Disclaimer: I do not own A:TLA I only own Hirona.

Chapter 10

"One," Zuko finished his countdown; the ten seconds were up. "You still won't tell me? Oh well," He tried to say this as emotionlessly as possible, but inside he was being torn apart. It had only been an empty threat at the time, but the girl hadn't been as co-operative as he'd hoped. Now what did he do? He looked at the girl chained to the wall. No tears, no begging for her life, just staring at him in a strangely calm sort of way. Was he really going to kill Hirona? Maybe not kill, maybe just injure… No, he said he would kill her so he would. He stood up and raised one hand ready to deliver his killing stroke. He raised one hand high, then brought it down quickly. "Stop!" The hand froze in midair.

"Why? You have something you would like to share?"

"No, she doesn't! Ka-," Zuko clapped a hand over Hirona's mouth. She was struggling furiously, trying to tell her not to say a word. Her soft lips brushed against his hand. "Well?"

"I'll tell you anything you want to know," Katara hung her head in defeat.

"Good. Guards! Take her to the interrogation rooms. Make sure that there is no water near her, understand?" The soldiers that had appeared at the door nodded and carried Katara away. Zuko removed his hand from Hirona's mouth to receive a torrent of abuse. "Go crawl in a hole and die Zuko! I can't believe what you just did! You complete bastard! You've as good as ended the world! I never-,"

"Oh, just shut up! You have no idea what I just did. What I just did was take a step closer to regaining my honour. Don't talk about things you don't understand,"

"You have just taken a step away from your honour! If you hand Aang over to your murderer of a father, you'll be the furthest thing from an honourable person possible!"

"How dare you talk about my father in that way! The Avatar-,"

"Aang! His name is Aang! He's a person too! A little kid with a heart and a life. You talk about him like he's a trophy!" Zuko said nothing, turned away and stormed out of the room.

"Miss Hirona! What a pleasure to see you again!" Iroh waddled into the room beaming.

"Hello Iroh. It's not so good to be back,"

"Yes, well, I'm sure you'll make the best of it,"

"I'm chained to a wall,"

"Tea?"

"I'm chained to a wall,"

"Ah, yes. Never mind. I see you quite upset my nephew,"

"He's the one that chained me to the wall!" Iroh's face grew serious.

"You are the one who broke his heart," Hirona felt dizzy.

"I did what?"

"You should have seen him after that day in the forest Hirona. He barely ate or slept for days. His temper is worse, he's depressed…"

"I had to protect the Avatar. Surely you don't think what he's doing is right?"

"Not in the least. But I stand by him,"

"Why?"

"Because I love him,"

"So you're saying I should let him end the world because I love him?"

"No, but think. You have a great influence over him Hirona, and he has begun to see things differently since the two of you met," Hirona thought about this.

"Maybe you're right General. But he hates me now,"

"Where is the Avatar heading?"

"To the Earth Nation,"

"Why?"

"To find someone to teach him earth bending,"

"Where in the Earth kingdom is he heading?"

"I'm not sure. I think it was Omashu,"

"You think?"

"I can't remember,"

"So think about it! I need to know, and if you value your friend's safety, you need to tell me!"

"I can't remember!" Katara was close to tears as the angry prince paced the room. He slammed his fist into the metal wall, leaving a dent. Katara let out a little scream. "Take her away," Zuko ordered. Just as the guards were leaving, he added, "And bring me the other one,"

A few minutes later Hirona was thrown into the room. She glared up at the men who threw her there angrily. She didn't say a word as Zuko ordered the guards to leave and closed the door. Then, to Hirona's surprise, he offered her his hand and pulled her to her feet. "I hope you're happy," She began. "You've just-,"

"No, I'm not happy. Far from it,"

"What?"

"I'm not happy,"

"But Katara's told you where the Avatar is going,"

"I thought it would make me happy. I thought once I knew where he was going I'd have some hope to cling to, and that would make me happy. But it doesn't,"

"Zuko…?" Hirona asked warily, laying her hand on his shoulder. He was facing the wall. One of his warm hands touched the one resting on his shoulder. He turned to find Hirona's face painted with a mixture of emotions. "I'm sorry,"

"Me too," He replied. Without warning she was pulled into his warm embrace and they kissed passionately. When they broke apart, Zuko whispered in her ear. "I missed you,"

"I missed you. It was so hard waking up knowing that the goal for that day would be to put as much distance as possible between the two of us," There was a pause. "But you can't do this to me. It's not fair,"

"What do you mean, it's not fair?"

"You don't love me,"

"What are you talking about?"

"You heard. I'm your ticket to get what you want," Hirona controlled her emotions carefully, trying not to let a flicker of sadness cross her face. In reality, her heart was tearing in half. Zuko's face was far more readable. "If you loved me, you wouldn't have taken advantage of my fear in the forest. I could've died,"

"I don't understand. We get a decent room?" Katara asked her friend incredulously.

"Yep. The same thing happened the last time I was here,"

"But we're prisoners! Why do we get a room?"

"I don't know Katara,"

"You did it, didn't you?"

"I- What?"

"You got him to give us a room,"

"Katara, I did no such thing. If anyone got us a room, it was General Iroh,"

"You're lying,"

"Katara! Just drop it, okay? If we got a room, we got a room. Would you rather be in a cell?"

"No, but if you exploited yourself-,"

"Do you really think I'd do that?" Hirona demanded furiously. Katara hung her head.

"No, I'm sorry. It's just, well I don't know. When you talked about the last time you were here, I assumed that, y'know, they…"

"No, nothing like that!" Hirona almost laughed. Almost, but then remembered that soldier who had tried to take advantage of her when she was there last. "Katara, as long as we stay together, we'll be safe," She said firmly. Katara nodded uncertainly.

Later on, Zuko ordered a private audience with Hirona again. "I'm sorry," He said quietly. "I couldn't have killed you, you know,"

"Do I? How can I believe another word you say?"

"The only reason I did that in the forest was because- because I couldn't let you leave. It hurt too much,"

"Is that the truth?" Looking into Zuko's eyes, Hirona already knew the answer.

"That is the truth," Hirona nodded.

"I believe you," Zuko went to kiss her, but she pushed him away.

"Not yet. It's still too soon," Zuko wasn't pleased, but he decided not to ruin their newfound understanding.

"What am I supposed to do now? I can't chase the Avatar; you'll always stand in my way. And there's no way I will fight you again,"

"You don't have to chase the Avatar to be happy," She said gently, taking his hand in hers.

"But how will I get home?"

"Home?"

"The Fire Nation,"

"The won't have you back. Not while your father is in power," Zuko said nothing, staring out across the ocean. Hirona could tell he was thinking about this. She knew it was difficult for him. He spent his whole life thinking that his father was right, well, because he was his father. It had been almost as difficult for Hirona when she made the decision to leave her home. That night was still firmly impressed in her memory.

Tanaka had always been someone Hirona had hated, but she put up with him for the sake of her father. "Hello Uncle Tanaka," She said as brightly as she could, opening the door.

"Hello there Hirona. What a pleasure to see you again," His eyes lingered on certain parts of her body as they often did.

"Do come in," Hirona tried to be polite and ignore his wandering eyes. The meal lasted forever, and Hirona was forced to sit opposite Tanaka, and watch him staring. After they had eaten, Hirona and her brother went outside to sweep the chicken coop while the adults discussed something. Tanaka left, then Hirona was called into the dining room. "Mum, Dad, you wanted me?"

"Yes Hirona. Sit down,"

"Uh…Okay. What is it you want to talk to me about?"

"Well, you're approaching the age now where you can be married,"

"Oh, right,"

"We have found a very suitable husband for you,"

"What? You mean I don't get to choose?" Her father laughed.

"Don't be so stupid! You can't choose your own husband! You'd choose someone entirely inappropriate!"

"Well who am I supposed to marry then?"

"Your Uncle Tanaka is a very suitable match,"

"No! Never! I will never marry that slimeball!"

"Hirona! How dare you speak about your father's friend in that way!" Her mother scolded.

"Mum, you can't be serious… I can't marry him! Anyone but him! He's old enough to be my father!" Hirona was in tears now.

"He's very suitable. He will look after you,"

"You mean he's rich,"

"Yes, and you will do good to remember that he will not hesitate to put you in your place," Hirona's father growled.

"Mum, please! Not him! I can't! I'll run away if I have to!"

"You will do no such thing! You ought to be grateful! You insolent little girl!" Her father smacked her hard across the mouth. Hirona ran from the room and began to pack. Later that night, she left a note saying she was leaving them;

Dear Mum and Dad.

I am running away. I cannot live with a family that does not love me enough to treat me as a human being and not an object, or one that is so greedy it will promise me to a man like Tanaka. I feel betrayed that you will deny me the freedom I crave. Remember that if I should die running away, I will have died at your hands. I wish you loved me as much as I used to love you.

Hirona

That was the last time she ever saw her parents. After that she seemed to spend her life running.

"Help him, Zuko. Put an end to the war,"

I'm on a roll now. I've got alot of inspiriation. Expect the next chapter up soon! Review please!