"Everything's taken care of," said Yuzo. "Once you get to the tunnel, follow it to the end. You'll find what you need to get to the shore."

"This is cutting it kind of close," said Zuko. "He's to be executed tomorrow."

"It was the soonest we could arrange the right guards in the prison. Piandao arranged for Captain Zun to meet you at the tip of the Hot Springs Peninsula."

Zuko nodded. "I have the map."

"I wish you would talk to them," said Chiara kneeling next to Iroh. "I'll plead for them to trade our sentences."

"They will require me to be executioner. And I have hope that you may one day make it out of here alive," he said believing Zuko might find a way to free her in the future.

"But will the Fire Lord not pardon his own brother?" she asked.

"He is too drunk with power." He looked at her. "Do not be sad for me, Chiara. I am not deserving of compassion, especially yours."

"Why would you say that? You gave me a good life here."

"But I will never forget that I am responsible for the destruction of your village and even the death of your parents."

"It wasn't your fault."

"If I had just been sooner, I could've prevented the attack," he said sadly.

"I don't blame you; I've never blamed you, and if there's any part of the responsibility that you truly bear, I've forgiven you."

He was moved by her forgiveness, but before he could speak again, the cell door opened and two guards entered. One of them grabbed Chiara and pulled her up as the other restrained Iroh who stood up in an attempt to defend her despite being unable to use his arms.

"What are you doing?" he demanded.

"You used to be the Dragon of the West, the great General Iroh, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. But tomorrow you'll be executed as a traitor because of this Water Tribe whore," said the guard holding him. "So tonight you're going to witness her little accident."

The other guard threw Chiara against the back wall. Iroh tried to go towards them, but the guard restraining him forced him to his knees.

"Leave her alone!" he yelled.

The guard standing over Chiara pulled out a knife, but she quickly wrapped the chain joining her shackles around his wrist and pulled him down to her right. As the knife fell to the floor, she forced his head against the wall, and then she elbowed him in the back; turning behind him, she kicked him back into the wall. Iroh was struggling to break free to help her, but the guard restraining him had chained him to the bars and went to attack Chiara.

"Get off her!" yelled Iroh still struggling against his chain.

The second guard slammed her against the wall and then struck her knocking her against another wall where she dropped to the floor. Pulling out his knife he stepped towards her, but then it fell to the floor, and the sound of bone cracking echoed through the cell. The guard barely had time to register the pain before everything went black. While both guards were lying unconscious, Zuko quickly knelt down by Chiara.

"Prince Zuko, what are you doing here?" asked Iroh.

"I'm getting you out," he said as he pulled out a key and started undoing her shackles.

"What if someone sees you?" she asked worriedly.

"You let me worry about that," he said.

"We'll need to restrain them," said Iroh, speaking of the guards.

When Chiara was free, Zuko tenderly wiped some of the blood from her face, and then he wrapped his arms around her. When he released her, she took the key from him.

"I'll get the General," she said softly.

Zuko began restraining one of the guards while Chiara was freeing Iroh.

"Why were they in here?" asked Zuko.

"They were assassins," Iroh answered.

Azula, thought Zuko suppressing his ire.

"What happened to him?" he asked, nodding towards the other guard.

"He made the mistake of assaulting the Daughter of the Dragon of the West," said Iroh as he began restraining the man with his own restraints.

"What about the other guards?" Chiara asked.

"Don't worry about anything," said Zuko taking her hand and leading them out of the cell.

They followed him down through the prison, and any guards that they did see seemed not to notice them. Zuko led them through a series of corridors and took them down a staircase to a level underground. Lifting what looked like a drain grate on the floor, he descended a ladder that had been nearly invisible in the dim light of his and Iroh's flames. When he reached the bottom, Chiara followed him, and Iroh followed her replacing the grate above him. Behind the ladder, Zuko picked up a bag that he had hidden there earlier, and after placing the strap over his shoulder, he took Chiara's hand and led them through the tunnel. They had only walked a short distance before finding Yuzo waiting for them.

"Grand Lotus," he said addressing Iroh as he bowed respectfully.

"Ah, Yuzo, it's good to see you."

"I wish you a safe journey," he said as he walked with them.

Iroh nodded to him. "And thank you for the help."

"It was an honor to serve you, especially at this time."

"And just in time too," chuckled Iroh.

"We've been working on the plans for a while, but your nephew made it much easier."

"Wait," said Zuko, "you already planned to help them escape?"

"Of course," said Yuzo. "We couldn't let the Grand Lotus be executed."

Thinking about it, Zuko was relieved to learn that someone else had been watching out for them had he failed to help.

"There are two assassins currently incapacitated in the cell," said Iroh.

Yuzo raised his eyebrows surprised that the two men got through their own guards. "That may be of benefit," he said thoughtfully.

"I agree," said Iroh. "They can take the blame for our escape."

Yuzo nodded and smiled. "I'll arrange it." When he stopped walking, the others turned to him. "I have to leave you here," he said. "But just follow the tunnel as I instructed."

"Thank you, Yuzo," said Iroh.

Zuko and Chiara bowed to him before the three of them continued their walk.

Arriving at the end of the tunnel, Zuko carefully climbed out first to make sure it was safe, and then he helped Chiara and Iroh. There were two mongoose lizards waiting for them, and after Iroh climbed on one, Chiara turned to Zuko and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Thank you for saving my father," she said.

He was holding her tightly. "It was for both of you."

After they parted, he helped her onto the saddle, and then he climbed on in front of her.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm going with you," he said.

"You can't," she said. "You just returned home."

"I'm not letting you go off on your own."

"Zuko, if you go back to the palace, no one will be the wiser," said Iroh. "The assassins will take the blame for our escape."

"I'm going with you," he insisted.

"You served your time in exile," said Chiara. "The General and I will be fine. Please stay here."

"I'm done with this place," he said coldly.

"Then we should go quickly," said Iroh.

"Follow me," he said. "There's a boat on the coast past the southern mountains."

Chiara wrapped her arms around Zuko's waist, and they rode off as quickly as they could.

They traveled through the mountains and kept off the main roads, and then riding along the coast following Zuko's map, they reached the meeting point. They could see a small ship anchored out at sea, so Zuko and Iroh dismounted their lizards, and as Zuko was helping Chiara down, someone approached them.

"General Iroh, it's been a long time."

They turned to see an older man walking towards them.

"Captain Zun, how have you been?" said Iroh.

"Apparently better than you," he chuckled.

"Is there anybody you don't know, Uncle?" asked Zuko.

"Captain Zun and I go way back."

"Your uncle was quite the adventurer," said Zun. "It was more than once that I thought I'd lose my head after the Crown Prince's disappearance."

Iroh was laughing. "It was all good. I always made it back."

Zun looked at Chiara. "And this is what you nearly lost your head for now? Leave it to you to get in trouble over a woman."

Though she knew Zun did not mean anything by it, his words increased the guilt she was feeling over Iroh's current circumstances.

"This is my daughter Lady Chiara," said Iroh.

"It's an honor to meet an old friend of the General's," she said as she bowed.

"The honor is mine, Lady Chiara," he said. "I'm glad to be of service to you." He looked at Zuko. "I was surprised to learn that Prince Zuko would be one of my passengers."

"It's just Zuko now," he said.

Zun nodded. "It seems you're as adventurous as the former Crown Prince."

Iroh started laughing.

"Yeah, I...I guess that's a compliment," said Zuko.

"This way then," said Zun.

He walked to a small boat nearby.

Chiara looked up at Zuko before following Zun and Iroh. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"More than anything."

"I don't want you to give up your destiny," she said.

"I'm not. You're my destiny," he said. "And it took me too long to figure that out."

He kissed her hand, and after setting the animals free, they left the beach heading for the ship offshore. Once they were aboard, Zun went to the helm and they left the Fire Nation. His ship was much smaller than Zuko's vessel and only had four other crew members, but it was sturdy enough to get them to the Earth Kingdom.

As they were sailing, Zuko walked up to Iroh who was standing alone at the bow.

"Uncle, I know you must have mixed feelings about me being here, but I want you to know...I am so, so sorry, Uncle. I am so sorry and ashamed of what I did. I don't know how I can ever make it up to you...both of you. But I'll..." Iroh grabbed him and hugged him. "How can you forgive me so easily? I thought you would be furious with me."

"I was never angry with you. I was sad because I was afraid you lost your way."

"I did lose my way."

Iroh released him. "But you found it again. And you did it by yourself. I'm so proud of you."

"General," called Zun.

Iroh walked up to him.

"Piandao provided supplies for you for your journey."

"Do let him know I'm indebted to him for his assistance."

Zun nodded. "We also have food below if you're hungry. It may not be great, but I'm quite sure it's better than the prison food."

Iroh smiled. "Thank you, but right now I could use some medical supplies."

"Of course. Osa," he called.

One of the crewmen stood before him. "Yes, sir."

"Show General Iroh where the medical supplies are."

"Yes, sir." He bowed respectfully to Iroh. "Follow me, General."

Iroh disappeared with Osa into the hold before returning to the deck where he walked up to Chiara who had been standing at the stern.

"Chiara."

She turned to see him holding a jar.

"Turn around," he said.

She turned her back to him and pulled her hair in front of her, and he began putting the salve on her back and arm through her burned clothing.

"These wounds needed to be treated sooner," he said.

"What happened to her?" asked Zuko as he walked up to them and saw the wound on her back that seemed to continue over the back of her arm.

"Yes, Princess Chiara," said Iroh, "why don't you tell Prince Zuko how this happened."

They were both surprised by his address.

"It-it was an accident," she said.

"What you did was no accident," said Iroh.

"But what the guard did was," she said.

"She tried to protect me with her own body as the guard went to strike me."

"You what?!" asked Zuko shocked. "Chiara..."

"It's okay," she said. "It'll heal."

"You healed my wound instantly," said Iroh. "You didn't need to defend me."

"I...just reacted without thinking about it."

"Wait...can't you heal it?" Zuko asked her.

"No," she answered.

"Turn around," said Iroh.

She turned to face him, and he began cleaning the blood from her neck before treating the wound.

"Who did that to her neck?" Zuko asked Iroh.

"One of the guards on the ship tried to assault her...," said Iroh deeply.

Flames grew from Zuko's hands at the thought.

"He didn't," said Chiara as she touched his arm.

"When I tried to stop him, another guard threatened to kill her," said Iroh.

Zuko did not think he could feel any worse for not helping her at Ba Sing Se.

"So, I don't understand," he said trying to calm down. "Why can't you heal these wounds?"

"I was told my gift wasn't for me."

"Who told you that?"

"My waterbending master."

"You had a master? Of course you did," he answered himself as he thought about her fighting in Ba Sing Se. "Have you tried?"

"Yes. It doesn't work."

"So other waterbenders can't heal themselves?" he asked.

"Actually, all of the ones I met could."

"Why can't you?"

"I was told that my gift was only for the benefit of others, that I'm to be like a mother to everyone."

He silently contemplated her words. He remembered how she always took care of him, and he thought back to her compassionately taking care of Iroh in the prison, even begging to take his punishment, diligently cooking and cleaning for them, working for them when they were in exile, and healing his injuries. And now she stood before him bruised, cut, and burned. He was even reminded of his mother's own words to him, Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. The guilt he had been feeling for weeks over his actions in Ba Sing Se was overwhelming. He knelt at her feet and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry," he said. "Forgive me for breaking my vows. I should've stood by you and Uncle in Ba Sing Se. I thought I could have it all back and you with it. But if I can't have you and the Fire Nation, I choose you."

Chiara was stunned by his apology. Leaning towards him, she placed her hand under his chin and tenderly lifted his head. "Your heart will always be in the Fire Nation. I would never expect you to choose me over who you are."

"Uncle told me I choose my own destiny. You are my destiny. These past weeks have been empty without you. None of it meant anything without you by my side. I would rather live in exile with you than as a prince living in the palace without you."

Her heart stirred at his words. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her holding her tightly.

"I love you, Chiara."

She relaxed against him having missed his strong embrace.

Iroh was impressed by Zuko's words to her, but he could not help feeling worried about their future.

"You should eat," Zuko said to her as she felt thin to him.

"Yes, Chiara," agreed Iroh. "You didn't eat much in the prison."

"Take her below and make sure she eats, Uncle," said Zuko. "I'll help Zun keep watch."

Iroh took her below, and they both ate.

Later, Chiara returned to the deck and kept watch for Fire Nation ships, and often when it seemed as though there might be one in the distance, she would stealthily raise a fog from the water as cover. After spotting another light at the horizon, she quickly created a fog.

"It's unusually foggy tonight," said Iroh walking up to her.

"Nature is amazing."

"Yes," chuckled Iroh, "it definitely is."

Zuko, who was at the helm with Zun, looked back at them wondering what they were laughing about. After disappearing below, he returned to the deck and walked up to her holding her sword.

"My sword?" she said.

"Yes. Before I left Ba Sing Se, I went back to our apartment and got it, as well as this." He held out her knife, the one he had given to her years ago.

"Aww, thank you," she said.

"You should get some sleep."

"Are you sure? I can help with cover."

"What?" he asked wondering what she meant.

"If we spot a ship I can raise a fog to hide us."

"Is...is that why we've had so much fog? You've been doing that?"

She nodded.

He was impressed. "I'm such an idiot. I just thought we were lucky."

Iroh started laughing. "We are lucky. We're lucky Chiara's a waterbender."

Zuko smiled, but he was worried about her. "I'll help Zun avoid the ships tonight. Get some sleep and you can watch during the day."

She nodded and then went below deck.

The next morning, Chiara stood on the stern enjoying the sun and the sea, especially after having been locked up in the prison. Iroh, too, was enjoying the sun that he had been deprived of in his prison cell.

"I'm surprised you're not sleeping," she said to Zuko when he walked up to them.

"I'll rest once we're out of Fire Nation waters."

"Too bad we don't have a waterbender on board," said Iroh. "We could use a boost in speed."

"Yeah, that would probably be pretty useful right now," she said.

"Uh, you know I get that now," said Zuko. "And you're right, it would be useful."

"With your permission, General," she said.

"It's no longer a secret," he said. "There's no point in hiding it anymore."

She moved her arms over the water, and they felt the boat pick up speed. Zuko was still amazed that he never knew she could waterbend.

"You know, the way you fought in the Crystal Catacombs...," he started. "...you were amazing. Where did you train?"

"The General and I lived with the Northern Water Tribe for several moon cycles."

He remembered Iroh telling him he had studied with waterbenders.

"So you lived in that ice fortress?"

"It was most impressive," said Iroh. "Especially when it was not under attack."

"How did Zhao know you were a waterbender?" Zuko asked her.

"I froze him to the bridge before he could attack you again," she said softly.

He was stunned, but impressed by how she was always ready to protect him. He shook his head as he thought back to it.

"What?" she asked.

"Your reaction," he answered. "You acted like you had no idea what he was talking about."

She smiled.

"So were you affected by what he did to the moon spirit?" he asked her.

She nodded. "Yes. I lost my power."

His jaw dropped. "I can't imagine what that would be like."

"It felt like a part of me died."

He continued watching her as she helped propel the boat.

"You should've done this when we were on the raft," said Zuko.

"I did."

Iroh started laughing.

"Really?" asked Zuko. "I didn't see you."

"I did it when you were sleeping."

"Our corpses would probably still be on that raft if it wasn't for Chiara," said Iroh.

Zuko laughed to himself as he thought about Iroh's words.

"This is so much better than the raft," she said. She stopped bending momentarily and placed her hand on Zuko's arm as she looked up at him. "Thank you. You really did so much for us."

"Actually, this was all Master Piandao," he said. "I just wish I had realized sooner what was most important."

It would take nearly a week to reach the Earth Kingdom. Zuko and Iroh had looked over the maps Zuko brought, and they decided to land in an area they believed was not under control of the Fire Nation.

Late one night, Zuko was standing at the helm looking ahead knowing they would be nearing land soon, while Iroh and Chiara were standing on the stern, Chiara enjoying the bright full moon. She looked at Iroh.

"Do...do you think he'll be okay?" she asked softly.

Iroh stood quietly in thought pondering her question before answering.

"I believe he will."

"But we've been through this before. It's not going to be easy."

"He didn't choose to be banished the first time. Now it was his choice. That will make a difference."

"I'm still worried about him," she said.

"Uncle, Chiara, there's land ahead."

They walked to the bow to see the dark land rising up on the horizon.

Once they anchored the ship offshore, the crew helped load their supplies into the smaller boat, and then Zun took them to shore.

A/N: Throughout his exile, Zuko's priority was to return to the Fire Nation and regain his honor, a quest he never stopped seeking until he accomplished it. I know his betrayal of Iroh and Chiara in Ba Sing Se seemed extreme and cold, especially after everything they had been through together, but I wanted Zuko to return to the Fire Nation and receive the honor he had been looking for. Except for his wife and his uncle, he had finally achieved everything else for which he had been working since he was banished. It was meant to be a learning experience for him. Having seen the plight of the citizens of the Earth Kingdom, he discovers that the Fire Nation really is the "bad guy", especially when he learns their future plans. He realizes that his father isn't someone who deserves his respect. And most of all, he finally recognizes who his true family is and where his loyalty needs to be. For years he thought he could have it all, but over these last two chapters he learned that he had to make a final decision, and he chose his true family. He has now let go of his quest for the Avatar, his honor, his father's approval, and even his return to his native country.

There may be some minor strife ahead in adjusting to their new situation, but there will be no more betrayal among our main characters.

(Zuko's apology to Iroh took place in the camp of the Order of the White Lotus in the series, but I placed it here in order to fit it in with my adjustments to the timeline.)