My good gosh was The Blue Spirit a great episode! I couldn't believe my eyes when they showed who was behind the mask. My mouth hit the floor and stayed their long after the episode was over. So I owe this fanfic to The Blue Spirit.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

"Why?" No other words would come into his mind as he silently gazed up at the ceiling from his bed. He tried to apply logic to the question, but was unsatisfied that the answer always remained the same. For his honor, for his nation, and for his place on the throne. But it seemed that for everything he was desperately trying to restore, he always ended up forsaking them.

The mission had ended in utter failure. He had lost the Avatar once again, but what made it worse was the fact that he had saved him. Prince Zuko. The one, whose sole purpose was to capture the boy, was the one responsible for him now running free once again. Running freely back to his friends.

'Friends. How he could even consider such nobodies friends is beyond my comprehension. The girl was nothing more than a novice water bender. And that so called warrior brother of hers. He can barely defend himself, let alone others. Nobodies. Insignificant water tribe members. They're not even worth my thoughts.'

'And what made him possibly believe that I would want to join his little misfit group of friends? Did he believe that I would be jump at the chance to go along in his childish adventures and learn the value of friendship or some junk like that? Hmph. That's the last thing I need from him.'

'That little speech of his meant nothing. He could never understand why I did such a thing. Helping him was just a step toward my ultimate goal. As soon as the opportunity arises, I will capture the Avatar. No speeches, pleas, or debts will stand in my way. I've waited for two long years and nothing can stop me now.'

'Admiral Zhao will not stand in the way of my destiny. If he had taken the Avatar back to my father, I'd lost everything. I'd have nothing now. Forever banished, living in my own shame and dishonor. My father would never accept me. Taking back a failure son would disgrace his honor. '

'And Uncle. What would he do? After two years at sea, chasing something that was supposedly lost to the world, then finally locating the Avatar only to have it snatched away because I was too incompetent to seize my chance. He trained me for two long years, so that when I ultimately encounter the Avatar, I would be the victor. After coming this far and throwing away everything for me, I cannot fail him. I won't fail him.'

'My nation. I hope that you can forgive me for what I've done. My rescuing of the Avatar held only my best intentions for you. I'd never put anything above your needs. Keeping Zhao away from the Avatar is in the best interests of the nation. With the Avatar, who knows how much power that man will gain. I can't let him weasel his way up the ranks of the army.'

The fire nation flag gave no sign of recognition or forgiveness. The crimson mixed together with the golden yellow to form the small flame of power. Power was everything in the world. To have power meant you were in control. If the Air Nomads had possessed power, they'd still be alive. If the Water tribes and Earth kingdom possessed any power, they'd be winning the war. Power is everything in the world.

'Power is everything in the world. With power you can crush a village and control a nation. You are nothing without it. Hmph. If power is all it takes to win, then why are we so afraid of twelve year old boy?'

Zuko turned away from the depressing reminder of his banishment. He wanted nothing more than to forget the events of today. To forget the fact that no matter how he tried to justify his actions, he had betrayed his nation. To forget that he had helped the Avatar escape and at the same time hurt dozens of fire nation soldiers. To forget that he had protected the Avatar from his nation. To forget his treacherous thoughts that opposed all his father's beliefs. And to desperately forget that he had missed his chance to capture the Avatar.

'Friends. One hundred years ago was a long time, Avatar. Things change and so do people. You can keep on dreaming in your perfect little world, but one day you'll have accept the fact that we're enemies. I will capture you. It is the only way to regain my honor. And because of that, we can never be friends.'

I've decided that this will be a two parter. First chapter is from Zuko and the second chapter is from Aang. Reviews are always welcomed and I hope everyone is having a fun summer!

ACChan