Chapter 18:
As the five watched the three girls, their lizards began to move towards them carrying the girls and moving extremely quickly.
"It's those three girls from Omashu!" Katara said
The benders took bending stances and Sokka grabbed and raised his boomerang.
"We can take 'em. Four on three." Toph believed
"Actually, Toph, there's five of us."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't count you. You know, no bending and all." Toph confessed and Sokka looked at her furiously.
"I can still fight!"
"Okay. Three on four plus Sokka." Toph corrected. Sokka's face turned red with anger.
Toph ignored the boy and with some quick hand movements spikes rose from the ground.
The lizards crawled straight over the top of them.
"Well, we wanted to find out who they were. We found out." Sokka sheathed his boomerang and turned around. "Now let's get out of here." he decided and ran towards Appa. Katara, Aang and Freya followed as Toph drew a very large wall to stop the three in their tracks.
Azula responded by beginning to elegantly circle her hands. Freya watched with interest as lightning sparked from her fingers. She shot a hand forwards and the lighting shot at the wall and broke a hole in it. Freya grinned and glanced at her hands as Sokka was passing his sleeping bag up to Katara as Aang packed a few things away. The paler girl shot her hand forwards and arrows went flying at Toph who rose the ground below her for them to imbed into. Toph landed into Appa's saddle and Toph clung on as Aang shook the reins.
"Appa, yip yip!" They launched up and Freya waved her arms to deflect the blue fire Azula shot at them before they were soaring away.
"I can't believe those girls followed us all the way from Omashu." Katara said as Appa's eyes were drooping and everyone was slumped on the bison.
"I still think we could've taken them." Toph said annoyed
"Are you kidding? The crazy blue firebending and the flying daggers are bad enough, but last time we saw them one of those girls did something that took my bending away. That's scary." Katara said as she wrapped her arms around her.
"She took your bending?" Freya asked "I've seen you bend Katara."
"Not permanently." Katara assured
"So she blocked your chi." Freya said and Katara looked confused. Freya sighed
"Bending, no matter which element, is related to your chi, if it's blocked, or clogged it can stop your bending. And it's the same for all sorts of things. For example if you hit the right pressure points you can paralyse a person." she explained.
"Well, it seems this girl knows how to." Katara admitted
As Katara finished the sun began to rise beside them behind one of the large mountains. The large sky was lit up and all five of them squinted as their bags under their eyes were thrown into perspective.
"Oh no, the sun is rising!" Sokka complained gesturing to it. "We've been up all night with no sleep."
"Sokka, we'll be okay." Aang said as he leaned on his bison tiredly.
"Are you sure!?" Sokka asked desperately. "I've never not slept before! What if I fall asleep now and something happens? And something always happens!" Sokka complained hysterically.
"He has a point." Freya mumbled
"Every time we land, those girls are there, so we'll just have to keep flying." Katara said
"We can't keep flying forever." Aang admitted as the sun continued to rise and they flew over mountains and clouds.
"So, what's the plan?" Aang wondered when no one suggested anything besides flying.
"Don't know... too tired to think." Toph responded.
"First off we wont be able to fight the three sleep deprived." Freya believed "And if they continue to follow us then we'll have to fight them eventually. I say we all get some sleep and Aang and I will alternate flying Appa. That way we all regain some energy and we'll be ready for when Appa lands. The poor bison will need sleep too eventually."
Everyone nodded at the girl and the three laid down to sleep as Freya looked at Aang. She moved to sit beside him and nodded her head behind her. Aang smiled and he climbed to sleep as well as Freya took the reins.
"I'm sure we'll come up with something after a short nap." Katara decided.
"Yes! Sleep!" Sokka smiled happily.
There was silence for a second before the clouds began to rush past them and the four in the back were lifted off the saddle while Freya was thrown from her seat and grabbed hold tightly of the reins. Toph and Sokka were holding to the saddle already as Momo began to chatter and grabbed Toph's leg who opened her eyes surprised.
"What's going on!" she shouted
Aang was falling and Freya reached to grab him quickly and he grabbed the reins beside her.
"Appa fell asleep!" Aang realised.
Katara had grabbed Sokka's hand who held the saddle as Appa's legs were spread out on either side of him and his tail was blown upwards.
"We need to wake him up!" Freya shouted over the wind. Sokka pulled Katara towards him and she grabbed his waist as Aang pulled on the reins to move to Appa's face. The bison's lips were being blown around by the rushing wind.
"Wake up, buddy!" Aang called as he hung upside down at the bison's nose.
"Appa!" Freya shouted as the trees got closer and the other three screamed.
Appa finally opened his eyes and looked surprised before he batted his tail and they came to a sudden stop, the three smashing into the saddle with Momo as Freya landed stomach first on the bison's head, the air being blown out of her for a second. The bison flew forwards and everyone was thrown backwards, still clinging to the saddle as they crashed through all the trees. Birds took flight and Appa crashed into the ground, digging a trench in the earth. He rocked to a stop, lying on his side before the bison was asleep and snoring instantly, not caring about his crash landing.
Aang slid off the bison's head and took a few steps forwards as the snores of the bison ruffled his clothes.
"Appa's exhausted." he exclaimed.
"Okay, we've put a lot of distance between us and them. The plan now is to follow Appa's lead and get some sleep." Sokka sat as he and Katara dismounted the bison and walked with their sleeping bags in their hands.
"Of course, we could have gotten some sleep earlier if Toph didn't have such issues." Katara snapped. The girl in question was lying happily on the grass.
"What!?" she screamed slamming her hands into the ground, her fingers digging into it and causing cracks to appear in the dirt.
Freya groaned and slumped back against Appa, having slid off the bison's head and stayed sitting on the ground.
"Alright, alright! Everyone's exhausted. Let's just get some rest." Aang said, breaking off the argument before it could begin as he walked towards Toph, who frowned with her tireless and got to her feet.
"No! I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?" Toph continued, one hand on her hip and stomping her foot.
"I'm just saying, maybe if you helped out earlier we could've set up our camp faster and gotten some sleep and then maybe we wouldn't be in this situation!" Katara explained with a sarcastic placid look.
"You're blaming me for this!?" Toph demanded as Sokka had laid out his sleeping bag and collapsed onto it.
Toph stalked towards Katara who threw her sleeping bag down and gestured with her hands for Toph to bring it on. Aang zipped in between them, his hands up as he smiled weakly.
"No, no! She's not blaming you!" Aang said
"No, I'm blaming her!" Katara confessed as Freya ran her fingers into her hair and grabbed the roots in frustration.
"Hey!" Toph pushed Aang off his feet and sideways as the two leaned towards one another angrily. "I never asked you for diddly doo da. I carry my own weight!"
Freya had gotten to her feet and slumped forwards until she stood beside the two girls. To everyone's surprise she suddenly clonked their heads together with irritation, earning protests in response. Both girls grabbed their foreheads and turned to her, Katara with one eye squinted shut.
"You two need to shut up before I burn you both to a crisp just on principle and for being childish! Who gives a shit, get over it!" she snapped at them both "Lately you've both been to blame as we haven't gotten any sleep thanks to your petty arguments!"
"If there's anyone to blame, it's sheddy over here!" Toph snapped back at her, pointing at Appa behind the oldest girl.
"What? You're blaming Appa?!" Aang demanded, he was now sitting on Appa's back.
"Yeah! You wanna know how they keep finding us?" Toph grabbed a heap of Appa's fur and it blew off her hand in the breeze. "He's leaving a trail everywhere we go!" she explained. Freya looked surprised. She hadn't even realised that.
"How dare you blame Appa! He saved your life three times today!" Aang snapped, getting down and approaching the girl. "If there's anyone to blame, it's you! You're always talking about how you carry your own weight, but you're not! He is! Appa's carrying your weight! He never had a problem flying when it was just the four of us!" Aang snapped.
Toph turned and walked away from Aang. She moved to her bag and with a slam of her heel on the ground it launched into her hands.
"I'm outta here." she decided and she turned to walk away.
Sokka moved to stand before her with his arms up, stopping her and blocking her path.
"Wait."
Toph responded by swinging her foot and Sokka moved sideways out of her way. He looked down at himself surprised and confused by the action.
Toph continued to walk off as Freya ran her hand through Appa's fur.
"You guys are gonna regret that." Freya said
"No I wont! Let her leave!" Katara snapped
"First of you, you've both just lost Aang his earth bending teacher, after we only just got one. And second, she's right."
"What?" Aang demanded
"It's not his fault, but Appa is the reason they're finding us." Freya raised her hands and the fur she'd threaded through it blew away. "As long as Appa's shedding he's leaving a perfect trail. Which mean's it's got nothing to do with Toph not helping unpack, or her being to heavy for Appa." she said looking at the two annoyed. Katara and Aang blinked before Aang looked distraught.
"What did I just do!?" he demanded looking at the sky devastated. He fell and sat on the grass. "I can't believe I yelled at my earthbending teacher. Now she's gone."
"I know. We're all just trying to get used to each other, and I was so mean to her." Katara said feeling sorry herself.
"Yeah, you two were pretty much jerks." Sokka agreed as he sat with his back to them and took a drink from a small cup.
"Thanks, Sokka." Katara said sarcastically.
"No problem." Sokka smiled
"Look, what with us having not slept, we're cranky enough, of course we're going to get easily irritated. And the four of us have a system, having someone new is going to put some kinks into it." Freya sighed.
"We need to find Toph and apologise." Katara decided
"Okay, but what are we going to do about the tank full of dangerous ladies chasing us?" Sokka wondered.
"Well we can't loose them until Appa stops leaving his fur for them to follow." Freya said as Aang took a fistful of it.
"I have a plan." he said.
The four woke Appa up and Aang removed his saddle before Freya pulled the bison to the river they were beside. The bison lazed down into it and Freya jumped onto his back while Aang and Katara water bended water onto the bison. Freya swirled the water around the bison's body and fur began to run off and down into the river. Sokka stood in the water with a brush in his hand and they removed all the extra fur as Momo helped Freya by scrubbing the beast. Sokka got soaked by Aang's water stream which moved back and forth over the bison. The boy complained to the avatar annoyed as he dripped water from his hair and clothes, Momo however had gotten up flew out of the way to stay dry.
Freya ran her hands through the wet fur and they came up clean, causing the girl to grin and show the others. They all agreed the bison was clear and Aang moved Appa out of the river. Freya pulled all the water off of the bison before she turned to the river. The girl rose a wave in the water and all of the wet fur that had gotten caught on the rocks was washed up and away down the river, leaving no trace of it.
"Toph was right. Appa's fur was leaving a trail right to us. But now that he's clean, no more trail!" Aang grinned, patting the bison.
"Are you sure that he's okay to fly?" Katara wondered as Sokka squeezed out his shirt.
"He'll be fine as long as we leave his saddle and all our stuff here."
"We can come back and get it after this is all done." Freya nodded in agreement. Aang moved over to a pile of fur on the ground and placed it in his bag. "I'm going to use Appa's fur to make a fake trail and lead the tank off course." he decided
"Not by yourself you're not." Freya disagreed. "You're not taking on the three of them when they follow the fur by yourself. Especially not when you're sleep deprived."
"Freya will go with you." Katara agreed and the girl nodded.
"You two take Appa and go find Toph, apologise. Depending on who's finished first, the fur or your apology, follow the fur yourself to come find us. Hopefully by the time the sun goes down we can all go to sleep and this'll all be over by tomorrow." Freya said and the three nodded.
Katara and Sokka climbed up onto Appa, Katara with the reins and Momo joined them. Freya and Aang watched as Appa crashed through the tree tops before Aang turned to Freya and she nodded. Aang opened his glider and flew into the air before Freya jumped and he soared back under her. Freya grabbed the glider and they went in the opposite direction, the fur flying out of Aang's bag.
Aang continued to fly, following the river until the trees and grass stopped on one side and Aang turned towards the barren rocky ground that lay there. Eventually a small but deserted village came into view and Aang headed straight for it before the two landed and Aang spun his glider to fold the fans back away.
The two walked silently through the town, Aang still tipping fur.
"I wonder what happened here." Freya mumbled, blinking against the tiredness. Some of the buildings had fallen and crumbled, but many were still standing, though a bit dodgy.
If the Fire Nation had attacked it, everything would be burned… It looked as though people had just left and abandoned the place.
Aang tipped the bag upside down at the end of the village and the rest of the fur fell out. He then opened his glider, read to take off and stopped.
"You're gonna wait aren't you." Freya sighed. "Are you not too tired for that?"
Aang responded by turning to look back on the fur trail and put the fans away before taking a seat.
Freya sighed.
"Guess not." and she took a seat beside him.
The sun began to set and Freya had nodded off as she sat, choosing to meditate to pass the time. Aang however had kept his eye on the horizon and he nudged the girl when he spotted the lizard with a girl on top coming towards them. The girl sprang upright and shook her head before rubbing her eyes and looking forwards.
Azula moved straight in towards them and stopped the lizard a little ways off before she got off her beast.
"Alright, you've caught up with me. Now who are you and what do you want?"
"You mean you haven't guessed? You don't see the family resemblance? Here's a hint." Azula put a hand over her left eye and deepened her voice. "I must find the Avatar to restore my honour."
"I was right then, you are Azula." Freya said eyeing her annoyed. "Zuko's little sister."
"Well done."
"You're Zuko's sister?" Aang asked again, glancing at Freya.
"It's okay. You can laugh. It's funny." Azula believed and Freya looked annoyed.
"So what now?" Aang asked
"Now? Now it's over. You're tired and you have no place to go. You can run, but I'll catch you." Azula believed
"Yeah like a princess can be bothered chasing us all around." Freya sighed, bored. Aang got to his feet.
"I'm not running." Aang decided, getting to his feet. Azula smirked slightly as Freya stood as well.
"Do you really want to fight me?" Azula asked
"It could be entertaining." Freya responded smirking.
No one else could speak before suddenly an ostrich horse burst into the city from an alley way to Freya and Aang's right. Someone jumped off into a crouch before standing and throwing off the straw hat on his head.
It was Zuko.
"Yes," he responded to Azula "I really do."
"Zuko!" Freya smiled at the sight of him before she recalled her emotion, a little surprised. She then became surprised by the prince's presence.
Zuko had changed. He was wearing earth kingdom clothes and his ponytail was gone. Instead his head was covered in a thick head of hair, cropped short for the time being.
The scarred prince turned and looked at Freya for a moment before he turned back to his sister. Freya felt a little annoyed at the small confrontation she received, especially as he wasn't sitting in a water tribe prison thanks to her.
"Zuko!" Aang chorused with Freya, though with surprise. The girl thought Zuko looked good with a full head of hair before she shook her head and restrained herself from hitting her face in annoyance.
Priorities! Focus! she snapped at herself.
"I was wondering when you'd show up, Zuzu." Azula smiled at her brother.
Aang snorted as Freya rose an eyebrow.
"Zuzu?" he asked.
Zuko ignored the nickname and took a stance between his sister and Aang and Freya. He held his hands out, one at Azula, and one at the other two benders, keeping his attention on the princess.
"Back off, Azula! He's mine!" Zuko snapped.
Freya sighed.
"I'm not going anywhere." Azula decided and she took a stance herself, smiling.
Freya moved into a stance too, watching the two, curious as to whether Zuko was just going to attack his sister, or her and Aang first. Aang gasped and pointed his staff ready for the fight as well.
Silence fell and Zuko looked between Aang and Freya and his sister, wondering who was going to strike first. Freya kept her eyes on the princess, she'd seen her bend and fought her slightly, but she didn't really think sliding down the shoots of Omashu counted much.
Zuko looked over Freya in his several glances at her and Aang, she had hardly changed, maybe besides her hair being a little bit longer. He didn't have the chance to appraise her much more as he caught sight of Azula smirk ever so slightly.
Freya and Zuko moved in sync. She grabbed Zuko around the waist with a band of water from her pouch and pulled him as Azula sent blue fire at the prince and Zuko blocked it with his own. Azula's blast and Freya's force was a bit much for the prince's balance and Zuko was smashed into a few pillars behind him, knocking down a veranda. Aang turned, raising his glider to leave, using the siblings quarrel to his advantage. Azula however created a long pillar of blue fire and struck it down at the Airbender, causing Freya to spin and split it above her while Aang spun his glider to disperse it and landed on his back on the ground with an 'oof'.
Freya shot a whip of water at the princess who simply shot fire to block it before the two were sending water and fire back and forth between them. Freya was able to block the blue flames well but she noticed they packed more of a punch and were hotter than normal fire she'd worked with or seen. The girl took special notice of Azula and her moves and stances and as she had little water she dispersed the fire with her fire bending while attacking with the water. It was slightly out of character using the two elements in their opposites, as water was better used for defence and fire was better for offence.
Azula looked at her slightly frustrated and annoyed as Freya kept up with her before Freya grabbed a broke piece of wood and sent it flying at the girl, knocking her sideways.
The water bender turned and ran for Aang, jumping as she sensed the heat behind her and spinning through the air as blue fire blew under her.
Freya landed and turned to see Azula running along a roof top to her left. She dove for Aang who was still lying on the floor and the boy rolled to avoid her foot as Azula slammed into the ground by the two benders. Aang rolled away as Azula spun the other and fire splashed across the ground.
Freya jumped and in a backflip she spotted Zuko getting back to his feet. She ducked as fire went over her head from him and quickly he was on his back as she pulled his feet out from under him.
"What are you doing?" she demanded as he turned to face her, getting back to his feet.
"What's it look like?" he asked
"Where's Iroh?"
"We split up!"
"What?" she demanded as she pushed his wrist away from her face which he struck at her and his fire flew away from her and to her left. "Why would you do that?"
"I couldn't sit around fighting for food like him!"
"Your uncle has more wisdom and help in him than most people and here you are leaving him? He's all you've got left Zuko!" Freya believed
"You're wrong! There's my throne and my country and my family!"
"Why would you want to go back to a family who happily kicks you out for three years and fights you with no mercy!" as she said that Freya pulled Zuko to the side. Blue fire scorched past them as Aang was dodging Azula's blasts. "And Iroh is your family." she reminded him as she ducked his foot that went over her head.
"And after I helped you you're still here attacking me." she said as she grabbed his wrists and dodged the throws he threw at her.
"I have no choice!" he snapped back.
"There's always a choice!" Freya disagreed before she sent Zuko skidding backwards on his feet.
"Freya watch out!" The girl turned and then ducked as Azula shot fire at her and she and Aang were caught between the two firebenders.
They dodged and Freya jumped over the princess before Aang spun past her, blue fire chasing him. Freya dispersed it as she landed and Azula blocked a blast that came from behind Freya, Aang shooting it as the girl ducked before she had to block Zuko's blast from behind her, having moved from beyond Azula.
The two fire benders stayed rather stationary as Aang and Freya moved around dodging the fire blasts, most of which came from Azula.
Azula ended up in the middle, blocking blasts from each direction and sending double the shots. Zuko jumped and fire went flaring from his foot but Azula blocked it with her blue fire as her toes were pushed up against her brother's. Zuko rolled backwards to avoid a shot before rolling forwards and causing Azula to lung to avoid his. He jumped backwards to avoid her next shot and Freya smashed a heap of ice into the ground causing the princess to jump backwards. Freya propelled herself into the air to avoid the fire and Aang sent her higher as they both avoided the next.
Aang landed on a set of stairs and Freya on a railing before both jumped backwards and then through a doorway as Azula followed.
Aang created his air scooter and was hovering in the air in the building, in which the floor had fallen away from. Freya stood on the other side behind Aang who was in the middle as Azula ran in and gasped as she almost fell forwards. She managed to lung sideways on the small planks of wood that was left from the floor, sticking out of the walls as Aang waved at her. She got her balance and stood in the corner before Zuko ran in and went straight over the edge and to the ground before. Freya shot her hand forwards for water to shoot and wrap around Zuko's waist, catching the boy before he smashed into the ground.
Aang's air scooter began to diminish, the swirling air getting smaller and smaller below him as the airbender looked slightly worried. He jumped sideways to avoid Azula's blast and Freya blocked it as it shot at her. Aang ducked behind Azula and pushed her down with her brother. Freya jumped and launched herself out of the broke roof after Aang as blue fire chased her. Fire shot out of the wall as Zuko came flying out with a groan and Azula jumped after him. Freya jumped sideways as Azula ran at her and Aang and the water bender moved to Zuko, avoiding the princess. Aang jumped up between two walls away from the fire bending girl but Azula slashed her arm to send fire up after him.
"Zuko!" Freya tapped his cheek and he turned to look at her.
He looked annoyed.
"I don't need your help."
"Yeah right you don't!" she snapped in disagreement, ignoring his refusal to accept her aid before turning to Aang.
Zuko grabbed her arm.
"Don't get in my way! I don't want to hurt you!"
"You don't have to Zuko, but I'm not leaving Aang!" Freya responded as he'd sat up towards her.
Aang had jumped onto the roof top and Azula shot a blade of fire through the corner of the building, cutting it off. Aang jumped off the rubble and Azula simply cut that bit as well.
"You should be used to this by now Zuko." Freya said "But if you don't want Azula to have Aang than all you need to do is attack her, not Aang."
"He'll escape!" Zuko believed
"You think Azula will let that happen!?" Freya demanded annoyed. She looked up as Aang fell towards the floor with the rubble of house and she gasped, swatted Zuko's hand off and was suddenly shooting forwards in a burst of fire. With a rush of her water she caught the boy before he hit the ground and planted her feet as Azula came in through the doorway. She shot her fire on either side of her and it ran along the walls surrounding the three, the blue turning orange.
Azula grinned as Freya faced her and she suddenly smirked as she saw Katara appear at the doorway behind the princess. With a shoot of water she grabbed Azula's hand and pulled her backwards.
"Katara!" Aang grinned.
Azula turned to Katara and Freya pulled the Princess' feet out from under her to stop her attack on the water tribe girl. Katara ran out of the way and Freya ducked and leaned to dodge the blue fire blasts Azula sent before the girl waved her arms and with a slam at the younger girl's chest the princess was sent backwards out of the building. Freya launched forwards and Aang followed her as Sokka appeared and swiped at the princess with his club. Katara, Sokka, Freya and Aang all faced the girl and Azula began to back away from them.
Zuko was shaking his head and getting to his feet before someone stopped beside him and he looked up to see Iroh.
"Uncle."
"Get up." Iroh ordered and he pulled the prince up to his feet.
Azula ran at Aang who jumped up to avoid her fire. Azula turned to deflect Katara's water and shot a blast at Sokka which Freya deflected with a shield of ice. Freya dispersed the fire as Katara and Sokka ran sideways to block the swipe from the princess before she turned to Aang who ran up behind her.
Azula was quickly backed into a corner before she suddenly looked at her feet and the girl was sent sideways, falling over. Toph stood behind her.
"I thought you guys could use a little help." she smiled
"Thanks." Katara smiled.
Azula got up and began to back away from them all, sending blast after blast their way. She eventually ran down an alley way and grinned at them before she ran straight into her uncle's belly, bouncing backwards.
"Iroh!" Freya grinned. He smiled at her before Sokka, Aang, Katara, Toph, Freya, Zuko and Iroh stood in a line began to back Azula up into the corner of an otherwise broken building. Each had their hands up towards her, ready to strike as she backed away and they advanced.
"Well, look at this. Enemies and traitors all working together." Azula smirked slightly and Freya looked at Iroh and Zuko slightly surprised. Traitors? Weren't they just outcasts? "I'm done." Azula rose her hands in surrender. "I know when I'm beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honour."
"Somehow I doubt you'd ever just give up." Freya returned, turning her gaze back at the princess.
Iroh however turned and looked at Toph, noticing her with the avatar. Azula noticed the old man's deflect of concentration and with a spin she shot a blast right at the man's chest.
Iroh fell to the ground with a cry and both Zuko and Freya looked distraught. The two benders, plus Aang, Katara and Toph shot their element at the princess but she surrounded herself with fire until there was a giant explosion. The roofs were blown off several buildings and most of the deserted town was now smoking and on fire.
When the smoke cleared, Azula was gone. Freya didn't waste time with it, she and Zuko both moved towards Iroh quickly who was unconscious on the ground. Zuko threw his hands up in frustration and covered his face. Aang, Toph, Sokka and Katara came up behind Freya and Zuko, only for the prince to turn to them angrily.
"Get away from us!" he demanded. Freya didn't even acknowledge him and she pulled her water from her pouch and it began to glow around her hands.
"Don't!" Zuko shoved her and she punched him in the shoulder in return, sending him to the floor. He looked surprised.
"Don't you dare be stupid!" she shrieked at him. Zuko said nothing but watched as she put the water to Iroh's wound and he groaned slightly before relaxing. Freya had her eyes closed as she concentrated and everyone watched before Iroh took a breath, relaxing.
Zuko crawled back up beside Freya somewhat surprised and hopeful.
"Water benders can heal, remember." Freya said to Zuko annoyed. "You're welcome." she got to her feet and began to walk away.
"Freya." she turned back to Zuko and saw the look on his face, causing her annoyance to, as usual, melt away at him. "Thank you."
She smiled. "Can't help it, I care about him too. Make sure he get's plenty of water and lot's of rest." she said to him strongly. Zuko nodded before turning back to his uncle and Freya turned to the four who were looking at her surprised. She nodded her head and they all followed her back towards were Appa was waiting.
"You just had a conversation with Zuko?" Sokka said
"It's not the first time." Freya responded.
Appa flew away from the burning town and through the air. He moved towards a mountain, where he crashed to the ground after the sun had set. The five sleep deprived children all crashed out, side by side, on Appa's fur and fell asleep almost immediately, finally catching up on their sleep.