Hey everybody! So this is my first fanfic and I'm really excited! I am hoping on continuing and progressing so please R&R! I will try my absolute best to update as quickly as possible. Most likely I will edit this chapter in the next few days, to make it better. Yes, this story is inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. No, this story will not follow the series in anyway. This story takes place in an AU. The characters may differ from the series depending on how I wish them to be protrayed. This is rated M just in case, for violence, language and romance later on in the chapters. I hope you enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Avatar: The Last Airbender (i wish to be such a genius) I do own my own character and ideas.

Chapter 1

The sun was so cruel, beating down relentlessly, baking my body in an inferno of heat. I could feel myself slowly dehydrating as all the moisture left my body, seeping through my pores and gathering as tiny beads along my flesh. I was sticky everywhere as my hands swiped across my brow, a pathetic attempt to remove the sweat. My mind and body were slowly shutting down, my feet were steadily becoming heavier, harder to move until they slowly came to a halt. My senses were dulling, my surroundings, once clear and vibrant, became a blur. I felt my sanity slipping, my sense of reality leaving, my mind played tricks on me as the blackness slowly closed in, until, nothing.

"Gah!" Cold water startled me out of my trance as it splashed across my face and up my nose causing me to choke and snort profusely. As I gasped for breath, I frantically tried identifying my surroundings. I focused, realizing I was in a small space, from the musty smell and heat I could tell it was a worn tent, cluttered with an upheaval of objects. Something caught my attention immediately, my ears caught the sound of light even breathing, a male, his build was slight and lean, and he was kneeling next to my left side. My summary cost me only a few seconds as my instincts kicked in and my body was artfully swung from my resting place to the other side of the tent, blocking the exit. I was on high alert, searching for any sign of danger or deceit. As I analyzed the figure before me, I figured he was in a state of shock, his heart had suddenly kicked up a gear but his actions were abnormally sluggish. For as swiftly as I was up, my fingers were around his neck as my knees pinned him to the ground. He gasped for air and struggled until he found my grip only became tighter as he did so. I bent down until my head was beside his and my lips close to his ear.

My voice was just a whisper, "You are going to be good, right? No misbehaving understand me?" I let my grip slacken just a tiny bit.

"Ye- Yes. No misb- e- hav- aving," He choked out. I got up and released him. I sensed his hand move to his throat. Stepping back to give him more room I offered my hand. I didn't think he meant harm. If I'm wrong, I'm sure he'll be quite easy to take care of. He was hesitant in trusting me. Hey, can't say I blame him. I could sense the fear, radiating off of him in waves. I had to get him to trust me.

"I'm just in need of some information," I said politely, trying to lessen my "killer" vibe. He took my hand shakily and I heaved, bringing him to his feet. "I'm sorry for my previous behavior." I continued, figuring kindness was the best route, "I seem to be at a loss and I am hoping you can help me." At the end I gave a small smile hoping to instill some sense of security.

"Umm.." He stammered. He's probably wondering who the mysterious girl with mood swings from hell is. "I- I found you." He managed to get out. I could sense him struggling to regain his dignity. His hands twitched and there was perspiration on his brow, but slowly his posture changed, straightening up, becoming stronger and more balanced. "You were out cold."

"Where exactly did you find me?" I asked, last I remember I was in the Southern Earth Nation, in the Sarorian Desert.

"In the desert, I was out looking for a certain type of cactus. I saw you and brought you back here, to camp." His voice, with the quaking and stammering stopped, was deep and round. From the sound I figured he was younger then I had originally thought, probably a few years older than myself. I took this in for a second. I wonder. I was silent while I thought, thinking about my earlier pursuers. Their abilities are impeccable, they should have killed him and taken me by now. My train of thought was interrupted when he broke the silence, "Your eyes," he trailed off.

Internally I sighed, annoyed. Yes, yes my eyes are different, they're scary, they're strange, they're beautiful, I had heard it all before. It didn't matter what others thought, to me they were an annoyance.

"They're," a short silence, "violet." He sounded quite puzzled. Before I could answer him I sensed the presence of two very familiar figures less then ten yards away. Shit. Instantly my body was in motion, pulling twin deadly daggers from their hiding place in my boots. I felt the boy's heart quicken. Damn, gotta save him to. What a hassle.

"What's your name?" I asked quickly, as I slashed a hole through back of the tent, grabbing his wrist and forcefully dragging him through the opening. I grabbed a canister of water on the way out and slung the strap across my shoulder.

"Lian," He answered, "and what are you doing?" He was stumbling clumsily behind.

"Returning a favor and saving your ass." Then we were on the move.

"I do believe it would be in your best interest if you were to stay completely still," The shadow said, his hands gripping my neck. A nasty tension filled the air, "Prince." He spat my title. He knows. The one word triggered my body and mind, heat coursed through my veins and the pure energy that filled me to the brim was overwhelming, I wasn't in control anymore. Swiftly, I dropped my weight, breaking his balance, jutted my hips backwards, sending him upwards. My elbows rammed into his sides, causing a crack to emmit into the air, followed shortly after by a pained groan. My backhand, propelled by my earlier elbow jab, caught him off guard, landing squarely in the ear. His grip slackened on my throat as the blows weakened his body. Grabbing his wrists with my right hand, I twisted, doing a 360 with my body, roundhouse kicking the shadow, cracking his skull. The broken body fell to the floor.

I analyzed my work, glaring at my previous captor. Taking a few steps forward, I saw his eyelids flicker. Can't have that now can we? My fist burst into a flaming inferno of heat, with a flick of my hand, his body was lit. Shouldn't have said my name. I grimaced as I walked away. The putrid smell of burning flesh and black smoke filled the air.

We were running, trying to put as much distance between ourselves and what would be a very painful death. I was cursing myself, the desert was hot and arid, few living plants and animals, meaning little water. I could barely make out my surroundings.Why the desert? Why did I have to pick such a wretched place to hide? I could hear Lian, close behind me, surprisingly keeping up with my swift pace. I knew we still weren't moving fast enough, running through the sand was tiring. My pursuers would catch up with us soon. I had to figure out how we would survive, or at least how I would save Lian. Damn him for picking me up. If he hadn't I wouldn't owe him a damn thing! A life for a life, no matter what I owed it to him to get him out of this safely.

"Lian, is there someplace small enough to hide inside anywhere near here?" I asked a bit out of breath.

"Yeah," he answered, gasping, "directly in front of you, can't you see it?"

I didn't answer his question, just focused on the place ahead of me. I could make out two rocks, set low to the ground, somewhat like a narrow teepee, just ten yards in front of us. That's gonna have to do. My ears pricked at the sound of light, swift footsteps coming up on us fast. I grabbed Lian's wrist and dragged him forward shoving him inside the small opening. I could here scraping and his unsatisfied grunting.

"Wha-?"

"Stay put!" I told him firmly, "don't move, don't make a sound, your life frickin' depends on it! Got it?"

"Wha- what about you?" he asked, concerned.

Me? I laughed inside, no one had cared about me in a long time. I turned putting some distance between Lian's safe spot and waited. I didn't have to wait long. Two figures, seeping in excitement and blood lust, were upon us. Only a few feet away, I could hear their even breathing, and feel their speeding heartbeats, each perfectly balanced and muscles tense, ready for the kill.

Closing my eyes, I focused, my senses hieghtened, my body filling with energy and chi. My muscles were tense, my heart abnormally calm. I could feel them, their every move, every limb, from the tips of their eyelashes to nails on their toes. I could feel their blood flow, as the life giving water ran swiftly and intricately through their bodies. I could feel Lian, behind me, worried, his nails digging into the earth, his tongue licking his lips with anticipation. I took a deep cleansing breath and dodged the first attack.

My enemy landed just behind me, his fists moving more swiftly than thought humanly possible. I ducked, knowing his fist would swing left and wide, I pushed it aside as my left forearm blocked his right jab. My right foot landed on his as his attempted kick failed. We stayed interlocked, me dodging and blocking, feeling out his aggressive and straight forward style, until I found an opening. I jabbed, full force, my right fist making contact with toned abs, sending my opponent backwards just a step.

That's when I felt the woman's muscle tense and release. I shifted, my weight on my back foot, my head leaning backwards as the poison tipped dagger wizzed by, just a few centimeters in front of my face. I heard Lian gasp, catching attention of the male. Shit, Lian. I flicked two elegantly carved daggers out from my wrists. Your not the only one with pretty toys. Flicking my wrist at the male, I sent a dagger flying towards his back as he approached Lian. My body twisted as yet another flying dagger narrowly missed a vital organ. I pivoted on my left foot and heaved, feet leaving the ground, daggers flew from my body as I was suspended in air. I landed squarely, and sensed the man struggling. Instead of piercing his back, he had tried dodging, and the dagger was now lodged in his side. Seeing his injury, I realized mine. My calf was burning from poison, I had been nicked by the cursed woman.

Sweat now seeped from my pours, making my hands slippery. My body was weak from fatigue and heat exhaustion. I hadn't eaten in days. If this continued I would die, and so would Lian. I need to end this, now. Detecting where my daggers had scattered, I bent my knees and shifted my weight, bringing my hands up and into my body in a flowing motion. My daggers flew from their resting spots to my side, each hovering around my body. I shifted so that my weight was evenly balanced, my arms brought out in front of me, elbows bent as my fingers were gracefully splayed. Moving and shifting my body fluidly, my limbs dancing, I blocked and sent daggers flying at the woman. There were to many for her to stop, they surrounded her so escape was inavetible. Several daggers pierced her flesh and her heartbeat faltered, her body slumping to the ground. I felt the man's heartbeat race as he realized what was coming. I didn't give him a chance to think much further, my daggers went flying and his pulse came to a stop. Taking a breath, I stilled my body and arranged my daggers back into their hiding places. Shifting from my fighting stance, I opened my eyes.

Walking to the dead bodies, I felt for their faces, my hands grabbing hold of rough cloth and pulled it aside. I placed my palm on the woman's face feeling, and identifying her features. Sharp nose, oval eyes, round face, long lashes, ears lopsided, thin top lip... I went on until I knew what her face looked like in full detail. I placed my hand on the male and followed suit.

A cracked voice interrupted me as I got up. "Who- what- why- how?" Lian stuttered. Then he noticed what I had been doing. "You? You can't see can you?" he asked, disbelieving.

"Been blind since I was three." I answered, grabbing hold of him, leaving the dead to the vulturerats.

"Crown Prince Zuko," the servant said, standing next to the large iron door.

"Yes," I hissed, annoyed at what was bound to be another summoning from my father.

"The Fire Lord requests your presence in the Throne Room," the servant stopped, cringing, my body heated the room until it was uncomfortably toasty, almost suffocatingly. He continued shakily, "in five minutes." Then he slipped out quickly, leaving me alone to simmer.

I sat, thinking, enraging myself at my own situation. Serving my father was not how I would live out my life. This won't last for much longer. I would do my father's bidding until I had what he promised me all those years ago. A pang went through my heart as I thought about our pact, but it only lasted a second, my heart hardened and I steeled myself from my emotions.

Rising from my position at my desk I walked to the other side of my bed chamber. Placing my fingers around the gold handles to the wardrobe I opened the large oak doors. Quickly I picked out my armor and readied myself. Picking up the large dark metal chest piece, I place it over my head, strapping the sides down and tying it securely. The rest of my armor followed suit. I slipped my boots on and walked to the mirror. Have to look presentable for my father. Disgusted with myself, I ran my hands through my black hair and tied it up. I turned and walked out the door, grabbing the golden fire nation insignia and stabbing it into my hair on the way out.

As I stomped through the halls I saw the servants cringe and hide as I passed, not wanting to be the one on the other side of my rage. Well, damn them, lowly rats who live and breed in their own filth. My blood was filled with heat, as I crashed through the Throne Room doors, ignoring the wary looks of the guards stationed on each end.

My father, the Fire Lord, was seated far in front of me. Flames fanned out on both of his sides, a constant wall of flickering light and heat. Large red pillars flanked the pathway to his gold throne and several black and red Fire Nation flags hung from the ceiling. Ornate decorations glimmered in the low light, plastered along the ceiling and floor, around the base and top of the pillars, as well as the pathway that I was currently walking along.

As I approached his throne, I bowed, and greeted him, awaiting his next command. "Fire Lord, Father, you have summoned me."

"Zuko," I heard his low voice greet me, "I have important matters we must discuss." With that he commanded the servants out, and the doors be shut and locked. I watched him warily as he stood and walk away from his throne, the wall of fire parting as he made his way toward me. "We have some," he paused, brooding over how to put what he was about to say, "unfortunate," the word was deliberate, "news, I'm afraid." He stopped, stood in front of me and analyzed, his eyes scanning until they were level with mine. "Someone must be eliminated," he pursued, announcing each word. "They have been stealing some of our assets, stirring up rebels, and causing problems within our research facilities in other Nations." I see, so who is it that's been killing nobles and spies? Who is it you want me to "eliminate" father? Spit it out! "I see your impatience on your face Zuko, trust me, for I will tell you." He stepped back, turned around and lit his palm, playing with the flame that entwined his fingers.

My patience was drawing thin, he was antagonizing me on purpose, "I'm sure if you told me who this man is he would be easily taken care of!" I snapped. A chuckle escaped his lips.

"She is not quite so easily handled," He turned looking me in eye, "this violet-eyed Dancing Dagger."

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