They had been flying for a couple of days stretch, and as they neared the shore they had been pushing Appa a bit more than they probably should just to get out of the desert before landing.

Finally team Avatar landed at a big metal harbour filled with people waiting on ships to take them to Ba Sing Se.

It was decided that they needed to give Appa at least one full day of rest before they even attempted to cross the open ocean so they might as well check out the harbour.

Zuko of course had been quick to demand that Aang put on his earth kingdom clothes and hat. As for Zuko himself?

His hair had now grown out enough that he could pull it down to cover part of his face, and honestly when he did that you didn't really notice the scar that much.

Unlike when he had sported the bald look and the scar was the first thing anyone would have noticed.

Sokka would have made fun of the guy for sporting an emo look that matched his personality, but honestly he couldn't blame the guy for wanting to keep a low profile. It was in everyone's best interest really.

Though… Perhaps checking out the harbour hadn't been such a great idea. It was depressing to say the least.

The hall was huge, metal and grey and there were long… looong lines of people waiting to hopefully get a passport.

And all of these people looked thin, miserable, wore old worn out clothes and clearly had a desperate look on their faces.

There were so many of them too… Far to many.

Zuko looked down as he swallowed, his body shaking lightly. It was pretty obvious he felt guilt even if this wasn't his fault.

Aang as well looked around with a sad look in his eyes though suddenly his eyes widened and he gasped. "MING! YING!" he shouted and they all looked up to see the pottery makers standing in line with their kid.

Both gasped by the sight of them and Aang laughed as he ran over there followed by Zuko who came as well.

"You made it out all right!" Zuko smiled at them. "That's good! I'm so glad!"

Wide-eyed Ming and Ying looked at Zuko.

"Are… Are you okay?" Zuko asked.

"It's us." Aang smiled. "From the city.."

"I… I know." Ming shivered. "You're… The Avatar."

Aang halted. "Erhm… yes." he admitted.

Mings eyes turned to Zuko whom now suddenly felt very aware.

"Erhm listen." Zuko tried to hold up his hands. "I didn't mean I…"

And then Ming fell down on her knees bowing her head. "My Prince."

Zukos eyes widened, there was stunned silence and then Zuko hissed.

"Mi-Ming! Stand up please!" Zuko asked. "Seriously! This is not." he covered his face with his hand as if to shield it from anyone who would be walking by and take notice.

"I.. I apologize." Ming said as she stumbled back up on her legs. Only managing to stand because of her husband. And still she looked at the ground rather than at Zuko.

It was awkward. Neither Aang or Zuko seemed to know what to do.

Ming just refused to look at them and Ying was wide-eyed looking up holding his wife up with both hands.

"Erhm… Ming. Could you look at me?" Zuko asked. "Please?"

Ming swallowed then slowly, slowly she raised her head and looked at Zuko. By the sight of his face she gasped.

"Ming… I'm just a guy. You know?" Zuko asked. "I'm the exact same as when I was looking at your pottery."

"I know I just… What you did. I can't even. They were going to take me away from my baby." Ming sniffed. "I was so scared… And I just. Thank you." she whispered.

"Oh, that… It's the least I could do." Zuko's face started to grow more and more red. "I-I mean. What my father did it's… It's wrong! And my grand-father and… Great grand-father. I don't… I'm not."

"So you really are Prince Zuko." Ying breathed.

Zuko halted. Then slowly nodded.

"And you're working with the Avatar." Ming gasped for breath

"Well that erhm… yeah." Again Zukos head was beet red. "But it's not what you think! The fire nation is suffering! And I want to stop it. When the world is out of balance everyone is suffering. Including the people of the fire nation and I just… I just…" then he halted wide-eyed looking at Ming.

Ming... She was smiling. There were even light tears in her eyes. Then she bowed down and picked up her one year old daughter holding her tight. "When I grew up." Ming said. "I grew up near a waterfall. The place… It was beautiful. Every year we would have a festival around that water fall. It was the highlight of the year for me. When I left… I didn't believe I would ever be able to see it again. Because it was in the fire nation. On one of the islands." she swallowed. "I want to show Kulai that waterfall. I never believed it could happen but..:" he eyes watered. "Maybe some day. Right?"

Zuko halted, then he nodded. "I can't promise anything. But I will do my best. I promise. I'll at least try to free the fire nation. And I wont stop until I'm dead!"

"Please don't die." Ming asked in an honest voice. "My Prince I.."

"Please." Zuko held up a hand. "That's not a title I earned."

"I disagree." Ming said. "You're my Prince. And… It makes me really proud. For the first time, in such a long time. I can feel proud of being fire nation again. All because of you."

Zuko halted. "What?" he asked.

Ming just looked at him, a genuine warm and hopeful smile on her face.

Zuko was to stunned for words, his mind tried to sort through what Ming had just said but he didn't quite comprehend it. "I'm sorry… I don't understand." he finally said and Ming blinked confused.

Then she opened her mouth, only to shower Zuko in praise and Zuko looked like someone who had just been told that water was dry and fire was wet.


Aang smiled warmly as Zuko talked to the family he had rescued and slowly backed out. Leaving it to Zuko to talk it out with these two. Instead he headed back to Katara, Sokka and Toph who was standing together in a small group.

"Man this place is kind of depressing." Sokka sighed deeply. "Maybe we should just have stayed outside."

"I'm glad we went here." Aang said side glancing at Zuko out of the corner of his eye then back at the group as he grinned.

Toph shrugged. "Personally. I kind of just want to get back to Appa." she commented dryly as Katara sighed.

That was when suddenly Sokka was grabbed from behind and turned around by a strange girl in guard uniform. Every gasped by the sight of him.

"You? What do you think you're doing?" The girl asked.

"Erh.. What?" Sokka asked. "Is there some kind of problem?"

"Yes. I have a problem with you." The girl stated as she let go.

"Excuse me?" Sokka asked and the others frowned.

"Yes you." The girl continued. "I know your type! Seen it so many time before. Probably sarcastic. You think you're hilarious and let me guess." she smirked as she crossed her arms. "You're travelling with the Avatar."

That made everyone gasp and Sokka blinked astounded. "Do.. Do I know you?" he asked.

"What? You mean you don't remember?" The girl stepped forward getting into Sokkas face. "I should have your head for that!" she exclaimed shooting forward an arm which Sokka grabbed by instinct and held in the air.

The girl looked at her arm now held by Sokka then she smirked. "Wow. Somebody has been working out."

"Why thank you. Yes, Yes I have been working out." Sokka stated. "Now who are you?"

The girl smirked as she looked at him. "Maybe this will make you remember." she stated and leaned over to plant a kiss on Sokkas cheek then stood back with a smirk on her lip.

Sokka gaped, so did everyone else and then it clicked for Sokka. "SUKI!" he exclaimed and Katara and Ang gasped as well.

"Suki?!"

"Who?" Toph asked.

"Yup." Suki grinned as she finally let go and stood back with her hands on her hips. "It's so great seeing you guys! How's it going?"

"It's good seeing you too Suki!" Aang beamed. "You scared me there for a second."

Suki laughed. "Sorry I just couldn't resist!"

"You look so different without your make up!" Katara gasped.

"I know. That's what made it fun." Suki smirked.

It was just then Zuko decided to return to the group.

"Hey guys what's going on?"

At ones Suki swirled around glaring at Zuko. "You."

Zukos eyes widened. "Errrh."

Next thing everyone knew, it was fast as lightning. Suki grabbed Zuko, threw him on the ground, pinned a foot into his shoulder and held his arms behind his back.

"Auw!" Zuko exclaimed from the floor only to get that foot in his shoulder.

"Suki wait!" Aang shouted. "It's okay! He's with us now."

"Really?" Suki asked. "Are you saying the rumours are true? The Dragon Prince is travelling with the Avatar?"

"The dragon… What?" Zuko asked from the floor.

"Please let him go." Aang asked. "He's our friend."

Finally Suki shrugged and let go of Zuko who groaned deeply as he managed to sit up rubbing his arm.

"You okay?" Katara asked Zuko.

"Yeah… I'm okay." Zuko gasped as he managed to get back up on his legs then looked at Suki. "I'm sorry. Have we met before?" he asked.

"Yeah." Suki stated as she crossed her arms. "You burned down my village."

"Oh." Zuko halted.

There was silence… an very awkward silence.

"I'm… Sorry about that." Zuko swallowed.

Suki lifted an eyebrow as she just stood with crossed arms and Zuko looked at her.

Then Zuko put his fist into the palm of his hand and bowed for Suki. "Sincerely and humbly. I really apologize." he said and then stood in a static bow. More silence and Zuko glanced up. "I.. I'm sorry I don't know what else to do." he said.

Suki frowned as she looked at him and Zuko squirmed. Then Suki tilted her head. "Are we sure that's actually Prince Zuko?" she asked.

"I don't know. Ever since he joined us I have been theorizing that that's actually an alien that just looks like Zuko." Sokka admitted.

Katara rolled her eyes. "Yes that's Zuko and yes he turned a new leaf. Zuko stand up. You apologized enough."

And Zuko stood up straight as if on command.

"We're friends now." Aang smiled warmly stepping in front of Zuko. "Not just that. He's my fire bending teacher! I learned so much from him already."

"Really?" Suki asked then turned back to Zuko. "And what would make a Prince turn away from his nation?" she asked.

Now Zuko looked more serious as he met Sukis eyes. More steadfast and grounded. As he spoke. His voice was low and secure. "I never turned away from the fire nation. The fire lord did." he said. "It's just that I first realized that more recently. I've seen the suffering the fire lord brought upon his own people. I know now that a world out of balance hurts all the nations that lives in this world. Look around." he gestured with his hand. "Many of these people are also people from the fire nation. Those are my people. It's my duty. My responsibility. To help them safe and regain the country they lost. So they can return and be safe in their own home! And wont have to bow to a fire lord who never cared for his own people."

"Huh." Suki commented then took a few steps away Zuko glancing after her. Then finally she turned around and offered Zuko a smile. "Good. Then I forgive you."

"What?" Zuko asked.

"I forgive you. Now let's go celebrate with a good meal. My treat." Suki said. "Come on, this way." she gestured. "Dragon Prince."

"What's with this Dragon Prince thing?" Zuko asked in a frown.

"It's what people have been calling you." Suki smirked. "There are stories going around that you breath fire like a dragon. You're saying that isn't true?"

"That only happened one time!" Zuko exclaimed.

"It was really cool though." Aang gasped.

"Even I could feel the heat." Toph nodded. "Okay I don't know this lady. But I like her!"

"Yeah." Sokka sighed. "It was kind of cool.. But wait until you see the moves I learned!" he exclaimed making Suki chuckle,

"I can't wait." She smirked and Sokka grinned as finally they all followed Suki to where-ever she intended to take them.