Best Friends Forever?[SPORATIC UPDATES]

24: Reunions

I made it.

Oh sweet sweet solid ground, I will never take you for granted again.

I only have a second of relief before I rush to catch up with the group. I don't know why I'm running after them. I'm trying to keep it together, but my heart is still beating like crazy and my mind is a mess.

"Stop!" I trip as the blood in my legs continues to rush about.

What's the plan, Zea? Do I even have a plan? What will I even do when I catch up to them? That'll be 5 on 1!

If I can even catch up to them, that is. Curse these confused legs!

Oddly enough, they are stopped at the top of the hill.

Are they not scared of being caught? They haven't even made it off the island yet!

I'd rather be in an Agni Kai, than chase after this group for much longer.

They keep running around like they don't even-

THE BALLOON!

"Stop!" I shout again.

Great idea, Zea. They'll really stop just because you tell them to.

Some of them turn to me, but immediately turn around and run even faster.

They make it to the balloon and climb in.

Don't be stupid don't be stupid don't be- I'm going to be stupid!

I jump and barely make it before they can get too high off the boiling water.

My heart is pumping so loudly, I barely even notice the group posed to attack me.

"Are you crazy!?" the Sword Fighter yells at me. "You could've died!"

"How did you manage to follow us anyway?" the girl with short hair asks.

"Azeala?" Zuko follows with equal confusion.

"... am I the only one who doesn't know who this is?"

Well... what am I supposed to do now...?

◇◇◇◇◇

I didn't speak for a long moment, didn't say anything when they tied my arms behind my back, still reeling from my-- now two-- near death experiences with hot, boiling lava water.

But when I finally got over it, I had a lot to say.

"Is all this really necessary?"

"Yes. Last thing we need is you jabbing us with your magic, paralyzing finger fists." He punches his stiff hands around in an erratic fashion.

"Pft. Not my fault you're useless without a weapon." I roll my eyes at his awful depiction of Chi Blocking. Lightly glaring into his blue eyes.

Sword Master gives me an incredulous look, before turning to Zuko, who happens to be the closest person. "Why did we keep her?"

"What were we going to do? Push her to her death?"

"Been there, you tried that. Didn't stick." I chime in with a tilt of my head.

Sword Master gives me a flat look.

We finally land, and I am left to get up on my own.

Do they not know how difficult that is supposed to be with your arms tied behind your back?

"Did you at least get some good meat?"

"I did. The best meat of all. The meat of friendship, and fatherhood."

Wow... just forget about me, I guess.

Watching the touching reunion of the Water Tribe girl and her father-- I think he called her Katra?-- almost brought a tear to my eye. I'm sure that's what fathers are supposed to be like. Maybe I'll be born in the Water Tribe in my next life.

Or at least have a father who's love doesn't fade with time.

Oh look, they even brought Sword Fighter in on the hug.

A strange hollow feeling swirls like smoke in my stomach as I watch them.

I really want a loving hug right now.

"Seriously, you guys didn't find any meat?" the shortest girl asks.

Gee yall...

I know it's been a while...

Honestly, I've been holding on to this chapter since FEBRUARY. I just kept thinking I was gonna pick it up again and finish it to the degree I wanted.

Clearly... it's not as long as my regular chapters. But I only JUST TODAY noticed I left yall on a MAJOR cliff hangers, and that was real mean of me; I'm sorry 💀😭.

Anyway, this story is NOT ABANDONED (Wattpad sent me a message telling me to mark my story as complete or update it because it's been so long ☠)

I'll be back.

... eventually...

In the meantime, I hope you stay cool, stay hydrated, and have sweet dreams.