That night at the Beifong estate, Reiko confronted her parents.

"Dad, I know it's probably hard for you to see me this way. But the obedient little helpless blind girl that you think I am just isn't me. I love fighting. I love being an earthbender, and I'm really, really good at it. I know I've kept my life secret from you, but you were keeping me secret from the whole world. You were doing it to protect me, but I'm twelve years old and I've never had a real friend. So, now that you see who I really am, I hope it doesn't change the way you feel about me." Reiko admitted.

Of course it doesn't change the way I feel about you, Reiko. It's made me realize something." Lao said.

"It has?" Reiko said hopefully.

"Yes. I've let you had far too much freedom. From now on you'll be cared for and guarded twenty-four hours a day." Lao said.

Reiko gasped, horrified. "But Dad!"

"We're doing this for your own good, Reiko." Poppy said.

"Please escort the Avatar and his friends out. They are no longer welcome here." Lao said.

"I'm sorry, Reiko." Aang said.

"Goodbye, sister." Kurai hugged her.

"I'm sorry too. Goodbye, Sister." Reiko shed a tear.

Xxx

Outside, back at Appa.

"Don't worry, we'll find you a teacher. There are plenty of amazing earthbenders out there." Katara comforted.

"Not like her." Aang said.

Sokka polished the championship belt on Appa's saddle Katara jumped up onto the saddle and Aang took the reins. Suddenly, they noticed Reiko running toward them and panting.

"Sister! What are you doing here?" Reiko said.

"My dad changed his mind. He said I was free to travel the world." Reiko lied. Kurai, Katara and Sokka looked at each other with unsure looks, but smiled at Reiko.

"Well, we'd better get out of here, before your dad changes his mind again." Sokka said.

"Good idea." Reiko said.

"You're going to be a great teacher, Reiko." Aang said.

"Speaking of which, I want to show you something." Reiko said.

"Okay." Aang said.

Aang jumped down from Appa and she bent up a rock, sending him into the air and landing in a tree.

"Now we're even. Um, I'll take the belt back." Reiko said.

Sokka tossed the belt down, hitting Reiko on the head and knocking her down.

"Ow!" Reiko was laid out flat.

"Sorry." Sokka said.

Kurai helped her up onto Appa.

Aang fell down from the tree in the background and Katara helped him onto Appa.

Xxx

Back at the Beifong estate, Lao met with Yu and Xin Fu.

"I know you two are very different. But I believe you have a common interest." Lao said. A servant brought out a chest of gold. Xin Fu and Yu exchanged glances at one another. "The Avatar has kidnapped my daughter. I want you to do whatever it takes to bring her home."

Yu and Xin Fu bow in agreement.

xxx

Reiko was now content, as they all flew off on Appa.

Kurai put an arm around her long-lost sister.

Now she had everything she wanted; so why...why did she still see Zuko every time she closed her eyes?