At first, I'm a bit worried about how we'd ditch Judai. As far as I can tell, he seems to be the type of person who tries to help wherever he can, and has a hard time taking no for an answer. But by the time everyone is safely in the carts, bandaged up if necessary and wrapped in the occasional blanket, he looks just about ready to crash. Or maybe fall asleep standing upright, who knows?

Fact is, I'm not the only one for whom this whole misadventure was a bit too much. Adrenaline can only take you so far, and there is only token resistance when Sokka sends Judai back to Rubona with the others.

I wonder what to say. Is there any possibility to convince the others to stay? I bet there is some lost time to make up for, and reason enough to get out of here. People know us now, it's only a matter of time...

"Kamina!"

It's Katara's call which rips me out of my thoughts, and I blink the momentary disorientation away. The Water Tribe girl is standing near the pool, waving me over. Hmm... water... waterbender?

I feel some of the old wariness stealing its way into my mind. I talked to the guards without them, what if they think I... No, that's ridiculous! Katara would never hurt me... right?

I shake off the paranoia. If they wanted to attack me, they would have done so already.

Before I can change my mind again, I stride over to Katara. "What is it?"

"Would you show me your arm, please?"

My... Oh! Of course! She's going to heal the sword cut! I feel a smile breaking out on my face when even the last remnants of the caution fade. I'm with friends here. I don't have to be afraid.

I lift my arm to give Katara easier access, while the girl herself bends a bubble of water from the mountain stream, covering her hands in it. The water starts emitting a calming blue glow, and I can literally watch the lips of the wound close when she places her hand on my arm to spread the water over the cut. I can only stare in fascination, it's the first time I actually see her work up close.

"Katara, did I mention you're amazing?"

"Only a couple of times today," she jokes, a pleased grin on her face. Then her expression changes back to concentration and after another few seconds, she removes her hand. The gash, formerly five inches long and crusted with blood, has turned into a fine red line, still visible, but far from alarming. I kinda expected it to disappear completely, but it would be ungrateful to say it out loud.

"Thank you."

She accepts the words with a smile. I'm surprised to detect a tinge of wistfulness in it. "I wish I could have done more."

"Why?" I ask incredulously, waving my freshly healed arm around. I didn't even realize how much the wound had been restricting my movements. "Katara, this is awesome!"

"Thank you."

With my focus on Katara's indecipherable expression, I notice Aang only once the waterbender turns to him.

"Katara, you did everything you could," the little Avatar insists in all sincerity, a hand on her shoulder. "It's not your fault those kids have been hurt so badly. You saved so many lives today, you can be proud of yourself." He retracts his hand and a huge, encouraging smile spreads on his lips. "I sure am."

And there goes the next "Thank you." Wow, that's a lot of thank-yous for a minute... Wait, what's going on? Katara leans down to plant a light kiss on Aang's cheek, causing a pink color to rise to his face, the dark gray eyes betraying utter bliss.

I smirk. Looks like someone's in love. I wonder if it's mutual? I mean, Katara kissed Aang, not the other way round, but it may as well be purely friendly.

Hmm, no point in risking a headache over it. I'll probably find out sooner or later.

A throat is cleared somewhere to the left and I direct my attention at Sokka. "We should get moving, I'm not exactly keen on wandering around these mountains in the dark."

I'm about to point out that we have Toph to guide us if push comes to shove, but since I don't like the idea either, I just nod. The rest is quick to agree as well and before long, we're navigating the narrow paths back to the campsite.

After a few minutes of concentrated hiking without stumbling, the ground levels out a bit and I use the chance to peer at the sun, shading my eyes with a hand. "I wonder how much time we still have until it's pitch black up here."

"About half an hour, I'd say," Sokka's voice answers from behind and I flash him a questioning glance, only to get reprimanded with an "Eyes to the front, Fireflake!"

Startled, I whip around, barely registering the rock in front of my toes before I already leapt over it. "Huh, that was close," I mumble to myself, then raise my voice for a "Thanks, Toph!"

She scoffs. "Just get your head out of the clouds."

"Toph, you can't tell airbenders to get their heads out of the clouds," Sokka notes in a jesting-lecturing tone. "It's their natural habitat."

"We're right here," Aang reminds the Water Tribe teen testily. He's very busy jumping down an outcrop.

"Feels good to say, doesn't it, Twinkletoes?"

Aang freezes for a moment, then proceeds to whip around, looking first at Toph, then at me. His eyes are so full of sadness, and yet so full of warmth.

I don't know how to return the gaze. I realized already what Toph has been saying: Referring to airbenders as 'we'... that's special. To him even more than me.

"Yes," he breathes, then a smile spreads on his lips, blowing the sadness away. Katara, who's been hanging around him for most of the way, places a hand on his, and he turns the smile at her, while my attention gets forcefully redirected – a fist against my arm makes me turn around to face Toph. I don't even bother with complaining this time, but I do wonder how it's possible for such a tiny girl to pack such a punch.

Tsk, earthbenders.

"What about you, Fireflake? You're not even giving a peep."

"What are you expecting me to say?" I retort, a bit cross because of all the unnecessary punching. "That I'm happy that I tripped over the Avatar and tear myself up over conflicting loyalties ever since?"

Toph's eyebrows furrow and I immediately regret my words.

"Sorry," I apologize, dropping my gaze to the ground. "That was unfair."

"No, it wasn't," Aang chips in, drawing four pairs of eyes to himself. He looks just as sincere as he sounds. "You have every right to feel that way. I know how highly Fire Nation people value loyalty, and judging from the way you and Judai stick so close together, I think it reinforced your attachment."

I frown. I never really thought about that. Up to now, it was just the general idea of the Fire Nation, the Firelord, I refuse to betray. It's my home after all. And it's true... I don't want to betray Judai. I don't want to betray Mimi, my parents. But... how much do I care about the Firelord?

I've grown up being taught about his greatness. How the Fire Nation grows and thrives under his care, and how selflessly he shares the wealth with the world. Under his rule, we're safe.

Share our wealth... by wiping out people like Aang?

Safe... by sending our family and friends to a battlefield?

Grow and thrive... on Earth Kingdom blood and sweat?

I squeeze my eyes shut and press my hands onto my temples. My head hurts. Why? Why me?

"Now I know why they say 'ignorance is bliss'..." I mumble, prompting Aang to ask for a repetition I'm not willing to give. Toph is so kind to fill in for me. I have no idea how they react. I don't care.

I wish Judai were here. Or my mum. By all the tea leaves of the dragon bush, I'd even go for On Ji. Anyone familiar. Anyone Fire Nation.

Honestly, I'm not sure where the sentiment stems from. There is no desperation, nor is there any sadness or anger. It's something beyond that. I feel empty. Empty and drained.

Two hands come to lie on my shoulders. "Kami, look at me," Aang pleads. I don't see any reason to do so.

But neither do I see a reason not to. I take the tension out of my arms, let them fall limply to my sides. Open my eyes. Aang looks so serious all of a sudden.

"No, don't look away!" he cries, before I even register that I did it again. I flinch at the urgency in his tone, unintentionally sending him into a panic. "Uh, I didn't...! I mean...!"

"It's okay, Aang!" I cut into his babbling, maybe a bit too forcefully. "It's not your fault I'm such a weakling!"

We both take a moment to calm down, then the little Avatar continues, "Don't put yourself down like that."

I wave it off, resigned. "Believe it or not, self-loathing is hard to unlearn. So, there is something you want to tell me?"

Aang sighs. "Yeah... I'm not sure it helps, but..." He pushes up his headband, uncovering the blue arrow on his forehead. Then he puts his hands together and bows. "I promise to you, here and now, that when I defeat the Firelord, I'll personally see to it that the people of the Fire Nation will not suffer for it. At the hands of the Earth Kingdom or otherwise. It's not right to punish the innocent, and..."

He doesn't get any further – I overcome the astonishment-induced daze and tackle him into a hug, relieved, grateful, completely overwhelmed.

It sounds so perfect. Like this, I can help Aang without worrying about turning my back on my people. It's like a ton of weight has been lifted off my shoulders; I feel so light, I just might take off and fly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," I whisper, and I can feel Aang's arms wrap around me to return the hug.

"You know, I'm the Fire Nation's Avatar, too. As weird as it sounds."

"That does sound weird," Sokka's voice comments in the background.

"Shush up!" comes a hiss from Katara, accompanied by a smacking sound. I bet she hit him. Question is whether that hurt as much as his words did.

"Hey, I just said it sounds weird, not that it's untrue!" Sokka defends himself. I'm not sure if that makes it better...

I blink back the tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, then I feel ready to let go of Aang and face the world again. "Thank you," I repeat, a bit more subdued now. The euphoria has faded, the doubts are returning.

Do I really want this?

No. Not even remotely. Firelord Ozai... He is the rightful sovereign. He's Agni's chosen, his rule is absolute and divinely supported. Who am I to say that what he's doing is wrong? City girl or not, I'm just a lowly peasant who hasn't even received Agni's blessing. How can I turn full-blown traitor, just like that? How can I agree with removing him from the throne?

I need time to sort this out. And I need to do it without the influence of the Avatar and his friends, their presence alone makes me feel I'm pressured into something. In fact, I need to talk about this with someone from the Fire Nation. There is the matter of phrasing it when I do, but I can figure it out. I really need to get this off my chest. I need Judai.

I take a step back, so I can get a good look at everyone. Aang smiles encouragingly. Katara glares daggers at Sokka, who stares back, eyes wide and hands raised defensively. Toph blows at a strand hanging into her face, feigning disinterest.

"Would you..." I begin, adding the attention of the Water Tribe siblings to Aang's. My throat goes dry. I swallow hard, hoping to get some moisture down there. "Would you mind if I head back to Rubona for the night?"

"Why?" Sokka asks, arms crossed. I grit my teeth, why is it so difficult to have a decent conversation with him?

Funny thing is, he doesn't even sound suspicious. I'm not sure what he's aiming at, but I guess there is no harm in telling him.

"I need some away time."

Sokka raises a brow. "You just had... what, four hours?"

Four...?! I look up at the sky, the setting sun. It would fit. Better than two hours anyway. Did the whole slaver-ordeal warp my sense of time really that badly?

Never mind.

"That doesn't count. It wasn't exactly a summer vacation." I sigh. "Besides, I haven't been this clear since I joined you guys. But, to be honest, you're making me nervous. It's nothing personal, I just..." I wave a hand in an uncertain gesture. I really don't know how to put this. "I can't be around you right now, and it sounds so wrong, but..."

"Stop apologizing for everything," Toph cuts in with a commanding voice. "If you need to go, then go! We'll catch you later."

"We will?" Aang blurts out.

"You will?" I follow up with a bit of a delay. Didn't see that coming.

"Well Twinkletoes, I'm not one to pass up on a free meal. Plus, no camp chores. Works for me!"

Sokka rubs his head exasperatedly. "Right. Then I'm sure you can explain to Kamina's new boyfriend why Aang won't undress for sleeping."

That pulls the blind girl up short. I guess she needs a reminder from time to time that Aang's tattoos are really posing a problem. It's not like it's such a striking detail to her.

Wait a minute... "He's not my..." I cut myself off and emit a huff instead. I'm not going to finish that hackneyed line. I refuse to behave like a stereotypical love-struck teenager in denial.

"Whatever," Sokka shrugs. "Fact is, we're not going."

"But..." I speak up again, thinking hard. I knew Sokka was going to react like this, but having Toph on my side jump-started me out of the I-don't-even-have-to-try zone. "If Judai is the only problem... He already said he'd rather sleep without us. I'm sure we can figure it out."

"Come on, Sokka!" Toph keeps prodding, and I find myself almost surprised that she used his actual name. "There'll be meat!"

I kinda doubt that Sokka would be swayed by that, so I'm not sure what to think when he puts a thump and index to his chin, apparently weighing his options.

"Alright, maybe we can give it a try." Before I can burst into cheers, he holds up a hand. "But only if Katara and Aang are in!"

I look expectantly at the both of them. True enough, they didn't participate in the prior debate, so we need to hear them out.

The little Avatar is the first to speak up. "I wouldn't mind a bed for a change, and..." He glances at me. "If you think it will help you find some peace, I'm all for it."

Last one is Katara, who nods. "I'd like to keep an eye on the children. As long as there is no risk of exposing Aang, we should be fine."

Yes! Yesyesyesyes!

I send my companions a beaming smile. "Thank you! You have no idea how much it means to me!"

I cash in a punch from Toph for it. "Then get on with it! Hook us a table while you're at it, I'm starving."

"Will do!" I laugh in response and give a mock salute, ignoring the pain in my arm. "I'll check on rooms, too. See you later!"

And with that, I turn around to skip down the mountain with newfound optimism. I finally feel that things are going to work out. One way or another.

And another important chapter done! Gotta love the character development. *dreamy sigh*

I always wondered why Toph of all people is the one reprimanding Aang about his arrow tattoos in The Beach, seeing how she's the one most likely to forget about them. And then I figured if she'd be reminded of them every now and again as a consequence of a mistake, if would be on the front of her mind for a while, because mistakes are less likely to be forgotten. So it could be a kind of we-had-that-problem-a-couple-days-ago remark.

So much fridge logic.

Oh, and the religion. Long Feng talks about how the Earth King is "a god to his people", Azula quotes "the divine right to rule"... LoK picks it up as well, with the Earth Queen. In combination with the Spirit World being an actual physical realm... it's funny. I like how the creators don't drop the hammer (no one is actively worshipping the rulers on-screen, if they're worshipped at all, unless you count Grandma Yin), but you can totally see it floating around. It's very accurate in an Asian-based show. Just beautiful!

(I'm such a nerd.)