Okay, I'm back. Every comment you guys have will be weighted in my stories, but I have to stay true to my own thoughts and day dreams. Wow… that sounded so… anyways. If you guys want a change to happen like a friendship develop, it might not happen for a while or maybe not at all. Don't get me wrong Zuko I think Zuko is a good guy, but you do have to remember he's put the gang through a whole lot.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Where we left off: Katara and Toph mad at Zuko and Appa just being his sloppy old self.
It was getting dark. Zuko pondered on whether to go back to his room or just sleep on the stone floor. Did he feel so much malice towards the group that he would not cross the area where they were sitting to go to his room?
Zuko crossed his legs as he sat down. Appa growled. "What is it now?" Zuko retorted with the usual chafed tone that used to have. Then there was a quiet silence he Zuko had not anticipated. Appa started to turn away. Zuko a little taken aback got up and hugged Appa's face. It seemed that he more time he spent with Appa the more he learned about himself. "Alright, I'll go back, but only if you stick with me." Appa gave a complying growl and started walking towards camp. Zuko followed. Soon after following Appa, Zuko was dumb-struck at himself.I just talked to an animal. I just talked to a common place animal like he was my friend. Yet… he's the best friend I have so far.Feelings that he had placed away for what seemed an eternity came back to him. Zuko felt like someone cared, like he would be somehow accepted, even if it was not by an actual human being.
Appa had stopped. "What is it?" Zuko asked. Appa lowered his furry head so that Zuko could grab onto a horn. "You want me to climb on?" Zuko asked with a tone of skepticism. Appa gave another consenting growl and lowered his head even further, so his nose touched the ground. Zuko climbed on and wrapped his arms around the bison. "Thanks buddy; you don't know how much I needed that" Appa growled in achievement, he has successfully made Zuko feet like a child. Zuko reminisced times when he would ride baby Komodo Dragons that would let him on, but Appa was much taller than the Komodo dragons. Zuko finally started to have a shroud of happiness in a life that was filled with misery, but soon dismissed his feelings of glee when the two started to approach the gang.
Zuko bent his body so he could reach over to the large ear of the air bison. "I think I should get off. I don't think anyone trusts me." Appa gave an aggressive growl. Some of the members of the gang saw this and immediately assumed the worst. Katara whipped out the water from her pouch and Toph earth bended a giant rock out of the ground, Sokka unsheathed his sword, and Aang stood up with the most confused and hurt look that Zuko had ever seen.
"He's hurting Appa!" Sokka shouted. Just as Zuko was getting off, Aang, Katara and Toph shot their perspective elements at Zuko and he was knocked back fifteen feet from the bison and flew into a column by the edge of a cliff. Then the group came for a second attack. Appa placed in himself between Zuko and the rest of the gang. The Duke said "Guys calm down, maybe he didn't hurt Appa"
Appa turned around and licked his face then stepped back. Zuko opened his eyes. Appa gave a quiet auspicious growl. Zuko got up and looked at the group. He did not see a bunch of playful, loving faces, what he saw were hostile faces staring at an interloper.
He turned towards his room and walked toward it. Appa followed after him and gave a feint whimper. "It's not your fault" Zuko whispered. "Wait what did you say?" Katara contested angrily. "Nothing" said Zuko as he opened the door. Appa gave a louder whimper. Zuko turned around looked at the gang whose eyes were filled with rage except for The Duke and Aang. Zuko turned towards Appa who was a mere few feet away from him and whispered "It's okay. We'll talk in the morning." Then turned around, went into his room and closed the door.
After a few awkward moments of silence Katara moved toward the air bison and said "Come here Appa, let's see were he hurt you" What happened next shocked the gang. Appa lifted his tail and slammed it into the ground making a powerful wind current that the gang fought to keep on their feet; this air current lifted Katara, who was close, off her feet and threw her into the gang who caught her. Appa turned around and roared at the gang. The gang was left aghast and dumbfounded.
Soon Aang slowly stepped forward with his head down. "I'm sorry. I should have given him a chance." Appa turned around and sat facing the door.
Just wanted to give you something to read, because finals are coming up and I might not be able to update. Hoped you liked it.
Thank you all for the great reviews!
