I hope you guys enjoy it and I'll just ramble at the bottom.

Chapter 5: Hold on

When I wake up, I'm lying face down on a large bed with red satin sheets. It's awfully dejavú-ish. There are small candles scattered around the room lightly brightening the room. Even the bandages loosely wrapped around my back have memories flashing through my mind. I raise my hands to my head and sigh, relieved I'm still bald.

Gently, I attempt to lift myself from the bed. I grit my teeth at the sharp pain that spreads across my right arm and back. My face hits the plush bed as my arm buckles from the effort. I groan and shift my weight left. With effort, I push myself into a sitting position, reaching to grip my right arm immediately after.

I sigh as I sit on the side of the bed. I pinch the bridge of my nose while my head hangs low. How long have I've been asleep? Where did everybody go? Suddenly, I raise my head. My eyes are wide and I wince, once again gripping my arm. Ozai.

I look for the door and when I find it...I'm scared. I remember the fear. I remember the heat. I nearly died. I clench my eyes close. I see darkness, but my memory pulls images of Ozai and I. I see myself falling and desperately waving my arms to bend the water under me in hopes of breaking my fall. A flash of lifeless golden eyes appears and I force my eyes open. My heart clenches anxiously.

Did that actually happen?

What are the chances that I was dreaming?

I have to leave this room eventually, but what's going to happen when I do. Sokka and Suki and Toph...they probably went back for Ozai after bringing me here, right? If so, what will we do with his body when we get to the Fire Nation, assuming we're not there yet? Then, there's Zuko and Katara... I hope that they're alright and that they're just waiting for good news.

Spirits. Zuko and Katara. I killed Zuko's father. I know Zuko insisted Ozai needed to die, but that can't be...Does he understand what he was asking for? I close my eyes and think of everything while trying to think of nothing. I think of Ember Island of all things. I think about how I screamed at Katara, at everyone. I think about how I kissed her and how she reacted and the stupid play...I curl into myself trying to remove the thought. My mind wonders about my past lives and Gyatso and the air nomads and myself.

The lion turtle said we could bend energy, could I have done that? I bite my lip. I don't know if Zuko and Katara are okay, but I'm mulling over what's already been done. I killed Ozai and now he's dead. It's over. The END. Yet, somehow, it doesn't feel like I'm finished. Tears bitterly slip from my eyes, silent and salty, as I attempt to silence my sobs in the lonely room.

Finally, I stand. My steps are slow to the door; partially, because it's uncomfortable to move and partially because I don't really want to. I want to avoid talking. I want to avoid looking at anyone. I want to lay back down on the bed and just do nothing. I want to lay down and just sleep.

I pause before opening the door. My breath still as I take a peak out. The corridor is quiet and I exhale. Hesitantly, I step out. My heart pounds on my chest with each step I take. It takes me a quick eternity to find the control room. I blink as the soft glow of the sunrise pours over me. I first notice Sokka is steering. On the floor, Suki and Toph are siting with a teapot on a tray in between them.

Toph swallows the drink in her mouth before quirking a smile, "Finally awake, Twinkletoes?"

I scratch the back of my head, "Was I asleep long?"

I bend over to take a drink from Suki and wince. Suki looks at me apologetically before standing as Sokka laughs, "A whole month!"

I nearly drop the cup that Suki hands me. She scowls at Sokka, placing a gentle hand on my good shoulder, "It's only been a couple of hours. We're almost to the Fire nation."

"Sugarqueen must be out of her mind with worry right about now."

I gaze down at my steaming drink. My hands grip the cup tightly. I suddenly feel uneasy with worry and something else I can't describe. Suki smiles as she walks away to look out the window. Is she alright? The last time we saw each other I ended up walking away from her. I yelled at her! I squeeze my eyes shut as the kiss I gave her resurfaces. Stupid! I rub the bridge of my nose with the back of my palm. Now is not the time to be thinking about that.

Monkeyfeathers...Zuko. What do I even tell Zuko? Hey Zuko, how you doing? Did you get Azula? Oh, and by the way, here you go! I killed your father, just like you wanted!

I look at Sokka. After so much anguish, I ended up doing what everyone said I should. I nearly laugh. Funny how things turn out. I sigh, "I was pretty harsh before I left..."

Sokka turns to glance at me amused, "Yeah, you were a jerk."

Suki smacks his shoulder, "We understand, Aang. I'm sure Katara does too."

"Honestly Twinkletoes, I was kind of impressed."

I turn to look at her. Suki seems interested and Sokka raises an eyebrow. Toph crosses her arms, "You held your ground to what you believed even if everyone else told you otherwise. That's pretty earth bender of you."

My heart clenches. I still killed the Fire Lord though. I don't get the chance to respond as Sokka exclaims, "We're here!"

"Everybody, hold on tight. This might be bumpy. "

We land in the courtyard. It's quiet when we step out. Unnerving to say the least. Considering what happened the last time I was here, I'm unsettled. However, as soon as I spot Appa, my worries melt away. He rumbles happily as I run to him. I wince when I lift my arms to wrap my body around him. The sting in my back sharpens, but I ignore it in favor of sinking into his warm comfort. When I let go, his tongue sticks out and meets my face. I brush back his hair with a smile.

Sokka turns to Toph, "Are they-"

"AANG!"

I turn from in the direction of the sound. Katara comes running from inside the palace. Zuko behind her at a much slower pace. A strange sound leaves my throat as she wraps her arms around me, "I'm glad you're okay."

She hold my shoulders as she backs away. Here eyes land on my bandages, "What happened?"

"He's got a nasty burn you probably want to look at and his scar is open again." Suki explains.

Katara immediately walks behind me to remove my bandages. She gasps as they fall. Reaching for her water pouch, I wince as the water meets sensitive skin. Tenderly, she soothes the skin of my back before letting the water drop.

"You're going to feel sore for awhile."

What's new? I turn to Zuko, "What happened to you?"

Katara frowns, "He took a lightening strike for me."

Dread covers me head to toe as I struggle to form words. Zuko snorts, "I'm an idiot. I should have known Azula would try to pull something like that."

Suki asks, "You're okay though."

"Yeah, Katara patched me up pretty well."

"Well, looks like we all had quite the adventure, but in case you've forgotten me," Sokka starts sarcastically, "Hello, my name is Sokka. You know your olderbrother who is in need of medical assistance too."

Katara rolls her eyes as she walks toward him to check his leg. Zuko meets my eyes. For a moment, I get lost in the gold of his irises. For a moment, I'm not looking at Zuko. My throat tightens. He doesn't give any emotion away as he asks, "Did you do it?"

I feel my eyes become moist, but I don't let them water. Instead, I stare into his eyes. Golden, just like his father. That's about it. I don't see anything else to remind me of Ozai. It's just Zuko. My friend. But still, his eyes are all I can focus on. I suddenly feel heavy and old and tired...most of all, I feel small. With more force than I thought I could muster, I say it.

"I killed the Fire Lord."

He doesn't say anything, nor does he move. He keeps his stare on mine. There is no sadness or pain or relief, just acceptance. I think that—that's what truly breaks me.

AHHHHHHHH! You guys are so freaking awesome! Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews! So, this one is a bit longer than the rest and well, I do tend to get wordy so you have been warned. It felt like a good stopping point, but also I didn't want to suddenly bombard you with a lot. This is your heads up! Anyway, I hope you guys continue to leave your lovely reviews. I loved seeing what you guys think. AW MAN, I want to tell you guys all my plans, but I gotta be strong and keep my mouth shut. Next chapter: we pick up from here.

Pyrenees quote for the chapter: Before falling, before struggling to not fall, comes the fear of being on the edge of a high place while everything pushes you to fall and you just hold on, hoping not looking will keep you alive.