Chapter 7 - Based on various season three episodes leading up to The Day of Black Sun (will list each episode above the section in this chapter that it relates to)

Author: Dragonkat

Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender belongs to the gods of creation known as Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I'm just burrowing it all for a spell.

WC: 7,139

AN: This chapter is just filler. Mostly going to be Zuko focused but there are other pov. This is just to iron out any details and to give everyone some insight to what's happening before the eclipse. Now I am still very close to canon, so scenes I don't mention in here, just assume they are the same as in the show. If there's any confusion, leave a review or send me a message. I'm really friendly, honest.

I also want to clear up some confusion my last chapter caused. I really, REALLY like my plot twist, I really do, but I wanted everyone to have some input in the fic and since it was well received I won't be changing a thing. This plot twist is going to become very handy, especially for episode 313 (kudos if you can figure out what I mean by that) among other situations.

Warnings: Huge spoilers for the show, if you have not seen these episodes don't read, because not only will I spoil it for you, you're going to be seriously lost. Also there are some rather adult issues in this chapter (not smut people, we're talking darker things).


(Episode 302 - "The Headband")

Zuko slammed into the unforgiving rock, sliding to the ground with a groan. He felt hands undo the chains binding his hands and feet in unbreakable holds. His arms and legs fell limply to the ground and he panted into the floor, kicking up a layer of dust. He weakly raised his head, staring at his sister who stood in the area next to his cage in the prison cell he was in now. She was flanked by two Dai Li agents and two Fire Nation guards. She stood casually, looking at her nails like a regular girl would…but she was anything but a regular girl.

"Had enough yet Zuzu," she asked, turning fiery eyes on him, the smirk on her mouth deadly.

Shakily getting to his feet he came to the bars of his cage. He spat a mouthful of blood at her feet, returning her smirk. "You'll never break me Azula…you miscalculated," he replied, leaning on the bars, head cocked and smug.

Her face twisted into a nasty sneer, beautiful features lost in her rage. She yelled, bending a wave of blue fire at him. Zuko smashed into the back wall of his cell, slumping to the ground. He heard the clang of keys in a lock and looked up tiredly as the four men who had been flanking Azula came into his cell, faces all devoid of any emotion. "Rough him up so he never forgets his place as a prisoner of the Fire Nation," Azula said tightly, turning in a huff and slamming the door to the cell shut.

Zuko just leaned casually against the wall, legs drawn up, and forearms resting on his knees. "So who's first," he asked, eyes turning to one of the men cracking his knuckles. "So be it."

It was an hour later that Zuko fell back against the modest mattress in his cell, curling up and wiping furtively at the small tears threatening to fall. The door to his cage was locked and the men filed out, leaving him alone. It had started as a beating, and Zuko had taken each hit in stride, grunting in pain but not breaking. But then one of the men got a very strange idea in his head and instead of touching him harshly, which they were realizing wasn't getting them anywhere, the man started touching him softly, gently, like a lover would.

He wasn't sure he would get over this easily like he had thought. They hadn't gone as far as to rape him, but they had wrung pleasure from his body. He hadn't felt touches like that since Aang, and even then he hadn't been on the receiving end as much as he was today. Zuko curled up, running a hand through his hair and sighing.

No big deal, he thought. I can survive this.

Zuko was left alone for the next few days, lost in his own thoughts, only moving from lying on his mattress to receive the small meals during the day from a rather cranky guard. The man spat at him, calling him a traitor among many other hurtful names. But it just breezed past Zuko, the taunts and the pain couldn't touch him because he had accepted the fact this was his fate, he had done the right thing, made the right decision, and nothing anyone did to him could change that.

It was with those thoughts in mind that Zuko managed to survive any touches a guard gave him, painful or otherwise, and slowly but surely he was left alone after about a week of no one breaking him. It brought a smile to Zuko's face and he was proud of himself. He was stronger and wiser now, just like his uncle said. He was a survivor.

One day Zuko was lying on his bed, staring up through the bars of his cage to the ceiling above, when he heard the strangest sound. He had gotten so used to the usual sounds of the prison, just like on the ship, that anything new sparked his interest. It sounded like a scratchy, sliding sound, almost like two rocks rubbing against one another.

He heard a clunk and Zuko looked over with wide eyes at the stone brick now lying in his cell and the hole it left in the wall. Curiously he crawled closer, peaking in the hole. And what he saw made his breath catch. It was his uncle.

The old man was a little worst for wear but he was alive, golden eyes still shining with his spirit and love.

"Uncle," he nearly sobbed. He had really believed he would never see him again.

"Zuko," his uncle replied, snaking a hand through the hole.

Zuko grasped the hand desperately, pressing his face to the warm calloused skin, seeking comfort from this man, wishing for the first time he could fall into his arms in a hug. But this hand stroking his face so tenderly would do for now. He blinked away any tears in his eyes, gaining strength he hadn't known he needed from the man, feeling like the burden of torture he had been carrying passed to his strong uncle, any demons left in his mind chased away by Iroh's fire.

He finally let go of his uncle's hand, his own spirit reinvigorated and whole again. Zuko ducked down to look into the hole, finding his uncle's eyes smiling at him.

The clank of a guard coming closer had Zuko scrambling to put the brink back in the wall, sliding it in so they wouldn't be discovered. He needed his uncle right now, so he needed to keep their small way of communication a secret. The guard just passed them by though and when he knew they were alone he pulled the brick out of the wall again, smiling at his uncle who waited for him.

"I'm so proud of you Zuko," his uncle whispered.

A brilliant smile lit his face, and he rubbed his cheeks at the strain, having been a long time since he smiled like this. "I'm proud of me too Uncle," he whispered back, giddy from the pride and love in his uncle's eyes.

Zuko settled down next to the hole, leaning against the wall, sighing with relief. He wasn't alone in here. "Are you alone in your cell Uncle," he asked, trying to see in through the limited view the hole in the wall gave.

"Yes."

"I am too, though there are a couple other cages in here. I wonder if Azula will put anyone in here with me."

"I wouldn't put it past her. She is quite furious you didn't join her. I think it's making her doubt herself."

"Good. She should learn that manipulating others with fear won't get you as far as she thinks it does."

Iroh nodded in agreement. "Love and truth are the ways to strong bonds of friendship and unity."

"You're right Uncle," Zuko said softly. "I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner."

"Do not be sorry Zuko, you never had a chance to realize it. And I wanted you to figure it out for yourself…and you did. That's makes me happier than I have ever been."

Zuko smiled, closing his eyes as fatigue won him over. He hadn't slept in days for fear of being caught unaware, but since he was left alone now maybe it was safe to sleep.

"Go rest my nephew. I'll still be here when you want to talk."

His uncle always knew the right things to say. Zuko slid the brick back into place, crawling to his mattress and falling on it, dozing off. Things were looking up.


Katara watched passively as Aang inspired his peers to let go of the conformity of the Fire Nation and just be themselves. She was so proud of him, so very, very proud. He had recovered from his trauma of the defeat at Ba Sing Se, after some spiritual guidance from Roku and Yue, or so he said. She should be out there dancing with everyone, but still something bothered her.

Aang still didn't remember.

She had tried every technique she new, even made up a couple but still nothing would jog Aang's memory of his love for Zuko. It just tore her apart…and if she felt bad she could only imagine what Zuko would feel like when he found out. Though Katara did have hope that maybe when Aang saw Zuko again it would jog his memory.

She could only hope.

So she just sat and watched, watched Aang be a normal kid for one of the rare times in his life, imagining all the ways he and Zuko had gotten together, wondering what that kind of burning love felt like, hoping she felt it some day. Aang looked at her from time to time, love in his eyes, but it wasn't what she had seen in his eyes or on Zuko's face in the cave. Even as Aang came to her, seeking her companionship she tried to keep a wall between them. She wasn't meant to be with Aang, Zuko was. Katara was a firm believer in true love and if that meant giving up a chance to find love with Aang herself so be it. There were plenty of other men in the world that could make her happy.

Katara sat and watched. Sat and watched. And then she danced with Aang, making sure to keep it platonic. Because not only did she firmly believe Aang was meant to be with Zuko…she was a bit fearful of a jealous Fire Prince. So she'd keep her distance, silently rooting Zuko on when he returned to reclaim Aang's heart.


(Episode 303 - "The Painted Lady")

For the first time in her life Suki wanted to hit her Kyoshi Warriors upside the head. She had been tossed in a large cell with all of them when they reached the Fire Nation, and they just would not stop complaining. Suki really wanted to be trapped with Zuko again, at least he didn't dwell on the past like a sissy, and he had a cute sense of humor.

If Suki wasn't already madly in love with Sokka she'd probably fall for Zuko. Something about bad boys always got to her. She let out a little giggle at the thought…which was a mistake because it sent her girls off on a tangent again.

"Suki how can you laugh at a time like this?"

"Yeah we've been captured."

"We should have fought harder, we could have taken those prissy girls."

"If only I had blocked with my right after…"

"I wish we could get some more food I'm starving."

"You're such a pig."

"Am not."

"You know I think one of us could slip through those bars and…"

Their whining voices all swirled around her head, banging against her fragile patience and driving her mad. "ENOUGH," she yelled, almost sighing with relief when her girls fell silent. "Accept the fact that we lost and there was nothing more we could do. We're stuck in her and right now we just need to stay inconspicuous and bide our time until the opportune moment arrives for us to escape. Alright."

Suki got mumbles of acceptance for her words and she huffed in annoyance. "Good. Now shut up so I can think," she grumbled, going to a corner of the cell and curling up, contemplating a means of escape.

"My, my you're quite the talker aren't you? Leader of the Kyoshi Failures."

Suki's head whipped up. She'd know that slimy, nasty voice anywhere. "Azula," she hissed, standing up and sizing up the girl on the other side of the bars from her.

"That's Princess Azula to you."

"You're no princess of mine."

By the look in Azula's eyes Suki should probably be dead by now. The princess looked different than she had when they fought. Before her eyes were guarded, cool, and in control. But now her eyes were shifty, fiery, and wavering in restrain. Suki almost smirked. Something had rattled the princess, and with just a few more pushes she might fall into madness. All powerful tyrants had a predisposition for insanity; they just needed the right catalyst.

She watched warily as one of the guards unlocked the door to their cell and all of her girls fell into fighting stances. But Suki quickly waved them off. There was something else in Azula's eyes, something sinister and it made Suki shiver, and she had a feeling defiance would lead to early deaths. A Fire Nation guard came in and grabbed her arm, dragging her from her cell under the protests of her warriors.

"I'll be fine," she shouted over her shoulder as the door slammed shut and she was lead roughly away from the room.

She was taken to a lower level of the prison, dragged into a dark, dank room and tossed against a wall. Suki grunted on impact, watching as Azula walked in and lit the torches around the room, illuminating its purpose.

It was a torturing chamber, probably used on prisoner's of war to get information about those resisting the Fire Nation. There was a large wooden table in the middle of the room, a chair with restraints, and chains on all four walls. It was horrifying. Suki felt herself tremble as Azula came towards her, gripping her chin and then pulling her close to one of the chains, cuffing her wrists easily. Suki tugged at the restraints but when they held firm she stopped, not wanting to drain her energy.

Azula sat down on the table, crossing her legs, all and all looking regal and beautiful, if you ignored the dangerous glint in her eyes.

"I need your help," Azula purred.

Suki's eyes widened just a bit, frowning at the implications of that sentence.

"You see my brother betrayed me. And he wasn't supposed to. Also you two were supposed to tear each other apart, But you didn't. That is two things I've miscalculated," her voice raised after this statement before she composed herself. "I hate being wrong. So I need your help to find out why."

"And if I refuse to help you."

A smirk, deadly and sinister spread across the princess' face. "I'll make sure you don't refuse."


Zuko had been talking to his uncle when he heard footsteps coming toward their cells and he quickly put the brick back, sliding away from the wall to sit straight and still in the middle of his cage, ready to take on anything.

His sister barged through the door seconds later, kicking open the metal and strutting inside, her eyes wild though she had a wicked smile painted on her lips. "It's time to play Zuzu. Every honest answer you give me is one less thing I do to her," Azula whispered, turning and ushering in two guards holding a bruised and bloody Suki between them.

He was on his feet in and instant, grabbing onto the bars as he tried to see if his friend was alright. "Suki," he shouted, but all he got was a groan from her. "What did you do to her?"

Zuko turned on his sister, eyes alight in his fury. Suki had been hurt to get to him…that was low even for Azula.

"I was just asking her questions but she was being so difficult, I needed to give her a little incentive to speak clearly…now I'm going to do the same to you."

Suki was dragged to the middle of the room, where she was dropped. Azula used her foot to turn her over, and Suki groaned as she was pushed onto her back, head lolling to the side. "She's quite strong, but I managed to find her weak spot. That boy who travels with the Avatar, Sakko or something. Apparently though being in love with someone is something you two have in common."

At this point Azula turned her attention away from Suki onto him. He wished he had his fire bending, he could probably burn her with his eyes his fury was so strong. She came up to him, smirking and leaning in. "So tell me Zuzu, who is it that you love…because they're obviously the reason you betrayed me."

"I betrayed you because this war is wrong. This world is falling apart, and no one, not even the Fire Nation, will survive this imbalance," Zuko said as calmly as he could, eyes continuing to glance at his fallen friend, so wishing she wasn't a part of this madness.

Azula stared at him, eyebrow raising and she seemed to think it over. She turned from him and nodded at one of the guards. "I particularly enjoy the guards in this prison Zuzu. They are so creative with their torturing. It's endearing really. Do you know how I got the little warrior to talk?"

Zuko felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, and realized he hadn't really answered Azula's question and he feared what she was going to use for…incentive for him to talk. His sister turned burning eyes on him, smile twisting her face strangely, laugh escaping her throat, bordering on insane.

"I just threatened her virtue," his sister purred.

Suki was grabbed by one of the guards and she seemed to come back to herself, twisting in the hold, trying to escape. She screamed when another guard came in front of her and a large hand traced over her young body, a disgusting smile on the man's face. It was the same man who had touched Zuko so intimately. Apparently the guard had no reservations for who he touched and how he did it. A hand sneaked under Suki's shirt, rubbing her stomach and his friend screamed in fear, weakly struggling in their hold.

"I tried all sorts of painful torture to break her, with no luck of course. But then this man suggested such a wonderful way to get her to talk, and she finally blurted out that she was in love and no one should touch her but him. I of course offered reprieve. If she told me your reason for betraying me, because she had to know after spending a week with you, then I would call the guard off. She said you were in love and that was your reason…but that she didn't know who."

Zuko felt angry tears trail down his face, watching his friend helplessly. The guard had paused during Azula's speech, dirty hands still on Suki's body, waiting for his sister's command. Azula turned to him once more, eyes alight and wild. "If you tell me who you love, I'll leave her alone…if not…"

At that statement the guard's hand snaked up Suki's front, roughly grabbing one of her breasts and squeezing harshly. Both Zuko and Suki shouted and he fell to his knees, hands white knuckled as they gripped the bars of his cage.

"Alright, alright. I'm in love with…with an Earth Kingdom peasant. We met in Ba Sing Se. Her name's Jin. Please Azula she's no threat, she just made me see the truth of the war. Please Azula it's the truth. She's a peasant, she's nothing to you," the lie was so smooth even Zuko was vaguely impressed by his performance, and he hoped anxiously that Azula would accept the answer and let Suki go.

A jerk of her head and Suki fell to the ground, hands no longer on her body. One of the other cages was opened and his friend was kicked into it, the bars slamming shut with a clang. Zuko looked up at Azula, blinking away his frustrated tears. Azula seemed to compose herself; eyes now guarded and cool again, face devoid of emotion. "Thank you Zuko. That'll be all for now," she said it like she was talking to an advisor, not to a brother whom she had tortured.

The guards and his sister filed out of the room, the main door slamming shut. When they were gone, footsteps faded away Zuko crawled to the bars of his cage that connected to Suki's own prison. "Suki," he whispered. "Suki are you okay?"

Her head lifted, face covered in tears and dirt. But she nodded weakly, giving him a little smile and scooting closer; pressing her back to the bars Zuko leaned against. He reached out, smoothing hands down her trembling back, biting his lip from saying anything, knowing he tended to blotch words up so he stayed silent, offering her his strength and comfort.

"We've got to escape Zuko," Suki whispered, grabbing one of his hands tightly, though she made no other movements.

"I'll make sure of it Suki."


(Episode 304 - "Sokka's Master")

It had started with Zuko trying to cheer Suki up. They had been moping around for a couple days when he decided he was sick of just sitting around and decided they needed to do something to lift their spirits and take their minds off of their predicament. When they were aboard the ship being transferred to the Fire Nation they had had very limited space, but now they had some more room, especially because they were in different cages though in the same space. So to try and snap Suki out of her depressed daze Zuko had asked to see her fighting style. He had had only a glimpse of it when they met so many months ago on Kyoshi Island that he wondered how someone without bending fought.

That was all it was, just a curiosity and a desire to take Suki's mind off of what happened. It worked because she immediately perked up and smiled at him. She showed him some of her training sequences, her body flowing and bending as she faced off an invisible opponent. It was amazing to watch.

The next day she had said she wished she had her fans because they truly showed the style and Zuko had blurted he used to train with dual swords. That had leaded him to be the one showing his training and Suki sitting and watching. He had also showed her moves for fire bending, though without the fire.

It almost seemed natural that after showing one another for a couple of days that they had started to train together. Each day they traded off who would teach. One day Suki would teaching him her style, correcting his positioning with her words, and the next he'd teach her his style he had developed, a form of fire bending that was a cross between using swords and fire.

And so every day they trained, each in their own cage but doing it all together, creating new styles and perfecting older ones. They conditioned their bodies and lifted their spirits as they moved together. Zuko couldn't wait until they escaped…because they would. He wanted to challenge Suki to a duel then, her with her fans and him with his swords, putting their rigorous training to the test.

She was his very best friend, as he was hers. They drew strength and comfort one another in the many weeks in their cages together. Zuko vowed to get them out of their prison some how. He wasn't sure when but they would escape and then join up with the men they loved and put a stop to the most devastating war the world has ever known.


Azula was losing her mind, everywhere she turned she saw her brother laughing at her or the Avatar swooping in to kill her. Her nights were sleepless and her sanity fragile. She felt the Avatar was alive, the way her brother defended him and that water tribe peasant after she shot the boy spoke more than him just protecting the Avatar's body. She felt he was alive, watching her in the shadows, waiting for her to snap.

Oh but Azula wouldn't, she'll never snap. She was the rightful successor to the throne; she was beautiful and powerful and feared. She was unbreakable.

But just to be sure she'd send someone out to dispose of the Avatar if he was alive. And then after that, dispose of her brother, so there was no way he could take the throne away from her. Azula laughed at her plan, weaving through the underbelly of the royal city. She had called a man, a man who could be trusted and who had no morals or desires for power. He just liked to kill…for a price.

He was perfect for the job.

In the deep night, mist swirling around her Azula waited for him. He appeared with a clang, metal leg slapping the ground. Her wild eyes widened in triumph. He was perfect. "I have a task for you," she whispered, coming forward, body swaying seductively, seeing if she could rattle the stone faced man. Azula put her hands on his muscular chest, rubbing the hard muscles there and fluttering her eyes like she always saw Ty Lee do. "I've heard about you. You have a killer instinct and know how to keep a secret.

"I suspect the Avatar is alive. I want you to find out if my assumptions are true. If you do find him…dispose of him and anyone traveling with him. After that I want you to end my brother…do it on the day of the eclipse rather, for no one would be there to see his demise."

Azula pressed close, feeling the man's power and ferocity. It was such a turn on. But he wasn't a proper suitor for her, no matter how much he made her blood boil. He turned without a word, disappearing into the night, leaving his lingering heat on her fingertips and his evil demeanor in her memories.

A smirk blossomed on her face and she walked away, confident no one would stand in her way in taking over the world.


(Episode 305 - "The Beach")

"HI ZUKO!"

"…(sigh) Hey Zuko…"

So much…pink. Zuko almost couldn't stand it. And there was lots of black too.

What a pair those two made.

Mai and Ty Lee…had come for a visit. Zuko glanced at Suki to see her pouting in her cage, glaring at the two young women who had entered their cell moments before. He supposed Suki was still sore about losing to his sister and these two. He turned his attention to their 'guests.' Mai stood back, silent and calm as always as Ty Lee bustled about the room. The acrobat had too much energy to spare. She was on the top bars to his cage now, dancing about and rambling on about how it reminded her of the cages the animals were kept in at the circus.

Zuko growled and rubbed his forehead, not liking being compared to a caged animal…although some days he thought he was. "What are you two doing here? Come to rub more salt in my wounds," he muttered, glaring as Ty Lee flipped off of his cage and stood in front of him, smile nearly splitting her face in two.

"No silly, we came to see you," she answered, nudging Mai who sighed but nodded in agreement.

He raised an eyebrow at that answer, stepping away from the bars and sitting down on his mattress, wondering why they would pay him a visit. They were Azula's friends. Ty Lee snatched something Mai was holding, two things actually, putting one in Suki's cell and the other in his. "Food in these places aren't the best so Ty Lee said we should bring you two something," Mai drawled, rolling her eyes.

"Don't want you to starve" Ty Lee said cheerfully.

"Why," he asked, truly confused by their actions. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because you'll need your strength for when you escape," Mai said, for once a glimpse of emotion coming to her face, a bit of defiance and determination.

"What?"

Ty Lee scooted closer to his cell and Mai glanced out the little hole in the main door, nodding when the coast was clear. "Listen. Mai and I were really surprised by your defiance of Azula. It was really cool. Mai and I have never been brave enough to cross her but you did. Now," here she leaned closer, dropping her voice low. "We want to help. I don't think we'll make much difference in the end of the war but you can, so we're going to help you."

"Why all of a sudden are you both against the war. You know it means defeating the Fire Nation."

"No it means defeating your dad. He's the one who drives this war, not the people. But Fire Lord Ozai has a way of keeping people from defying him, even if they don't believe in what he does. Azula takes after him in that respect," Mai explained quietly.

"Yeah. There are lots of people against the war but no one is brave enough to do anything. But you did…and that gives us hope," Ty Lee said, goofy smile softening into something gentler and more affectionate. "We're all tired of fighting but Ozai is too feared for anyone to do anything outright."

Zuko stared at them both, seeing his disbelief reflected in Suki's eyes. Both Mai and Ty Lee were willing to risk the wrath of his sister to help him. It was touching. "So what are you suggesting," he asked.

Mai came forward at that, kneeling down beside his cell, glancing over her shoulder as she spoke. "In about two weeks there's going to be a Solar Eclipse that's going to leave the Fire Nation vulnerable," Zuko felt his eyes widen, what an extraordinary stroke of luck…except... "Azula found out about it when we were in Ba Sing Se. Originally the Earth King had planned an invasion. His forces have fallen but Azula isn't putting it past the Avatar to still invade even with weaker numbers."

"How is this helpful?"

"Because everyone will be so focused on the invasion, that a couple of prisoners escaping will not be a big deal."

The wheels in Zuko's head started to turn as he thought about the possibilities. During the eclipse he would be on the same level as all of the guards, with no fire bending they might be able to pull this off. Mai pulled out a thick scroll from the arm of her robe, handing it to him. "The eclipse only lasts a few minutes so Ty Lee and I will get here right when it starts and get you out. On that is a plan and a map for a war balloon. Ty Lee and I will secure one for you before we come here and have it at that spot," Mai explained, pointing to a courtyard several miles from the prison on the map. "We'll stock it with supplies and then you're out of here."

"What about you two. You'll be caught."

"We can handle it," Ty Lee said cheerfully.

Footsteps sounded down the hall and they all froze before both girls stood and went to the door. "We'll see you in two weeks," Ty Lee whispered, waving as they both disappeared out the door.

Zuko stared at the plans and map in his hands, staring at the drawing of the war balloon. But he wasn't thinking of his escape, he was thinking about the invasion. The Fire Nation had air power, something he never thought possible; it had always been Aang's advantage. He wanted to help, send a warning or something, but he was trapped in this cell…with no way to send a message to Aang. He hoped Aang wasn't caught, he hoped Aang survived, and he hoped they would be reunited before the end.

He heard a grunt and saw Suki holding on to the top bars of her cell and lifting herself up and down, sweating and grimacing at the strain of the chin ups. "What are you doing," he asked, standing up after hiding the scrolls under his bed.

"You heard them. We've got to be ready. I don't know about you but I'm going to double my training from now until this eclipse thing," Suki replied, dropping from the bars to start stretching.

Zuko grinned at her and then fell forward onto his hands, starting a series of push ups.

They were going to be prepared.


(Episode 306 - "The Avatar and the Firelord")

Zuko sighed, fiddling with an errant strand on his prisoner garment, twirling it around his fingers. He glanced up at the little window in the cell, watching what he could see of the clouds racing across the sky, sunlight streaming into their cage in a soft light show.

"Alright Zuko what's wrong," Suki asked from her cage, stopping her training to sit and glare at him.

"Nothing," he mumbled.

The glare became more annoyed. He shouted in surprise, rubbing the side of his head while staring at the shoe that had just been thrown at him. Zuko picked it up and threw it back at his friend, though she caught it effortlessly.

"You've been sighing all day. Something's up. Now tell me before I throw something else at you," she said, crossing her arms and looking at him expectantly.

Zuko sighed softly, folding his hands together and looking back out the window. "It's my mom's birthday," he whispered sadly.


And all annoyance drained from Suki's face and she looked at her friend in sympathy. She had nothing to say though in comfort. Zuko's mom was always a sore subject for him. The two of them had been so close from what her friend had told her, and losing her had nearly destroyed him. Suki wished they were in the same cage together because she'd give him a hug right about now. Instead she just let him brood. Tomorrow he'd be fine but today he wanted to think of his mother, and Suki couldn't fault him for that.

And just when Suki thought Zuko would be miserable all day long did the brick slide out of the wall that allowed Zuko to talk to his uncle. Suki had never actually seen the man, for she couldn't see through the hole at her angle but she could hear him, and the love and pride in his voice as he spoke to Zuko made Suki so happy, because it meant Zuko still had someone who cared for him like a parent.

She watched bemused as Zuko obediently scooted over to the wall, leaning down and smiling at his uncle. The older man's hand snaked through, giving Zuko a small wrapped bundle. The prince held it, looking at it in curiosity. "Do you know the story of how your great grandfather died Zuko," Iroh asked and Suki scooted closer, leaning against the bars and listening in. She had come to learn that everything Iroh said always had great meaning and wisdom, and even if it was directed at Zuko, she gained some strength from the man's words too.

"He died peacefully in his sleep didn't he? After…whipping out the Air Nomads while searching for Aang."

"Yes, that is how Fire Lord Sozen died."

"How does this have any relevance Uncle?"

"Because that is how your great grandfather on you father's side died…but you do not know how your great grandfather on your mother's side died."

"Why is that important?"

"Because it will explain a great deal about who you are…how much do you know about Avatar Roku?"

"Not much. Since the Avatar was the enemy of the Fire Nation I never learned about previous incarnations."

"He was said to be a great man. Very wise and powerful. He was friends with Fire Lord Sozen for a time actually. But they had a falling out, when Sozen started creating Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom. Avatar Roku would have stopped the war had he not been killed. His home was on a small island. Over a hundred years ago a great natural disaster occurred there; a volcano completely wiped it out the island, including Avatar Roku and his dragon Fang."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"What you hold in your hands is an ancient relict. It was worn by the heir to the throne many years ago. The last man to where it was your great grandfather."

Suki watched as Zuko unwrapped the little gift, revealing a beautiful head piece in the shape of an elegant flame. The gold glinted in the afternoon light and Zuko's fingers traced the designs slowly. Iroh was practically saying with this gift that Zuko was the rightful heir to the Fire Nation throne, and her friend's eyes showed his appreciation.

"So Fire Lord Sozen wore this when he was still a prince."

"No…Avatar Roku wore it."

Shock registered on Zuko's face and Suki stared on with wide eyes. "But you said my great grandfather wore it," Zuko whispered, but Suki could practically see the wheels turning in her friend's head.

"Sozen was your great grandfather on your father's side. Your great grandfather on your mother's side was Avatar Roku."

The statement hung in the air, thick and weighty and Suki watched as Zuko sat back and absorbed the information given to him about his heritage. It seemed to explain a great deal about her friend. She had been so skeptical when she first saw Zuko back on that Fire Nation ship, claiming to have changed. He is the son of the Fire Lord, one of the most ruthless and cutthroat tyrants of history. So she had of course thought that evil just ran in Zuko's veins. But apparently not. It seemed he had a great deal of good in his blood as well…which strangely meant Azula did as well.

But Suki just assumed that the princess took after their father and the prince took after their mother, which would explain Zuko's new outlook on the war and his desire to help restore balance to the world. He was thinking like an Avatar, and he should, since it was in his genes to do so.

"You needed to know Zuko. So you realize that your decision to turn against your sister wasn't going against who you are, you were finally choosing the side of you that fits you best Zuko," Iroh spoke up again.

"Uncle."

"Your mother wanted to be the one to tell you when you were old enough. But because she had to leave, she left the information with me, to pass on to you when the time is right."

"When she had to leave…but I thought she was…"

A brick slammed into place in the wall and Suki finally became aware of the guards coming in with their lunches, she had been so engrossed in the conversation, fascinated by the connections Zuko had. Her friend quickly folded up the head piece and hid it away just as the door to their cell opened and their meager meals were shoved into their cages.

Their eyes locked as they were left alone and Suki grabbed her bowl of soup, slowly sipping it, watching as Zuko nibbled at a piece of stale bread. She suddenly snorted, covering the large smile on her face as a thought occurred to her. Zuko looked at her in curiosity and she had to giggle. "You know this means Aang is kinda like your great grandfather," she whispered, giggling behind her hand.

Zuko spit out his food, wiping his mouth and looking at her in disbelief…and then he seemed to think about it. He grimaced and looked at her with a glare. "Suki that's just gross," he mumbled, taking a large bite out of his bread.

"You're so cute when you're flustered."

"Shut up."


(Episode 309 - "Nightmares and Daydreams")

"No Fire Lord Ozai…you're not wearing pants."

"NOOOOOOO!!"

What a very sweet dream Aang was having. It was wonderful…he had humiliated the Fire Lord…and not many people could say they had done that.

The dream faded away, along with Ozai's outraged screams of his royal ass being on display. Aang was suddenly in a swirling grey abyss, and he floated around, looking from side to side in curiosity. He felt a tingling down his back, settling on his scar and he was in the cave at Ba Sing Se. He stared at a crystal and there was someone reflected in its green depths.

"Aang."

He turned and Zuko stood in front of him, smiling. He wore Earth Kingdom robes, though fancier than the one's he had worn during the battle. He held out his hand and Aang came to him curiously, though not taking the hand. The smile did not falter and the prince leaned down, staring intently at him.

Zuko's eyes were such a lovely shade of gold.

The prince's mouth moved as he spoke but Aang could not hear him. He had the strangest feeling this moment had somehow happened, that Zuko had said something to him in the cave…but what. He tried to read the prince's lips but it was no use. Zuko leaned closer after he spoke but then he dissolved away into grey smoke along with the rest of the scene.

But then Aang was somewhere else.

He was lying in a clearing. The sun was shining through the trees in golden green hues, giving the forest a magical feel. He felt calm, relaxed and safe. Aang's mind was clear and he hadn't the slightest worry in the world. He had the distinct feeling again he had been in this moment, that this was more a memory than a dream. He felt movement beside him and he turned his head.

Aang thought he should feel shocked, but he didn't. If anything he felt calmer and soothing warmth spread through his body. He shifted and arms he hadn't realized were around him tightened, pulling him closer to the body beside his own. Aang watched as eye lids lifted and golden eyes looked at him, so smoldering and gentle. Zuko's hair was tied back in the top knot Aang had scene him in before the battle at the North Pole.

Zuko was holding Aang, was holding him so gently and securely. Aang felt no panic or danger like he expected. In fact he felt like he wanted to kiss…

Light filtered through his fluttering eyelids and he awoke to a new day. The dream disappeared from his consciousness to be buried behind his current focus.

The Invasion.

Aang woke up feeling light and refreshed. He was calm, relaxed and safe. For a moment he tried to remember his dream but he saw Katara, Toph and Sokka were already up and he pushed the thought aside. Figuring if it was important he'd remember eventually.

"Good morning everybody…"


Review, review, review please. Pretty pointless chapter here but it was necessary for driving this fic forward.

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed my little fic here. I hit 100 reviews the other day and I squealed (always been a dream of mine for one of my fics to get that many reviews). So thank you, I never thought this story would do as well as it has.

Obviously "The Runaway" and "The Puppet Master" did not make the cut to be in this chapter. And it's only because…I didn't see anything I could do with them. No scene for Zuko or rewriting of a scene for the Gaang (which that didn't even happen much in the chapter anyway). So they were cut. Too bad, so sad.

Next time we have the Day of Black Sun. It might be a bit, a month max I think. School is priority for me so when I find time I write but it's not that much. Sorry but there's no avoiding a delay.

TTFN