Zuko shot into the air, then dropped quickly. He didn't know where to go, how to get out-

A groaning roar shook him, and he looked up to see Appa flying towards him. The huge air bison landed beside Zuko and nuzzled Aang.

"I know. He'll be okay."

Zuko leapt up onto the beast's head and groaned. "What does he always say? Hip hip? Hoo hah? Yee haw? Come on, Zuko! Think!"

"Yip Yip." Zuko turned to see Kara- Katara's brother climb up beside him. The earthbender girl he'd seen with them before jumped up next, followed by a young man and a... bear... thing.... bear?

Weird.

Sokka said it again, and Appa took off.

"What did you do?!" Sokka's boomerang was inches from Zuko's nose. He slowly handed Aang to the earthbender, noticing with slight interest that she was blind.

"I didn't do anything. Azula shot him with lightning. My uncle- Uncle stayed behind to hold them off while I got out."

"Why should I believe you?"

"I don't have a reason to lie! If I'd wanted to capture the Avatar I could have stayed there with my sister! Look, I'm not asking you to trust me. Just hear me out."

Sokka glared. "You killed my sister! Why should I listen to anything you say?"

"Because I didn't kill her!"

"I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!"

"Sokka!" The blind earthbender grabbed Sokka's arm. "Aang is hurt, and Zuko is the only reason he's not in Azula's hands right now. I think we should listen."

"He. Killed. My. Sister!"

"I will push you off this bison!"

"I agree with Toph." The young man spoke for the first time, and the bear growled in agreement.

Sokka glared and crossed his arms. And he didn't put away his boomerang. But he stopped yelling. That was a start.

"Katara saved my life. Two firebenders attacked us on the cliff and she went over. I tried to help her but she let go. If she hadn't the firebenders would've killed me."

"Why would they kill you? Aren't you their prince or something?"

"I was banished. And they didn't know it was me. She saved my life- and I blame myself every day. But I didn't kill her. I'm not even sure that she's dead."

"Of course she's dead! She'd have come back if she wasn't dead!"

"That's not the point here. Aang is dying and needs a healer. I know where we can find one that will help us, so unless you have a better idea..."

It was silent for several minutes. Then the earthbender spoke up.

"All right, Sparky. You've got one chance. One. You mess this up, and you're toast. You got it?"

"Yeah."

"Toph! You can't be serious, he's obviously lying!"

"I'm not lying!"

"You are too, you-"

"HEY! Shut up, both of you! Thank you. Now, Sparky, where are we going to find this healer of yours?"

Zuko consulted the map in his head. "It's near the Ruins of Taku. That's where we have to go."

**__**

Niles walked along the street, stretching his muscles. And there were a lot of them. He smiled to himself. He was finally getting out of Ba Sing Se. He had a solid job with a group of pirates down in Senlin Harbor.

He figured he'd like the life of a pirate. No one telling him what to do all the time, no rules to follow. Just steal and take and eat and drink.

That was Niles' kind of life.

He stepped around a corner and his foot came down on something soft. He blinked, because at his feet was a girl.

She was pretty, and obviously there was no one else to care for her. Niles grinned. Not only did he have a solid job, he now had a girlfriend to share it with him!

Chuckling to himself, he swung the girl over his shoulder and continued to the train that would take him out of the city. And once he was out of the city he'd make for the ferry port. It would only take a couple of days and he'd be meeting up with the pirates in Chameleon Bay, and they'd be off to Senlin Harbor and adventure.

Niles whistled as he walked.

___________

AHEM. AHEM. Heehee... :)

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-Eon

Also, the AWESOME cover on the side goes to @TeaganMalis and beanaroony! ^-^