Here's a short one. Enjoy. The last two chapters to Book I are coming soon.

Vocabulary:

kali'a mai- a traditional Southern Water Tribe meat dish made of seal and fish, seasoned with traditional seasoning

Book I: Water

Chapter VIII: Preparations for Battle

Part IV: A Reprieve Before the Fire Invasion

Apartment 40, Northern Water Tribe

Some days later.

Kuzon was up in the morning trying to get his morning regimen in. Flame fist. Flame kick. Spin kick. He then let out a long sigh.

The sound of kamik soft boots then made their presence known. "Oh, there you are, flamehead. Katara's been looking for you."

Kuzon stopped in his routine and turned to him, confused, "She needs me? For what?"

Sokka chuckled toothily, "The stove isn't working, and we need a heat source."

Kuzon then blinked but nodded as he understood the warrior's meaning. He then bowed to Sokka. "I'll be right down."

Sokka, however, stopped him as he started to walk down. "Hold on a sec."

Kuzon again turned to him and asked, "What is it?"

Sokka grinned. "I've noticed that you are pretty handy with your bending."

Kuzon just shrugged. "Yeah, I am. What about it?"

He then gave him a big half-grin. "I was just thinking…you could benefit from training with a sword. "

Kuzon blinked in annoyance and crossed his arms, "I'm the Avatar. The most powerful being in the world. What use would I have for a sword?"

Sokka just shrugged, "Hey. You never know."

The two boys then heard Katara's voice. "Kuzon! Can you help me? This stove is still stone cold!"

Sokka then gave Kuzon a sly grin and put an arm around his shoulder. "You're up flamehead."

Kuzon just crossed his arms and growled in annoyance. "Shut up already." The firebender then began walking down the stairs to the first floor.

Sokka just grinned and shook his head as he watched Kuzon walk off. "That kid makes it too easy."

Katara grunted in frustration as she tried in vain to fix the stove. "Come on, you stupid thing. Heat up already!" She then heard the distinctive sound of Kuzon's fur boots coming down the stairs.

The young waterbender felt herself blush as her heartbeat quickened. Oh. Oh. He's coming! He's coming!"

Kuzon's calm voice then filled the room. "Hey. You said you needed help with a…stove?"

Katara then turned to face him with the sweetest smile. "Yes. The blasted thing won't heat up. I've been trying for hours now."

Her eyes darted to him and then to the stove as she shyly blushed and her cheeks reddened. "I…would greatly appreciate your help."

Kuzon ignored the hint of flirtation in her tone, crossed his arms, and nodded. He then just shrugged. "Let me see what I can do." He then walked in front of the stove, stared at it momentarily, and opened the hatch.

It seemed saltwater clumps powered the furnace.

"These aren't coals, but a good old fire punch should work. Give me some space."

Katara just nodded and backed up a few feet.

Kuzon then closed his eyes, took a deep breath, got into his firebending stance, and sent just enough flame through his fist to ignite the saltwater clumps.

This caused them to burst into flames.

Katara smiled broadly. "You did it. It works now."

Kuzon turned to her and gave her a slow nod. He then closed the furnace door. "Was that all?"

She then smiled as she got closer to him, shyly smiling, interlinking her arm with his. Her face reddened again as she pouted. "No…Could you help me make dinner, too?"

She sighed, "Sokka…is the one who does the hunting. None of the cooking. I've tried to teach him how to make a proper kali'a mai multiple times." She then facepalmed, "He is hopeless."

Kuzon blinked at her and spoke irritatingly, "If that is so…what makes you think that an outcasted firebender is going to do any better?"

She crossed her arms at him, smirking, "Call it a hunch. You have more patience than my dear older brother."

Kuzon just blinked, crossing his arms again. His eyes flared up when he glared at her. "Might I also add that I know little to nothing about Water Tribe cuisine?"

Katara giggled, "Oh, Kuzu. You know…you are so cute. Especially when you get all fussy."

Kuzon's eyes widened as his face turned red. The sudden compliment caught him off guard. She can't be serious. He then stammered out, "I..am..not…cute. Stop making things up."

She then shook her head, smiling. "Sorry. You are cute. I'm not exactly what some would call a good liar." She sighed, took his hands, and smiled pleadingly at him. "Please..help me make dinner. I do need the help."

Kuzon looked into her eyes again. I can't deny her. No matter how much she may annoy me…I can't just say no. He then rolled his eyes and sighed. "Fine. But only because you asked."

Katara then let out a squeal of happiness as she grabbed his face, tilted her head, and smiled, speaking with affection. "My hero. I had a hunch I could convince you."

Kuzon felt his heart skip a beat as he blushed. Did she call me her hero? Why does she say such silly things? And…furthermore, why does it make my heart skyrocket? Why does it make me feel complete inside?

Katara then removed her hand and focused her attention on the table. "Okay. Now do as I do."

Kuzon regained control of his senses and nodded, "As you wish."

Sometime later

Sokka held the door open for Yue. "In you go, your Highness!"

She giggled as she kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, my handsome warrior!"

As she walked into the living room, she was blown away by the food presentation. "Oh wow. This looks amazing."

Katara chuckled with a grin, "Yeah. We all thought it would be great to eat together."

Kuzon just nodded and bowed honorably, "Yes."

Everyone then walked over to sit at the table.

Moments later

Everyone was enjoying the meal.

Kuzon's eyes widened in shock, "This is different. I'm used to food that will burn a hole in my tongue."

Yue, Sokka, and Katara all turned to him, surprised;

Sokka then joked, "You mean there's no such thing as comfort food in the Fire Nation? I can't say I'm surprised…Your people are a little hot-headed."

Katara turned to her brother with a scowling look, "Sokka! Have some respect!"

Yue just giggled. "I don't know Katara. That was a good one."

Katara blinked at both of them and then turned to Kuzon with a rueful smile, "Sorry about that, Kuzu. They don't know when to stop sometimes."

Kuzon turned to her and then to all of them. He then just crossed his arms. "Eh. Whatever. I'm used to it. He then just shrugged, "Besides...It wouldn't be appropriate to return the favor. It is both dishonorable, and the jokes are incredibly racist. I'd rather not repeat them."

The three Water Tribesmen all gave him a nod.

Sokka chuckled, "Glad to see you're a good sport."

Yue then clapped her hands together and smiled, "Yes."

Katara just smiled, "We appreciate your understanding."

Kuzon gave her a nod in return. He then turned to Yue, "So…on to the next question…how preparations are going? Is your father's army ready for Zhao's Northern Fleet?"

The Princess of the Northern Water Tribe then smiled at him knowingly. "I think so. The men are motivated. My father is confident in their abilities."

Kuzon stroked his chin. "Okay. Good. The fight won't be easy. My people would rather die than surrender." He then stared at his right hand as he lit it aflame. "Zuko is probably going to do his best to kill me. I am not foolish enough to expect mercy from him."

Sokka, Yue, and Katara stared at one another.

Sokka then turned to Kuzon with a big grin on his face. "Ah, don't worry about that royal brat. I'm pretty handy with my sword and my boomerang."

Yue smiled at Kuzon, "You will have a whole army around you. You're a friend to the Tribe."

Katara smirked, "And you know I'll be behind you to back you up. I'll keep you safe."

Kuzon turned to her and calmed his heartbeat. Something about the waterbender's smile caused his heart to skip a beat." He blushed, turned to her, and loudly cleared his throat, averting her gaze. "I…appreciate that."

Sokka and Yue then turned to each other, snickering.

Yue then leaned in to whisper with glee, "He likes her, doesn't he?"

Sokka just turned to Kuzon, smirked, and leaned to whisper into her ear. "That he does. He's just too closed in to realize it. He'll notice one day."

Katara just giggled at seeing Kuzon's reaction. Yeah. He likes me. He's so cute when he tries to play it off. He's just timid and closeted off about it. I can't blame him. She frowned. He's been through so much pain and strife. Her face turned into a warm smile again, But I can change that. I can show him what true love and hope look like.

Kuzon then closed his eyes, trying to calm his beating heart. Why is it always when I look at her….I feel happy?" He stood up, turned to the others, and bowed in honor, "I'm turning in early. I need to get my meditations in. Good night."

Sokka grinned with a wave. 'Night Kuzon."

Yue smiled and waved as well, "Goodnight, Kuzon."

Katara smiled and waved. "Goodnight Kuzu."

Kuzon then turned to her and nodded with a slightly nervous smile. "Good night, Katara." He walked off without another word.

Sokka got up and yawned with his arms outstretched, "I'm heading in, too. I'm exhausted. I see you two in the morning." He then walked off to his room.

That left Yue and Katara alone in the room.

The waterbender turned to her with a knowing look, "You and my brother are getting rather close."

Yue then turned and felt a bit of fear in the pit of her stomach.

Katara was eyeing her with a hint of distrust. "I hope your intentions with him are noble."

Yue smiled sweetly, "Oh please understand…they are. I like him. He's funny. He's sweet. I seek only to make him happy."

Katara just nodded, relaxing a bit. She smiled, "I am glad to hear that."

Yue then smiled, "What about you and Kuzon? It seems you two are getting along well."

Katara just blinked. Her face went red, and her heartbeat skyrocketed. She nervously smiled, "I think we get along just fine. We trust each other and have each other's backs."

Yue smirked and teased, "Just getting along? Come on now. You don't think I noticed your cute little pet name for him. Or how he suddenly got quiet when you wished him a good night's rest?" She giggled, "You like the quiet and reflective types. I understand."

Katara just nodded with a faint smile, blushing. "Okay. You've got me. I do like him…in that way."

Yue smirked, "I knew it." Katara sighed, "I just want to be cautious about it. Kuzon is…very closed off. He's been through a lot. I don't want to add pressure there."

Yue nodded, "True, but if you never tell him how you feel…how is he supposed to know?" She then chuckled, "Boys are like smaller versions of grown men. They aren't hardwired to take the hint. You must be honest with how you feel."

Katara just nodded, "So…if that is true. Do I tell him upfront?"

Yue then laughed, shaking her head, "Oh hell no. Don't do that. You'll scare him off. He isn't ready."

Katara blinked, annoyed, "What the hell do I do then?"

Yue smiled, "Keep giving him signals, and when the time is right…open your heart to him. The rest is up to fate. If he does…he'll say it. If not..he won't. Either way…the truth will be out."

Katara blinked again in realization, nodding, "That is good advice. Thank you, Yue."

Yue smiled as she stood up from her chair, "Anytime. We Water Tribe girls have got to stick together."

Katara then gave her a smiling nod. "We do."

Yue then smiled, "I'm off to my room. It'll take too long to get to the palace. Good night."

Katara then stood up with a yawn. "Me too. Good night."

The two girls then walked to their rooms.

This one was shorter and had a bit more fluff in it. The next one will be more action-packed!