Extinguished

A/N: Hey everyone! I decided to update on this story because I was going through some old material and I realized how much I love this concept lol. Um…bare with me with this story because I have so many ideas that I'm trying to use. Enough of my talking, here's chapter 6!

Chapter 6: Awakening journey

At dawn Zuko leaned on his bedroom balcony watching the sunrise over the land. He was deep in his thoughts because he was going to finally start the search for his mother. Something he should have done 5 years ago. He started to remember her smiling face from when he was a boy, it made him smile. Feeling like she was the only one who cared for him in the kingdom.

Zuko sighed closing his eyes, "I miss you so much mother."

"Boo!"

"Wha…!" Zuko yelled as he turned and fell upon the floor.

Katara laughed, "You are so jumpy."

He held his chest trying to catch his breath, "Don't…do that…"

"Are you all set to go?"

"Not yet. Some things have to be taken care of first."

She cocked her head to the left side of her, "Hm? Like what?"

"Meet me in the conference room in 30 minutes." he stood up.

"Ok." she turned to walk away.

"Oh, and Katara."

"Yes?" she turned her head.

"I'm going to get you back." he smirked.

Katara smiled, "Good luck with that fire-breather."

---

Toph laid in her bed tired because she couldn't sleep last night. Better yet, she was scared to fall asleep. Every time she would close her eyes, Haru's face would come to her mind.

"So…tired…" she moaned.

She couldn't figure out what was going on with herself, everything was so strange. But she sat up and shook it out of her head.

"This can't beat me! I'm going too sleep right now!"

As soon as she said that she passed out snoring. In the living room, Haru sat with The Duke having a cup of coffee.

"Did you hear that?" The Duke asked.

"What?"

"I don't know. Sounded like it came from Toph's room."

Haru smirked, "I doubt it, it's only been 3 hours since the sun came up. She doesn't get up until noon remember."

"Yeah, I guess you're right. So, what happened with the Fire Lord?"

"Huh? Oh Zuko."

The Duke rolled his eyes, "No, I was talking about Ozai, of course Zuko."

"It was fun, a little reunion between good friends."

"How did Toph act."

Haru narrowed his eyes, "Like Toph."

The Duke laughed, "Come on, give her a break."

"I know, I know…we talked last night."

"About?"

"About the way she carries herself."

"Really now."

"Funny thing is…she came up to me to discuss it."

"No way."

"Yeah, it threw me off guard. She's a really sweet girl, whether she knows it or not."

"Uh huh, I bet."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"How's Aang and Katara?"

"They're doing good as a matter of fact. Katara is beautiful as ever."

The Duke smirked, "I bet you wish you didn't let that go."

"Hey, nothing went on between Katara and I!"

"Sure, whatever you say."

"Sokka and Suki are engaged."

"No news there."

"Why is that?"

"I'm sure everyone seen that one coming. I mean, look at how they be all over each other."

"I guess you're right."

"What about Zuko and Mai?"

"They're good. Oh! Speaking of Zuko, guess what went down."

"Is it juicy news?"

Haru looked at him stupid, "Why does it have to be juicy news?"

"I don't know, it just sounds like it."

"Uh huh…well it's something like that."

"See, I told you."

Haru rolled his eyes, "He went to go look for his missing mother."

The Duke looked at him dumb-founded, "Ok…that's good news and all, but that's no where near juicy."

Haru smirked, "Of course it isn't, but I didn't say he went alone."

"So what, him and Mai."

Haru shook his head, "Not Mai…Katara."

"Wow, Aang and Katara, big deal."

"No, not Aang and Katara…just Katara."

The Duke narrowed his eyes at him, "Seriously? Just Zuko and Katara?"

"Would I lie to you?"

"Yeah you would actually."

"Whatever, but I'm telling the truth."

The Duke burst out laughing, "Oh my god! That's too funny!"

"Quiet Duke, Toph's still sleeping remember."

"Oh yeah, sorry."

"Uh huh."

"How did you figure that out? I mean, how did that happen?"

"First of all, he told us. Second of all, I don't know. I'm figuring since they're such good friends."

"Well if he told you guys then it mustn't be that bad. Yeah, good friends."

"You should've seen Aang's face." Haru laughed.

"Man, I wish I was there."

"Tisk tisk tisk. All this gossiping being done by guys. How unexpected."

Haru and The Duke looked to the right of them and seen Toph in the living room entrance. She was standing in some long green pajama pants and a black t-strap shirt. Her arms were folded over her chest.

"Toph? When did you get up?" asked The Duke.

"See! That's what you're supposed to wear to bed! Good job, I'm proud of you!" smiled Haru.

Toph rolled her eyes, "Don't try to change the subject now."

"Oh we were just funning." smiled The Duke.

She narrowed her eyes at Haru, "And you of all people should know that Katara wouldn't do anything to hurt Aang."

Sweat dropped down the back of Haru's neck, "Yeah I know, calm down Toph. How 'bout I take you out for some ice-cream for lunch?"

Toph blinked a couple of times as she dropped her arms, "Ice…ice-cream?"

Haru smiled, "Why not, I think you deserve a treat for you good behavior."

"You speak like she's a dog." The Duke narrowed his eyes.

---

Katara met Zuko in the conference room at the exact time he gave her. They stood as Zuko placed some maps and documents on the table.

"So what's going on?" she asked.

Zuko pointed to the biggest map of them all, "That's a map of the complete connected nations. Water, Fire, and Air."

"Ok." she looked over it.

"Now here…", he grabbed 3 maps a little smaller than the first, "…we have a map of each individual nation."

"There's points marked."

"Exactly, see the water nation has about 5 owned lands."

"Wow, I didn't know that." she looked in amazement.

Zuko shook his head, "Uh huh. Fire nation has about 7 and Air has about 4."

"So what we have to do is…?"

He pulled out a stack of 16 miniature maps, "These are all the individual lands. We just have to figure out what nation to start with."

"Well we're already in the Fire nation, yet, the Air has fewer lands and we could get through that one a whole lot faster with ease."

"You're right about that." Zuko rubbed his chin as he took a seat in one to the room's chairs.

"Though…if we start here in the Fire nation, we won't need the air balloon. We can travel on ground. Also the familiarity would be easier for you since you live here and this is where your mother was last before she went missing."

Zuko looked at her with his right eyebrow raised, "You know what?"

"What?! You think it's a bad idea?!" she panicked.

He passed a grin on his face, "That sounds like a plan."

"Great! So…I'm packed and ready. Are you?"

"Yes ma'am I am."

"Are we going to take a carriage?" she asked while gathering up the maps.

"Don't forget the documents on each region." he said pointing to them.

"Oh ok, got them."

"Why take a carriage when we can travel on foot."

Katara stopped what she was doing, "Are you serious?"

"We're only going to be in the land of the Fire nation right?"

"Won't we get tired?!"

Zuko laughed, "Calm down Katara."

"But…but…"

"Hey, it's ok. If you want to ride like a princess then, you can ride like a princess."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "Princess? Are you making fun of me?"

He hunched his shoulders, "I'm just saying. I thought little princess Katara had grown into grown woman badass a long time ago. But if you want to still play princess it's ok with me."

All of a sudden a whip of water went across his face causing him to fly back a few feet. His face was soaking wet and red.

Katara folded her arms, "I don't care, we can walk 'Fire Lord'."

Zuko shook his head and smirked, "Heh, that's the Katara I know."

Katara grinned as she exited the room with the maps and documents. Zuko looked out the window at the clear blue sky.

"I've been waiting for this…so so long."

---

Aang was looking up at the blue sky as the breeze went over him. He closed his eye because it felt so good to be home, even though he wasn't gone for long.

"Master Aang!" someone yelled.

He turned around to see Tocy jumping up and down in the field waving with her right hand.

He smiled, "Yeah Tocy!"

"There's a letter! From Ms. Katara!" she waved the envelope in the air.

"I'll be there in a few!" he replied back.

Aang jumped down from the roof and started to run towards a smiling Tocy. When he made it to her he held out his hand.

"What do you say?" she said folding her arms and turning her head in the opposite direction.

"Pretty please Tot, with apple-berries on top." Aang pretended to pout.

"Ok, since you're begging and all." she turned around laughing as she handed the letter over.

He opened it and started to read aloud,

"Dear Aang,

I was writing to let you know that I'm doing well. We didn't get to start the search today, which probably was yesterday depending on the time in which you receive this letter. We will be starting tomorrow, or today, for sure. I'm really excited in a scary kind of way, but I'm already missing you. Zuko's still Zuko, but he's matured throughout the years. Feels like old times. I'll be sure to keep you updated on what's going on and tell Tocy to take real good care of you. I'm scared to leave you alone, who knows what kind of mischief you might cause : ). Well until my next letter, I love you and don't you forget that okay.

Sincerely,

Katara."

"Aw how sweet of her!" Tocy's eyes were watery.

Aang smiled softly, "I'm glad to know that she's thinking about me."

"Why wouldn't she?!"

"I don't know heh."

"What were you doing up on the roof?"

"Just thinking…" he replied as he put the letter back in the envelope.

"About what?"

Aang started walking back to the house, "About how happy I am to be home."

Tocy followed suit behind him, "That's it?"

"What else you want me to think about." he grinned.

"I don't know…maybe, wedding preparations…"

He stopped in his tracks, "Oh no! That would be too soon don't you think?!"

Tocy laughed, "I'm just kidding. But you can give it some thought you know."

"Heh, yeah I can."

"So…"

Aang rubbed the back of his head, "I just don't want to make a move until I'm 'completely' sure you know."

Tocy nodded her head, "I guess I can understand where you're coming from."

"Plus…you girls are the ones that do all that hard work." he grinned.

"Why you little sneak." she threw a pebble at him.

"What?" he laughed as he started to run away from her.

---

"Oh Sokka what about this color?" Suki smiled holding up a piece of goldish fabric.

Sokka cocked his head to the left, "Uh…what exactly are we shooting for?"

Suki rolled her eyes, "I thought we agreed to do simple colors."

"I highly doubt gold is a simple color."

"Fine, what do you suggest." she put the fabric down and crossed her arms.

Sokka's eyes widen, "Why me?!"

"Because everything I pick up you have something smart to say about it."

"But I uh…"

Suki looked at him, "Look around the store Sokka. Come up with something."

Sokka turned away from her and walked throughout the store. There was quite a variety to choose from as a matter of fact.

"Ew not that one." he thought to himself.

"I'm waiting 'dear'." he could hear Suki taunting him.

15 minutes later

"Ok I got it!" he yelled from across the store.

The rest of the customers looked at him like he was crazy and Suki started to blush as she walked over to where he stood.

"What? What is it?" she said.

Sokka turned to her smiling, "How about we do two different shades of blue, royal blue for me cause I'm the man and a nice powder blue for you because you hold all the feminine cards. Also throw the color white in there…"

"Wait…why white?"

"Well because…if you take some of that white and mix it with my royal blue then…it makes you. It would symbolize my love and how we're drawn to one another." he blushed.

Suki looked at him dumb-founded, "Sokka…that has to be the most ridiculous…"

His face hung, "Aw…"

"…sweet and greatest idea I could have ever come up with."

Sokka looked up at her smiling face, "Seriously?"

"Baby I should've asked your opinion a long time ago!" she yelled as she jumped on him causing them to fall to the floor.

The customers in the store just moved away slowly.

---

Mai was writing at her desk as she thought about what might be going on during Zuko and Katara's trip.

"Why didn't he tell me?" she thought to herself.

Her grip on the pen she was holding became tighter and tighter.

"Mistress Mai!" her servant ran into the room.

The sudden outburst caused her to break her pen, "Great."

"Was this a bad time?"

Mai threw the pen away and rubbed her temples, "What is it Staci?"

"I just found out that the Fire Lord didn't leave for his trip yet." her servant Staci said out of breath.

Mai pushed back her hair, "Is that right. Well did you find out 'when' they are leaving?"

"Uh…no ma'am."

"Now that doesn't help me now does it." Mai's left eyebrow started to twitch.

Staci lowered her head, "Forgive me Mistress."

"It's fine, you are dismissed."

Staci walked out the room and closed the door behind her. Mai walked to the window of her study room and looked out of it.

"I hope that little girl doesn't cause me any problems." she gritted her teeth.

---

Sstram and Ty Lee was cuddled up on a picnic blanket in the town's park. Sstram played with her hair as she looked up at the cloudless sky.

"Something on your mind babe?" he asked her.

"I'm worried about Mai." she pouted.

"Why?"

"Because Katara's going to try to steal Zuzu from her."

Sstram burst out laughing, "Don't be so naïve Lee!"

Ty Lee sat herself up, "Naïve?!"

"Do you really think those two would hook up? In all seriousness."

"I don't know…I just don't want Mai to get hurt." she pouted some more.

"Why are you even thinking about that when 'we're' supposed to be spending some time together." he grabbed her around the waist.

A slight smiled passed across her face, "Well…I did want to talk about us."

"What is it?" he said as he kissed the right side of her neck.

"Do you love me?" she giggled.

"What? That's a stupid question. Of course I love you." he replied.

"How much?"

"Very much."

"Enough for you to…I don't know…marry me?"

Sstram stopped what he was doing, "Uh…what?"

Ty Lee became serious as she looked at him, "We've been dating for a year and a half now."

"Yeah." he said nervously.

"Did it ever cross your mind?"

He rubbed the back of his head, "Um…honestly?"

"Yes honestly." she said as she crossed her arms.

"Uh…no."

"You jerk!" she stood up and started to storm away.

"Lee wait!" he yelled as he tried to pick up their belongings.

"Don't talk to me!"

"I didn't mean I wasn't thinking about it, it's just…"

"You just like what you can get out of me huh!" she continued on.

"No its not that!" he then tripped over himself and fell dropping everything he held.

Sstram shook his head and looked up to only see a slight figure of Ty Lee walking down the road.

---

Toph and Haru sat in the ice-cream parlor. She had ordered a double dutch chocolate chip ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles and chocolate syrup on top. On a chocolate cone of course. Haru just ordered a regular vanilla with a original sugar cone.

"How is it Toph?" Haru watched her munching it down.

"It's awesome!" she said mouth full.

Haru's face dropped a little, "So much for being a lady."

Toph didn't hear what he said. She looked up to smile at him and noticed that he was looking out the window with a bit of a disappointed look.

"Am I doing it again?" she thought to herself.

Toph looked at herself and noticed that her face and hands were full of chocolate ice-cream.

"Um…can I be excused?" she got up.

Haru didn't turn to look at her, "You're excused."

Toph ran to the bath room and started to wash all the chocolate off her. As she was doing so a few young ladies walked in laughing.

"Did you see that hot guy out there?" one girl said.

"Did I see him? Girl I was about to go sit with him." another laughed.

"I'm so stupid." Toph said trying to get the rest of the chocolate off her.

"Oh come now sweetie, you're not stupid." the last girl told her.

Toph turned to look at them, "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud."

"What's bothering you dear?" the first asked as she looked into the mirror to put her lipstick on.

"My business." Toph folded her arms.

"Well I'll be, you don't have to be rash about it." the second said.

"No, I'm sorry. I'm aggravated." Toph took some paper towels to dry herself off.

The last came up to her, "About?"

"Well, a friend of mine treated me to some ice-cream and all I've been doing is acting like an animal in front of him. I mean I'm trying not…"

"Wait, him? Which one?" the first ran up to her.

"Uh…Haru. He's the one sitting looking out the window." Toph said looking at them suspiciously.

"The hot guy?!" they all laughed in excitement.

"Hot guy?"

"Ok look we can help you right quick." the second said.

"Wait, what?" Toph said backing up.

"It's not like we're going to hurt you or anything." the first said digging in her purse.

"Uh…"

15 minutes later

Haru tapped his foot under the table, "Where is she?"

"Sir, did you want another scoop?" the waitress came by and asked.

"Oh no ma'am, I'm just waiting for someone." he smiled at her.

"Haru!" he heard Toph's voice coming from the direction of the bathroom.

He didn't want to turn her way, "And there she is, but thank you ma'am."

"No problem." the waitress replied before she walked off.

Toph made her way back to the table, "I'm so sorry for taking so long Haru."

"What the hell were you…" he started to say until he caught site of her.

Her hair was pinned up as she had bangs on both sides of her face. She had a little powder green eye shadow on and a light pinkish clear gloss upon her lips. Even a tad bit of mascara was upon her eyelashes.

"I know I know, I met a few girls in the bathroom and we just got to talking and…why are u quiet?"

"You…you have make-up on." he was stunned.

"Huh? Oh, the girl's thought it would be fun to play around with it. I probably look like a clown." she laughed nervously.

"Uh…"

Her face dropped, "I knew it. I did it to apologize to you for acting like such a cave woman and…"

Haru shook his head and started chuckling, "No…you don't look like a clown."

"But you're laughing." she narrowed her eyes at him as she crossed her arms.

"I'm not laughing."

"Sure you're not." she turned her head and looked out the window.

"Actually, you look quite beautiful."

Toph's eyes widen, "What did you say?"

She slowly turned and noticed that he had stood up and held his hand out to her smiling, "The night's still young, how about we go catch the carnival across town for a few hours."

"Really? But I thought you didn't like carnivals?"

"Well, I guess something changed my mind."

Toph stretched her hand out a little as she thought, "Something's not right."

All of a sudden Haru grabbed her hand and led her out the parlor, "Come on or we're going to be late."

---

Katara and Zuko walked along the trail and was head to their first destination. They were on foot of course, as long as they kept in range of the fire nation.

"I can't believe you're making me walk." Katara looked at him annoyed.

Zuko laughed, "Well maybe it was time for you to be whined off the bison."

"You're an idiot you know that."

"So I've been told."

"So we're are we headed to again?" she handed him a map.

"I think the town is called Brimstown."

"Brimstown huh. I hope the villagers are friendly." she smirked.

"Aren't all us fire people friendly?"

Katara looked at him stupid, "Yeah ok."

Zuko laughed, "It was a joke."

"Oh I forgot to tell you something before we left."

"And what is that?"

"Your servant had gotten a letter for you. He told me to let you know but it slipped my mind, I'm sorry." she smiled nervously.

"It's ok, I'm sure it wasn't anything too important. Probably just Fire Lord stuff."

"No one's dying huh."

"I doubt it!" he laughed.

"I can see the gates!" she jumped up and down.

Zuko narrowed his eyes at her, "You got happy really quick."

"Come on!" she said as she grabbed his hand and ran for the gates.

"Whoa, slow down Katara!"

"The faster the better right!" she looked back at him and smiled.

Zuko smiled back at her and watched her turn back around. He looked at the back of her head as the gates seemed closer and closer.

"She seems more anxious than I am. Heh, so my journey finally starts."

A/N: Hey guys! So how did you enjoy it? Plz review because I love getting them. Hopefully the next chapter doesn't take as long. Like I said before, the chapters are going to get a lot longer especially since we're going into these different towns/villages. I'll see you in chapter 7! : D