Well, thanks to my 2 reviewers:

Random: Thanks for the suggestions. Wow people out there really know how to write

constructive criticism, lol! I don't particularly love the pov break idea, but thanks anyway. One

question though: Is there any way to double-space this thing other than manually?

Vampy: Ariagato for the review. Yes, yes poor Aang. But it gets worse. Don't worry though, I

have no intention of making poor Aangy-aang suffer. That would just be mean!

Wow 2 reviews, yay me!

Despite the fact that this should be a given, I must still place the following disclaimer (in

haiku!): I shall not claim to/ own of the great Avatar/ such honor's not mine.


A Twist of the Heart

Aang's nightmares had finally subsided and the boy now rested peacefully, in a sitting

position still. He did not wake when the door to his cell opened and shut once more,

nor when a lantern hanging from a hook on the ceiling was lit to better illuminate the

cold cell.

Prince Zuko looked down upon the sleeping enigma. In rest, he looked simply like a

threat-less child. But Zuko knew better. This "child" was the Avatar; the enemy of the

Fire Nation, and his enemy personally. There was no "why?" about it. It simply… was.

The sky was blue because it was, just as the Avatar was the Prince's enemy simply

because. A soft whimper brought Zuko out of his reverie, and the teenager turned to

stare at the boy in front of him. Aang stirred, gently opening his eyes.

"You're awake." Zuko's voice was cold but quiet.

Aang looked up as his captor, nodding. "I'm thirsty." He whispered pleadingly.

Zuko was taken aback by the simple statement. He had expected the Avatar to be

confrontational, full of fight and stubborn determination not to let anyone see his

resolve falter. But, it seemed the Prince had figured wrongly. As unusual as it might

seem, the youthful monk appeared to have no fight left in him. Instead of yelling,

threatening, swearing he'd be rescued…. The boy had simply whispered 'I'm thirsty.'

"Too bad. I don't really care how thirsty you are." Zuko growled at the Avatar.

Expecting at least some form of protestation from the boy, Zuko was taken aback

when Aang sadly lowered his head in silent resignation. The Fire Prince felt within him

a pang of…dare he think it…guilt.

The silence that followed seemed to stretch on forever. Finally, Zuko turned to leave.

Aang suddenly felt a twist of fear at the prospect of being left alone with his worries.

"Please," he croaked, "Please Zuko…I need to know… Are my friends….?" The boy

couldn't bring himself to finish the question. His eyes were filled with desperation,

fear, and the last glimmer of hope that his youthful heart could seem to muster. Of

course, Zuko did not turn back to the boy, and so did not have to see those heart-

wrenching blue-grey eyes. He did, however, note that the child's voice was indeed

raspy. He probably should leave the prisoner something to drink, he mused.

"Noone is coming to save you, Avatar."

There it was. Aang's head dropped, his shoulders hunched. So that meant his friends

were…."No…. oh Kami, please no." he whispered through his tears. Zuko turned his

attention back to the door, intent once more on leaving. Let the boy believe the worst.

That way he wouldn't be any trouble during the voyage.

Again, a quiet voice halted the Prince's retreat at the door.

"Thank you, Zuko…for telling me the truth." That voice… it couldn't have belonged to

the Avatar. In all of Zuko's encounters with the last remaining airbender, the child's

voice had been ever-hopeful. Even when things looked bad for him and his friends,

that hope never seemed to leave him. Now, however, the monk sounded dead. Zuko

left before Aang could see the guilt written on his face.


Well there you have it! PLEASE FEED THE WRITER! I enjoy reviews, but... ah... you

knew that already. If there is anything that you, the reader, thinks can improve this

fanfic, please do not hesitate to impart upon me thine knowledge. Unless, of course,

you seek only to flame me. Then please, DO think twice. Or thrice even... I may like

Zuko, but that doesn't mean I enjoy firey flames. Well, until next time: Ja ne!

p.s. I know these chapters are short, Surprisingly so. But I was having trouble figuring out

where to break the story at, and personally I'd rather make shorter chapters so that readers

have time to think in between occasions, and wonder, and (eebil laugh) anticipate.