Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender

Author's Note: Thanks to loaned for reviewing Chapter 4. It's not clear from the show, but I'm assuming that Azula is about one year older than Zuko. The fact that she was named for their grandfather implies that she was firstborn, as well as Zuko imitating her when "feeding" the turtleducks.

The Earthbending Tournament

In the morning, the Avatar and his companions prepared to leave quite early.

"Thank you very much for your hospitality," Aang said to the two women, bowing his gratitude. "Do either of you happen to know where I might find an earthbending teacher?"

The mother shook her head, but Song thought for a moment and brightened.

"There is a town about a day's journey from here that has regular earthbending tournaments," she told them. "I've heard travelers talk about it at the clinic."

"That sounds perfect!" Katara exclaimed. "Where is it?" As the young woman began to describe landmarks and roads, Sokka broke in.

"Sorry, but we don't really need ground detail," he pointed out. "Just tell us which direction it's in as the eagle-marten flies."

Song pointed south, and Sokka nodded his appreciation. Everyone gathered around Appa, but Zuko suddenly turned back and went up to Song.

"I'm sorry," he said simply. "For everything." Aang realized that Zuko literally meant that last word. He wasn't just talking about his own lying and stealing, but also apologizing for the entire war.

"It seems my nephew is making progress," Iroh observed.

"With the girl, or his world view?" Sokka quipped. "Because I think you could argue it either way." Iroh laughed heartily. He and Sokka were already getting along amazingly well. They appreciated each other's humor, which could not always be said of their other companions.

"We do need to ask an important question, Aang," Katara said. "Will Appa be able to carry all of us without a problem?"

Aang considered, evaluating the new members of their group. Zuko was only a little taller than Sokka, but he was noticeably bulkier. More obvious, however, was how much weight Iroh carried on his relatively short frame. Still, Appa was a very large animal.

"I think so," Aang decided. "We might want to try flying shorter distances, though, letting him rest a little in between. I just hope we find a lightweight earthbender," he added with a grin.

In the air, it only took them until mid-afternoon to reach their destination. Aang, Katara, and Sokka went into town to scout around and pick up some supplies. They all thought it best if Zuko and Iroh stayed out of sight as much as possible. When the trio returned, they brought food, tea, and good news.

"We found out where the tournaments are," Aang said excitedly. "They're having one tomorrow."

That evening, both Aang and Zuko decided to spend some time in meditation. While meditating, Aang had a vision. He saw a young girl in a white dress, and there was a winged boar flying past her. Opening his eyes, Aang wondered what it might mean.

The next day, Zuko asked his uncle to continue his firebending training.

"It's likely we'll run into Azula again," he pointed out. "I need to learn more if I'm going to have any chance against her."

Uncle Iroh agreed, but because of their proximity to the Earth Kingdom town, they couldn't take the risk of attracting attention by using real fire. Besides, the animals were also currently their responsibility, and flame-throwing was liable to upset them. Therefore, after an hour or so, Iroh judged that they had done about as much as was reasonable without actually being able to use their element.

While Iroh brewed himself some tea, Zuko sat alone. He pretended to meditate again, but really he just wanted some time to think. He was unaccountably glad that he had been able to return the horse-ostrich to its rightful owners. At the back of his mind, he wondered whether one reason he'd taken it in the first place was to have an excuse to see Song again to return it.

After a little more reflection, Zuko made himself a promise. He decided that, once he had regained his honor and his rightful place in the Fire Nation, he would make everything up to Song somehow. But how could he make up for the loss of her father? Then it came to him – he would find out what had happened to the man. Zuko knew her father was probably long dead, but it would surely ease the girl's mind and her mother's to know the truth.

That afternoon, the Avatar – Aang, Zuko reminded himself – and his friends came back from the earthbending tournament, practically talking over one another.

"I think I've found my teacher!" Aang exclaimed. "At least, I think I know who it's supposed to be. We've still got to actually find her and talk to her, though."

Her? thought Zuko curiously.

"I still don't know why you can't ask The Boulder," Sokka said in a voice that seemed oddly hoarse. "I thought he was much cooler than that little girl."

"And I think you inhaled too much dust and sweat," Katara snorted derisively. "If you could take a break from your masculinity fest for a minute, maybe you could re-engage your brain and actually make yourself useful."

Aang seemed a little disconcerted when the Water Tribe peasants argued like this, but to Zuko, it was like music was to his uncle. He observed their bickering with a certain degree of wistfulness. It was not that he missed his sister – quite the opposite, actually. He just instinctively understood that this was what siblings were supposed to do; they fought over things that didn't matter but stood together on the things that did. Zuko vaguely remembered a time when he had looked up to and possibly even loved Azula, but that was long gone.

"Sounds like it was quite an event," Uncle Iroh commented.

"It was awesome!" Sokka answered for them. He then launched into a description of the competition consisting mainly of sound effects and exaggerated movements. Unfortunately, the effect of a particularly dramatic re-enactment was somewhat spoiled when he tripped over a rock and sprawled onto the ground, face-first. His sister clapped, slowly and sardonically.

"Anyway, The Blind Bandit beat The Boulder," Aang reminded his friend.

"But not you," Sokka said, standing up and brushing himself off.

"What?" Zuko blurted.

"You entered the competition?" Uncle Iroh added.

"I just wanted to get close enough to talk to her," Aang shrugged.

"The only reason Aang beat her is because he was bending air, not earth," Katara pointed out. "She wasn't prepared for that."

"We need to find her," Aang insisted. "And we'll need Appa to do that."

So they flew off on the flying bison, leaving Zuko and Iroh alone.

"They could just leave us here now, you know," Zuko felt compelled to suggest. "Or turn us in to Earth Kingdom authorities."

"They won't," Iroh replied confidently. "The Avatar made an agreement with us. Do you doubt his honor?"

Zuko grumbled a bit but said nothing more. The others were gone for a long time, and the firebenders ate a meal and decided to get some sleep while they waited. Zuko woke to voices, though he couldn't at first make out what they were saying. Suddenly, Aang stood in front of him.

"Hurry," he said, making Zuko come fully awake. "We need to put some distance behind us tonight." Zuko wanted to know what was going on, but the sense of urgency was contagious, so he helped pack the rest of their things and hand them up. He struggled to climb up Appa's leg, since he really didn't have the hang of it yet. Sokka grasped his arm and pulled him up with strength Zuko wouldn't have expected in someone so lean. Aang gave up trying to help Uncle Iroh physically and simply launched him onto the beast's back with a powerful gust of air, following by taking a gigantic leap onto the huge head.

"This is Toph," Katara introduced the addition to their party, and the firebenders told her who they were.

"Why the hurry?" Zuko asked.

"We might have some people chasing us soon," Sokka answered, looking anxiously behind them.

"What did you do?" Iroh wondered.

"Kidnapped me," said the new girl nonchalantly. Everyone stared at her. "At least, that's what my parents will tell whoever they hire to come after me," she amended. Riding on the bison under the stars, Zuko finally had time to look at their newest "recruit." She was small, apparently even smaller than Aang. Her dark hair was tied back somewhat messily, and she was barefoot. There was also some kind of film over her eyes.

"Are you blind?" Zuko asked curiously.

"Yeah. So?" the girl replied belligerently.

"Just wondering how you can bend without seeing what you're doing," Zuko responded.

"I feel vibrations through my feet. It doesn't work very well flying, though," she added, withdrawing a little and pulling her knees up to her chest.

"You seem awfully young to be a master," Uncle Iroh commented.

"And you sound kind of old to be the Avatar's companion," she shot back. Iroh blinked for a moment, then laughed.

"My uncle is –" Zuko began, angry at the disrespectful tone. He was interrupted by Iroh grasping his arm.

"Never mind, Nephew. She's had a tough night."

After about an hour, Aang brought Appa back to earth so they could all catch some sleep.

"So, where are we going next?" Katara asked Aang the following morning. "You have all your instructors now."

"Well, it needs to be somewhere safe," Sokka mused. "And you'll need room to wave your arms and legs around."

Aang ignored Sokka's rather dismissive description of bending and thought it over. He brightened as an idea occurred to him.

"The Southern Air Temple!" he exclaimed. "It's deserted and hard to get to. It would be perfect!"

"Um, Aang, I don't think that's going to work," Katara said gently.

"Why not?"

"The temple is sitting right on top of the mountain. To practice earthbending, you'd practically have to destroy it. I don't think you want to do that."

"Oh, right." Aang was disappointed, but he knew she was right.

"Besides, as we found last time, there's no food," Sokka added. "We'd have to keep leaving to pick up supplies, and that's bound to attract attention."

"We can visit there again sometime, if you want," Katara said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I guess you're right," Aang conceded. "I was hoping we might find some preserved clothes there, though." He stretched out his arm to show that his wrist extended beyond the end of the sleeve.

"You're growing," Katara said as though surprised.

"People our age do that from time to time," Sokka pointed out dryly. Katara glared while Aang giggled.

"My boots are getting tight, too," Aang added.

"So, where are we going?" Iroh put in, trying to get the conversation back on track.

"Let's see," Aang said thoughtfully. "We need a place safe, kind of remote, lots of room, and plenty of supplies." He and the Water Tribe members exchanged a quick glance before all saying in unison: "Kyoshi Island!"

Author's Note: I made up the eagle-marten. A marten is a small, weasel-like predator about the size of a cat. Of course, I also had to come up with another way for Aang to get the clues about finding Toph, since I skipped the whole swamp adventure. And I believe "The Earthbending Tournament" was the working title of The Blind Bandit episode, so it seemed appropriate.