Chapter 45

Episode 12, The Western Air Temple

Aang decided to take all of us to the Western Air Temple. I was kind of excited to see an Air Temple but the reason why we were going there was nothing to be happy about.

Slighlty, shaking my head, I heaved a sigh. We had been walking for forever now and it was slowly but surely getting exhausting since it was also hot.

I also got to know this Haru guy. He was pretty nice and somehow handsome. He was taller than me, which isn't that hard to achieve, had beautiful brown hair and eyes and even a mustache.

Towards the end of our walk, I zoned out since I had no more social energy left and I needed every bit of energy I could get for walking.

Toph suddenly gasped and I immediately looked up from the ground. Turning my head left and right, I knitted my eyebrows since there was nothing but a huge cliff.

"We're here!" she breathed out and I stared at her like she was crazy.

"I think you're feet sight is worsening," I told her and let out a breath.

"No, we're really here," Aang's face brightened.

"It's amazing," Toph breathed out and I shook my head. These people need to get a check up on their eyes.

"You're all hallucinating. We just need some food, water and some rest, and you'll be back in your right mind," I told them with a smile. Well, I certainly want some rest now.

Yeah, no rest. We all got on Appa who flew down the cliff. I wanted to protest and tell them there was nothing when I saw the complete opposite.

I gawked at all the temples that were hanging from the cliff upside down. There were some platforms with stairs and even bridges that connected the different buildings.

With a dropped jaw, I eyed the sight in front of me. It was simply amazing. However, something from the corner of my eye caught my attention.

Luckily I was always sitting at the edge of the saddle. So, looking at my left, I squnited my eyes and knitted my eyebrows only to see a figure on one of these platforms. It was at the very end of this line of buildings and was quickly running up the stairs, probably out of there.

What in the Avatar's name did I just witness?

Shaking my head I averted my gaze from there. It is me who should get the eyes checked, not the others.

We finally landed on one of these platforms which had a huge and beautiful fountain in the middle.

A yawn escaped my lips when I finally got off Appa and stretched my arms in the air.

"Hey, we're gonna take a look around, you want to come?" Haru asked me with a smile.

"You guys take a look, we have something to talk about," Katara said and grabbed Aang's arm and put a hand on my shoulder.

"But you can show her around later," Katara added and glanced at me while I shrugged. Haru nodded and walked away with the other kids.

"Why can't we go?" Aang asked with big eyes. He was too cute so I patted his head.

"We need to decide what we're gonna do now. And since you're the Avatar maybe you should be a part of this," Katara told him and I let out a sigh.

"Fair enough," Aang huffed out and sat on the ground while crossing his arms and looking away.

"Come on Katara, give the boy a break," I said and sat beside kiddo and patted his shoulder.

She shook her head and shot me a glare while crossing her arms over her chest.

I raised my hands in surrender and slightly shrugged. This boy really needed a break, the poor guy.

"So, what's the new plan?" Aang asked and looked up at my twin.

I let out a deep breath before laying on the ground and closing my eyes. "Why a plan? Why can't we just spontanously break into the Palace and kill the Fire Lord during his beauty sleep?"

I could feel the other's stare at me. Peeking an eye open I saw, that Toph and Sokkii had joined us.

"Seriously," I said and sat up, "That's a good idea, admit it."

"Well," Sokka said and I smiled waiting for him to agree with me. "The new plan," he glanced at me, "Is the old plan."

"What?!" I threw my hands in the air and let out a groan.

Sokka nodded, "You just need to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes."

I raised my eyebrow and looked at my brother.

"Oh yeah, that's great, no problem. I'll just do that," Aang said with fake enthusiasm before picking up a small stone and throwing it over the edge into the cliff.

"Aang, no one said it's gonna be easy," Katara tried to calm down Aang. I crossed my arms and waited for them to continue. The poor guy just lost the invasion and now they're telling him the old plan is the new one as if it was all that easy.

"Well, it- it's not even gonna be possible. Where am I supposed to get a firebending teacher?" Aang snapped and ran a hand over his face.

There was a quick silence while everyone was thinking about a person who could firebend, was not evil and was willing to help their nation's enemy.

When I felt eyes on me, I looked up. Sokka was looking at me with a huge toothy grin while Katara was giving me a small smile. 

Slightly knitting my eyebrows, I eyed them. Then it made click.

"Oh my, I can firebend," I gasped and stood up.

Toph clapped, "Good observation, fake Avatar."

"Ha ha, funny," I said and stuck out my tongue at her direction.

Aang's face brightened an he jumped up and grabbed my arm, shaking it, "Will you teach me firebending?"

I bit my lip, "I don't know. I can try."

Sokka's face fell, "What, you don't know?! I saw you shooting blue flames out of your fist!"

I nodded quickly, "Yeah but I teached myself. I don't know any of these cool tricks or techniques and besides, I don't know if I'm the greatest teacher out there."

"You can do it. I believe in you just like you believed in me," Aang said with a huge grin. A small chuckle left my lips and I nodded slighty.

"Great, now that this is settled, let's take a look around the temple." Aang opened his glider and jumped off the edge before flying to the other buildings.

I shook my head and laid down with a sigh. How am I suposed to teach this kid firebending?

"Don't you want to rest somewhere more comfortable?"

I peeked one eye open to see Katara looking down at me with raised eyebrows.

"Nah," I waved it off and closed my eyes again, "This is a pretty good place to regret all your life decisions."

Katara chuckled and grabbed my arm, making me stand up. "Go on and check out the rooms, there must be some beds."

"Fine, mom," I said and walked towards the bridge when Aang came flying back.

"Guys, I have to show you the giant Pai Sho Table," Aang said excitedly as I was over the bridge.

I smiled and shook my head at the Avatar. "I guess that has to wait," Toph said and I was about to step off the bridge. But upon hearing a familiar voice I froze on my place with wide eyes.

"Hello, Zuko here."

This can't be happeing right now. I was afraid to move a muscle and tried to listen to what was happening. It was silent for a few seconds but these seconds were passing by painfully slowly.

"Hey, I heard you guys flying around down there, so I just thought I'd wait for you here," Zuko said.

Appa roared before I heard someone grunt lightly. I cursed at myself for not being able to see what was happening. But I also was somehow happy that I didn't see Zuko. I don't know how I would have reacted.

"I know you must be surprised to see me here," Zuko said.

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

I waited for Zuko's answer. What in the Fire Lord's name is he even doing here?!

"Uh.. right, well... anyway, what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed. And I... Uh... I'm good now. And I think I should join your group. Oh, and I can teach firebending... to you." There was a quick pause.

I gulped and knitted my eyebrows as I bit my lip. I had a feeling that he was telling the truth and I believed every word he said. Again. Tears started to fill my eyes as I continued to listen to them.

"See, I, Uh-" Toph interrupted Zuko.

"You want to what now?" she snapped.

"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 and I slightly shook my head.

"Yeah!" Sokka agreed, "All you've ever done is kidnap Jasmine and try to hunt us down and capture Aang!"

"I've done some good things," Zuko interjected, "I mean, I could've stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something."

I blinked the tears away. He did what? Why didn't he tell me?

"Appa does seem to like him," Toph commented.

"He probably just covered himself in honey or something so that Appa would lick him. I'm not buying it." Sokka had that accusing tone in his voice.

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

"Like when you attacked our village?" Sokka said.

"Or when you stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?" Katara added.

They were literally attacking him with words. I so badly wanted to step in but I was afraid and frozen.

"Look, I admit I've done some awful things. I was wrong to try and capture you and kidnap Jasmine, and I'm sorry that I attacked the water tribe. And I never should've sent that Fire Nation Assassin after you. I'm gonna try to stop him."

I tensed. Combustion Man was working for him?!

"Wait, you sent Combustion Man after us?!" Sokka exclaimed.

"Well, that's not his name but-" again, Zuko was interrupted but this time by my brother.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to insult your friend," Sokka mocked.

"He's not my friend!" Zuko exclaimed, getting frustrated.

"That guy locked me and Katara in jail an tried to blow us all up!" Toph yelled at Zuko.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Zuko asked, I guess Aang, since he had been quiet the whole time, "You once said you thought we could be friends. You know I have good in me."

There was silence for a few moments. I could hear my own fast and intense heartbeat which made me even more nervous and tense.

"There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done," Aang finally spoke up, "We'll never let you join us."

"Wait, Jasmine can prove there's good in me," Zuko insisted.

Yeah, there is, but I'm not sure if I'm the right person to judge that. I obviously like that jerk so I would take his side either way but I also was once fooled by his 'goodness'. Besides, Aang and Sokka don't know about my 'relationship' with the Fire Prince.

"Don't ever take her name in your mouth," Katara warned him in a low tone, "You need to get out of here, now."

"I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore," Zuko kept insisting.

"Either you leave or we attack," Sokka warned him.

"If you won't accept me as a friend, then mabe you'll take me as a prisoner," Zuko said.

This boy and his behaviour kept confusing me. I shook my head, I really wanted to see what they were doing.

"No we won't," Katara told him in a hard tone. I heard water splashing and someone grunting. "Get out of here and don't come back! And if we ever see you again... well, we'd better not see you again."

There was complete silence and I couldn't take it no more. I quickly walked into the building and in the first room I could see.

The room was completely emtpy except for a bed and a drawer. Good, I didn't need more. Sitting down on the bed, I put my face into my hands.

Why would he come here and what was he planning to do? He sounded really genuine and I hated myself for having a soft spot for this idiot and believing him without a doubt.

A/N - Heyyy, happy new year to all of you. May all of your wishes come true. Lots of health and happiness to you. Love you guys. Stay safe and healthy! :)