Today has been awesome. Angry Zuko has not come back for a whole day! I think we might be friends. I think- no, know that I consider him one. But there is tons that I still don't know about him. I used to see him as just one dimensional; the angry mean enemy, the banished Prince Zuko. But I have found another part of him that I think fits him better.

Today was about laughter and games and many smiles. But tonight I worry, because when we leave our cave, we will have to decide where exactly we're going to go. Back to his company where he returns to his old self, or to mine, where he can join us.

I'm afraid though would I be asking too soon for him to come with us? But then again, when would it be too late? Zuko's a very complicated guy and I'm still trying to figure him out even though I am pretty sure I never will.

Right now, we're playing a game I used to play with Sokka when we were little called "Would you Rather?" Right now it was his turn and I could see his nose and forehead wrinkle a bit with concentration as he thought of an outrageous question to ask me.

His face unwrinkled and he looked up at me and asked his question

"Would you rather eat one hundred rabbits or one hundred squirrels?"

"Yuck!" I said as I spat out my tongue. Rabbit had come so boring to eat while squirrels had a different taste. But that wasn't necessarily a good thing.

"Hmm, even though they are incredibly boring, I would choose the rabbits, seeing I'd have to eat the same amount for either. Squirrels are disgusting!" I said

He laughed and began to play with his fire bending making shapes in the fire we now sat around.

I thought of a question to ask. I tried to think of something outrageous but I had already used up all my good ones. Could I possibly ask him about our destination? I contemplated a bit on this subject.

What was best for Zuko? Definitely coming with us. But would his internal conflict allow him? He has been going through this most of his life. It just wasn't fair for someone his age to have to go through all that. But should I give him more time? But, I also had to think about Aang. I knew him well enough he wouldn't continue to the Northern water tribe without finding me. And with the comet coming, time was definitely of the essence.

If Zuko did join us, he could teach Aang fire bending which would be great, because the chances of finding a fire bending teacher in the fire nation was just about zero.

What was best for Zuko? What was best for the world? Coming with us.

"Zuko, would you rather," I paused, knowing my words were going to cause Zuko to make a choice no one should really have to make. I just hope he makes the right one. "Continue as you are, or join me to save the world?"

Darn! Did I word it right? Should I just explain it to him? My heartbeat quickened. I had just so blatantly said it as if it were the most normal thing in the world. This definitely wasn't.

His light demeanor cracked and Zuko's face turned to one of a scared boy. "Zuko, I know you. Think of what your mother would want. Would she want you to back to a home where no one really loved you?"

I was talking fast now, I just really needed him to see. Did I make a mistake? No. This had to happen sometime.

~0~

"Stop!" I yelled. "Stop talking!"

Now she was making me think about everything I was exactly trying to avoid thinking about.

She stared back at me with concern in her eyes. Why was she so worried about me?

I stood up and stormed out of the cave. I really need some time to sort this out. I thought I could postpone this but I guess not. It was time to face the facts.

I started to run until I came upon a cliff higher above where our cave lay. I could see the setting sun in the distance.

I paced back and forth, just breathing trying to calm down. My inner fire was burning.

I wasn't getting anywhere with all this pacing. I forced myself to stop and sat down, cross legged looking out into the sunrise. I closed my eyes and thought. I sighed and knew it was time to ask the big questions.

Three years. Three years I have been looking for a way back home. Looking even though inside I knew it was futile. All the while wondering where I had gone wrong. Everything my mom taught me was contrary to what my father taught me.

He taught me rage and anger was good to feel and with it brought power.

Mom taught me that being kind to others and to not lose myself in others words because only I knew who I was.

Who was I?

I remembered the reason I was banished. But, what did I really do wrong?

Nothing.

But that wasn't true I disrespected my father, the Fire Lord!

But what had disrespected him?

I had spoken out against slaughtering our own people who trusted us and thought this war was just. They had families too.

Everyone has a family and people who love them too Zuko. His mother's words came back to him.

To further my "disrespect" I had refused to fight my father. What was wrong with that? I didn't want to hurt him even though I probably couldn't in a thousand years. But fighting an Agni Kai was just so serious. I didn't want to fight my father in an Agni Kai.

Why was I looking for the Avatar? I have been doing this for three years. Had I not already learned my lesson? Does my scar not prove it!

And what of the war? What were we fighting for? To spread our wealth and inventions? But was this really going to help them? Everywhere we went all I saw was pain and suffering, pain and loss. The earth kingdom villages that were not under Fire Nation control, seemed happy and hardworking. They were proud and kind people. Did they really need our supposed help?

Right now all we have achieved in doing is killing them. They had done nothing wrong.

No, nothing wrong at all.

Everything I had been taught in school, everything Father had taught me came crashing down, and strangely I didn't feel the loss, only the new space in my soul for rebuilding.

I opened my eyes to see the sun had gone down. I felt something on my cheek and reached to brush it off. It was a tear.

But I don't think it was a tear of sadness. Only of new beginnings.

I breathed in slowly and exhaled, feeling refreshed. My mind was clear and open. I felt freedom embracing me finally.

I got up and walked back to the cave seeing Katara sitting outside. Our eyes met and see got up and walked towards me.

We stopped at least three feet away and she looked up at me with those questioning blue eyes. I was happy I could give her good news.

"Tomorrow, we leave." I said. "For the Av- I mean Aang."

I scratched the back of my head suddenly uncomfortable. She looked at me as a smile broke out on her face a she closed the distance between us and enveloped me in a hug.

I stiffened, but then returned it. I haven't been hugged, nor had wanted to be hugged since my mom disappeared. But this felt right and I was glad I had chosen the right thing. I hope my mother would be proud, because I was doing this for her and Uncle.

And maybe Katara too.

(A/N Yay! So happy to write this chapter. I really hope that I portrayed Zuko's feelings okay. This is definitely a turning point for him and I wanted the change he went through to be realistic. I can't wait to write more, so expect another chapter before Halloween! )