A/N: The reviews were great...thanks.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but I usually skim through the following chapter before posting the current one. Unfortunately, I found so many issues with the next chapter, I didn't want to post this one until I had the future chapter resolved because sometimes changes need to be made to the past to fix the future (Yay! temporal mechanics). Anyways, I'm still not completely happy with these next two chapters, but, sadly, time is limited.

Zuko had been kept imprisoned in his own room in the palace after being moved from the Prison Tower. He was given no information, and no one would answer his questions whenever he asked about Iroh or Chiara. A few days later, escorted by two guards, he was brought before Fire Lord Ozai and Azula.

"I have been informed that my traitor son has been brainwashed by a Water Tribe spy," said Ozai.

Zuko felt enraged. "That's not true!"

"But if it is true then being a traitor might not be his fault," said Azula cunningly. "I think Uncle might have made an alliance with the Water Tribe and used her to seduce Zuko in order to usurp the throne."

"That's ridiculous," said Zuko appalled by Azula's accusation. "She's lived here most of her life."

"And you've always had a soft spot for her," said Azula.

"She was my best friend, Azula. That doesn't make her a spy. She loves the Fire Nation."

"So you marry the little tramp?"

"This is a problem that can be eliminated," interrupted the Fire Lord.

"No!" yelled Zuko. "Don't hurt her. She's innocent. I was banished from home, so I made a new home..."

"A banishment that you chose after breaking Iroh out of prison!" said Ozai angrily not realizing that Zuko and Chiara had been married since Ba Sing Se.

"He didn't deserve to be executed," said Zuko. "He's not a traitor, and he wasn't trying to take the throne. We were living peacefully in the Earth Kingdom, and I-I just wanted a family."

"And you take a low-life peasant of the Water Tribe?!" he yelled, his voice full of revulsion. "The royal blood is wasted on you."

"Just let her go. I'll do whatever you want..."

"Too late," said Ozai.

"Please don't hurt her," he begged.

"General Ikong recommended public execution..."

"You can't," said Zuko, shaking his head.

"I agree," said Ozai. "This was a private affair and it was dealt with privately."

"What do you mean 'was'?" asked Zuko worriedly.

"I mean it's been handled."

"No," he said. "Execute me instead..."

"There's no point in that now, Zuzu," said Azula. "You're free of that disgrace."

He was shaking his head. "No..."

"The little Water whore's already been executed," she said.

He did not want to believe her. "You're lying."

"Am I?"

She threw the diadem on the floor in front of him. Zuko's heart stopped as he looked at it, and he slowly reached down and picked it up.

"Lightning and water don't mix," she said.

Zuko angrily started towards Azula but the guards held him back.

"You're lying, Azula! You always lie!" he yelled trying to pull away from the men.

"Remove him!" ordered Ozai.

They took him to his room where he was locked up and kept under guard.

Iroh had been lying in his cell looking and feeling lost when Warden Poon walked in.

"About your petition to see the Fire Lord," he started. "Request denied."

Iroh said nothing.

"It looks like your brother doesn't want to see you...not that that matters now anyways."

Iroh just lay there silently, ignoring him.

"Ikong told me you were pathetic," said Poon looking down at him. "Looks like he was right."

The warden glared at him as he remained silent.

"All this over some Water Tribe savage," he continued, trying to get some reaction out of him.

Iroh lay there not taking the bait.

"The Crown Prince of the Fire Nation raising some foreign brat, and you really thought you were going to get away with it? If you ask me, she got what she deserved. And it might not be long before the Fire Lord condemns you to death too."

Iroh remained impassive, so Poon shook his head in disgust and walked out. Not knowing how long he would be locked in the prison, Iroh knew he could not just sit in his cell and mourn, so as soon as the warden left, he started doing sit-ups.

Zuko spent the day pacing in his room trying to focus on a plan to sneak out in order to go to the prison to speak to Iroh. He knew if he was going to attempt to rescue Iroh, and hopefully Chiara, he needed to be able to get in and out of his room without being spotted or caught. The guards outside his bedroom door left him no choice but to sneak out of his room another way, and he would not be able to do that until it was dark. Feeling frustrated with his situation, he sat on his bed; the glow of the green crystal on the windowsill suddenly caught his eye. He walked over to it, and picking it up he looked at it, turning it over in his hand. He remembered the last time Chiara was in prison, how dispirited and despondent she looked, but as much as it saddened him to imagine her in that position again, he felt it would be better than her death. He knew his father and Azula would have no issue with killing her, but he wanted to believe she was still alive. He replaced the crystal on the sill and looking out his window down at the pond he started to reminisce his and Chiara's days playing with the turtle ducks. As he quietly stared out the window, he ignored whoever had walked into his room knowing it was no one he was concerned with at the moment since they were both currently imprisoned...or gone, he was still unsure.

"Living in the past, Zuzu?" said Azula now standing next to him looking out the window.

The mere sound of her voice sent a wave of fury through his body, but he knew he needed to remain calm and just play along with her game until he could find out the truth.

"Tell me, Brother, what made you leave?"

He remained silent.

"For over three years you tried to capture the Avatar and regain your honor, and when you finally come home to all that glory you give it all up and run away back to the Earth Kingdom."

"You wouldn't understand if I told you," he said listlessly.

"Try me."

He sighed to himself. "You really think Uncle deserved to die?"

"He raised a Water Tribe spy..."

"Stop, Azula! You know that's not true!" He was already losing his temper, and he knew he had to keep control.

"Then why did he hide what she was?"

"Why do you think? Do you really believe he would've been able to raise her in the Fire Nation in Caldera if everyone had known she was a waterbender?"

"He never should've brought her here."

"If you and Ozai have such a problem with it, then why did you bring us back here?" he asked, refusing to call Ozai "father".

"When Uncle and his spy fought against me in defense of the Avatar, that made them traitors. You helped them escape, so that makes you a traitor."

"We were no threat to the Fire Nation. We were living quietly as far away as possible, but you just couldn't leave us alone."

"If you're against the Fire Nation, you don't deserve freedom." She looked up at him. "I don't understand you, Zuko. You were born of royal blood. Why would you possibly want to live like some peasant?" she asked with disgust in her voice.

"There's no shame in living a life of simple poverty," he said calmly, repeating Iroh's words.

A condescending laugh came out of her mouth. "Are you serious?"

"We were happy there. I was happy."

"Happy? I doubt you were happy, Brother," she said snidely.

"I told you you wouldn't understand."

"You really expect me to believe you were happy being a filthy serf? Growing cabbages? Milking moo-sows? Raising a litter of half-breed brats by that peasant whore? None of that is you."

Zuko tensed up at her words causing her lip to curl slightly as she was taking pleasure in knowing she was getting to him. He had nearly lost control, but knowing that was what she wanted, he desperately fought the rage inside him.

"Then you don't know me very well," he said deeply.

"If you really believe that's what you were meant to do with your life, then Father was right," she said. "The royal blood is wasted on you."

Zuko said nothing. Azula looked back out the window.

"Do you know why Father brought you here from the prison?" she asked casually.

He did not answer her.

"I'll take your silence as a 'no' then," she said. "He knows you're too weak to do anything about it. He can keep you inside the palace walls knowing that you're too impotent to do more than whine about it. Sure you could escape again and run away like a coward, but he knows you're no threat to him. If you ask me, it almost sounds like he's daring you to do something...desperate. I think he might actually have a shred of respect for you if you did," she taunted him.

He continued ignoring her.

"But no. Not little Zuzu. You're like a little tigerdillo. You'll growl and threaten to attack, but in the end you just tuck your tail between your legs and curl up into a ball. And like the pathetic little animal you are, Father will keep you caged up. He'll throw you some crumbs, remind you of what a failure you are to him and the whole royal family, and if you escape out of your cage to mate with some sea slug, he'll just catch you and put you back."

Zuko was trying to relax his clenched fists as she turned to leave.

"Where is she, Azula?" he asked deeply.

She stopped and turned to him as he walked towards her. "What does it matter?"

"She's my wife. I have a right to know where she is," he said, his voice still deep.

"Do you really believe she loved you?" she asked. "She was just using you, you know. You were nothing but a pawn in her and Uncle's little game. You meant nothing to her."

"That's you, Azula. Everyone around you is just a pawn in your games. You don't care about anyone but yourself, and Chiara is nothing like you."

He watched as her smirk disappeared. "How dare you compare me to that Water filth!" she yelled.

Zuko's temper was flaring too high for him to take pleasure in seeing Azula lose her own.

"Tell me where she is," he demanded.

"I already told you," she said as she glared at him. "She's been executed."

"I know you're lying."

"Fine, Zuko," she said, regaining her composure. "If you really want to see your little sea slug, just go to the prison."

He felt some sense of relief, and his mind returned to his plans to get inside the prison. Azula turned to leave, but then she stopped and looked at him again.

"I should warn you: they don't do a good job of cleaning the incinerator where they dispose of the bodies, so her ashes..."

Zuko was on her before she even knew what hit her. His hand was wrapped around her throat as he pushed her against the wall knocking the air out of her lungs.

"If you're telling the truth, then there's no reason I shouldn't kill you!" he threatened deeply.

Azula was struggling to inhale through his grip, and she grabbed his hand with her own trying to pull him off. Creating electricity, she tried to shock him off her, but expecting it, and despite the pain, he refused to let go of her.

"Tell me where she is!" he demanded.

She sent a steady stream of electricity through him, but he only tightened his grip on her neck.

"Is everything okay, Princess...?"

The guard, seeing the situation, immediately ran in and grabbed Zuko trying to pull him off his sister as another guard ran in to help, but they had trouble getting him to release his hold on her. A third guard, hearing the commotion, ran in and helped until they were finally able to break Zuko's grip. When Azula was free, she put her hands to her neck as she took deep breaths looking completely disheveled and shaken by the attack. She glared disgustedly at the guards.

"It's about time, you incompetent fools!" her normally smooth voice sounding hoarse. She watched as the guards struggled to restrain Zuko who was still trying to jump at her. "You're nothing but a filthy animal!" she yelled at him. "I can't wait until Father puts you down."

Angry that he was still fighting against the guards, she kicked him in the head and watched as his body went limp. She stormed out of his room.

"I have your dinner, General Iroh," said Ming as she walked into his cell.

She knelt down and slid the tray through the bars.

"I brought you chamomile tea," she said. "I thought it might help you relax."

The sadness in Iroh's heart deepened at the thought of the chamomile tea, but he appreciated Ming's kindness.

"Thank you, Ming," he said sincerely as he sat up.

She looked at him sympathetically. "I'm sorry about your daughter," she said softly. "She must have been really special for you to care so much for her."

Iroh looked at the teacup. "Chamomile with mint and honey was her favorite." His voice was a whisper filled with sadness.

Suddenly, the door flew open as the warden entered and Ming looked back at him. Iroh was just staring listlessly through the bars.

"Feeding the animals, Ming?"

She stood up. "It was time for his dinner."

"What a pathetic old man," he said disgustedly, looking at Iroh who was just staring blankly ahead. "He probably doesn't even know what to do with the food in front of him."

Ming walked out.

"Disgusting," said Poon at Iroh before leaving.

Opening his eyes, Zuko found himself on the floor of his room with a pounding headache. The bright light coming in through his window caused him to squint when he looked up, and he realized he had not been unconscious long as the sun was still up but was beginning to set. He lay still for a few minutes hoping the pounding in his skull would stop. When it seemed like it would not go away, he just rubbed the painful knot on his head and slowly ascended to his feet. Memories of his conversation with Azula found their way back into his mind, and he could feel the rage building back up inside him, but he refused to believe that Chiara was dead, and he was determined to find a way into the prison. If he could safely get off the palace grounds, then it was just a matter of getting into the tunnels under the city. Having been observing the guards' routine outside every night, he was sure he could manage a temporary escape.

Long after the sun had set, Zuko, dressed in black clothing, stepped out onto his balcony and carefully climbed down the palace wall. It was nothing he had not done before, but now he was much bigger than when he had done it years ago before his banishment. He wished that his circumstances were different. He would much rather be climbing down the wall to sneak a visit to Chiara at Iroh's manor as he had when they were younger instead of trying to sneak into a prison to find out if she was still alive. Reaching the ground he stealthily crept along the wall of the palace staying in the shadows while looking out for any guards. The most difficult part now would be getting across the open courtyard and over the palace wall without being seen, but having broken into the Pouhai Stronghold, he was sure he could do this.

"Prince Zuko," he heard someone whisper.

He was frustrated with himself for being caught so soon and he slowly turned towards the voice, his hand resting on his knife. It seemed to be one of the kitchen staff standing before him.

The man bowed to him. "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked Zuko.

Zuko was unsure of what to say. "Uh...no."

"Perhaps a game of Pai Sho."

Zuko hesitated, wondering if he was a member of his uncle's order. "Pai Sho...sounds...good...," he said awkwardly. "Is there someplace private...?"

"Follow me," he bowed and turned.

Zuko followed the servant who led him to the kitchen where he stopped at the familiar wall of shelves behind which lay a hidden passage. Opening the entrance to the passageway, they both entered. Zuko was frustrated as he was wanting to get out of the palace, but now he was back inside. The servant stopped at a dead end.

"My name is Ren, Prince Zuko. I was told you might try to find your way out of the palace."

"So why did you bring me back inside? Are you supposed to stop me?" he asked a bit defensively.

"No, sir. I'm supposed to help you any way I can."

Zuko felt suspicious of the man. "Who told you to help me?"

"Yuzo on the orders of Grand Lotus Iroh."

He suddenly felt less suspicious. "I need to speak to my uncle in the prison."

Ren nodded. "Yuzo will be able to help you with that. If you follow this passage, it will take you to the Pai Sho room where you'll find him."

"What passage?" asked Zuko looking at the solid wall.

Ren pushed it and the wall moved revealing another hidden passage. All the times he and Chiara spent exploring the secret passages of the palace, they never suspected a solid wall to be a door. He wished he had known about it years ago as it would have made it a lot easier to get in and out of the palace grounds then.

"I plan on coming back here," said Zuko.

"I'll wait for you in the kitchen. Just tap twice on the door and give me a few minutes to clear anyone else who might be present."

"Won't they hear me tapping?"

Ren smiled. "Most of the other staff won't deal with elephant rats."

Zuko nodded in understanding, and then he bowed to him. "Thank you, Ren."

He entered the new passage and continued walking until he found the Lotus hideout where he found Yuzo meeting with several other men he assumed to be secret members of the Order.

"Prince Zuko," said Yuzo. "I thought I might see you soon."

Though he thought it would be safe to speak in front of the others, he still looked suspiciously at them.

"I need to talk to you," he said to Yuzo.

Yuzo looked at the others and nodded.

"I need to speak to Uncle," said Zuko after the others left.

"It'll take a day or two to arrange it."

"I want to speak with Chiara too."

Yuzo looked at him. Zuko did not like the look of worry mixed with sympathy on his face.

"Prince Zuko...I...I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this..."

"Don't! Don't say it!" said Zuko. "She can't be..." He closed his eyes trying to keep control. "They had to have hidden her somewhere."

"Give me a couple days to make arrangements and you can speak with Iroh. And I'll...I'll ask around about Lady Chiara to make sure," he added softly.

Zuko nodded.

"I'll send you a signal when it's time."

Zuko left making his way back to the palace which forced him to be alone with his thoughts. Hearing Yuzo confirm what Azula told him troubled him deeply. If the Order of the White Lotus thought she was dead, then it was probably true...but he forced the idea out of his mind. He needed to talk to his uncle. He was sure Iroh would know the truth.

Following Ren's instructions, he knocked twice on the door to the kitchen, and it was only seconds before Ren opened it inviting him in.

"Prince Zuko," he greeted him as he bowed. "I have your transport ready to take you back to your room."

Zuko's jaw dropped when he saw the laundry cart.

"I just planned on going back the way I came," he said.

"That's too dangerous."

"And this won't seem suspicious at this time of night?"

"I've arranged for our own guards at your door."

Zuko looked surprised. "You have guards in the palace?"

"Not many, unfortunately."

Zuko looked at the laundry cart and sighed. "I suppose I've been in worse situations," he said before climbing in.

"Don't worry, Prince Zuko. These are clean," said Ren as he dropped an armful of towels on top of him.

A few days later, while Zuko was still imprisoned in his room, his dinner was brought to him.

Ren bowed to him. "Prince Zuko, I'll return for your tray later tonight."

Zuko looked puzzled, but when he lifted the tray cover, he saw a lotus tile which he took as a sign to meet with Yuzo. That evening, after a change of guards, Ren returned to Zuko's room and hid him under the service tray allowing him to be taken down to the kitchen.

"Thanks for this, Ren," he said.

"It's my pleasure to serve you, Prince Zuko," he said as he bowed.

Zuko disappeared into the hidden passage behind the shelves, and taking the tunnel beyond the palace grounds that led to the Order's hideout, he found Yuzo talking to another man.

"Prince Zuko," he greeted him.

"Have you heard anything about Chiara?" he asked Yuzo.

"I'm sorry, Prince Zuko. No one has seen her since...since shortly after she was brought in and it was announced that...that she had been executed," he finished softly.

Zuko was feeling angry, but he really wanted to talk to Iroh. He decided he would believe nothing until he spoke to his uncle. "I need to talk to uncle," he said trying to control his emotions.

"We've arranged for our guards to be on duty tonight. You'll dress as one and go with Anzo," he said looking at the man next to him.

After putting on uniforms they mounted komodo rhinos and rode to the prison where Anzo walked him to Iroh's cell. Once Zuko entered, he removed his helmet.

"Uncle, I've been wanting to speak to you, but they won't let me leave the palace."

Iroh was sitting quietly against the wall.

"Azula told me that Chiara's dead," said Zuko.

Iroh slowly nodded his head as he stared into space.

"It...it can't be true. She has to be lying."

"They took her away, and Azula...finished it," he said almost listlessly.

Zuko fell to his knees with his head in his hands.

"I thought by telling the general, it would give us a chance to escape," said Iroh sadly. "But it only delayed her..." He slowly shook his head unable to say "execution." "It would have been more merciful to let the archers..." His voice broke as tears streamed down his face.

Zuko looked down at his wedding ring and tenderly touched it. He was sad and angry, and he felt like destroying everything around him, the whole Fire Nation.

"I'm going to kill Azula," he said in a low, deep voice.

Iroh looked at him and then he moved near him on the other side of the bars. "Zuko, wait." Zuko looked at him. "You can't face Azula..."

"She killed my wife! I won't let her get away with it!"

"It's not the right time," said Iroh in a near-whisper. "Even if you overpower her, your father will kill you."

"I don't care as long as Azula pays."

"You must allow the Avatar to face Ozai. Then you will face Azula."

Zuko looked back down at his ring.

Iroh looked down. "Chiara told me to tell you she loves you and to remember your true destiny."

"Nothing seems worth it anymore," he said sadly.

Iroh understood his grief. Having lost his own wife, he knew how Zuko felt.

"Do not let your grief drag you into despair, Zuko. Do not let her death be in vain. You can change the path of the Fire Nation for the better."

Zuko sat lost in thought.

"I'll do it, Uncle," he said in a voice so soft it was nearly a whisper. "I'll help the Avatar defeat Ozai, but then I'm done. I don't want the throne. I don't want anything to do with the Fire Nation."

He stood up and left the cell as Iroh watched him walk out. Meeting Anzo in the hall, Zuko looked at him.

"I need to get into the storage room," he said.

Anzo nodded.