XIII

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN AVATAR FOOS! Italics-her letter bold italics- thought

Zuko lay on the ground mumbling bitterly to himself. Renee had given Monica a medical book that told how to get rid of paralyzasis.She knelt before Zuko; hitting the pressure points with her fingers.

"Don't get mad about it." She told him.

"How can I not? My own father wants me dead!" Zuko almost yelled angrily.

"Calm down." Monica told him. Finishing hitting the pressure points; and soon her was able to move his limbs again. "What's with that cat?" Everyone looked at the tan cat with red on it's feet. It sat there looking at them.

"I don't know." Sokka replied; sitting cross legged and sharpening his boomarang. "It's been there since that fight with Azula." There was silence before he remembered something he had forgotten.

Sokka had forgotten to tell us that he had found a bag of powder in a treasure chest when we ran. While he was showing us the white bag it was in; he stumbled over his own feet and dropped it.We all watched as the cat rolled around in the powder; and a yellow light swirled around it...

The cat had transformed into a girl with cat ears and a cat tail. Everyone's eyes were wide as Monica asked Sokka what was in that bag.

"I don't know." He picked the bag up and read the label. "Changing Potion." They were all silent as they looked up at the girl which the cat had transformed into. She was wearing a long white dress with red zig-zags on the bottom;and black shorts under that. She wore brown boots much like Monica's but yet..different. She was pale; and had yellow cat-eyes.

"So what do we do?" Aang asked; they all started to warm up to the strange girl; but when she was asked what her name was; she remained quiet.

"I don't have one." She replied bluntly. "I was a stray cat."

"Umm...OK then.." Monica crossed her arms and began to think. "Xiao. How does that sound?"

"Great!" She giggled, and hugged Monica. "My name is Xiao!"

That was how Xiao joined us. Over the course of the next few days; we worked really hard with Xiao to bring Norune village back to it's former glory. Xiao seemed to fit right in with the rest of us; and as we fixed Norune back; we had replaced a house that seemed more important to Zuko than anyone. Mother; I miss you. Zuko and I have that in common; we both miss our mothers. His ran away during the night; while I never really knew you. Sometimes I think about you mother; Zuko tells me he thinks of his all the time. When ever he feels alone; or when he is afraid; he thinks of his mother. But I'm getting off point; Mother, when we restored that house; Zuko got his wish...

They had been working for a while. Xiao seemed to be a capsule of energy and Azula fled once they had defeated her. But as they camped out in the lot; now surrounded by the houses; ponds; bridges; and rivers of Norune Village; Zuko sat up with the fire pit. Xiao slept like Aang; Curled up on Appa's tail; Sokk and Katara slept in their sleeping bags; and Monica lay stretched out.

"Zuko?" He looked up from the mesmerizing flames and towards who was calling him. There she stood; in a white dress much like Xiao's; but it didn't have zig zags and it was longer; was his mom.

"Mom?" He had to look at her a moment before realizing it really was her. He rose to his feet and hugged her. "Mom I missed you!"

"I missed you too baby." She hugged him. "You've grown so much. What happened to your eye?"

"It's a long story."When his mother let him go; the others woke up do to the excessive noise; and saw Zuko with that strange grown woman.

"What the-" Monica cut herself off; after Zuko had explained that it was his mom. Monica grinned and greeted her happily. The others followed her example; trying to be polite.

Zuko's motor told us she had run away; because she had murdered Fire lord Azulon; and that she'd been caught and killed if she stayed. She told him that she missed him every day for the last six years. Mother; I asked myself then if you missed me. If you too; wanted to see me again. Zuko's mother Ersa; took us to her house; and allowed Zuko to sleep inside while we all slept in the barn. It was understandable; that was her son after all. The others were a bit bitter about it; but I told them that since Zuko was Ersa's son; of course he'd sleep inside.

"It's still not fair." Aang growled.

"I know; but let it go Aang." Monica told him. Aang just pouted and layed down on the hay. Katara and Sokka rested in the hay as well. Monica was about too; before Zuko asked her if he could talk to her outside. She nodded and quietly left everyone else; following Zuko to the front porch. "what's up?" Zuko leaned on the railing of the porch while Monica sat on it.

"My mom wants me to stay with her." Monica froze; and then asked him what he was going to do. "I don't know. I did say I'd help you and the others; but She's my mom and-"

"I get it." Monica stopped him before he rambled. "Whatever you want to do is fine with me. Besides; I'd probably stay if my mom offered. It might be for the best."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that since your mom has been gone for six years; and is giving you the chance to make up for lost time; I think you should take it." Zuko was quiet; and then nodded.

"OK. Your not upset are you?" Monica shook her head. She herself didn't know if she was upset or not.

I didn't know then if I was upset. Zuko was lucky enough to have his mother come home; and she wanted him to stay with her. Mother; I just wish you had been there to make me choose between my friends and my mom. Zuko ended up staying; and the next morning; we readied to leave for Balance Valley; Zuko was there to say goodbye to us.

"Good luck." He said to them as they started off. Aang looked at everyone; and then at appa. He sighed and handed the reigns over to Zuko.

"If you ever want to catch up. Appa will find us." Zuko nodded.

"Thank you." Aang nodded and went back with everyone else. Monica set her bag down and walked over to him.

"It's been a good fight." Zuko nodded. "We'll miss you." They bowed at each other out of show of respect; and as everyone turned to leave; Monica stopped; turned around; and gave Zuko a good-bye hug. After a few seconds; she let him go and returned to the group before any of them noticed she was gone. Zuko watched them as they left; he had wanted to run after them; yelling that he changed his mind; but he didn't. He turned to his mother's house and met up with her on the port.