Here it is guys! The next chapter. Enjoy!

Sokka had woken to many things during his travels. He once woke to a wild koala-sheep licking his face. Another time, he woke up in the middle of a lake thanks to one of Aang's pranks. However this morning he woke up to find his sister in the arms of a certain crown prince leaning comfortably against a small tree. The both of them were sleeping soundly and he could have sworn that Katara even had a smile on her face. If it wasn't for his knowledge of Kei and the future his big brother senses would be going off the chart, but with that little secret under his belt he just smiled knowingly. If Zuko made her happy (whether she knew it or not) he would be happy for her.

"Hey Water Tribe" Jun called from behind him.

"It's Sokka."

"Right. It's time to wake everyone up, we leave in an hour." Jun replied walking behind him.

"Sure... I was thinking..."

"Well would you look at that." Jun said grinning at the sleeping couple. "Totally not his girlfriend huh? Let's wake em."

"And embarrass my little sister... "Sokka said smiling mischievously. "Let's do it." The two of them walked quietly towards the couple. At the back of his mind Sokka wondered why Zuko wasn't up yet. He was usually the first one of the group to wake up usually. Maybe he slept extra comfortably this time.

"Ahem" Jun coughed hoping to wake the sleeping couple. It didn't work. In fact, Katara simply stirred and moved closer to Zuko.

"AHEM!" Sokka repeated causing Zuko and Katara to jump awake suddenly. The two of them looked at each other confusedly and then to the smug grins on Sokka and Jun's faces.

"Nothing happened" they said simultaneously whilst springing to their feet putting some distance between them.

"Of course it didn't..." Jun said knowingly before walking off. By the deep red their faces had turned she figured she had embarrassed them enough for the day.

"We're leaving in about an hour. If you want to eat or freshen up you should do it now."

"Errr... Thanks Sokka." Katara replied sheepishly. "Is Kei up?"

"I'm not sure. I didn't see her by the campfire when I woke up. I thought she might have been with you. Why? Do you need her for something?"

"No. She just wasn't feeling too well yesterday, I just wanted to see if she was ok."

"Oh. Well I'm sure she's fine. She'll pop up sooner or later. Anyway, I better wake Suki, I let her sleep in this morning."

"Yeah. All that travelling yesterday must have made her tired." Zuko added. It seemed as though his embarrassment had passed for now.

"Yeah... The errrr...Travelling." Sokka said scratching his head before leaving promptly. Zuko raised his good eyebrow and looked at Katara who simply smiled and shrugged.

"Looks like my story worked." Katara said grinning while packing up her stuff.

"It worked on you! You fell asleep first remember?"

"Perhaps. But you did fall asleep didn't you? That means my story was a success."

"That makes no sense Katara. " Zuko said smiling. Katara's story was beyond ridiculous. It involved a Prince on a journey to find the ultimate joke. It made no sense and had many plot holes but he couldn't help but appreciate that she made it up just for him, that she stayed up with him throughout the night and that she tried her hardest to calm his fears about seeing his uncle. He wished he could tell her that it had helped him more than she would ever know. That he felt less afraid. Less uncertain. But he was never good with words.

"I... Thank you. " He said resting a hand on her shoulder. Katara looked up at Zuko. His eyes were staring back her intensely almost as if they were trying to tell her something. It was then she noticed that they were physically very close. Closer than they had ever been before. "I just... Yesterday I..." Zuko continued.

"It's ok Zuko." Katara replied placing her hand over his. She then lent forward and kissed him gently on the cheek. "I understand." She said smiling before walking off.

oOo oOo

'What am I thinking!?' Katara thought to herself as she walked away using every ounce of her will power to not lose her composure. She had kissed Zuko. She had KISSED Zuko! What had come over her. Why did she do it? "Because it felt right" her inner voice seemed to tell her. But this was Zuko. Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. The guy that chased her half way around the world. "No" her inner voiced corrected."Not you, Aang." Right. "Aang" she thought to herself. What did this mean when it came to Aang? What would she say? How would she tell him? "The more important question is how do you feel?" her inner voice asked. Katara shock her head frustratedly. Her inner voice was being very vocal today. She needed to talk to someone. She needed a second opinion. She needed...

"Hey? Are you ok?"

"Kei!" Katara sighed, relief spreading throughout her body. Unable to help herself, she flung herself into Kei's arms for a much needed hug. This was just the person she wanted to talk to.

"Wow Katara... What's wrong?"

"Can we talk?"

"Yeah sure." Kyla replied. Whatever had upset her mother seemed important and she wanted to help any way she could.

"No, like talk talk."

"Talk talk?" Kyla asked confused.

"Yeah... Like... Girl talk."

"Girl talk?" Kyla look at Katara confusedly. Then the realisation hit her and her eyes went wide with excitement and anticipation. What on earth had happened when she left last night? She thought to herself. "Sure Katara. We've still got a while until we have to leave."

"Can we talk somewhere else? I... It's just..."

"Well we shouldn't go far; Sokka might get worried plus..."

"No it doesn't have to be far. Just somewhere less... Open." Kyla looked around. Where they were currently was pretty open. Plus with everyone packing it was quite busy too.

"Ok Katara. Let's go."

oOo oOo

The two of them walked in silence for about 5 minutes before Katara sat down. They had arrived at a closed grassy area. Wildflowers grew everywhere and if you listened closely, you could hear the sound of a stream or small river to the north. It was beautiful.

"I kissed him." Katara stated flatly looking at the ground as she talked. For some reason, she felt... Guilty? Embarased? She didn't know.

"Zuko?" Kyla asked. She didn't want to get her hopes up too early.

"Well it wasn't Appa." Katara replied laughing. It felt good.

"Oh right." Kyla thought to herself. Zuko was the only other guy there except for Sokka.

"I kissed him."

"You said that already."

"I know. It's just... I can't get my head around it."

"What's there to get around? You kissed him. He kissed you. That's good!"

"He didn't kiss me!" Katara screeched. She could feel herself getting hot. "What I mean is. I kissed him on the cheek. I... We didn't kiss the way you think we did."

"Oh." Kyla tried her hardest to hide her disappointment. "Well... How did it feel?"

"It felt..." Katara paused. She touched her lips lightly and smiled. "Right. It felt right."

"Right?" Kyla asked. This was a good sign but she wanted her mother to sound a bit more convinced of her feelings and decision.

"Yes, like I was supposed to do it. Like it was supposed to happen. "

"Well if you felt that way, what's the problem?"

"It's Zuko! I can't... I'm not supposed to..."

"Supposed to what?"

"Feel this way. About him!"

"What's wrong with him? He's a good guy and a very powerful bender. Not to mention how far you two have come. I don't see the problem?"

"Wait... What did you say?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just now... What did you say?"

"That you and Zuko have come far?"

"No before that."

"That he's a good guy?"

"No, after that."

"That he's powerful bender..."

Katara stopped and looked her hands. "He is isn't he?" She said softly. Kyla looked at her mother. Something wasn't right. She was troubled. Something else was playing on her mind.

"What's wrong Katara? What did I say?"

"Aang is a powerful bender too right?"

"Yeah I guess, wait... Katara, what's this about? Do you feel the same way about Zuko as you do Aang?"

Katara paused for a moment before she spoke again.

"No. I don't." She sighed. Almost as if she had released a breath she had been keeping in for a very long time."

"Then what's the problem?" Kyla asked, secretly glad that not only was Katara realising her feelings for Zuko, she had also admitted that she didn't feel the same way about Aang.

"He feels that way me."

"Oh"

"And I don't want to hurt him. I can't. He needs me."

"Katara... Aang wouldn't want you to make him happy at your own expense. He's your friend just as much as you're his. He'd want you to be happy."

"I know. But... I just..."

"Katara, just remember, if you both care for each other as much as you say, he'll respect any decision you make. I promise."

"You like making promises don't you?"

"I only make ones that I know I can keep or will come true."

"I wish I had your confidence."

"You do. You just don't know it yet." Kyla said nudging Katara playfully. "So, what did Zuko say after you kissed him. " Katara blushed at the mention of what happened.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Well, I didn't give him a chance. I left shortly afterwards."

"Oh. Well how do you think he feels?"

"I don't know. When we woke up..."

"We woke up!? "

"No! Nothing happened. We just both fell asleep where you left us yesterday." Katara said blushing even more deeply.

" Right..."

"Anyway, we just woke up and he thanked me."

"For what?"

"I think for... Well... For talking to him. He had... Some things on his mind." Katara said sheepishly. She didn't want to say too much about Zuko's fears. It wasn't her place to. "And afterwards... That's when I kissed him."

"Oh... Well that's good!"

"Good? Why?"

"Why not? It's not bad."

"I know... But ..."

"No 'buts' Katara. Enjoy this moment. Besides, you said it felt right. Like it was meant to happen. Focus on that feeling and see where it takes you." Kyla hugged Katara sincerely. "I know it's odd but I'm really happy for you and I'm glad that you came to talk to me about this."

"You're weird Kei." Katara said hugging back. "But I'm glad you joined the group."

"We should head back. It's probably time to leave."

"Yeah you're right." Katara replied getting to her feet. "Hey Kei, whatever happens when we meet with Iroh and the plans that we make, let's stay together. We can look out for each other. Ok?"

"Right." Kyla replied firmly. All this time she had tried her hardest to return to the future but right now, with the climax of the war so close by, it was time to for her to focus on the present. The group needed her help now, and it was her responsibility to fulfil that duty.

"Let's go. Sokka is probably on the brink of sending out a search party."

"Or Zuko..." Kyla said grinning smugly. Katara replied by simply rolling her eyes. As they walked back to camp Katara saw a bush that was heavily laden with berries.

"They would be great to take back with us. I'll be right back" Katara said running ahead.

"Hey wait! I'll come with you!" Kyla said trying to keep up but Katara was already quite far ahead. As Kyla ran faster and faster she realised that she couldn't keep up with Katara and eventually she found herself alone. "How could she have got so far?" she thought to herself. As she started to wander she found herself completely lost.

"Katara!" She called out. "Where are you?" Silence answered her. 'How could this have happened?' She thought to herself. It was nearing the time to leave and she didn't want to hold up the group. "If I keep walking I'll only make things worse. I don't recognise any of this landscape how did I get here. This isn't the way I came." Kyla sighed in frustration. There was no point making things worse, she thought to herself. If she didn't return the group would send out a search party and so to avoid any more inconveniences Kyla sat by a large tree and waited to hear the voices of the group. Toph would be able to find her easily. As time passed Kyla couldn't help but note how comfortable this tree was. She hadn't slept much last night and her eyes were beginning to drop. Eventually Kyla drifted off to sleep. The voices of the group would wake her up she concluded. Besides, 5 minutes wouldn't' hurt.

oOo oOo

Hot. That's how Kyla felt. A lot hotter than how she felt when she fell asleep.

"The group!" Kyla shouted jumping to her feet.

"I wouldn't worry about them." Kyla turned towards the direction of where the voice was coming from and stared in shock at who she saw.

"You! Why are you here? I need to get back. The group is leaving soon."

"Have you not noticed your surroundings. Look around Little One, you are not where you were."

"Ugh." She had forgotten how annoying Min Yuin's little name for her was, but she was right this was not the place where she had fallen asleep. This was...

"Home. You're home."

Kyla looked around in shock. She was home. She was finally home. Tears began to well in eyes before slowly overflowing. She was home. This was her garden. That was her bench. That was her turtle-duck pond. These were her flowers.

"H... How? Why?" She asked breathlessly.

"It was the right time. You had done what I had sent you to."

"But... The battle. We were going to meet Iroh."

"You weren't sent to fight the battle remember."

"But..." Min Yuin walked slowly towards Kyla and held her face softly in her hands making Kyla's cheeks tingle.

"Aren't you happy to be home Litlle One?"

"I am... I just... I did not expect to..."

"I understand."

"My parents... My Uncle...Will they... remember me?"

"They will remember a girl travelled with them for a short time but the details of that girl and her time with them like all things, have faded and will continue to fade with time. I have made it so"

"Oh." Kyla replied sadly. She had never thought about what it would be like when she returned but she had to admit that she felt slightly disappointed that her parents would not remember her. "I suppose it's better that way."

Min Yuin placed a hand on Kyla should and smiled warmly.

"Thank you. For pushing things along." She said sincerity ever present in her voice.

"I... Well... I didn't do much. "

"You did something no one else could. Don't make light of you achievements."

"Oh... Well... Thank you."

"For what?" asked Min Yuin.

"For giving me the opportunity to see my parents like that. To see get to know them in that way. I'll never forget it."

"You are most welcome Little One."

"It's Kyla." Kyla replied grinning.

"Kyla!" Katara called out.

"Mom!" Kyla replied turning around instantly. It had been so long since someone had called her by her name. Since she had heard her mother voice. Tears began to fall down her cheek once again.

"Kyla, I've been looking everywhere for you. " Katara said as her daughter ran into her hugging her tightly. "Kyla, what's the matter. Why are you crying?"

"I just... I missed you so much."

"I saw you this morning remember?"

"I know. I just..."

"Is everything alright? You're not hurt are you?"

"No mom I'm fine, I just really missed you."

"You're a weird one Kyla. You must have got that from your father's side." Katara said kissing her daughters head lovingly. Kyla just hugged her mother tighter. Suddenly she remembered she was not alone in the garden.

"Wait..." She said turning round to look for Min Yuin, but no one was there. There was no sign that she had ever been there except the tingling sensation in her cheeks.

"What's wrong Kyla?"

"Nothing. I'm just... Happy. It's nice."

"Well that's nice. Come on, your father's waiting for us. You Uncle Aang is arriving soon." Katara said walking arm in arm with Kyla.

"What? Why?" Kyla asked confused

"You really are being odd today. For the Four Nation Festival next week remember?"

"Ah yes... I forgot."

As Katara continued to talk Kyla snuggled in closer to her mother. It had worked. She had helped bring her parents together and she was home now. She couldn't wait to see her father and brother. See her uncle and her cousins. Her family.

"Tenzin will be coming too. " Katara added mischievously "Aang thought it would be nice to bring him along. Tenzin's rather fond of you you know..."

"Mom..." Kyla groaned blushing.

"Hey... A mother is entitled to have girl talk with her only daughter." Katara replied winking smugly.

'Girl Talk.' Kyla thought to herself. 'I wonder where she got that idea from?' she grinned knowingly.

The End.

shelzykid: Thanks for the nice review. Yeah it's hard to write Zuko in character when it comes to him feeling things for Katara. The only lovely side of him we saw in the show was when he was with Mai, and with Katara he would be different so I'm playing it by ear a bit. I'm glad you like it. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

FallenFireDemons: Awww thank you so much! No they won't. Time travel paradox and stff. But they do remember little things as you can see here. Thanks for the review and hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Cherishredemption: Thank you so much! I love your review!

ALIASTESIN: Thank you! The story is now complete! Hope you enjoy it!

Sweetpotatopumpkin: Awwww. Thank you so much for your cute review! It made my day! Here is the next chapter. Sorry for the wait but I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much again!

Well that's it guys! It's taken just over 4 years but it's finished! Hope you enjoyed it and thank you for coming on this journey with me!

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