First Dance: Water and Wind [Editing]

23 - Goodbyes and Training

XXxXX

"The balloon crashed?!"

"Yes, it-"

"Where did it land?!" She shot up, then winced and laid back down.

"I'm not sure, is it important?"

"Yes! Did you not retrieve it?!"

"No?" Teron chimed in from somewhere, "Should we have? It's wrecked anyway. It would be easier to make a new one."

"That's not the point! The Fire Nation could have taken it!"

...

XXxXX

"Spirits," Tsu-Lyn focused on her breathing, trying to keep it calm. She put her head up a little bit and untied the back of her mask, but as Tsu tried to take it off, Sokka stopped her.

"White Fox, you shouldn't do that," He let go of her hand as she let it fall back on her face, huffing. Tsu-Lyn put her hand on the ear of her mask.

"I'm so sorry."

"Why would you be sorry, Tsu-lyn?" Katara asked, taking her hand and Sokka's mit to put it back on her hand, since she was still shaky.

"It's all my fault."

"No!" Aang clenched his fist, "It's not, Tsu-lyn. It's not.. It's my fault you passed out, I should have known that you would get cold. You grew up in the warm Western Temple with no Airbending master to teach you anything."

"And I'm the one that crashed the balloon and didn't think of getting it back."

"If I were awake, I could have said something, I could have stopped something, I-"

Then Teron stopped her, stepping into her line of sight, behind Katara, "But you weren't. Nothing can change that now.

She sighed and tied her mask again. Tsu-Lyn slowly sat up and stretched, arms linked and far above her head. It stinged in her spine a bit, but she ignored the pain and used her bending to make it easier to stand up.

"Tsuie, you should really stay sitting," Aang grabbed her wrist, worried.

She looked down at him, "Can't. Have to do something. Dance. Wanna dance." She then looked around the room for an exit, and walked towards it when Tsu-lyn spotted the door.

"Miss Fox, you really should be resting, and bundled up."

"Tsu-lyn, you seriously need to not be bending until you're fully recovered. You passed out from a combination of hyperthermia and overuse of your airbending."

Tsu-Lyn frowned, "Moving can get me warmer."

"Tsuie..." Aang stood up, lightly grabbing her shoulder. The other two sitting stood as well.

"If I can't dance then.. Then I'll write a letter."

"A letter?" Katara asked, "To who?"

Sokka furrowed his eyebrows worrily, "Zuko?"

"Zuko?? Banished Prince of the Fire Nation? Why would she send a letter to Zuko?" Teron asked.

"Complicated," Aang responded, waving it off.

"No, to Mama and Papa. Haven't written since I was on the ship," Tsu-lyn looked at Teron and then at Teo, "Do you have somewhere I could write? Secluded? I have some other stuff I want to think about, alone."

"Yes, I'll lead you there," Teo put his hands on his wheels, but hesitated, "Is that okay with the rest of you?"

Sokka sighed, "Better than dancing."