Hello all! I've very excited to announce my very first Avatar: The last Airbender fanfic! There is minor Kataang later on, but at first, this is going to appear to be a Zuko X OC fic. I assure you that it isn't (exactly). I started this story when I was a junior in high school, before I knew the ending of the series (which left me rather unsatisfied). I'm very glad to say that my interest in A: tLA has resurfaced due to the upcoming release of the live action motion picture.

As I said before, I began this story originally long ago, but ended up revamping the plot line when I came back to it. I've decided to set it during Zuko's and Iroh's refugee journey to Ba Sing Se, since it would make the most since. I really hope you all enjoy it!

X's and O's

BBTM

Rain poured heavily and thunder rocked the land as Zuko and Iroh dodged their way through the storm under the branches of large trees. "Uncle," Zuko groaned as they ran, covering their heads with their hands. "Couldn't we find somewhere to ride out the storm? I can't stand getting wet!"

The great Dragon of the West heaved a sigh as he came to a stop beneath a tree with large wide spread branches. "Zuko, where is your sense of adventure?"

Zuko eyed his uncle with annoyance. "Somewhere dry," he said, crossing his arms and leaning against the tree, shaking his head in an attempt to dry his hair. He still wasn't used to his new head of hair. It itched and took forever to dry; but it was necessary if Zuko and his uncle were to keep their true identities concealed as they traveled to Ba Sing Se.

Lightening brightened the dark sky and was followed closely by a loud clap of thunder. Iroh jumped slightly at the sound, and then, laughing at himself, spoke to his nephew. "I suppose we could wait here until it lightens up."

Zuko seemed appeased, and was about to sit down on the damp ground when a cry pierced the light forest the pair stood in. An older woman – no older than Iroh – came into view, her face pale and distraught. "Please!" she called to them once she spotted them. "Please, I need help!"

The woman ran under the tree, doubled over and breathing heavily. "Madam, what's wrong?" Iroh went to the woman, his arms open, his face concerned. "How can we be of assistance?"

Zuko straightened up, attempting to look concerned. It annoyed him slightly, having to play the 'good guy' as his uncle called it, but he found that he fit the role rather well. He shook his head as he approached the woman and his uncle.

The old woman looked between the two of them. "It's my granddaughter! She left our house a few hours ago and hasn't come back!"

Iroh rubbed the woman's back in an attempt to sooth her as she continued to speak. "Haikari is very ill; she's prone to fevers and fainting spells as well as severe memory slips. Please, please help me find her."

Iroh nodded, taking the woman's hand in his. "Don't worry; junior will go and find her while I stay here with you." Iroh looked at Zuko. "Lee?"

Zuko nodded at his uncle before turning toward the woman. "Which way did she go?" He asked, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.

The woman looked up into his face, her eyes lingering on the scar that surrounded his left eye. It took her a moment to respond, but she quickly whispered, "West," and pointed in that direction for emphasis. Zuko nodded before he began running through the rain.

Once Zuko was a few hundred yards away from his uncle and the woman, he began calling out the name the older woman had used. "Haikari!" It seemed that every time he called out, the sky responded to him with a loud crack of thunder. Zuko came to a tall tree with a large trunk; he shook his hair out once more before cupping his hands around his mouth and calling out again.

The sky replied, but the crack of thunder was followed by a frightened cry from the other side of the tree. Zuko ran around to the opposite side of the tree, finding a small hollowed out space within the trunk. Zuko poked his head inside to see a young woman, not much younger than he was sitting curled inside the tree. "Haikari?" Zuko asked, kneeling down looking at the girl.

She lifted her head out of her arms; she had brown hair, cut off at her shoulders and framing her face. Her face was pale, her ice blue eyes wide with fear; she wore a long sleeved dress of greens and browns. "Y-yes?" She asked; the sky roared again, and she yelped softly, hiding her face in her arms again.

Zuko reached out and gently placed a hand over one of hers. "My name is Lee; my grandmother sent me to find you."

Haikari looked up at him, her fearful eyes becoming over cast with shame. "I got lost, and then I started to feel faint to I decided to rest. But then it started to rain. I panicked and tried to find shelter and hurt my ankle." She looked Zuko over; tears filled her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to come out in this storm to find me, Lee."

Zuko shook his head before gently tugging on her hand. "Don't worry about that," he said, pulling her from the tree. She cringed as thunder rang out again. "Let's just get out of this storm. Can you walk?"

Haikari tried to walk along side him, but almost crumpled to the ground when she tried to put weight on her right leg. "I'm sorry," she said softly to Zuko.

Zuko held his hand out to stop her apology. "Don't worry," he said, sweeping her up into his arms quickly and easily. "I'll carry you." As Haikari wrapped her arms around his neck to keep her from falling, Zuko tightened his grip on her. "I won't let you fall," he said.

They walked back to Uncle Iroh and the old woman in silence; it wasn't till later that Zuko realized that helping Haikari was the first act of true kindness he had done without rolling his eyes.

And so there you have it! Yay for nice Prince Zuko!!!