Chiara spent the next day laboring at the construction site, and that night while walking to her cell before lockdown, a terrible cough caught her attention. Nearing the cell from where it was coming, she glanced inside to see an older man lying on the floor holding his chest. She took a step towards the cell, but Zedak immediately pulled her back.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked.

"None of your business. Keep moving," he said pushing her forward.

After hearing the lock of her cell door click, she lay on her mat worrying about the sick prisoner. She would have trouble sleeping knowing he was in pain especially when she was sure she could help him.

The next day she was relieved to find herself washing dishes and clothes. She preferred keeping busy in the water rather than hauling stones. Taking advantage of doing dishes after dinner, she made sure that her clothes remained damp before lockdown.

That night she could hear the same man coughing in his cell when she walked by. Waiting until the earliest hours of the morning, she drew the water out of her clothes, and forming a lock pick out of ice, she opened her cell door and carefully peeked out into the dim hallway. Not immediately spotting any guards, she stealthily crept down the hall towards the sick prisoner's cell. She removed a lantern from the wall before quietly opening the door and stepping inside, and then she gently shut it behind her. She turned back to see the man lying on his mat struggling to breathe and it broke her heart to see someone in so poor a condition. She knelt down next to him setting the lantern nearby. The man cowered when she moved her hand towards him.

"Don't be afraid," she whispered. "I'm going to help you."

He did not move again, but it was clear he was still unnerved by the stranger in his cell. She placed her hand against his forehead.

"You're burning up."

Pulling the water from her clothes again she held it over his chest where it began to glow amazing the man as he watched it, but even more so when he felt her healing power penetrate his body, especially his lungs relieving him of the cough that had kept him curled up in pain.

When she finished she dropped the water on her clothes before feeling his forehead again. She was satisfied that he no longer had a fever or cough. The man was taking deep, clear breaths astonished, yet relieved, that his illness was gone after having suffered for days with a cough and labored breathing.

"You should get some sleep now," she said as she went to stand.

He grabbed her wrist before she could get up. "What is your name?"

"Chiara."

His eyes showed recognition. "You are the waterbender. You're Prince Zuko's wife and the daughter of General Iroh."

She nodded, but she had not expected to hear the tone of excitement in his voice having heard nothing but revulsion since her time in the prison.

"I am Captain So...uh...former Captain Sozoh," he said sitting up. "It's an honor to meet you."

She realized he was trying to bow to her.

"I'm sorry we had to meet this way, Captain," she said placing her hand on his shoulder to help him up from his bowing position.

"Thank you, Princess Chiara."

She was surprised by his address, but she smiled at him and nodded her head.

"You should lie down," she said. "You need to rest."

He was marveling at the lack of tightness in his chest. "Thank you," he repeated softly.

Questions started filling his head, but she was already standing, and he knew she needed to return to her cell.

She carefully left him, replacing the lantern in the hall before stealthily returning to her own cell for the night.

The next morning, Chiara was sitting quietly against the wall of the chow hall by herself eating her small breakfast. Seeing someone standing before her, she looked up at Sozoh holding his bowl out to her offering her his rations.

"You eat it, Captain," she said. "You need to gain your strength back."

"Please, call me Sozoh." He looked at the floor next to her. "M-may I?" he asked. She could hear the timidness in his voice as if what he was asking might be disrespectful or offensive.

"Please," she invited him.

He sat next to her and started eating slowly.

"I'm quite curious, Princess, if I may ask, is your gift of healing common to all waterbenders?"

"No, not all."

"I know someone else here who could really benefit from your gift," he said softly.

She looked at him. "Where is he?"

He was surprised by her question as he was only making conversation.

"He's on the floor below ours," he answered.

"Tell me which cell and I'll see what I can do," she said.

His mouth opened in awe. "But...but it would be too dangerous."

"I can try."

"But if you get caught..."

She gently shrugged. "What's the worst that'll happen? I get to relax in solitary for a day?"

He could not help letting out a small laugh at her take on solitary, but he was impressed by her willingness to help someone in need.

Talking to Sozoh, Chiara soon discovered there were several injured and ill prisoners, especially among the older ones, many who were forced to work anyways. She began making plans in her head to find a way to heal them.

That evening she stealthily left her cell again, and carefully avoiding the guards, she went to the cell number Sozoh had given her. Entering the cell, her heart sank as the older man inside looked deathly ill. She quickly knelt by his side, and pulling water out of her damp clothes she began to heal him. She could feel his poor condition as she worked, and it would take at least another session before he could leave his cell, but she worked as best she could.

"Are-are you a spirit?" the man struggled to ask as he gradually grew conscious.

"No," she whispered.

"Who-who are you?"

"I'm Chiara," she answered. "What's your name?"

"Zaro."

"How long have you been sick, Zaro?"

"A couple weeks," he answered, his mind becoming clearer while the pain in his body was easing. His eyes were drawn to the glowing water, and he had second thoughts about his mind clearing up. "How are you doing that?"

"I'm a healer. I'll need to return tomorrow." She did what she could for him.

"I feel much better now," he said.

"You will, but you need to rest." She had her hand on his arm. "You should also have more food. I'll try to bring some bread when I return."

She stood up to leave.

"Are you a prisoner?" he asked.

"Yes."

Zaro found it hard to believe that the beautiful young girl with the ability to heal was a prisoner. He was sure he was dreaming, a pleasant dream for sure, maybe a final hallucination signaling his death, but before he could ask any more questions, she was gone.

Before returning to her cell, Chiara visited an injured prisoner whom Sozoh had told her about, and another who had suffered injuries at the quarry during the day.

The next morning when Chiara was eating breakfast, she tucked away her small piece of bread with the intention of giving it to Zaro that night after lockdown.

"May I, Princess?" asked Sozoh who was standing before her.

She smiled. "Of course."

He sat down next to her and began eating. "You're not in solitary this morning," he whispered.

She let out a soft laugh. "No, I'm not. But I did see Zaro. His condition wasn't good."

He stopped eating and looked at her.

"He'll be okay," she assured him. "I'll need to visit him again though."

He nodded. "I mean no offense by this, Princess, but your presence here has been a blessing. I was sure I was going to die in my cell."

"I'm glad I can be of service."

"I was condemned to prison here because I refused to follow Admiral Zhao in his attack of the Northern Water Tribe. When I found myself imprisoned by my own Nation, I questioned my decision even when I heard of the fate of those who had died in the battle. It was not until I heard of what General Iroh had done that I knew I made the right choice. Of course, he was called a traitor for his courageous actions, but I know that's not true. He's a wise man, the fearless dragon who knows when to show compassion." He looked at her. "I can see his daughter follows his path."

She was moved by his compliment, but their conversation was interrupted by Zedak stomping over to them. Chiara did not think he could look any angrier, but she realized she was wrong when his eyes were drawn to her empty bowl.

"You're in here running your mouth when you have work to do, filth!"

She said nothing but calmly stood up.

"How dare you speak to the princess with such disrespect!"

Chiara was not expecting to hear those words from Sozoh who was now standing next to her yelling at Zedak who glared at the older man.

"How dare I?! How dare you address this filth as princess...!"

Sozoh stepped towards him, but Chiara immediately placed her hand on his arm as she moved in front of him.

"It's okay," she said softly to Sozoh.

"You better learn your place, old man, or you'll find yourself in solitary," threatened Zedak deeply.

He grabbed Chiara's arm and pulled her towards the door.

"I hope you enjoy boulders, filth, 'cause that's..."

"Zedak," called Nai walking over to them as they stepped outside. "She needs to be on laundry duty today."

"What? She'll be working in the quarry."

"I need her washing clothes," insisted Nai.

Zedak looked angry. "Find someone else."

"The men are needed to do the heavier labor. Just take her to laundry."

He jerked her upper arm with unnecessary force and pulled her to the laundry buckets where she spent the rest of the day washing clothes.

It was late afternoon and she was still washing clothes when two of the evening guards approached her.

"So you're the waterbender from the royal palace," said Zomi looking down at her.

Chiara continued working.

"Is it true you're married to the Fire Lord's son?" asked Dako.

"It is," she answered softly.

"And you think you're our princess?" asked Zomi sharply.

"I'm merely Prince Zuko's wife," she answered knowing he was trying to draw her into an argument.

He scoffed at her. "Prince Zuko. That traitor doesn't deserve that title."

"He's not a traitor," she said.

"What did you say?" growled Dako.

"I said Prince Zuko's not a traitor."

He kicked over the bucket spilling water everywhere.

"What's going on?!" yelled Zedak storming over to them.

"She's insisting the Fire Lord's son isn't a traitor," said Dako.

"Oh, she is, is she?" Zedak scowled at her. "If he wasn't a traitor he never would've been banished by the Fire Lord."

"The Fire Lord was wrong to banish his honorable son," she said.

He grabbed her by her braid and pulled out a knife he held to her throat. "Insulting the Fire Lord is an offense punishable by death," he said deeply.

Chiara was reminded of Iroh's warning of dire consequences when speaking out to the wrong person, and she could tolerate insults against herself, but her self-control wavered when it came to her family, something she did not regret regardless of what she might suffer.

"Zedak!" yelled Nai running over to them. "Let her go!"

"She just insulted the Fire Lord." He was pressing the knife harder against her neck.

"If the warden finds out she was killed by a guard, he'll be furious. You'll be locked in here. Now let her go," she demanded.

Zedak hesitated as he contemplated her words. He slowly withdrew his knife and released her.

"If he wasn't a traitor before, he became one when he married a filthy Water Tribe whore." He shoved her to the ground. "Clean this mess up!"

That night after lockdown, Chiara waited a few hours before she crept out of her cell to return to Zaro. When he saw her enter, his eyes lightened up.

"You came back," he said with a bit of shock having spent the day wondering if the previous night had been a dream or an hallucination.

She gently smiled as she knelt next to him and drew the water from her clothes.

"You're a waterbender," he said, again with surprise.

"I am."

He watched as she guided the glowing water over his body. When she finished, she pulled out the small portions of bread she saved from her meals and had hidden for him.

"I brought you some food." He sat up, his eyes wide at the sight of it in her hand. "I apologize it's so little."

"You must eat too," he said glad to have extra food and not knowing that she was only being given half-rations. "It does not bother you that I'm of the Fire Nation?"

She was placing the bread in his hands. "My gift doesn't discriminate."

He laughed. "Nobody's gifts discriminate, but individuals often do."

"I don't. Besides, my heart lies in the Fire Nation."

"It's amazing you can feel that way after so much destruction," he said before eating some bread.

"You don't approve of the war?" she asked.

"The only ones that approve of the war are those that are giving orders to others to fight for them, and anyone who speaks against it is considered a traitor to the Fire Nation."

"Maybe there will be a change soon," she said softly.

He looked at her. "Do you think so?"

She smiled. "I hope so." She placed her hand on his. "Get some rest tonight. You should be well enough to go out tomorrow."

"Thank you."

She left to visit others before going back to her own cell.

The Gaang spent nearly a week covertly asking questions and listening to conversations in several of the colonies of the Fire Nation, but they found no new information on Chiara and there was no news that she had been apprehended. Every evening they returned to their camp feeling somewhat dejected since they were no closer to finding her than the day she was taken. Even Aang and Toph were quieter than usual at the end of each fruitless day.

The next morning at breakfast Zaro spotted Chiara in the chow hall in line where he walked up behind her.

"Thank you," he said. "This is the first I've seen sunlight in so long."

She smiled at him. Gui poured one ladle full of porridge into her bowl and tore a piece of bread in half and dropped it on top.

"Thank you," she said politely as she bowed to him before walking away.

"Traitor," he said in an undertone as he said at every meal.

Zaro did not understand the reason for Gui's insult, and, at first, he thought they had reduced everybody's rations until he saw his bowl filled with porridge and a full piece of bread.

"What is this?" asked Zaro. "You fill my bowl while giving her barely anything?"

"The traitor princess deserves nothing," he growled. "She's lucky she gets any food."

"Why do you call her that?" he asked as if he himself had been offended.

"Where have you been, old man? Don't you know she's married to the Prince of the Fire Nation?"

Zaro was astonished to learn who she was, and he was reminded of her words to him the day before about her heart lying in the Fire Nation. He watched as Chiara walked to an isolated spot and sat down on the floor against the wall, and then he walked over to her and held out his bowl.

"I had no idea I had the honor of a visit from the Fire Princess," he whispered with his head bowed.

She looked up with surprise. "You eat it," she said. "You need to build your strength back up."

"I cannot eat a full bowl of food while the wife of Prince Zuko has so little."

"And I won't take food from a man who's been sick for so long and is in need of nourishment."

He was amazed by her kindness and generosity.

"I would have your company instead," she said indicating a spot next to her.

His eyes lit up. "I would be honored," he spoke with awe in his voice at her invitation.

He sat next to her as they ate.

"You are General Iroh's daughter, the one he adopted?"

"I am."

"So it's true that you're a waterbender." He smiled. "Leave it to the former Crown Prince to do something so bold. He would've made an honorable Fire Lord," he whispered. "He is a great man. It's a shame he's been condemned to die."

She stopped eating. "Is he in prison again?" she asked worriedly.

"No. He escaped last I heard, broke out of the Capital City Prison and disappeared."

Chiara breathed a sigh of relief. "Good."

"You didn't know?"

"I knew he had disappeared, but I was worried that he might've been captured again."

"No, but if they do capture him again he will be put to death. It's good to know that Prince Zuko is on his side. If only he were the Fire Lord, we might not be fighting this unnecessary war," he whispered.

"Prince Zuko doesn't want the responsibility," she whispered back.

"Anyone who cares for their family as the Fire Prince does is more than worthy to rule a nation."

She smiled. "He does care for his uncle," she said in a tender voice, thinking about Zuko.

"And he cares for you too. I heard that he rescued you from the Prison Tower."

"He did."

"It was said that you had been executed, but then rumors spread that Prince Zuko rescued you." He stopped eating and looked at her. "Does he know you're here?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. He wasn't with me when I was taken."

"If he finds out you're here, he'll find a way to rescue you."

"He needs to follow his true destiny," she said looking down. "I don't want him to risk his own life coming here for me." Tears came to her eyes as she worried about him and missed him.

"He risked exile for the life of General Iroh; I am sure he will not leave such a beautiful Princess locked in a prison."

His compliment did nothing to relieve the worry she felt for Zuko.

Chiara had been tasked to scrub the floor for the day. Outside of working at the construction site or in the quarry, scrubbing the floor was a labor Zedak enjoyed forcing her to do as he felt it was one of the most demeaning.

At lunch Gui walked through the courtyard passing out bread to the prisoners, and walking by Chiara he held half a piece over the water bucket and let it go. Kneeling nearby, she quickly reached out and caught it before it hit the water.

He glared at her when he realized what she had done.

"Thank you," she said as she bowed to him in a respectful Fire Nation manner further incensing him.

"Traitor," he growled as he walked off.

She ate her small portion of bread before picking up the scrub brush and continuing her work on the floor.

"I hear you're a waterbender."

She looked up to see a dark-skinned man with blue eyes and two blue beads hanging from his dark hair, the top which was pulled back into a wolf's tail.

"I am," she answered as she stood up.

"I'm Chief Hakoda from the Southern Tribe."

"I'm honored to meet you, Chief Hakoda," she said bowing to him.

"You're from the North?"

"My family lived in a small village north of the Earth Kingdom. They were descended from the Northern Tribe."

"I wasn't aware of any Water Tribe villages in the Earth Kingdom."

"They were slaughtered on Idem's orders when I was a child."

Hakoda mouth opened slightly. "Idem? Warden Idem?"

"Yes."

He could sympathize with her. "I understand. The Fire Nation tried to wipe out the Southern Tribe and nearly succeeded."

"If you're from the Southern Tribe, do you know Katara and Sokka?"

"They're my children," he said with excitement in his voice. "You've met them?"

She nodded. "Yes." She felt a sense of comfort knowing she shared a connection with someone in the prison.

"Are they still safe with the Avatar?"

"I believe so. The day I was captured, I was with Sokka and Katara, but the soldiers left them behind."

"Why were you taken prisoner?"

"Prince Zuko is my husband."

Hakoda was silent for a few seconds as he absorbed her words. "What they've been saying is true then," he said softly. He was not sure what to think. His children never told him the prince of the Fire Nation had a wife from the Water Tribe. He had only heard the rumors in the prison. But what his kids did tell him was that the Avatar nearly died at the hands of the Fire Nation prince and his sister. "Am I to understand then that you were taken captive by the Fire Nation and forced to marry the prince?"

"No. I was raised as a daughter of General Iroh. And as for my marriage to Prince Zuko, he's always held my heart."

Hakoda felt the sting of betrayal that a member of his own Nation would willingly marry the enemy. "How can you feel that way for the son of the Fire Lord?" he asked, his cordial tone having changed to one of disgust."

"My husband is not his father."

"He's no different than all the other ashmakers who kill and destroy everyone and everything in their path."

"You're wrong about Prince Zuko, Chief Hakoda. He's a man of honor. And there are many others in the Fire Nation who are honorable."

"The anger of the other prisoners is justified," he said coldly. "You're a traitor to all the Nations who have suffered at the hands of the Fire Nation. And that you would consort with the enemy who wiped out your own family...execution should have been your sentence."

He immediately turned and walked away leaving Chiara feeling hurt, the short-lived feeling of connection broken. Despite the rejection, she understood that too many people had been hurt by the war. Hakoda lost his wife just as she had lost her own family. And just like Katara, Hakoda wanted to blame everyone in the Fire Nation. Setting her hurt feelings aside, she quietly resumed her work while performing a mental triage of injured or ill prisoners that she intended to secretly visit.

Hours later she was still working her way across the courtyard lost in her plans for that night after lockdown. A commotion across the yard jolted her out of her thoughts, and looking up she was appalled to see Zedak striking Sozoh who was on the ground. She immediately jumped up and ran to the other side of the yard where she stood between them.

"Stop!" she said holding her hands out at Zedak.

"What's it to you?!" he yelled. "This isn't your business."

"He's been sick lately."

"He's not sick; he's just lazy."

"You can't hurt him like this."

"Move or it'll be you that gets the lash!" he demanded.

Zedak drew his arm back threatening to hit Chiara, but to the astonishment of all the witnesses, she refused to move from in front of Sozoh. Zedak's fire whip struck her upper shoulder as she turned to keep from being hit in the face.

"Stop!" yelled Sozoh struggling to stand up. "Do not hit her!"

Before she could think about the burning pain, Zedak, in anger, swung again deliberately hitting her across her back this time. She tensed up from the pain of the larger wound as it felt like a knife cutting her skin.

Sozoh was distraught seeing the young girl being punished for his sake. "Princess Chiara, don't do this for me," he begged.

"She hasn't done anything, Zedak," said Jiro, another guard, preventing him from striking her a third time.

"She got in the way of his punishment!" he yelled.

"Just leave them alone. He's an old man."

"An old man who isn't doing his work," Zedak argued.

Jiro walked up to Zedak. "The warden doesn't want dead prisoners," he said in a low voice not wanting to argue in front of the prisoners. "Unless you want to be the one hauling stones, leave them alone."

Zedak huffed before turning and leaving the courtyard in anger. Chiara was helping Sozoh to his feet, and then she helped him carry the buckets he had been struggling to move before Zedak punished him.

"Princess, you should not have done that," he said feeling shame over her punishment.

"He can be too cruel."

After delivering the the buckets, Chiara pulled Sozoh to the side.

"Help me with my work," she said.

He was glad to do it especially after what she had done for him, and he followed her to a bucket of drinking water where she stealthily drew out a small amount.

"Turn around," she said.

He did as she directed, and she began healing his wound.

He could feel the warmth of the water penetrating his wounds and relieving the pain. "You should heal your own first."

When his skin was clear of the lash marks, she took a ladle with fresh water and offered it to him.

"You first," he said.

She gently smiled at him before taking a drink.

"Now, what do you need me to help you with?" he asked.

"Go. Don't carry so much; conserve your strength."

As he walked away, he realized her "work" was healing his wounds, and he was in awe over her compassion.

As word spread that Chiara had defended Sozoh, the Earth Kingdom prisoners began grumbling about her siding with the Fire Nation. At dinner, Gui glared at her as she stood before him holding out her bowl. She did not back down from his scowl but continued holding out her bowl waiting for her serving.

"Give her her food, Gui!" demanded Sozoh who was a few prisoners behind.

Gui slammed the ladle onto her bowl dropping a few bites of stew into it. He did not give her a portion of bread.

"You got your food," he said deeply. "Now go!"

She bowed to him respectfully. "Thank you."

Walking to an empty spot near the wall, she sat down by herself to eat. After eating the last bite, a full piece of bread was dropped into her bowl. She looked up to see Sozoh walking away quickly so she could not protest.

The next morning at breakfast, Zaro was sitting with Chiara when Sozoh walked up to them.

"May I, Princess?" he said requesting permission to sit with them.

"Please."

As he sat down next to her, she held her hand over her bowl to prevent him from deliberately dropping food into it. He smiled when he saw her reaction.

"I wish you would take my bread as thanks," he said.

"You're sitting with me. That's thanks enough," she smiled.

He shook his head finding it hard to believe someone raised in the palace could be so personable.

"They have you work so hard and they feed you so little," he said.

"I have no complaints. This is a picnic compared to my time in the Prison Tower."

"To have the prince's wife locked in any prison is a disgrace," said Zaro in a low voice.

"I agree. There needs to be a change in the Capital," said Sozoh looking over at Zaro. His eyes were drawn to the wound on Chiara's shoulder. "You haven't healed your wounds, Princess."

"I can't."

"I don't understand."

"My gift is only for others. I can't heal myself."

He was stunned. "Y-you should not have defended me then," he said feeling more ashamed that she had been injured because of him.

"He's wrong to treat you like that."

"You will be a great empress of the Fire Nation."

"I agree," said Zaro.

That they accepted her so readily amazed her, but to hear them speak of her as Fire Lady was even more startling. It was an idea she had only ever heard spoken of with affection and admiration by Zuko.

Later that day, Chiara saw Zedak abusing another prisoner, a tall, muscular Fire Nation soldier. Chiara again ran over to them.

"Stop hurting him."

"You again?" snapped Zedak.

"Why are you beating him?"

"That's not your business! Now move or you'll get the same treatment again," he threatened.

"You can't treat him like this."

"I'll treat him anyway I please, especially when I catch him giving food to other prisoners."

"You can't punish him for feeding others," she argued.

Zedak looked appalled. "How dare you speak to me as if you're royalty, filthy scum!" He slapped her across the face. "Now get back to work!" He looked at the other prisoner. "And you're going to isolation, Izin."

He raised his arm to lash him, but Chiara stood between them again. "Please don't. You already punished him."

He was shocked at her nerve, so he moved to backhand her, but Nai grabbed his wrist and forced herself between them.

"Zedak, don't," she said.

"Move, Nai. This Water scum deserves it."

"I'm not going to let you hit her again. She didn't do anything wrong."

Zedak was livid. "She's challenging my authority."

"You don't have to keep punishing her," said Nai.

"Apparently I do since she keeps standing in the way."

"Just leave her alone."

"Fine," said Zedak. "Take Izin to isolation then."

"I'll take his punishment," said Chiara.

All the witnesses were shocked, especially Zedak.

"What did you say?" he asked deeply.

"If you let him go, I'll take his punishment for him."

"It's not for you to take anyone's punishment," said Nai.

"He was only helping to feed people," said Chiara. "That's not a crime."

"It is when he steals the food from the guards," she said.

"Take it from my rations, and I'll take his punishment."

"Why would you do this?" asked Nai not wanting to punish her.

"I've seen too much war and death, but not enough mercy," she replied.

Nai was impressed with her answer.

"He's going into isolation for the night with no food," warned Zedak.

"I'll do it," Chiara insisted.

The prisoner, Izin, did not know what to do. He did not want to see the young girl who defended him take his punishment, but he was stunned into silence by her actions.

Zedak was surprised by her insistence but was more than willing to punish her. "Take her," he said deeply.

"Zedak...," started Nai.

"Do it," he demanded.

Nai and another guard reluctantly led her away.

Zedak looked at Izin. "Well, Izin, it looks like the traitor saved you from a well-deserved punishment."

"No," said Izin. "Don't put her in isolation. I'll go."

"What's wrong? Don't like the cowardly feeling of having the filthy little Water tramp show you up in stupidity?"

"Just let her go," demanded Izin.

"You're a prisoner," said Zedak deeply. "You don't give orders here. She chose your punishment. Now get out of here. And I better not catch you giving away our food again, 'cause after tonight, I doubt she'll want to help you again."

Izin returned to work.

As the guards were walking Chiara to the isolation cell, Nai looked at the other guard.

"I've got it from here," she said.

He nodded and left.

"My father fought under General Iroh," said Nai softly as they walked. "He still speaks highly of the General. My brother died in this war, and my father understands how it feels to lose an only son."

"I'm so sorry," said Chiara sympathizing with her. "I understand your pain too. Prince Lu Ten was a brother to me."

Her words almost brought tears to Nai's eyes remembering her own brother. "What Prince Zuko did for General Iroh in the Prison Tower was honorable, and our family doesn't see either of them as traitors to our Nation..." They stopped when they reached the isolation cell, and she turned to Chiara. "...nor you, General Iroh's daughter."

Chiara felt touched by her words. Nai opened the cell door and they both entered.

"Many here share this view, Princess Chiara, but only a few act on it. This war has been devastating to many Fire Nation families too." She leaned down and whispered in her ear. "If Prince Zuko ever has need of an army to help end this war, we will volunteer."

"Thank you," said Chiara, tears filling her eyes.

Later that evening as Chiara was quietly meditating in the cell, the door opened and a guard entered. She was surprised that anyone would come to the cell as she knew it was too early for her to be released and she was not to have any food. She could not see who it was, but she heard something placed next to her before the door was shut and she was once again alone. It was dark in the cell, but when she reached out she could feel clean clothes, and wrapped inside was a piece of bread. She took off her torn garments, put on the clean ones, and used the old ones as a pillow, but not before eating a small portion of the bread saving the rest for later.

It had been over a week and a half, and Zuko and the others still had not found any useful information. The only news they heard throughout various cities and villages was that Prince Zuko's wife had been executed before the solar eclipse or that it was thought she had been executed, but she had been rescued by Prince Zuko on the day of the eclipse. There was no new information about her being recently apprehended which was the only consolation to Zuko as he was sure that her execution would be well known.

One night after dinner, of which Zuko had eaten very little, they loaded up on Appa to travel by night to another colony. Zuko was sitting in a corner of the saddle where he pulled a small canvas from his tunic pocket. After removing the gold ribbon, he unrolled it, and producing a small flame in his hand he silently stared at his and Chiara's wedding picture.

When Sokka caught sight of the flame, he was curious. "What are you reading?"

"It's our wedding picture," he said.

Katara perked up. "Really?" she asked.

"You have a wedding picture?" asked Aang from Appa's head. "Keep heading forward, Buddy," he said petting Appa before he jumped back in the saddle to look at the picture.

By now Katara had crawled over to Zuko to look at it. "Aww. Chiara's so beautiful."

"She is," he said softly.

"Wow, Hotman, you really look like a prince," said Aang.

"How'd you get someone to paint it for you?" asked Sokka.

"My uncle arranged it." He thought fondly of Iroh. "He really did a lot for us. He gave us our wedding rings and even provided a Fire Sage to officiate."

"A Fire Sage in the Earth Kingdom?" asked Aang.

He nodded. "Actually, you know him."

"What?"

"Fire Sage Shyu helped you on Crescent Island."

"So he got away," said Aang sounding relieved. "I had wondered what happened to him."

Zuko felt Toph leaning against his arm. He should have felt uncomfortable with everyone gathered around him invading his personal space. Being able to trust others was a strange feeling he was still having trouble getting used to. Iroh and Chiara had been the only ones he could trust most of his life, and they were the two people he depended on during his exile. But over the past few weeks he found it comforting to be surrounded by others he could trust, people he now considered his friends and that cared enough about him and Chiara to risk their lives for them.

"I want to see the picture."

"Very funny, Toph," said Sokka dryly.

"Hey, I can see, but just differently. I can see with my hands."

"How can you see the picture with your hands?" he asked.

Zuko quickly rolled up the picture. "I don't want you pawing at it. It's delicate."

"I didn't plan on pawing the picture," she said. "I plan on pawing you."

"Wait, what?"

She reached her hands up towards his face, but he could not back away as Sokka, Katara, and Aang were around him leaving him no where to duck. He was now having second thoughts about his personal space invasion.

"Hold still," she ordered.

He forced himself to relax while she delicately moved her fingers tracing the outline of his face and his hairline, even running her fingers through the ends of his hair to "see" its length. Her touch was more gentle than he expected as she slid her fingers over his forehead and down the bridge of his nose, but when she traced his eyes, he tensed up.

"Relax, Sparky, I already know you have a scar." She traced around it. "It doesn't look so bad. You feel like a handsome prince to me."

"Ooh, ooh! Do me!" said Sokka excitedly.

Toph moved her hands to Sokka's face resulting in a slapping sound making him think she just might have done it on purpose. And the way she traced her fingers over his features did not seem nearly as gentle as she had Zuko's especially after the particularly painful jab to his eye.

"Huh...," she said thoughtfully continuing her exploration. "You look like a pretty standard peasant."

Sokka frowned, but a slight snicker escaped Zuko. Sokka pushed Toph's hands away and started arguing with her which drove Aang back to Appa's head and Katara to another corner of the saddle. Zuko just pulled out his picture again and stared at it as the two continued to bicker.