As they continued to fly along, the sun started to rise behind them, demonstrating just how long they had been awake for. "Oh no, the sun is rising. We've been up all night with no sleep!" Sokka gasped out, his behavior starting to become erratic.

"Sokka, it'll be okay. Just calm down," Azara spoke calmly, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you sure? I've never not slept before! What if I fall asleep now and something happens? And something always happens!"

"Every time we land, those girls are there. So, we'll just have to keep flying," Katara decided, helping to pull her brother back down into the saddle.

"Can Appa go much longer?" Azara asked, looking concerned as they dipped again.

"We can't keep flying forever," Aang replied, his gaze fixed in front of them. They flew for another hour before everyone started to doze off. Azara, however, stared back at the way they had come with a steady gaze, her eyes shifting back and forth periodically. "So, what's the plan?" Aang questioned, yawning from his position behind the reins.

"Don't know . . . too tired to think," Toph grumbled, lying on her back.

"I'm sure we'll come up with something after a short nap," Katara suggested, leaning over, and dozing off.

"Yes . . . sleep," Sokka agreed, falling asleep next to his sister. Azara glanced back at her friends before turning back to scout if there was any sign of her sister. A few moments passed before they started to plummet to the ground. Azara yelled out and held tightly to the saddle, grabbing Toph before she flew off as well.

"What's going on?" Toph shouted as Azara pulled her back down to the saddle.

"Appa fell asleep!" Aang yelled back as he crawled forwards to try and wake Appa up. The group screamed out as Appa woke up and tried to right himself, but it was too late. They crashed through a couple of trees before smacking into the ground and sliding to the edge of a riverbank. Azara sat up, groaning, as Sokka stood up, holding his sleeping bag to his chest.

"Appa's exhausted," Aang sighed as Appa fell asleep again, groaning in his sleep.

"Okay, we've put in a lot of distance between us and them. The plan right now is to follow Appa's lead and get some sleep," Sokka stated before falling over and trying to fall asleep.

"Of course, we could've gotten some sleep earlier if Toph didn't have such issues," Katara argued, causing Toph's eyes to snap open.

"What!?" Toph screeched, her hands smacking into the ground and cracking the earth below them.

"Enough already!" Azara huffed, storming over, fire bursting from her palms. "Both of you need to grow up!" Her sharp gaze shifted between the two girls as she placed her hands on her hips.

"Both of us?" Katara and Toph yelled in tandem, but Azara had had enough.

"Yes, both of you! Katara, I love you, but you're overbearing sometimes! Let the girl breathe!" Azara demanded, throwing her hands in the air.

"Haha," Toph taunted before Azara rounded on her.

"And you, Toph! I get that you've always carried around your own weight, but right now you're a part of this team, so act like it!" Toph and Katara fell silent for a moment, though the annoyed looks remained on their faces. "The both of you are driving me crazy! We have bigger problems right now than who sets up the tent and who's carrying their own weight!"

"Alright, everyone's just exhausted. Let's get some rest," Aang intervened as he walked over, which caused tempers to flare again.

"No, I want to hear what Katara has to say. You think I have issues?" Toph scoffed, marching over to Katara as Aang tried to stand in between them.

"I'm just saying, maybe if you helped out earlier, we could have set up our camp faster and gotten some sleep and then maybe we wouldn't be in this situation!" Katara explained, her glare intensifying as Toph neared.

"You're blaming me for this?" Toph retorted, stomping forwards as Azara groaned and covered her face with her hands.

"No! No, she's not blaming you!" Aang stepped in, a nervous smile on his face as he tried to prevent another fight from breaking out.

"No, I'm blaming her!" Katara shouted, pushing Aang to the side so that she and Toph were facing each other.

"Hey, I never asked you for diddly-doo-dah! I carry my own weight. Besides, if there's anyone to blame, it's Sheddy over here!" Toph spoke, gesturing to Appa.

"What? You're blaming Appa!?" Aang snapped, jumping back into the fray.

"Yeah, you want to know how they keep finding us? He's leaving a trail everywhere we go!" Toph pointed out, holding a handful of Appa's white fur, which flew out of her hand with a passing gust of wind.

"How dare you blame Appa! He saved your life three times today! If there's anyone to blame, it's you! You're always talking about how you carry your own weight, but you're not! He is! Appa's carrying your weight. He never had a problem flying when it was just the four of us!" Aang screamed, waving his arms around erratically.

Toph turned around and hit the ground with her heel, her pack flying into her outstretched hand. "I'm out of here," she muttered, before heading towards the forest.

"Wait!" Sokka pleaded, moving to block her escape, but he was swiftly moved to the side with Toph's earthbending. Azara sighed as Aang stared sadly after Toph.

"I'll find her, don't worry," Azara promised Aang before turning to follow calmly after Toph.

"How are you going to find her?" Sokka questioned as she walked by him. Turning around, Azara shot him a small smile.

"Let's just say tracking abilities run in the family," Azara joked, but Sokka still looked concerned.

"Well, then how are we going to find you guys after?" Sokka asked, walking closer to her.

"Something tells me it's not going to be that difficult," Azara stated, before glancing back at Katara and Aang, who both looked upset at the turn of events. "Why don't you focus on getting Appa cleaned up and a safe distance away from Azula, and I'll focus on finding Toph?" she suggested, a small smile gracing her features.

"Good luck. And be careful," Sokka warned as Azara nodded before turning to follow after Toph.

"I'm always careful," Azara promised, before entering the woods. Walking along silently, Azara followed Toph at a safe distance, knowing that the earthbender was well aware of her presence and was purposefully trying to make it difficult for Azara to follow her. After a few minutes, Azara decided to formally announce her presence. "I know you know that I'm following you, Toph. I just want to talk," Azara called out as she walked along.

Feeling the earth shake below her, Azara spun around to see Toph leaning against a tree, her pack resting on her shoulder. "What do you want?" Toph asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I just want to talk," Azara repeated, holding her hands up in a peaceful motion.

"Just talking is kind of what got us into this situation," Toph replied, causing Azara to nod.

"True, but we weren't talking with level and clear heads," Azara sighed, lowering her hands. "Believe me, I know how you feel better than anyone else back there."

"What do you mean?"

"I left my family behind to join them too. And we didn't exactly start off on the right foot," Azara explained, clasping her hands together. "Believe it or not, Katara and Sokka hated me when I first joined them. I felt like I was the odd one out, the one that didn't fit. But now, you can't even tell. They're my best friends and there's no reason why we can't all learn to be friends too."

"Don't tell me this is a sappy story about friendship," Toph groaned, causing Azara to chuckle and walk forwards.

"Believe me, I know that Katara can be an overbearing mother at times. It's just in her nature. But she really does have everyone's best interests at heart, she just doesn't express that clearly all the time. And Aang might have been wrong to snap at you, but you do have to understand that Appa is his only physical connection to his life before he went into the ice."

After a few moments of silence, Azara decided to continue with her explanation, knowing that Toph was listening silently. "What I'm trying to say is, we all have our faults in the group. And this isn't the first time we've fought and probably won't be the last. But we have more in common with each other than we think. And I really think that you should stay with us. Not just because Aang needs an earthbending teacher, but because I really do think you fit in." Azara smiled softly as she saw Toph shift in her stance.

"You keep up with Sokka's jokes and you balance out Katara. Aang looks up to you and there's no one better suited to teach him earthbending in the world. And I think you'll be a great addition. You've already proven you can hold your own in a fight and with us. And . . . I think you know that you fit in too and want to be a part of this group. So, will you stay with us?" Azara asked as Toph walked over silently.

Before Toph could reply, she suddenly tensed and kicked the ground with her heel, causing a rock fissure to shoot out at something behind a rock. Azara raised an eyebrow at the exclamation of pain, not aware that someone had been sitting there. Toph led the way over to the figure who was slumped over, both of them prepared for an assailant. However, once they were around the rock, Azara's eyes widened in surprise and her arms fell to her sides.

"Ow . . . that really hurt my tailbone," Uncle groaned, rubbing his lower back.

"Uncle?" Azara gasped, leaning down to help him up.

"Is this another crazy family member?" Toph asked, her hands on her hips.

"One of the few who's not," Azara corrected as she helped Uncle sit up properly.

"Azara, my dear niece, it's nice to see you up and walking again," Iroh smiled as he squeezed her hand.

"I wish I could say the same Uncle," Azara joked, as she sat down next to him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Toph questioned, moving to stand next to Azara.

"Uh, it's a long story," Azara winced, rubbing the back of her neck as she dodged bringing up the Spirit Oasis again. "But, uh, anyways, Uncle Iroh, this is Toph Beifong. Toph, this is my Uncle Iroh." Iroh smiled and bowed his head lightly towards Toph, who nodded back.

"Pleasure to meet you," Iroh spoke as Toph remained standing by Azara's side. "Please sit, I was just preparing some tea." Toph begrudgingly sat next to Azara as Iroh continued to prepare his tea and took out some cups from his pack. As Iroh dug through his bag, Azara glanced around for any sign of Zuko, but didn't find any.

Her expression dropped at the revelation as she turned back to her uncle. "So . . . you're alone?" Azara asked, causing Iroh to sigh and straighten up.

"I'm afraid so," Iroh replied, before reaching for the pot and pouring the tea into three separate cups. He placed the pot back over the fire before handing Azara her cup and reaching out towards Toph. "Here is your tea."

"I know what you're thinking, I look like I can't handle being by myself," Toph sighed, accepting the cup from Iroh.

"I wasn't thinking that," Iroh reassured her, picking up his own cup.

"You wouldn't even let me pour my own tea!"

"I poured your tea because I wanted to and for no other reason," Iroh explained as Azara looked between the two of them.

"People see me and think I'm weak. They want to take care of me, but I can take care of myself, by myself," Toph stated, her expression hard as Iroh looked at her knowingly.

"You sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own, without anyone's support. There's nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you. Not that I love you, I just met you," Iroh corrected himself, chuckling at the end.

"So, where is your nephew?" Toph asked after a moment, causing Azara to turn to Iroh for more information about her brother.

"I've been tracking him actually," Iroh stated, turning to Azara, who nodded slowly.

"Is he lost?" Toph questioned as Azara stared down into her tea.

"Yes, a little bit. His life has recently changed and he's going through very difficult times. He's trying to figure out who he is, and he went away," Iroh explained, causing Azara to look down. She assumed that Zuko's run in with Azula had something to do with his new journey, but she wasn't surprised either way that Zuko was running off to find himself.

"So, now you're following him?"

"I know he doesn't want me around him right now, but if he needs me, I'll be there."

"He wants you there, Uncle. He just has a . . . different way of expressing his emotions," Azara interjected, sighing at the thought of her brother. "You've been more of a father to him in the last three years than our father has been during the rest of his life." Iroh placed a hand on Azara's shoulder, a kind smile on his face.

"And I'll be there if you need me as well, my niece," Iroh promised, the two sharing a quiet moment.

"Your nephew is very lucky, even if he doesn't know it." Toph placed her cup of tea on the ground and rose to her feet. Azara drank the rest of her tea before she followed suit, dusting herself off. "Thank you, but we should probably get back to our friends," Toph stated, causing Azara to smile and nod in agreement.

"My pleasure. Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights."

"No, thank you for what you said. It helped me," Toph explained, a small smile on her face.

"I'm glad."

"Oh, and about your nephew, maybe you should tell him that you need him too," Toph suggested, causing Iroh to smile and nod.

"Can you sense them?" Azara asked, glancing up at the sky for any sign of Appa or Aang. Toph got into an earthbending stance and slid her foot across the ground as her face scrunched in concentration.

"I can sense Aang, Katara, and Sokka . . . and a girl, about your size, Azara," Toph listed, causing Azara to share concerned looks with Iroh, who stood up.

"Azula," Azara deduced as Toph continued with her assessment.

". . . And a boy, maybe a few years older than us?"

"Zuko," Iroh nodded as Toph straightened up.

"Come on, we have to go, now!" Azara motioned for Toph to lead the way and followed after her, Iroh hurrying close behind. As they rushed through the terrain, Azara spotted an abandoned town in the distance. She could make out flames and figures in the distance and quickened her pace. Iroh broke off as Toph and Azara circled around the town. Running down an alley, Azara spotted Azula in front of them, though her back was turned. Toph shifted the ground from underneath Azula's feet, causing her to fall to the ground.

"I though you guys could use some help," Toph commented as Azula scrambled to her feet.

"Thanks," Katara smiled as Azula took off, Azara close behind her. She was about to escape from the town when she was knocked back by Iroh. Stumbling backwards, Azula soon found herself trapped in a corner of a collapsed building. Azara stood in between Toph and Zuko as they lined up to trap Azula from further escape.

"Give up, Azula. You're outnumbered and surrounded," Azara warned, fists raised as she prepared for one of Azula's tricks.

"Well, look at this. Enemies and traitors, all working together. I'm done. I know when I'm beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honor," Azula drawled, raising her hands in surrender. Azara narrowed her eyes at her sister, who was studying the people in front of her. Azara didn't trust her sister for a moment.

Suddenly Azula stepped forwards, sending a fire blast directly at Iroh, who had been distracted. The blast hit him in the chest, causing the former Fire Nation General to fall backwards to the ground. Azara's eyes widened in horror as she rushed to Iroh's side, forgetting about Azula for a moment. Sprinting over, she slid to the ground by his side as the others fired at Azula.

"Uncle!" she called, shaking his shoulder lightly as tears dripped down her cheek. Turning to his wound, Azara bit back a sob. "Uncle," she pleaded again as Zuko rushed over and kneeled on Iroh's other side. Seeing his condition, Zuko yelled out in frustration, gripping his face with his hands. Azara reached a shaky hand out towards Iroh's neck, trying to feel for a pulse. She could feel a pulse, but it was weak and scattered. She shared a fearful expression with Zuko as her hands continued to shake. "He's got a pulse . . . but it's weak," she stated as Zuko tried to look for any sign of breathing.

The sound of her friends approaching, however, unlocked something in Zuko. "Get away from us!" Zuko screamed to the others, who turned to Azara to see how to proceed. Azara reached over Iroh and grabbed Zuko's arm, shaking him lightly.

"Let them help! Katara can heal him, Zuko," she demanded, but Zuko completely ignored her.

"Leave!" Zuko yelled, ripping his arm out of Azara's grip, and sending a fire slice over the top of their heads, causing her friends to duck.

"Zuko, stop it! They can help! Let us help you—" Azara yelled as Uncle groaned in front of her.

"—No! And you can leave too!" Zuko snapped, turning to glare at his sister as she shook her head lightly at his statement.

"Zuko, don't do this," Azara pleaded, tears pooling in her eyes, as Sokka ran over, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Azara, come on. We have to go," Sokka spoke calmly, but he was sending Zuko a glare sharper than his boomerang. Azara continued to stare at her brother with a hurt expression.

"Zuko, we can help—"

"—Leave!" Zuko repeated again, jumping to his feet as he screamed at his younger sister. "Leave just like you did before!" Azara's mouth dropped open at his accusation, before clenching her eyes shut.

"Azara, come on," Sokka urged, glaring at Zuko as he urged her to her feet. Aang, Katara, and Toph hurried to Appa as Sokka pulled Azara away from Iroh. "We have to go," he stated softly, wrapping his arms protectively around her. Azara nodded lightly, allowing Sokka to lead her over to Appa. Sokka pulled her up Appa's tail, before telling Aang to lift off. Azara slipped out of his grasp to turn around and stare at Zuko and Iroh one last time.

Watching Zuko and Iroh disappear beneath the cloud of smoke, Azara covered her face in her hands, the toll of the day finally hitting her. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Azara looked up to see Sokka staring at her with concern. Sending her a small reassuring smile, Sokka squeezed her shoulder lightly. "He's going to be okay, Azara."

Wiping some tears away, Azara stared up at Sokka. "Is that what I looked like at the North Pole?" she asked quietly, causing Sokka to go rigid, the smile dropping from his face. Sighing, Sokka turned his head to the side, staring down at the ground.

"You . . . it was worse. Because I could see you slipping away, I could feel it," Sokka replied in an equally quiet voice, his tone strained. Azara grabbed his hand and squeezed it, before moving into his side. He wrapped his arm around her as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

The rest of the group remained silent as the two embraced, Katara and Aang sharing a knowing look. "I feel like I'm missing something," Toph spoke, causing Katara to glance back at her brother and Azara.

"We'll fill you in later," Katara promised her quietly, before turning around.

"I'm sorry for putting you through that," Azara whispered out, her voice hoarse from crying.

"You shouldn't be apologizing to me for that. You were the one who got hurt," Sokka pointed out, the emotions of the past few weeks clear in his voice.

The two remained in their embrace as the sun started to set behind them, the warm light reflecting off Azara's gold irises. Sokka looked down at her, his crystalline blue eyes meeting her golden ones, and opened his mouth to say something, but his thoughts shifted suddenly as Azara yawned. Smiling softly, Sokka lowered his arm. "You should get some sleep. You've had a long day."

"We've all had a long day," Azara corrected, but she laid down regardless on Appa's saddle and soon fell asleep, the turmoil of the day catching up with her. The rest of Team Avatar soon fell asleep as well in Appa's saddle as the sky bison ducked into a clearing after the sun set fully.

Appa's descent to the ground caused Azara to roll lightly, her arm falling over Sokka's chest as she rolled onto her side, her body curling into his. Sokka's eyes peeked open at the feeling, his eyes trailing down to find Azara cuddled into his side. Yawning, he fell back asleep, a content smile on his lips as his left arm wrapped lightly around her waist, holding her in place.

A.N. As promised, here's the second half of The Chase episode! I hope you guys are enjoying the new chapters!

Also, I'm going to try and have the Bitter Work episode chapter up later this week before I go camping and don't have access to a laptop or internet for a week. I also really want to suggest, without giving anything away, that everyone reads the Bitter Work episode (which, in its current half draft form, is not really in line with the actual episode). 

Thanks for reading, voting, and commenting!