Chapter 4

"Wait! I forgot my glider!" screeched the avatar.

"I don't really care. You won't need it where you're going," Zuko snarled in reply. This was too easy. Everything was finally working out.

"You know, you don't have to do this. Just join us. We always have room for another member of the group. Besides, I need a firebending teacher."

"I'm not teaching you. And I'm not switching sides. What kind of traitor do you take me for, Avatar?"

"Actually, my name's Aang...but I guess it doesn't matter. You wouldn't be a traitor. You'd be a hero! Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"No."

Zuko hoped they were really torturing that kid. Who was he to tell Zuko which side he should be fighting for?

He walked up on deck, keeping a close eye out for his uncle. He'd managed to avoid him since the necklace incident of the previous night, and he was hoping to keep things that way. Iroh didn't understand. No one did. He just kept preaching to Zuko about giving everyone second chances and other trash like that. Second chances were for people weaker than Zuko. He hadn't been given any second chances. And neither had Iroh.

Leaning heavily on the railing along the edge of the deck, Zuko looked impatiently out over the rocky ocean waters, keeping his eyes trained northeast and waiting for the Earth Kingdom to come into view. Surely they'd reach it today. They'd been floating along now for plenty of time.

"What are you looking at?" Zuko cringed at the sound of his uncle's voice. He should've been more careful. Now he was in for a lecture.

"Zuko, I know you're angry with me. But that's no reason to ignore me."

Zuko looked down at his hands, trying to imagine life without Iroh. It would probably be a lot more enjoyable; no more speeches, no more boring war stories, no more music night...

"I'm sorry you hate Shin Yu so much. But until we find his parents, he's going to be with us. So perhaps you should make an effort to be more agreeable."

Agreeable. He was agreeable.

"And yes, I am going to find his parents. Because everyone deserves to have a happy, complete family. And even you should be able to recognize that."

"Everyone, Uncle? Are you sure? Maybe you should tell that to my father. Tell him that everyone deserves a good family. Because I'm not sure anyone ever did."

"Zuko, your father is a troubled man. He's had a difficult life. You can't blame him for everything that he does."

"I've had a difficult life, too! And you still blame me for everything. Even if it's not my fault, you always find a way to shout at me for it."

"I don't shout at you, Prince Zuko. And you have to hold yourself accountable for your mistakes."

"But he doesn't? You're not making any sense. You're contradicting yourself."

Iroh sighed deeply and turned away from Zuko. "I can see you need some time alone. I will talk to you another time." The old man shuffled away, leaving Zuko to stare at the cold water alone. Zuko frowned. He wanted to get to the Earth Kingdom as soon as possible. Then he could leave Uncle somewhere and move on by himself. He could probably leave Shin Yu, too. Let Iroh take charge of the stupid family reunion. He wanted no part in it.

Bitterly, the scorned prince went down to his room. He locked the door and promised himself he wouldn't answer it, no matter who knocked. Because someone always seemed to be knocking. As he approached his bed, though, he realized he wasn't alone. Curled up tightly under his blankets was Shin Yu, sleeping like a rock.

"Get out!" howled Zuko, but Shin Yu only yawned and rolled over. "You can't be in here. This is my room, and that's my - what is that?" Zuko's eyes widened as he looked down at Shin Yu's hand, which was wrapped loosely around something.

The kid smiled and opened his shiny gold eyes, reaching his arm out toward Zuko. With fear nearly choking him, Zuko grabbed the outstretched hand and uncurled Shin Yu's little fist. Gritting his teeth, he snatched his mother's necklace from the tiny criminal. Not again. He couldn't seriously have taken it again.

"How did you get this?"

Shin Yu pointed to the corner of the room where Zuko's bag was, and Zuko tried to remember if he'd ever tied it back shut when he'd put his stuff away. "You can't touch this!" Zuko ordered. "This is mine. You can have whatever else you want in here; I really don't care anymore. But this," he held the necklace up and waved it in Shin Yu's round face, "is mine. Got it?"

"Why?"

"It just is. It was my mother's."

"My mother's?"

"No! Mine! Now get out of my -"

"Where's your mother?"

Zuko glared down at the floor. "I don't know. She left a long time ago."

"Where's my mama?"

"I don't know! I don't care. I hope you never see her again. I'll never get to see mine."

"Why?"

"I guess I just wasn't good enough for her." Zuko's fist loosened and the necklace dropped to the floor, making a soft clank on the metal surface. "She deserved better than me."

Shin Yu laughed.

"That's not funny!"

"Are you my daddy?"

"What? No. Of course not." Frustrated with Shin Yu, Zuko picked up the warm, wriggling creature and pulled him out of his bed, then set him on the floor.

"Why?"

"Ugh...I'm not answering that. Go find my uncle. Tell him to play with you; I'm going to bed," commanded Zuko dryly as he laid down on his stiff mattress.

"I don't want to. I want to stay with you." He jumped up onto Zuko's bed and held onto Zuko's arm; a gesture that Zuko found unbearably annoying.

"You can't stay with me. I don't like you."

"Yes you do."

"No I don't." Zuko pushed him off of the bed and closed his eyes, trying to remember why he couldn't just throw Shin Yu overboard. Iroh had come up with a reason, but Zuko really couldn't remember it. Maybe he could use that as an excuse when Iroh was shouting at him later for murdering the kid.

"Look! Daddy!" Zuko's eyes snapped open and he looked over at Shin Yu, who was pulling something out of the prince's bag.

"That's not your dad," he said as he spotted the worn picture of his parents. "He's mine."

"No."

"Your father's probably just a peasant, like you. For all I know, you don't even know who your dad is. That wouldn't surprise me at all."

"This is my daddy," persisted Shin Yu, holding the picture up a little higher and smiling gleefully.

"Fine, whatever...can you leave now? I'm trying to sl-"

"Ooohh!" shrieked Shin Yu as he pulled one of the tin soldiers out. "Is this mine?"

Zuko wanted to say no. That they were his, and he didn't want Shin Yu touching them. But if his uncle found out, he'd make fun of him. And Zuko didn't want that. "Yes. They're yours. Just take them and leave."

As Shin Yu scampered out of the room, holding Zuko's soldiers, Zuko put a hand over his eyes and wished he'd said no. He didn't play with them anymore, but they had a lot of sentimental value. The only time he could remember his father ever playing with him had been with those soldiers. They were sort of a good luck charm. One that just hadn't worked in years.

Zuko got up and put his stuff away, being sure to tie the bag tightly shut. And as he walked back over to his bed, his eyes caught on the necklace where it was laying sprawled across the floor. He kicked it across the room into a corner and hoped he'd never have to see it again. It wasn't important anymore. It only stood as a constant reminder that he'd messed up somehow - and he'd probably never know what he'd done. But that mistake had cost him everything. His mother, his family, his country. Everything.

He wished he didn't think that way. Wished he didn't blame himself for her leaving. But no one had actually ever assured him that it wasn't his fault. No one said anything about it at all. So with no one else to blame, it had to be him. He had to be the reason she was gone.

And even blaming himself was worth the satisfaction that somewhere, for some reason, there would always be someone to blame.

Sunshine: Stardust finally pitched in a little; specifically with the first couple conversations in this chapter. Good job, Stardust.

Stardust: Thanks.

Sunshine: Yeah...next chapter on Friday, I think. But we're not updating until we get at least three reviews. THREE REVIEWS.

Stardust: I want Zuko to get his tin soldiers back! That scene was just too sad.

Sunshine: lol nice Stardust. I'll see what I can do. Or maybe you could do it...you know, cuz you're writing the story too...

Stardust: But you're so good at writing this story!

Sunshine: Yeah. But you could be too! Just practice a little. Practice makes perfect! By the way, everyone read My Blutara and Ahoy! The Zutara Drabble Series by appa-appa-away. Those stories rock; I've read like every chapter of each of them so far...and you guys will love them!

And then read The Sun Sets in the West (which is in dire need of reviews; sort of like this story) and Cut Apart the Moon (which is doing just fine...). Both my fics; both could benefit from some readers/reviewers. Specifically The Sun Sets in the West because that story, much like this one, is doing extremely bad. It sucks. Royally.

Stardust: REVIEW!!

Sunshine: Yup...review...