A/N: New chapter! Enjoy!

"Aang! Aang! Wake up!"

A gleam of light had started to enter the young monk's vision. After blinking for a few seconds, Aang was able to steady his gaze and look around. Apparently, he was lying on a comfortable bed. The last time he had enjoyed such a luxury was during his stay at Ba Sing Se. After thinking about this, Aang noticed that he was unable to recognize the room where he was currently staying.

"Where are we?"

"The last place where Azula would search for us. And fortunately, it's also one of the safest".

The airbender turned to look at the owner of the voice that was speaking to him. Zuko was standing in front of the Avatar. The banished prince was covered in bruises, and his left arm was wrapped by a bandage.

With some effort, Zuko walked towards the airbender. "Welcome to my family's former beach house".

Scanning his surroundings, Aang noticed his friends' presence. Each one had gained a noticeable injure from their last battle. This led him to ask something that was worrying him.

"Where's Toph?"

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.

.

There was a rainforest located at the Ember Island's center. One could find dangers within its vegetation if one wasn't careful enough. Still, there were also natural treasures hidden inside of it, like the one in which a guilty gal was kneeling alongside of it.

A refreshing cascade was surrounded by a variety of exotic plants that portrayed a mixture of colors that were rare to found. They offered exquisite and juicy fruits that were a pure temptation to any eyes. Very few people knew that such a place could exist in this world. One of the few beings that knew the location of this cascade was standing behind the young lady.

"How did you find me?". She didn't bother to turned around for fear that she might inflict more harm at her friend.

But he wasn't frightened at all, which is why Zuko had come to comfort the former earthbender.

"Well, first of all, when I was a little boy and felt anxious, I used to visit this landscape to relax. Secondly, I thought that perhaps you would want to be near us".

"And why would you think of that?"

"Guilt. It's consuming you/ it's spreading all over you. I know it because I felt the same way the moment I betrayed my uncle and realized that I wanted to help you guys bring down my father".

She slowly turned her head to the side and glimpsed at the banished prince through her thick eyelashes. She hesitated for a bit before asking, "what's the third thing you were going to mention?"

Zuko sighed and scratched his head.

"I spent a few years of my life hunting down the Avatar. I guess tracking down people has become part of my nature, wouldn't you agree?"

He managed to still a snort from his companion.

"I supposed so…".

"Listen, Toph…".

The young lady flinched as if a wound was opened.

"Don't call me like that!" She lowered her voice tone after figuring out that it wasn't her friend's fault. "Please, it's just that… it's not my real name".

"Well, I don't care what your real name is. You want to know why? It's just a word, it won't define you, and I know who you are".

"And who would I be, exactly? Am I a girl that was led to believe a lifestyle that was based on a lie? Or perhaps a monster that murdered some people and was about to do the same action with her friends?"

"None of that. You're someone who's having an inner struggle because you desperately want to find out your own meaning in life. You are one of the strongest and bravest people I have ever met… and one of the stubbornest".

She hunched her shoulders and crossed her arms as a sign of protection and vulnerability.

"How can you not hate me?"

"I know it wasn't you who caused those events back there. They weren't your true intentions. We all have made mistakes in our lives. Trust me".

"… Why did you come here, Zuko?"

"I want to take back our friend that we're missing. I also wanted to tell you that I forgive you".

Now both were standing face to face. Aang was right when he described Toph's changed features. She was an angel… an angel that had fallen and was afraid of her next actions. However, this didn't take away his courage and thus, Zuko extended his right hand towards her.

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.

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Everyone was seating around a bonfire. Nervous and worried glances were sent to each other, unaware if Zuko had succeeded or failed in his task. But it didn't take long for the gang to obtain an answer regarding their worries.

Two figures had emerged from the depths of the rainforest. The guilt that had invaded the young lady's consciousness had given her the necessary encouragement to take the first steps and face her friends.

"Guys, I totally understand what you might think of me. It's totally fair, after all. I just wanted to say that I…".

But she wasn't given the opportunity to finish her words for her whole body was being surrounded by a bunch of arms that wouldn't let go of her.

"I don't get it… How can you all forgive me after all I've done?"

Her question was answered by Katara. "The reason is because you are one of us, Toph. The people who truly care about you will always be there for you, and we are one of them".

The former earthbender's eyes had crystalized. She simply stood there and finally embraced her friends, still holding back her strength as if afraid that she might break them… literally.

"Hey, Toph…".

"Yes, Sokka?"

"How come is it that you are now the tallest among us all?"

Everyone started to laugh.

"To be honest, I have no idea".

"Oh well… Aang, I guess you'll just have to accept that you're now the shortest one of the group".

"Hey!"

"I'm just saying the truth, buddy".

A/N: One more chapter left!