I'm so sorry for the long time no post thing. And I'm alsot sorry this is a preyyt short chapter but it concludes the water tribe section and the next chapter is super long.

Sorry. thanks to reviewers. enjoy.

They were finally gaining some space from the ships when Sokka noticed yet another problem. "They have airships"

Toph banged her hand to her head. "Well that's just great"

Sokka went back to Appa's head, The others -minus Toph, Mizu, and Kiama- braced themselves for a fight.

"Will they ever give up!" Sokka and Aang complained in unison. There was no answer, but none was really needed.

Like a stampede, fire erupted around them and the fight was on. Sokka narrowly missed being hit. "Fire bastards!" he yelled. And after a moment he added, "Oh, no offence Zuko"

Zuko stifled a laugh as he shot another ball and it collided with the one approaching it. The sky erupted in fire sparks. Sokka dodged to avoid the residue.

"No problem" Zuko smirked back at the startled teen.

Sokka dodged another fireball but stopped at a scream. Both Kiama and Toph were hanging off Appa. Mizu had on of his sisters hands and Toph was latched on to Appa's fur. "Slow down, Sokka!" she yelled.

"Okay okay" he retorted, secretly hoping it was enough.

There was a sickening pop as an ice dagger slashed into an airship and it fell to the ocean below. Katara smiled and did the same to two of the others.

"That makes things easier" Aang commented. She smiled back.

Sokka groaned. "Kiss after immediate danger please"

Katara frowned at the word kiss. She really didn't like Aang like that. And Aang was blushing. Not the best sign. She was so caught up in thoughts she didn't see the fireball until it hit her skin. She fell back in pain.

"Katara!" Zuko called her name from the other side of Appa.

She bit on her lip. "I'm fine"

Toph moved closer to Katara. She had been able to climb u once they were going straight. "I thought pretending not to be hurt was Zuko's thing?"

Katara gave a pained laugh.

Zuko knocked another soldier into the ocean but the amount of those left seemed never ending. "Be right back" he called.

Aang looked warily. "What are you-" but Zuko was at the edge of Appa's tail. "Zuko no!"

Zuko ignored him and jumped from Appa to one of the airships. "He's insane" Sokka muttered. But a second later the ship exploded. 'Or not" Zuko jumped back from the debris.

"Well that was pretty cool" he smirked.

Mizu looked terrified. Toph smiled art him. "Get used to it cause this happens to us all the time"

"Goody?" he offered. The blind twelve year old offered a genuine smile.

"Yes. Goody" she said sternly. He chuckled.

"We need to go back into the water!" Aang ordered.

"What?" Toph exclaimed.

She found out why as a burning airship collided with Appa's backside, throwing Aang and Zuko forward. Sokka skidded on the water. It was over.

The group was a round of gasps, sighs and yelps. Katara pulled some water to her brunt arms. Slowly the red blotches faded to nothing. It still hurt but not as intensly as it had before. Before it was enough to make her cry.

Zuko took a deep breath and did a quick check. Noting everyone was accountable for and seemed fine he cleared his throat. 'We should be moving on"

He maneuvered towards Katara. "Are you alright? I know you were hurt in the fight"

"Yeah. I'm fine though" Katara said looking to her arms. Looking back at Zuko, who almost looked relieved, she couldn't help feeling a bit guilty.

"Think Appa can make it to somewhere…um not in the middle of the ocean?" Sokka asked.

Aang looked around. "I don't know. I doubt it though. The last hit was pretty bad. He looked from Appa's tail and back and his own legs, both covered with light burns and scrapes.

"So we're stuck here" Toph horrified.

"more or less" Sokka's voice was the same.

Zuko smiled a bit evilly. 'Scared?"

"NO!" Sokka retorted all to quickly.

Toph laughed. "Sure Snoozels. Whatever keeps you lack of manliness at bay"

"We might as well get some rest while we can" Katara suggested.

Toph looked a bit skeptical. "I think someone should keep watch. I'd do it but…" she trailed off.

"I'll keep watch" Zuko offered.

Katara glared at him and laughed. "You are so damned stubborn!"

Zuko shrugged. "someone needs to do it and I prefer to know you all slept" he thought a moment and turned back to Katara. "Besides, I'm sure in the next town you'll attempt to make me rest for a few days straight."

Sokka made a disagreeable noise. "you make it like that's a bad thing" Everything was fairly silent until Sokka spoke up yet again. "So now we have money and maps and nothing to buy and no form of transportation!"

Okay way to end super dramatic chapter with comedy. And no clifhanger....well sort of.

Again sorry for not posting on time and i promise the next chapter will be up soon.

Please review.