I AM SOOO SORRY!There was something wrong with the site (upgrades or something) and I was not able to sign on and update!Please don't hate me! Boo, hoo, but here is chapter 11 and I really hope you like it!(now for my previously planned author's note) WELL? I was hoping for a huge shocker that last chapter-wonder if I got the response I hoped for… I was really working hard to elude to Zhao being Zana's father and her scars, as in past chapters her sore scars were hinted towards and her thoughts have been interrupted when she was pondering about her past.Here's a REALLY long chapter for all of you who hunger for length in writing! Hope last chapter was a big enough surprise for all of you and keep on reading and reviewing!

Heart

Zhao…Zana's father is General Zhao… Zuko knew he had heard Zana's name before somewhere. She was that ruthless bastard's daughter-his only child and a viscously trained warrior. All he was able to was stare at Zana as Sokka lightly touched her bare shoulder. With a shaky breath, Zana stood. She snatched her clothing up in her clutches, "I'm not weak…" she growled more to herself than the others around her. She proceeded to storm off away from Zuko. Katara followed in her wake, but only after delivering a glare in the ex-Prince's direction. The Avatar and Sokka went after them silently.

Soon, only Iroh and Zuko were left. Iroh cautiously made his way to his nephew's side. Zuko had his eyesight focused on the spot where bright red drops of Zana's blood had spattered on the pebbles. Whatever shock he'd felt was abruptly overshadowed by hate. There was no reason for such abuse to be exhibited on any being, let alone an innocent person. He felt so protective-a feeling he hadn't experienced before. Zuko's hands balled and face contorted. His fists produced raging flames and blackened the ground around him with a malicious cry. He turned to his uncle, teeth bared. He needed a way to attempt to explain it to himself, so he took it out on Iroh. "How could a father do such a thing?" Zuko screamed. "Have you seen your reflection?" Iroh replied somberly.

Zuko's hand unconsciously went to his eye. He had been able to cut his ties to the Fire Nation with his topknot, but he couldn't erase his painful past-it would always be with him in his scar. There was a knowing look in Iroh's face. "You knew all along, didn't you-who her father was?" he accused his uncle. Iroh sighed, "Yes, Zuko, as a General and brother to the Fire Lord, it was my business to know all of the high-ranking officers and their families. I just never actually met Zana, but knew who she was as soon as she spoke her name. I did know, however, Zhao's irrational anger towards his household," he began to examine his sleeve as a minor distraction. "If you knew about it, then why allow it?" Zuko yelled, amber eyes wide in confused fury. "It was not my place-" "Uncle, you were one of the leaders of the Fire Nation Military and you couldn't do anything to stop such abuse on the home front? The least you could have done was tell me that she was Zhao's daughter, but I guess it's inevitable that I should hurt everyone I care for!" Zuko interrupted Iroh with a cry. He quickly shoved past his uncle in the direction of the forest.

Once he could no longer see or hear the river, Zuko stopped and stood slumped against a tree. That was the most pissed off Zuko had been in such a long time. Zana didn't deserve treatment like that. Zuko didn't care what it was for; he just knew that it was terribly wrong. His heart gave a twinge at the vivid picture playing over and over behind his eyelids of Zana. Her lean back had angry purple scars tracing in every direction, from the back of her neck, beneath her shirt to her waist, and ending somewhere below her leggings at the low of her back. Spinning around, Zuko prepared to set the tree ablaze to match his mood, but thought better of it in the forest and ended up punching it instead with all of his force. His body recoiled with a jolt of pain, but he did not flinch. Zuko just watched as the blood from his split knuckles mingled with that of Zana's now burnt, dry, and caked in his palm. He clenched his fist, causing more crimson liquid to trickle out and down with gravity to his elbow.

Zuko shook his hand a little to gain more feeling back and gave an aggravated sigh as he looked up into the bright green canopy illuminated by the blinding sun. He suddenly felt tears prick the backs of his eyes. He shut them tightly to block out the sensation. Zuko knew they weren't from pain-he had obviously dealt with worse, but they were for something else… I am getting emotional…not good… Zuko thought to himself. "This is stupid. I'm feeling this way over a girl I don't even care about," he scolded himself aloud until his mind reeled back to what he'd said to Iroh only moments before- "…it's inevitable that I should hurt everyone I care for." Did I really say that? Zuko thought. Then, there was the way he felt around Zana and what strange feelings she released inside of him; the previous night had been…stirring and he had enjoyed just being so close to her-there was no denying it. Zuko decided all of it was just too much of a distraction at that particular moment in his life-Zana herself was too distracting. Zuko knew that he couldn't deny the feelings he had for her to himself, but he sure as hell knew he could hide them. After all, he was trained well in hiding any and all emotions over the years. He decided to apologize, but never again give into his teenage whims.

Back at the river, Zana prepared to wash her wound. Her tears had dried, but not the shame she felt from shedding them. She knew she never should have dragged all of her friends into her past; it was just too complicated… "Zana!" Katara had caught up to her, "Zana, are you alright?" She had a genuine look of concern on her face. Aang and Sokka stepped up beside them. "I'm fine," Zana trailed off, watching the trickle of blood slow to constant drips to the earth. It wasn't the first time her scars had bled from a fight, it just hurt a little more coming from an irrational and testosterone infused Zuko.

"We have had a few run-ins with Zhao as well," Sokka spoke up, obviously remembering the confrontation at the North Pole with the pained expression on his face. "Then I am very sorry for you…" Zana averted her eyes in shame at her father's well-known and malicious actions. Even when she was banished she couldn't outrun his fame. She knelt down and ran her shirt in the running water; rinsing out all of the blood. It diluted and dispersed with the current. "Let me see it," Katara said. Zana could tell that she was obviously avoiding looking at any of her other scars along her back and arms. She did as she was told and the Water Bender gently examined the break in the discolored flesh. Without looking away, Katara summoned a ribbon of river water to encircle the area on Zana's arm. The cooling felt wonderful until the liquid began to shimmer and glow. She panicked a little at the tingling sensation that soon became a burning one. Abruptly, the water melted away from her forearm and Zana went to touch the wound, but it was gone.

"How did you do that?" she exclaimed in astonishment. Zana rubbed away the remaining dried blood as Sokka responded, "Katara is able to heal with water. It is an ability unique to only certain Water Benders." Zana turned towards her healer and gave a grateful smile. All of the pain and tightness had disappeared and even the scar itself had dissolved. "You know," Katara looked her in the eyes, "I can heal all of your scars, if you want…" Zana's smile faded, "Thank you so very much for the offer, but these are all my fault and I must live with my mistakes-whether they heal or not-" "What the hell are you talking about?" Sokka yelled, "Those aren't your fault, they are Zhao's!"

"No, they are mine," Zana pointed to a thick one on her shoulder, "Tardiness-" then to one on her side, "disobedience-" and finally to a scar as wide as a hand on the back of her neck, "for voicing my opinion…" Just like Zuko, thought Katara and Zana in unison, but neither said it aloud. Zana tugged her long-sleeved shirt over her head and hid any sign if scarring that was once visible. Katara realized that Zana wanted her father to love her, but she would never admit it. It was how she justified the burns to herself-that he cared enough to punish her appropriately. Though deep down, Zana was hurt from all of the abuse she had suffered throughout the years and they were unforgivable. The whole situation was twisted.

Zana turned and forced a toothy smile, "Come on, guys! I'm still Zana, scars of no scars, right?" She quickly embraced Katara and gave another thanks for the offer. She then went over to the still silent Aang and hugged him as well. Sokka was next and she threw her arms around his neck as she stretched on the tips of her toes. "Thank you for trying to protect me…it's been so long since I've had friends," Zana said into his ear. Sokka's body suddenly went rigid, "I…uh…don't think he sees it that way." She let go of him and turned to see Zuko approaching from the direction of the woods near their camp. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her waist-but why, she did not know. "I need to speak to Zana," Zuko dismissed the others, though his eyes never left hers. Zana motioned for the others to go and they reluctantly obeyed.

As they trudged, Aang's mind reeled. He hadn't been able to speak since he had seen Zana's scars. He just couldn't comprehend how one Nation could exhibit so much cruelty. Once again, Aang felt he had been gone and frozen for way too long and that if hadn't run away, so much pain and suffering could have been prevented. Now that he was back, though, he would never allow such things to happen again.

Zuko watched the receding backs of the Avatar and siblings. Tilting her head, Zana was able to catch Zuko's amber eyes. He unconsciously drifted to the spot where he had hurt her. "I'm fine now. Katara healed it…" she also focused on the damp spot of her shirt, "It never should have happened," Zana spoke as she slipped on her dark tunic and lashed it. "I know…" Zuko stuttered-he still wasn't any good at apologies, "I shouldn't have-" "No, it's my fault," Zana interrupted, "I never should have challenged you again. At least not while I was sore." Those words shocked him. He didn't expect Zana to take the blame. "But now I am all better, so can we pretend it never happened?" she began to ramble. Zuko heard none of it and tugged her into his arms.

It was an impulsive move, but he knew she needed it. "Why do you have to be so stubborn?" he grumbled quietly. Zana was instantly silent as her body tensed then relaxed. Zuko's arm held her softly across her shoulders while the other was buried in her hair, holding her against him with her head in the crook beneath his chin. She felt just as she had earlier that morning when she woke up-safe and warm. Zana gave a little muffled noise as she attempted talking into his chest. Zuko abruptly quieted her, "Look, this most likely won't happen again, so enjoy it while it lasts…"he half joked. His deep voice buzzed against Zana's cheek. She gave in and wrapped her slender arms around his waist. They stood there embracing each other and Zuko slowly shifted his head so he was able to press his lips against the top of her head. He couldn't help it-there was no stopping what he wanted to do at that point anyway, but it was obvious Zana needed consolation-even if she didn't voice it.

Her eyes sprang open at Zuko's touch on the top of her head. If she wasn't mistaken, then he had kissed her gently. At that moment, Zana knew their earlier kiss hadn't been a ploy to get her to shut up-not that she was dense enough to believe the lame excuse Zuko gave her, and that she was not only imagining that he had held her that previous night. How she loved that sensation… She could tell he'd changed so much since they had first met. For one, he seemed to actually trust her now and he wasn't nearly as violent. He was slowly but surely becoming the Prince who should be on the Fire Nation throne and Zana felt that there might be some salvation for the struck-down young man, yet.

Zuko released her and Zana's arms reluctantly slipped from his back. "I am so sorry," he almost whispered the apologetic words. She snapped back to reality, "But I-" "No, not just for hurting you," he interrupted, "but for everything-the way I mistreated you when I had no reason to, the way I was a poor sport about losing-" Zuko thought about apologizing for spying on her while she was bathing in the river, but he felt enough was enough and he didn't want to dig himself deeper. "All of which are inexcusable, but I hope you can forgive me…" Zana gave a wide grin and threw her arms around Zuko's neck enthusiastically, "There is nothing to be sorry for, but I forgive you." He had moved in leaps and bounds in the short time they had known each other and she highly commended that. He cleared his throat and she released him. Zuko's face quickly melted back to its usual somber expression and they made their way back to the others.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka stood with Zuko's Uncle Iroh, watching the interaction between the far off teens. As Zuko pulled Zana into an embrace, Iroh spoke, "She's such a good person. It truly is a shame who her father is, though…" Aang turned to him, "We have also been running from Zhao and we even had an encounter back up at the North Pole," he, as Sokka had, recalled the tragedy involving the Moon Spirit. "Yes: a brutal fighter with an even worse temper. A potentially deadly combination-much like Zuko before Zana came along," a smile played on Iroh's lips, "Come to think of it, the two of them could cause a lot of damage to the Fire Nation from the inside out if they just worked together." The old man kept watching his nephew thoughtfully before turning away.

The others soon followed, but Katara's mind spun-Zuko actually had a heart, and it was focused on Zana. No matter how much he denied it and thought he was concealing it well, there really was no hiding his feelings. The banished Prince who had nearly killed them on more than one occasion wasn't naturally a mean person; she knew that from her conversations with Zana, but he tried to keep his emotions heavily guarded inside of him. It was so he wouldn't get hurt again-emotionally or physically. Zuko needed to learn, however, that if he allowed his guard to drop once in a while, he might just be able to find what he was subconsciously searching for.

Zana and Zuko returned to the group a respectable distance from each other, not realizing that their small interaction had been watched. Aang grinned in greeting, "Hey, guys! Everything work out?" Zana gave a little nod in reply and only that because she didn't want to embarrass Zuko by bringing up his prior actions. Zuko hid his right hand behind hid back. The bleeding had stopped, but there was a large pattern of gashes instead. He didn't want there to be a big fuss over absolutely nothing. Sokka looked over at Zana, "So, General Zhao's your father?" Katara's eyes grew wide and she leaned over and slugged her older brother in the arm to make him shut up. He let out a pitiful whimper. "No, no it's fine," Zana spoke, sitting near the others. She got comfortable, splaying out her legs in front of her and leaning back on her elbows. "Yeah, he is. I just feel bad that all of you have had to suffer through him as well." Zuko sat down also, "I just can't imagine having to grow up with something like that." "At least I got to escape to the Fire Nation Training Academy for Girls for a few years. I actually got to meet Azula there…" Zana was talking more to Zuko than anyone else. His expression twisted to disgust, "You did?" "Yes, not to mention she was a pretty skilled fighter for her age. We were actually paired up back at the Academy-Azula had beaten every one of the younger students, so she began facing the upper class ones. Needless to say, I was the only one to defeat her and I was the first and only student to leave either of the Academies with a flawless record… Come to think of it, even you lost a scrimmage with a Master when you went to the Boys' Academy," Zana smiled coyly.

Zuko rolled his eyes. He, as Prince, had lost but one match and even Zana knew about it. If she had been so famous at the Academies, then why hadn't he met her before? It must have been where he heard Zana's name, though. What was even better was she had faced Azula and that meant he was not the only one who knew his little sister's techniques. That could have been used to their advantage if they were ever forced to face her in the future.

Suddenly, Sokka's stomach growled so loud they could hear it clear across the fire. He groaned and held his gut, "Oh man! We haven't eaten yet! I'm starving…" Zana giggled in response. "Fine, Sokka. We'll get you some food," Katara spoke up begrudgingly. She and Aang stood and made their way to the forest-they were all tired of having fish day after day. Soon, only Sokka, Zuko, Zana, and Iroh were left. The Double Bender righted herself, "I'd better get the fire going again." "I'll help," Zuko began to stand. "No, Sokka can help. He needs to get his mind off of his stomach anyway," Zana smiled and Zuko sat back down. A small scowl was plastered on his face. "But-" Sokka began to protest, but he didn't really have time as Zana was not listening and she tugged him to a standing position. Both figures soon disappeared into the glimmering woods.

"You care for her, Zuko," Iroh spoke over to his nephew. Zuko turned to him, ready to make an aggressive come back, but he truly was too tired of denying it. There was definitely something he felt for Zana. It could have been just a physical attraction; being a teenage boy with hardly a girl in sight that he would just latch onto the nearest moving thing with a differing anatomy from his, but he somehow felt it was more. If the first theory was true, then he would have felt something long ago for the Avatar's companion, Katara-even though they had been sworn enemies.

All Zuko was able to do was lay back on the beach and give an angry sigh in response to his Uncle's remark. "You know," Iroh began again, "there is absolutely no shame in emotions. They aren't a form of weakness, when shown correctly. Besides, I think she likes you too-why else would she be helping us so much?" His Uncle grinned a mischievous smile. Zuko gave a deep scoff, stood,and began to wander away from Iroh.

He pivoted and stared out into the glittering river. What if Uncle is right? What if Zana really does have feelings for me as well? Zuko questioned himself. He looked down and glared back at his reflection. There's no way she could care for me… The scar surrounding his golden eye caused his face to look far older than it actually was. Zuko heard laughter behind him. Over his shoulder, he was able to see Zana and Sokka returning with mounds of dry kindling in their arms. "Sokka, come on!" Zana snickered. He was such a child sometimes. His pile was a third of the size of hers and yet he had complained all the way back to the campsite. Zuko made his way over to the stack that they had made.

The Water Tribe boy had already collapsed in a groaning heap nearby. Zuko's brows raised in the humor of Sokka's laziness. Zana looked up from her work at the ex-Prince. They locked sight, but she quickly turned away and lit the fire in a matter of seconds. It was already a bit past midday and none of them had eaten anything yet. Sokka lay there clutching his stomach as if he were going to perish right then and there. "Such drama…" Zana whined playfully. Zuko smiled slightly in response, "I agree." Iroh watched Zana and Zuko's conversation. He was glad he had spoken up about the things he had seen in his Nephew. He knew it would be good for Zuko if he followed his heart instead if his temper for once.

Within moments of Zana and Sokka's return, there was an excited noise emanating from the forest. Soon, out sprang the Avatar and Katara followed slowly behind him. "Hey! Look what we found!" Aang yelled over to them. His pace increased and he held out his robes to reveal the plentiful amount of fruits and berries collected as if in an apron. Sokka suddenly sat up, rejuvenated by the very notion of food. Momo, the flying lemur reached down from his perch atop Aang's shoulder and snatched up a few berries for himself before the ravenous Sokka could get a hold of them all. "Food!" the young man cried and gobbled up nearly everything the Avatar had in his robes.

Aang gave an appalled look at the vast amount his friend was consuming. "Cool down, Sokka. It's all we were able to find," Katara had walked up behind Aang. She too had her clothing pulled up in a makeshift basket to carry the fruits and berries she had been able to collect. She looked over at Zana and shot her a questioning look as if to ask if she really were all right. Zana smiled and gave a little nod in response, assuring her friend. Zuko saw none f it, he was too distracted by the disgusting sight between Sokka and the fruit.

Zana went over and laid out her cloak on the uneven beach so Katara couldrelieveher load and Aang could do so with whatever was left after Sokka finished gorging. "Thanks," Katara said. "Welcome," Zana replied. Iroh made his way over to the two girls, "So, what have we here?" He began eyeing the colorful spread. Zana picked out two large papayas and some bright red berries and walked back over to Zuko. He had finally recovered from the sight of Sokka demolishing the fruit and the stuffed boy had laid himself out to digest. Zuko looked up at her. She caught his eye and tossed him one of the fruits she carried in her hands. He caught it easily enough and just watched Zana as she plopped down beside him and proceeded to peel her food. She popped one of the berries into her mouth and continued her work with a very serious expression on her face.

Zuko smiled and kept on staring. Zana looked up-she had felt his gaze set solely on her, "What?" she gave a little nervous laugh. He had been caught, "Oh…uh…nothing." Zana frowned, "Do I have something on my face?" her hand self-consciously went to her cheek. Zuko reached over and brushed her hand away, "No, it's just you looked so funny-" "Funny? Funny how?" Zana sounded a bit offended. "Not like that…I mean," Zuko stuttered, "just so serious." Zuko playfully mimicked her expression. She gave a giggle, "Yeah, I tend to do that." Her eyes matched the smile on her face. No one had looked at him that way before… Could she actually have feelings for me? Zuko asked himself. He quickly looked away and concentrated on his own fruit.

Zuko had actually made a small joke in Zana's opinion. She knew she had a tendency to take things, like the smallest tasks for instance, very seriously and Zuko had noticed. Not only had he seen it, but he had made a joke… It was mildly shocking. Zana looked over at him. Zuko was focused and he finished peeling quickly and with ease. Taking a bite of the bright orange fruit, he turned to Zana. "You all right?" one of his eyebrows rose quizzically. "Oh…yeah!" she smiled and readjusted her vision on her own papaya.

From across the fire, Katara tossed in another couple of sticks and watched as they caught. "Katara?" Aang whispered so no one else could hear through their own conversations. "Huh?" she replied, equally as quiet. "Well, I think we really need to decide on what we are going to do for our next move. I mean, Zuko, Iroh, and Zana are part of the group now and I think we have to make the decision as a whole. Zana I have no problem asking, but I am still not so comfortable around Zuko-not that I'm a coward or anything-" "Don't worry, I'll talk to Zana tomorrow and then she'll talk to Zuko," she said, knowing full well how hard it was for Aang to admit that he needed help when he should be the one saving the world. Katara gave him a warm smile and turned back to the flames.

The conversation slowed as the sun began to set beyond the horizon. The tops of the trees were lit on fire with brilliant colors and the constantly flowing river glittered like a gem in the twilight. Sokka had long since passed out from the large amount of food he had consumed and the others were growing weary. Though they had all rested well that day, it did not fully make up for the days of non-stop travel they had endured. Aang spoke up with a wide yawn, "Guess we're staying here for the night again." Zana looked over at the Avatar. He was so full of energy and life that she sometimes forgot he was still just a kid. That was exactly what Aang looked like to her-a boy just begging on the inside to sleep, but not wanting to seem infantile to the older travelers. Zana also yawned back in an agreeing reply.

Without looking up from the crackling fire, Zuko spoke, "We have been very careless lately and no one has stayed up to keep watch." The others locked eyes-they hadn't really thought about it. Every one of those nights they could have been found and not known what had happened. "We'll take shifts throughout the night," Zuko continued, "I can go first. I'm not tired." Zana turned to him, "Then I can go. Iroh-" she was about to ask Iroh if he felt rested enough to have a turn keeping watch, but the old man was already sound asleep nearby. Zana stifled a smile. Katara spoke up, "I can do the next shift, then Aang. I wouldn't bother trying to wake Sokka-he'll be of no use even if we are able to wake him. He'll probably just fall asleep on duity," she motioned to her snoring brother. "Then it's settled!" Aang said cheerfully before laying back and closing his eyes. Katara soon did the same.

Zana turned to start a conversation with Zuko-she wasn't really that tired anyway, but he was gone. Looking up, she saw his receding back headed towards the river. The last rays of light were retreating over the treetops and they cast a warm glow over his now sitting frame. Zana decided to lay her head back and she just watched as Zuko's body didn't move. She sighed deeply while the darkness began to slowly set in. Zuko's frame slowly began to relax and his shoulders slumped. She knew that if he thought that anyone was awake, Zuko wouldn't even think of letting his guard slip; even that slight amount. Zana sat up as quietly as she could and made her way over to him.

Zuko stared silently at the river's current. The water lapped inches from his feet and, in an odd way, it calmed him. He was startled by a small noise beside him as Zana appeared at his side. "W-what are you doing awake?" he stuttered a bit and sat up as straight as he could. "I just thought you looked lonely and needed some company," she gave him a warm smile. Zuko averted his gaze to the deep violet sky. The moon was beginning to peek through a few blue-tinted clouds that had gathered with the twilight. "This may seem random, but do you get that…you know…high from the moon like a Water Bender as it is with the sun and Fire Benders?" he couldn't help but ask-he was curious to learn more about Zana. Zuko turned to her and waited for a response. Zana returned the look, "I guess you could call it that. It is a pretty similar feeling-that surge you feel like there is nothing that could possibly be stronger or better than you. No Non-Benders can even begin to comprehend it." Zana's legs stretched out in front of her and she placed her palms flat behind her back.

Just as the moon cleared the clouds, the curve of her spine became more defined as it arched a little with the "high" of her element. Zuko couldn't help but stare as the silver light illuminated her fair features and every outline of her body. His breath caught in his throat as a different side of him started to show through. Zana was beautiful and, by the Spirits, he wanted to kiss her so badly it was painful…