A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait but I have been really busy. Life has been throwing curve balls at me front, right and center. But anyway! Here is a new chapter and I hope you like it! As always Thank you to Night and Pickles for your lovely words! And to TacoTuesday as well! I love you!

"Didn't Aang say there would be no more bending battles in the Temple?"

"This is a sword fight, no bending involved."

"But Sokka called it swordbending."

"Don't encourage him!"

Orora glanced up from where she had been helping Toph make a sign board for the fighter they would be rooting for, Zuko, of course. She grinned at the obvious frown of irritation he wore. "Why? It makes sense, and it fits doesn't it?"

Zuko rolled his eyes at her before continuing his stretches. Across the courtyard, Sokka was doing the same. Though his were a poor imitation of the motions Zuko was going through. Orora had been having a pleasant conversation with Toph and The Duke before Sokka had come barrelling by announcing a swordbending duel between him and the Fire Nation Prince. At first Orora had been surprised, since Zuko hardly took part in proving who was the best, a point Sokka made sure to get across while explaining the nature of the duel.

But then he said something about Zuko and his honor, and she rolled her eyes.

Of course.

A fact that she had been using to tease her Soulmate while waiting for everyone to arrive. Add in the new word Sokka had used that seemed to irritate Zuko to no end, and Orora had the ammunition she needed to annoy him for the rest of the day.

"Why? Is it not honorable enough?" She said, barely able to hold back her laughter as she stressed on the word. Zuko shot her another annoyed look.

"Is he making that face again?" Toph asked, grinning. Orora giggled since the face Toph spoke about was the exact expression Zuko wore at the moment. "What face?" He demanded to know, which only made the Waterbender laugh harder. Though what Toph said next had her sobering up pretty quickly.

"Where you frown, pout and get that really annoyed look on your face. Orora says it makes you look like a kid who was told he couldn't have candy, but she finds it cute."

Before Toph could go any further, she found a hand covering her mouth, preventing her from saying anything else. Zuko blinked, his eyes darting to Orora who was glaring at her younger sister, and yet the blush that blazed across her cheeks was undeniable.

His eyes met hers.

And he grinned.

A little too smugly for her liking.

"Is that right?" He all but drawled, bringing one sword up to rest on his shoulder, flat side down, while he let the other hang at his side. Pursing her lips, Orora tried hard not to show just how embarrassed she was at having an intimate thought revealed so blatantly. That coupled with attempting to not let the current tone of his voice and posture get to her too much, which she was failing at if her blush and rapid heartbeat was anything to go by, resulted in a glare that was more hilarious then intimidating.

Somehow, Toph managed to extract Orora's hand from her mouth. Or rather pulled at it enough to allow her to get a few more words in. "Man, her heart's going crazy. You smiling at her Zu-" The rest of her words were muffled as Orora quickly replaced her hand, this time a little more forcefully.

Zuko's smirk persisted as Orora stood, pulling Toph and the sign board as she did, so they could sit a little ways apart from the battle ring. "Come on you little pest." She grumbled. Her reaction as well as Toph's accidental, coughintentionalcough, reveal gave more then a little boost to his ego. The two of them shared one last look, with Orora being the first one to look away, blush still inflaming her cheeks. Zuko turned around to face the ring and his opponent. As he stepped up to face off against Sokka he twirled his swords with a little more flair then was actually necessary.

Was he showing off for the sake of showing off to his Soulmate?

Yes he was.

Did he think it was over the top?

Not when it came to her.

Now that they were all gathered, Aang moved to stand between the two opponents, acting as referee.

"Finally! Some action around here!" Toph stated happily, Orora having removed her hand awhile ago. Her words had both her sisters blinking at her in confusion. "You just saw some action this morning." Orora reminded, as Katara scowled. "What did you think we were doing? Splashing around in the stream?"

Toph grinned. "That was more of a catowl fight." Both older girls sat up wearing identical expressions of irritation. The corner of Katara's eye even twitched as they both screeched. "Excuse me?!"

"We need a little silence from the spectators!" Aang called, taking his role as referee a little too seriously and shooting the two Waterbenders a look. Both of whom slumped into their seats, arms crossed and pouting.

They both glanced at one another out of the corner of their eyes, before looking away again.

Within the ring, Zuko gripped the handles of his sword tightly "Don't get your hopes up Sokka." He warned the Water Tribe Warrior. "I started training with Master Piandao since when I was just a kid, so I think I can take a beginner like you."

"All right, you guys." Aang stated, a hint of warning in his tone. "I want this to be a good, clean swordbending match!"

"There's no such thing!" Zuko stated, before his smile returned in full confidence. Sokka mirrored the smile as they both waited for Aang to blow the whistle.

"So you think you're hot stuff, huh?" He said, his tone loud, hoping to goad Zuko into loosing his composure. His words, however, had the opposite effect as the scarred teen only smirked. "Orora seems to think so."

The girl in question, who'd been watching the proceedings just as eagle-eyed as the rest of the group, blanched at the comment. Since when had Zuko gotten confident enough to make comments like that? And in the presence of other people.

If Zuko continued to tease her, her cheeks would be a permanent shade of pink. "For Spirits sake leave me out of this!" She called, ignoring how everyone, minus Katara, were snickering. The younger waterbender girl instead held up her own sign board, which had a drawing of a sword and the symbol of the Water Tribe. "Go, Water Tribe!" She encouraged her brother.

Beside her, Toph held up the sign she and Orora had made.

Which Orora quickly turned upright since Toph had been holding it upside down.

Within the ring, swords clashed, as both Zuko and Sokka began to face off. "Lemme show you how we do things down south!" Sokka exclaimed, pulling back before swinging at him.

Only to have Zuko step to the side and avoid the hit. "Like I said." He stated, cool and calm as could be, before he swung at Sokka who narrowly deflected the attack. The boy fell backwards, hitting the hard ground with a dull thud.

"Don't get your hopes up."

At the sidelines Orora, Toph and The Duke both cheered at Zuko's victory. Apparently Haru and Teo had decided to root for Sokka. Which wasn't going well for them, of course. Aang held his arm out, indicating Zuko's victory. Sokka however, was not done.

Not by a long shot.

"Rematch." He grumbled, already getting up. "Now!"

Zuko grinned.

"Kick his ass Zuko!"

Sokka turned to stare at his older sister. "Wh-Orora! You're supposed to side with me! Water Tribe for life!" He exclaimed, sounding dejected, something the girl didn't even care about as she grinned.

"Sorry Sokka! Soulmates over Bro-mates!" She called to which Sokka let out an undignified squeak, clutching his heart as if the words physically pained him. "My own family doesn't believe in me!" He bemoaned, playing the act of a wounded brother as he slumped to the ground. Zuko glanced over his shoulder, meeting Orora's excited blue gaze.

He winked.

She bit her lower lip, trying to stop the smile from taking over her face as she settled next to Toph once again.

"You got it bad Ice Princess." The blind girl teased, sensing her elevated heartbeat once again. Orora shoved her shoulder playfully. "I believe in you Sokka!" Katara called, throwing Orora a dirty look, though it lacked the heat and anger from just a few hours ago. "Do it for the Water Tribe!"

Her brother stood up straight with newfound determination, waiting for Aang to give the signal.

Only to be knocked down with a kick by Zuko, not even five minutes later. "Another loss for Sokka!"

Katara buried her face in her hands. "Ouch." She muttered, more then a little annoyed at her brother, but also annoyed at Toph, The Duke and Orora who continued cheering for Zuko.

Was he feeling a little too proud of his swordsmanship?

Maybe?

Did he care?

Not really.

Not when Orora was cheering for him like she was.

He'd never had anyone on his side aside from his Uncle. And while Orora's support meant the world, knowing he'd made friends who would root for him added to that feeling tenfold.

"This is ridiculous." He stated pointing his sword at Sokka and smiling. Though not in a condescending manner as he would have done in the past. "I'm obviously better than you. Why don't you just give up?" Sokka simply stood up, brushing the dust from his clothes. To say his ego was more then a little bruised would be an understatement. But while Zuko may have the advantage of being a better swordsman, yes even he admitted that, Sokka had something better on his side.

Words.

"This from the guy who unsuccessfully hunted Aang for years?" The effect was immediate. Zuko pursed his lip, his eyes flickered with irritation as he scowled at Sokka. "That was totally different!"

"Sure." The word came out in a more sarcastic tone then he had intended, but it worked. "Cause it'll only take me three minutes to beat you!"

Raising his sword, Sokka charged.

Only for his opponent to knock his weapon out of his hand.

"Give up Sokka! This is getting a little embarrassing for the Southern Water Tribe!" Toph called, unable to keep the malicious grin off her face. She lived and thrived in situations like these, where she could tease and make fun of her friends, especially Sokka. It was always hilarious to see how he would react to them. And having Zuko beat him up was the icing on the egg custard.

Raising an eyebrow, Zuko stood over Sokka. "You were saying?"

Deciding that perhaps it was time to play dirty, Sokka reached behind him to grab his trusty boomerang. He threw the weapon, which Zuko narrowly ducked out of the way of. It went flying through the air as the Prince turned to scowl at Sokka.

"Hey! No boomerangs in swordbending."

He paused, blinking. Did he just-?

"Wait! I mea-"

"Zuko! Watch out!"

Too late.

The boomerang retraced it's path and hit the young Prince at the back of his head. Zuko dropped to his knees, clutching the sore spot and groaning in pain. Though his glare never left Sokka's.

"Foul!" The spectators called out, with the ones supporting Zuko rising to their feet and demanding a fair rematch. "Call it Ref!" The Duke shouted.

Aang sighed before looking at Sokka. "Zuko's right, you know. You did cheat, so he still wins the match." Sokka, appearing way to smug for someone who had just lost simply grinned. "I may have lost the battle of swords, young Avatar." He held his arms up in victory. "But I won the war of words."

A beat of silence.

"That doesn't even make any sense!" Toph all but screamed, annoyed that the Humiliation of Sokka was cut too short. In her opinion it was shaping up to be quite the story. After all there had been action, drama and romance, if Orora's heartbeat was anything to go by.

Speaking of, Orora walked over to Zuko, who was still rubbing the back of his head, and looking dejected. "Want me to beat him up for you?" She asked. Zuko glanced up to see Orora looking almost murderous as she glared at Sokka.

Sokka grinned sheepishly back at his older sister. There were no hard feelings between them, they each knew it was all in good fun, but Sokka knew Orora would beat him up with no hesitation. She wouldn't hurt him too much. Probably pull his ears, or something? Before punishing him with some horrible chore.

No one had any idea what sort of hold she had on everyone in the group. Maybe it was her presence, or her ability to shut anyone up with a look. But for whatever reasons, they were all intimidated by her. Though not in a bad way.

Rather in the: I did something wrong and now my sister is gonna hang me by my belt way.

All except Zuko, who knew she would put him in his place should he need it. Something that had happened in the past. The Prince chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah." He said, standing up and sheathing his sword.

"I'll get him next time."

"Hey Zuko!"

Glancing up from where he had been packing away his swords, Zuko was a little surprised to see a rather unlikely trio standing in front of him.

Sokka, Aang and Toph.

"Yeah?" He asked, his tone unsure as he glanced from one serious face to the other. "Relax, Firebug, we just wanna talk to you." Toph said, sensing his heartbeat pick up a little. Sokka nodded. "Yeah, but don't think its not important, because it is." He added, to which Zuko blinked at him in confusion.

"Okay?" Placing his pack on the ground, he stood straight to give all three of them his undivided attention. Out of all three of them, Aang seemed to look the most serious, prompting him to turn to the young Avatar with a questioning gaze.

"Its about Orora, and what your intentions are with her."

The statement came out of nowhere, prompting Zuko to blink at them in confusion. "My intentions?" He repeated, confusion etched on his face. Sokka nodded stepping forward.

"Yeah! Your intentions. If you haven't noticed, she's our sister, and as her siblings we have a right to know what your intentions are with her." He'd barely stopped before Toph picked up. "Yeah, we don't want to see her mopping about just because you feel like going off one day and leaving her alone."

Zuko bristled, a little angry at them for even thinking that. "I would-" But he was cut off by Sokka. "Yeah, cuz when it comes to anything related to you, Orora always looses it."

Once again he opened his mouth, only to be cut off by Toph. "In a bad way. I've seen Ice Princess grow cold, and it is not good. And when Orora isn't happy, none of us are happy."

"What we're trying to say Zuko." This time Aang spoke, stepping forward to silence his friends so that he could get his word across. "We love Orora, and we don't want to see her get hurt the way she did after Ba Sing Se." He paused, allowing Zuko the moment he needed to understand why the three of them were there.

To make sure he wasn't leading Orora on before he left like he did last time.

"We almost lost her Zuko, and we don't want to see her go through that pain ever again." The Airbender paused, fixing his grey eyes on Zuko's face. "So we ask again, what are your intentions with Orora?"

As the three of them waited in silence, Zuko found his eyes briefly flitting over their shoulders, where he could see Orora playing with Momo. She was teasing him with a water bubble, and Momo's reaction to nearly getting wet had the girl giggling. She didn't tease him for long, and as an apology, began to cut up an apple into slices, which she then shared with him.

Watching her sit there, eating the fruit happily with the little animal, Zuko's resolve only solidified.

"My intention," He started, looking back at the three younger teenagers. "Is to stay by her side as long as she will have me. And to make sure no harm comes to her, physically and emotionally. Even from me."

Not exactly the best way to phrase the intensity of his feelings for Orora, but he wasn't about to pour his heart out to the three of them. Sure they were his friends, but if anyone deserved his heart, it was Orora. After all that she had done for him, the least he could do was confess to her what he truly felt. He just hoped whatever he couldn't say, he was able to convey through his actions as time went on.

"He's telling the truth." Toph stated, a smile pulling at her lips. "And that's good enough for me." With that, the girl turned on her heel and walked off. Leaving Sokka and Aang to give the final verdict. Both boys fixed Zuko with twin hard stares, ones that he did not back down from as he looked right back, determination and honesty clear across his face.

Finally, Sokka sighed. "Just, don't hurt her again." He stated, before walking off as well. Leaving just Aang, the only one to smile and reach out to pat the Prince's shoulder. "I guess Fate never chooses wrong." He said. "You're both good for one another."

There was a point in his life where he would've questioned that.

But in that moment, as they all settled down for dinner, with Zuko sitting beside Orora, he couldn't help but agree with Aang.

They were good for one another.

The outcome of the battle earlier resulted in Katara not glaring at her every time she and Zuko interacted. As Sokka had advised, Orora had opted to leave Katara alone and work through her feelings and conflicts on her own. Pushing her wouldn't get either of them anywhere.

Still, that didn't stop Orora from missing her sister, and hoping she would come to terms with her decision soon.

Presently she sat within the circle as everyone unwound after the day. Dinner had been served, and the dishes cleared away. Though Zuko was doing something she never thought she would see him do voluntarily.

He was making tea.

Zuko, who thought of tea as nothing but hot water and leaf juice, was presiding over the teapot as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

His Uncle would've been proud.

For a moment there, she had thought of helping him out, but then stopped. Maybe give him a chance to make amends as he saw fit on his own. Hopefully his tea making skills had improved since the last time he had brewed a pot.

While everyone else spoke around her, Orora found herself simply watching Zuko and observing him.

It was ridiculous. It wasn't like she hadn't seen him the entire day.

"No one can make tea like Uncle." Zuko said as he began to pour the hot beverage into cups that were placed atop a tray. "But hopefully I learned a thing or two." He added, as he began walk around and serve tea.

"Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?"

Katara, glancing in Orora's direction, and catching the older girl's eyes, pursed her lips before shrugging. "Sure." Orora hid her smile behind her cup. The scent of it was certainly appealing as she closed her eyes and savored the warmth of it before taking a small sip.

It was good.

Really good.

"I like jokes." Aang stated, encouraging Zuko even further with Toph adding. "Bring it."

Zuko nodded as he served the tea to The Duke and Haru. "Okay." He paused, with everyone waiting eagerly for him to begin. "Well, I can't remember how it starts." Orora pursed her lips. It would be extremely rude if she were to laugh out loud at the helpless expression on Zuko's face, she told herself.

"But the punch line is 'Leaf me alone, I'm bushed!'"

She had to quickly take a scalding sip of tea to distract herself. The pain of the hot beverage on her tongue did distract her enough to keep from laughing out loud at the awkward silence that had descended on the group as they all stared at Zuko.

Even he gave an awkward smile. "Well, it's funnier when Uncle tells it."

Katara raised an eyebrow. "Right...maybe that's because he remembers the whole thing." She said, prompting everyone to laugh at her teasing. Zuko smiled as well, handing over the last two cups to Teo and Toph.

Orora, having recovered from her scalding tongue ordeal, sat up a little straighter as she recited. "Why did the green tea refuse to be brewed?" Everyone glanced at her, with Zuko blinking at her in slight confusion. She smiled at him in return. "It said, "I need some time off, leaf me alone, I'm bushed!"

Collective groans followed her statement, with Zuko rolling his eyes at his Uncle's choice of humor.

Toph sighed as she sipped at her tea. "It's nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens." She said, to which Aang glanced at her in confusion. "Weren't you just saying this morning how you wanted some action? He asked, to which the blind girl gave a shrug. "Yeah, but we got to see two fights today, so my quota has been met."

Orora rolled her eyes at her younger sister. "Maybe not say it out loud Toph. You know how fate loves to prove us wrong." She said, her gaze flicking around, as if expecting someone to jump out of the shadows and start attacking them. Then again, with all the trouble they had gotten into in the past, it wouldn't be surprising if they weer ambushed.

"Hey!" Sokka, who had been brooding silently for a good hour now, an act that had made both his sisters suspicious, now approached Zuko. "Can I talk to you for a second?" He stood and walked away. Setting down the tray, Zuko followed after him.

The Duke glanced at their retreating backs. "Wander what they're talking about." He voiced his curiosity, to which Toph shrugged. "Probably trading notes on being a sword-bender."

Well that word had certainly caught on.

It wasn't long before Sokka returned and promptly lay down to go to sleep. Taking his example, the rest of the group began to get ready for the night as well. As she shook out her bed roll, Orora glanced to where Zuko, who had returned not long after Sokka, was setting up his own bedding. Seeing the look of contemplation on his face, and with a strange suspicious feeling gnawing within her stomach, she walked over to Zuko.

"What was that all about?" She asked, frowning slightly in Sokka's sleeping figure. Zuko, a little lost in his head, was a little startled at her abrupt appearance. Though he shook his head at her in response.

"Nothing." The word came out rushed and urgent. Almost as if he was putting extra effort into making her believe that there really was nothing going on.

Orora, however, grew even more suspicious. And even though she figured that she should leave the matter alone, since Zuko would've told her if he wanted to, it was because he didn't tell her that she knew that whatever Sokka had spoken to Zuko about was either illegal or dangerous, or both.

And she wasn't about to let either of her boys do anything stupid. Not unless she had anything to say about it.

Was it nosy and over-bearing of her?

Maybe.

But she'd come so close to loosing her family that she was beginning to grow a little protective.

For now, she simply gave her Soulmate a look, prompting him to reassure her once more. A rather weak effort on his part, which they both knew.

Still, she didn't pester him any further. With a nod, and a wary look in his direction, Orora returned to her bed roll.

As a group of young soldiers, sleeping with one ear open was natural. Anyone or anything could attack them at any moment, and since her days of traveling alone, Orora had trained herself to be on alert, even as she slept.

It was the slight bump against her feet that had ice blue eyes opening abruptly.

Her mind was trying to fight off the fog of sleep that hung about her head, but she recognized the figure as they walked away. There was just enough light to inform her that it was early morning and the sun had only just begun to rise. She lay perfectly still, not wanting to alert Zuko that she was awake.

She stayed in her sleeping bag, even when Sokka tip-toed past her with a bag slung over his shoulder. Once he too had disappeared from view, Orora stood, picking up her water skins as she did.

She never slept without them.

Slinging them over her shoulders, the young Waterbender stood behind a pillar, hiding from view as she listened to the conversation the two boys were having.

"Fine, you caught me." She heard Sokka say. "I'm gonna rescue my dad. You happy now?"

"I'm never happy." Came Zuko's response, prompting her to step out from behind the pillar, arms crossed over her chest. "I am rather offended by that statement Zuko." She stated, keeping her voice low so as not to wake up anyone else. While Sokka rolled his eyes, and grumbled something about nosy sisters, Zuko winced at her words. He opened his mouth, to apologize, to make an excuse? She didn't know. Orora simply fixed her brother with an inquiring gaze.

"What're you doing Sokka?" She asked. The Water Tribe Warrior looked like he wasn't going to answer, but then his shoulders drooped and he sighed. "Zuko told me they might be keeping Dad at this place called the Boiling Rock."

The girl blinked. "So you're going to get him out by yourself?" She asked, walking towards him as Zuko jumped down from where he had been sitting on Appa's back. Probably to catch Sokka in the act.

Picking up the supplies that had fallen out of his bag, Sokka continued. "Look, I have to do this. The invasion plan was my idea, it was my decision to stay when things were going wrong." He stood up straight, glancing between the Firebender and Waterbender. "It's my mistake, and it's my job to fix it. I have to regain my honor. You can't stop me." With that he moved to climb atop Appa.

Zuko let out a laugh of derision. "You need to regain your honor?" He asked, prompting Orora to glance at him. "Believe me, I get it. I'm going with you."

Seeing this as her chance, Orora stepped forward. "And judging from the name, I'm willing to guess the place has something to do with water." At Zuko's nod of confirmation, Orora hummed and nodded. "Then I'm coming too."

Shaking his head, Sokka turned to glance over his shoulder. "No. I have to do this alone."

Scoffing, Zuko gestured towards Appa. "How are you going to get there? On Appa? Last time I checked, prisons don't have bison daycares." The observation prompted Sokka to pause and glance at Zuko who simply stated.

"We'll take my war balloon."

Sokka looked torn, but only for a moment, before he nodded in confirmation and climbed down from Appa. "You're not coming Orora." He stated, trying his best to be authoritative. His sister blinked at him.

"Would you rather I wake up Katara and tell her what you're up to?" She questioned, or rather threatened. Sokka opened his mouth, but then closed it again, knowing her couldn't argue. Not when she had that determined look in her eyes. Though Zuko was torn between having Orora stay behind and be safe, but also knowing that having a Waterbender would prove to be an advantage, stayed silent. Smirking in satisfaction, the girl tightened the straps of her water skins.

"We'd better leave a note."

A/N: And we are now at the Boiling Rock! Really excited about the next couple of chapter! Lemme know what you thought of this one! Till next time! - Hestia28