looked at Aang. "I got you something too, Aang."

Aang smiled. "Thanks."

The woman pointed to the sausages that didn't have specks of red in them. "Those aren't spicy."

Zuko smiled. "Thanks. Makes that problem avoidable. Sokka, Katara, don't touch the other ones."

He reached into his pocket and handed Aang the headband he'd found. "Here."

Aang smiled and put the headband on. "Look, I'm fire nation citizen now."

The woman was watching them. She'd noticed Aang's head and was a bit shocked.

Zuko smiled. "It'll do."

The woman looked at Aang. "Are you the Avatar?"

Aang stammered a bit. "Uh, I'm…"

Zuko grinned at him. "It's okay Aang. They won't send word to my father about you being here…." Besides there was only one airbender in the world.

The woman nodded. "No one here is a friend of Ozai. We won't tell anyone."

Aang smiled. "Thanks, ma'am."

"They're more friends toward my mother."

The woman nodded. "She was always kind to us and made sure to help everyone here out when we needed it."

"Something you can bet my father did not like, Aang."

Aang nodded. "I bet he hated that she helped them instead of just leaving them to fend for themselves."

Zuko sighed. "He is a pain. Which is why I really hope you manage to do what we all need you to do." He paused. "Though I need to be back in the capital when that day comes, because of Azula."

Aang nodded. "I'm not going to let you all down."

"Hope not. We've all got a lot riding on that particular fight… though." Zuko sighed. "You may well have to kill him."

Aang winced. "I… I hope not but I know I might have to."

"He won't surrender, Aang. He's far too much like Azulon and Sozin, and he'll certainly try to kill you."

Aang nodded. "I know he won't surrender. I just… if there is a way, I'll find it. If there's not, then I'll have to kill him."

Zuko sighed. "Sorry Aang. I just know him too well." And yet even he had met his father's fury at one point. That scar was a telltale sign of that. "I'll have trouble show you how to redirect lightning too."

Aang blinked. "Redirect lightning? Will Ozai shoot lightning at me?"

Zuko sighed. "More than likely, Aang. While Uncle and I can redirect it, we can't make it. The Fire Lord and Azula on the other hand can make it. I'm almost glad I can't."

Aang nodded. "So, if I don't want fried to a crisp, I'll need to learn how to redirect it too."

Zuko nodded. "That's why I blocked her attempt earlier. It would have killed you."

Aang winced. "I'm glad you did. I think we've all misjudged you."

Zuko shrugged. "I wasn't exactly nice the last few years you've known me." He paused. "I just hope I can stop Azula from taking what is mine by birth."

"I hope we can both stop them," Aang said.

"It's going to be difficult," Katara said. "But you guys can do it."

"I think you'll learn enough in time," zuko said.

Aang nodded. "I've already learned so much."

"Now we just have to get that final element in."

"But first," Sokka said. "We need to eat."

He brought the food over so he could begin cooking it.

"Just keep those sausages separate!" Zuko warned. Though to him Sokka getting a spicy one was an amusing metal picture! Not so much if it was Katara. He was glad there were no necklace comments.

Sokka nodded. "Will do! I don't want to end up with a burning mouth."

He also took out the vegetable dish for Aang. It seemed like it would need to be cooked too.

"Nobody who's not used to our foods would!" Zuko replied.

"Doesn't eating all that spicy food hurt?" Katara asked. "I've tried food that's a bit spicy and it felt like my mouth was on fire."

Zuko laughed. "Not for me. Besides it's good for fire benders or so they say. It's not uncommon for us to cough out flames or sparks if we're benders and it's particularly spicy."

Sokka snorted. "Now that I'd like to see."

"It might actually happen. Don't know how spicy these ones are. They're never the same."

Sokka laughed and put the sausages on the grill in the kitchen. He also put vegetable cakes and some fresh squash on for Aang.

"We'll have to wait and see," Katara said.

Zuko nodded. "We will indeed."

Once the food was cooked, Sokka made sure to put the different types of sausages on two separate plates. The specks of red could still be seen. He put the vegetables on another plate and brought them to a table.

Katara brought some smaller plates and cutlery, plus some cups and a pitcher of water.

"At least the house is well stocked for big groups," zuko said as he walked over. He had a search in one of the cupboards. "Ahh! Now this you threeo might like." He'd found what looked like deep pink water. "It's not water, but watermelon juice, not spicy at all."

Katara grinned. "Now that sounds good."

Toph nodded. "I would have thought the Fire Nation would have pepper juice or something."

Zuko snorted. "No most prefer teas of various kinds like my uncle which can be spicy or not, depending on personal tastes. But the watermelon juice is made locally here on the islands, it's more of a vacation drink, very refreshing on hot days and you'll have more than a few of those here."

Sokka smiled. "It sounds good. Well everyone, dig in."

People put food on their plates, but were careful not to take the spicy sausage. Aang took the vegetable patties and roasted vegetables. Everyone took some bread.

Zuko chuckled. "It is good." He took some of his sausages. Time to see how much spice was in this batch. He swallowed some and almost immediately coughed and out came a small fireball.

"I did warn you.. Pardon me."

Everyone laughed. Sokka grinned. "That was awesome, actually."

Zuko chuckled. "Food we had on the ships was hardly spicy compared to these."

Katara smiled. "You'll be able to indulge in lots of spicy food while we're here."

Zuko laughed. "Well, I am home again." He coughed again. "There are other things I want to share with all of you too."

"Like what?" Toph asked. She took a big bite of sausage.

"Well there's a few different soups, vegetarian and meat dumplings, noodles that can be spicy but don't have to be, roasted duck." He coughed again. "I'm only going to get stronger as time goes by now. With that Comet coming."

Katara smiled. "It will be fun trying out all the different fire nation foods."

Sokka nodded. "We've never really had a chance to try any before now."

"There's a lot of seafood but most of i is spicy as one would expect."

Toph snorted. "I might try something spicy eventually. Just a bit and not too spicy. I'm not stupid."

Zuko chuckled. "That's doable." Especially with him around! They wouldn't do the wrong thing.

Toph grinned. "Good."

Katara smiled. "What do you recommend?"

Zuko laughed. "You're asking a Firebender what they'd recommend? Katara the things I enjoy most are spicy and aside from those dumplings, are not able to be made without. Well… aside from the Komodo chicken."

Katara nodded. "Is most Fire Nation food spicy?"

Zuko nodded. "It's quite common here." At times he enjoyed her company but Sokka was a pain most of the time.

Katara snorted. "Who knows, we may all get used to a bit of spice while we're here."

Zuko chuckled. "Possibly." He ate more of his meal. Nothing like something from home. He'd missed it.

Everyone ate. Sokka smiled. "These sausages are really good."

Zuko smiled. "Pretty common here."

A figure crept into the back door. They were covered in a hooded cloak that covered all features, even their face. The figure moved carefully to try and avoid detection.

Toph frowned. "Someone just snuck into the other room."