There was still one piece of unfinished business, Katara remembered as she walked past the tents, past Suki playing with Momo, to the campfire where Sokka and Aang sat.
"We need to talk," she said. "Listen, the other day I said some things I shouldn't have, and-"
"You did," Sokka interrupted.
"Hey, let her finish!" Aang scolded. Katara smiled.
"Thank you. But I just wanted to say...I'm sorry, Sokka, for that comment about Mom. And Aang, I didn't mean to belittle your experiences," she said. "I...I wasn't thinking clearly, I'd been holding back all these feelings about Mom. I kept blaming Zuko for her death, but in a way I guess I was blaming myself, too."
Aang and Sokka pulled her down to sit between them, embracing her.
"What you said really hurt me, Katara," Sokka said. "But the thing is, I can barely remember Mom outside of stories."
"That doesn't mean you love her any less than I do." Katara smiled, leaning her head against his and pulling Aang close. "And Aang...you were just trying to help."
"Zuko was right, though. You needed this...for closure, and all, not to kill the guy. And I'm glad you didn't," Aang said.
"Hey, where does he live? Maybe I can do it," Sokka offered, and Karara laughed a little.
"Don't. He's old and sad and pathetic by now, it...it wouldn't be worth it." She closed her eyes. "I love you two so much, and I never wanted to hurt you."
"We forgive you," Aang and Sokka said in unison.
*
Zuko smiled as he watched the reconciliation.
"Looks like everything's going to be all right now," he sighed.
"Not quite."
"Toph!" He quickly turned around to see the young Earthbender standing before him, arms folded over her chest. "Don't scare me like that!"
"I believe you still owe me a little something...you know, for that night," she said.
"Oh come on, I thought you trusted me now! Everyone does!" Zuko groaned.
"Trust isn't the same as forgiving, though, and you burned my feet!"
"I said I was sorry!"
"Not good enough! You owe me a field trip, and you're carrying me there piggyback." She jumped onto his back with such force Zuko nearly fell over.
"Owww, watch it! Breaking my back isn't the way to solve things!"
"You owe me."
Zuko sighed.
"All right. Let's go back to my tent and we'll discuss this...and yes, I'll carry you there," he said. Katara may have been the hardest to win over, but I think Toph just likes making things difficult for kicks.