Chapter 10: Changes

Hakoda and Aang walked slowly over to Zuko, who was still kneeling over Zula's body. He took a deep breath, stood up and turned around.

"Cheif Hakoda. Avatar." Zuko greeted. "Guess I owe you an explanation."

Hakoda sighed. "Well, from what I could see, you don't...didn't have a very good relationship with your father."

Zuko shook his head. "My father was the worst father in the history of fathers. He burned and banished me for speaking out of turn at a war meeting, and challenged me to an Agni Kai. I was only thirteen years old."

"That's why you hunted me." Aang guessed. "Catching me would turn things back to normal for you, and your father would accept and love you."

"Yep, and I don't know what the hell I was thinking." Zuko said forlornly.

"You made a mistake." Hakoda mentioned. "But you still have a chance to redeem yourself."

Zuko nodded and turned to Aang. "I'm so sorry for all the trouble I've caused. I deeply regret it."

Aang had to think. There was no way he and his friends can forgive Zuko right away. But then again, he basically admitted to his own father that he hates the war and what it does. And Suki...she did say he's changed. Aang sighed.

"I'm sorry. It's gonna take a lot for me to consider forgiving you." Aang replied. "It's just...my friends and I have been betrayed before We're a little paranoid."

Zuko bowed his head and closed his eyes. "I understand. And I really hope you can forgive me someday, if not now."

"Me too." Aang replied. Thunder rumbled in the distance and it started to sprinkle. He turned to Hakoda. "We better head back to camp." He opened his glider and Hakoda climbed on top of it. Zuko watched the two fly off and sighed. Mai walked up to Zuko.

"I sent a messenger hawk to my parents and told them I'm fine." Mai reported. "I also said that both Ozai and Azula are dead, and that you'll be claiming the throne."

Zuko stared at Mai in shock. "Me? Retake the throne? Mai, I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? You're next in line!" Mai asked, surprised. "Who else is there?"

"Iroh." Zuko said simply. "My uncle? Remember him?"

"He's missing in action." Mai stated. "No one knows where he is. We need someone to reclaim the throne now."

Zuko groaned and threw his head back."Mai, I'm not sure if I'll make a good Fire Lord."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out." Mai reasoned.

Zuko considered that. The Fire Nation does need someone to lead them. Plus he needs to end the war...

"You really think I ca do this?" Zuko asked.,

"I know you can do it." Mai smiled and took Zuko's hands in hers. They kissed.

XXX

Meanwhile, back at the camp, Katara began stirring. She woke up and found herself on a cot. She turned to see her father looking relieved and happy.

"Daddy." Katara smiled. "What happened? Is Aang okay?"

"Yes, he's fine." Hakoda told Katara what she missed, including Ozai's and Azula's deaths, and Zuko apologizing for what he's done.

Katara snickered and instantly regretted it. Her ribs still hurt. "Ugh...you don't believe him, do you?"

"I believe that people can change." Hakoda replied. "I believe that things that are left behind after all of the war and debris can grow better than the generations before...if given the chance."

Katara sighed and looked away. "Dads...Zuko burned down Kyoshi Island and the Southern Water Tribe, kidnapped me and used me to get to Aang, stole Mother's necklace and used it to track us down, kidnapped Aang, and helped Azula take down Ba Sing Se! Is that the kind f guy you want to forgive?"

"If he didn't realize his mistake or apologize, no." Hakoda replied. "Zuko seems to have realized his mistakes and regrets them. Haven't you ever done anything you now regret?"

'Well, I now regret having this conversation with you.' Katara thought. She sighed again. "I need to think about this."

"Very well." Hakoda stood up. "I'll let you get some rest." He started walking out.

"Dad?" Katara asked. Hakoda turned around. "Don't be too hard on Sokka. He did what he did to protecxt Suki. He's lost enough of his lovved ones."

Hakoda smiled. "I won't."

Katara smiled as her father left her tent. Hakoda almost ran into Aang.

"Sorry." Aang apologized. "How's Katara?"

"She's fine. She's awake."

Aang sighed in relief. "That's good. Listen...I know Sokka almost jeopordized the mission by giving up Mai, but he did it to rescue someone he loves." He paused. "I never told anyone this...but...I was put in the same position four months ago. I was being trained by a guru to help gain control of the Avatar State...when I had a vision of Katara in danger. I went back for her. I chose her over finally gaining control over the Avatar State."

"I see." Hakoda said calmly. He could see where Aang was coming from, and though he'd never admit it to Aang, Aang's situation was worse- millions of lives were at stake. "Thank you , Aang. I will keep that in mind."

Aang smiled. "Okay." He walked into Katara's tent. Hakoda turned around to see Sokka walking towards him. He sighed. "Sokka, I am very disappointed with you."

Sokka sighed and hung his head. "I know."

"You put us all in grave danger. You gave into our enemy's demands..." Hakoda took a deep breath. "Though...I suppose if you hadn't, the Fire Lord would still be alive. That counts towards your credibility."

Sokka sighed in relief. "But if I hadn't complied...Katara wouldn't be hurt."

"Sokka, Katara is alive." Hakoda put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "That's what is important. I wish she hadn't gotten hurt, but....there are some things you just can't control."

"Yeah..." Sokka said.

"Now as for your punishment..." Sokka looked at his father with dread. "I hereby sentence you to six months of community service in the South Pole, and you cannot leave the country until your service is complete."

"That...sounds fair." Sokka admitted.

"I'm glad."

XXX

Aang sat next to Katara. "Hey."

"Hey." Katara smiled. "You finally did it."

"Well, it was actually Azula who killed the Fire Lord, but..."

Katara chuckled lightly. "Still..."

Aang sighed and shook his head. "I'm sorry. You were right. I shouldn't have risked worrying about you in the field. And now look what happened."

Katara smiled warmly. "Aang, it's okay. I'm alive. I don't blame you for protecting me."

Aang smiled back. "Well, I guess I now know what happens if I have attachments to this world."

"I'm sure it's possible to stay detached and still love." Katara said after a minute. She waited for Aang's response.

Aang swallowed. "So...I mean...if...the war ends...what happens then?"

Katara stared at Aang then shrugged. "I don't know. I still need to figure things out. And so do you./"

Aang stood up silently. He knew Katara was right- he did need to figure things out.. "Feel better, okay?"

"I will."

XXX

Suki found Sokka sitting on a long a few feet away from his tent. She walked over and sat down. "Hey. Thanks for saving me today."

Sokka didn't look at her. "No problem."

Suki noticed her boyfriend's distance. "Are you okay?"

Sokka shrugged. "Katara's hurt because of me."

"Sokka..."

"I put your well-being ahead of everyone elses'. That's borderline treason." Sokka explained. "I'm sentanced to six months of community service, and I can't leave the South Pole until then, you and my friends and family are alive and I can live with that. What I can't live with is that my doing put Katara in danger, and she almost got killed."

Suki sighed deeply. He had a point there: he was indirectly responsible for Katara getting hurt. But... "I'm sure your dad and Katara forgive you. You look and feel guilty about it. That...um..." She sighed again. "I'm not giving up on you." She said after a minute. "I'll never give up on you. I love you."

Sokka just stared straight ahead silently. All he could think about was how protecting Suki cost him. If he hadn't gave in to Azula's demands, none of this would've happened. He didn't want to lose her.

Sokka stood up and sighed deeply. Suki stood up, also. "I'm sorry. But...I just need to think about some things."

"What...things?" Suki asked, dreading the answer.

"All I could think about was sav9ing you." Sokka replied. "I didn't think about the consequences."

"It could've been worse." Suki pointed out. "I know Katara got hurt, and that affected you, but-"

"That's what happens when you love someone enough to be compromised." Sokka finished.

Suki was stung. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if I didn't love you...then I wouldn't lose you." Sokka stated.

Suki's mouth went dry. Her eyes welled up with tears and she choked back a sob. "You shouldn't have saved me, then." Sokka turned back to her, and Suki ran off.

...Ok, so I'm gonna make this story longer than 11 chapters. Lol Stay tuned!