Chapter 11: Back on Solid Ground
Haru was anxiously waiting for them when they returned.
As soon as they landed, Toph slid off Appa, got down on all fours and hugged the ground. "Earth! Am I happy to see you again!"
Haru raced over to them, still supporting his injured arm. "Is everyone all right?"
"All in one piece and accounted for. We even managed to bring Zuko back," Sokka teased.
Sokka then grabbed the Airbender in a friendly headlock. "And you should have seen this guy, Haru. Nice bit of air surfing there, dude!"
Aang laughed. "Well, ever since I saw Monk Gyatso do that in my vision I had with Avatar Roku, I've been dying to give it a try."
"Not a bad display of firebending either, Avatar," Zuko complemented.
A faint blush appeared on Aang's face and he smiled. "Thanks, but I had a good teacher."
Aang turned to the blind Earthbender. "You okay, Toph?"
"I am now. Thanks to Zuko and Katara."
Aang stood before Zuko and bowed, bringing his fist to his palm. "Thank you, Zuko, for helping us today." Aang said sincerely. "My friends mean everything to me."
Zuko nodded. "I was glad to help."
Toph walked over to Zuko as well. "Yeah, you're okay in my book, Flame Boy. Thanks for saving my life." She gave him a friendly punch in the arm.
Zuko grimaced and rubbed his sore arm. "No problem."
Sokka uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, well I guess you did okay today," he reluctantly agreed. "And since Aang does need a firebending teacher, I suppose you could actually be a decent addition to the team." The Water Tribe sibling reluctantly offered his arm and Zuko accepted it.
Toph walked over to Katara, who was standing off to the side, one arm crossed over her waist gripping her elbow. Zuko saw the conflicting emotions on her face. Aang must have seen them too and sighed sadly.
Toph passed Katara and gave her a nudge in the forearm. Katara's mouth pinched up in annoyance.
As the entire group watched, Katara stepped forward, the deep blue eyes focused intently on Zuko. "Tell me one thing, Zuko. Why did you really help us today?" She asked, with the familiar hard edge in her tone.
"Katara…" Aang started to interrupt.
"It's okay, Aang," Zuko replied, softly. "Truth be told, I admire Katara's loyalty for wanting to protect you. It's a rare quality to have such good friends."
"I know," Aang replied humbly.
"I know I've done a lot of horrible things in the past. I have a lot to make up for. You asked me why I would help you today, it's because I've come to respect the Avatar and what he's trying to accomplish against tremendous odds. The loyalty and friendships all of you share with Aang is something I've had little experience myself growing up within the Royal Palace, outside my uncle that is. But they are honorable qualities I wouldn't mind being a part of one day. But right now, I'll settle for doing all that I can to help the Avatar defeat my father and bring an end to this war. And hopefully, in the end I can earn your trust, not through words but through my own actions, and this time for the good."
As Katara stood before him, Zuko did his best not to look away. He wanted to hide nothing of his sincerity or intent. Finally she seemed to have come to a decision.
"All right, Zuko. I'm willing to give you an honest chance this time." Slowly, she extended her arm.
Zuko gratefully accepted it.
But as he went to release his grip, Katara's grip tightened. "But I warn you now. Do anything to cause me to mistrust you again, or anything to hurt Aang, and this will be the last time I will ever offer my arm to you in friendship, understand?"
Katara released him and stepped back.
The Prince of the Fire Nation bowed humbly. "I give you my word. And one day I hope that will be enough for you to believe in me."
"It will do for now," Katara was willing to accept.
The Avatar walked over to his best friend and placed his hand on her arm and smiled as if a big weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "Thanks, Katara."
Katara looked down at Aang, and smiled warmly back. "Come on, then. Enough of this. Let's go see what I can do to fix Haru's arm."
Zuko watched as she and Aang went over to examine the injured Earthbender. The arm was definitely broken below the elbow. The Duke brought Katara some water.
"Hey, is that going to take long?" Sokka interrupted.
Katara looked at her brother. "Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm starving," Sokka whined. "Do you think you can hurry up and fix that and then make us some dinner?"
Katara turned on her brother, her hands on her hips. "Can't you ever think of something else besides your stomach?"
Her brother shrugged. "Hey, I'm just a simple guy, with simple needs. And right now my need is food woman!" Katara's eye twitched. "But now that you mention it, I do have a big hole in my sock that needs mending," he said teasingly.
"I fixed that hole last week!" Katara snapped irritably. "And I told you then to learn to mend those smelling things yourself next time!"
"But it's on the other sock this time and my big toe is sticking out again!"
Katara rolled her eyes. "Sokka, go away before I have to hurt you!"