Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and this is a work of pure fiction. It takes place right after Katara walks out on Zuko threatening to permanently end his destiny at the end of the western air temple.

Chapter 1:

I stared at her as she walked out of the room, a bit confused but not entirely surprised. Subconsciously I guess I was expecting this and strangely, it warmed my heart rather than fill me with dread as I had imagined. If only I had someone who would stand up for me the way she is doing for the Avatar. Who am I kidding, I sigh as Uncle Iroh's smiling eyes look at me from the glassy enclave of the picture. I did have someone, my uncle, who was with me in every step of the way but i was too vain and proud to recognize his self sacrifice as strength rather than weakness...

I look out the window, the rays of the setting sun glimmering over the vast canyon overlooking the air temple, as I try to get a grip of my new surroundings. I guess everything that was happening ever since my mother disappeared, every act, every word, every instance has been building up to this moment, this moment when I finally have the strength and courage to open my eyes and see what destiny really has in store for me...

I take my uncle's picture in my hands and I find my thoughts wandering back to those moments when I first heard about cousin Lu Ten's death. A wry smile etches upon my lips as i see the contrast between the two brothers: Iroh, who has never been able to recover from the pain of losing his son and Ozai, who has made sure to bring pain to every step of his son's life. At these moments I find myself envying the life that these water tribe siblings led. What a life i am leading, I sigh, closing my eyes and lying down on the bed as Uncle Iroh's words fill my ears again... "Destiny is a funny thing"

I must have drifted off to sleep for the next thing I remember is the water tribe brat knocking on the door. I look up at him and nod my head as he says something about helping them with the food. He leaves with an awkward smile and I cant help myself but feel a bit amused at his awkwardness. I have had more than my share when I first tried to talk to them in the beginning. Suddenly I find myself smiling, as I put on my robes and walk out the door. After all these years of turmoil, I feel a sudden calm and tranquility inside me, a feeling so unfamiliar that I stagger and have to hold on to the wall for support.

Even if the waterbender is waiting at the next corner to end my destiny right now, I would finally die a happy man.

The next few days pass by in a whirl. I am aware of the hostility among these people towards me but every passing minute I can feel it reducing like the setting rays of the sun. Toph is such an awesome teacher. I have seen her teaching the avatar and it makes me wonder whether I am worthy enough to teach him as well.

I can sense the water bender shooting angry glances at me from behind the giant bison's back that she is helping her brother to give a bath to. I can't help but smile at her over protectiveness of the avatar and I don't blame her. I did betray her in a way, though if she only knew about the mental turmoil I was going through at that moment, I doubt she would have hated me than.

My thoughts about her are broken as Toph comes up to me and says that the avatar is all mine. I get up, finally to teach the avatar what destiny has chosen me to teach: firebending..

It has been a week now and finally I feel I am a part of the group. Sokka has even started to practise his swords with me and though he has a long way to go, I am impressed by his willingness and eagerness to learn. Its almost as if I am a teacher to both the avatar and Sokka. My relationship with Toph is culminating into something which I wish I had the luck to share with my own sister. She is adorable and has adopted me as her elder brother, a relationship I am proud to acknowledge.

Its late at night and as usual I am not able to sleep. My dreams torment me about how badly I had treated my uncle over the years and sometimes I see Mai in my dreams. I feel as if I have betrayed her too though I had no choice. She belongs in a world I have renounced and I can never get back to her even if I want to. Thinking about her is like trying to remember a distant memory, a memory which seeps away no matter how hard you try to hold on to. Strangely enough, I don't feel any pang of loneliness or any sort of emotion when Mai enters my thought... its more like looking into someone else's memory, someone else's feelings...

Momo jumps up to me as i caress his head and look at the distant stars. At times like this I wish I had someone to hold on to, someone like the way the avatar has the waterbender. I look back at her sleeping bag, expecting to see her sleeping peacefully without the scowl she seems to reserve for my benefit. Surprisingly, she is not there. I feel a certain panic inside me, as i get up silently and look around, trying to see where she went. The whole camp is silent, Sokka's snores being the only noise besides the night birds' calls. I take out my dual swords and silently enter the woods, the only place she might have gone or the only place someone might have taken her.

I walk silently, even momo keeping quiet on my shoulder, my eyes looking out for any sign of trouble. I feel my heart beat echoing up my eardrums as the scene of the pirates capturing her flashes across my mind. Sudden anger flares up inside me as i imagine some filthy pirate lying his hands on the avatar's girl. God help him if i get my hands on him...