The sun was just rising over the horizon on the morning of the first official day of his banishment when Zuko left the palace infirmary with Iroh, whom Zuko was relieved never questioned the bag he had pulled out from under his cot. Sitting in the carriage, Zuko took one last look at the palace that had been his home for the last couple years before facing forward towards a new destiny.
After arriving at the First Lord's Harbor, they walked down the dock where Zuko looked up at the Fire Nation cruiser he was to command. It was old, outdated, and much smaller than the current ships of the navy, but it was all Ozai would approve when Iroh had made the urgent request to the Naval Commander.
"It may not look like much," said Iroh as they boarded, "but it will serve your purpose."
"It's perfect, Uncle," said Zuko who was impressed that it was his to take on his search for the Avatar.
Two days earlier he had lost everything, but now he had a ship at his command that could help him gain it all back.
"General Iroh, Prince Zuko," greeted Lieutenant Jee. "It's an honor to have you aboard, sir."
"It's my pleasure to be here, Lieutenant Jee," said Iroh. "I appreciate you and your crew taking this assignment on such short notice."
They took a tour of the ship, and Zuko was amazed to find that Iroh had made sure there were komodo rhinos, an armory of weapons, and two smaller boats stored in the hold. He met the crew which included several firebenders and non-benders, and he had a cook and a medic. Later, when he and Iroh were standing on the deck looking out past the harbor Iroh looked at him.
"What do you think, Nephew?"
"I think I'll be able to find the Avatar," he said confidently. "Thank you, Uncle."
"You're quite welcome."
An hour later, Ezih arrived at the dock with Iroh's bags and Chiara by his side. As they boarded the ship, Iroh was there to meet with them.
"We're going to miss you, General," said Ezih.
"I'll miss you as well," he smiled. He looked at Jee. "Lieutenant Jee, you remember my daughter Chiara?"
"Of course," he said. "Lady Chiara, you've grown since I last saw you."
"Lieutenant Jee," she said as she bowed to him. "It's good to see you again."
He smiled at her manners.
"If I may ask," she said, "where is Prince Zuko?"
"He's in his quarters." He gave her the directions.
She looked at Iroh for permission.
"You may go," he said.
Ezih bent down and whispered in her ear and she nodded, and then she immediately went up to Zuko's quarters. She sprinted up the stairs to his floor, and approaching his room, she saw that his door was open, so she looked inside. Her eyes were instantly drawn to the bandage over his eye, but as soon as he noticed her, he quickly turned away.
"You shouldn't be here," he said coldly.
"You were going to leave without saying goodbye?" she asked.
The hurt in her soft voice caused him to feel more guilty and ashamed.
"I told Uncle to say goodbye for me."
"That's not the same thing."
"I...I didn't want you to see me like this," he said trying to justify his decision.
She was walking over to him.
"Go. I don't want you to look at me," he said softly turning his back to her.
She stood in front of him and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him before he could turn away again.
"I'm so sorry, my Prince," she said in so tender and loving a voice it made his heart melt.
After all that he had just suffered, he found some comfort in her arms, and he wrapped his own around her and held her tightly. He knew he was going to miss her, and the pain of his banishment and separation from her now stung even deeper as he realized his blind eye and scarred face did not matter to her. Now he was even more determined to find the Avatar so he could not only restore his honor, but return to Chiara.
"I have something that will help your injury," she said as she released him.
"It's not an injury; it's a punishment," he said deeply.
"Let me look at it."
"I don't want you to look at it."
"I promise I can help at least with the pain," she said taking his hand and leading him to his bed. "Sit down. I'm going to take care of you."
He reluctantly obeyed as he could not help but comply with her gentle coaxing. He sat on the bed and she began carefully unwrapping the bandage. When she had removed the final covering, he tried opening his eye, but any bit of movement increased the constant burning pain. No light came through and he kept trying to lift his eyelid thinking it was still closed, but it was actually partially open. Tears came to Chiara's eyes when she saw what his father had done to him, and when he looked up at her he was amazed by her look of compassion rather than disgust.
"Can you see out of it?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said softly as he looked away from her. "The doctor said I'll be blind in that eye."
She gently placed her hand under his chin and lifted it as she examined the injury. What she could see of his once beautiful fiery eye was now clouded over with only a hint of pale gold showing through, and the damaged area over his face and temple was a deep red which contrasted greatly with his pale uninjured skin. Blisters covered the area of the burn, and some were leaking fluid that mixed with the burn ointment that had been freshly applied that morning before he left the infirmary. A few were torn completely open with the loose shreds of skin sticking to the raw wounds. She knew the pain had to be intense, and she could not help the tears that fell down her cheeks over his suffering and the anger that welled up inside her towards his father. Looking at the damage, she knew it was too late to completely heal it and that he would have a permanent scar, but she hoped she could at least do something for him even if it was just relieve his pain. She tenderly caressed the right side of his face, and her soft touch made him temporarily forget the constant burning pain on the left side.
"Lie down," she directed him.
He lay down with her help, and she sat on the edge of the bed next to him resting her left hand on his forehead and then softly running it down his right cheek.
"Hold still and close both your eyes, and do not open them no matter what until I say," she said. "If you open them too soon, you may never forgive me."
"There isn't much more damage you can do," he said in a dry tone.
"I disagree," she said softly.
When his eyes were closed she pulled a little vial of water out of her pocket. She caressed his head barely giving any thought to his missing soft black hair she always loved as her heart still grieved over his suffering.
She leaned close to him. "I wish this could heal all your pain," she said softly near his left ear which, though visibly burned, was not affected otherwise.
She opened the vial and poured out the water suspending it above her hand, and then she held it over his injury. He was amazed at the tingling sensation that seemed strongest in his eye, and he moved slightly as it was unexpected.
"Am I hurting you?" she asked.
"N-not at all."
As she continued working, the soothing feeling increased as the burning, stinging pain subsided, and the longer she worked, the better his eye felt. By the time she finished he felt no pain at all. She put the vial away, and as she looked over the wound, she saw that the blisters were gone and the deep red coloring had paled considerably, and the skin that had not already scarred was healed. There was still some ointment present which she decided to leave on it to help keep the newly healed skin and scar tissue from drying out.
"It should start feeling better."
If he did not think it was impossible, he would have thought that he had never been injured.
"Can I open my eyes?"
"Let me put the bandage back on it first."
"What...what did you put on it?" he asked.
"It was a special salve," she said as she started covering his eye again.
"I don't feel any pain," he said relieved to be free of the constant burning feeling that had plagued him for the last two days. "Where did you get it?"
"It was something I discovered a long time ago. Don't tell anyone," she whispered.
He assumed it was something she picked up during her Earth Kingdom travels and did not have enough to share, but he appreciated that she thought to bring it and use it on him.
"Leave the bandage on for a while, and let me know if there's any more pain," she said as she finished wrapping it. "You can open your eyes now."
She stood up and helped him sit up.
"Did Uncle tell you what happened?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry."
"We'll be leaving soon," he said sadly. "I don't know when I'll see you again."
"I'm going with you."
"What?" He looked up at her. "You can't go."
"Why not?"
"I've been banished. I don't expect you to live in exile too."
"Without the General and you I have nothing left in the Fire Nation."
He was surprised by her words. "Once I capture the Avatar, my honor will be restored and I'll be back home."
"Capture the Avatar? Why do you have to capture him?"
"For my father."
"What does he plan on doing with him?"
"I don't know; I don't care. But it's the only way I can regain my honor..."
"You never lost your honor, but you will if you hand the Avatar over to your father."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"The Avatar is supposed to keep balance between the nations. If you hand him over to the Fire Lord, he'll use him to have the advantage in this war."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"It...it's dishonorable. This war against the other nations is wrong. It is not you who is without honor, but the Fire Lord."
He stood up and looked down at her. "How dare you say that about the Fire Lord, about my father!"
She did not back down, nor did she back away from him. "What father challenges his own son to an Agni Kai for defending citizens of his Nation and then banishes him?! That is dishonorable."
"What do you know about war and the Fire Nation? You're just a girl and probably some Earth Kingdom peasant anyways! Get out!" he yelled as he angrily pointed towards the door.
She turned to leave, her soft curls flying around her brushing against his chest before following her to the exit. As she stormed out of the room, Iroh, who had just walked up to the entrance and heard the last few lines of their argument, walked in.
"I know it was your intention to insult her, Prince Zuko, but I have met many Earth Kingdom peasants. They are very down to earth just like Chiara."
"Why did you let her come, Uncle?" he asked angrily.
"She insisted on keeping you company during this time."
"During my exile, you mean. It only brings dishonor on her by being here."
"Chiara cares not for honor, but only for her family."
Zuko felt frustrated and sighed. "What do you want?"
"It's time to leave. You should be on the bridge."
Zuko went to the bridge as Iroh went to find Chiara who was now standing on deck.
"It's your last chance," he said to her. "Are you sure you don't want to remain here?"
"I told you before, wherever you are is home. You and Prince Zuko are my family."
He was touched by her love for him and his nephew. "If this is what you wish."
Iroh felt she would be more comfortable staying in his home under the care of Ezih and Amiku and continuing her studies. He believed that life in his manor would be more stable for her than living aboard a ship of soldiers traveling the world for an unknown period of time. Personally, he enjoyed the idea of having her accompany him just as he welcomed her company in his travels through the Earth Kingdom. And despite their quarrel he thought it might be good for Zuko to have her company as well as they had been friends for so long.
"I heard some of your argument with Prince Zuko."
"I can't believe he's trying to capture the Avatar," she said softly. "You know the Fire Lord will imprison him."
"Ozai said it's the only way he can restore his honor."
"He hasn't lost his honor," she said.
"I know he hasn't. But he will do this for his father."
"He'll become just like the Fire Lord if he follows through with this."
"Zuko will need to choose the right path himself. All we can do is encourage him and help him to see which is the right path."
She felt sad, but nodded.
Iroh left Chiara on deck and went to the bridge where Zuko was present looking over the maps he studied when he was in the infirmary. Soon they were leaving the Fire Nation to begin their quest by visiting the Fire Temple on Crescent Island before heading towards the Western Air Temple. When Zuko stepped out on the upper deck to watch his homeland shrink as they sailed away, he saw Chiara on the lower deck leaning against the rail. He watched her long locks as they gently flew in the wind just as he remembered them doing when they sailed to Ember Island. He began feeling guilty for yelling at her earlier especially as he realized he had not felt any pain since her visit.
"Do not look so somber, Nephew," said Iroh walking up to him. "You are setting out on a new adventure. Many times I myself have sailed this same path on a mission."
"It's not so much a mission as much as it's banishment."
"But it is a mission. A royal one in which your ancestors have taken part, even your own father."
"Yes, but at least they could return home after their failure," he said bitterly.
"Do not give up hope, Prince Zuko. You are not your predecessors."
"No, I'm not. I plan on succeeding where they failed. It's my destiny."
"If you keep on the right path you may discover there's more to your destiny than you know."
"I have to regain my honor and return home," said Zuko. "There's nothing more to know."
Soon, the last bit of land could no longer be seen, so Iroh went down to the main deck.
"Come, I will show you your quarters," he said to Chiara.
They went inside.
"We will be in the officers' quarters on the upper level," he said as they ascended the narrow staircase. "I had your belongings put there already." They walked down the hall where he stopped at a room and opened the door. "It's much smaller and more...drab than your room at home, and there's only a cot..."
"It's fine," she said.
"My quarters are right next to yours."
"Where should I start working?" she asked.
"Already you are ready to work," he laughed. "I am sure Ozen wouldn't mind having your help in the galley."
They walked out and she followed him down to the galley.
"This is Ozen, the cook," he said to her.
The short, round man who clearly enjoyed food walked around the chopping table where he had been working.
"Ozen, this is my daughter, Chiara."
"General Iroh," said Ozen before looking at Chiara. "What a beautiful daughter."
"She is ready to be put to work."
"General, you can't put such a beautiful young woman like that to work in the galley."
"Thank you, Ozen," said Chiara as she bowed to him. "But I enjoy keeping busy."
Ozen laughed. "Come on then," he said.
Iroh left her in the galley where she worked peeling vegetables, cutting meat, and listening to Ozen's stories.
At lunch, she served Iroh in the mess hall where they ate together.
"Has Prince Zuko eaten?" she asked him.
"I don't know. Ozen will know since he will prepare his meals for him."
After eating, she returned to the galley.
"Do you know if Prince Zuko has eaten?" she asked Ozen.
"I just made his lunch. Would you like to take it to him?"
"I don't mind, but he might," she said softly as she picked up the tray.
She took it up to Zuko's quarters, but his door was closed, so she knocked.
"Enter," she heard him say.
She carefully held the tray with one arm and opened the door. When she stepped inside she saw him meditating before some candles, so she quietly walked over to his table and set the tray down.
"What are you doing?" he asked when he looked up and noticed who it was.
"I brought your lunch."
She turned to leave as he stood up.
"Why are you serving it?" he asked.
His harsh tone made her think he was still upset with her, but she stopped and turned towards him.
"I'm sorry," she apologized. "Ozen asked me to bring it to you."
He realized she saw the harshness in his tone as directed towards her which was not his intention. "I-I just mean...well, you're not a servant."
"I'm working in the galley," she said.
He was surprised to learn she was put to work. "Why?"
"To keep busy."
"You don't have to work..."
"I asked to work there," she said.
She turned to leave again.
"Chiara, wait..."
She stopped and turned to him as he was moving closer to her.
"I...I'm sorry for what I said earlier...," he started, "...about you being an Earth Kingdom peasant."
"You don't have to apologize. Most Earth Kingdom peasants are kind people."
"Yeah, Uncle said that," he said softly as he looked away still feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry I tried to insult you though. I must've sounded like Azula."
"It's okay."
"I didn't mean it..."
"I'm not mad at you," she said, "even if you did mean it."
"All I want is to restore my honor and be back home again. I wish...I wish I never spoke at that meeting."
"Your concern for your people is admirable, Prince Zuko. That makes you honorable. Never regret doing the right thing."
He appreciated her words, but he still felt overwhelmed by the change in his life.
"Have you eaten?" he asked her.
"Yes, with the General."
He did not want her to leave, but he did not have an excuse to keep her there.
"I want you to eat dinner with me," he said softly.
"Tonight?"
"Every night, in my quarters."
She nodded. "I'll see you tonight then."
She left to go back to the galley, and throughout the day she served Iroh his tea, often joining him before going back to work.
That night Chiara carried their dinner up to Zuko's room and knocked. He opened the door, and when he saw it was her, he took the tray from her, and they walked over to the table which was covered in scrolls.
"Oh, can you move them?" he asked. "Be careful, though; some are fragile."
She started gathering them up, but her eyes fell on some of the writing. "Are these about the Avatar?"
"Yes."
"Where did you get them?" she asked as she started reading.
He hesitated, and she looked up at him. "I stole them," he said softly.
"From?"
"The Fire Sages."
He could not help the small smile that was forming as he thought about his "crime," and when she started laughing, he laughed with her.
"You think it's funny?" he asked her.
"Would they have willingly lent them to you to help you on your quest?"
"No."
"That's why it's funny. I'm happy you did it."
"Really? But I thought you didn't want me to find the Avatar," he said.
"Finding him is one thing; I don't want you to hand him over to the Fire Lord," she said.
"It's the only way I can go back home."
"I don't want to upset you, Prince Zuko, but considering no one's been able to find the Avatar in a hundred years, I don't think your father expects you to find him either," she said.
"So when I do find him, he'll be proud of me," he said confidently.
She did not feel as confident.
"When did you have time to get these?" she asked.
"I waited 'til Uncle was asleep last night and then I went to the High Temple," he said in a low voice as if somebody might overhear their conversation.
She was impressed, but relieved that he had not been caught.
"Are you going to try to acquire any more at the Fire Temple?" she asked.
He smiled. "If the opportunity presents itself."
She laughed, and then she continued looking over the scrolls.
"May I read these?"
"Sure."
They started eating, and afterwards, she and Zuko started reading the scrolls together discussing the possibilities of what some of the more cryptic ones meant.
Later, when Chiara went to her room, she placed her clothes in the chest and stored her erhu that Iroh told her to bring. She spread a blanket over the cot, and then she knelt on the floor next to it and meditated before the lantern as Iroh had taught her practicing her breathing exercises. Afterwards, she began practicing some small waterbending tricks. She enjoyed making the water turn to ice and back again, and she even heated some of it until it turned to steam. She drew a small stream around her in the air and around the lantern, and she would move it around the lantern flame in such a way as to produce small rainbows. After a while, she lowered the flame in the lantern, lay on the cot, and went to sleep.
Hours later, deep into her sleep, she awoke to a loud cry. It sounded as though it came from below where Zuko's room was, so she jumped up grabbed her robe, and threw it on as she ran out the door. She went down to his floor and knocked on the door.
"Prince Zuko?"
He did not answer.
"Prince Zuko, are you all right?" she asked as she slowly opened the door.
She glanced inside. The room was dark and she regretted not bringing her lantern, so she grabbed one from the hall and went inside. She saw Zuko sitting on the edge of the bed with his head down breathing heavy and looking distressed. She approached him.
"Prince Zuko..."
She set the lantern on the floor as she knelt down and looked up at him. She realized he had had a nightmare, and she reached up and began caressing his head. The grip he had on the bed relaxed. She moved to sit next to him, and she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close to embrace him. The vivid scenes of his nightmare, of the Agni Kai against his father, faded away as he relaxed in her arms, and he wrapped his arms around her and held onto her. He hated what had happened to him and where he was, and he would give nearly anything to be back in the palace again; but he was relieved that in his misery Chiara was present to give him comfort. She was a part of his happiest memories with his family and his connection to his previous life. He held her tighter, and though it was harder for her to breathe, she did not pull away knowing he needed it. When he finally released her, she softly touched his face.
"Lie down," she said.
He obeyed and lay down. She stood up and straightened out his blankets, and then she covered him. He was tired, but he did not want to close his eyes fearing he would be forced to relive the Agni Kai again. She placed her hand on his head, and he placed his hand over hers.
"Don't leave," he said in a soft, low voice.
"I'll be right above you."
"Please stay with me."
She felt bad, and she desired to obey him. "You know I can't."
Though he wanted her to remain with him, he did not argue with her. She caressed his head one more time before picking up the lantern and returning to her room.
The next morning Chiara went to Zuko's room and knocked on the door to check on him. When he opened it, she noticed how tired he looked.
"Hey," she said as she walked in. "Do you want me to bring you breakfast?"
"One of the men is bringing it," he said softly.
"You should get some more rest. You look exhausted."
"I can't sleep. I need to keep busy." He looked down. "I'm sorry I woke you last night."
She shook her head. "I wish there was something I could do for you."
There was a knock at the door, so Zuko opened it.
"I have your breakfast, sir," said the man holding the tray.
Zuko stood aside to allow the man to walk inside.
"Oh, Lady Chiara, I didn't realize you were here," he said. "Do you want me to bring your breakfast as well?"
"No thank you. I'll be joining the General for breakfast."
He nodded to her and then left after leaving the tray on the table. Chiara walked towards the door and tenderly placed her hand on Zuko's arm.
"I'll see you later," she said.
She left to go to the mess hall.
A few days later, Chiara carried Zuko's breakfast to his room and knocked on the door, and when he opened it, he was surprised to see her standing there.
"I have your breakfast," she said softly when he did not say anything.
"Oh..." He stepped aside. "...come in. I wasn't expecting you to bring it." He took the tray from her. "Where's yours?" he asked her.
"This is just for you. I'm going to eat with the General in the mess hall." She looked at him. "Would you care to join us?"
He slowly shook his head as he set the tray on the table. "No." He looked at her. "But you and Uncle can eat here."
She gently smiled. "I wish we could, but he thinks it's good to have at least one meal with the crew."
Zuko nodded his understanding. Chiara had noticed some bandages and burn ointment on the table.
"Are you changing your bandage?" she asked.
"Uncle's been trying to get me to go to the infirmary and let the medic do it, but...I really don't want him touching it." He felt uneasy at the idea of a stranger seeing or touching his wound. "I'm not sure I'm ready to look at it either," he added softly.
"Do you want me to do it?" she asked.
"You don't mind?"
"Of course not." She picked up the bandages and ointment and walked over to the bed. "Sit. I'll take care of it."
He was relieved she offered to do it for him as he was not ready to do it himself, and since it was Chiara who relieved his pain initially, he felt more comfortable with her taking care of it over a medic he had only met a few days earlier.
"It doesn't bother you?" he asked her.
"The only thing that bothers me is how you got it," she said in a deep voice that betrayed her anger over Ozai's actions.
Zuko had never heard her use such a dark tone before, and he was touched that she cared so much about him to be angry for him.
He sat down and she began removing the wrapping from around his head.
"Has there been any pain?" she asked.
"Not since before you treated it."
"Don't open your eyes at all," she said as she removed the bandage over his eye. "There's still a fine layer of ointment you don't want in there."
"Are you going to put your special salve on it again?"
She tenderly lifted his chin and held it. "Does it hurt when I touch it?" she asked as she used a clean cloth to carefully wipe away the old ointment.
"Not at all. It feels like nothing ever happened."
She felt relieved by that. "I don't think I need to treat it then."
"Does it look bad?"
"It's red. I'm going to put a fresh layer of burn ointment on it just to soften the skin."
She delicately applied balm over the scar tissue, her soft touch making his heart beat a bit faster.
When she finished, she put a clean bandage over his eye and a wrap around his head to keep it in place.
"All done," she said.
"Thanks."
He stood up and followed her to the door mesmerized by her long black curls as they bounced in her ponytail behind her.
"Enjoy your breakfast," she said before walking out the door.
After breakfast Chiara went to work again keeping busy about the ship. Her days would now be filled with work in the galley with the cook, mending and washing clothes, or feeding the komodo rhinos in the hold. Zuko was impressed to find that she was almost constantly working, but it also bothered him. He had always seen her as a member of the royal family and his future wife, so he believed menial labor was beneath her even when he had watched her work at Iroh's, though he found himself more troubled by her working with his crew than he ever had when she worked with Iroh's household staff.
One day, after she had fed the animals in the hold, Zuko was watching as she helped some members of the crew with their duties on the deck. On top of feeling conflicted about her working, he was also feeling envious seeing her so close to the younger members of the crew. Though she was only twelve, she was three years away from the age of promise making him uncomfortable with her spending so much time near so many men who might one day take an interest in her.
"The weather is quite beautiful today," said Iroh as he stood next to him on the upper deck.
"Yes, she is," said Zuko softly, sounding a bit dazed.
Iroh looked at him and then looked down to the lower deck to see what he was focused on. His eyes stopped at Chiara.
"I was speaking of the weather," said Iroh.
Zuko snapped out of his daze. "What about it?"
"You seem distracted, Prince Zuko. Is something bothering you?"
"Chiara," he said.
"Were you two arguing again?"
"What? No. She works too hard."
Iroh smiled. "She enjoys keeping busy."
"Can't you make her stop?"
"She's always been like that, even back home. She was always helping Tai in the kitchen, and the servants when they cleaned." Iroh looked at him and smiled. "Didn't she have you working with her in the kitchen?"
Zuko thought about the times they would peel or chop vegetables together in Iroh's kitchen. "That was different. We didn't have to do that; it was just us doing something...together. Now she's together with them."
"She's trying to be helpful. It's who she is."
"But she shouldn't be doing menial labor. She's royalty."
"Being royalty doesn't mean we can't be helpful when necessary."
"It's not necessary for her to work, especially with the crew," he added in a low tone.
"What else do you expect her to do, Zuko?"
"I don't know. I just hate seeing her work all the time."
"She'll take time off when she's ready."
As the days passed, Chiara would spend some of her downtime sitting on the deck looking out over the water, especially in the evenings when the moon was bright. At dinner she would eat with Zuko in his quarters, and sometimes Iroh would join them which often reminded him and Chiara of their meals with Lu Ten. Before going to bed, she meditated and then practiced waterbending knowing no one would disturb her.
Iroh enjoyed spending his time playing Pai Sho with the Chiara and the crew and sometimes Zuko, though he rarely participated. Some evenings Iroh would entertain the crew with music, and at least once a week was to be dedicated to "music night" in which many of the crew members would join playing their instruments or singing. Chiara often sang with Iroh and played the pipa or erhu, and although Zuko never joined in, he always enjoyed listening to her sing and play as he had at home, and on those nights he could be seen standing on the upper deck watching (though he tried not to make it look like he was watching).
It was not often that Zuko participated with the group in recreation, but he did occasionally play Pai Sho with Iroh and even Chiara, and most nights he and Chiara would play cards after dinner or study scrolls together. Most of his day was spent planning his course in search of the Avatar, reading any scrolls he could find, and meditating. And since Iroh decided to take over Zuko's firebending instruction, Zuko dedicated himself to his lessons, and he practiced his firebending as often as possible sparring with the crew for practice.
Unfortunately, at night, his nightmares continued, but not always with the same intensity. Whenever they woke Chiara, she would always go to comfort him, and the nights she did not wake, Zuko missed her presence, yet he was relieved he did not disturb her.