Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. Don't tempt me.

A/N: Okay! So we've reached the point where I'm really not sure where this is going or how much longer it will go on. So…ideas are really appreciated. On a random note, I dreamed of Avatar the other night and I may write a fanfic based on the dream. Thanks for sticking with this, and as always, please read and review!

Appa was up in the air as soon as Sokka had exclaimed "Yip yip!". Azula and her firebenders continued to shoot blasts at them (that were narrowly avoided) until they were out of sight. The Gaang decided the best idea was to hide out in the wilderness, far from where anyone of the Firenation could get to them. They traveled for awhile until Katara insisted that they stop so that she could treat Aang's injuries.

"Land, sweet land!" Toph exclaimed as they touched the ground and she flung herself down onto the earth.

"Sokka, you and Toph set up camp while I take care of Aang." Katara said, not sparing more than a glance at the firebender. Zuko looked around as they all went to work, then asked uncomfortably,

"Well, umm…What should I do?" They all looked at him awkwardly. Sokka finally said,

"Were you…well…planning to stay?"

Zuko's cheeks reddened brilliantly. Of course they would not allow him to join. Not after all he had done. It was stupid to even consider that they-

"Well where else is going to go?" Toph broke his thoughts with her exclamation. He felt immensely grateful for what she said. "Besides he helped us get out of there."

"I don't know," Katara jumped in, "I don't think that letting him stay here is such a good idea."

Zuko waited anxiously as they decided his fate.

"Katara, maybe we should give him a shot. I mean, he's helped us more than once today."

"You don't owe me anything," Zuko said quickly. Katara piped up,

"That's right we don't! After everything you did to us-"

"I know. And I'm sorry. For everything. I tried to tell you before: I've changed. Things have been hard these past few years, and I didn't understand what I really wanted. But now I know. All I want is to play my part in ending this war." He added quietly, "It's my destiny."

Toph said in a low voice,

"He's telling the truth." Zuko nodded gently to confirm it to them. Then he waited for their judgment.

"Okay." Sokka said finally. He rubbed his neck uncomfortably and turned to his sister who sighed.

"You can stay for now. But when Aang wakes up it's up to him." Zuko nodded slowly. He said,

"So…"

"Here," Katara spoke up, "You can help me with Aang."

The others went about setting up the camp while they worked. Katara worked the water through Aang's aching body. He flickered in and out of consciousness for awhile, clearly in pain. Zuko felt for him. He too was feeling weaker and weaker, like the fire of Azula's lightening was spreading up his arm and into his chest.

"Zuko!" Katara said, snapping him out of his daze.

"What?"

"Are you okay?" Zuko nodded carefully, trying to stop his head from spinning. "Why don't you go help Sokka." Katara, a little nervously. Zuko stood up and began to walk, feeling unbalanced. Something was definitely wrong with him.

Zuko didn't make it more than a few steps before he saw black spots in his vision and was falling, falling, falling…

The last thing he heard was Katara yell his name and Sokka curse as he went down.

A/N: Sorry it's so short this time!