A/N: Sorry it's taken so long, but here's chapter 2 ! Many thanks to the reviewers of this story, and hope people will keep reviewing, comments and criticisms are welcome, I'm still learning so I appreciate hearing what experienced writers have to say.

Avin's eyes opened wearily. He looked right into Aang's staff, pointed at his face. "Well, THAT'S a great way to start the day." Avin said sarcastically.

Aang's eyes narrowed. "Ok, talk," Aang said.

"Who are you?" asked Sokka, who was pointing his machete at Avin's head. Avin realized he had been tied to a tree.

"Isn't this a bit much, guys?" he asked, bored.

"We'll be asking the questions here," Sokka said. Avin raised an eyebrow.

"My name is Avin Airaien. As I showed you during our battle, I'm an airbender." He looked into Aang's eyes. "Much like you, Avatar." Aang stiffened. Avin looked around. Katara and Toph were standing a few feet away. He noticed a flicker of sympathy in Toph's face as he looked at her; but then it was gone as quickly as it came.

"How can you be an airbender?" Aang asked. Something in his tone made Avin angry, and he realized something...

"You're afraid of me." Avin said casually. Aang put his staff under Avin's chin. "Believe me, Avatar, I'm not your enemy."

"Then why did you attack us?" asked Sokka.

Avin looked down. He looked over at Sokka. "You mind if I get rid of these?" A gale burst around Avin, and he shot into the air. Avin floated down to earth effortlessly, and walked calmly past Sokka, who looked shocked. "Come on, don't act so surprised. I'm the best there is."

He looked at Aang. "I attacked you to test your abilities. A warrior like yourself intrigued me, so I wanted to see what you could do. I'm no villain. Your friend, Toph, knows that." They all looked at her.

Toph nodded. "He helped me, when I ran off into the forest."

Avin looked at all of them. "I have many reasons I came looking for you. For now, let's just say that I have unfinished business with the Fire Nation, and since you guys want to take the Fire Lord down, I figure it's in all our best interests if we teamed up."

"Tough luck," said Sokka curtly, "We aren't in this for revenge, we're doing it to bring peace to the world."

Avin shrugged. "Different motivations, same objective." He lowered his sleeves to reveal airbending tattoos, like Aang's.

Avin's, however, were jet-black. "You'll find I'm a valuable ally. I'm sure I'll find the same thing about you. Some..." he looked at Sokka, "more than others." He turned away from a furious Sokka, and extended a hand towards Aang.

Aang hesitated. "You don't trust me," Avin said, "And why would you? How about this: I'll let you decide this amongst yourselves. By tomorrow morning, though, I want your answer." He started to walk off into the forest, and turned around. "Oh, and don't come looking for me. Let ME find YOU." With that, he jumped and glided through the treetops.

They all decided to sleep in Toph's earth tent that night. They didn't feel confident in their own tents, especially knowing someone like Avin was out there. Toph hated the arrangement; she liked her privacy and the extra space she had to bend to make room for everyone was a hassle. As they all sat in a circle, Sokka began talking.

"I think we should leave. Avin may not be our enemy, but he definitely isn't our friend. We should get on Appa and put as much distance between us as we can."

Aang thought about the jet-black tattoos. The boy's airbending prowess. His interest in Toph..."He's a powerful bender. And he's an airbender. Maybe the only one, besides me. What if he ends up with the Fire Nation? He might join them, or worse, he might try to fight alone..." Aang looked up. "And even though I don't like him, the last thing I'll ever do is let another airbender get hurt."

Katara spoke up. "Aang, think about it. The airbenders were supposedly wiped out a hundred years ago. How can Avin have lived so long? He looks like he's our age. What's more, how could he have come so far without us ever hearing of him? And what Air Temple is he from? We've been to all of them."

"Not all," said Aang. "We never saw the Western Air Temple."

"Which was the closest to Fire Nation territory!" Sokka exclaimed, "That one would have been the first to have fallen. I still don't think he's an airbender. It's not possible."

"We saw him airbend," Toph said from her corner of the tent, "There's no doubt that he's an airbender. And it isn't impossible, just improbable. Twinkletoes is proof of that."

Aang looked at Toph. "You think he should come with us too?"

Toph nodded. Aang smiled and nodded back.

"I think we should let him come with us," Aang said, "As long as he'll tell us how and why he is what he is." He looked around. "Agreed?"

Everyone nodded, except Sokka, who only looked away sullenly. Toph started snoring.

Morning. The sun shone brightly through the canopy of trees. Avin dropped down, from out of nowhere, it seemed. "So, have you guys decided?" Avin asked.

"Yeah. You can come with us, but only if you promise to answer all our questions." Aang extended his hand. "Deal?"

Avin shook it and said cheerfully, "Deal." he nodded over at Appa. "Shall we get going, then?" Aang nodded.

Avin jumped into the hollow of a tree and retrieved his food, jacket, and sword.

Sokka, Katara, and Momo were already on Appa. Sokka groaned when he saw Avin climb up. "Wow, what an expected welcome." Avin muttered.

Katara giggled and replied, "Don't worry about him. He was the same with Aang when we met him." They shook hands. "I'm Katara."

That's true, we haven't been formally introduced..."Avin Airiaen," he replied, "Nice to meet you."

Aang helped Toph get on Appa. As he floated next to her, their eyes met. It was only for a second, but enough for Avin to notice.

Hmm...Avin thought to himself, it seems Aang's going to be my rival in more ways than one...

Zuko looked out at the ocean, thinking. A girl walked up to him.

"Zuzu, why so upset?" she asked.

"I don't know why we're leaving home again." he answered sullenly.

Azula shrugged. "As it should be. Father wants this job done quickly, but the boy we're searching for is no pushover. Didn't you hear about what happened to the people guarding him? The tragedy at Crescent Island?"

Zuko looked at her in shock. "THAT'S who we're searching for?"

Azula nodded and said, "I think I'm going to go to bed. You should get some rest too, Zuzu. You'll need all your strength if you want to stand a chance at beating him."

"He's a monster." Zuko muttered to himself as Azula left. "This is suicide."

A/N: Things should be getting interesting in the next chapter, what with Avin's promise and Zuko and Azula appearing (finally). Chapter 3 should be up soon