When Zuko woke up the next morning, he noticed two things were wrong. One, his knife was gone. Two, his training bands that were normally on his wrists were gone.

In their place was a note next to his head.

He took the note and read it.

"Zuko- When you wake up and read this, come meet me at the clearing where we train. I have your knife, bands, and questions. Don't dally too long.

-Aang."

He sighed and burned the note to get rid of all evidence. He couldn't help but shiver once out of nervousness. 'Aang knows.' was all he thought about. He then stood up, stretched a little bit, and went to the training ground. When he got there, Aang was sitting on a rock. As promised, the knife and bands were next to him. Also as promised, his face said that he had questions. Zuko looked at him.

"You wanted to talk to me?"

"Sit." was all Aang said. Zuko sat next to him. Aang took Zuko's arm and turned it so the now white scars were face-up. He looked at Zuko with a serious face. "Did you do this?"

Zuko sighed and nodded. "Yes, I did."

"How long has this been going on?"

"Three years."

"Why?"

Zuko was silent. He wasn't really prepared for or comfortable with answering the question. Aang noticed the discomfort in his face and relaxed. "Zuko, the only reason I am asking this is because I am your friend, and friends are concerned for friends."

"I know. It's just…it's hard to say why."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I have kept it a secret for three years, soon to be four."

"Soon to be four?"

Zuko decided not to mention that he was turning seventeen soon, so he switched the topic around. "It's been because of stress, anger, and depression for the last three freaking years."

He kept his head down this time, waiting for Aang's response. What he got was unexpected to him. He felt Aang's arms around his waist in a hug. He reflexively tensed and looked at him. Aang looked at him. "You need a hug."

Zuko was silent before finally returning the hug. After a few seconds, they let go. "I'm sorry." Aang said.

"There is nothing for you to apologize about. You did not cause any of it."

"Then what did?"

"I already told you. Stress mostly."

"Is Katara a stress for you as well, with what she says about you and the Fire Nation?"

Zuko was silent for a brief moment. Should he tell Aang yes or lie and say no? He then nodded. "I thought so."

He looked at him. "Really?"

"Yeah. I can tell by the look you have on your face when she says something."

"Ah. Okay."

Aang then held out the knife and bands. Before Zuko could take them back, he said, "You only get these back on one condition." He held the knife up. "Stop using this on yourself and find a different way. There is a better way than what you have been doing."

Zuko closed his eyes and nodded. "I promise I will find a different way." He then tied the bands back to his wrists and put the knife back in the sheath. After that, the two began fire bending like they would any other day.