Zuko's POV
"I can't believe how stupid I am! Ugh!" I screamed angrily to no one. I waved my arms around furiously and groaned. "Telling them I sent the assassin after them?! Why didn't I just say Azula did that? Can you believe that?! Stupid! Stupid!" I continued to scream and yell and slapped myself on the forehead a couple of times. I groaned and fell to my knees. I shut my eyes and thought about the way Xi Mei spoke to me. Never had she ever used such cold words to anyone…especially me. But who could blame her? I thought sadly and sighed.
Xi Mei's POV
"Why would he try to fool us like that? Katara asked. I sat against the wall, my knees pulled up to my chest. "Obviously he wants to lead us into some kind of trap," Sokka stated so matter-of-factly that it made me cringe. He sounded so convinced Zuko was up to no good. I squeezed my knees and dug my nails into the side of my knees. I wished everything would just go away. "This is just like when we were imprisoned together in Ba Sing Se," Katara said. "Like when he started talking about his mother as if he were actually a human being with feelings," she scoffed. "Shut up," I groaned. "What?" she turned to me. I shot up and said, "Don't talk about him like that! You don't know what he's been through!" "What he's been through? What about us?!" Katara retorted. "You are the ones who act like you are the only ones to know how hard life is! Like us Fire Nation aren't human beings!" I screamed. "Maybe it's true Ozai isn't human, but don't bunch every single Fire Nation citizen with him! We are only doing what we're being told to do! Zuko's been through a harder life than any of you can scarcely imagine! At least your father loves you! At least you have friends! At least you have people who love you for who you are!" I didn't even realize how loudly I was screaming.
Sokka walked over to me and put a hand on my shoulder. I smacked it away and said, "You don't know anything, so don't try to judge us!" I glared at all of them, especially Katara, before turning and taking off in the opposite direction. I hated how they talked about us, about Zuko.
Toph's POV
I sighed deeply as Xi Mei took off. Katara gave a frustrated cry. "I kind of have a confession to make," Aang said, staring at a wall. He told us about how Zuko had saved him one night, but Katara only protested. "He probably only wanted to capture you for himself," she stated. Sokka agreed. "Maybe you're right…" Aang mumbled. "And what was that crazy stuff about setting Appa free? What a liar!" Katara continued. "Acutally, he wasn't lying," I mumbled. "Oh hooray! In a lifetime of evil, at least he didn't add animal cruelty to the list," Sokka said sarcastically. "I'm just saying that considering his messed up family and how he was raised, he could've turned out a lot worse," I said putting my hands up in defense. Katara made a sarcasric remark about how we should give him a prize. "All I know, is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere," I said, crossing my arms. I thought about xi Mei saying all those things about Zuko's past. No friends, no one who loves you…the thought was unbearable. "Maybe Xi Mei was right. Maybe you're all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking and sseeing clearly," I suggested.
"Easy for you to say! You weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates!" Katara screamed. "Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island!" Sokka added. "Or when he tried to capture me at the Fire Temple!" Aang butt in. They all sounded so…angry. "Why would you even try to defend him?!" Katara screeched. "Because Katara! Think about what Xi Mei said!" I started but Katara cut me off. "Oh, boo hoo for the little Fire Nation assassin! She's probably been in love with Zuko for the past, what, seven years now? She's the one who's hurt and not thinking clearly!" Katara said. I wanted to slap her. "Don't say things like that Katara! Xi Mei Is our comrade and she cares about us," Aang said. There was a pause, so I continued. "You're all ignoring one crucial fact! Aang needs a firebending teacher, we can't think of a certain person in the world who can do the job except Xi Mei, and she's not going to help if you all keep acting like this! Now, a teacher shows up on a silver platter, and you won't even think about it?!" I stomped my feet on the ground, completely frustrated. Everyone was quiet, and then Aang said, "I'm not taking Zuko as my teacher."
"You're darn right you're not, buddy," Sokka added. I wanted to slap all of them. "Well, I guess that's settled," Katara added. "I'm beginning to wonder who really the blind one around here is," I said as I turned and walked away from them. I walked until I came to where I sensed Zuko was. "Who's there?! Stay back!" Zuko screamed. I quickly blocked myself with a shield of earth but the fire snaked around it and burned my feet. "Ow!" I screamed and fell onto my back. I quickly crawled away, beding rocks at Zuko as he tried to apologize. "Please! Let me help!" Zuko yelled. He grabbed me by the shoulder. "Get off of me" I screamed and sent him flying. "I didn't know it was you!" I heard him call one last time before I took off. "Toph!" I heard Xi Mei call my name. I was on my hands and knees, and I sensed her running towards me. She picked me up and said, "Oh god, Toph." I figured she was looking at my scarred feet. I gritted back tears.
