Chapter 86: Saying Goodbye

They'd vacated the large earth tent, choosing to allow the family time to themselves before they got moving again. The healer's voice in Katara's head said that Ying shouldn't be moving so soon after giving birth; however, the practical side reminded her that they couldn't afford to linger.

They were all sat in a circle; Zuko was leaning against the rock face, still recovering from his near-drowning. Katara had done her best to heal him, especially once she'd finished delivering Hope, however there was little that she could do. He'd have to get better at his own pace.

Aang looked at them all, a sad look on his face.

Before she could ask, he said quietly, "I thought I was trying to be strong. But… I was just running away. I was running away from my feelings. Seeing this family though… together and happy and… I don't know, they're just so full of happiness and love. It's reminded me how I feel about Appa… and how I feel about you. All of you."

Katara felt a tear slip down her cheek. She pulled the Avatar into a tight hug. She felt Sokka wrap his arms around them both. They separated and Katara wiped her eyes. She saw Sokka and Aang do the same, with Sokka clearing his throat loudly.

While she remained next to Aang, her brother moved back and settled down at Suki's side.

Aang said, "I've been thinking about it and… I think I should go on ahead. I can go faster than the rest of you, and I need to find Appa."

Katara wanted to object, she wanted to argue that they'd find Appa together, but she knew the boy had to do this.

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

Zuko spoke for her. He said, "You've got this, Aang. You're a smart kid; if any of us can find Appa, it's going to be you."

Aang smiled. "Thanks, Zuko."

Aang stood up, glider in hand. The others rose too. Suki had to give Zuko a hand, though he took it begrudgingly and with some faint grumbling.

Katara pulled Aang back into another hug. The Avatar was then hugged again by Sokka, and by Suki. Toph chose to punch Aang on the arm hard enough to make him wince. Zuko just smirked and nodded at the boy.

Aang unfurled his glider and said, "I promise, I'll find Appa as fast as I can. I just really need to do this."

Sokka smiled. "See you in the big city."

Toph nodded. With forced cheer she said, "Say hi to that big fuzzball for me, will you?"

Aang nodded with a smile.

Katara said softly, "You'll find him, Aang."

"I know." He replied. "Thank you, Katara."

He then said, "Ready, Momo?"

The two then took off into the sky together, Airbender and lemur soaring up into the clouds.

The others watched him fly away.


Sokka was re-organising his pack, ready for them to get moving again.

Suki approached. She said, "Sokka, it's been really great seeing you again."

He looked up. "Whoa, hold on. Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?"

She smiled sadly. "I came along to make sure you made it through the Pass okay. That you were all safe. But I need to get back to Full Moon Bay, to the other Kyoshi Warriors."

"So you came along to protect me?"

Suki shrugged. "The Pass is dangerous. I knew you could probably handle it but…"

She shrugged again. She said, "I'm sorry about last night. We were talking… and saying things… I just got carried away, you know, and before I knew it—"

Sokka kissed her.

She smiled into it.

He pulled away and smiled back. He said, "You talk too much."

She couldn't help but laugh at that and pull him back into another kiss, a deeper one this time.


Zuko, Katara, and Toph stood off to the side; they were watching-but-not-really-watching Suki and Sokka saying goodbye. It became a lot more uncomfortable when the kissing started.

Zuko frowned faintly. He said to the girls, "Is this as wrong for you guys as it is for me?"

Katara groaned. "Even wrong-er. That's my brother. Ugh!"

She shuddered. Toph nodded in agreement. She declared, "That is gross."

Zuko nodded. "Good, so it's not just me."


After her prolonged goodbye with Sokka, Suki had another one to make, though this one would involve a lot less kissing. She assumed.

She walked over to where Zuko was leaning against the cliff. She leaned against it as well, staring at him.

She said, "Hey."

He nodded. "Hey."

"We barely got to talk."

He nodded again. "I know. Sucks."

She nodded as well. "Yeah it does. I've missed you."

He raised his eyebrow. A smile played across his lips. He said slyly, "You miss me as much as you did Sokka?"

She glared and shoved his shoulder. He winced but laughed all the same. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

She held the glare a moment longer before letting it drop. "Seriously though. I've missed you. Ever since I left Kyoshi, I wished you were there with me."

"Why?" he couldn't help but ask the question.

"Besides the fact that you're my friend?" she asked. "I thought I knew what I was doing when I led the girls to the Mainland, but… I don't know. I feel like I've just been making decisions on the fly."

Zuko nodded, as if understanding. "Yeah, I get that."

She smiled slightly. "I know you do. Part of the reason I wanted you there."

He put his hand on her shoulder. "Honestly, though? From what I've seen, you've more than got this. You're doing better than I did when I struck out on my own."

She frowned at him. "I'm not exactly on my own, though. I've got the girls."

He nodded. "Exactly. You're not alone. You may be the Captain, but you need them as much as they need you. Lean on them when you have to."

She sighed. "I think I knew that. Just needed someone else to say it."

He nodded again. "Usually the case."

Suki nodded over at the others. "I feel like there's a story to you sticking around with them."

Zuko shrugged a shoulder. "There is, but it's kind of long. We need to get moving, so do you."

She nodded. "I do. I've already been gone too long."

"You going to be okay getting back through the Pass?"

"Did Kyoshi beat Chin?"

He laughed. "I'll take that as a yes."

She smirked. She then pushed off the cliff and held her arms out. "You know the drill."

He fake-groaned. She smiled wider. He stepped into her embrace. She squeezed him tight around the middle, and his arms went around her shoulders.

She whispered, "You'll look after him for me? He's not as tough as he acts."

Zuko nodded slightly.

She said, "Thanks."

"No problem."

They parted. Suki smiled and gently punched his shoulder.

She pointed at him and said, "I want that story the next time I see you."

He laughed. "You got it. Take care of yourself. Tell your girls I said hi."

She smiled. "Will do. See you around, Captain."

He saluted her. "Captain."

She waved at the others and took off at a jog, back the way they came.


Ying, Than, Noli, and newborn Hope were walking ahead of them. Hope was in her mother's arms, and Than's arm was wrapped around Ying. Newly-christened Aunt Noli was on Ying's other side.

Katara and Toph were walking side-by-side, with Sokka and Zuko just behind.

Sokka sighed. Zuko said, "You miss her already?"

Sokka nodded. "Yeah."

Zuko nodded back. "Me too."

He patted the Water Tribesman's back and they kept walking.


They were surprised to see Aang plummeting out of the sky towards them. He slowed his fall enough to land safely. There was a grim expression on his face.

Katara said, "Aang, what are you doing here? I thought you were looking for Appa."

Aang nodded. "I was, but something stopped me. Something big."

He cast his eyes across the group and said, "We have a problem."