Here we go, sorry for the wait. I've got a few scenes for the next couple of chapters written already, so I should *hopefully* get them up a bit quicker than this one (no promises though).

Zuko took a deep breath and tried to concentrate. A small, flickering fire sprang to life in his palm. The rushing wind made it splutter, but Zuko held it carefully. Unfortunately the back of a sky bison wasn't really the best place to try and meditate. After a few minutes of being able to do nothing more than keep the flame alive – let alone meditate with it – Zuko closed his fist in frustration, extinguishing the small fire. He let out a sigh, which was caught by the wind and whisked away before anyone could hear it.

Aang still seemed to sense Zuko's annoyance and looked over from his usual spot on Appa's head. They hadn't spoken since leaving Kyoshi Island and the young Airbender was getting more and more worried the longer Zuko stayed silent. Finally Aang's constant glances and aborted attempts to talk made Zuko speak, if only to give himself some peace.

"How far away from the Air Temple are we?" Zuko called over.

Aang jumped at the sound, but when he answered it was with a big grin.

"A few days," Aang said, "Appa's still a bit tired, but we could try going faster if you want."

Zuko shook his head.

"That's fine," he said.

Unfortunately the short conversation appeared to agitate Aang further, rather than calm him down. His glances at Zuko were more frequent than ever and more than once he looked like he was about to climb into the saddle too. Zuko watched the clouds pass by for some time before he spoke up again.

"I spoke to Avatar Kyoshi," Zuko said, just loud enough for Aang to hear.

"Really?" Aang took Zuko's nod as an invitation to finally join him in the saddle, "What's she like?"

"An Avatar," Zuko shrugged, "Powerful."

"What did she say?" Aang asked.

"There's going to be an eclipse," Zuko said quietly, Aang frowned in confusion, "The Water Tribes will get stronger, if I don't stop them they'll win this war."

"When?" Aang managed to get out, his eyes wide.

"By the end of summer," Zuko replied, "They'll destroy the world, just like they destroyed the Fire Nation."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Aang asked.

"I have to master all four elements by that time," Zuko said, "Then I'll stand a chance at taking down the Water Tribe."

"But it takes years to master the elements," Aang said worriedly, "How are you going to manage?"

"I don't know," Zuko said grimly, "But I'm going to have to, or the world will fall out of balance."

There was a long silence. Aang was beginning to look sick.

"They'd do that?" Aang whispered, "They'd really destroy the whole world?" He looked at Zuko, completely lost, "Why?"

"I don't know," Zuko said again, "I know Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. I've even had to deal with Air Nomads occasionally. But never Water Tribe. I never had to go near the poles, and they stayed there. I don't know what they want with this war. I don't know why it started." Determination passed over his face, "But I'm going to end it."

"Look at that," Sokka said, passing a telescope to Katara as he did so, "Looks like a nasty one."

His sister peered through the spyglass at the dark clouds on the horizon. They were moving steadily closer and with the aid of the telescope small forks of lightning could just be made out. Unfortunately it looked like there was no chance of getting to port before it reached them and it was almost directly where Sokka wanted to go. Fortunately they had Waterbenders.

"Brilliant," Katara exclaimed, "I've been wanting to practise with a storm for ages."

"We don't want you too tired when we come across the Avatar," Sokka warned. He took his telescope back and looked at the storm again.

"Sometimes that all you think about," Katara huffed, "I know it's for the stupid trial and so Hahn won't get there first, but you don't need to bang on about the Avatar all the time."

"It's a guy thing, Katara," Sokka replied.

"Better than having you moan about being bored," Katara admitted with a smile.

"I'm saving that up for when I'm below decks later," said Sokka, "Stupid storm."

"Me and Paku'll take care of the worst of it," Katara said, "It won't be as bad as that one on dad's boat when we were kids."

"Not even the Avatar could make a storm worse than that one," Sokka said glumly.

"There you go again," Katara muttered.

"The Avatar is important," Sokka stressed, "Not just to me. He's the one thing besides our victory that could stop this war. And to be honest, I'm seeing one come up a lot faster than the other right now."

Katara shot him a surprised glance, but was distracted from saying anything by the appearance of Paku on the deck. Sokka cast one last look through his telescope at the storm, then he collapsed it and turned his attention elsewhere on the ship.

Zuko scowled at the shopkeeper as the weedy man examined the last of his Fire Nation currency carefully. The cloak he had bought was worth far less, but the coins were an unusual shape for this part of the world. Finally the man waved Zuko out, satisfied with what he was getting. Zuko swung the cloak over his shoulders and tugged the hood as far over his eyes as he could. It wouldn't do much against anyone actively looking for him, but it would hide his scar and red clothing to casual observers.

Aang bounded up to the Firebender the minute he stepped out of the shop. The young Airbender had a small bag full of apples and was munching one happily. Zuko frowned, but Aang was already talking.

"I helped a woman calm her ostrich-horses. She let me have some apples," Aang said. He offered the bag to Zuko, "Want one? She said we could stop by later if we want to do a few odd jobs for food and bed," he added as Zuko took an apple and started eating it.

"Odd jobs?" Zuko asked warily.

"Like feeding animals, or picking fruit, or maybe fixing something," Aang said with a shrug.

"Did you tell her who we are?" Zuko asked.

"Nope," said Aang, "But she seems nice. Should we go?"

"A free meal couldn't hurt," Zuko said slowly, "We haven't got any more money, and even though we should be able to get to the Air Temple with what we've got, it would be better not to push it... Fine, let's go see what she wants."

Aang smiled his bright, childish smile and led the way. As they passed through the small village they drew attention, but Zuko was pleased to notice that it was mostly directed at Aang in his bright Airbender clothing. The cloak appeared to be working to some degree. It wasn't a busy place, the few stalls only had a slow trade. A couple of kids were throwing a ball to one another, stopping their game every now and then to let people pass through the street.

Aang took them down a dirt road, past fields of hard earth. Nothing was going to grow in winter. A bit further along they came across a large pen full of animals. They began to grunt and squeal as soon as Zuko and Aang approached.

"No one can sneak up on us," said a voice behind them.

They travellers spun around to see one of the kids from earlier smiling at them. He looked a bit younger than Aang.

"Why are you following us?" Zuko snapped before he could help himself.

The kid's smile vanished and his eyes widened at Zuko's tone. However, he squared his shoulders, not allowing himself to be intimidated.

"This is my home," he said, "What are you doing here?"

"Sela said we could do some work for a place to stay tonight," Aang said quickly.

The boy relaxed and smiled at Aang, though he kept shooting wary glances at Zuko.

"Right," he said, leading them toward the house, "Sela's my mum. I'm Lee."

"I'm Aang," Aang said, "And this is Zuko."

Sela was waiting at the house. She was a good few months pregnant by Zuko's estimation. She was joined by a man who must have been her husband. Lee went to stand with them, creating a picture of a happy family.

"Hello again," Sela said to Aang, "This must be your friend."

"Yeah," Aang said brightly, "You said we could do some jobs?"

"You can help Lee feed the animals," Sela decided, "And your friend can help Gansu fix the roof. Dinner will be ready in an hour or so."

Lee dragged Aang into a shed, leaving Zuko with Sela and Gansu. Zuko pulled his hood back, pleased that neither of them looked particularly horrified at his scar.

"I've never fixed a roof before," Zuko admitted.

"Not to worry," Gansu said, "It's not difficult to pick up."

He gave his wife a kiss and led Zuko over to a pile of tiles, a couple of hamers and a bucket of nails.

Sokka looked over the countless scrolls open on the wide table in the middle of the room. Fire Nation. Firebenders. Avatar. Fighting a master Firebender was one thing, fighting an opponent who would be learning the other elements the longer he was out there unhindered was another. They could count on having to fight fire, and possibly air if the kid had begun to teach him. However, what would be to their advantage was the lack of a willing Waterbender to train the Avatar. Without water there would be no earth, the scrolls were very firm on that. Fire, air, water, earth. The Avatar cycle, and how the Avatar would be trained.

Then again, mastering the elements took years. It should be a long time before the Avatar was ready to move onto water, even with the Air Nomad's help. Sokka had just under a year before he turned sixteen. He wanted to capture the Avatar before his coming of age trail finished.

I wonder if the Avatar uses a weapon? Sokka mused as he poked through a few more scrolls.

Airbenders had their staffs, Earthbenders tended toward heavy weapons, like hammers, and even a few Waterbenders trained in machetes or daggers in case they were separated from their element for any length of time. Firebenders didn't need anything to bend, but from what he'd read, they weren't going to turn down a way to be even more lethal. Before they were wiped out, the Fire Nation had been run like an army. If the eclipse hadn't given the Water Tribes the edge needed to destroy the Fire Nation, then the war would probably be over by now, with the Water Tribes on the losing side. The Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation used to have skirmishes all the time, but they also had very strong trading set up. Either would've helped the other in a fight.

Lucky for us we had the element of surprise.

Sokka frowned at a few papers in particular. Fire Nation criminal reports. There was something he felt he was missing...

He was brought out of his musing by Katara walking into the room, dripping water all over the various pieces of paper on the table

"Hundred-year-old reports from the Fire Nation," Sokka groused, "Just splash all over them."

"Sorry," Katara said, rolling her eyes.

She made pulling motions and the liquid was sucked out of the scrolls. Katara hesitated for a moment, then decided to freeze the water into a pattern on the wall. Sokka barely paid attention, putting a report into the middle of the mess on the table and picking up another.

"You'll never find that again," Katara commented.

"I know where everything is," Sokka disagreed.

"Of course," Katara said sarcastically, "It's Avatar stuff. You know you're starting to get a bit obsessed, right?"

"Better that than be caught unprepared," Sokka replied, his nose buried in yet another scroll.

Katara gave an exasperated sigh. She picked up a scroll at random and looked at it.

"Fire Nation food?" Katara asked, raising her eyebrows, "Why do you need to know about that?"

"You never know," Sokka said. He paused for a moment, "Do you think we could persuade the Avatar to help us make it? Or at least taste it and tell us if it's right or not."

"Are you saying there's something wrong with my cooking?" Katara asked sharply.

"No," Sokka replied hastily, "I just want to taste real Fire Nation food. Why couldn't the Air Nomads have gone extinct? Then I wouldn't be missing out."

"Some of the Nomads' cakes are your favourite desserts," Katara reminded him.

"But they don't eat meat!" Sokka said, as though it were a punishable offence.

"If they want to torture the Avatar all they'll have to do is lock him in a room with you for an hour," Katara sighed, "He'll be begging us to let him out in minutes."

"Ha ha," Sokka said with a scowl, "Are you going to help me look through these or not?"

Katara stuck her tongue out, but picked up another scroll and began reading it.

"So, Aang," Lee said, "You don't seem like you're from around here."

"I'm not," replied Aang, "I've been travelling a lot recently."

They two boys were sat on the fence, tossing handfuls of feed to the crowding animals below.

"Where are you from then?" Lee asked.

"The Southern Air Temple," Aang said, "That's where we're going. To... er... show Zuko my home. He's never seen an Air Temple before."

"Me neither," said Lee, a hint of hope in his voice.

"Maybe you could visit someday," Aang offered, "You know, when the war's over."

"Awesome," Lee said excitedly, "Hey, watch this."

Lee carefully sprinkled some feed onto the back of a sheepig, it twisted around to try and get it , running in circles until all the feed had fallen onto the ground. Aang laughed along with Lee.

"That's pretty funny," Aang giggled, "Let me try."

Aang's attempt ended up with the sheepig falling on its side. It got up a second later, and shook itself off. It grunted at the boys in annoyance, but it didn't look like it was hurt.

"Zuko looks mean," Lee said, tossing more feed into the pen, "Does he always scowl that much?"

"He can be very serious," Aang agreed, "But he's had some bad news recently, so I think he's a bit upset right now."

"Oh," Lee said, "What happened?"

"He lost his family," Aang replied, "To the Water Tribe."

"Oh," Lee repeated, "That's awful."

A sombre silence dropped over the two of them. The rest of the feed was quickly chucked into the pen. The boys got down from the fence and took their buckets to the barn, where Zuko and Gansu were mending the roof. Aang winced as Zuko missed the nail and hit his thumb. By the scowl he shot the hammer it wasn't the first time.

"You ok, Zuko?" Aang called up.

"Fine," Zuko ground out, glaring at the tiles.

"You don't look like you're very good," Lee commented.

"Lee," Gansu scolded, "Be nice."

"I thought everyone knew how to fix a roof," Lee said.

"I used to live on a ship," Zuko said by way of explanation.

"Cool!" Lee's face lit up, "What was that like?"

"A man's past is his business," Gansu told his son firmly, after it became clear that Zuko didn't want to answer, "Stop asking the man personal questions."

Lee looked disappointed, but Aang cheered up. Zuko hadn't spoken about the Fire Nation that much before, Aang hoped he could get him to talk more later.

Thunk.

Thunk.

Thunk.

"Stop that!" Katara snapped.

Sokka pulled his boomerang out of the dented table, but slid it into its sheath instead of gouging at the wood again. Katara followed his movements with a glare, not relaxing even though Sokka put his hands on the table, away from his weapon.

Taptaptaptaptap–

"Read a map," Katara interrupted her brother's tapping fingers, "Make a plan. Talk to someone. Just stop annoying me!"

"It was your idea to put all the stuff about the Avatar away," Sokka said smugly, "Why don't you just go back on deck and splash around some more in the storm?"

"Paku says I shouldn't be bending while we're in the thick of it," Katara said, her voice filled with annoyance, "He only lets me work at the edges."

"Makes sense," Sokka shrugged, "You're the only other bender on this ship, if something unexpected happens then we've got backup."

Katara's scowl smoothed out and she smiled at Sokka.

"And Paku hasn't got storm control down perfectly yet either," Sokka continued, "I bet he wants to see how well he does on his own too."

"I suppose so," Katara sighed. She stood up and moved over to the door, "I'll go get some food."

"Lots of it," Sokka called after his sister as she walked out.

The meal was simple fare, a bowl of rice with some vegetables mixed in. It was the best thing Zuko had eaten for some time. Luckily he wasn't required to say much, Aang and Lee prattled constantly. They two were becoming fast friends.

"I'm hoping for a sister," Lee said, "I've got an older brother, but it would be nice to have a baby sister."

"You know we can't tell if the baby's a boy or girl until it's born," Sela said, sounding as though she had repeated herself on this point many times.

"It doesn't hurt to hope," Aang said, "Where's your brother?"

"He's fighting in the war," Lee said, though his voice was quieter than before.

"I hope he makes it home soon," Aang said seriously.

"Do you have any siblings, Aang?" Sela asked, shifting the conversation.

"I don't know," Aang admitted, "I was raised by monks, so I never knew my parents."

"I'm sorry," Sela apologised.

"It's ok," Aang said, "The monks taught me that family's not just about blood, it's about those you love and trust. Monk Gyatso's been my guardian for most of my life, so he's like my dad."

"What about you?" Sela asked Zuko, "Have you got any brothers or sisters?"

"I had a younger sister," Zuko said, staring at his food.

"Really? What was she like?" Lee pressed.

"She was... a brilliant bender," Zuko said slowly, "We never really got along."

"That's a shame," Sela said, "It's always nicer when families are friendly."

"Yeah," Zuko said quietly, his hand drifting up toward his scar unconsciously.

"How'd you get that scar?" Lee asked.

"Lee!" Sela hissed.

"What did I say about personal questions?" Gansu frowned.

"Sorry," Lee mumbled.

"It's ok," Zuko said, "I was in a fight."

"With the Water Tribe?" Lee asked, eager for more now Zuko was actually talking.

"With..." Zuko hesitated, "With one of the most dangerous people in the world."

"Wow," said Lee.

"That's enough now," Sela said firmly, "It's time for you to get to bed young man."

"Aww," Lee whined, "Do I have to?"

"Yes," Sela's tone brooked no argument. Her face softened as she turned to Zuko and Aang, "You can sleep in the barn, there's plenty of clean hay and it should be warm."

"Thank you," Zuko said.

"Master Paku told me that Firebenders could create lightning without needing storms," Katara said, "Do you think the Avatar can do that?"

"I don't know," Sokka admitted, digging into his stew, "If it's anything like Waterbender lightning it will take time and energy, two things he didn't have in our fight. He'd have to be really powerful to be able to do it on his own, but I guess he is the Avatar."

"It's different," said Katara, "Waterbenders have to create a storm and make it thick enough where they want to strike, 'forcing nature' Paku calls it. He said it was like normal Firebending for Firebenders."

"Well, let's hope he doesn't know how," Sokka said, "I haven't found anything about it so far. It's only going to be more difficult if he does."

"And if he does?" Katara pushed, "Aren't you going to make a plan for that?"

"There's not much I can do against lightning," Sokka shrugged, "I'll just have to be quick enough. Keep the fight off open plains. That sort of thing."

"I can help," Katara said.

"Not if he's shooting lightning," Sokka disagreed, "I want you to focus on the Airbender and stay out of the way if that starts to happen."

"Do you know why I came along?" Katara asked suddenly.

"Because the Northerners wouldn't let Paku teach you Waterbending when you were there," Sokka said, "And you wanted to prove that girls could do this coming of age test just as much as boys."

"Because you're my brother," Katara said, "And I want to help you."

"And because you wanted to annoy me," Sokka added with a smile.

"You're impossible," Katara huffed.

Sokka just grinned as he pushed his empty bowl into the middle of the table.

"Do you really think I couldn't have persuaded Paku to teach me at the Northern Water Tribe?" Katara asked.

"It would've been difficult," Sokka shrugged, "You know what their rules are. The girls learn healing, the boys learn fighting. It's to make sure they've got enough of both for the war."

"They could just teach both to everyone," Katara said, though by the sounds of it she'd had this argument before.

"That would take too long," Sokka said, "You know that."

"It's unfair," Katara stated.

"It's worked for the past hundred years," Sokka argued, "The leaders know what they're doing."

"I hate the war," Katara said vehemently, "I'd be able to learn Waterbending and healing without someone standing over me telling me I wasn't allowed to."

"I don't know," Sokka said skeptically, "The Northerners are very traditional, and we don't get many benders in the South."

"They wouldn't be this bad if they weren't at war," Katara argued.

Sokka just looked at her doubtfully. Katara gave a huff and picked at the last few pieces of food in front of her.

Zuko stretched out on his back on the hay in the barn. The crescent moon and sparkling stars could be seen through the gap in the roof that had yet to be fixed. While Gansu's part had been neat and careful, the tiles Zuko had laid were misaligned. Still, it had been the best he could do and he decided there wasn't much point in thinking on it too hard.

"I miss Appa," Aang announced.

The Airbender was lying next to Zuko, also staring up at the ceiling.

"He'll be fine," Zuko said, "He's smart enough to stay hidden or fly away if there's trouble."

"I just miss talking to him," Aang said.

"You talked plenty over dinner," Zuko said.

"It's different with Appa," Aang tried to explain, "He's been with me for years. It's... it's Appa."

"My uncle was like that," Zuko said quietly.

He ignored Aang's wide-eyed stare. The young Airbender looked ready to burst with his questions, but managed to keep silent.

"When I was thirteen I had to prove myself," Zuko said, "He was there to help me along the way. Which was more than my father or sister did. He taught me Firebending on my travels and was always there with advice and tea."

"He sounds nice," Aang said.

"Too nice sometimes," Zuko said with a frown, "He always found it easy to make friends, which wasn't usually what we were after. A bit like you."

"Hey!" Aang protested, "I got us some dinner and a place to sleep for a bit of work."

"That's exactly what I mean," Zuko said, "That's what uncle would have done. I'm not as good at that sort of thing."

"What did he do when you got that scar?" Aang asked, then immediately regretted the question, "Sorry, you don't have to answer that."

"He looked after me," Zuko replied, appearing unfazed by the question, "He changed the bandages until I could do it myself and kept giving me herbs to help with the pain. I hated it."

"Why?" Aang asked, confused, "It sounds like he was just trying to help."

"He was," Zuko agreed, "I hated feeling weak. My father hated weakness, and I'd never been strong in his eyes. Unlike Azula."

"Azula? Your sister?" Aang asked.

"She was a Firebending prodigy," Zuko said, getting lost in his reminiscing, "Brilliant, cruel and a good liar, everything my father wanted for a successor. They were both so pleased I was the Avatar, it meant I couldn't become the Fire Lord."

"So Azula was next in line?" Aang clarified.

"Yes," Zuko replied.

There was a small silence in which Aang worked up the courage to ask his next question.

"How did you get that scar?"

Zuko didn't speak for a long moment. His hand reached up to touch the mark over his left eye carefully. Aang opened his mouth to apologise, but the Firebender beat him to it.

"When I was thirteen I spoke out of turn and my father punished me," Zuko said quietly, "I had to prove myself or I would never be allowed home again. He gave me this," he indicated his scar, "As a reminder. He was a cruel person."

"What did you do?" Aang breathed.

"The only thing I could do, I tried to prove myself," Zuko snorted and shook his head, "I helped bring down Fire Nation criminals. I don't know if my father got the reports, or if he just chose to ignore them. The only thing I do know is that he gave me the order to return home the day I turned sixteen."

"And that wasn't a good thing?" Aang asked slowly, seeing Zuko's scowl.

"No," Zuko said, "It wasn't. I went back to the Fire Nation, expecting to be welcomed back as a prince. Instead the Fire Sages greeted me as the Avatar. I was allowed one day to give my farewells then I was to travel again. When I saw my father he was pleased. Pleased that the Avatar was someone he could control. Pleased that my sister would get the throne without question. He wasn't pleased that his son was home. He didn't want me." Zuko let out a shaky breath, "That's when I realised it."

"Zuko..." Aang began, but fell silent when he didn't know how to continue.

"I went to the Fire Sage's temple on Crescent Moon island," Zuko continued, "Where they taught me the basic things the Avatar should know, since I'd missed my schooling in the three years I was away. I was deep below the temple one day when everything went cold and my Firebending failed. I suppose that was the eclipse happening. I heard combat and then everything went dark. The next thing I know I'm waking up on Appa's saddle."

"Was it the Avatar state?" Aang asked.

"I don't know," Zuko said, clearly frustrated, "I can't remember. It must have happened at some point. I wish it hadn't. The Fire Nation needed me and I wasn't there to help."

"The Monks say that everything happens for a reason," Aang said, "Maybe there wasn't anything you could've done for the Fire Nation. Maybe you're here because there's a chance for you to save the world now."

"The eclipse," said Zuko, his voice dead, "It's so close. If I had more time I might be able to do something about it."

"But if you appeared earlier, I wouldn't have found you," Aang reasoned, "You could've been captured by Water Tribe."

"Maybe," Zuko grudgingly allowed, "My life's always been difficult, why give me an easy way to save the world?"

"Sounds like the storm's letting up," Katara said, her head cocked to one side, listening.

"Good," Sokka said, standing up and stretching, "I'll be able to ask Paku about Firebender lighting. I can't believe he never said anything about it before!"

"Maybe he knew you'd start getting obsessed with it," Katara said, also getting to her feet.

"I am not obsessed with the Avatar!" Sokka protested.

"You weren't this bad about Yue," Katara grinned, "Sokka and the Avatar sitting in a tree..."

"Shut up!" Sokka snapped, "I want to capture him, not kiss him."

"If you say so," Katara said lightly.

"If you don't stop talking I'll start talking about when you first met Genak," Sokka threatened.

"He was just being nice!" Katara said, blushing furiously.

"Uh huh," Sokka said, a grin forming on his face, "Is that what he calls it now?"

"Be quiet!" Katara snapped, flustered.

Squabbling, the two made their way up to the deck. Katara was right, the storm was thinning out, leaving the sky clear. Sokka looked back at the dark clouds, glad to be shot of them.

"Are we still on track?" he asked Paku, staring at the stars to try and work it out himself.

"Close enough," Paku replied, then, seeing Sokka was about to ask him something, added, "I'm going to rest now. We won't apprehend the Avatar for another day at least, your question can wait."

Sokka frowned, but nodded. The moonlight spilled over the deck, colouring it silver. Somewhere out there the Avatar was hiding, but Sokka was going to catch him, no doubt about that. Humming softly to himself, Sokka leant on the railing and closed his eyes, listening to the sound of the sea. It was good to be alive.

"Here," Sela said, offering a small package, "This should get you two through a few more meals."

"Thank you," Zuko said, accepting the package with a short bow.

"It was really nice to meet you," Aang said, giving a bow when Zuko nudged him discretely.

"Come see us again sometime," Lee said.

"We'll try," Aang promised.

Aang and Zuko started to walk away, Zuko tugging the hood of his cloak over his head. The animals started up their squealing and grunting as they walked along the fence, not letting up until the pair had made quite a bit of distance from the small farm.

"You know," Aang spoke up as the noises faded completely, "They got me thinking. You remember what I said about family and Monk Gyatso?" he waited for Zuko to nod before continuing, "Well, I guess that makes you my older brother."

"I... really?" Zuko spluttered, looking at Aang with surprised plain on his face.

"Sure," Aang said brightly.

"I'm... I'm not good at being an older brother," Zuko warned.

Aang just gave him a grin and bounded off down the road. Zuko shook his head in bewilderment and amusement then ran after the errant Airbender. He had lost his family – he even missed Azula in some brief moments – but like Aang said, family wasn't just made from blood. He could rebuild his family and find a place to call home. It was a nice thought, and it wouldn't last, but for now Zuko took peace in it.