Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender
Aang knew he should release Prince Zuko. But his arms wouldn't move. He exhaled deeply, realizing he had been holding his breath. He sank to the ground. Zuko turned and pushed the top of his head into Aang's stomach. Even though he knew Zuko wasn't about to hurt him, he still felt fear flow briefly through him. Aang remembered how Zuko had not even cared that Aang was not fighting back. Blocking, yes, but he didn't let loose a single blow. The look in Zuko's eyes was so determined, desperate, almost. Why is he all the way out here? Why am I? That's different! He has…had…his uncle, crew, a nation…
The sleeping Zuko turned again. Aang could feel his muscles get taut. What is he supposed to live off out here? He has to be too slow to catch a squirrel, and there are no other animals out here that I have seen. Where are his people? Did they…leave him?
Aang looked down at the sleeping Zuko. He felt relaxed now, probably because Aang had been absent-mindedly rubbing the top of his head. Slowly Aang let his hand slide down to touch the scar over Zuko's eye. He flinched back slightly. What could have happened? How did he get such a terrible mark?
Aang let his hand slide even lower to Zuko's neck. Zuko turned his head to the side.
Gently Aang slipped his other arm out from underneath Zuko's back. He placed it on Zuko's chest, then slid it down to Zuko's side. Aang could feel his ribs. They weren't protruding, but showing and he could definitely feel them.
Suddenly Zuko pulled himself from Aang's grasp. He put his arms over his head and then s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d his body.
Aang grinned. He had never seen Zuko so at ease. Then he frowned when he realized that would certainly change when Zuko woke up.
He sighed.
Zuko curled himself up, pushing back into Aang, who contentedly placed his arms back around him. Zuko murmured and frowned. Aang softly stroked the smooth side of his face. The angry expression was soon replaced with a serene one.
He thought back to the last time he had seen Sokka. They had been walking together, talking.
"Sokka, you're smart, where do you think we should go next?"
"Huh…let's see…I've got some places I've gotta stop by, see some of Dad's old friends, you know. You can come with me if you'd like. Unless, you know, you've got some Avatar stuff to do."
Well, Aang didn't know, but he said, "Okay, I do have some stuff to do."
Aang knew somewhere from inside him that he should spend some time on his own, figure out just how he was going to go about defeating the Fire Lord.
Sokka suddenly looked uncomfortable. "Um, so, I'll see ya, right?"
Aang felt a lump rise in his throat.
"Yea, I'll find you. I'll just ask for the brave Water tribe warrior that has traveled the world."
"Nah, how about the sarcastic idiot what loves meat?"
They both forced laughter. Abruptly Sokka got quiet. He scuffed the ground with his toe.
"Look, Sokka, I didn't-don't-want it like this. But it'll be okay. When I'm ready, I'll find you. All of you."
Sokka looked up. He clapped his hand on Aang's shoulder. "Yea, you're right. I'm sorry." He didn't really know what he was apologizing for.
Quickly Aang hugged Sokka very tightly, and then pulled away just as fast.
Sokka didn't want to prolong this anymore. He turned and started walking. Suddenly he paused, and then whirled around to face Aang. He put his arms up, hissing, "Water tribe!"
Aang giggled, for real this time. Sokka would be fine. He could work, find his friends.
Even so, Aang's once-carefree heart was heavy the day he said goodbye to his best friend.
Zuko was coughing. Hard, racking coughs that made his whole body tremble.
Aang looked up. The Sun was starting to descend.
He scooted away from Zuko. He had to think. Stay here with him, or leave now before he wakes up? Zuko would need to get something to eat. He can't get it himself, can he? But that Firebending Prince ate meat, not grass or pinecones.
Well, neither do I. But still I think I could be better off than him. I can fly out-
His glider was broken. He would be walking from here on out, until it was fixed.
I should call Momo. The lemur had gone ahead to explore when Aang first started up the mountain. Much to his concern, he hadn't seen him since.
His whistle was on a string around his neck. Now he blew on it, hard. It was primarily used for Appa, and was too high for people to hear (Sokka first thought it was broken) but animals could. Momo would be coming.
Out of the corner of his eye, Aang sensed movement. Zuko was sitting up.
OH, what will happen??!?!