Sorry that I'm so, so late with this guys. Writers block is a serious and evil thing lol.

On with the story! Hope you enjoy!!

0o0o0o0o

Zuko approached the meeting room cautiously. These meetings often gave him a creepy feeling. When all this is over, I hope I'll never have to go to another war council again. It wasn't just the facts of war; it was his memories. He touched his cheek unconsciously, hesitating within sight of the door.

"What are you doing, princess?"

Zuko drew himself to his full height. Turning, he regarded her. She was dressed in her usual green jump suit. Though her eyes gazed somewhere to the right, he knew she saw him. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly. No one made him feel comfortable the way she did. "I'm considering my options."

"Your options? As in not going to this meeting?"

"No. I'm definitely going to this meeting." He took in her doll like prettiness. She looks so delicate, until she opens her mouth. Yet, when earth bending, 'delicate' is never the word that comes to mind. He thought about the potential beauty she had. What will she be like when she's older?

"What kind of options?"

The prince smiled a little more, his voice soft and amused. "There's something I'm trying to decide if I want."

Toph crossed her arms and seemed annoyed. "Ok, princess. We better get in there if we're going." She had noted the change in his body rhythms, from agitation to pleasant calm in moments. This wasn't the first time. Although she was glad her presence soothed him, she hoped it was only that. She cared for him as she would an older brother. Toph banished the thought. He's sixteen; he wouldn't think of me like that.

They entered the galley, which sometimes doubled as a war room. Nearly everyone was already present. The fire benders sat slightly apart from the others, as usual. This was the predictable result of generations of fear and hatred. Although these warriors would fight along side them, most of the water and earth benders present had recently recovered from prison. A prison built by Zuko's people, in which they had been systematically tortured and starved. The soldiers under his command seemed to prefer the slight distance given them by the other nations. No one felt entirely at ease.

Aang rose from his place to begin their discussion. "Thanks for coming everyone. I know that all of us have been preparing to leave tomorrow. We need to approach the Fire Nation and end the war before the comet comes. However, there's something important I need to finish before I can face Ozai. Unfortunately… I need to do it alone."

"What? Aang, you can't mean it!" Katara jumped to her feet.

He turned towards her calmly. "I have to, Katara. There isn't anyone who can do it but me. I need to master the Avatar State." His gaze swept over them, resting on the prince. "Take the fleet to the Fire Nation. Fight Ozai as best you can. Hopefully I'll catch up before you arrive at the capital."

Pandemonium erupted. Nearly everyone was against leaving without Aang or simply aghast by the sudden change in weeks of careful planning. The air bender was desperately trying to shout over them. "This doesn't need to be a problem! We'll go ahead with the plan except for this small detail. I need to do this!"

Zuko observed the chaos around him in a detached manner. Calmly and slowly he stood, holding one hand up, palm forward. The fire benders quieted immediately and resumed their seats. A resulting hush began to fall over the room. Well. Being a prince with royal habits can be handy sometimes. His eyes held Aangs'. "How do you intend to accomplish mastery of the Avatar State?"

The air benders chin lifted. "I need to find a place alone to meditate and try to remove the block. When Azula shot me my connection was disrupted. I have to fix it." His eyes fell. "I have to try."

"You could do that on the ship."

"Maybe. The problem is I'm not sure how to do it." He looked Zuko in the eye, then let his gaze drift through the room as he spoke. "That's why I need to go away. I need to find a way to talk to Avatar Roku. I think he has the answers I need."

Zuko's eyes darkened. Wordlessly, he walked around the table towards the avatar. Katara tensed, still unsure of the Fire Nation Prince. When he was merely a step away, he stopped, towering over Aang. Then he knelt, withdrawing a small bag from his belt pouch. On one knee, Zuko held it towards Aang, pulling the string that secured it. "I want you to have this."

Aang stared at it, completely breathless for a moment. "That's Avatar Roku's top knot holder. Isn't it?"

"It is."

Reverently, Aang took it from Zuko. Then a whirlwind of fire swirled around the avatar. Zuko put his arm in front of his face to protect himself from the intense and sudden heat. Then it was gone and Avatar Roku himself stood before them. "Hello Zuko." He offered the prince a hand and pulled him to his feet. "I'm glad to finally meet you."

Zuko was terrified and speechless. Everything he knew of Sozen and Roku poured through his mind and spirit. He could not find his voice. Meeting the dragons had been slightly scarier, though only by a narrow margin. "The path you have chosen may lead to a lasting peace. Though strong leadership and great wisdom will be needed after Ozai falls." Zuko's eyes widened. "Listen to me, young prince. The people of the Fire Nation will need your love as well as your wisdom. Your heart is ready, but you must allow your friends to love you. Allow them to help you." Roku placed his hand on the scar that distorted Zuko's features. Then his eyes began to glow. "When the time comes, choose wisely. Guard Aang's life with your own."

Light blazed suddenly and briefly under Roku's hand. A new whirl of fire enveloped him briefly, revealing Aang. The young avatar swayed then fell forward into the arms of the prince.

Silence filled the room completely. "Uh… what happened?" Aang stood up unsteady and a bit nauseous. "Zuko I…" his voice trailed off into stunned silence, as he stared, eyes wide, at the prince.

Zuko frowned, what now? "Roku was here. I'm sorry to say he didn't have much to tell us that was relevant to your question." He sighed, "Maybe you could still access the Avatar State. Do you know how?"

Aang blinked. "Uh, I'm afraid I don't." He looked away and back again. "Zuko?"

"What? What is the matter with you?"

"Well, about your face…" Zuko frown deepened and he touched his left cheek. Astonishment replaced anger. He trailed his fingers over smooth skin.

"Is it gone?" Turning towards the others in the room, he could see shock and fear in their faces. One of his commanders produced a small mirror. The prince stared at his reflection. Gone. As though it had never been. Tears filled his eyes. Then he left the meeting without another word.

0o0o0o0o

Katara and Sokka helped Aang to his bed. He felt more drained than he ever had after a visitation. Katara's voice was soft and soothing. "I know we didn't get the answers we were looking for Aang. Maybe tomorrow we can decide what to do."

"We better decide tomorrow. This fleet needs to move out of here soon, before the real Fire Navy shows up."

She shot her brother a withering look. "Rest Aang. Tomorrow you'll feel better. Come on, big brother." Outside Aangs' room she grabbed her brothers' arm. "We need to talk to Zuko."

0o0o0o0o

Aang wandered through misty corridors, the fire navy ship indistinct and unreal. "I'm dreaming."

"Aang." Avatar Roku stepped forth from the cloudy hallway. "Go to the desert. The answers you seek are there. Take your teachers with you. Take Zuko with you." Roku and the ship itself melted away and Aang awoke.

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