Chapter One

"Eyuck," Sokka stuck out his tongue, watching the couple in front of him. "You guys really just love giving me the oogies huh?"

    "Sokka! Shut it with the oogie talk!" Katara frowned, pulling away from Aang to look at her brother.

    "Then stop giving me them." He shot back, sharing her frown.

    "It's okay sweetie, don't mind Sokka." Aang smiled, putting a hand on Katara's shoulder.

    "No, I've had enough of it," Katara insisted, turning back to her brother. "Whenever you and Suki are together I never complain. Why do you have to do it to me?"

    "Jeez Katara, calm down I'm only joking. And besides, Suki and I barely see each other right now, it's not like you get the chance to complain all the time," Sokka sighed, rolling his eyes at his sister's overreacting. "Besides, I always feel like I'm third wheeling with you guys and teasing you is the only fun I get. Especially since Zuko's taking care of the fire Nation and Toph started up her school."

    "Speaking of which," Aang spoke up, his tone turning rather grim. "Zuko hasn't really been keeping to the agreement. He's gotten most of the fire Nation out of the earth kingdom, but there's been no action in the first earth kingdom colony; Yu Dao."

    "So what are we going to do then?" Katara asked.

    "Well, I'm going to have to talk with him or Yu Dao I guess," Aang sighed, clutching the reins a little bit tighter. "But first, we have some visiting to do!"

_

    "Twinkle toes! Sugar queen!" Toph exclaimed, giving Aang and Katara a hug, then she went to give Sokka one too. "Sokka!"

    "Good to see you Toph!" Aang chimed, smiling down at the young earthbender.

    "Yeah, what took you so long?" She grinned, whacking the nomad's shoulder.

    "Ow..." Aang mumbled, rubbing his arm. "Well, I've been doing my Avatar duties so-"

    "Yeah yeah, well you're here now," Toph waved him off. "Anyways, you guys here to see my metalbending academy?"

    "We were actually just stopping for a quick visit. We have some war things to clear up still." Katara jutted in, wrapping an arm around Aang.

    "You guys are no fun." Toph sighed.

    "I'll stay, I'm not really looking forwards to sticking around these two anymore." Sokka offered, jogging over from where he was pulling his stuff off Appa.

    "Sweet." Toph smiled.

    "Alright then," Aang shrugged. "Well, have fun you guys. Guess we'll see you later."

    "Sure, have fun with your chores Twinkle toes." Toph nodded, shooing them away.

    "I guess we get to spend some time just the two of us now." Aang said, looking over to Katara.

    "Ew." Toph commented.

    "I know right? Sooooo oogy." Sokka added in, watching the two climb on the bison.

    They waved goodbye and then flew off into the distance.

    It was nearing sunset, so Toph brought Sokka over to her academy building where there were three kids sitting on the front steps.

    There were two guys and one girl, there was a tall, chubby guy and a thin, pale one with an edgy haircut. The girl looked rather bubbly and vaguely reminded Sokka of Ty Lee. The three of them immediately stood up when they saw Toph.

     "Sokka, these are my disciples; Ho Tun," She gestured to the tall, chubby one. "The dark one," She rolled her eyes, pointing at the edgy guy. "And Penga."

    "Nice to meet you all! I'm Sokka," He smiled at them and then leaned down to whisper at Toph. "Why's captain emo called the dark one?"

    "He's weird." Toph shrugged, starting up the steps to her school.

    "You're pretty cool," Penga commented, blocking Sokka from following Toph up the steps. "I like you."

    "Um, that's nice?" Sokka grinned sheepishly, unsure of how to react.

    "I've made my decision," Penga announced, taking a step back. "You're my boyfriend now."

    "What?" Sokka exclaimed, stepping back himself. "No, I'm already dating Suki!"

    "Not anymore!" Penga sang before skipping up the steps after Toph.

    "Just ignore her. She's harmless." Ho Tun said, patting Sokka on the back.

    "Okay..."

_

    Waking up in a cold sweat, Zuko sat up. He frantically looked around the dark room and then slid out of bed. His body protested the movement leading him to walk sluggishly towards the door. Pushing it open, he was met with the familiar outfits of the Kyoshi warriors.

    "Zuko, what's wrong?" Suki asked, moving to lightly touch his shoulder.

    "Someone... Someone's here," He still hadn't caught his breath and his voice was hoarse. "Trying to kill me..."

    "You're paranoid Zuko," Suki reassured softly, giving him a tiny smile. "No one's here to hurt you and even if someone was, we'd stop them immediately. Just trust us and get some rest."

    He nodded hesitantly, walking back into his room and pulling his exhausted body to the bed. He flopped down on the mattress and he felt everything but his mind relax.

    He knew he wouldn't be getting anymore sleep that night.

_

    In the morning, Zuko got out of bed, the dark bag under his right eye had gotten even darker. That was probably the only nice thing about his scar; it always looked the same.

    He left his room and was greeted with a new set of Kyoshi warriors. One of them was very familiar.

    "Hey Ty Lee." He smiled at the brunette.

    "Zuko! Hi!" She exclaimed, her face lighting up. "How are you this fine morning?"

    "I could be better I guess..." He replied softly, scratching the back of his neck.

    "Still not getting much sleep, huh?" She asked, her expression turning pitiful.

    "Yeah, but eventually that'll change. I'll pass out soon anyways, I can barely walk." He sighed, a tiny masochistic grin lifting his lips.

    "That's not healthy," Ty Lee protested. "Maybe you should go visit your uncle at his tea shop. I bet he could help you."

    "That's not a bad idea, but I don't think I'd feel safe going to the earth kingdom right now. The king probably isn't very happy with me." He replied, starting to walk down the hallway. "Besides, I've already decided to visit one of my relatives... As awful as they may be..."

    "You don't mean...?" Ty Lee started but realized Zuko wasn't paying attention anymore.

    She watched him leave with a worried look in her eyes. Turning to the other Kyoshi warrior, they nodded to her and she followed after the firelord.

_

    "Zuko." Mai walked into the throne room and past the Kyoshi warriors standing guard at the entrance.

    Ty Lee recognized the look on her face and instantly regretted telling her about how Zuko went to see Ozai. She cast Zuko a worried glance but he wasn't paying attention to her.

  "Mai!" He lit up a bit at the sight of his girlfriend.

    "Zuko, what's going on? How come I never see you? And what's this I've been hearing about you visiting Ozai?" Mai asked, getting straight to the point.

    "It's not important, it's just not safe right now, I don't want you to get hurt." Zuko responded, his mood turning anxious again.

    "Why are you keeping secrets from me? Don't you trust me?" Mai frowned. "I know that whatever this is has to do with Yu Dao. I can help you make decisions Zuko, you don't have to do this alone!"

    "Yes, I do." He said quietly, looking away from her stern glare.

    "Well I can't do this anymore," Mai shook her head. "I'm sorry but I'm done."

    "Mai!?" Zuko yelped, his voice cracking.

    "Good luck, Zuko." She said sternly before leaving the throne room.

    "Wait! No! Come back!" He called after her before sinking to the ground, his eye starting to well up with tears. "Please..."

    Ty Lee watched him, feeling conflicted. She understood why Mai did it, but she still felt so bad for the struggling boy in front of her. He was still so young and he was still unsure of who he was and who he should become.

_

    Sokka stretched his arms above his head and yawned. The sun shone dimly through the translucent windows but he still winced a bit at the light.

    "Morning Sokka!" Toph chirped, entering the room.

    "How'd you know I was awake?" He asked groggily, rubbing his eyes.

    "Earthbending duh. I can feel your heartbeat." Toph answered matter of factly, putting her hands on her hips.

    "Oh. Right." He nodded, feeling dumb.

    "Anyways, get up! We have some visitors you'll like seeing." She beckoned him to follow her and began to walk out of the room.

    "Okay, wait up!" He called after her, throwing the covers off himself and getting up.

    After quickly getting dressed, he walked out to the front and Ho Tun gestured to the entrance. He walked out and a huge grin spread across his face. Down the steps was Suki, her expression was a mix of joy and worry.

    "Suki!" He grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug, spinning her around in a circle before putting her back down.

    "Hey Sokka! It's so good to see you!" Suki smiled up at him, her eyes lighting up.

    "I missed you!" He added, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "But, weren't you guarding Zuko?"

    "I am," She sighed, turning worried again. "But he isn't doing so well so I'm going back to Kyoshi island to get more warriors."

    "Well how many more do you need?" Sokka asked, arching a brow.

    "Not too many. I still need to leave a few to make sure the island is protected, so..." She trailed off, looking away.

    "Well maybe I could help? I've trained with you before," Sokka grinned at the old memory. "Why don't I come with you?"

    "I don't know. Zuko might not be so happy that you're risking yourself to protect him..."

    "Then I'll just wear the Warriors makeup! Zuko's sort of dense and if I don't get too close he won't even know it's me." Sokka offered, getting a little excited at the idea.

    "Alright, but you'll have to come up with a fake name." Suki sighed, defeated, scratching the back of her neck.

    "No problem! I've already got one."