Part One: Winter

Chapter Five: Patience

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

"No!" she yelled, her eyes flooding with tears.

She watched him fall, her vision blurred, and ran.

It was so surreal, she couldn't think, she just ran to him, willed her legs to fly.

She flew past the fighting, flew past the

Blood. She held back a cry as he hit the ground before her.

He couldn't be dead. The world was swirling, colors flying, people screaming...

He couldn't be dead. His pulse was slow and steady and soft, and she held him close.

She held him close and cried and sobbed and wailed

And died with him.

"You'll wake up soon, I promise."

She watched over him like a mother, tending to his wounds carefully, the water twisting and bending as her fingers worked to treat the burns.

One on his shoulder, his right leg was burnt so badly... bruises covered his chest and back, and cuts, bleeding, infected cuts, had been slashed across his shoulders.

His feet were sprained; he had run so quickly and landed so hard, his heels were bloody and torn.

His arm was slashed with swords, spears, burned by fire, broken. Sprained. Limp and lifeless. Dead.

His sweet, sweet face was unmoving, pale, contorted in an expression of absolute agony. How could he ever smile again without feeling unimaginable pain?

She couldn't look at him any longer. It was during these times that she wished he would never wake up and feel the pain of his wounds.

She couldn't look at him any longer. It was during these times that she wished she had died.

Her nimble fingers held back a bandage, her blue eyes held back tears.

If I hadn't gone and done it, if I had been there at his side, fighting with him, instead of being so stupid and going to help a complete stranger...

She paused for a minute and looked at him, looked at the unconscious, sleeping boy.

Aang, would you have done the same for a complete stranger? Would you have left me behind and gone to help them?

She asked the question over and over in her head. Would Aang have done the same thing? Would Aang have done the same thing?

"Would you have done the same thing?"

Zuko looked at his girlfriend, sitting in a red velvet chair, and waited for her answer. The girl studied her fingers and sighed.

"Zuko, some things are better left unsaid," she replied, obviously bored. "Want to hear what Azula told me?"

"No, I want to hear your answer."

"Alright, then. I would've done the same thing."

"Why?"

"What the Avatar's friends were doing was certainly their business, and considering how much kindness you've shown them in the past few days..."

Mai shrugged and went back to looking out the window.

"I actually agree with them. You're not the best person to have around post-war."

"But I offered to teach Aang firebending, and they forgave me! How is that-"

"Listen, Zuko. I may not be the most sociable person around. But believe me, lots of unkindness adds up. Changing from angry prince to kind, generous firebending teacher is just... almost unbelievable. They know who your sister is, Zuko, and she is a good liar. How do they know you're not like her?"

"But I'm not! You know I'm not!"

"Calm down, Zuko." She sighed and turned around. "I know you're not. That's why I'm your girlfriend. But really, you're not even a friend to the Avatar. And since he's practically dead right about now, I imagine that they wouldn't accept you into their camp with open arms."

"He's not dying, he's resting."

"You actually believed that?"

Mai smirked knowingly, and Zuko glared at her.

"Zuko, you should spend more time with your uncle. Even Azula does, and that's saying something."

"But I don't have time."

"Yeah. You spend it all on trying to win the Avatar's trust." Mai glanced outside again, then stood up and walked to Zuko. "It's a waste of time. The war's over. We don't need the Avatar anymore, Zuko."

"It's not that, Mai, it's just that..."

"What?"

"Now that the war's over, I'm a prince again. I'm royalty. I have to make negotiations with the world, and what better way to apologize than to have the Avatar on my side?"

He stepped forward so that he and Mai were in front of each other.

"That's called being selfish, Zuko."

Mai grinned and draped her arms around his shoulders.

"Get some rest. We're going to talk to your uncle tomorrow, alright?"

"Shouldn't we tell Katara before we leave?"

Toph glared at Sokka, who was anxiously making preparations. The fun had ended right after Sokka had threatened to chuck a boomerang at her head, and how was she to know that he wasn't going to do it? (After all, Sokka was a pretty good liar when it came to these things.)

Toph huffed and shrugged her shoulders, but Sokka didn't notice or didn't care. After disappearing into Aang's tent for a while, he came right back out again and proceeded to yank Toph onto Appa.

"Ow! What was that for, you pile of crud?"

"At least I'm going with you!"

"Well, I decided that I'm perfectly fine going by myself!"

"Then who's going to get you there? Your imaginary friend? Momo?"

At this, Toph immediately shut up and folded her arms. She hated flying. She didn't know how she would endure two days with an oaf like Sokka, let alone in the air.

Sokka glared at her and quickly took inventory of their supplies. "Let's see. We've got three days worth of food, some blankets, sleeping bags, clothes-"

"Just hurry up, will ya?!"

"-Firewood, money... yeah, I think we're good."

He gave the bundle of supplies a firm pat and climbed onto Appa.

"Alright, Toph we're going to fly-"

"Sokka!"

Katara rushed out, looking frazzled. Toph groaned, and Sokka looked at his sister quizically.

"What is it, Katara? We have to leave soon, or Miss Not-Weak here will do a bad Azula impersonation again."

"Sokka, it's Aang. He's getting worse." Katara looked frantic, and the travelers got serious immediately. "He's burning up, and his wounds are opening and getting infected and-" She looked at the two in despair. "I can't handle it alone, I don't think I can stay here alone, we need to get help!"

"We're not gonna beg the Imperial City, if that's what you mean," Toph stated. Sokka nodded in response, and Katara sighed.

"I know, but Aang... Sokka, it's Aang. What will the world do without him? What if there's another war, and there's nobody... there's nobody..."

Katara was in obvious despair, and Toph looked at Sokka, who looked back at his sister.

"Calm down, 'Tara, it's going to be alright. All we need to do is ask somebody, Zuko, maybe, who'll-"

"No. Not Zuko. Anyone but Zuko."

"Don't you want Aang to get better?"

"Well, it's Zuko. For all we know, he might throw Aang into the dungeon or something and leave him to die!"

"He's only the prince, Katara. Remember it's Iroh who's Fire Lord now."

"But still. I don't trust him, and there's no way I can stay alone with him while you two go to Gaoling."

"Katara..."

Toph moaned, and proceeded to fall flat on her back on Appa's saddle.

"Please, Katara, just hurry and get the help you need. We have to get going so we can come back quicker!"

"Toph, Aang needs help! Gaoling is the last thing on my mind right now!"

Toph fell silent. After all, she couldn't blame the teenager... her best friend was dying.

"Just go get help from Zuko or Iroh!" Sokka pleaded. Katara glared at him and defiantly shook her head.

"I'm not about to go crawling back to the nation that almost killed him!"

"Please, Katara, just-"

"You know how much I hate Zuko, Sokka!"

The warrior sighed. Really, at times like this, he didn't know what to think of his sister.

Part of him wanted her to stop whining and deal with it...

And part of him wanted to help her. He knew how much she was hurting.

Toph sighed and took advantage of the situation. What was she going to do at Gaoling? She thought quietly for a few seconds before growing impatient again.

"Just come with us, then. We'll dump you off at the nearest city and you can get help there."

"How can you be so inconsiderate, Toph? When Aang's dyi- unconscious- you're just thinking of yourself?"

"I care as much about Aang as you do, but really, there's nothing much else we can do at this point!"

"There's a lot you can do! We can go north and get help!"

"My parents are going to kill me," Toph groaned. "But whatever. Ask Sokka, he's Mr. Flying Man here..."

"...Toph, just stop. Seriously." Sokka sighed and looked at Katara. "Fine, then. If you really don't want Zuko around, then hurry and get on. We need to get to Gaoling as soon as possible, but I guess Aang does come first."

Katara flashed a look of gratitude at her older brother and ran towards the tent. Toph folded her arms and faced the warrior.

"Why-?"

"Toph, just shut it. You seriously want Katara alone with Zuko? What if he... you know..."

An uncomfortable silence, as Toph tried to digest the thought. Abruptly, the Earthbender grimaced and shook her head.

"Just... no, Sokka. Bad mental imagery."

He stepped into the throne room and bowed.

The lights were dim, and it was hard to see. The cold metal floor was hard beneath his feet.

Memories came flooding back. The last time he was here, the floor beneath him had been drenched in blood... the blood of soldiers both of this nation and of others.

The last time he was here, people had been killed. Their bodies had lay cold and lifeless, dead.

He listened for the sounds of swords, spears, he listened for the ghosts of the dead screaming as they fell to the floor, imapaled or bleeding to death.

There was silence, save only for the sound of his footsteps.

"So, nephew, you finally decided to give your uncle a visit?"

There was no accusation in his voice, no sarcasm, no iciness that was a trademark of his father's. Zuko looked up at his uncle as he walked, trying to get used to the feel of him on the throne.

"Forgive me, Uncle. I was busy with the army troops, and the Avatar, and..." His voice trailed off, and he glanced nervously at his uncle.

"It's perfectly fine, Zuko. After all, some quiet does an old man some good." Iroh paused for a minute, then went on. "The camp is in good condition?"

"It's deserted. Only the Avatar and his friends are left." Zuko hesitated a minute, wondering if he should tell Iroh what happened. "They didn't greet me as well as I hoped they would."

"The Avatar needs rest. His friends need rest. It's been a long, hard journey, and they all need to recover."

The Fire Lord smiled and motioned for his nephew to come forward.

"There's many things that need to be done, though. The world is still ailing. The Fire Nation troops are still stationed in Ba Sing Se, and the refugees are not happy." He sighed and motioned to the throne. "Zuko, I can only do so much on this throne. I can carry orders, and command troops, and do so much else, but I cannot travel."

"What do you mean by that, Uncle?"

"This man isn't what he used to be. I'm old now, and I have responsibility. After what happened with Azula in Ba Sing Se..." He sighed, and glanced at his nephew. "I can't leave the Imperial City alone. Zuko, you are young and able. As prince of the Fire Nation, you must go for me. Tell the world that the Fire Nation is sorry." Iroh smiled. "Although, Zuko, you look far from apologetic."

"That's because Mai said that the Avatar was dying. It's not true, is it?"

"I'm afraid Mai was telling the truth. The Avatar is not in a very good condition, and his friends are better off being left alone." Iroh looked up at Zuko, who looked at him in disbelief.

"But you never visited the army camps. How did you know he was... dying?"

"Mai told me again. You have a very caring companion, as it seems."

Zuko nodded and looked back at the doorway where he had left Mai. She was standing there, leaning against the door, smiling ever-so-slightly.

"Keep on listening, Zuko. There's a lot that your uncle wants to tell you."

Zuko stared at her and sighed. He would deal with her later.

Iroh nodded appreciatively at Mai, who bowed and retreated into the hallway. "Zuko, you heard what I wanted you to do. Will you do this for me? And if not, for your nation?"

Zuko paused for a minute. Traveling the world? Again? To say that he was sorry?

He had just gotten home. He was a prince again. Surely he could rest a while.

But he had changed... the Fire Nation had changed. Didn't he need to help Aang restore balance to the world?

Wasn't it his destiny?

"I'll think about it," he found himself saying. Iroh nodded, and Zuko bowed again.

"Tell me as soon as you decide, nephew. I think you also owe the Avatar's friends an apology."

"How did you know?"

"Zuko, this is why I'm telling you to go visit Azula."

"What does Azula have to do with anything? I'm asking you how you knew the Avatar is dying."

"Azula."

"She's in prison, Mai."

"Yes, and the prisons are remarkably close to the army camp."

"How do you know this-"

"Because I actually visit Azula, alright! Now just be quiet, and I'll tell you-"

"What?"

Mai paused for a second, annoyance tinting her voice.

"I'll tell you what you want to hear, Zuko, if you be a good little prince and shut up."

Zuko shut up. It was annoying enough having to listen to Mai drone on and on, but even more annoying to be told off by her. And all because he wanted the answer to a question. Gods.

Mai waited to make sure he stayed silent, and went on.

"Well, Azula can hear it. She can hear that girl... what's her name again? Kya? Kiara?"

"Katara," he muttered.

"Yeah. That girl. She can hear that girl crying."

"She can't."

"Sure, she can. Well, assuming how much he was injured, Azula pretty much figured that he was dying."

"That doesn't prove anything! You know how good Azula is at lying. Why you do trust her?"

"I trust her for the same reason that I trust you. She's a good friend. You're a good boyfriend. Friends trust each other. Girlfriends and boyfriends trust each other."

Zuko sighed. Girlfriend or not, Mai was getting on his nerves.

"And you also heard what your uncle said. He trusted me, which means he trusted Azula."

"He didn't know the information came from Azula."

Mai shook her head and extended her hand.

"Come on, then. Let's go visit your sister and she'll tell you."

He scowled, but took the girl's hand. Whatever.

"Sokka, we have to postpone the flight until tomorrow."

Toph groaned and leapt off of Appa. It had been what- two hours?- since Katara had announced that Aang needed help. Toph's patience level was only a few millimeters high, and even in the event where Aang's life was at stake, she wasn't about to go waiting patiently like a good little girl.

Sensing Toph's annoyance, Katara sighed and tried to reason with her.

"Toph, there's not much else we can do! I need to stock up on bandages, and medicines, and..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We have some rags around here, and herbs grow seasonally. So go and pick some of those, okay?"

"No, it's not okay! How would you feel if you were unconscious and we decided to wrap you up in rags?"

"I wouldn't really care," Toph replied coolly. She knew she was testing Katara's patience, but hey. Katara had tested hers.

Katara sighed and turned to Sokka. "Sokka, can we set off tomorrow? I don't know if we'll be able to make it to the North Pole without an ample supply of medicine."

Sokka shrugged. "Sure. Just hurry and get the stuff you need. We might even be able to make it to Gaoling today."

Toph scowled and folded her arms. "Yeah. Listen to Sugar Queen."

A/N: I promise that the next chapter will have a little more action. Thanks for reviewing, everyone!