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

Chapter 14

Zuko had been swimming in the lake when he heard a strangled scream. At first he wasn't sure if it had been a bird or some other animal, but he decided to investigate. As he followed the lake in the direction Hirona had gone, he heard an angry voice and a whimper of pain. He sped up, sprinting in the direction of the noise. He ducked as something came flying towards him through the trees. When he stood, he realised it was a someone. He realised it was Hirona. "Oh God," Zuko pressed to fingers to her neck, searching for a pulse. "No, you can't be dead, you just can't be! I- I love you!" He pleaded. There! A pulse! It was fairly strong, and Zuko's heart leaped. She would live. Her eyes flickered open for a second, then she mumbled, "Zuko. Flint's here," He stood and turned to see a young man with hollow eyes staring at him.

"You deserve to die. Both of you," His word were slow and his eyes were unfocused. He had no idea what he was doing, here in the forest, blinded by guilt, and grief. He ran forward and punched Zuko in the stomach. Zuko doubled over in pain, then attacked using all his force. Flint flew backwards and there was a sickening crunch as he hit the floor. His neck had broken, and he was dead. Zuko swallowed hard. The first person he'd ever killed. "Zuko…" Hirona's weak voice reached his ears.

"I'm here," He took her hand and smoothed back her hair. There was a gash on her forehead, and sticky, drying blood stained her face down one side. "He's gone?"

"Yes, he's gone… For good this time,"

"He's dead?"

"Yes… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" Hirona held up a shaking hand.

"He wouldn't have lived much longer in his state anyway,"

"What do you mean?"

"Check his wrists," Zuko approached the corpse of the young boy cautiously, almost as though he were afraid he would jump up at any moment. He stared at it's wrists. There were cuts running all the way up his lower arm at regular intervals. Flint had been self-harming.

"Iroh,"

"General Iroh, please say something,"

"Hello? Iroh?" Iroh stared into space as if he was in another world. Sadness was painted all over his tired face, and he looked older than he usually did. A villager came running up to the guard. "Flint's dead! He was murdered! Hirona and her boyfriend are alive!" He panted, looking both horrified and angry. Iroh looked up.

"He's… alive?" He said, his eyes full of hope.

"Why did you end up falling off the cliff?" Hirona asked Zuko in a weak voice.

"I was kicked off,"

"By Flint?"

"Yes," Zuko was worried about her. He had done what he could for the gash on her forehead, but she had still lost a lot of blood. Her breathing was shallower than normal, and her eyes were darting about uncertainly. "Drink this," He ordered, giving her a drink his uncle had taught him to make to give an injured person. Zuko remembered complaining at the time that he would never use it. How wrong he was. Hirona drank it, coughing at the disgusting taste, but she trusted Zuko to make her better, and so continued to swallow. After 15 minutes, her breathing was better and her vision was focused. She fell into a deep sleep.

Zuko struggled to keep his eyes open. He knew he should keep watch, but he was so tired… No! He felt himself drifting into unconsciousness. Stay awake Zuko. Don't let your guard down… He found himself concentrating on the flames of the small fire he had made to keep Hirona warm. He made them dance and twirl, and was distracted from the exhaustion that crept up on him. He fell back into the sand, asleep.

Zuko opened his eyes. He was in his bed! How was that possible? Even stranger, he was dressed in his nightclothes. He got up and left the room, searching for his uncle. He found the captain first. "Prince Zuko sir! We are so glad to see you awake!"

"What happened?" The prince demanded.

"We found you and Miss Hirona on the island sir. We brought you back here, and got you cleaned up," The captain sounded quite pleased with himself.

"And my uncle?"

"Sorry sir,"

"The Avatar?"

"The village have them,"

"Take me to Hirona," The captain led the way to the infirmary, where Hirona lay in a bed, still in the clothes she had been found in. Zuko smirked. The crew obviously weren't brave enough to remove her clothes themselves. She was asleep, but as they approached, she opened bleary eyes. "Zuko? Why do I feel like I've been hit over the head by a ten ton boulder?"

"How do you feel?" The captain asked.

"I just told you,"

"Can you remember anything?" Zuko interrupted the captain as he opened his mouth to speak. "Dismissed, captain," he added quickly.

"I remember Flint… You killed him… I remember you talking to me… You were asking me to wake up, to be okay. You said, you said you loved me…" She blinked, then stared up at Zuko. "It was probably just a dream…"

"No. It wasn't," Hirona's face lit up.

"It was real? You really…?" Zuko decided it was time to swallow his pride, and admit what he had tried so hard to keep hidden.

"I love you Hirona," He managed to choke out, then turned away, for fear she would laugh.

"Zuko, turn around!" She smiled. He did, and she sat up and kissed him on the lips. "I love you too," Zuko felt light headed. Never in his life had anyone said that to him. Not even Iroh. "Where's everyone else?" Hirona suddenly asked, looking confused.

"They're back on the island," Zuko said guiltily.

"What? We have to get them back!" He nodded.

"I'm going to go and talk to the captain about a plan of action. You stay here and get some rest,"

"But I want to help!" Hirona tried to stand but fell back.

"Nonsense," Zuko said firmly. "You're in no fit state to do anything just yet," Hirona nodded in angry submission and fell back against her pillows.

"Zuko's alive," Iroh said slowly, as if to reassure himself. He looked up at everyone else and beamed. "Thank the gods!" Aang grinned back.

"Iroh, you're okay again! Now, do you have any idea how to get out of this?" Iroh's face changed from happiness to one of deep concentration. He inspected the locks on his wrists.

"This could be difficult," He mused in a fairly cheerful voice, as if he was deciding on a Pai Sho strategy and not on an escape plan.

"Oh brilliant, the great army general has no idea how to get out of this either," Sokka said scathingly.

"I never said that," Iroh replied coolly. "I just said it would be difficult,"

"Ignore my brother," Katara said urgently. "Do you know of a way to escape, General?"

"Yes, but it will be tricky," Iroh said at last.

I know it took a while, but the next chapter is up! Reveiw!