Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Avatara the Last Airbender, Television or Comics.

A/N: Hello everyone! S/O to my new readers: MiniLover, TheReader8911, graceofgryffindor, shelled27, The Mad Hatter 1st, and DreamingofReading!

Zuko appeared in my line of sight, his arms spread wide. How had he gotten over here so fast? My body crashed into his, his arms wrapped around me. It was Zuko that hit the ground first and then we skidded, coming to a stop next to the city wall.

I tried to sit up, but I couldn't move. My whole body felt numb. I felt hands on my face and then my eyes were meeting Zuko's. He looked worried and concerned . . . scared. He was talking but I couldn't hear him very well. Then Sokka, Toph and Suki were there, Sokka pulling me into my arms. I wanted to tell them that I was fine even though it didn't feel like it and I knew I was far from it.

"You . . . this!" Sokka's voice faded in and out but I could tell he was yelling over me at Zuko. "This is . . . fault!"

"Sokka!" Suki grabbed her boyfriends arm. "We need . . . inside."

He was nodding and lifting me up off the ground. The world around me was moving in slow motion, echoing. Soldiers were still fighting, earth and fire flying through the air as my friends ran towards the gate of the city. I could see Smellerbee, Sneers, and Kori standing there, Kori holding open one part of the gate, beckoning us forward.

Then the ground rumbled, shaking everything around us. I could feel it through Sokka. Everyone's attention was drawn to a light that shot into the air on a cliff above us. And then Aang appeared, surrounded by water, wind, fire and earth, the complete Avatar cycle wrapped around this young boy.

I saw Zuko approach the floating boy. He was speaking and Aang appeared to be listening . . . until he rose his arms in the air. The ground quaked again as it cracked open, separating the two armies. I wached as the earth under Zuko's foot crumbled and then he was falling.

My arm reached out towards the chasm, towards Zuko, knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do. As Aang's sphere dived into the chasm, the world around me fell into darkness.

I was standing on a platform.

Below me stood a sea of people, wearing the colors of my nation. They were cheering, happy and excited. A hand caught onto mine and I looked over to Aang who was grinning. Katara appeared next to him, holding his hand. Someone took my other hand and when I looked up, I saw Zuko, smiling down at me before he looked out to the crowd. I followed his gaze.

The crowd that had once been just earth nation was now all of the nations, Earth, Fire, Air, and Water all mixed together, happily, and blending. This was what the world was changing into now, what we needed to change to.

This was harmony.

I woke with a start, sitting up and immediately regretting it. A pain shot up my side and for a moment, I found it hard to breathe. Fen appeared at my side, her hands pressing against my shoulders. "Lu, just breathe! Deep breath, that's it . . . good girl."

She pressed me back into my pillows and I took a moment to look around the room. "We're – we're in Ba Sing Se?"

"His majesty insisted that you woke in a familiar place."

"How long have I been out?"

"Not long, just a day and a half."

"Where is everyone?"

"Sokka, Katara, Suki, and Toph stayed in Yu Dao to help clean up the mess. Aang is staying at the Jasmine Dragon while the Fire Lord recovers."

"Zuko!" I sat up again, ignoring Fen's protest. "Is he alright? What happened? I saw him fall and –"

"Calm down, Lu, jeez! He's fine, Zuko's fine." Fen sat down on my bed taking my hand. "Avatar Aang saved him. He's still sleeping but that's all. Katara told me that after everything happened, he just sort of collapsed."

"What did happen?"

"After the Avatar saved Aang, he convinced King Kuei that Yu Dao was worth saving. You and Zuko were right, you know. There was something about Yu Dao; it's a new type of world, a world where not just one nation exists but where nations succeed together. They were waiting for you and Zuko to get well but you are all going to have a meeting Yu Dao with the Mayor and a few of the citizens. Katara healed you right away after that. You have a nice scar to match the other one now."

I carefully lifted my shirt, holding it just underneath my chest. The scar Delun had given me was a small skinny line that stretched just below my rib cage. Now it ended with a burn mark about the size of a large plate on the right side. The scar took up my entire side, from my hip to where I held my shirt. "I should be dead."

"You would have been had you hit the ground at the speed you were going. Zuko used his fire to speed towards you, caught you just before impact. If he hadn't been there, you would be dead."

I stared down at our hands for a minute. "I want to see him."

"Are you sure?" Fen looked nervous. "I mean, he's only sleeping. And I'm sure His Majesty will want you to stay in bed at least for another –"

"I'm fine," I argued, throwing back my covers and swinging my legs down to the floor. When I winced, Fen glared at me. "I swear it. Besides – we've got to get moving if we're going to get back to Yu Dao."

"Get back to Yu Dao? Why on earth do we need to get back to Yu Dao?"

"I'll explain later. Help me get dressed?"

Moments later I was walking up the stairs to the Jasmine Dragon. It was a quiet, early morning crowd that I found. Iroh was in the kitchen brewing tea and Aang was playing waiter. When he saw me, he grinned and set his train down, racing towards me. He paused, adjusting his arms so that he could hug me around the shoulders rather than my waist. When had he gotten taller than me? I laughed, hugging him back. "I see you've been busy."

"I'm helping out!" Aang agreed. "It was the least I could do."

"I'm sure Iroh appreciates it."

"Luli, my dear!" Iroh came out of the kitchen, placing his hand on my shoulder as he grinned at me. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, really. I'm glad to hear that everything worked out so well."

"We haven't figured everything out," Aang said, "but we will."

"I want to go back to Yu Dao," I told my friends, surprising them. "I want to help."

"Well we were going to go meet with the Mayor as soon as Zuko's feeling up to it."

"I'm thinking . . . I'm thinking of a more permanent situation. I'm thinking of moving there. Kuei doesn't need me anymore," I told them, before they could argue. "Fen told me what you said, Aang and you're right. I can see it, I can see Yu Dao becoming a place for all nations, a place where everyone feels welcome. Yu Dao is the new world, what the world eventually needs to become, and it's going to need people to help it grow. I want to be one of those people. I think . . . u believe it's my destiny."

Iroh placed his hand on my shoulder again, smiling. "It is good to know where you are headed, Luli."

"I'm sure they'd love to have you there," Aang told me, grinning. "I know you'd do great."

"Thank you." I looked towards the back of the store then to Iroh. "Would it be alright if I go see him?"

"He won't be very good company," Iroh said.

"I know. It's okay. I just want to –" What was I doing here? Was it to say goodbye? It wasn't like I wouldn't see him again. Still – "check on him."

Iroh smiled, that very knowing smile. "Go on ahead."

I walked through the kitchen and then headed up the stairs towards Iroh's apartment. The living area was as immaculate as ever. Iroh kept a nice place, always had. I slid open one of the doors and found Zuko, fast asleep in his bed. I sat gently down on the edge, folding my hands in my lap as I gazed down at his sleeping form.

"I hear you saved my life," I mumbled. "Thank you. You're always doing that, it seems, catching me. I just – I never assumed you'd do it in the middle of a battle you were supposed to be leading. Maybe that means something . . . maybe it doesn't. I never know when it comes to you and that is horribly annoying. Every time I focus on something else, put a new plan in front of me, you pop up again and the cycle starts over. . . . Fen thinks it's destiny. I don't know what to think it is."

I look down at Zuko and couldn't help but smile a bit at how young and vulnerable he looked sleeping. I'm glad he was finally getting some rest. Reaching over, I smoothed the hair out of his face. "What I do know is – I'm glad you're here. I'm glad you're not hurt and that Aang didn't go through with that ridiculous promise you tried to make him keep. I'm glad you're safe."

Figuring I had spent enough time in here with a sleeping boy, I stood. Before I could talk myself out of it, I leaned down and pressed a kiss to Zuko's forehead. I smoothed the hair out of his face once more before I headed towards the door.

"Luli."

I stiffened and turned back around.

Zuko sighed in his sleep and turned over in bed. I breathed a sigh of relief and moved out the door, sliding it closed behind me.

"You want to do what?"

I tried to smile, to ease the terrified look off of Kuei's face. Fen stood just behind me and I could tell she was trying not to fidget. "I want to move to Yu Dao. I want to help it grow."

"But – but why?"

"Eventually Kuei, you're going to meet a lovely Lady. She's going to charm you right off your thrown, she's going to love Bosco and you two are going to make each other very happy and you'll have a little prince or princess all your own. You're not going to need me."

Kuei walked down the stairs from his throne, holding out his hands to me. We held hands and he smiled at me. "I'm always going to need you, Luli."

"And right now Yu Dao needs a representative from the Earth Kingdome. It can't be you. Why not me?"

My cousin reached up, placing his hand on top of my head. "Your parents . . . they would be so proud to see what a beautiful, independent and responsible young woman you have become. I am so proud of you."

Grinning and holding back tears, I hugged Kuei tightly. He held me about my shoulders, pressing his chin on top of my head. "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow morning if possible." I turned towards Fen who was still waiting with her head down. "And – and I'd like to take Fen with me. If she would like to go," I added when she quickly lifted her head, eyes wide with surprise.

"Why on earth would you want to take a palace servant with you?" Kuei asked, causing Fen's cheeks to color.

I kept my eyes on her. "She's not just a palace servant. She's my friend, my best friend. And she goes with me, if she wants to go with me, she won't go as a servant. She'll be my most trusted advisor."

Fen was smiling and I could see the tears sparkling in her eyes. "You mean it?"

"Of course I do."

Fen nodded. "I'd – I'd have to talk to my parents but I'd be honored to go with you, Princess."

I turned back to Kuei, who had watched the whole exchange quietly. He gave me another small smile. "As you wish then. I will prepare a convoy to take you both to the city tomorrow."

I gave my cousin another firm hug before I wrapped my arm in Fen's and we walked out of the throne room.

We had some serious packing to do.

A/N: Here you go! This has just one more chapter and then an epilogue and it'll be done. Hang in there everyone! Thanks for reading!