Chapter 37

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Word count 7198 words

(Y/n) POV

Zuko and I scaled up a section of the temple. After following Team Avatar for a while we were able to pin point where they were going to take refuge.

"What is this place?" I asked him as we stood on the opposite end of the temple.

"The Western Air Temple... I've been here a couple of times before" Zuko sighed.

I looked up at him, "When you were...?" I trailed off knowing the answer.

"Yeah... I came here about three times while looking for the Avatar" he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Hey," I grabbed his hand. "We can do this, alright? Together?" I smiled.

He smiled looking at me, "Together"

"We need to decide what we're gonna do now, and since you're the Avatar, maybe you should be a part of this" I gasped hearing a faint voice below seeing small figures talking to each other.

I couldn't get a good view of them, but I could immediately tell it was my old family.

"Fair enough. So, what's the new plan?" I put my hand over my mouth hearing Aang's voice for the first time in months, I thought his voice was gone forever.

"Well, if you ask me, the new plan is the old plan! You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes" Sokka spoke next almost making me burst into tears. They were all alive.

Zuko put his hand on my shoulder, "We should go"

I put my hand on his, "Yeah... you're right"

—————

I walked back over to our small campsite the two of us made holding some small game I just caught, "I know it's not much, but it's been awhile since I've caught any-what are you doing?" I raised a brow as Zuko was pacing back and forth.

"I'm trying to figure out how I'll re-introduce myself to the group" he told me as he continued to walk back and forth.

"And you think walking like that will let us join?" I chuckled as I began to gut our meal.

"I still am confused about why I have to do the talking when we go there" he grumbled crossing his arms.

"Because Zuko," I flicked my wrist starting a fire before being to cook our meal. "They probably still hate me for almost killing the Avatar and it's easier if you do it"

"Easier?! I've tried to capture him multiple times, I've stolen from your group, terrorized your group and above all captured you all at least once!" He flailed his arms.

I let out a sigh before looking up at him as I continued to cook, "Do you remember what you told me in Ba Sing Se?"

"What time? I told you a lot in that stupid city" he shrugged.

I increased the heat on our meal to cook it faster, "When I was more naïve, do you remember when I asked you to meet my group?"

He bit his lip trying to remember what he once told me, before his eyes lit up, "Oh... yeah"

"You told me you wanted to apologize to them for all of your past deeds. You wanted to beg for their forgiveness and start over. If I know... well knew the Avatar, he'd forgive you..."

He sat next to me and put his hand on my cheek, "Hey... you know he'll forgive you too, right?"

I clenched my eyes shut as another headache came on. As it went away I shrugged taking the food off of the stick I've been cooking it on and handed Zuko his portion, "I don't know if he will"

Zuko smiled taking ga bite of his meal, "(Y/n)... can I tell you one of the reasons I fell for you?"

I raised a brow, "Sure?"

"The way you protected people"

"What do you mean?"

"Even when I first met you, you always were looking out for someone. First you revealed your bending to save your Gran-gran, then used it non stop to save your siblings, then saved the entire Northern Water Tribe from a fleet of war ships and then... dumped me just to keep your family safe. You always were there for them" he told me.

"Yeah, and then they betrayed me and left me to die" I scoffed.

He frowned finishing his meal, "What did you first think of me?"

"What?" I chuckled with his strange question.

"What was your first impression of me? What did you think when you met me?" He asked again.

I shrugged, "I don't know, I just saw a guy with a cute face threatening my family"

"Did you hate me?"

"I don't know? Kinda? My immediate reaction was oh no he's hot" I was extremely confused with this question he was asking me.

"And what do you think of me now?"

"Excuse me?" I tilted my head.

"Just answer the question"

"Okay! Geez... I think you're amazing. You're a great fighter, kind, gentle, you treat me like a person and your always there for me when I need you" I blushed.

"Exactly... opinions change" he smiled.

"What?"

"When I first met you, I saw you as something to win my honour back. I didn't really see much of you other than a prize-"

"Wow thanks"

"Let me finish. Back then I saw you as nothing, but as time grew angry so much about you. You are so smart, you're hilarious to be around, an incredible dancer, an amazing fighter and hunter... and above all I think you're an amazing person," he said making me turn red. "If you were to tell me back then that I would be engaged to this amazing person, I probably would've gotten into an Agni Kai with them for lying.... so you see, peoples opinions change. And you and your family can reconnect"

I sighed, "You kiss ass"

"Your kiss ass" he chuckled.

I smiled putting my food to aside, "I'm doing this for you, alright? For you"

He intertwined our hands, "And that's why I love you"

I chuckled pushing him away, "So do you have a speech prepared to say?"

"Uhhh.. I do actually" he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Really?"

"Yeah.. uhh, I made it in Ba Sing Se... do you wanna gear it?"

I gasped jumping up and sat on the log, "Do it"

"Are you sure? It's kinda bad..."

"Not as bad as our childhood, come on I won't judge you"

"Okay..." Zuko sighed standing up, "Hello..." he raised his hand up, "Zuko here, but I guess," he rubbed his hand against the back of his head nervously. "You probably already know me, sort of. Uhhh... so, the thing is I have a lot of firebending experience, and I'm," he placed an arm on his chest with pride and smiled. "Considered to be pretty good at it. Well, you've seen me, you know, when I was attacking you. Uhhh... yeah, I guess," I cringed as he started to get embarrassed. "I should apologize for that. But anyway, I'm good now. I mean, I thought I was good before, but I realize I was bad, but anyway, I think it's time I joined your group and taught the Avatar firebending"

I became unsure what to say as he ran over his speech for me. So I bit my lip not saying anything.

"Well, what's your answer?" He yelled at me.

I cringed shrugging, "Maybe call him by his name?"

He blushed in embarrassment, "That bad, huh?"

"It wasn't the worst..." I trailed off.

He sighed, "How am I supposed to convince these people that I'm on their side?"

I shook my head, "Zuko I have no idea"

He nodded as I put my hand on my chin to think before snapping my fingers, "What would your Uncle do?"

He took a moment before starting to pace around me on the log, "Hum... Zuko, you have to look within yourself to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self, reveal itself," he imitated his uncle before grunting. "Even when I'm talking for him I can't figure out what he means" he grumbled.

"What would Azula do?" I tilted my head.

He thought for a moment before mimicking her, "Listen, Avatar, I can join your group, or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice," he imitated his sister making me snicker. He groaned sitting on the dirt floor. "I guess I'm just not that good at impersonations"

"Oh!" I jumped off of the log, "You could do what Katara would!" I put my hand on my betrothal necklace, "Guys... I know i've done some bad things but.... my mother is gone and I... yeah no I can't do this" I put my hands up stopping myself.

He sighed getting up, "Do you wanna just wing this?"

I nodded, "I learned the best way to do things in life is to follow your gut," I intertwined our fingers. ".....So let's do this"

He sighed before kissing my temple, "I guess it's our only option"

I sighed putting my hood up as we began to walk away from our camp and to the temple.

It's best to melt the ice when it's hot out. I can do this. I can do this.

————

We walked forward and my breathing hitched as we were only steps away from them.

Appa's fluffy back covered us and I began to back up thinking this was a mistake. I can't do this. I can't see them!

Before I could run away Zuko grabbed my hand calming me down, 'You can do this' he mouthed to me, and I nodded. I can do this.

"Aang, I think we should be making some plans about our future!" Sokka yelled.

Aang chuckled, "Okay, we can do that while I show you the giant Pai Sho table! Oh, you're gonna love the all-day echo chamber!"

"I think that'll have to wait" I heard Toph's voice for the first time in months and I bit my lip as Appa moved revealing the two of us.

The four looked at us with all different expressions. Toph was confused. Aang looked happy? Katara looked scared, and Sokka looked pissed.

I got a glimpse of all of them and could see that the last two months changed them drastically. Aang grew a couple inches and was probably closer to my height now. Katara let her hair down more and her face looked more mature. Toph had more muscle added to her making her a little more built then the others.

The only one who was drastically different was Sokka. He grew his hair out no longer with shaved edges, but still had his ponytail in the back. He now had a large sword by his side which he clenched onto for dear life. But the biggest change was his face. It was extremely darkened and nothing like I remembered.

I bit my lip trying to hide. It was really hard seeing them.

I stayed silent as Zuko smiled and waved with his free hand, "Hello... Zuko here"

I knew I had to also say something and sighed taking off my hood revealing my scarred face, "...Hi" I squealed not making eye contact with them. I didn't feel like I could at this point.

I then watched as Sokka began to analyze the situation. His eyes trailed to me, then Zuko, then to our intertwined hands, then to my necklace and then back to Zuko.

After a moment of silence Zuko began to ramble, "Hey, we heard you guys flying around down there, so, we just thought-" before he could finish Sokka screamed and jumped onto Zuko.

I gasped as Zuko let go and the two began to fight.

"YOU MOTHER FUCKER!" Sokka screamed smashing Zuko in the face.

"Sokka!" Katara yelled.

"I have.." Zuko dodged a punch, "Fucked..." he dodged another, "No MOTHERS!"

"Sokka get off of him!" I yelled trying to pry them off of each other but got flung back.

"You think you can show your face here?! After all you did to my sister?!" He screamed.

"All I've done? All I've done?!" Zuko began to yelled fighting back as the two fought on the ground, "I didn't see any of you helping her out these last two months! If I remember correctly I was the only one there who didn't leave her in the catacombs!"

"Guys! Violences isn't the answer!" Aang tried to get them to stop.

"Zuko! Sokka! Get off of each other now!" I yelled.

"I left her?! I had no idea what was going on until we left Ba Sing Se! I am not going to be blamed for something Katara did!" Sokka screamed pulling my fiancé's hair, "And what's with that betrothal necklace, huh? Did you force it on her? Did you do anything to her? Is she being threatened?!"

"She is standing right here and WANTS YOU TO BOTH STOP FIGHTING!" I screamed but they ignored me.

"Forced her? Are you serious right now? I remember our engagement very vividly and it was fucking beautiful! There was lanterns, and dancing and consent!" He yelled trying to push my twin brother off of him.

"Consent?! Do you really think my sister, would actually agree to marry you? That's a good one, you should be a comedian!"

"Oh well. Ha, ha, guess what? I'm happily engaged to your sister! And unlike all of you I didn't leave her when she needed me!" Zuko yelled before the boys began to roll even farther around the area.

"I. Didn't. Leave. HER!" Sokka spat tugging more of Zuko's hair.

Zuko began to pull at Sokka's ponytail as they continued to fight even with all of our dismay, "Really?! Because if I remember correctly, I didn't hear about any water tribe peasants coming to see my Orchid!"

"ORCHID?! You have a pet name for my sister?!"

"That's actually really cute" Katara mumbled.

Both boys stopped fighting for a moment to look at the Waterbender, "STAY OUT OF THIS KATARA!"

"...ok. I am" she put her hands up.

"Do you have a nickname? Did you assign one for her to call you? Let me guess Zuzu?" He taunted him.

"Um no! It's Zuku if you're curious!"

The two began to scream at each other even more and we all couldn't do anything but watch.

"So why did you propose? To get back at us? Because how powerful she is? Did you maniple her?!"

"No! I didn't do any of that!"

"THEN WHY DID YOU?!" He screamed at my fiancé.

"BECAUSE I LOVE HER!" Zuko screamed making everyone go silent.

"Okay that's enough" Toph growled before stomping on the ground making two large stones appear dragging them to opposite ends.

I waisted no time running to Zuko and looking at his face, "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?!"

"I-I'm fine (Y/n). I'm okay" he tried to lie to me.

I shook my head inspecting his face, "You're covered in cuts and bruises"

"(Y/n)! Get away from him!" Sokka demanded me.

I snapped my head around to see the gaang glaring at Zuko, "Excuse me?!"

"Get over here now. Who knows what he could do to you!"

"Do to me? He's protected me! Unlike any of you he's the only one who's been there for me!"

"(Y/n)-"

"No! It's my turn to speak for once!" I cut them off, "All my life I've been nothing but dirt underneath a shoe. I was segregated, disinherited, and treated like an outsider by my own family!"

"(Y/n)-"

"I said LET ME SPEAK!" I screamed, "Even after I left the Tribe I still had to face every single bit of terror and fear that everyone had for me. I was treated differently, I wasn't trusted and I was second class citizen in our own group. Someone in this group right now knows exactly what I'm talking about, because she told me everything before she destroyed my face. I'm not gonna unpack all of it because it's too much for me to handle right now. But just know that someone I loved, didn't trust me because of something I was born with. I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask to be born with this power! I didn't even ask to be born! But here I am! Here I am standing in front of a group of people that I can't even look in the eye right now. The funny thing is one of you is innocent, one of you stole my birth right, one you I almost killed... and while you were alive and doing Spirit's knows what, I was living with intense guilt and pain, and the last one.... you know what you did to me," I snarled at them as they all looked down. "You know I should probably thank you though. Thanks to your blatant racism, I got to go somewhere where people weren't scared of me, people respected me, people liked me for me. But then I realize something. I was still someone people were scared of, the only difference was they didn't announce it. I always knew they were bad people, but I just acted like they were because it felt good to be loved. Unlike all of you I've never experienced that before. Well you all got to be with people I was segregated and sent to fish my entire life. There, I got to dance! I got to do the one thing I loved, and I got to do with the one who loved me. I had everything I ever wanted at my fingertips, but I gave it up. I gave it all up so we could be here today. I gave up everything, for you people. And you're going to just sit here and let my fiancé get beat to shit? I love Zuko! I loved him before I got scarred! I knew I loved him, on the day he remembered my birthday"

"What do you mean? You fell you love with him, at the Northern Water Tribe?! After he kidnapped you?!"

"Sokka. Our birthday was in Ba Sing Se. Neither of us knew because were so busy on finding Appa... but Zuko knew," I snapped. "He was The only one to know..." I sighed, "You know what I'm done here. This was a mistake" I put my hands up in defeat before lifting Zuko off of the ground.

"(Y/n) you can't leav-" Sokka got cut off as I began to scream in pain before collapsing to my knees.

"Orchid!" Zuko jumped down to join me as I clenched my head tightly.

"It's getting stronger, isn't it?" He asked as the pain subsided.

I shook my head before getting to my feet, "I'm fine. Let's just... let's get out of here"

"(Y/n) I thought you wanted to do this with me" Zuko tried to make us stay.

I shook my head, "I can't be here right now"

——————

We made our way back to our camp and I started screaming, "Why did I do that?!"

"What do you mean?" Zuko asked me as we both sat on our cot.

"Why did I go on a rant at them?! We're trying to join them I'm trying to get you in the group... and I just screwed it up and now neither of us can join!" I groaned lying back, "I'm such an idiot!"

"...You're not"

"I'm not? Because of me you can't join the group!"

"Well... maybe things we're like that because everyone was heated... I mean to your brother's defence, I can understand why he thought I forced you in the engagement..."

"That's the thing! He didn't even ask any questions he just jumped you!"

"Yeah... I guess you're right about that..."

I sighed seeing the sun was going down, "How about this. In the morning we leave, start a journey, find a whole bunch of other people willing to help us take down your father, screw destiny and kill your father ourselves!" I suggested.

He gave me a small smile, "Sure... sounds like a plan"

We laid there for a moment, before I started to feel my eyelids getting heavier.

————
(Third Person) POV

Zuko played with (Y/n)'s hair, knowing she was getting sleepy and waited a moment before he knew she was unconscious.

He slowly got to his feet and placed the blanket of (Y/n), "I'll just be right back. I promise" he kissed her forehead before going back to the temple.

——————

"We I need to find them!" Sokka yelled at his family.

"What do you want to do? Find their camp and just kidnap (Y/n)?!" Katara yelled.

"Yes! Kidnap, a kidnapped from a kidnapper!" He exclaimed.

"Sounds confusing... I'm in" Toph chuckled.

"I really don't think this is a good idea guys, I mean... it seems she did not want to leave Zuko..." Aang rubbed the back of his neck.

"Aang, look at the facts here. (Y/n)'s been held hostage for a couple months, she believes she was never shown any love as kids. It's obvious she's in Stockholm syndrome right now. We need to save her before it's too late" Sokka told him.

"Yeah... but-"

"But I think our plans are foiled right now..." Toph said pointing forward as a bruised Zuko walked forward unaware of the conversion the group was having.

"Hello... Zuko here again..."

The gaang all got into a fighting stances as Zuko bit his lip, "Uh... I thought I'd try this again.."

"Where's (Y/n)?" Sokka spat.

"Sleeping... the headaches are getting worse" he sighed making the gaang tense up. "Look, I know you must be surprised to see me here"

"Not really, since you've followed us all over the world" Sokka snarled.

"Right. Well, uhhh... anyway... what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I, uhhh, I'm good now, and well I think I should join your group, oh, and I can teach firebending to you. See, I, uhhh..." he tried to explain.

Toph raised a brow, "You want to what now?"

"You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you? I mean, how stupid do you think we are?!" Katara spat.

"Yeah, all you've ever done is hunt us down and try to capture Aang and (Y/n)!" Sokka added.

"I've done some good things! I mean, I've been with (Y/n) multiple times in Ba Sing Se. and I could have stolen both her and your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set them free. That's something!" He yelled as Appa came over to lick him.

"Appa does seem to like him" Toph added.

Sokka rolled his eyes, "He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it"

Zuko sighed, "I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, and I know I've made some mistakes in the past"

"Like when you attacked our village?"

"Or when you stole (Y/n)'s necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?"

Zuko bit his lip, "Look, I admit I've some awful things. I was wrong to try to capture you, and I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe. And I'm sorry that I secretly dated (Y/n) in Ba Sing Se-"

"Sorry doesn't cut it! You have my sister!"

"That's enough!" Zuko became enraged, "I'm sick of me and your sister's relationship being an excuse! I love her! I didn't see any of you there when she fully needed you in the catacombs! Did any of you wrap her bandages? Did any of you get her medicine when she was in pain? Did any of you carry her scarred body out of the catacombs as she cried in your arms asking why her family abandoned her? Did any of you stay up late at night with her because she was crying her eyes out thinking she not only killed somebody, but was left behind by the people she cared about? No! I am in love with her and why can't any of you see that! We're partners, get that through your head! She's only here because I asked her to come! She said we're in this together, and so she came here to please people she can't even look in the eye because she wants to stop this war!" He then looked to the silent Avatar, "Why aren't you saying anything? You once said you thought we could be friends. You know I have good in me"

Aang looked at the group's sour expressions before to Zuko and shook his head, "There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. We'll never let you join us"

Sokka took out his sword, "You need to get out of here. Now"

The Fire Prince walked forward, "I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore! We want to help!"

Sokka pointed his sword at him, "Either you leave, or we attack"

Zuko sighed, "If you won't accept me as a friend, then maybe you'll take me as a prisoner," he put his arms out and bowed his head. "(Y/n) will stay with you if I'm here"

Katara shook her head, "No, we won't! Get out of here, and don't come back! And if we ever see you again, well, we'd better not see you again!" She yelled splashing him with water.

————

Zuko began to trail back to the campsite, "Uggh! I can't believe how stupid I am! I mean, what was I thinking? Telling them (Y/n)'s only here for me?! Ranting about how terrible they are?! Stupid!"

He grumbled more before seeing the sunset and he sighed, walking over towards his tent.

(Y/n) still laid there asleep making him smile a bit. He walked over before joining her in bed and fell asleep next to her. 

—————

The gaang all began to set up for the night debating on how they were going to get (Y/n) back.

"Why would Zuko try to fool us like that?" Katara asked.

Sokka rolled his eyes as he sharpened his sword, "Obviously he wants to lead us into some kind of trap"

"This is just like when we were in prison together at Ba Sing Se. He starts talking about his mother and making it seem like he's an actual human being with feelings"

"He wants you to trust and feel sorry for him so you let your guard down, then he strikes. And is using (Y/n) as some... tool to get us" Sokka glared forward.

Katara nodded, "The thing is, it worked. I did feel sorry for him. I felt like he was really confused and hurt, but obviously, when the time came, he made his choice, and we paid the price. We can't trust him"

Aang bit his lip, "I kind of have a confession to make... Remember when you two were sick and (Y/n) and I got captured by Zhao?"

Sokka sighed, "And you made us suck on frozen frogs? How could I forget? I had a wart on the flap that hangs down from the back of my throat for a month!"

Katara rolled her eyes, "Sokka, I looked at it, and I told you, there was nothing there!"

"I could feel it! It's my throatal flap!"

"Anyway, when Zhao had me chained up, it was Zuko who came in and got us out. He risked his life to save us" Aang explained.

"Yeah.. (Y/n) told me that when we were in Ba Sing Se, and I'm sure he only did it so he could capture you himself!" Katara told him.

Sokka nodded, "Yeah, face it Aang, you're nothing but a big prize to him"

"You're probably right" Aamg looked down.

"And what was all that crazy stuff about setting Appa free? What a liar!" Katara spat.

"Actually, he wasn't lying, he wasn't lying about helping (Y/n) either" Toph chimed in.

"Oh, hooray! In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn't add animal cruelty or domestic abuse to the list!" Sokka sarcastically exclaimed.

Toph groaned, "I'm just saying that, considering his messed-up family and how he was raised, he could have turned out a lot worse"

"You're right, Toph! Let's go find him and give him a medal. The 'not as much of a jerk as you could have been' award!" Katara rolled her eyes again.

"All I know is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Same with (Y/n)! Maybe you're all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly" she told them.

"Easy for you to say! You weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates!"

"Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island!"

"Or when he tried to capture me and (Y/n) at the Fire Temple!" The three began to list off all the times they got captured.

"Why would you even try to defend him?" Katara snarled.

Toph's eye began to twitch, "Oh I don't know... Maybe because he deserves it considering we're defending you.  Katara, you're all ignoring one crucial fact," she pointed to the Avatar. "Aang needs a firebending teacher! We had one, until you boiled her face! We can't think of a single person in the world to do the job! Now two show up on a silver platter, and you won't even think about it?" She yelled.

Aang shook his head, "I'm not having Zuko as my teacher! And I don't think (Y/n) will accept me"

"Well, I guess that settles that" Katara crossed her arms.

Toph began to scream, "Ergh! I'm beginning to wonder who's really the blind one around here!" She stormed off.

Sokka sighed, "I'll go after her"

—————

"Toph!" Sokka ran after her in the woods.

"Shhh! You're gonna startle them!" She scolded him.

"Where are you going?" He asked running next to her.

"To talk to the Lover Boy and Smarty-pants"

"That's not a good ide-"

"It's a great idea. Me and Smarty–pants have no problems, and Lover Boy and I haven't had many interactions. I have no quarrel with either the meaning of the perfect peacemaker" she told him.

Sokka sighed, "I hope I know what you're doing" 

They walked a little farther before they found the two's campsite. Sokka wanted to kill Zuko even more when he saw (Y/n) laying on him.

Toph then accidentally stepped on a stick making the two jolt up, "Who's there?" Zuko yelled.

"Stay back!" (Y/n) yelled before the two of them sent away for fire forward.

"Wait!" Sokka screamed.

"It's me!" Toph yelled but it was to late. Toph screamed in pain as the fire scorched her feet.

(Y/n)'s ears almost began to bleed hearing her cry, but it was even worse when she heard her brother screaming in agony seeing how her blue fire burned his hands.

The two jolted up and try to run to Sokka and Toph, but Sokka picked up her and ran.

"I'm sorry, it was a mistake!" Zuko yelled.

"I didn't mean to! I'm sorry!" (Y/n) cried, but it was to late. They were gone.

(Y/n) collapsed to the ground as she screamed apologies. Light shine through her eyes as another headache came on.

Zuko fell to the ground in anger, "Uggh! Why am I so bad at being good?"

—————

Katara, Aang and the other kids woke up and looked around for Toph and Sokka, "Has anyone seen them?"

Aang shook his head as the kids went to look around. Maybe a couple seconds later a giant smash went through the wall, and they saw Sokka carrying Toph.

Katara gasped running to them, "Toph! Sokka! What happened?!"

"My feet got burned!" She yelled.

"And my hands..." he sighed putting Toph down.

Katara pulled out her water and began to try and heal them both, "Oh no, what happened?"

"I just told you, my feet got burned!"

Katara sighed, "I meant, how"

Toph bit her lip as Sokka stayed silent, Well, we kind of went to see Zuko and (Y/n) last night"

Aang gasped, "You what?"

"Zuko and (Y/n)?!" She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Uhhh..." Sokka trailed off.

Toph sighed, "We thought they could be helpful to us. And if I talked to them, maybe we could work something out"

"So they attacked you?" Aang asked.

Toph shrugged, "Well, they did, and they didn't. It was sort of an accident"

"But they did firebend at you?"

Toph sighed, "Yes"

Sokka looked down, "Yeah..."

"See?" Katara pointed to them, "You trusted Zuko, and you got burned. Literally!"

"Oh no! Who knows what that's like?" Toph and Sokka said sarcastically.

Katara ignored them as she continued to heal them, "It's gonna take a while for your feet and hands to get better. I wish I could have worked on them sooner"

"Yeah, me too" Toph grumbled.

Sokka shook his head, "Zuko's clearly too dangerous to be left alone. We're gonna have to go after him"

Aang bit his lip, "I hate to go looking for a fight, but you're right. After what he did to Toph and Sokka, I don't think we have a choice"

"He's crafty, but we'll find a way to capture him"

"Maybe just invite him back here. He's already offered himself up as a prisoner once" Toph suggested as they put her feet and Sokka's hands into the fountain.

Sokka smirked, "Yeah, get him to come back and say he'll be our prisoner, then we'll jump him and really make him our prisoner. And (Y/n) will come back to us! He'll never suspect it!"

"You are a master of surprise, Sokka..."

—————
(Y/n) POV

Zuko and I began to pack up her things and walked over to the cliff. I still want to say goodbye and to apologize for accidentally burning them last night.

In my defence they came into the woods and startled us, but I still felt obligated to apologize for bringing my brother.

As we walked forward, I noticed a man standing above the temple and raised a brow, "Whose that?" I pointedly him as Zuko gasped.

"That's my families private assassin"

Our eyes both widen and we dropped all of our stuff running towards him.

We ran up to him and Zuko went in front of him, "Stop!" Little did I know Team Avatar was watching us, "I don't know who sent you but I order you not to harm the Avatar! The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop! In the name of Fire Prince Zuko!"

The assassin simply push them out-of-the-way before I watched as the man blasted a laser of fire at my family.

My eye began to twitch as he started to attack Zuko. Zuko tried everything in his power to stop his families assassin but nothing worked.

The man went to shoot another blast and I saw it was directed at Aang.

I felt my feet moving before I even had the chance to. I made a fist before punching the man in the face making him glare at me.

"You're not touching my fucking family, you bitch!" I yelled before holding my fingers out and pointing them forward, "Lights out" I smirked before striking him with a blast of lightning.

I must've pushed him back very far because I couldn't find him, and wasted no time running to Zuko.

"Hey! Are you okay? Are you hurt?!"

He looked up at me, "I'm fine..." he looked behind me.

I raised a brow, "What?" I asked before looking to see the gaang all staring at us.

—————

I helped Zuko as we walked towards the group and saw Aang smiling, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... thanks, Zuko" he then looked to me.

I shook my head but it wasn't enough because he ran forward and gave me a giant hug, but I raised my hand out saying it wasn't the time.

"Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday, I've been through a lot in the last few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honor, and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. All I want to do now is play my part in ending this war, and I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world," Zuko then turned to Toph. "I'm sorry for what I did to you," he bowed to her. "It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild, so as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending, so I don't hurt people unintentionally"

Aang nodded, "I think you are supposed to be my firebending teacher. When I first tried to learn firebending, I burned Katara, and after that, I never wanted to firebend again. But now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love. I'd like you to teach me" he bowed his head to Zuko.

Zuko smiled bowing again, "Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group"

Aang put his hand out, "Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's okay with them," he turned to Toph, "Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?"

Toph shrugged, "Go ahead and let him join. It'll give me plenty of time to get back at him for burning my feet. Plus him joining means I get my best friend back" she smiled.

Aang then turned to Sokka, "Sokka?"

He glared at Zuko, "Hey, all I want is to defeat the Fire Lord. If you think this is the way to do it, then, I'm all for it"

"Katara?"

"I'll go along with whatever you think is right"

Zuko smiled, "I won't let you down-"

"I have one more person to ask," Aang interrupted him before looking to me. "(Y/n)?"

I raised eyebrow, "Are you serious?"

"You're part of the group" he told me.

I huffed, "Listen. Don't think because I'm back things are going to be like that used to be. I'm here to end the war. I don't trust a single one of you here. I'm here for Zuko. And win this war is over I'm leaving with him" I exclaimed as they all looked ashamed.

Zuko smiled, "I won't let any of you down!"

—————

The tension was extremely awkward as Sokka lead Zuko to his room, "So, here you go, home sweet home, I guess, you know, for now. Unpack? Lunch, soon? Uhhh... welcome aboard?" He raised a brow before I walked in with Zuko.

He pulled me back, "Where are you going?"

"To my room?" I raised a brow.

"Uh no! We have a separate room for you"

"Uh no! I sleep in the same room as Zuko" I told him.

"That's not a good idea"

"Why do you act like you have a say my life?" I spat.

"Because I'm trying to protect you?"

"And you did a great job of that" I sarcastically explained pointing to my scar.

"I didn't give you that!"

"I know who gave it to me! I'm not an idiot!"

"I never called you an idiot"

"Well you act like I am!"

"I'm just trying to protect you"

"I don't need to be protected by you!"

"Let me try!"

"What is wrong with you right now, you're treating me like I'm five! I'm older than you!"

"ITS MY FAULT OK?!" He began to tear up, "It's my fault"

I froze as I watched him cry, "You have no idea how hard it was for me here. Leaving you behind what's the worst thing I've ever done but there was no way to get you back. I didn't even know that you were scarred until A couple weeks later. I made the entire invasion plan to get you back, and I still couldn't! I should've done more! I should've come back for you right away! I should've not let my fear get the best of me! I thought I lost you! And yesterday.....! And yesterday I lost all self-control and beat Zuko up.... this is all my fault because I couldn't protect you! I just wanted to get you ba-" I didn't let him finish before I pulled him into a long hug and began to cry.

"I missed you so much" I sobbed.

"I thought they were torturing you" he told me.

"I thought you were dead" I told him.

We both silently cried into each others arms for the next hour. Even though everything was still tense between my other siblings and I, I forgave Sokka. He deserved it.

It felt good to have someone in my family back.

"It wasn't your fault you know?" I told him.

"Yes it was..."

"No. It was mine... and unlike everyone else. I can't be forgiven"

—————————

After a very awkward meal I went to my bedroom and saw Katara glaring at Zuko, "You might have everyone else here buying your... transformation, but you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past. So let me tell you something, right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang or (Y/n), and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore because I'll make sure your destiny ends... right then and there. Permanently" she told him before leaving the room.

"You'll end his destiny, Huh?" I chuckled making her gasped and turn to me.

"(Y/n) I-"

"Save it for someone who cares," I walked up to her. "I just thought you know... that you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past. So let me tell you something, right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Zuko or anyone in the group for that matter... you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore. I may not believe in that shit, but I know you do. And I'll make sure your destiny ends right there on the spot," I began to walk away. "Also... just so you know. I may be back here, but I wasn't lying. I'm only here for Zuko. I don't give a shit what happens to you. You said a lot of things to me in that cave. And just know that every single thing you said to me... ditto. I'll never trust you again, and you are not my sister. So don't ever act like it"

•••