Authors note: As I said in my last authors note, this is an important chapter, so please read all the way through and review.

Chapter Fourteen

A Matter of Importance

It was early morning on Appa that the entire group started to arouse. And one member in particular was of most surprise.

"Uh…Sokka…" the girl muttered as she slowly sat up.

The Water Tribe teenager quickly scooted over to her. She was barely awake but she was conscious.

"I'm here Suki…"

The Kyoshi warrior gave a smile as she looked around. Her eyes turned wide though when she saw the group. There was Zuko, the prince of the Fire Nation and his uncle sitting next to one another and then there was Mai and Ty Lee talking silently to each other as they looked at her.

"What are they doing here?" she asked, her face turning to an immediate frown.

"Their not here to fight, they helped us…helped you."

"No they didn't. All they did was hurt me…and killed all the Kyoshi warriors!"

"Suki, that's not true."

"Yes it is! Those two right there," she said while pointing to Mai and Ty Lee, "They…they killed them all."

Suki fell back in tears as Katara rushed from Aang's side. She instantly started to put her healing powers to work.

"She's having a common case of preconscious trauma. Her mind is still troubled, she needs to rest."

Katara made Suki just as comfortable as before and then but her hand calmly on her brother's shoulder. He looked deprived of life as he saw Suki's face go white yet again.

"It will be alright," Katara said in encouragement, "She'll be alright."

"I'm not worried about that…it's what she said…is it true…"

Sokka turned to Mai and Ty Lee.

"Is it?" he asked in a pleading way.

Mai heaved a sigh and turned to Zuko. Ty Lee just sat there and stared at Sokka. She looked as if she would burst into tears in any second.

"It is…isn't it?"

Ty Lee just hid her face in shame as Mai nodded.

"We didn't know it was you're friend. Our goal was to get the bison…"

"Wait, you all knew about Appa?" Toph said with a gasp.

The Avatar decided to leave the reins and sit with the group. This was a major break through.

"Let me get this right. You all tried to capture Appa and in the process killed all the Kyoshi warriors."

Aang fell suddenly onto Appa, shaking his head.

"We trusted you," Sokka said, glaring straight at Ty Lee, "How could you?"

"We didn't know..."

"That doesn't make it right!"

Ty Lee slouched farther into the saddle and Mai rolled her eyes.

"In our defense-"

"There is nothing you could say to change this. You killed all the warriors! You almost killed Suki!"

"Now that's enough!"

Zuko stood up, carefully at that, seeing as the bison was still flying.

"You all don't know the whole story. It wasn't them."

"What do you mean?" Katara asked, feeling the most confused of them all.

"It…it…it was my sister, Azula."

Zuko wasn't proud to say this at all but he couldn't bare hearing a lie. If there was one thing he knew that was not true in life it was that Mai and Ty Lee were killers.

"Yes, they were apart of my sister, and yes they did probably hurt them but they wouldn't kill. But my sister, she would. So if you're going to blame anyone blame her!"

Zuko as she finished couldn't believe what he had just said. Sticking up for people was definitely not something he usually did but right now it felt right.

"Is this true?" Sokka said, turning to Uncle Iroh.

"I believe my nephew…do you?" was the only thing he said.

Sokka turned back to Zuko, and then Mai, and finally Ty Lee. Her eyes begged of mercy.

"I...believe you…"

Katara and Toph couldn't help breaking into smiles. This group in itself had to mend and this was a good start. Aang gave a hard nod, but grinned also as he returned to the reins. Sokka though did not smile; he just stroked Suki's face, the sadness she still would have to suffer.

"I'm sorry…"

He looked up to see Ty Lee's face.

"I'm sorry for your friend…and for you…"

Sokka looked down at Suki; thinking even in her hurt what she would have him do.

"I forgive you," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I forgive you."

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"She almost had it done…everything would be ruined…"

"But she didn't, he is still strong."

"With his friends, but without?

"He will learn, through love…"

"He will?"

"Through love, the thing that has passed him his entire, he will grow even stronger and will in time withstand.

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"Zuko, I need you a moment."

The Fire Nation prince looked up from where he was sitting. Surprisingly he was talking to the earthbender, Toph, about firebending styles when his uncle called him.

"What is it?" he asked as he sat next to him.

"There's something I need to tell you…something that will change, change everything."

"Yes?"

"I…I have decided…to join the Avatar and teach him the art of Firebending."

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Authors note: I know, bad way to end it but in a way it was actually kind of good. Yes, they all found out about the whole Kyoshi warrior thing. I thought it was needed however Zuko got up there and defended his crew, liked that a lot. So I hope you all review and hopefully I'll get an update soon. Oh and I liked to thank the following reviews for their constant support: Kimba616, fourfourfourfour, Talonlee, sassygirl93, and avafreak45. Thanks guys yet again.