I'm so sorry it took me so long to update this story. I couldn't seem to write the second chapter—they always seem to be the hardest for me. But I just watched the show finale (wipes away a tear) and I have finally found some inspiration. Obviously, as this was planned out before I saw the last few episodes, this will not follow the show. After "The Boiling Rock" 1 and 2, that is.

Thanks so much to WriterRen, Redwritingbarron, Rue Broadway, Manuel, nutshak, Firebender01, firedragon315, nikipinz, BrokenForEternity, and Lilia for you reviews! I really appreciate them. I do not own the Avatar or other related characters. Thanks for reading!

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Sokka awoke to the sounds of Zuko and Aang practicing firebending—a sound that had become quite familiar in the time since the young prince had joined the gang. This morning, the firebending teacher looked none-too-happy about the early wake-up-call. His scarred face was set in an even deeper scowl than usual, and his half-closed eyelids betrayed the fact that he had stayed up most of the night.

Sokka sighed and looked at the ground, knowing what Zuko was going through. He had only recently had to deal with the same feelings of guilt and anger… and he had flown all the way to the fire nation to deal with them. He had every reason to expect Zuko to do the same; and not only that, but Sokka had promised to go with him. And he owed it to him—the older boy had helped him in his quest, and if it hadn't been for his presence Sokka never would have been able to escape the prison with his father, Suki, and Chit Sang.

Sokka stood to his feet and walked lazily toward where his two friends were practicing. He lounged on a bench that overlooked both the practice area and the canyon beyond the temple. The two other boys moved through firebending steps gracefully, occasionally sending jets of flame into the air.

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Long after Zuko and Aang had finished practice and left for breakfast, Sokka stayed to stare out at the horizon. He reveled in the feeling of freedom, enjoying the rare moments between fights and confrontation where it seemed he didn't have to worry about anything. For this fleeting time, everyone he cared about was safe. No one he loved was in any immediate danger. And he was about to risk all 

that to help Zuko; the man who had chased them all over the world and tried to kill them on many different occasions. But the strange thing was; that didn't make a difference. Zuko was his friend, former enemy or not, and Sokka had made a promise.

"You missed breakfast." Sokka was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Katara walk up to him, or smell the steaming bowl of stew she held in her hands. "I thought you might be hungry." Sokka mumbled a thank you as he took the bowl. "Sokka, I…. I never really got a chance to thank you for what you did." At his confused look, Katara continued. "You… you brought Dad back. And while I still haven't forgiven you for leaving without saying anything and risking your life like that… thank you." Sokka smiled uneasily.

"Yeah, well…. I wanted him back as much as you did. And you're welcome." Katara returned the smile and threw her arms around her brother's neck.

"Just don't ever do anything that stupid again!" Sokka cleared his throat and pulled away, staring at the floor.

"What?" Katara asked, her voice nervous.

"Um, about that. Zuko and I…."

"Oh no, you don't. You two almost got yourselves killed last time there was a 'Zuko and I.'" Katara had backed away now, placing her hands on her hips and standing with her feet shoulder width apart—a pose that had made everyone in the group cower in fear at one point or another. But today Sokka wasn't going to be intimidated. He had made a commitment to his friend and he intended to follow it through.

"We've made up our minds, Katara. We didn't finish the mission last time; we left two people behind. We have to go back for them."

"Those 'two people' are our enemies. They may not like Azula any more but that doesn't mean they do like us. You said yourself Mai looked like she wanted to kill Zuko. What makes you two think they'll be on our side now," Katara asked, a disbelieving tone entering her voice. As much as Sokka hated fighting with his sister he knew he couldn't back down now.

"If they want to come back with us and be on our side, then great. If not, we still get them out of prison and let them go on their way. Either way they won't be bothering us anymore and they won't be wasting away in some prison. Besides, whether or not Mai hates him Zuko loves her. And that's enough reason for me to help him."

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Zuko listened in disbelief as Sokka stood up to his sister, refusing to listen to her arguments. "Zuko loves her. And that's enough reason for me to help him." His last statement left Zuko reeling. He had known Sokka would keep his promise, but he had no idea his loyalty was that deep. The young prince felt an unfamiliar tightening in his chest as he thought about it.

There was a moment of silence before Katara recovered and replied, "Well if you two are going then so am I."

"Katara…."

"Don't 'Katara' me. You two can't go off by yourselves whenever you feel like it and leave us behind." Panic was starting to well up within Zuko now. What did she mean by "us?"

"What do you mean 'us?'" Sokka voiced his question.

"I mean, we're all going."

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I'm so sorry I haven't updated this story. I still have big plans for it and I promise to update it whenever I can. Thank you so much for reading!