“THAT’S ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

A powerful fireblast hit Naruto hard causing him to look up and stop from dealing the fatal blow to Aang. The ninja turned to find Zuko holding a flaming fingertip to Ty Lee’s throat.

“Stop it or I kill this girl!” the exiled prince ordered.

Even in the beast-like state his mind was currently in, Naruto recognized Ty Lee was his friend and stopped the attack in order to protect her. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Quickly Toph and Aang imprisoned the ninja in earth to prevent him from attacking again. Katara added a layer of ice just in case.

“Good thing I got back early from collecting firewood.” Zuko said. He moved his fingers away from Ty Lee’s throat and smashed the rocks holding her feet in place. “Sorry Ty Lee, I didn’t burn you did I?”

Ty Lee shook her head .
“I’m fine.” She said. “So you really are friends with the avatar now?”

Zuko sighed. He didn’t know quite how to describe his association with the Avatar group.
“Well I’m teaching Aang firebending,” Zuko said. “But I wouldn’t describe my relationship with them as friendship quite yet.”

Katara was quick to prove his point. “Why’d you let her go…Are you changing sides again?” she asked furiously. She didn’t trust Zuko at all.

“No Katara,” Zuko sighed. He didn’t blame Katara for not trusting him but it definitely didn’t make things easy for him. “Ty Lee explained things to me while you guys had your hands full. It was her idea I use her as a hostage.”

“I don’t believe you!!!” Katara said. “You’re probably working with her to trick us.”

“Wait Katara!!” Sokka called.

She looked at her brother angrily but stopped when she realized he was badly hurt from the battle. She rushed to his side to heal him and the flying bison.

While Katara was tending to Appa and her brother, Ty Lee convinced Toph and Aang to let Naruto go. Though they were initially reluctant, they finally consented based on the fact that Toph discerned that Ty Lee was telling the truth when she said she would prevent Naruto from harming them. Once Naruto was free, he cuddled his face against Ty Lee’s legs happily. Toph and Aang watched shocked. They found it hard to believe that just a few minutes ago that person had nearly killed all of them.

“You have a lot of explaining to do!” Aang told her.
Ty Lee nodded.

***
Once Sokka was healed, he convinced Katara to at least hear Ty Lee out. Sitting down and stroking Naruto’s ears, Ty Lee told them the entire story. The gang listened quietly for the most part but did make occasional comments or questions.

When Ty Lee described how Azula made Naruto do the hoop of fire. Sokka told Zuko his family was sick.

“Believe me I know.” Zuko said pointing to his eye.

The gang applauded Ty Lee standing up to Azula and helping Naruto out and Ty Lee felt a little proud of herself as she continued her tale. Finally Ty Lee got to the part about Naruto’s transformation and why she needed their help. When the girl had finished telling her story, the avatar looked at Toph.

“Was she telling the truth?” Aang asked.

The blind girl nodded. “Every word.” She told him.

Now the Avatar group had an important decision to make. Knowing Naruto’s and Ty Lee’s situation…Should the Avatar tap into his past lives' knowledge and help those two out?