Hey guys! Look! It's the last chapter of Book One! Whoo whoo! Well, I'm not going to keep you any longer from the daddy/daughter fluff, so I'll stop talking now.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender, or its characters. I just plot the demise of M. Shyamalan. What do you think: frying pan or civics textbook?

Aiko's POV

I stare in amazement at that man who sired me. He laughs, a deep belly laugh that I immediately love.

"Maybe we should sit down," he suggest, gesturing at two stumps I'm positive weren't there before. "So how's your mother?" he asks casually once we're seated. My eyes sting with tears, and I swipe them away with the back of my hand. He frowns. "What is it? Did something happen?" I take a shaky breath.

"Mom died in a house fire when I was nine," I whisper softly. Dad's face crumbles, and he pulls me into a hug.

"I'm so sorry dear. I didn't know. I wasn't able to know. You were so far from the Northern Water Tribe. I know Akemi wanted to keep you safe, and I agree….but I missed out on so much." He squeezes tighter, and I hug him back. He finally releases me and we go back to our seats. "So what's been going on?"

"It's a long story," I sigh.

"I have a way," Dad says cautiously. "I can access your memories, if you let me." I hesitate, then nod. He reaches out and places his hand on my forehead. I feel someone entering my mind, and I can't suppress a shudder. The presence withdraws, and Dad leans back. "That's an awful lot to happen to someone who's only sixteen," he comments.

"I blame you," I say with a smile so he knows I'm joking.

"I thought your heritage would give you some problems," Dad replied, running his hands through his short hair. I shrug.

"I'd rather them than someone else's problems." Just then the ground shudders, and I gasp, feeling dizzy. Dad looks up, frowning.

"I'm sorry dear, but I have to send you back. You're needed. Continue on with the path you have chosen." I nod, and pull him in for one last hug. He releases me after a few moments. "I have something for you." Dad digs into his pocket, and pulls out a bracelet. It's made of woven thread, with a small pearl somehow set in the center. He gently takes my arm and ties it around my wrist. "It doesn't do anything, but I thought you might like it," he adds with a sheepish grin.

"I love it," I reply.

"I'm going to send you back now." A wind picks up, gentle at first, but slowly gaining strength. "Oh, and that firebender's a keeper! Just tell him that I'll come after him if he so much as harms a hair on your head!" Dad shouts over the wind.

"We're not dating!" I growl right before a bright light envelopes me.

I open my eyes. I'm lying on my back in the spot where Zuko and Katara were fighting. Someone's dragged me out of the way to a small gathering of trees. I look up, and notice that the moon is blood red, giving everything an eerie glow. Quietly sitting up, I spot Zhao holding a wriggling bag. I'd give everything to say this is his fault. Growling, I attempt to bring a wave of water down on his head, but nothing happens. It probably has something to do with the moon. I pull out my fans and run forward. Soldiers step in front of him, shooting bursts of flame at me. I flip over their heads, landing in a crouch.

"I wouldn't do that dear," Zhao warns. "After all, I have the moon spirit right here." He lifts up the sack. I gasp. "Now drop your weapons." Slowly, I let my fans slip out of my hands to the ground. Soldiers come up behind me and secure my arms behind my back. Zhao chuckles, stepping forward to run his finger down my cheek. "Poor Aiko. Maybe now you'll take up my offer." His finger lingers on my lips, and I lunge with a snarl, attempting to bite it. The soldiers yank me back though. "You'll be punished for that girl," Zhao threatens. I step back, Zhao following to slap me. I slam my head against a column, and that's all I remember for a long time.

I wake up to Iroh a few inches from my face.

"Gah!" I yell while scrambling backwards. Iroh leans down to help me to feet.

"Come on dear, we must hurry and find Zuko to leave before we are discovered." I take his hand and stand. I feel a wave of nausea and groan. "What's the matter?" Iroh asks with a concerned look.

"Nothing. I just need to start wearing a helmet." He chuckles at that, and we quickly leave the grassy area. We hurry down streets, taking random turns until we meet up with Zuko.

"There you are!" Iroh exclaims.

"Now what?" Zuko asks.

"Oh! I know!" I say triumphantly. The two firebenders look at me expectantly. "There's an area where they keep boats to send the exiles off on! No one should be there right now. Come on!" I take off running, Zuko easily keeping pace, and Iroh huffing and puffing behind us. We run for a few minutes until we reach a small cove with rafts lined up along the shore.

"This is a boat?" Zuko asks with a deadpan face.

"So I may have exaggerated a little. But I'd like to see you come up with a better idea!" I retorted, placing my hands on my hips.

"There is no time for fighting," Iroh says as he steps between us. "Get on the boat!" I stick my tongue out at Zuko before following Iroh onto the boat. Zuko climbs on, and I start bending the water around us. Humming under my breath, I block out Zuko and Iroh's conversation to give them a little privacy. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch Zuko lie down and Iroh walk over to me. We sit in silence as the moon slowly follows its path through the sky.

Well, this has been the season finale. So, I'm going to take a short two week break so I can work on my other stories. Because I have been seriously ignoring them. But two weeks from now, I'll pick right back up. I've already written the chapter and everything. I just don't want to deplete my stockpile while I'm not adding to it. Review!