A.N: Wow! That was fast! I'm stealing some time from my insanely big amount of homework to upload this so I'll be quick. Read, Enjoy and Review please

Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the plot


Store Away

They had been traveling for weeks now and the weather just kept getting cooler. Zuko didn't have a problem with this. It merely gave him an excuse to practice more of his bending. Besides, cold meant that they would be reaching the North Pole. He would soon see Katara again. Over the weeks he saw less and less from Lia. She had found some information about his mother's location and was traveling all around the Earth Kingdom to check whether they were true. Zuko had a feeling that they wouldn't be. He just couldn't imagine his mother on a city like Omashu or Ba Sing Se. But then again he judged by what his Uncle had told him.

Speaking of his Uncle, he was currently pestering him about his music night. Zuko had known that Sungi Horn was a bad idea the moment he had set eyes on it. When he was younger he learnt to play it, in an effort to best Azula on something. It was a difficult instrument and his prodigy sister didn't have the patience to study. Zuko himself didn't really like playing it either, especially in front of others. He'd rather die than admit it, but he had a terrible stage fright. So when his Uncle threw the idea of him playing with the rest of the crew, Zuko flat out refused. That had happened a week before, and ever since Iroh had been constantly bugging him.

Tonight was music night. After one last unsuccessful attempt to convince him, Iroh left for the deck. Zuko was sitting in his room wishing against all hope that Lia would appear. He hadn't had a chance to speak or spar with her for quite some time. Hearing the door open and guessing it was his Uncle he said:

"For the last time, I'm not playing the Sungi Horn."

"No," his Uncle told him, "it's about our plans. There's a bit of a problem."

Zhao appeared behind him. "I'm taking your crew." He announced.

"What?" Zuko was on his feet now.

"I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole."

"Uncle, is that true?" Zuko asked refusing to believe him.

"I'm afraid it is." The old General said. "He's taking everyone. Even the cook!"

"I'm sorry you won't be there to see me capturing the Avatar, but I can't have you getting in my way again." Zhao turned to inspect the room. Iroh barely managed to restrain his nephew from attacking the Admiral.

Zhao's glance fell on pair of broadswords. He picked one. Zuko behind him paled. He cannot figure it out. He can't guess I was the Blue Spirit. There are probably hundreds using this type of weapons. He thought desperately.

"I didn't know that you were skilled with broadswords Prince Zuko." Zhao said on a flat voice trying the one he was holding.

"I'm not. They're antiques. They're just decorative." Zuko answered in such a calm voice, it surprised himself.

"Have you heard of the Blue Spirit General Iroh?" Zhao proceeded to ask in the same flat voice.

"Just rumors." Iroh answered. "I don't think he is real."

"He is real alright." Zhao approached them and handed the sword to Iroh. "He's a criminal and an enemy to the Fire Nation. But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon." He turned to leave. "General Iroh, my offer to join the mission still stands, if you change your mind." With that he left.

Meanwhile on the North Pole:

The healing lesson was interesting. Katara hated to admit it, but she could definitely use what she had learned with Zuko chasing them around. She couldn't understand it, but whenever she thought of the Prince she felt her heart flutter with something very different than fear. While the little girls carried out the body that was used for the lesson she approached Yugoda.

"Thanks for the lesson." She said.

"So who's the lucky boy?" the old woman asked interested.

"Excuse me?" Katara asked surprised.

"Your betrothal necklace." Yugoda explained. "You're getting married, right?"

Katara smiled sheepishly. "No, I don't think I'm ready for that." She said. For La's name I'm only fourteen! "My grandmother gave my mother that necklace and my mother passed it down to me."…

Once out of the hut Katara felt her head ready to burst. It wasn't that much the story of her Gran-Gran running away. She was a really brave woman after all. No, there was another thing that bothered her. A betrothal necklace! He tried to bribe me with a betrothal necklace! He more or less asked me to marry him! Why would he? Did he even know what this necklace meant? Or it was for him, like Aang, a mere sentimental trinket. He seemed so caring though, even if he didn't want anyone to understand it. But why wouldn't he? His Uncle seemed such a gentle man. He even reprimanded him for not ensuring my comfort. Why didn't Zuko tell him the truth?

She walked back and forth through the town, not paying attention to what was happening around her. Either way she looked at all her encounters with Zuko, he had never tried to hurt her. He even made sure that she was safe and had offered her and Sokka their freedom when he had the Avatar in his hands. Katara stopped on a bridge looking down at the water. Could it be that Zuko had… feelings for her?

Back to the ship now:

"Good luck!" Iroh called to their ex-crew. Ever since Zhao's visit, Zuko had locked himself in his room and didn't come out even to farewell his crew. To his surprise Iroh was assured both by Jee and many other members of the crew that they understood. They didn't want to leave the Prince they had traveled with for three long years. They had gradually come to respect the lonely boy as their leader. After the men had left Iroh went to his nephew. He would have to come out eventually. It wasn't healthy to stay inside for so long.

"The crew wanted me to wish you safe travels." He told to the bitter boy.

"Good riddance to those traitors" was the only answer he got. He tried again.

"It's a lovely night for a walk. Why don't you join me? It would clear your head." Silence was the only answer. "Oh, just stay in your room and sit in the dark. Whatever makes you happy." He left humming.

Lia was once again walking at the grey line between the worlds. Whenever she visited this cursed place it was even worse. Last time there was just fog. Now there was fog and icy winds. The Spirits really hated her. She had chosen to come here because of her visions. The last days she kept having visions of explosions. She hoped that being so close to the Spirit World would help clear her mind. She suddenly paused mid-step. The vision was once again playing through her mind. A ship burning to flames… She knew this ship. It was a small Fire Navy one. If only she could remember how she knew it. Then it came to her. Zuko. It was his ship that was burning down. She had to return to the physical world.

Zuko was still lying to his bed, starring at the ceiling. His mind was completely blank. After rescuing the Avatar from Zhao he had hoped not to hear again from the Admiral. But the Spirits just had to hate him. He heard a crackle from his door.

"Uncle?" he asked rising, a little afraid. He opened the door. "Uncle is that you?" He jumped to the corridor ready to strike. There was no one there. Even this unnerved him. The ship was eerily quiet. Cautiously he made his way to the main room of the ship. Still there was no one there.

Lia jumped out of the in-between zone a few feet away from the ship. She saw Zuko's shadow moving in front of some windows and the pirates leaving hastily. Wait a minute! Pirates? She ignored them and hovered to the air. She had to reach the ship in time.

Zuko looked around suspiciously. He was sure he had heard something. He turned to look out of a window, when he saw that pirate's pet. Suddenly he understood what he had heard. He turned to leave but his time was up. The blasting jelly exploded and fire was coming towards him He had never thought his element would seem to him so menacing.

Right before the fire would consume him, a figure jumped from the shadows and took the hit. He could only watch mesmerized Lia being embraced by the very element she was. Fire seemed to welcome her like an old friend. It twisted and turned under Lia's complete control. Zuko only now understood exactly how much power his, seemingly harmless, friend had. Azula's firebending was nothing in front of this. The Spirit created a sphere of fire and placed them inside it. The power of the explosion threw them out of the window and into the water.

The impact on the water nearly knocked Zuko unconscious. Struggling for breath he saw Lia calmly disappear under the surface. He panicked, afraid that she would drown. He was ready to dive after her when she re-emerged, all the fire vanished. She took hold of his shoulder dragging him with her towards land. Once out of the water Zuko hugged her tightly. She gave him a watery smile returning the embrace.

"Why is it always that I find you in near-death situations?" she asked him.

They took shelter on an abandoned flat near the port. Zuko was pacing restless, cursing Zhao for blowing his ship. Lia was equally angry at the Admiral for even thinking to harm her little "brother". Her thoughts turned to Iroh; he would be probably worried sick by now. The Spirit turned from the window, where she had been watching people pass, to see Zuko sinking on the floor, his head on his hands.

"What am I going to do now Lia?" he asked her.

She sat next to him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulders.

"You can still go to the North Pole." She said.

"With what ship? Everyone will probably think I'm dead."

"Exactly! Prince Zuko is considered dead. Which means that no one would pay attention on another faceless soldier who joined Zhao's fleet." She stood, letting him think her idea, as she retrieved a bag from a corner on the room.

"What's this?" he asked her.

"A few things that were saved from the explosion." She gave it to him. "Your Dao swords, the dagger your Uncle gave you, the Blue Spirit mask and a few other things."

While Zuko was going over the contents of the bag, Lia went back at the window.

"What about Iroh?" she asked.

"I don't know" Zuko sighed. "He probably thinks I didn't survive and I don't want to let him in the dark, but I also don't want him to be in danger."

"If you're going to infiltrate Zhao's ship you'll need back-up. A tangible one." She added seeing him ready to protest.

"But how am I supposed to find him in the city?" he asked defeated.

Lia smiled. "Leave this to me."

A few minutes later a black, golden-eyed cat was running the streets following the scent of a certain retired General. She found him still standing where the ship was once docked. Lia felt bad for the poor old man as she approached him. She started tugging the edge of his robe until he looked down to her surprised. She motioned with her head for him to follow her and he complied curious.

A few blocks later they arrived at the flat where she and Zuko had hidden. The cat motioned him to go inside and Iroh did feeling even more surprised. He sensed that there was something different about the animal, but couldn't put his finger on it. Nevertheless he opened the door. Inside he saw the figure of a teenaged boy who seemed to be packing a bag. Upon hearing the door opening his shoulders tensed.

"Uncle?" he asked uncertainly turning.

"Zuko? Thank Agni you are alive!" his Uncle cried rushing to hug him. From a corner of the room the cat winked.

She will be bugging me for this until we reach the North Pole. Zuko thought. "I'm going to infiltrate Zhao's fleet." He said aloud to his Uncle. The older man looked at him determined.

"I will be coming with you." He announced.

The next day Iroh visited Zhao with the news of Zuko's "death".

"I'm devastated to hear for Prince Zuko. Just devastated." He said. Lia was watching them unseen, at Zuko's request, and frowned upon hearing it. She overheated his tea, hoping to burn him.

"The Fire Lord will not be pleased when he learns who was responsible."

"You know who was behind the attack?" Zhao asked with hidden nervousness.

"Yes, pirates. We had a run with the a while back. They wanted revenge." Zhao hid a smile taking a sip. He was burned.

"So, have you reconsidered my offer?" he asked.

"Yes." Iroh said. "I accept. It will be an honor to serve as your General. To the Fire Nation!" he toasted raising his cup.

"To victory!" Zhao completed.

Inside Zhao's flagship Iroh was talking with a soldier.

"Our plan is working perfectly. Zhao didn't suspect a thing."

"You didn't have to do this." Zuko told him.

"No nephew of mine will store away on a ship without some back-up." Iroh repeated Lia's words.

"Thank you Uncle." A door closed somewhere near.

"Someone's coming!" Iroh said. "Stay hidden until we reach the North Pole and the Avatar will be yours." With that they parted ways.