A/N: Chapter 8 ...

Sokka's Instincts 2: No, fan-fiction is puppetry. You're not doing what the writers intended to happen, it's what you intend to happen. So, therefore, you're not having them in character if they're doing something they wouldn't do (i.e. never in the show) Although, if you're writing future fics I can see where that would be placed. Yes, I amtrying to write in character though, and I mean puppetry like... the plot is what you want, not that they act like you want... does that make sense? ... Anyway, I guess I don't see the Azula because I'm the writer and writing always rings differently in each persons ear. Thanks for critiquing me, and I hope we are still on good terms, despite our apparent separate views.

RandomWarning: Thanks for the critique, Tophie, rofl. I luffles you! :D Oh and yes... I did my cloud research. And no... I don't pay any attention in science! Lol. BUT! Your comments made me LMAO. Mostly the dictionary and turmoil ones. -.- My dad was yelling at me to shut up, so I ran upstairs and collapsed in laughter. o.O

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the characters within it.

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Turmoil

I sat alone for awhile, but it didn't feel long, as I was still taking in my surroundings. I couldn't stop gazing in awe at the whole thing, the beauty of this place was amazing. But what I found the most spectacular was that places like this could even be found in the fire nation. I was more surprised this was here than I was when Hama showed me the fire lilies. I shuddered at the name.

Aang came back, running quickly and panting.

"Sorry... I took... so long..." he said between breaths. He was bent over with his hands on his knees, gasping for breath. "We need to... get out of here... Now."

I wrinkled my brow in confusion. "What's wrong?"

He looked down at me. "Azula. She... I tell you while we walk. Come on."

He put his hand out for me to grab and I took it. We began to walk the opposite way than we came, to the other side of the clearing. He motioned for me to quicken, so we ended up jog-walking.

"What about Appa?" I asked him, concerned and still mentally lost. We'd left him when we began on our way to the field.

"I don't know. I think he'd know to leave if there was danger... if Azula finds him... but I had to make sure you..." He shook his head and the sadness became precise in his eyes.

He came back for me instead of saving Appa?

"We should go back," I declared. I couldn't let Appa get hurt; Aang would never forgive himself. I would never forgive myself.

He looked at me and sighed.

"We can't. There's fire nation troops all over the forest. I felt the vibrations of someone and I wasn't sure who it was, so I went to check and sure enough... They're everywhere, Katara."

I gasped.

"I know." Aang said desperately.

"No, not that... I'm just worried about Toph and Sokka."

"Sokka, Toph and Zuko can take care of themselves. Besides, they're more than an hour away in flight. I'm just focusing on getting you out of here."

Since when was I the only thing he cared about? He didn't even want to try to save Appa. When we were in the desert and Appa was stolen, he abandoned us for Appa. Now he was leaving his beloved bison on his own and escorting me out of danger. It didn't make any sense to me. How could he not want to rescue Appa?!

And not to mention, 'Sokka and Toph can take care of themselves'? Sokka can't even catch a fish!

"Aang. We really should go and find Appa. What if he gets hurt?"

He stopped in his tracks once we were deep enough in the forest that the clearing could no longer be seen. When I turned around, he was wiping his eyes. This was tearing him apart.

"I'll find him when you're safe."