The next morning Zuko took the airbenders to a remote part of the temple to show how to properly firebend. The three of them were gone for the entire day and only returned when the sun was starting to set. We all got together for dinner and chatted by the camp as we ate and got ready to sleep. Zuko stood apart from us for a while before walking towards us. "Listen everybody- I've got some pretty bad news. I've lost my stuff."

"Don't look at me!" Toph cried out. "I didn't stop your stuff!"

"I'm talking about my firebending. It's gone."

Katara laughed.

"I'm sorry…" She smirked. "I'm just laughing at the irony- you know- how it would have been nice for us for you to lose your firebending a long time ago."

I frowned and punched her shoulder with my bad arm. "Be nice."

Brenan sighed, looking less than pleased. "As you can imagine- Aang and I didn't do much today."

"Well it's not lost, just weaker for some reason." Zuko hung his head low.

"Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are."

Topg snorted. "Ouch."

"Can we please not fight?" I looked between Brenan and Katara. "Please?"

Brenan at least had the decency to look somewhat ashamed.

"I bet it's because I changed sides." Zuko suddenly said.

"That's ridiculous." Katara rolled her eyes

"I don't know. Maybe it isn't." Aang turned to Zuko. "Maybe your firebending comes from your rage? And you just don't have enough anger to fuel it like you used to…"

"Sooo… all we need to do is to make Zuko angry." Sokka grinned before poking the boy mercilessly with the blunt of his sword. "That sounds easy enough."

"OK CUT IT OUT!" Zuko yelled- making Sokka's sword drop in his head. "Look! Even if you're right- I don't want to rely on hate and anger anymore. There has to be another way."

"You're going to need to learn to draw your firebending from a different source." Toph piped up. "I recommend- the original source."

"How's he supposed to do that?" Brena sat up from his spot on the ground. "By jumping into a volcano?"

"No- Zuko need to go back to whatever the original source of firebending is."

"So… it is jumping into a volcano?"

"I don't know." Toph shrugged. "For earthbending the original benders are badger moles. One day when I was very little- I ran away and hid in a cave. That's where I met them. They were blind just like me so we understood each other. I was able to learn earthbending not just as a martial art but as an extension of my senses. For them- the original earthbenders- it wasn't just about fighting. It was their way of interacting with the world."

"That's awesome Toph." I smiled and leaned back. Avoiding the muscles in my shoulder the best I could.

"I learned from the monks that the original airbenders were the sky bisons." Aang hopped on the train of storytelling. "Maybe you can give me a lesson sometime buddy!"

Appa grunted in response.

"Well it doesn't help me." Zuko sighed. "The original firebenders were the dragons but they're extinct."

"What do you mean?" Aang tilted his head. "Roku had a dragon and there were plenty of dragons when I was a kid."

"WELL THEY AREN'T ANYMORE OK?!"

"Ok- ok- sorry."

"But maybe there's another way…" Zuko walked to the railing that looked over the broken fountain. "The first people to learn from the dragons were the sun warriors."

"Sun warriors? Well I know they weren't around when I was a kid."

"No- they died off thousands of years ago. But their civilization isn't too far from where we are now. Maybe we can learn something by poking around in their ruins."

"That's what the monks used to tell me. Sometimes the shadows of the past and be felt by the present."

"So what?" Brenan looked over his shoulder. "Are you just going to pick up some old sun warriors energy just by standing where they stood a thousand years ago?"

"You're coming too Brenan." Brenan suddenly gaped at Aang. "If this is a firebending journey, you're coming also."

"As you wish o' great and mighty Avatar." Brenan looked back to the fire in front of him.

"It's either that and I firebend or the Avatar has to find a new teacher." Zuko looked at Aang.

"I think it's worth a try. A firebending trip!" I grinned. "It sounds like fun!"

"We leave first thing in the morning then." Suko nodded toward both boys.

I smiled toward my brother who looked a little worse for wear. I tried to wake up early to help them get ready but instead I was only early enough to see them off. "Take care you guys!"

"Brittany…" Brenan kept his distance. "Will you be ok? With me leaving and all?"

"Of course!" I hugged him- feeling him tense up and not hug back. "This is a part of you accepting and learn to harness something inside. I hope it goes well for you!"

"Brittany - I never apologized for hurting you."

"That's ok." I tried to keep my smile up. "It was an accident! Which only means I was right. You need a teacher to help you control it and if this is the only way to help with that- I'm all for it. I don't want you to fear your abilities. It's not like you asked for it."

"Aren't you a little bit mad at me?"

"You're being stupid." I rolled my eyes. "Just come back safely and unharmed- that'll be enough for me."

Brenan nodded and with a tight smile he got on top of Appa and left with the other boys. I turned to go do something else for the day when Teo approached me. "Good morning!"

"Good morning."

"How's your shoulder?"

I looked at it, moving it experimentally. "Almost healed- Katara's been helping me a lot with that and I occasionally heal it too. She said it's gonna be a nasty scar though."

"Brenan did seem pretty upset about it." Teo nodded and rolled along my side as we walked and talked. "It seemed even worse when we realized you didn't come back for the night. We were all pretty worried."

"Sorry about that." I laughed sheepishly. "I needed some space but I can see how that would be a bad decision… Do you think Brenan will be ok? I don't want him to be afraid of himself."

Teo shrugged. "I think the journey will help him. Do you want to do something?"

I blinked. "Like what?"

"There's a cool tunnel by some statues that I like to ride through. Have you seen it?"

I shook my head. "Between trying to help Aang and getting hurt, I honestly haven't seen much of this place."

"Then I'll show you all the cool stuff I found!" The boy next to me suddenly grinned. "Come on!"

I smiled and ran after him- trying to make the best of my day.

Night fell and the boys still hadn't returned.

It seemed to me that Teo had made it his personal mission to distract me from both my missing brother and my injury, getting help from the other Earth Kingdom civilians to keep laughing and happy- even for a little while.

When night fell again the boys gleefully returned- eager to show us what they learned from their field trip. They all seemed to control fire well enough. Zuko getting his power back and the airbenders looking much more confident than before.

"With this firebending technique we'll all be unstoppable." Aang grinned as they all finished their dance. We all politefully clapped when it was over.

"That's a great dance you got there." Sokka leaned back.

Zuko frowned at him. "It's not a dance. It's a firebending form."

"We'll just tap dance our way to the Fire Lord then."

I giggled.

"It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!"

"Oh yeah- what's your little form called?" Katara smirked.

Zuko grimaced. "... The Dancing Dragon."

We all laughed- much to his chairgain.

"Either way-" I grinned. "-I'm glad it went well and I'm glad you two seem more comfortable with yourselves." I said looking at the two airbenders. "That's one less thing we have to worry about."

Brenan looked to the ground, avoiding eye contact. "Ok… yeah."

'He still feels bad then…' I frowned. 'It's a start if he's able to learn anyway without freaking out.'

From the background I could hear Zuko sighed before saying something completely unexpected. "Should I make some tea?"

"That sounds lovely."

"Now- no one can make tea like Uncle." He said- pouring it into the cups we had after preparing it. "But hopefully I learned a thing or two. Would you like to hear Uncle's favorite tea joke?"

"Sure."

"I like jokes."

"Bring it!"

"Ok- well I can't remember how it starts but the punch like is- leaf me alone I'm bushed!"

We all just looked at him.

"Well it's funnier when Uncle tells it."

"Right… probably because he remembers that whole thing." Katara looked up from her cup of tea. We laughed at that at least.

Toph smiled. "You know- it's nice to get a chance to relax a little. It hardly ever happens."

"That's true." I sipped on my tea. It actually wasn't half bad. It need a little sugar but it worked in a pinch.

"Hey- can I talk to you in a second?" Sokka lead Zuko farther away from the group. I followed them with my eyes but gave up when they moved out of ear shot. Teo poked me from my side. "Hey, Brittany."

"Hm?"

"You said your shoulder is almost healed right?"

I nodded. "Yeah- between me and Katara, it's healing really fast." 'I'm only missing one heart now!'

"Haru was scared to asked you but he wants to duel with you."

"I'm not scared! She just likes you more!"

I chuckled. "Well maybe… maybe when the bandages get taken off."

"And we find you a new shirt." Katara said. "We're trying to find enough cloth to make one. Just pinning that shirt together isn't going to last any longer- face it- it's trashed."

I shrugged. "It was getting small anyway."

"Don't we still have clothes from the Fire Nation?" Toph rolled her head back. "Can she just switch out again?"

"Wait- do we?" I blinked at the girl.

Katara considered this. "I'll take a look in the morning. It's too dark to look now but we should…?"

I nodded and slowly moved to lay down. "If I fall asleep, don't wake me up."

It honestly didn't take me long to fall asleep.

When I woke up Sokka and Zuko were gone, but luckily they left a note. It said they were going to get fish and that it would take a few days. Which is all fine and dandy but Zuko gave the two airbenders homework while he was gone which promptly started after the note was read.

"No one else has homework." Brenan whined.

"The faster we do it- the faster it's over." Aang said- starting his round of hot squats.

"Until another frog croaks."

"I found them!" Katara called out

"Yay!" I ran over to her. "Cloths that fit! Are the best!"

"Here you go!" The clothes were handed to me. "Do you need help with the bandages?"

I shook my head. "It feels a lot better today! I should be fine by tomorrow!"

Katara smiled. "Good- it's great to see you act more like yourself again."

"If only Brenan would feel better too." I mumbled.

"He'll come around. He just needs time."

I shrugged and left the area the change into my outfit from before. I once again had the scarf around my shoulders instead of my waist out of habit and didn't notice until it was pointed out to me, by Haru of all people. "I thought it was supposed to go around the waist?"

I blinked. "Oh… I just wear it like this to hide my hair."

"...why?"

"It's pink? Not a common color… you know, easily recognizable? I travel with the Avatar and have to keep a low profile?" I sheepishly tugged at the fabric, feeling my insecurities poking my face with its blazing fingers. 'Is this wrong?'

Teo looked at me- eyeing me up and down before saying, "I don't think you should hide it ever again."

"I'll keep that in mind." I said smiling.

"Let's go- there still one place I haven't seen!"

Night and day came.

Then came again.

And on the third night we panicked momentarily when a Fire Nation war balloon came floating toward the air temple. Our group went to go check it out as the other kids hid amongst the buildings. It floated toa landing peacefully on the temple and out walked Zuko and Sokka.

"What are you two doing in this thing?" Katara stared wide eyes. What happened to the war balloon?"

Zuko shrugged. "It kind of got destroyed."

I grinned. "So you upgraded it!"

"Something like that."

"Sounds like a crazy fishing trip." Brenan ran his hands through his hair. Toph tilted her head. "Did you at least get some good meat?"

"I did- I got the best meat of all." Sokka stepped aside. "The meat of friendship and fatherhood."

From the platform walked out Chief Hakota, Suki and some giant new guy.. "I'm new! What's up everybody?"

"Dad…"

"Hi Katara."

They ran into a hug.

"How are you here? What's going on? Where did you go?"

"We … kind of went to a Fire Nation prison." Sokka said offhandedly- like it was an everyday occurance.

The reunited family hugged once more.

"Seriously, you guys didn't find any meat?" Toph blinked in surprise.

I face palmed. "Toph- let them have their moment."

"But meat-"

"Toph." Brenan rolled his eyes before patting her shoulder consolingly. "Drop it."

She sighed but gave up on the idea eventually.

The night was spent with a sense of togetherness and completeness… even if there was barely enough blankets to go around. Sleep was peaceful and it was one of our calmest nights we had in a very long time.

Imagine our surprise when we woke up to an explosion.

Aang was the first to take action as he blasted away other bombs headed our way and closed to space we had taken refuge in. As the building continued to take damage- the ceiling started to break apart and crumble, nearly falling on top of Katara. It was have been a direct hit too if Zuko hadn't tackled her out of the way just before it hit her. As the two got off of the ground, Haru, Toph, and I earthbended a tunnel for the others to escape through.

We all went to make an exit but Zuko opted to stand outside and hold them off as we all turned to leave. "Zuko!" I cried out. "Don't do it! We have to leave!"

He looked away from me and toward the attacks. "I think this is a family visit."

"We don't have time!" Sokka and Katara ran up to Aang and I- trying to pull Appa through the hole in the temple. "We have to get out of here!"

Appa wouldn't budge even with four of us tugging on his reigns.

"I can't get him to go in there!" Aang cried. "Appa hates tunnels!"

"He has a reason though." I grunted- pulling to the best of my ability. "Remember the Cave of the Two Lovers of whatever it was?"

"There's no way we can fly out of here!" Brenan called out over Appa's protesting.

Aang gave up on trying to pull Appa through. "We have to find a way."

"We need to split up then." Sokka said, dropping the reins as well. He turned to the other kids plus the prison escapees. "Take this tunnel and get to the stolen airship!"

"NO!" Katara scowled. "The Fire Nation can't separate our family again!"

Hakota put his hands on his daughter's shoulders. "It'll be ok. It's not forever."

She wasn't happy about it but Katara hugged her father goodbye once again- followed by Sokka who grabbed Suki on top of that before the three of them joined our group back to Appa. I waved goodbye to them as they turned down the tunnel. "Stay safe guys!"

"I can clear that area and we can fly out through there." Toph hopped onto Appa as the rest of us got on.

Suki didn't seem to be impressed by that idea. "There's an awful lot of fire in that direction."

We'll get through."Aang took his place on Appa's head and waited for Toph's cue. "Let's go!"

So out we flew! Toph holding together as we flew into the fray. Someone tried firing at us- the blue flame that simmered ou on the side was evidence enough but when we were out of reach- Toph dropped the rocks.

From behind us, another warship floated to the join the rest of them with Zuko standing on top. We watched him jump off of it to fight his sister before becoming hyper aware of the situation we were in. Between Katara and I- we blocked the shots from the other firebenders aboard the hoard that surrounded us as Aang tried his best to maneuver us out of harm's way. Thanks to a turn of fate, we managed to fly under Zuko- catching him after he somehow exploded himself off of the warship- leaving his sister to free fall.

And she continued to free fall.

Zuko blinked. "She's… not gonna make it."

Suddenly she firebended herself toward the cliffside and caught herself amongst the rocks.

"Of course she did…"

I tugged at Sokka's leeve- gaining his attention. "Where do we go Sokka? You have the maps."

He looked started for a second before fumbling through Appa's packs. "Right- just give me a second. I'll find a place."

We nodded at his decision and Sokka became the navigator, giving Aang directions and finding us a quaint little island back in Fire Nation territory while we'll be undisturbed. The sun started setting when we landed- Brenan got a fire going- Katara started cooking dinner- Sokka and I set up the tents- instantly started going through our routine that we practiced over and over and over again.

Aang looked at us all over the campfire. "Wow- camping." He said with a laugh. "Feel's like old times, doesn't it?"

I snorted. "Did we ever stop camping? The only time I can remember right now that we slept in beds was with Hama and that only lasted one night."

"I'm actually ok with this." Brenan shrugged- tearing apart a cracker. "It was nice falling asleep to the stars."

"If you really want to feel like old times, I could… chase you around awhile and try to capture you." Zuko shrugged, smirking.

"Like you of all people could win in a game of extreme tag against an airbender." I rolled my eyes- smacking him lightly to show I was joking.

We all laughed except for Brenan and Katara. Brenan at least rolled his eyes but he didn't seem too amused. 'Hey- what's up? You ok?'

'Zuko may not be as bad as before but I don't trust him fully.' Brenan side eyed the former prince. 'I need more proof.'

"To Zuko!" Zuko lifted his cup. "Who knew that after all those times he tried to snuff us out- that today, he'll be out hero?"

"Here! Here!" We cheered. Aang and Toph nudged his arms while I got on my knees to ruffle his hair.

"I'm touched." Zuko smiled slightly before it fell. "I don't deserve this."

"Yeah- no kidding." Katara got up and left without another word. Brenan frowned even deeper but refused eye contact with the rest of us.

Sokka took one look at Brenan then at Katara before saying, "What's up with her?"

"I wish I knew." Zuko stood up also and walked after her.

Sokka blinked again. "What's with him?"

I shrugged but watched the two fo them leave warrily. 'She hated Zuko also but at least Brenan's firebending trip smoothed things over slightly for both Aang and him.' I sighed. "They have a lot to talk about I guess."

Aang shrugged. "I hope they work things out- Zuko really isn't all that bad."

"That sounds familiar."

"Yeah, yeah- you were right Brittany." Aang ruffled my hair. "I'm gonna hit the hay- goodnight guys!"

"Goodnight Aang." A chorus rang out.

"Hey." Suki nudged me with her foot. "Are you going to get a haircut? The burned edges don't look so good for your hair. How'd it get like that anyway? What happened?"

I picked at the burnt strands and shrugged, ignoring Brenan's abrupt declaration that he was going to bed also. "A Fire Nation assassin got too close for comfort… but I like my hair long… I might just grow it out and then cut it so that it's all even."

"You sure? I can make it sort of even - but it'll have to be cut shorter than the burned area. Just short enough to make it seem like you weren't blown up. It's really short by your shoulder though...are you thinking of bangs? I think you'd look great."

I blinked and looked that the warrior. "You can do that?"

She nodded.

"That actually sounds good to me." I grinned, standing up. "Can you do it in the morning?"

"Sure thing!"

"Sweet! Thank you very much!"

Then I went to sleep.

When I woke up hours later I realised two things. One- everyone else was already awake and two, Katara was willingly walking with Zuko toward Aang and Appa. I struggled to wake myself up as I made my way over to them. When I got close enough I heard Aang say, "Why? Is it your turn to take a special field trip with Zuko?"

"Yes- it is."

I stopped walking.

"Oh…" Aang suddenly turned serious and concerned. "What's going on?"

Katara was not deterred. "We're going to find the man that took my other from me."

"Sooka told me the story of what happened." Zuko said. "I know who did it and I know how to find him."

"Ummm- and what exactly do you think this will accomplish?" Aang's frown deepened.

Katara shook her head and scoffed starting to walk away. "I knew you wouldn't understand."

"Wait! Stop! I do understand!" Aang called out to her. "You're feeling unbelievably pain and rage. How do you think I felt about the sand benders when they stole Appa? How do you think I felt about the Fire Nation when I found to what happened to my people?"

"She needs this Aang." Zuko interrupted. "This is about closure and justice."

"I don't think so-" Aang met him head on. "I think this is about getting revenge."

"Fine! Maybe it is!"

I blinked in shock and force myself to walk closer to the group. "Katara…"

"Maybe that's what I need. Maybe that's what he deserves…" She growled.

"Please don't turn into Hama." I said- causing the older girl to turn to me in shock and betrayal. "That's exactly what she thought, Katara- you're scaring me."

"You don't get it!"

"Katara!" Aang stepped closer to her- blocking me in the process. "You're starting to sound like Jet."

"It's not the same!" She deflected again. "Jet attacked the innocent! So did Hama! This man- he's a monster!"

"Katara she was my mother too." Sokka finally stepped closer. "But I think Aang might be right."

"Then you didn't love her the way I did!"

Instantly, her brother looked like he was struck in the face. "...Katara…"

She turned away from him.

I gently placed a hand on Sokka's arm. "...Why would you say something like that Katara?"

"The monks used to say that revenge is like a two headed rat-viper." Aang sighed. "While you watch your enemy going down, you're being poisoned yourself."

"That's cute but this isn't Air Temple preschool." Zuko spoke up again. "It's the real world."

"Now that I know he's out there- now that I know we can find him- I feel like I have no choice. "Katara glared at the three of us against her.

"Katara-" Aang tried reasoning again. "You do have a choice. Forgiveness."

"That's the same as doing nothing." Zuko stepped forward.

"No it's not. It's easy to do nothing but it's hard to forgive."

"It's not just hard." Katara spat. "It's impossible."

She then turned on her heel and walked away from us with Zuko in tow and avoided us for the rest of the day. I was concerned and scared for her over the things she said and told such to Brenan and Suki as I got my hair cut. "I think she just has to sort things out a bit." Suki commented. "It's a wound that never fully healed, and it's almost like putting salt on it, so it hurt more than it did before. It'll go down again though and she'll be a bit embarrassed in the process but I think she'll be herself again."

"You think so?"

"You trust her don't you?"

"She's one of my best friends." I shut my eyes as Suki blew from stray hairs out of my face. "Of course I trust her."

"It doesn't sound like her to do that thought." Brenan crossed his arms and sat back, watching as my hair was being cut shorter and shorter. "Did Zuko plan this?"

"I think he's trying to give Katara a face to blame for her mothers death instead of his own." I pouted. "That's why he was so for it."

"That sounds likely." Suki nodded in agreement. "There. All done."

Brenan smiled. "You look good."

"Yeah?" I bended a bit of rock up and threw some ice on it for a makeshift mirror. The left half of my face was covered in bangs that stopped by my ear. The rest of hair was cut to be just above my shoulder blades. She didn't go as short as I feared and frankly she professionally blended the bangs into the hair in the back while the right side was virtually untouched save for the shortening. It wasn't bad. But it wasn't how I would have liked my hair to be. Personally, I wouldn't have it been set aflame to begin with but this is what I have to work with. "Thank you Suki." I smiled. 'It would definitely take some getting used to….hair grows back anyway who am I kidding! I can totally rock this look!' "I like it."

"I'm glad."

When the time came, Brenan and I took it upon ourselves to make dinner without Katara. We served it to everyone else but saved some for Katara and Zuko for when they felt like socializing again. I overheard Aang and Sokka planning to stage a sting operation to watch Appa in case those two decided to do something and offered my help but was shot down. Those two had it covered they said.

Being my curious self I decided to ask them about it in the morning.

"How did it go? Where are they?"

"So… they stole Appa.." Aang sighed.

"What?!"

"I let them though. Katara really needs to work through this and she's clearly listening to Zuko instead- they can handle themselves."

Brenan tried to brush the sleep out of his eyes and sat up. "When do you think they'll be back?"

"A week at least." Sokka shrugged. "More or less. Three days is my guess."

"Are you ok with this?" I tilted my head. "Your sister doing this I mean."

"She's tough and good in a fight." He said. "I don't doubt that. My only request is that she comes back unharmed and feeling better."

"But are you ok with your sister being alone with a guy?" Suki leaned back. "Not to mention that that guy is Zuko of all people."

"She's tough and good in a fight. I'm frankly more concerned about Zuko."

"I hope Zuko knows what he's doing." Aang glared into some empty space. 'I don't think he likes the idea of them being alone.' I chuckled quietly to myself at the thought.

Three days later- just as Sokka predicted- Zuko came back to get all of us from our small camp site. On the way to where he left Katara the former Fire Nation prince told us about how they found the man and how Katara nearly killed him but didn't. When we landed in a separate island entirely, Aang was the first to hop out and talk to Katara, who sat by herself on a small dock.

She exchanged words with Aang even though she wasn't within hearing she got up, she hugged Zuko, much to out shock and made her way towards us.

"Katara you're ok!" I cried out, jumping out to greet her.

"...Yeah I am." She smiled softly before turning to Sokka, keeping me in her gaze. "I owe you both an apology. I said some cruel things to you both- to you especially Sokka, I'm sorry."

"We're still friends, right?" I asked.

"Of course!" She smiled- widening it when I hugged her. "Then there's nothing to forgive!"

"You know I can't stay mad at you for too long anyway." Sokka rolled his eyes but hugged his sister as well.

"Hey! Zuko!" Brenan called out from on top of Appa. "Where are we?"

"We're on Ember Island." Zuko replied. "My family has a house that we no longer use. We can stay there for the time being. It's right there over the hill."

"Really?"

"Last one there is a rotten egg!" I yelled, booking it toward the beach house- the thundering sound of footsteps not far behind me.