The Fire Prodigy {ATLA}

{23}: A Second Chance

It had been quite a tough few weeks. Everyone was worried about the upcoming invasion, and also about the fact the Aang still hadn't woken up from his injury. However, Katara and I had worked tirelessly to make sure he recovered. I knew she was the most worried about him. I could tell by the way she looked at him; a look I had given to someone else not that long ago.

But that was something I didn't even want to think about. Every time my mind went back to those catacombs, I felt my heart breaking all over again. I saw Iroh's disappointed look in the person he loved the most, and I remembered how painful it had been for me to leave him behind.

"Hey, Fire Girl," Toph said with a grin. "Already done with today's healing session?"

"Katara decided to take over for today," I said with a sigh.

"You sound troubled. What's with the gloomy attitude?"

"I'm just nervous about the invasion. Chief Hakoda seems confident it'll work, but you can never be too careful," I replied. "Besides, Aang's still not woken up."

"Don't worry too much about it. From what you've told us, the Fire Nation's been very confident about their winning this war. They will never suspect an attack like this," Toph said with a confident grin.

I smiled. "I envy your confidence."

"I know, everyone does!" she laughed. "Just try to relax. We haven't even reached the Fire Nation yet."

"I never thought I'd be going back to that place. And I certainly never expected to go back not just with the Avatar, but fighting on his side," I noted, scratching the back of my neck thoughtfully.

"Well, you're one of us now. Better start getting used to the idea," Toph said with a shrug before standing up and walking away as she usually did whenever she became bored. She was never the kind of person to be discrete about it.

It felt strange for her to say that, but it also made sense, strangely enough. I had had practically no trouble fitting in with this group so far. Sure, I could tell I was still a long way from belonging in their inner circle, but they had welcomed me in a way I hadn't expected. Katara and I met not just for Aang's healing sessions, but also for daily practice for our bending. Toph and I spent the most time together, and even though we had the largest age difference—her being barely twelve while I was fifteen—I felt like she and I understood each other the best.

Sokka had acted weird around me lately. I wondered if he was still wary about trusting me. If he was, I couldn't have blamed him. I'd been chasing them around for all of the past winter, up until the beginning of spring. Even if I personally had no interest in capturing Aang, I also didn't stop Zuko from doing some questionable things to try to find him.

"It's a bit chilly out here, don't you think?" I was surprised to see Sokka walk up to me all of a sudden.

I nodded. "A little bit. But I don't mind it. It helps me think."

"What's eating you up?"

I sighed heavily. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Hey, I'm no expert, but sometimes talking about the things that are bothering you helps you not be bothered by them anymore, you know?"

"Is that so?"

"Of course! For example, when it bothers me that Momo has no respect for my personal space, I just let him know, and it makes me feel less bothered!"

"But don't you just yell at him?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Call it what you want, but it works," Sokka replied, making me laugh.