"Wow, this looks great!" Aang crowed happily, admiring Appa's new saddle. He turned to Sokka suddenly with a quizzical expression. "Is it bigger than before?"

"No. Well, at least I don't think it is. I mean I never had any exact measurement on the old one," the boy answered, trying to sound modest despite his beaming face. "But it's set up differently. See? There are bags on the outside of the saddle to store our stuff, giving more room inside the saddle for us."

Aang leapt up into the saddle and looked around at the seemingly larger space with a critical eye. Spotting something the previous saddle didn't have, he bent down for a closer inspection. Cautiously, he pulled up a length of rope that ran the perimeter of the saddle, fastened in at intervals through sturdy leather loops sewn tightly into the saddle wall.

"What's with the rope?"

"That," Sokka began triumphantly, "is the safety strap." He climbed up into the saddle and sat Aang down to give him a demonstration.

"You just sit along the wall of the saddle, and loop the rope over in front of you, then someone pulls the rope, like so" and he gave it a tug, snapping the entire length firmly against the saddle and pinning Aang securely to the side, "and then loops it around this ring here to tie it off…and ta-da! Now Appa can fly as erratically as he needs to and no one will fall out!"

Aang looked up, with obvious admiration at the ingenuity, "That's brilliant!"

At this, Sokka reddened ever so slightly, "Well, it was actually Katara's idea, but I figured outthe actual mechanics of how to make it work," and his proud grin returned as he loosened the rope, allowing Aang to stand back up.

"What do you think, buddy?" the air bender asked of his massive companion as he hopped over to the furry head. Appa grunted his approval and Aang turned back to Sokka. "It's perfect!"

"Yes, very impressive," chimed in Iroh, coming up to them with Toph and Katara close behind. All three were carrying various pieces of traveling and camping gear; tents, blankets, and cookware, to replace what they had lost weeks ago when Appa was kidnapped. "You're quite the inventor," the old general complimented.

"He has his moments," quipped Katara. When Sokka shot her a hurt pout, she continued with obvious fondness, "And this is definitely one of them." To which her brother once again smiled.

"Thanks, Sis."

As the group loaded the supplies into the bags, a pair of water tribesmen walked up carrying baskets of food and Hakoda followed behind them with Bosco in tow. Once the bear and the remaining supplies were loaded, the five companions came back down to the ground to say their farewells. Iroh stepped forward and addressed Hakoda with a formal bow.

"Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, Chief Hakoda," he said magnanimously. Hakoda responded with equal sincerity.

"And your help has been invaluable, General Iroh," and he offered his hand in a sign of friendship. The two clasped arms in a warrior's handshake, as the chief continued.

"Should you ever require our assistance in the future, you need but ask and it will be given." The two men smiled at each other warmly before breaking away to let Aang come forth.

"Thank you, Chief Hakoda…for everything," Aang said with a bow. Hakoda shook his head and laid a hand on the young boy's shoulder affectionately.

"It is I who should thank you, Avatar Aang," he replied earnestly, "for everything you've done and everything you have yet to do. All of our hopes rest with you, and we have faith in your success."

Looking up at Hakoda honest face, and seeing the agreement in the surrounding water tribe warriors, Aang was overcome with a range of emotions, all of them beyond description. For the first time since his near fatal encounter with Azula, he felt confident in his ability to carry out his destiny, and it was all he could do to keep the tears from welling up in his eyes as he nodded silently, completely at a loss for words.

As Aang stepped back to stand next to Toph, who was unusually quiet, Katara and Sokka at last came forward and stood before their father.

"My children," Hakoda said in a voice filled with love as he gathered the two of them into a strong embrace, which they returned with equal fervor. They stood there for a short while, savoring the moment, before the elder tribesman finally released them to address each one in turn.

"Sokka," he began, "you truly are the strong and capable warrior I always knew you would be. I know you will take good care of them." He wrapped his arms around Sokka one last time as he continued, "Be safe, my son."

"You too, Dad," Sokka said, not even caring that his eyes were filled with tears.

"And you," said the chief as he let go of his son and turned to his daughter, placing both hands lovingly on her shoulders before pulling her into a hug, "What an amazing young woman you've become. A master water bender," he said proudly, pulling away as if to get a better look at her. He cupped her chin in his hand and almost choked on the words that followed. "You are so much like your mother; so brave, and caring, and beautiful." And he hugged her tightly as she cried softly in his arms.

Aang looked at the scene before him with a fond smile, but it fell somewhat as he finally noticed Toph standing next to him with her head bowed, wearing a look of infinite sorrow, and longing. Without thinking, he grabbed her tiny hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. To his surprise, she didn't pull it away, but merely tightened the grip in reply and let a courageous and grateful smile grace her lips.

"We need to get going," Aang said quietly, obviously hating to end the tender moment. Hakoda nodded as he let his children go and looked over the four youths.

"Take good care of each other," he said before looking over at Iroh, a silent request in his eyes that the general look after his children and their companions. Iroh nodded discretely but meaningfully in return and then made his way up into the saddle.

Once everyone was settled, Aang sat down on Appa's head, and with one last look at the Water Tribe warriors, took the reigns.

"Yip! Yip!" he called. And the great beast rose into the air as Katara and Sokka leaned out over the side of the saddle, waving to their father until he disappeared from sight.

The soft thump of a closing door jolted Zuko out of his sleep. Sitting up quickly he looked around the room for the intruder, but no one was there. Instead, he spotted an ornate stone tub in one corner of the room filled with steaming water. On a decorative table next to it lay a clean set of clothes and some fresh towels. He growled at himself, annoyed that he'd managed to sleep through the obvious activity of someone entering his room and performing their duties before leaving.

He glanced out the window and realized with some dismay that he'd slept well into the afternoon. With a quiet groan, he stood up and crossed the room to the tub, noticing as he approached that he would have to pass a large freestanding mirror on the way. Without a thought, he pulled off the outer robe of his Dai Li disguise and draped it over the mirror, being careful to avoid so much as a glimpse into the glass.

As he sat down on a bench near the tub to pull off first one, then the other of his grimy boots, he felt the familiar bulge of his pearl dagger tucked away inside the second. Drawing it forth, he stared at it thoughtfully, and then slid the blade free of its sheath.

As if by some cruel trick of fate, he was suddenly faced with his own reflection, his eyes gazing back at him with mild shock. For the first time in years, he saw his scar and, as much as he wanted to, he could not force himself to look away. Mesmerized, he touched the dark half of the image shining on the flat of blade as a soft voice came unbidden from his memory. "Maybe you could be free of it."

He shut his eyes tightly; breathing in ragged gasps as he angrily thrust the memories out of his mind. Finally, and with great effort, he slammed the blade back into its casing with a scowl.

"Well, I see plenty of guards down there, but they aren't throwing any rocks at us so that's a good sign," Sokka said confidently as Appa flew over the palace wall. But naturally, Toph had to ruin his optimism.

"Unless it's a trap," she stated matter-of-factly. Sokka turned to her and glared, then realized it was pointless since she couldn't see him. He was about to make a scathing remark when Katara interrupted.

"No, look!" she cried happily, "There's the Earth King." And sure enough, waiting at the top of the massive stone stairs stood Kuei, waving at them in a most un-kingly fashion.

As the bison landed on the ground, the Earth King could barely contain his excitement. Surprisingly, Bosco was the first to climb out of the saddle and wasted no time ambling over to the man who kept him fed.

"Bosco!" the king rejoiced, throwing his arms around the shaggy creature.

"It's nice to know he's glad to see us," grumbled Sokka sarcastically. At this, the king regained his composure and turned to face the arrivals.

"I assume that since you are here, the battle went well?" he asked hopefully.

"Yep," Aang answered cheerfully, "we managed to get a full surrender without a single injury." The boy looked around for the one person who he knew most wanted to hear this bit of news, but Zuko was nowhere in sight. Before he could say anything, however, Iroh beat him to the question.

"Where is my nephew?" and everyone noticed the slight anxiety in the old man's voice.

"He's resting," Kuei soothed quickly, "he had a very long night." When he noticed the raised eyebrows and questioning looks, he explained soberly as they made their way inside the palace. "Things didn't go quite according to plan. Azula managed to escape with the help of her friends and Prince Zuko assisted the Dai Li in the hunt to find her, but without success."

"Then my niece is still at large." It wasn't a question and Iroh was noticeably alarmed.

"We're certain she has already fled the city," the King replied reassuringly, "but we are still taking every precaution." Kuei glanced over at the retired general and spotting the concerned crease in his brow, offered, "I can have someone take you to his room if you'd like."

"Yes, thank you," he responded distractedly as the Earth King motioned one the servants over to guide Iroh through the palace. As the pair walked off into one of the corridors, Kuei addressed the others.

"Is he alright?"

"I'm sure he's fine," Sokka said dismissively. "Probably just anxious to see that the Angry J-…uh…his nephew is still in one piece," he corrected himself just in time as he saw Aang's look of disapproval.

"So!" Sokka drawled brightly, "Did we miss lunch?"

Iroh paid close attention to his surroundings, carefully seeking signs of anything amiss. The situation was uncannily like his dream, and he swore that he wasn't going to let the outcome be the same. So when he turned a corner and saw his nephew exiting a room at the end of the hall, he let out an audible sigh of relief.

"I think I can find my way back," Iroh said graciously to his guide, and the servant gave a slight bow before leaving.

"Uncle!" Zuko's voice resounded down the corridor, in a rare tone of surprise, relief, and joy all mixed into one. The sound of it coupled with the bright look on Zuko's face made Iroh's heart fill with affection.

He was so overcome with the sensation that he couldn't trust his own voice as the young prince strode toward him. When they finally stood before each other, Iroh impulsively reached out and grabbed Zuko in a swift hug, and was pleased to feel it returned before the two stepped away from each other. Zuko looked down in mild confusion at his uncle.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, slightly perplexed.

"Fine, fine," the old man said with forced gruffness, "just glad to see you are unharmed."

The younger fire bender nodded knowingly as they started back to find the others, but his face darkened a bit when he spoke again.

"Azula got away."

"So I was told," Iroh replied gravely, but he feigned a lighter tone when he resumed, "But there is no point in worrying over it now. We will simply have to deal with her when the time comes."

Still, the old general kept his eyes vigilant as they walked. So intent was he on his surroundings that he didn't even notice his nephew fidgeting uncharacteristically beside him.

"Uncle," the teen began uncertainly, "with everything that has happened over the past few days, I…never got a chance to…to thank you."

"Thank me for what?" came the preoccupied reply.

"For not wanting to leave me behind and…for not hating me," he finished quietly.

This stopped the old fire bender in his tracks, and he grabbed his nephew by the arm, spinning him a bit, as he turned to face the contrite and visibly distressed young man who even now hung his head to stare at the floor between them. Iroh stood there, gaping in shock. How could he ever think I would hate him? His mind reeled; doesn't he know that's not how it works? But then, looking at the boy and remembering all he had suffered, Iroh realized he really didn't understand, and how could he? Ozai had never shown him any sign of love, and once again, Iroh could feel his heart breaking for the banished prince.

"Prince Zuko," he breathed when he finally found his voice, "There is nothing you could ever do that would cause me to hate you. I care for you as if you were my own Lu Ten, and that kind of love is given freely, without condition or expectation." He reached up and grabbed the boy by both shoulders, forcing the young man to look into his eyes as he continued. "Even in those times when I disagree with your actions or decisions, it will never cause me to retract or withhold my love for you."

Zuko's throat felt tight, his eyes burning with unshed tears as he looked at his uncle. And when the old man wrapped him in a strong, bear-like hug, Zuko relished the warmth of the embrace. At that moment, Zuko made a fervent vow.

"I will never disappoint you again, Uncle."

"I know, Zuko," he replied softly, as a tear made its way down his cheek, "I know."