The story is nearing its end. I know how I told you guys previously how my passion in the Avatar fandom isn't quite strong anymore, but I'm trying my best to keep the emotions with these characters intact. Thanks to anyone who's bearing with me and I hope you guys like this chapter, especially if you guys like Lei.

And of course, I'll always be an Avatar fan by heart.

The next day was pretty quiet. Not quiet in the sense the Lei's not in a bustling metropolis anymore, but quiet in the sense that he was alone. It was like time around him was passing and he's just laying there, frozen.

As much as it pained him to think, Lei told himself that going to Republic City in the first place was a bad idea. Just look at him now, and what's going on with his family back at the city now that they know for sure he left?

He wanted to be with everyone again. He wanted everyone to be happy.

He just wanted to meet his father for the first time... did he? He told himself he never did. Suki and Jia constantly urged him to, but he thought he was mature enough to live life without a father.

But those past few months at Republic City with Sokka, the chairman of the council, was some of the greatest months he ever experienced. His father was awesome. He was like an adult version of Lei himself. It was only two months, but it was very enjoyable. For the first time, Lei was proud to call that man "dad."

However, after hearing about him and Zhang's mother, he just couldn't forgive him. He heard about his father being the "playboy" type on magazines, which is one reason why he never had the best opinion on his father in the first place.

But wrecking a family? No.

Lei couldn't have that type of man as a father.

Is he really that type of man though?

The words Jia told him still lingered in his mind. For the mean time, it was best to push his thoughts about his father and focus on his best friend. He had an apology to deliver.

Now that he made it to her front door, he took a deep breath and knocked. Her parents are at work right now, so thank goodness it'll be just the two of them.

After a few more knocks, Jia finally opened the door. She didn't look ecstatic to see him, but Lei can understand.

"Hey."

"Hey," she replied back nonchalantly.

"I'm so sorry I yelled at you last night," he told her, noticing she gave him an unconcerned look. Nonetheless, he continued, "I just wasn't in the best mood. I was angry, and decided to take it out on you. I just wanted to let you know how so-"

"Seriously Lei?"

Lei was surprised that she cut him off in the middle of his apology.

"You really think that's the reason why I'm mad at you?"

Lei was confused, "Look, I know I was hard on you last night and I ju-"

"Stop it Lei. You actually don't know, so don't even apologize to me about last night."

Feeling surprised yet confused, Lei kept his mouth shut, not knowing where Jia was headed with this conversation.

"Answer me these questions: How come you always shut out the people who try help you? Why do you push people away, even when you know they love and care for you?"

Realization dawned on him, and Lei didn't know what to say. He just answered the first thing that came to mind.

"I don't know."

"Well you better find out the answers to those questions, Lei, cause I don't want to end up being hurt again," she choked out, "Neither does anyone else who cares for you."

"Jia, plea-"

Before he pleaded, the door was shut in his face.

With his head down and his eyes closed, Lei walked away.

"Damn..."

That was all Zuko could have said after hearing everything Sokka told him. He couldn't believe Lei said that to him. Everything was going well these past few months, especially for Sokka. Now, looks like Sokka's past actions caught up to him, and his son was the one who threw it in his face.

"I messed up everything Zuko," Sokka told his best friend unhappily, "My old life came back to haunt me. I hid a secret, and it was that secret that messed up everything. I wish I can go back in time and change everything. I would've stopped myself from talking to Hu Li. Heck, I would've forced myself to go back to Suki."

Sokka's gaze remained on his full plate of beef noodle soup. He did nothing but twirl the noodles around with his chopsticks. They were at Hong's restaurant, Sokka's favorite restaurant, and he hasn't even taken a single bite.

"But I can't change my past actions," he continued, "And now I hurt the people around me."

Zuko sympathized greatly for his best friend, his brother. Yes, Sokka did have some bad habits, but what Zuko likes about him is that he always learns from his mistakes.

"I'm sorry for what's going on right now Sokka, but you must not keep hating yourself like this."

"That's exactly what Aang tried to tell me through a phone call last night. By the way, not only did I hurt my son, but I hurt my nephew too."

Zuko winced. This was something he didn't want the kids to know about.

Sokka placed his elbows on the table, his hands massaging his temples, "I don't know what to do Zuko. I screwed up."

Looking at him sympathetically, Zuko finally had to say what he needed to say, "Look, Sokka, I know you did some pretty stupid stuff back in the day."

"Yeah thanks for reminding me," Sokka replied as he rolled his eyes.

"But you know what makes me proud?"

Sokka looked up, intrigued to what the Fire Lord had to say.

"You learned from your mistakes, and you seek to make yourself a better man," Zuko told him, "You were the one who broke it off with Hu Li. Yes, you looked miserable, but I knew you weren't sad over the break up. You were upset that you even went in a relationship with her in the first place. I was glad to see how you realized the consequences of your actions. Despite your comedic personality, you are always a mature one."

Zuko could've sworn he was a glimpse of hope in his friend's eyes. Nonetheless, he continued, "And you know what makes me happy? You were able to love again. I see the way you look at Suki, and I see the happiness in your face whenever someone mentions Lei. You learned to love again. You put the love of your life, and your own child, above everything. I know for a fact that you gave them the best summer they ever had."

Zuko smiled when he saw Sokka smiling back at him, "And I know you will do it again."

To Sokka, Zuko wasn't always the best when imitating his uncle's wise sayings. However, for this case, this was Zuko's own saying. And boy did it help.

"Thanks Zuko," Sokka spoke softly, "I really needed that."

"Anytime pal, you know I'm always here for you."

"So what do I do now?"

Zuko thought about it, then told him, "You can fix the relationship with your son later, given he's at Kyoshi Island now. What you need to do is talk with Suki."

"I don't know Zuko," Sokka said nervously, "I told you what happened. I probably hurt her."

"And avoiding her would hurt her even more."

Sokka looked down at his plate once again.

"She's going to need you Sokka, just like how you need her."

Back at Air Temple Island, Suki went to Katara to look for solace. She hated the feeling of sadness, and she hasn't felt this way since her first arrival to Republic City.

On the other hand, Katara was distraught herself. She hated seeing her family stressing out over this situation. Like everyone else, she wants everyone to get along.

"I'm so sorry Suki. I hope things will get better."

"This is all my fault," Suki spoke shamefully.

Katara was surprised, "What are you talking about?"

"I never told Sokka I was pregnant eighteen years ago. If I did in the first place, all this mess would have been avoided."

Both the two of them remained quiet for quite awhile. As painful as it was for Katara to admit, she does think that Suki's right. If she had told Sokka just that, there wouldn't be so much pain for her, Sokka, or Lei.

However, she does know one thing for sure. "It's all in the past Suki. What's done is done. It's all about what you do now."

"What can I do?" Suki questioned sadly, "My son ran away to Kyoshi Island, and Sokka and I aren't on good terms right now. All I wanted was to come here to see if he still loved me, and for him to meet our son."

"He does love you Suki," Katara assured her, "So much. He loves Lei too. I can see it."

"But now that Lei knows about Hu Li, how will he view his father from now on?"

Suki had a point, and that's what made Katara worry. Lei and Sokka only met for two months, and even though they had a great bond, just one bad news can break it. Lei hadn't had Sokka for a father his whole life, and Katara fears that he can just cut him out of his life easily.

"Suki," Katara spoke up once more, "You tell me all the time about how great Lei is, right?"

"He's the best thing that ever happened to me, Katara."

"Then he'll come back. Trust me. I may not have known of him for all these years, but based on what you tell me, I just know he'll come back."

Suki felt comforted to hear Katara saying this about her son. Boy how she hopes she's right.

"And what about Sokka?" Suki also worried about the man she loves.

"Come on, you know Sokka. Just like Lei, he'll come back to you. They are father and son, so they have the same traits."

Katara smiled at her, only to have Suki wrapping her arms around her into a warm hug. She hugged back of course.

Suki felt so lucky she had a friend like Katara. She was always so hopeful, so full of confidence. It's hard to be sad or doubtful when someone like Katara knows how to lighten someone's day.

"Go talk with Sokka, Suki. Both of you need to settle this. I have faith in you guys."

Suki felt nervous, for she did not want any drama again. However, she knew Katara was right.

The moon illuminated the night sky, with multiple stars shining everywhere. To Lei, this was one of the perks of living in a quiet place. No noise, no pollution, no city lights, just the beauty of the natural world. The temperature was just right, and the breeze was comforting.

On his casual spot on the hill, Lei laid with his back on his blanket, his hands behind his head, and looked up towards the night sky. It was beautiful. After all the things that happened lately, it felt nice to finally be in peace and serenity.

For once, he felt cozy. That was, until he heard footsteps walking his way.

He turned his head and was surprised to see Koji walking his way over.

"Nice to see you again, Lei."

Though he didn't feel like talking right now, he responded, "Nice to see you again too, Koji."

"Can we talk?"

Lei let out a sigh and sat up, allowing Koji to sit next to him on the blanket.

"So, I ran into Jia earlier today. She told me everything. Don't worry, this is going to be between us and us only."

Lei let out another sigh. He wasn't going to be mad at Jia, since it's not her fault. However, he hates talking about situations like these. It just seems to make everything more complicated.

"I really don't know what to say," Lei told him.

"You can start by trying to answer the questions she gave you."

Lei rolled his eyes and let out another sigh, this time louder than the previous ones. "How the hell am I suppose to answer?! What do you guys want me to answer?!"

Koji didn't even flinch when hearing the anger in Lei's tone. He's known Lei for a long time, so he's aware of his emotions under certain conditions.

"Answer what you think is the right answer," Koji told him simply.

Lei looked away and clenched his teeth. He was angry, but he doesn't know why. "I went to Republic City to visit my father. I had a blast, but then I learned something about my father I never knew of. And let's just say, I lost all respect for him."

Koji knew exactly what Lei was talking about. He knew of Hu Li. Ty Lee kept him updated. Why else would Suki be visiting Republic City? The man she once loved went on a relationship with a married woman who looked like her. Thank goodness that man broke it off, which meant to Koji that Sokka actually had a mature side.

It makes sense that Lei is upset over this. Why else would he get this worked up right now? He always knew that Lei wondered what his father was like, and he remembered how Lei despised any notion that he was an arrogant type. Nonetheless, he continued the conversation without mentioning Hu Li.

"Lei, tell me the truth. These past few months at Republic City, how were they? And only tell me about the last few months, nothing before, nothing after."

Lei stayed silent for a few seconds and answered, "It was one of the best summers I ever had. My father actually turned out to be really cool. I was proud to call Sokka my dad. Then, I learned about his past actions, and let me just say, it totally twisted my opinion about him."

"Now stop right there," Koji stated, "You found out about his past actions, and that's when you started disliking him, right?"

"Yeah," Lei replied simply and quietly.

"So you're basically judging him based on what he did in the past, correct?"

Lei rolled his eyes, "Where are you going with this Koji?"

"You just told me that you were proud to call Sokka your dad. You just told me how, because of Sokka, you had the one of the best summers ever. So if that's the case, why did you let one of his past actions cloud your judgment?"

Getting fed up with his questions, Lei replied spitefully, "What the heck do you want from me Koji? I'm seriously not in the mood."

"See! There you go again!" Koji stated, "Shutting me out. Shutting us out."

Lei closed his eyes and spoke through clenched teeth, "It's easier that way."

"Is it really Lei? Is it really?"

"Can you stop?!" Lei angrily shouted, "You broke up with my mother years ago! You left my life years ago! So what are you doing talking to me again?!"

Koji took a deep breath before he spoke softly, "That's the thing, Lei. I never wanted to leave your life. Your mother and I, things didn't work out between us. I still cared for you greatly, but you shut me out. You know how much that hurts?"

Lei looked away from him once again and brought his knees close to his body, wrapping his arms around them. He didn't respond.

"Lei," Koji urged him, "Do you not want me in your life anymore?"

No response.

Seeing how Lei wouldn't talk, Koji prepared to get up and leave.

"Wait."

Finally, Lei was willing to talk. Koji remained seated and listened to what Lei had to say.

"I never had a father in my life, and you were like a father figure to me when you and my mom were dating," Lei told him softly, "After you and mom broke up, things didn't feel the same anymore. It felt weird. "

Lei paused briefly, shutting his eyes. As for Koji, he was curious to hear the rest of it.

"I wanted to be happy," he continued, "I wanted my mother to be happy. I wanted to have a father who loved and cared for me. You, me, mom, we were like a happy family, but it wasn't that way anymore once you left. I was back to being the fatherless kid. It was then when I realized, I didn't need a father. I never needed a father. It was just me and my mom, and I'm totally cool with that. Whether I was a mistake or not, I know my mother loves me."

Koji sympathized for him, but his last sentence caught him by surprise. "Wait, what did you just say?"

"What?" Lei looked back at him.

"Did you just call yourself a mistake?"

Lei took a deep breath and shut his eyes once again, "I always knew my birth was an accident. Clearly my father and my mother didn't choose to make me. If they did, I would have been raised with a father. I was brought into this world unexpectedly."

Koji looked at him with much sympathy. He never knew Lei even thought about this.

"Lei, you know you're the best thing that happened to your mother right?"

Lei didn't respond.

Koji continued, "You were what kept her going. She loves you so much. Maybe you're right that she didn't expect your birth, but believe me when I say she loves you so much."

"I know that," Lei replied, "And I love her just as much. It's just..."

Lei paused, tears starting to form in his eyes.

"Just what Lei?"

"I would always see how stressed my mom was," Lei spoke solemnly, "She often looked so sad, like she needed someone to be by her side, and just me wasn't enough. I never told anyone this, but I wished I had a father. One that made me and mom happy. I never liked Sokka in the first place because I believed that if he truly loved my mom, he would have came back to her. Then, when my mom met you, you made her happy in a way I never could."

Lei paused and choked out, "That's why I started hating you after you left. We weren't a big, happy family anymore."

Lei started to sniffle, and Koji did what his first instinct told him. He brought Lei into a warm hug.

"Lei, I'm sorry you feel that way," Koji told him. Never before has Lei opened up like this. "I loved you so much. You were like a son to me. You're mom and I, we didn't work out, but I still love your mom like a friend, just like I love you as a son. You may not be my biological son, but I loved you like one. Still do."

Lei hugged him tighter, to which Koji happily responded to.

"I missed you Koji, I missed you a lot."

"I missed you too Lei. So much. So now, can you answer Jia's questions?"

After they broke apart from their hug, Lei was prepared to answer.

"Because I always thought it was easier to push my problems out of the way. That's why I push those who try to help away from me. Whenever, you, Jia, my mom, and even my dad tried to help me, I push you guys away because I don't want to be hurt even more, and I don't want to hurt you guys either. I don't want you guys to get even more hurt because of me."

To Koji, that was a beautiful answer, particularly that last part.

"I lived my life without a father," Lei continued, "I wondered what he would think of me. I pictured the perfect image of what I wanted my father to be like. When I first met Sokka, he accurately fitted that description, until I found out something I didn't want to find out."

"And that is the problem Lei," Koji claimed, "You can't expect people to be perfect right?"

Lei thought about it, and Koji was right. Was I really that selfish?

"Life is not perfect Lei. People will always make mistakes. There will always be problems, but that's why we have people we love. People who love us. They help us get through these problems. Even more so, we look to each other to fix and forget our mistakes."

Lei felt comfortable when hearing Koji's wise words, "I guess that's why I have a habit of pushing you guys away. I expect life to be perfect, and when it's not the way I want it to be, I shut people out to avoid hurting myself and others."

"But wouldn't that hurt them even more Lei? Trust me, I know."

Koji had a point.

Then, he realized, he hurt Koji all these years by shutting him out. Now, he hurt his best friend, and his father. He embraced Koji and silently cried.

"I'm sorry Koji," he choked out, "I'm sorry for cutting you out of my life. I never hated you. I'm so sorry."

Koji hugged back, "I forgive you Lei. Now, can you do one more thing?"

They slowly pulled out of their hug while Lei looked at him curiously, wiping the tears out of his eyes. "Yeah?"

"Fix the problem with your father. Fix the problem with Jia. Make them smile, make them happy, make them feel as great as you're making me feel right now."

Koji smiled at the young man who he viewed as a godson to him, and Lei smiled back.