I stood there for a minute, frozen in place and staring at him as I held some branches out of my way. He had his back to me, using a towel to dry his face as he stood still soaking wet from where Katara had struck him with water. I wanted to feel angry at him, to blame him for everything and make him feel even worse than he already felt, but I couldn't. Looking at him right there and then, all I could feel was a soft warmth which spread from my chest all across my body and seemingly flew towards him, making me smile with a tear.

Brushing it away I quietly stepped out, craning my neck at him for a moment before I balanced out my stance and pulled at the water droplets on his clothes and in his hair, drawing them upwards slowly as I moved my hands and fingers, guiding them as Zuko suddenly looked up, seeing the water as it flickered around him in tiny droplets like raindrops frozen in the air before I pulled them around him, directing them into my hands as he whirled around and for the first time in weeks, our eyes met.

The water churned softly as it flew around me in an arc, allowing me to guide it as I gave Zuko a warm smile before I stood up, dropping the water into the ground. Zuko looked like he was about to cry, staring at me as I brushed myself off from all the forestry that I'd caught onto along the way, beginning to talk. "Hey Zuko, I…!" In the space of a heartbeat, Zuko had crossed the campsite and engulfed me in a powerful embrace, taking me aback as I stiffened at first before I melted into it, pressing my eyes tightly closed as I gripped onto him for all he was worth.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Kayo, I was wrong."

"You moron."

"I was stupid, I know that now. I should have listened to you and uncle. Everything you said was right, I'm sorry, and I'm sorry that I hurt you." He kept on apologising as he held me, trembling slightly as I cried a little against him, drawing in shaky breaths as I struggled to keep my composure. He felt no different than before. Still the same build, the same warmth and feeling when I was close to him. His hair was longer and more unkempt than it had been before which I kind of liked. He looked more like a normal guy, more like himself. As he pulled back Zuko's arms dropped to wrap around my waist, looking at me intently with a sad, lonely expression. "Can you ever forgive me?" Damn it, he's such a heartbreaker. I can't be dealing with that expression of his.

Looking away, I reached up and flicked him on the forehead, feeling my cheeks grow warm as my heart raced. "You've got a lot of work cut out for you if you're going to make up for everything you done, you know." He nodded, still holding onto me as I sighed. "What happened Zuko? Why are you here? Do you really want to teach the Avatar how to fire bend or are you here with Azula trying to trick us? Tell me the truth now, and if I find out you're lying, I swear I will make you suffer for the rest of your life in such a way that will make your sister look like a blessing." Suitably instilled with fear, Zuko quickly began to explain himself, rushing over his words and stumbling a few times.

"I really meant what I said, wait, you were listening?" I waved that part off, wanting to focus on the here and now. "Well, a lot happened after Ba Sing Se. I returned home with Azula, but nothing was as I expected it to be. I thought I'd be happy, but the more things seemed to fall into place and become exactly as I'd dreamed them to be, the more empty I felt." He started to explain, still holding me rather close to him as he looked away in shame. "I had my honour, my father's love, the title of prince, everything, but none of it made me happy." I chuckled softly, reaching up to brush aside some of his hair affectionately.

"You got too used to the commoner's life, Lee." I teased him, making him smile at me. I liked to see him smile, he looked so peaceful and contented as he looked at me deeply, eyes drawing towards each other almost instinctively.

"I was used to having you by my side, but then you were gone, and I missed you." Blushing lightly I glanced away, embarrassed but oddly happy to know that he'd missed me. "Whilst I was in the palace, my uncle got a message to me, telling me that I needed to learn the truth about my great grandfather's death." Looking at him with a frown, my immediate thought was of Sozin.

"Fire Lord Sozin?"

"That's what I thought too, but after I read my great grandfather's last testament, nothing made sense. He died an old man in his sleep, so I went to confront my uncle about it, and he told me that my mother's grandfather was Avatar Roku, my maternal great grandfather."

"No way!" I pushed at his chest out of surprise, unable to believe that such a coincidence existed in this world. "You're related to Aang in a past life? That's just…" Shaking my head as I walked about a little, I took a deep breath before placing my hand on my hip and looked back at Zuko, waiting for the rest. "So? What did it all mean?"

"Uncle told me that because of who I am, and who my ancestors were, both sides of good and bad were at war inside me, and that it was my destiny to right the wrong of my great grandfather, Sozin." Trust Iroh to know how to get through to Zuko, it's just a shame he didn't say all this sooner. "After meditating on it for a while, I realised that I had been wrong to choose war instead of peace, that it was my destiny not to capture the Avatar, but to help him restore balance. That's why I've come here. I want to help you, I want to help all of you to defeat my father and end this war."

"That's…" A lot. That's a lot to take in. Most of it was barely processing as I started to pace back and forth, rubbing my temples as I tried to think.

"I know it's hard for you to trust me right now, but I'm not going to give up. I'll keep on doing the right thing from now on, and I'll find a way to earn your forgiveness and make you proud, Kayo." Surprised that he cared that much about my opinion of him, I couldn't help but steal a glance towards Zuko.

"It's not just my forgiveness you need to worry about Zuko. You hurt a lot of people. Even though you feel sorry and regretful now, that doesn't make everything in the past right." I said to him a little harshly but not unkindly, wanting to be honest and realistic with him. "You've started on this path, and I'm warning you now it's going to be long, hard, often frustration and probably more than a little impossible at times, but if you really want to change and become the person that our nation needs to make things right with the rest of the world, then I need you to promise me. Promise that you're not going to give up, that you're not going to go back just because things get tough." I said to him as my eyes narrowed. "The entire world has suffered because of us, the Fire Nation. Now you're going to have to be the one to suffer in return, and take the weight of that responsibility. Only you can do it, Zuko."

"I promise. I know it's going to be tough, but I'm not going to give up. I've made up my mind, and I'm prepared to sacrifice whatever it takes to make things right." He said resolutely, fists clenching at his sides as he looked me dead in the eye, unwavering. "I swear I will bring peace and prosperity back to this world, and create a new era with the help of the Avatar…and you Kayo." Softening towards him, I couldn't hide my smile as I felt relief wash over me. "I really did miss you. Every day."

"Well, didn't miss you one bit. I'm still mad at you." I replied stubbornly, folding my arms and turning away from him as the sky began to grow dark. I could almost feel Zuko smiling behind me, just looking at me before he noticed something.

"There aren't any scars." For a moment I didn't know what he was talking about, but then it clicked and I looked down at my arms. "You got hit with a full fire blast, I saw the burns all over your body. How come there aren't any…?" He stumbled over the last word, looking so disgusted with himself I couldn't help but sigh and ease his mind a little.

"I healed them almost immediately when I was in the water, then Katara finished the job for me. Since I attended to them immediately, we were able to keep them from scaring. There are a few scars here, but they're faint and you can barely see them." Lifting my chin I pulled back my hair to show him my neck, tilting my chin up to reveal a few faint, silvery lines and patches where the skin didn't heal exactly right. "It's nothing to worry over."

"You might think that, but I still hurt you Kayo. I'll never forgive myself for that." Zuko said to me darkly, punishing himself inwardly as he reached out to touch one of the more distinctive scars which were barely more than streaks of uneven skin and very small. "I'll make this up to you too." Knowing that it was pointless to argue, I simply nodded my head as he then started to look at my hair, touching it lightly with a softer expression. "You've changed your hair. You look more like a water bender now." I touched it self-consciously, feeling the twin braids that hung at the side of my head and joined the braided bun at the back of my head. "It looks good." Satisfied that Zuko liked it, though I didn't know why I should care whether he did or not, I turned around again as his eyes flickered slightly like a shadow had passed over him. "Before I left, I confronted my father. I told him why I was leaving and what I intended to do, but before I left, he told me something about my mother." I straightened, knowing that this had to be important. "He told me that my mother might still be alive."

"What?! That's crazy, tell me everything! What happened? What did he say?" Grabbing Zuko's wrist in alarm, I pulled him under his canopy in order to sit down and make ourselves comfortable, noticing that he'd started to try and make some tea so I picked up the tea leaves and started to prepare them, Zuko lighting the fire so that the water could boil.

"He told me that on the night my mother disappeared, she had found out that my father was going to kill me on the order of my grandfather, Fire Lord Azulon." I balked, totally not seeing that one coming. "My father had asked him to rename him as the air, as my uncle had just lost his son in battle. My grandfather got angry, ordering my father to kill me so that he might feel the same pain of loss as my uncle, and my father was going to do it. He was going to kill me, but then my mother found out from Azula who'd heard everything." I stared at him, pausing in my tea making out of sheer shock. I thought Ozai was a bad father before, now he just seemed like a monster, not even human. "My mother bargained with my father somehow, I'm not sure exactly. She promised him that she'd make him Fire Lord in exchange for my life, and in return she would be banished. I think my mother must have killed my grandfather, because the same night she disappeared, he died and my father was named Fire Lord."

"So your mother is alive? She's out there somewhere? Zuko that's great! You can go find her, bring her somewhere safe and be together again." I said to him, starting the tea again and brewing the leaves in the kettle as I prepared the teacups. "Aren't you happy? You don't look happy."

"It's just the way he said it, like not even my father was sure if my mother was alive. Something must have happened to her, otherwise he'd know where she is. He's not the kind of guy who would let a loose end just walk around freely like that." Understanding his worry, I nudged him softly, trying to be optimistic.

"Maybe your mom just gave him the slip and his hiding somewhere, waiting for when it's safe to come back. We'll find her. I'll help you look for her once all this is over. There's got to be some information floating around, so no matter how long it takes, we'll bring her home to you." I promised him, giving him a confident smile. "I have some news too. Do you want to hear?"

"Sure, tell me." Looking like he was enjoying my company, I couldn't help but grin out of sheer joy as I told him.

"I finally got news of my father after all his time. Katara and Sokka's father managed to find a contact who knew him and could confirm the story of how he met my mother eighteen years ago." I revealed, making Zuko's eyes widen and lit up with joy for me.

"That's great! So have you met him? What's he like?"

"I don't know, he wasn't part of the invasion because he's defending the south seas of the Earth Kingdom right now, but he's alive and his name is Koda and he's a warrior from the Southern Water Tribe. He's also known as 'The Wild Beast of the Sea', and apparently he's been sinking Fire Nation warships for over twenty years." I couldn't help but talk praise about him, still completely overwhelmed that I finally knew his name. "Pretty cool huh?"

"I think I've heard that name before. The old admirals used to talk about a man who'd sink supply ships more in the last fifteen years than before. They called him the 'Wild Beast' because he was like some kind of berserk animal whenever he wrecked a ship." Zuko frowned, thinking carefully before looking at me with a smile. "Your dad is a war hero. At least, he is to other people. Not so much the Fire Nation, and they're pretty terrified of him from what I know."

"That's awesome! Hakoda said that his contact would try to get in touch with my father to let him know that he had a daughter. I wish I could see his face when he reads that message." I longed before growing a little nauseous and quiet, thinking.

"What? What is it?"

"What…what if he's not what I expect? Will he even be excited to know he has a daughter somewhere in the world? What if it turns out he doesn't want kids and doesn't love my mom anymore? It's been eighteen years, what if he's forgotten about her?" I worried, starting to think about things that hadn't crossed my mind until now.

"There's no way he won't love you Kayo, you're one of the best people I know. If he's not thrilled to find out he's got a daughter like you, then I think my uncle will be having a talking to with him and set him straight." Zuko said to me laughingly, as I poured the tea for us both so that we could both share a drink together.

"I'm only the way I am now because your uncle and the rest of your crew taught me so much. Honestly, I had no interest in tea or Pai Sho until I met Uncle Iroh." I said before laughing in amusement, Zuko joining me before we took a sip and he sighed, commenting that it was just the way his uncle used to make it. "What happened to Iroh? Is he okay?"

"Before I left I went to go break him out of jail, but he'd already gone by the time I got there. I don't know where he is, so I just followed you guys here." Zuko said to me, looking down into his cup pensively. "He must hate me, after all I said and did, he probably never wants to see me again." Glancing across to him as I sipped at my tea, I rested my cup down and shifted closer to him so that our bodies were touching and I could lay my head down on his shoulder, both to rest and comfort him.

"Your uncle loves you more than anything in this world Zuko. He could never hate you, and he'll forgive you for everything. Probably immediately, unlike me, who plans to make you squirm for a while longer in suspense." I teased, making him breathe a laugh before he drank the rest of his tea in one gulp before leaning his head against mine as I poured him some more tea. "But…I did miss you. I never stopped hoping that you would turn back around and come back, and you did."

"I meant what I said. I'm going to make it up to you."

"Hm, you better, otherwise I have no intention helping you make peace with Aang and the others. By the way, why was Katara so against you back there? She even had a row with me after you left, saying that my loyalty was questionable and that I'd just go running back to you now that you'd shown up."

"She said that?"

"Yup."

"But…didn't you just come running back to me?" I snorted indignantly, sitting up straight and moving away from Zuko again as I turned my face slightly to hide my embarrassment.

"I didn't run, exactly." Hearing him snort I smacked at him with my hand, drinking my tea before having some more. "And where I go and who I talk to is none of her concern. Well, any thoughts?"

"Seemed like normal hostility to me, I didn't notice anything particular."

"Well you're helpful." Rolling my eyes, the both of us enjoyed some tea and preserved food Zuko had brought along with him, eating once it got darker and our stomachs started to rumble hungrily. "So, what else happened whilst we were away from each other? Anything interesting."

"I kind of dated Mai a little when I returned to the capital." I almost spat out my food. At first I was greatly irate over the information before I calmed myself down, taking a moment to let it sink in.

"You dated Azula's friend Mai? I thought you said she had the emotional complexity of a cactus. Prickly and stiff." His jaw dropped slightly before Zuko suddenly laughed, holding his face in his hand at my blunt comment which I didn't think was all that funny. I mean, it was true right? Considering what he'd told me about her.

"That's pretty accurate, just don't let her hear you say that about her." Zuko recovered, laughter trailing off until he was able to speak normally again. "But yeah, it just sort of happened." I furrowed my brow at him.

"How do you just happen to date someone?"

"Well, she kissed me on the journey back home, then…it just happened." I stared at him blankly.

"You men are hopeless."

"What? What did I do?" Rolling my eyes, I just tore off another chunk of meat with my teeth and stewed for a while. Zuko can date whoever he wants, it's nothing to do with me. I shouldn't care, but somehow it bothered me.

"So, when you kissed me in Ba Sing Se, how come we didn't just happen to start dating then?" This time Zuko choked on the food he'd just swallowed, forcing him to pound his fist against his chest to dislodge it before he coughed and recovered, eyes watering from the strain as I just watched him with a blank expression.

"What…what do you mean?"

"Oh I'm sorry, did you forget all about it? Don't worry then, I'm sure it's best left forgotten." I waved off, starting to turn and get up. "Maybe I should get going now, see if Katara is going to determine I'm an enemy too since I've been hanging out with you like she told me not to."

"No wait! Kayo!" Quickly grabbing my hand, Zuko hung onto me as I paused, willing to listen, though not guaranteeing how long that willingness would last. "I remember, it's just…I don't know how to explain it. Please sit down?" Considering for a moment, I decided to oblige, sitting down and elegantly picking up my teacup to sip at it. "I dated Mai because it seemed like everybody expected me to, and I didn't want to let her down, but every day I couldn't help but feel wrong about it. She's nice and showed a little more openness when it was just the two of us, but it just didn't feel right. I guess I'm too used to girls like you who speak their mind and let everyone know exactly how they're feeling without reserve." I'll give him that.

"So you and Mai were a thing. What happened when you left?"

"I left her a letter explaining why I was leaving and why we had to break up, so…"

"You wrote her a letter?! Zuko that's like the most jerkiest thing you could have possibly done! You jerk!" I yelled at him, feeling infuriated and bad for Mai's sake, the poor girl. Swiping at him I made sure he felt some physical pain in retribution, my female dignity flaring in Mai's defence purely on principle. "You never break up with a girl through a letter, that's just cold. If you're going to do it, you do it face to face like a man. If you're going to break a girl's heart, at least give her the satisfaction of hitting you or something in payback."

"Was it really that bad?" I griped my head then flung out my hands.

"Yes!" Groaning I fell back against the ground, releasing a deep breath as I shook my head. "You really are terrible with people, Zuko. I told you to work on your people skills and communicating."

"I know. I've been trying." He said to me as he lay down too, tucking an arm under his head so that we were laying side by side. After a moment or so I turned over so that I was looking at him, all raggedy haired and good looking. Jeez, I just can't seem to stay mad at him. "Kayo…"

"Hm?"

"The other reason I broke up with Mai, it was because…" He stopped then, seemingly changing his mind about telling me as he shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Will you stay here? Please?"

"Seeing as I'm already comfortable and it's dark, I don't really fancy the idea trying to feel my way back down that cliff path. I almost fell off it and plunged to my death several times when it was still light out, so I think you don't have a choice but to accept the fact I'm sleeping here tonight." I told him frankly and he smiled happily in return.

"Goodnight then." Zuko murmured, shifting a little closer as I shrugged slightly, feigning indifference.

"Night Zuko. Sweet dreams."