AN: Sorry it took me so long to update. I had a bit of trouble with what I would do next. I had several different ideas for the last chapter, the family reunion, and the one I used just...confused what I had planned for the next chapter. So I really had to think about this chapter. There's not a lot of Zuko/Maida interaction, I'm still working on that aspect. This chapter is essential though, despite it's...diversity I guess you could say.

Now you are all thinking, when is this girl gonna shut up so I can read the chapter she took so bloody long to write? That would be...about now. I will have a new chapter of Agni and Shasa out sometime this week. I SWEAR BY ALL THAT IS MONKEY!

Chapter 14: Debts Repaid

The sun set on the glorious day in which the royal family of the Fire Nation was reunited, and most of the world slept happily, for all remembered the world-wide search the Fire Lord had gone on to find his missing daughter. To know that, 13 years later, she was home and safe lightened all hearts.

But all was not well in the camp of the Punir. The cries of women were heard throughout the woods, lamenting those who had fallen to the blade of the Cold Flame. General Lakan had trouble finding the twenty men Ajayi had asked for, so many of their ranks had been killed in the massacre.

Despite the losses, General Lakan was not one to be soft-hearted, and had summoned the necessary number of warriors, even from mourning if the need presented itself.

Miko had begged and pleaded to come, feeling Maida's betrayal personally. How could she have done this to him? And what did she mean by Ajayi had betrayed her? Ajayi looked after them all. Miko had barely been able not to cry when he walked through the massacre of bodies Maida had left. Now he'd been denied his way to escape it all, for they said he was too young.

So, now he was curled up behind the curtain, waiting for Ajayi to come and tell the soldiers where he wanted them to go, what the special mission was. And then he would follow them. They would welcome his help before the night was through. He would repay his debt to Maida for all she'd done.

Ajayi entered the tent, his normally white robes spotted with grass, dirt, and blood. His hood was down, the scar on his face clear, nearly identical to the one the Fire Lord sported. He spoke gruffly to Lakan and the men but from his spot Miko could not understand what was being said.

Lakan nodded and the men filed out after Ajayi. They formed lines and marched in unison after Ajayi as he led the way through the woods and Miko followed.

It seemed that they'd been walking for hours, but the soldiers were silent, and Lakan walked half a step behind Ajayi, uncomplaining. Miko was tired and sore, but he kept walking. He would repay Maida's betrayal with his own. She would regret leaving him.

Unable to sleep, the Fire Lord silently stood and left his bed. Katara stirred lightly as he left, but did not wake. Drawing a light crimson robe over his form, Zuko sighed and walked out. His footsteps were silent as he headed down the hallway.

He stepped into Amulya's room and knelt by the sleeping prince's bed. Amulya clutched a small dragon doll to his chest and murmured something in his sleep as Zuko brushed a strand of black hair from his son's face. He bent to lay a gentle kiss against the prince's forehead before he left just as quietly as he came.

It still felt strange to walk down the hall to his daughter's room, an act he hadn't done for thirteen years. The door opened without a sound and he stepped in, careful to be silent. The last thing he'd want to do was wake…

"Oh! You scared me!"

Zuko jumped slightly and then shut the door, quickly regaining his calm.

"And you've returned the favor."

He turned to find Maida smiling at him from where she sat on her window sill. The window itself was thrown open, the crimson curtains shifting in the warm, gentle night breeze.

"Couldn't sleep, father?"

Zuko couldn't help but return her smile. "I rarely do anymore."

He crossed the room to stand beside her and she turned her head to look out the window. Hessair was calmly flying through the low night clouds, every now and then turning to fly on his back. Maida laughed lightly.

"He's been doing that all night."

Zuko chuckled and awkwardly ran a hand through her hair.

"I know. It's kept me up. Hessair still hasn't gotten it through his thick head that I need to sleep at night."

Maida laughed and leaned in to his touch. Hessair turned his head their way before landing and curling up next to Akierin's sleeping form in the courtyard below them. Zuko smiled gently as Maida laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

"Are you happy Maida?"

She smiled. "Yes, I'm happy."

Zuko sighed contentedly. Slowly, the moon broke through the clouds and gave its gentle light to the world. He remembered the story Katara had told him about the Water Princess Yue giving up her life so that the Moon Spirit could survive.

"Maida, look."

Maida opened her eyes to behold the change on the world brought by the moon's emergence.

"It's beautiful."

Zuko gazed up into the moon itself, and Maida looked at him. He looked so thoughtful; she could hardly believe this was her father. Barely a day before she'd wondered what it would have been like, now she knew. It was strange.

"Your mother told me once of Princess Yue and the Moon Spirit. About 23 years ago, a Fire Nation Admiral killed the Moon Spirit to take away the water-benders' advantage in battle."

Maida stared at him, horrified. "How could someone do such a thing?"

Zuko shrugged. "That same Admiral tried to have me killed a short while before, and I was the Fire Prince, so you couldn't really put anything past him."

She snuggled into his chest and he placed an arm around her shoulders. "What happened next?"

"Well, Princess Yue, your mother, your uncle, and mine drew up the koi fish that was the Moon Spirit, but it was too late. I was barely awake."

"What happened to you?"

Zuko chuckled. "Your mother knocked me unconscious a little while beforehand."

Maida's eyes widened. "Why'd she do that?"

Zuko smiled. "That is a much longer story."

Maida returned his catching smile. "All right, tell me what happened to the Moon Spirit."

"Well, when Princess Yue was born, she was sick. The healers said she wouldn't last three days. Her parents took her to the oasis and asked the Moon Spirit to help. The Moon Spirit gave Yue life. When the Moon Spirit was killed, Yue gave that life back."

Maida turned her head down slightly. "So she gave up her life so that the Moon Spirit could live?"

Zuko nodded. "Not only that, but in return for her gift, she became part of the Moon Spirit."

He turned his head up to the full moon above them and Maida followed his gaze.

"She's up there?"

"I like to think so. I met Yue, when we were both little, and she struck me then as a strong person. You truly have to be strong to give up your life for someone else."

Maida nodded and Zuko continued. "Now, every time I see the moon, I silently thank Princess Yue for what she did. Without her, I wouldn't have your mother, I wouldn't have Amulya, and I wouldn't have you."

Maida leaned back into her father as he hugged her tighter to him. "She gave up her life so others could live. I wish I had that strength."

"Maybe you do. We never know until faced with the decision."

Maida nodded and suddenly tried to stifle a yawn. Zuko laughed. He picked her up and carried her to her bed. She slipped beneath the blankets and smiled as he sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.

She took his hand in her own and smiled. "Stay with me until I fall asleep?"

He nodded and she closed her eyes. After a few moments, he started humming a simple song his own mother used to sing to him. She smiled.

"I love you father."

"I love you too Maida."

Minutes passed and soon Zuko carefully slipped his hand from hers as she fell asleep. A gentle kiss to her brow, and he left as silently as he had come.

They had reached a waterfall and Ajayi allowed the men to rest. The soldiers formed small groups and talked about what their special mission might be. Miko sat down, gasping for breath. He wasn't used to this kind of exertion, not even in his training as an earth-bender.

But he couldn't rest long, for now Ajayi was speaking.

"There is a tunnel beneath these falls. It will lead us beneath the Fire Palace in Sozun, and from there we will kill the Royal Family. Then peace shall reign once more!"

The men cheered, and Miko smiled. This war would soon be over and they would win. There was no doubt in his mind.

Ajayi smiled. "Follow me."

They descended into the caves behind the falls, following their leader thoughtlessly, never thinking for an instant that he might be leading them astray. Miko was moments behind them.

Trapped as he was behind the soldiers, Miko couldn't see Ajayi's torch, so all he could do was follow the shapes in the dark ahead of him. He prayed to whatever god was there that he didn't get lost.

After a good while of non-stop walking, Miko had fallen into a state of lethargy, his mind and body numb, and all he could think about was putting one foot in front of the other, again and again. A soldier would say this was a bad thing, for one had to be alert at all times. But, looking back, one would say this stupor saved the poor boy's life.

Miko didn't realize that the soldier in front of him had paused briefly until it was too late and he ran flat into him. Falling to the cold stone, Miko cringed, waiting for the reprimand.

"Hey watch…Miko?"

The soldier was looking down at him, the poor thirteen-year old stood sharply, prepared for whatever came next.

"What are you doing here?" It was Yao, one of his father's friends.

"Please sir! You know I'm a good fighter and you know I'd be helpful on this mission, getting into the palace and all. I'm small; I wouldn't be noticed as easy."

Yao sighed. "I'm sure Ajayi has a plan for getting into the palace, but…you might get lost if I send you back now. Come on, and stay close."

He turned and continued on, and Miko stayed right by his side, prepared for anything.

A voice called out ahead of them; it was Ajayi.

"There's a lake up here. We're going through it, it isn't too deep, so be strong! We're almost there."

Miko fought the urge to grip Yao's hand as they waded into the icy water. They couldn't see more than a few feet ahead of them and suddenly Ajayi's torch went out.

There was chaos.

"My lord!"

"Lord Ajayi!"

"Is he all right?"

"Did he fall underwater?"

"Where's Lord Ajayi?"

Then a calming voice came from further ahead.

"I'm all right, my torch just got wet. Hurry, the lake ends just ahead."

They waded on, and after a few minutes Yao turned to Miko, who was floundering in water nearly to his chest.

"Come, get on my back Miko."

The soaked and tired boy climbed onto the soldier's back, happy to rest for a moment. For many minutes more, there was no sound save the sloshing of water as the soldiers waded on.

A scream rang out into the cave followed by gurgling and pure silence.

"What was that?"

Another scream rang out. Lakan's voice was heard.

"There's something in the water! Back men back!"

"Lord Ajayi!"

"Where's Lord Ajayi?"

This time, no sound was heard.

"The Cold Flame was right! Ajayi's betrayed us!"

"No! He's ahead, in the mists! See?"

"Lord Ajayi, where are you?"

"What is this, my lord? What is in the water?"

Suddenly, there was an inhuman screech as something reared from the water and stared through brilliant red eyes at the men.

"Dear gods above! What is that?"

"It's a Demon! Run!"

"Get out!"

Havoc wreaked as the men tried to get back to shore. Yao turned, stripping Miko from his body and hurling him towards shore. Miko splashed into shallow water and came up spluttering.

"Go Miko!" Yao shouted, drawing his sword. He then turned back as the men desperately fought for their lives against the beast.

Miko swam/ran through the water until finally his hand fell on dry rock. He hauled himself from the water and ran, his hands held out in front of him. This was indeed a dangerous move as he found out when he ran full force into a wall. His arm took most of the blow and his wrist was badly broken as he sank to the floor, huddling in pain and fear as he stared back into the immense gloom where the battle raged.

He couldn't stand hearing the men as they screamed in pain, in fear, in anger. But had Ajayi truly betrayed them? Had he known of the beast when he brought them here? Miko did not believe so.

Just as suddenly as the screams began, they stopped. Silence reigned once more. Miko found it was just as frightening as the bloodcurdling screams of moments before.

Light bloomed, illuminating the chamber. Miko blinked in the sudden brilliance, his heart beating wildly as he looked around. Ajayi was standing at one end of the chamber, smirking down at the black water, which only covered maybe a fourth of the huge cavern.

"Fools," Miko heard him say.

Ajayi tossed the torch in his hand to the side, and walked down to the water. He did not see Miko where he quivered in the shadows.

The water burst into the air and Miko could see something, a dark shape, in the swirling vortex. Ajayi stood there, unafraid. In fact, he was smiling, staring at the water. A burst of dark light screamed through the water and then it fell back to its place.

The dark shape lowered to the surface of the water, and then the light faded, revealing a beautiful woman, physically perfect from the swell of her breasts to the curve of her thighs. Waist-length black-hair, so black it seemed blue, fell around her and was matched only by her fathomless eyes. A black crystal hung around her neck, and Miko had to suppress a gasp.

She was completely naked!

The woman walked towards Ajayi; her feet hovered a couple of inches above the water. She reached the shore and held out her arms to Ajayi, who quickly stepped to embrace her.

"Your debt has been repaid, Ajayi, my love, and you don't know how long I've waited to be in your arms."

She leaned back to look at him, and the longer she looked at him, the younger he became, until he looked about 20, his scar gone.

"Syperis," he whispered before capturing her lips with his own.

Miko turned away, drawing himself to his feet and running back the way he had come, cradling his wrist as he did so. As he ran through the dark damp tunnels, hot angry tears ran down his boyish cheeks.

He thought Maida had betrayed him but in the end, she was the only one who had known the truth. They, he, had only been pawns for Ajayi's true purpose, to raise this demon. Miko was heartbroken and wounded, he could go no further.

But his body traversed beyond its physical capabilities, his mind and heart seeking only one thing.

And so he ran.

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Ok, I know the Zuko and Maida have an instantaneous perfect father/daughter relationship. This will be explained later but I will tell you one thing and one thing only. THIS WILL NOT LAST!

End of comment...Please review!