I watch as the Avatar and his small group leave the Fire Nation Capital on their flying Bison. I take a hot air balloon and follow them. If I want to help the Avatar, I need to make it up to them. I tried chasing them, and almost got away with the Avatar, for so long they all probably hold a grudge against me. It would be hard to talk to them if they do. I need to find a way to make it up to them, but how?

I follow them to a place I have seen before. In fact, I've actually been here too. When Father first scarred me. Uncle and I came here. These are Air Temples. I came here first to check for the Avatar. Uncle told me that there was a slim chance of finding him. Oh, Uncle. If only I could see you now. If only i could tell you how sorry I am. I just can't live live this, with this burden I am called to carry. I'm sorry, Uncle. I'll say it as many times as needed.

My thoughts were interrupted by a roar. I look up to see the Avatar's Bison. I need to get out of here. They can't see me yet! I'm not ready! They land nearby a small circle with a statue. Then I run off. Now I know where to come back when I am ready. But not now. They are probably still mad at me and it wouldn't be good to just go in.

I walk around for a little while. Then I stop in a small area surrounded with trees. This should do. For now. Ugh, what am I going to do? I can't just sit here and I can't just go in! I need to apologize! But how do I do that?

I set up tent and flop down on the floor. Ouch. I should not have done that. If I only knew what to say... That's it! I'll just practice what I'll say before I go! Yeah! That's good! I'll do that! I stand. This will be awkward, talking to myself, but no one's around to hear. It'll be fine!

"Hello, Zuko here." I waved at a badgerfrog who just hopped onto a rock. "But I guess you already know that. Uhh, I have a lot of Firebending experience and I'm said to be good at it." I put my arm on my chest. "You probably knew that from when I was attacking you. I'm sorry about that. Anyway, I'm good now. What I mean to say is that I thought I was good at first but now I realize that I wasn't and that I was doing bad and you probably hate me for that." I rub the back of my head.

"Anyway, I think it's time I join your small little group here and teach you Firebending. Well, what's your answer? Yes or no?" The badgerfrog gives me a blank stare. Then it croaks. It hopped on my head then jumped away. "Yeah I figured," I sighed. "How am I supposed to convince them I'm on their side? They probably still hate me!"

I pace back and forth, thinking. "What would Uncle say?" I pause to think. I began mimicking Uncle's voice. "You must look withing yourself to save yourself. Only then will your true self reveal itself. Even when I'm talking for him I don't know what it means! What would Azula do?" I pause again. Then I crossed my arms. "Listen, Avatar, I can either join you or do something terrible to you and your friends. Your choice." I stop again. "Ugh, that doesn't work either. I guess I'm just not good at mimicking people." A badgerfrog jumped in front of me and just stares at me, croaking. "You got any good ideas?" It croaked. "Yeah, I figured. There's no way to tell these guys I'm with them now."

Two more badgerfrogs jump in front of me and stare at me. I sigh. "What am I going to do? I can't stay here forever! The Avatar can't be fireless forever either." A badgerfrog jumped on my head. The second jumps on the rock and the third just croaks. "Yeah, you're right! I have to tell them! They need to know! Its best they don't like me and I try than not trying and they still don't like me."

I walk back over to where the Avatar's bison landed. His group has to be here. He needs to learn Firebending. It's his destiny. And mine…is to teach the Avatar his last bending. I stand behind them. What am I going to say? I didn't finish planning! "I think that'll have to wait," a female voice said, breaking my thoughts.

The whole group examined me and readied to fight me. I expected this. I scanned the group. There was the sword guy from before, the girl with the bun, the Water Tribe girl, the Avatar, his bison, and a lemur. "Hello, Zuko here," I said, waving. "I heard you needed a Firebending teacher-" A giant tongue kissed me, twice. "Yeah, that's gross." I cleaned off the slobber from the bison.

"You might be surprised to see me," I said.

"Not really. You chase us around everywhere anyway," the sword guy said.

"Yeah, about that, I'm good now. I mean, actually good. Not bad like I was before. In fact, I want to join. I can also teach you Firebending."

"You what?" the bun girl asked.

"You can't think that any of us will trust you," the Water Tribe girl said, annoyed. "You've chased us around everywhere and had sworn you'll stop the Avatar."

"I've changed!" I exclaimed, trying to convince them. Nothing's working so far. They are all mad at me. "I mean, sure, I captured your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I let him go! I've done good things before!"

"Aapa does seem to like him," the bun girl said, pointing at the bison, who is kissing me again. The sword guy walked towards her and crossed his arms. "I'm not buying it. He could have covered himself in honey or something."

"Why would I do that?" I asked. "That'll be sticky and would take forever to come off!" The bun girl looked at the sword guy and smirked. "See?"

"Look, I know you won't trust me, but I want to help you!" I tried. They are must harder to convince than I thought. "Sure, I made mistakes in the past-"

"Like when you attacked our village?" the sword guy interrupted.

"Or like when you stole my mother's necklace to track us down with it?" the Water Tribe girl joined.

"I admit it, I made some mistakes in the past! I should not have tried to capture you! I should've left you alone and let you defeat my Father! I shouldn't have sent that Fire Nation assassin after you but-"

"Wait, you're the one who sent Combustion Man after us?" the sword guy asked, pulling out his sword.

"Uh, that's not his name," I said.

"I didn't mean to insult your friend!" he cried sarcastically.

I should not have said that last part. I really shouldn't have said that. "He's not my friend okay?" I yelled. "You can't just jump to conclusions!"

"That guy locked me and Katara in jail!" the bun girl said. "Then he tried to blow us up!"

"And you sent him?" the sword guy asked again. They keep yelling at me but I'm blocking it out. I don't want to hear it. Then I notice that the Avatar hasn't said anything.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" I asked. When I spoke, the group got quiet but they all stared at me. "You once said that we could be friends! You said that I had good in me! Well, here I am!"

He said nothing. Instead, he looked at his group, ending at the sword guy. He slowly shook his head. The Avatar looked at me again. "I'm sorry, I would really like to trust you but you did try to capture me. My friends also don't trust you that well either."

"Okay then! Fine! I'll just leave! Go find someone else to teach you Fire Bending then!" I cried.

I stormed off. I could convince the Avatar, but his friends were another problem. Specifically the Water Tribe. They are the hardest. They seem to be holding the biggest grudge. I can't get past them!