All was lost. She was gone. No longer living on the land, or in a palace. No longer living.

'She's gone, she's gone, she's gone'

Those words repeated in his mind, burning any positive thoughts that he might have had.

'She's gone, she's gone, she's gone'

He limply walked into the red driven room, collapsing into the nearest chair.

'She's gone, she's gone, she's gone'

His face was buried in his head as his bent back shook violently.

'She's gone, she's gone, she's gone'

Muffled sobs were echoed through out the palace's dark hallways.

'She's gone, she's gone, she's gone'

He went on a voyage throughout the whole Earth Kingdom, only to find a tombstone and withering flowers.

'She's dead, she's dead, she's dead'

His head rose slowly and he stood up, heading toward a wooden, polished dresser.

'She's dead, she's dead, she's dead'

Slowly, he opened the small drawer and with trembling hands, pulled out a jade dagger, still sheathed in the green holder that was marked with Chinese characters.

'Never give up without a fight'

Wise words but not for the moment's purpose. He unsheathed the small dagger and wrapped his fingers around the handle. The jade had glinted in the moonlight that peeked through the window.

'Never give up without a fight'

He slowly raised the blade toward his neck and held back a gasp as the cool metal touched his skin.

'One slit, one slit, one slit'

He repeated to himself. He choked back a whimper as he felt a cold, metallic liquid slide down his throat.

'No, no, no. This isn't right'

He lowered the blade and remembered all the faces… all the people… Aang… Sokka… Toph… Katara… Ty Lee… Suki…

'Mai…'

The love of his life. Tears slid down both rough and smooth skin. She was gone… Leaving him with a letter and a three - day old child.

'Akarui…'

The name of his beloved daughter…

'I could never leave her…'

He slid the dagger back into the sheath and set it down on top of the wooden dresser. He made his way out of the bedroom and through the halls.

'I could never leave her…'

Cautiously, he pushed open a tall door that entered a room. The room was colored a red – magenta with swirls of gold here and there.

'I could never leave them…'

He bent over into the brown crib and picked up the sleeping toddler. His gold eyes softened at the child's snoozing face. He kissed her forehead and gently placed her back into the crib.

'Never…'

He silently closed the door to the room and turned around. His walk was tall, strong… proud.

'I will never…'