A/N: Just wanted to say, thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story thus far, I can't believe I've hit 100 reviews! Just so crazy to me, I appreciate all your support while I continue to write these chapters. Onto the next chapter!

Yianna was a little surprised by Katara's bluntness, replaying what she had said in her mind. Katara repeated her last statement "Tell me about Aang." This pulled Yianna from her thoughts.

"I think it would be better coming from him, I've only gotten bits and pieces from him in terms of what he's been willing to share but he has carried a lot of weight on his shoulders." Yianna sighed and continued "For someone our age, it surprises me how mature he is yet still childlike… He has this ability to flip between the two so naturally with such practiced ease."

Katara stayed silent as Yianna continued "I won't pretend to know the whole story between what happened, but it forced him to grow up and face some tough realities, likely before he was ready to."

Katara inhaled sharply at this "If we could have rejoined him, we would have…"

Yianna "The reality is that you weren't able to. Just like Aang had to deal with the decisions he made, you had to as well. The only difference is, he had no one by which to process it with and he still had the weight of the world on his shoulders."

Katara's eyes welled up at this, again realizing the pain and loneliness that Aang must have experienced during their separation.

Seeing this, Sokka spoke up "That's not really fair though, we didn't withhold information from him."

Yianna contemplated this for a moment "That's definitely true, you didn't withhold information to the extent that he did, but did you communicate to him your desire to remain with him through his journey or did he just see the idea that you were excited to see your father again and may leave him?"

Sokka sighed "He didn't give us a chance to though because he withheld the letter from us…" Sokka didn't know why he continued to argue this with Yianna, whether it was to protect himself from the growing guilt he was experiencing or the fact that he hadn't quite forgiven Aang for what had happened yet even though he felt as though he had ages ago.

Emotions were thick in the air, Yianna sighed at this. Her frustration had gotten the best of her. When it came to Aang, she was always protective. From what he had told her, he had blamed himself for much of the situation. Gods he blamed himself for the whole war!

She massaged her brow, redirecting her attention to Sokka and Katara. "I think there is plenty enough blame to go around for what happened. You wanted to know about Aang? He's so strong, so forgiving, so caring, and wise beyond his years. He never blames others in situations and consistently takes the weight of the world on his shoulders. He is a powerful bender with a lot of raw talent. He is well on his way towards mastering Waterbending and he is working towards the same goal in Earthbending. He never gives up and he's always there to encourage you when you need him most, even at the expense of himself."

"That sounds like Aang" Katara spoke softly.

Yianna nodded at this "Aang is someone worth protecting. He's a part of my family now and I will protect him and stand up for him, even if he doesn't always stand up for himself."

Katara looked up at Yianna, seeing her rigid stance and fierce determination. "I need to talk to Aang."

Yianna shook her head. "Not now, not tonight. He has a lot on his mind already and needs to prepare for tomorrow."

Before Katara could respond Yianna continued: "For now let me take a look at those hands."

Katara sighed in frustration, knowing she was not going to get more information at this point. How has it come to this? It's like a barely know him and I don't have access to his life anymore.

Yianna worked on Katara's hands, speaking softly "You know, he talks about you both often. He regrets what he did, but he no longer blames himself for it. He grew his family, allowed himself to live again… To not be alone… Be careful you don't tare that down on him."

At this, Yianna finished her work, turned, and left the room before they had an opportunity to fully process what she had said.

Katara and Sokka both dropped down onto the couches, facing one another. Sokka spoke first: "Well that could have gone better."

Katara rolled her eyes at this: "I barely had anytime to process what I was hearing; how could I have known all of that!"

"Woah woah I'm on your side relax!" Sokka responded, his hands raised in appeasement. Once he saw that she had calmed down ever so slightly, he continued: "I think we need to talk to Aang again, after we get through this all, we really just need to sit down and hash things out like old times. Afterall we're still family."

Katara frowned at this: "I'm not so sure anymore."

Sokka sighed: "Give it some time Katara, it's not like he had all the time in the world to open up. We saw him for what? Ten minutes? He was willing to open up about how he had burned that Tuff girl."

Katara furled her brow in annoyance "Her name was Toph Sokka."

"Whatever, I haven't even met her yet. Can't blame me for getting her name wrong just yet! Besides, I haven't eaten in like an hour, what do you expect?" Sokka finished, clutching his growling stomach.

"You're unbelievable" Katara huffed.

"You think so? I was hoping to talk to Yue some more tonight." Sokka said, a smile developing on his face.

"I didn't mean that as a positive!" Katara nearly yelled.

Sokka shrugged: "Sounded pretty positive to me!"

Aang's perspective:

Yianna had told Aang that Chief Arnook was looking to speak to him prior to the ceremony and that he needed to make his way towards the palace before dinner. As Aang walked, he contemplated how meeting them again for the first time in months had made him feel. Honestly, it had terrified him to see them again but after it was all said and done, he felt okay about how things had gone. He had opened to them about some of his experiences that he faced while separated from them, but he didn't know if he was truly ready to open up to them fully again. The months that had gone by had allowed him to be open to the idea of letting people in again, but he was unsure if he was ready to fully let them in just yet. Besides, I need to focus on the invasion. My feelings can wait.

With his mind made up, he entered Chief Arnook's office at the direction of one of the guards. "He will be with you shortly" the guard said. Aang took a seat in one of the chairs. Though Aang had been in his office countless times, it seemed like this was the first time that he truly had an opportunity to appreciate his office. Though it was mostly ordained with pelts which Aang had yet to fully grow accustomed to, it was also filled with small carvings and other precious items. One that drew his attention was that of two koi fish circling around a baby. The baby appeared to be in a pond. Aang picked up the painting to look at it closer. It was then that Chief Arnook broke him from his contemplative thoughts.

"That is a representation of both the happiest and saddest day of my life." Arnook started.

Aang jumped slightly, almost in a trance from looking at the photo, Arnook continued: "It was the day my daughter was born. She didn't cry and her eyes would not open. We took her to our greatest healers who all believed she was going to die… I beg with the spirits to allow her to live. In my desperation, I placed her in the spirit oasis, at first nothing happened, and I thought all was lost… but then, her hair began to glow, it turned silver and she began to cry. It was a miracle. We know she was touched by the spirits that night, they give us our greatest gift. My daughter's life."

"That's a beautiful story Chief Arnook. The spirits have a way of providing what we need most at the right time, if our hearts and request is pure." Aang concluded.

"I pray the spirits see our desperation and provide us success in our time of need again tomorrow." Arnook continued as he sat down next to Aang.

"What did you need to talk to me about prior to the dinner tonight." Aang started, now turning to face the Chief.

"I wanted to give you advanced notice of a custom that our tribe participates in." Arnook started.

"Custom?" Aang responded.

"Yes, the night before a warrior is to go on a dangerous, possibly life threatening mission, I place my mark on them in red paint in front of the tribe to signify their sacrifice, bravery, and commitment to the tribe. Also, it is a prayer for the gods to protect you as well." Arnook concluded.

Aang contemplated this: "I will receive the mark; I would be honored." At this Aang's eyes widened: "Oh no I didn't tell Toph! I'm so dead!"

At this Aang shot up from his chair: "I'm so sorry, I have to talk to Toph before dinner tonight!"

Arnook laughed at this, knowing the young Avatar was indeed in a lot of trouble: "I will send a guard to check on you if you do not return by dinner's start."

Aang rubbed the back of his neck, knowing what he was instore for: "Thanks for the vote of convidence."

At this, Aang bowed and ran out of the room towards the oasis.

How could I be so stupid! I haven't talked to Toph since yesterday! She's gonna be so pissed at me! These thoughts and more were going through Aang's head as he made his way in haste towards the spirit oasis. When he arrived, he called out for Toph but received no immediate answer. Just when he was going to turn back to check her room, he felt the ground underneath him falter underneath him, he was swallowed up to his waist in dirty, but he made no attempt to escape. He knew who trapped him.

"So, you finally show back up." Toph called out as she made her way over to him.

"Toph. I…" Aang began but was abruptly interrupted.

"No! First, I hear we are getting invaded and then when I go to find you, I hear that you've gone out to fight. WITHOUT ME." Toph continued, anger clear in her voice. "The worst part is you didn't even come and check in with me after you got back! What gives!" Toph nearly yelled in exasperation.

"Toph… I had every intent on coming to see you today, its just the day got away from me and I… well something happened." Aang said vaguely.

Toph immediately went into protective mode, releasing him from her trap, reaching for him to feel for any wounds or injuries.

Aang continued: "No! I'm fine, its just. I saw Katara and Sokka today…" Aang's voice trailed off.

Toph's hands drop from his sides: "Oh. Well how'd that go?"

Aang sighed, knowing this conversation was inevitable: "I'm not sure, I only talked to them briefly. It felt weird. I was both nervous and excited to see them but I'm still very cautious at this point. I just don't know what they are going to do or how they are going to react… I'm just not sure."

At this Aang felt a hard hit to his forehead. "Ouch, why did you do that for!"

Toph huffed at this: "It's cause you're going down that road of self-blame again. Stop. Just stop. Keep an open mind, but the reality is that they left you, not the other way around. So, they have to work at rebuilding whatever weird mojo you guys had before stuff went bad. Until then, keep your head on straight, we have a battle to fight tomorrow."

Aang thought now was as good a time as ever to be the barer of bad news: "So Toph. About tomorrow, I'll be going out on an assault mission to target the remaining Trebuchets and some of the advanced landing crafts with Yianna."

"Why does it sound like I'm not going to like what you say next…" Toph sighed, rubbing her forehead in minor annoyance.

"Well its just going to be me and Yianna going out, to reduce the risk of injury to other warriors and to allow for faster movement between targets. It's going to be dangerous for sure." Aang finished.

Aang was expecting to have an argument but none came. Instead, Toph had an unexpectedly un-Toph response: "Just make sure you come back in one piece." Toph said quietly.

Aang smiled at this: "You do care!" Aang said as he went to hug Toph before being abruptly punched by her in the process.

"Don't take it that far there twinkle toes." Toph finished, smiling slightly.

"Okay okay, I get it." Aang said in mock defeat.

At this they both laughed and made their way back to where they were staying to get ready for dinner.

Until next time!