1. Something's Wrong

I looked away. Ever since that night that Zuko came back with Sokka and my father I had began to question if I had been wrong about him. Aang had been so trusting, but I thought I knew better. Apparently I was wrong about that, and other things since then.

Before Zuko surrendered to us, I was so sure about so many things... like Aang and I. Now I wasn't so sure. Now he was the Fire Lord, and he was different. Really different.

He was just sitting there staring off into space. He always did that when he was thinking hard. That day a guard had brought in a rebel. The rebels were a group of fire-benders that wanted Zuko's father, or Azula back on the throne. There weren't many of them, but they posed a great threat.

"What are you going to do?" Aang sat near Zuko, looking inquisitive.

"I'm not sure. Don't you think death is too harsh a punishment?" Zuko looked up and our eyes met.

"Maybe Aang could take away there bending," Sokka saved me from answering.

Aang looked disappointed and said, "Sorry guys, but I don't think I could do that again. It took a lot out of me."

"No one asking you to," I told him, trying to convince myself he was the one for me. Was he the one for me?

"Well whatever we do, it has to be fast. It seems like these guys just keep getting more supporters," Zuko leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. Aang got up and stretched.

"Look, no offense Zuko, but maybe we should take a break," Aang yawned. He had the attention span of a twelve year old, which made sense.

"Yeah, who else wants lunch," Toph held her stomach.

"You guys go, I'll be there later," Zuko got up and looked out the huge window on the far side of the room. I got up and started to follow the others, but stopped at the doorway.

I saw Zuko's face in the reflection of the window. He must have seen me too because he said, "Aren't you going?"

"Yeah, eventually," he went to the chair he was sitting in and sat. I sat down next to him. "Something's bothering you. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing, don't worry about it okay," he turned away.

"Somethings wrong Zuko, I know it," I put my hand on his shoulder and he turned toward me.

"Yeah, something's wrong," Zuko stood and faced me. "The night of my coronation I went into my father's chamber."

"What happened? Does he still have his bending," I bolted up. Now I really wanted to hear what was wrong.

"No," I relaxed a bit but when he continued my eyes widened. "He told me where my mother is."