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Thanks to my first reviewer, Olivia, this newest chapter is for you. I hope you like it! Let my know what you think!

Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. - Paul Boese

Chapter 3 – Escaping the Flames of the Past

Misora climbed up the side of the flying bison, settling down in the back of his saddle. The eldest of the group, Iroh, carried the unconscious Avatar and situated the boy atop the animal. Looking back at what had been her home for the past year, the flames licking at the skyline, she sighed as Sokka shook the reins.

"Yip-yip, Appa, yip-yip," he shouted, against the approaching sounds of the enemy.

Misora pulled her cloak out of her bag and wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled up the hood before looking at her new companions. Some were looking at her warily and she didn't blame them. She was a killer, even worse she was an Airbender, a people who believed in non-violence, who used her gift to end the life of another, and now she sat among them. She met the amber eyes of the Prince, he was exactly across from her and he was unreadable. It was the calmness of his gaze that broke her own. The frightened looks she had seen before and was used to but the face of Zuko shook home what she had done. He had no anger or fear, only calm acceptance which made the dam within her break. The tears were silent and she turned her face to look over the edge of the beast but someone knew she was crying. The Earthbender, a small, solid looking girl with hair covering her pretty face, crawled over to her and held out her hand. Misora looked at her, confusion taking over as she stared at the child.

"Take my hand, I can't see, I'm kinda blind," she stated, thrusting her hand forward again. Misora grasped the hand and the girl shifted to lean closer to the Airbender. "She deserved what she got," she said, taking a seat next to the red haired girl, crossing her legs. They sat, hand in hand, with the younger girl's head resting slightly on Misora's arm. Misora was slightly comforted by the gruff girl's touch but her words barely made a difference and tears still rolled down her face. The cold wind stung her eyes and left the sticky salt of regret behind. When she looked up again the Prince was still looking at her but his countenance had changed; he appeared startled, as though her reaction was not something he expected. Biting her lip she turned her face away; towards General Iroh and the Waterbender, who were tending to the Avatar.

The dark skinned girl worked from a water jug at her hip, the water glowing an eerie blue around his chest while the elderly Firebender held the boy's shoulders down as the boy thrashed about, semi-unconscious, as though he still fought some invisible foe. When the glowing faded the healer sighed in relief.

"He'll be fine," she said above the wind, everyone nodding, releasing a commonly held breath. They flew deep into the night, zig-zagging through the mountains; hiding their trail until the boy named Sokka decided it was safe to land.

Misora stumbled away from the flying bison, patting his flank, walking on stiff legs. She was so tired she actually managed to fall to her knees, unable to catch herself. A small hand came into view, Misora looked it up and met the cloudy green eyes of Toph.

"That's how I felt the first time, too," she said.

"Not the first time, just haven't been on one in so long," Misora said breathlessly. They smiled at each other but Misora started when the Firebenders both came towards her. Tensing she was ready for a fight, Toph stood by her, placing a hand on her arm when she took a step backwards. She couldn't read them well in the dark, their faces were obscured in the shadows of the night and the moon had waned too far to afford much light. The closer they got the more her nerves grated on her until finally she blurted out an apology.

"I'm sorry, please, it was an accident," she stuttered as she stumbled away, the wind picking up around them a little. Iroh rushed towards her, crushing her against him, his arms encircling her shoulders but her height lent an awkwardness to the position. Zuko chose to stand back, staring passively at the two as the girl collapsed, finally breaking down fully. He closed his eyes against her tears but her racking sobs still met his ears. When he reopened them he found his uncle kneeling as the girl had crumpled against him, her face buried in his chest. Taking a deep breath he stepped forward, frustrated he wrenched the Airbender out of his uncle's embrace.

"Now, Prince Zuko," he began, but stopped when he saw the determined look on the young prince's face. Everyone looked up at the interaction but only Sokka made a move towards them.

"Hey, you leave her alone," he shouted, but didn't make it far when Toph stopped his charge.

"She's a big girl, she can handle herself, Sokka," Toph said, holding the warrior back. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before nodding silently and watching the two intently.

Zuko had grabbed Misora by the shoulders. He held her at nearly an arms length, his elbow bent only slightly while she took shuttering breaths, hiccuping softly. When she had started her breakdown Zuko didn't know how he felt but as her keening sobs broke through his ,measured breaths his anger had seethed past his forced calm.

"Stop!" he shouted, giving her a jolting shake. Toph had to sink Sokka's feet into the earth to keep him from rushing to the young woman's rescue. Misora's tears did indeed stop, but just barely and she was resolutely looking somewhere between Zuko's chin and his chest. "Look at me," his voice was softer now, so quiet everyone had to strain to hear him. She looked up, now more at his mouth really. With an exasperated sigh Zuko took one hand off her shoulder forcing her to look him in the eye. However once he'd let go her face fell again. So he then placed both hands on either side of her jaw. Looking her square in the eye he said, "She isn't worth it. I should know, she was my sister and she was the cruelest, most cold-hearted person I've ever known. She deserved the death you gave her and I want to thank you,"

He'd thanked her, thanked her for killing his sister. He couldn't be serious, she thought, how could he be serious. She looked into his amber eyes and realized just how truthful he was being. The relief was so evident in his eyes, it radiated out of him like the heat from the fire within him. She smiled shakily at him and he dropped his hands from her face as though suddenly realizing just how far into her space he was. Zuko took a step back, returned her smile briefly before glancing at his uncle. Iroh stepped forward , enveloping both youths in a giant bear hug, Zuko and Misora nearly knocked forehead and both hissed as the air was ejected from their lungs.

"Uncle," Zuko grunted, the man let go of the two youths but kept his hand on the girl's lower back, leading her to where Sokka was trying to start a fire. Zuko followed, keeping a close eye on the girl. He felt a strange sense of worry for the Airbender.

"What you need is some soothing chamomile tea," he said as he helped the slender girl sit. Her face was red, eyes puffy and she looked like she could sleep for days. Iroh set about making enough tea for everyone, the day had been highly stressful and the Avatar slept on oblivious of it all.

Misora took the tea gratefully but held it until it had cooled slightly before taking a sip. She was surprised to find the taste delicious as her body quickly began to relax. The strong flavor seemed to infuse her senses when her eyelids drooped and she lent more into the tree Iroh had placed her up against. The Waterbender sat, with her tea, near the Avatar, her brother no far off. The Earthbender girl had built a shelter for herself out of the surrounding rocks and now lay on her stomach sipping her own steaming tea.

"Everything will seem better in the morning," Iroh whispered as he lowered himself to share her tree. They all sat quietly, even the animals seemed to note the need for silence for the loudest sounds were the air bison's breaths. Zuko slowly stirred a pot of stew over the flames. The combination of the tea, her earlier tears and the day's events weighed so heavily on her that she soon fell asleep with the tea still cupped in her hands. Seeing the precious tea cup nearly falling to the ground, Iroh lunged for it and quickly snatched it up. Zuko chuckled, rolled his eyes as his uncle poured out the tea.

"Did you drug just her or everyone?" he asked, his eyes on his simmering stew. Sokka looked up from his vigil over Aang, the warrior blanched at his cup, dumping out the contents hurriedly before looking accusingly at Iroh.

"No, no, Nephew, just the girl, I though she might have a bit of trouble falling asleep after today. You needn't worry yourself, Sokka, or waste such good tea" he stated with a chuckle.

End Chapter 3