Hi! So I'm kind of new to fan fiction... and this is just idea I thought I would put out there. Yeah, I'm not really the most gifted writer. XD so don't be too hard on me. I don't own Avatar, either. Any who, enjoy!

Zuko

I stood by the rail of the boat, my hands tightly clenched around the cold, metal bars. Today was one of the only days of the year that I never forgot, etched in my memory so that I could never forget the meaning it held for me. It was my birthday, but of course that wasn't what I remember it for, birthdays are a special day, a celebration for life, but now I could only think how screwed up mine is. I breathed in and out the misty sea air, trying get my focus on that. I heard footsteps, and automatically recognized the loud heavy steps as my uncles.

"What?" I said, perhaps too roughly.

"What are you doing up so early?" He asked. "It is your birthday! You should be relaxing, take the day off for once and find peace."

I opened my eyes to my uncles smiling face. "You should know why I don't feel like celebrating, Uncle." I said through clenched teeth. "You and I both know that today is the day she left us."

"Zuko," Uncle said with a sad expression. "You know that we cannot change the past, you must realize that this was for the best."

"So her death…" I muttered through my clenched teeth, "Was for the best?" I hissed out the last word.

We went silent again for a moment, taking in the sunrise that rose over the gently rolling waves that seemed to be in such harmony with one another, the view was almost perfect, if only I would be able to accept how beautiful it was.

"If I could change the past, I would wish she had never come to know me, to know you, to know any of us." I mumbled.

I could tell the words had stung Uncle more than I intended them to.

I closed my eyes again, forcing out all emotion as I usually do. I heard the sound of my Uncles steps retreat back to his room, and like I would do at times, I let another memory wash over me.

"Zuko!" I heard the loud sound of footsteps coming to my room. "Zuko open up! I have a birthday present for you!" I rolled out of bed and slipped on my robe. "You know, we normally wait until after dinner to present the birthday presents." I muttered tiredly as I looked at the little girl, with her long black hair that curled a little at the end and the deepest blue eyes I had ever seen on anyone before.

"Well I just couldn't wait! Lady Ursa helped me pick out the coolest present ever!" she practically screamed. I flinched seeing I was still half asleep. "Ok, ok." I mumbled as I let her come into my room. "Are you ready for the best present you will ever see?" she said with a huge grin on her face. "As ready as I'll ever be." I said not really feeling in the mood. "Ok!" She said. "Close your eyes!" I sighed and did as she asked me. "Hold out your hands!" I sighed heavily. "Get on with it!" I snapped, even though I couldn't help but smile. "Ok!" she snapped back.

I felt something heavy get put in my hands. "Now open." She said. I did, and I found myself starring into the eyes of a blue mask. It appeared to be a cat like type of animal, with eyes that seemed angry."Whoa…" I whispered in awe. It was so mysterious."Look!" she said. "I got a mask, too! Now we can play imaginary!" She said as she held up a light green and yellow dragon mask. "Thanks! This is the coolest birthday present I ever got!" I explained. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face now, either. "No problem, and happy seventh birthday, Zuko!" She proclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. I smiled and followed her outside to go and play.

I couldn't help but grin at the childhood memories if the spunky girl I had once known.

Iroh

I stared at Zuko as he was lost in his memories as he usually did nowadays. I sighed and walked back to my quarters, thinking back to when I saw her for the first time.

I was about to leave back to the fire nation after our failed attempt to get into the walls of Ba Sing Se. I couldn't try anymore, not after the death of my son. I felt a gap in my heart that I knew wouldn't be filled by anyone.

Our vessel had to make a stop on a small island- still far off from the Firenation- to re fuel, so I went out for a walk to clear the fog that sat in my head. Something about this island wasn't… right. I had the creeping feeling in me that I was being watched. I had weapons with me, but I still felt uncomfortable.

There had been rumors from the small tribes on the island of there being dragons, but I knew it was impossible, the dragons had thought to have gone extinct since before I had my first son, no help by me of course, seeing I was the one who hunted the amazing creatures so often.

It had been a while since I had left on my walk. I was about to turn around and go back to the boat when I saw a shadow moving swiftly of in the distance. I watched as I saw the shape running towards me. I stepped off the path and into the shadows, hiding in the darkness of the trees as it ran past. I couldn't help but stare in shock as I realized the person was only a young girl, looking to be only about five.

"What is a child that small doing on this island by herself?" I said, the thought of a parent leaving such a little one on their own boggled my very mind. I watched her black hair flow behind as her swift running carried her further along the old, worn down, path that lead up a large mountain.

I was about to step out and ask the young girl if she needed help, when I saw it, two glowing eyes in the bushes, starring at the girl as if she were prey. Feeling a shiver suppress my back it finally dawned on me what creature those eyes belonged to.

Dragon.

I drew my sword in just enough time as the mighty best flew out of the bushes at me, its wings causing such a fierce wind that it shook the earth that I had once thought would never give way to anything, but staring up at the might beast I knew it had power over the very solid ground itself, everything seemed to shrink back in fear, from the plants to the glow of the moon, everything would kindle to such power.

As my eyes locked with the green beast it dawned on me that it had to be the largest dragon I ever had seen. I gripped my sword in my right hand tighter, causing the blood to escape from my finger tips.

I heard the young girl scream out in fear. "Hide!" I yelled at her. Her eyes were round, and I could tell she was contemplating what to do.

It made the first attack, coming at me with a scream that almost sent me to my knees. I barely managed to dodge, and again it tried to strike, and I got a close look at its teeth that were bigger then my sword. I swung, and with a clang I felt the sword hit the dragon. It lifted its head to the sky, as it oozed the strange purple blood that dragons had out of the spot I had struck. Again it gave a roar that almost brought the sky down upon us.

It again took to the air, hovering in place with its wings the size of several ships; it had a look of pure hatred, like how a tiger would look down upon a mouse that had gotten in its way. I was nothing more than an annoying pest to get rid of. I saw its chest get the familiar look of fire between the dark green scales, signifying that it would breathe fire, setting myself and the rest of the forest up in flames.

I seized my chance, and with a loud grunt I gave one last desperate attempt to bring down the dragon, throwing my sword, and as it took flight I knew that it would hit its mark, and it did, going into the mouth of the animal, and then shooting through the other side of its head, purple blood dripping out of the mouth that was about to set me to fire, the same wrinkled up snarl on the now dead dragons face. It gave one last mighty flap of the wings, and then fell to the earth with a thud that rattled my brain.

I walked over to the carcass; the size of the dragon was even more frightening up close. I picked up my blade that sat under a tree nearby, covered in the blood. It was then that my thought returned to the little girl, and when I turned around the rising sun shone in my eyes, only showing the outline of the tiny thing.

Once I could clearly see her, she had both hands clamped over her mouth, silently shaking her head back and forth as she gazed upon the dragon in horror. I grabbed her shoulder, and she yanked herself free of my grip taking a few step back in fear, back into the safety of the trees, those beautiful blue eyes giving me a look of pure terror.

I slowly got down on one knee, to as not startle the young girl. "Did it hurt you, dear?" I asked gently, holding out one hand in hope she would step out of the shadows. Instead all I got was a fast shake of the head. I paused another moment. "Don't worry, it's safe now, you can come out."

Hesitantly she took my hand and I helped her into the clearing.

"Are you sure you are unhurt?" I said in a soft voice to her, who looked pale and would not take her eyes of the dead animal. Her eyes slowly met mine. "I… I think so."

I smiled. "What is your name, young girl?"

"My… name?" She asked slowly. "My name is Ria."

Don't take this too seriously! This is just an idea. Again, sorry I'm not the best writer. So I'm totally open to ideas!

Thanks for giving this story a chance!

p.s.

sorry it isn't very long. :D