Zuko's arrival has him hugging Sokka and calling him a buddy with no hesitation; a far cry from the angry prince he started the series off as.
Zuko: Sokka! Good to see you, buddy!
Sokka: Thanks so much for coming!
Zuko's arrival also has him facing anger and hatred from the Southern Water Tribe. Rather than retaliate like he did in Smoke and Shadow, Zuko learns from his past mistakes and refuses to get angry all while accepting their right to be angry at him. He also says that they won't stop him from trying to make amends for the Fire Nation's war and the toll it has taken on the Southern Water Tribe.
During the first confrontation with Gilak; Gilak takes Sokka hostage to trap the two kids down with him. Sokka just winks at his sister to give her the clue to incapacitate Gilak. The sheer badassery of the water tribe siblings combined with Sokka's lack of fear and trust in his sister to save his behind shows how close these two really are.
As a terrified Kuei is forced to cross the "Bridge of No Return". Hakoda tries to comfort the poor man, by reminding him of Bosco. Also, King Kuei seems to have been just as worried about his pet.
Hakoda: Keep your eyes on me! And think about Bosco!
Kuei: B-Bosco! Is h-he alright?
Hakoda: He's fine. He's waiting for you.
At the book's end; Katara, while still not fully accepting of the North's ideas of modernizing everything, has at least come to terms with the fact that changes will and must come to their land. She spends a few minutes telling her mother of Malina and how much she thinks they would have gotten along. Katara also in a way, makes peace that even though her mother will always be important to her and her father Hakoda, he too also has a right to heal and move on.
Sokka taunts Gilak's disciples.
"My sister here is probably the best Waterbender in the world! So maybe it's time to give up now?"
Once the crisis is over Aang, Katara, Toph, and Zuko each prepare a special dish for themselves along with Kanna, Pakku, Hakoda, Malina, Kuei, and Bosco can all eat together.
Kuei happily telling Bosco that the warmth and care given to them by the citizens of the Southern Water Tribe is about the highest form of civilization you can find.
