A/N: Just want to let everyone know that the Boiling Rock warden is not Mai's uncle in this AU. Mai and Ty Lee aren't in this fanfic. When I first started writing it I had intended to include them, but I never got around to it because the chapters weren't written in chronological order. I started with Chapter 1 and continued somewhere in the middle focusing on the three main characters; then I went and filled in earlier scenes, jumped to the end, etc. I just jotted down whatever came to mind. Even the earlier chapters with the Gaang were some of the last written. At this point I don't have the time to fill in the story as I originally intended, and the only reason I posted it in its rough draft state is that it's pretty much a complete story from beginning to end so anyone's who's invested their valuable time in reading it will have closure.

The next day Chiara was out of isolation resuming her usual duties Zedak set her to. That night right after lockdown, Nai entered her cell.

"I can't stay long," she said. "I brought some burn salve for your back."

Chiara started removing her shirt.

"Sozoh told me you can't heal your own wounds," said Nai.

"He's right."

"Why is that?"

"I was told my gift wasn't for me. Most waterbender healers can heal themselves, a few can't."

Nai was curious about her ability to heal, but she was suddenly distracted when she saw the old scars on her back.

"What are these scars from?" she asked.

"Most of them, Princess Azula."

"Because you're a waterbender?"

"And because I'm married to Prince Zuko."

It disgusted Nai to learn that the Fire Lord's daughter was as heartless as the Fire Lord, yet she was not surprised that the royal family could be so callous, especially being one of the few at the prison who understood the sacrifice of the Crown Prince and his punishment at the hands of his own father.

As she began dabbing salve on the fresh wounds, the stinging pain caused Chiara to tense up.

"I'm sorry," said Nai softly.

"It's okay."

"I heard you were executed in the Capital," she said.

"Princess Azula intended to, but she wanted to punish me first," said Chiara.

"How did you get away?"

"Prince Zuko found me."

Nai smiled to herself at the unfailing honor of the Crown Prince, and she thought it promising that at least one of the Fire Lord's children had a sense of integrity.

"Your...your ability...," Nai began, sounding hesitant as she tried forming her question, "...can you heal anyone or...or anything?"

"It depends. If someone loses too much blood, I can't help them, or if there's too much internal damage."

"What about illness? Can you help people who are sick?"

"Yes."

Nai finished applying the salve. "I hope this helps."

"It will. Thank you so much."

That evening Chiara remained in her cell, but the next night she began sneaking out again to help those who were sick or injured that she was unable to help during the day.

A few days later, Chiara was kneeling at a bucket washing laundry late in the afternoon. Watching the water splash around as she rinsed the garment in her hands, her mind became lost in thoughts of Zuko and Iroh.

"I was wondering where you were," said Zuko walking up to her as she was kneeling on the riverbank working on washing the dirt stain out of Iroh's tunic.

"I told the General I'd be at the river."

He knelt down next to her. "That hog you caught yesterday was really good."

She was relieved she could catch something that had given them some respite from their hunger pains. "We were so hungry, tree bark would've tasted good yesterday."

He smiled. It was a rare sight to her, especially as they trekked through the Earth Kingdom worn out, hungry, and constantly on edge as they worried that Azula might be tracking them.

"The hog meat was better," he said.

"And if you don't learn how to hunt and clean them, we'll be living on tree bark."

She felt water hit her face as he splashed her. Giggling, she splashed him back, but then he grabbed hold of her and tried to force her in the water. She pulled back, so he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist lifting her up as he started carrying her into the river. They were both laughing as she squirmed trying to break free, but he refused to let her go as he continued walking into the water.

"First one to go under, loses," he said as he released her and then tried to trip her.

She nearly lost balance, but she grabbed his arm before he could pull away. "If I go under, so are you," she threatened.

They continued their playful wrestling each trying to remain standing while tripping the other. They both missed those moments of having fun laughing and enjoying themselves. Suddenly, a huge wave of water had nearly knocked them over, and they both stood completely drenched as they turned to see Iroh pop up from under the water after his cannonball from the protruding rock above them. Taking advantage of the distraction, Chiara quickly tripped Zuko and pushed him under.

"What's so funny?" came a less than friendly voice.

Chiara, drawn out of her happy memory, looked up to see Zomi dropping dirty laundry next to her.

"You enjoying this?" he snapped. "Maybe you should be working in the quarry if this is so much fun. I'm sure Zedak will w..." A loud commotion interrupted his threat and he turned away from her. "What now!"

He ran off to the courtyard where a fight had broken out. Overhearing that someone was injured, Chiara left her work and ran to a bucket of clean water before heading to the disturbance. Several guards were struggling to restrain a prisoner who was fighting to break free from them while another guard was lying on the ground not moving. Immediately running over to him, she realized it was Dako, the one who kicked over her laundry bucket the week before and often insulted her. Zomi was kneeling over him trying to stem the flow of blood that was pouring out from between his ribs. She knelt down and held water over Zomi's blood-covered hands as they covered the wound. He stared in awe as he watched the water glow around her hands, and he quickly pulled back his own. She continued working until all the internal damage was repaired. Zomi's mouth was still open in awe, especially when he saw Dako's skin absent of any trauma. As Dako's eyes opened Chiara gently placed her hand on his head.

"Are you in any pain?" she asked.

He seemed to be in shock as he last remembered being attacked by a prisoner and the pain of something impaling him.

"How are you feeling, Dako?" asked Zomi when he did not answer her. "Any pain?"

He shook his head. "No." He stared up at Chiara finding genuine concern in her look. "You have really beautiful eyes," he said dreamily.

"Uh..." Chiara looked up at Zomi. "Did he suffer a head injury?"

Zomi shook his head. "I-I'm not sure."

"He might have a concussion," she said.

She was about to check, but she felt herself suddenly pulled to her feet and yanked away from Dako.

"What are you doing here?!" yelled Zedak. "Always putting your nose in other people's business. Get back to work!"

"Zedak, leave her alone," said Zomi.

Zedak shoved her away. "Go!"

Chiara walked off to return to the laundry.

"If he's injured you need to get him to the infirmary," said Zedak.

Zomi looked back down at Dako and then helped him sit up. "Are you okay? Does your head hurt?"

"No. I feel...good."

He looked down at the blood and felt his side where there was no pain or wound.

"Did she...did she...heal me?" he asked Zomi.

"Yeah. She thinks you might've hurt your head too."

He shook his head. "I didn't."

There was doubt in the look Zomi gave him. "You said her eyes were beautiful."

Dako had a dreamy look in his eyes. "Well, don't you think they're beautiful?"

"I...guess?" Zomi shook his head trying to shake the thoughts out of his mind. "It doesn't matter. She's the wife of the traitor prince, and she's a spy."

Dako shrugged as he got to his feet. "I don't know. I heard those spy rumors might not be true."

"I think you should go to the infirmary and get your head checked."

"I didn't hit my head," he insisted.

"Okay, okay, but it wouldn't hurt to see the doctor," said Zomi.

Chiara walked back to the laundry buckets still worried about Dako feeling like she left her work unfinished.

"Waterbender..."

She turned to see an Earth Kingdom prisoner approaching her.

"There's a prisoner on the third floor who's sick," he said in a low voice.

She nodded her head wishing she could tend to the sick immediately rather than wait until evening.

That night after lockdown, Chiara left her cell to attend to a few prisoners, heading first to the prisoner on the third floor. When she arrived at the cell number given to her, she entered to see Gui lying on his mat which explained why she had not seen him serving food the last few days. Kneeling by his side, she placed her hand on his forehead. He was burning up, so she drew the water from her clothes and began to heal him. His eyes slowly opened upon feeling the weakness from which he had been suffering replaced with strength once again and the sickness in his stomach gone. Once his fever was gone and his health returned, she pulled a small bundle from her pocket and placed it in his hand.

"You should be well enough to go out in the morning," she whispered.

She stood up and left his cell, and after she was gone, he opened the cloth in his hand to find the bread from her meals.

When she finished with all the prisoners she had planned on visiting that night, she returned to her own cell and quietly closed the door.

"Out for a stroll?"

She jumped at Dako's voice, and she turned around to see him and Zomi. She said nothing, though she was worried that she would no longer be able to help anyone.

"It's come to our attention that you've been sneaking out of your cell at night."

"Is that a crime?" she asked in a soft, innocent tone.

"Actually it is, yes," said Zomi.

"How are you getting out?" asked Dako.

Chiara did not want to show them, but she felt there was nothing she could do about it now anyways, so she drew the water from her clothes and fashioned a lock pick out of ice.

"Very clever, waterbender," said Zomi.

"But so many are sick and injured," she said. "I only want to help them."

"And that's the only reason we haven't sent you to isolation or told the warden."

"In fact, we need you to perform your magic with a few others," said Dako.

She was surprised, and she nodded ready to help anyone she could.

Leaving her cell, they took her to the infirmary on the other side of the compound. The two guards on duty nodded their heads to them before they entered.

"This is your healer?" asked the doctor skeptically when he looked over her.

"You saw the blood," said Dako.

The doctor shook his head in disbelief.

"It can't hurt to let her try," Dako insisted.

The doctor just shrugged and walked inside as they followed. When they entered, there were three guards and seven prisoners in the beds.

"Why didn't you bring me here sooner?" she asked.

"Certain guards don't want anyone to know what you can do," whispered Dako. "But most everybody already knows."

"I'm going to need more water," she said.

"I think this is a bad idea, Dako," said Zomi.

She turned to them. "You can keep it and just let me have what I need to help them."

Dako nodded and Zomi got a small bucket of water while Chiara and Dako followed the doctor to the first patient.

"He's a guard," the doctor told her. "He was attacked in the entrance courtyard by the same prisoner who attacked Dako. We don't expect him to make it," he added in a whisper.

Chiara stood by him and taking water from the bucket Zomi was holding, she guided it over her patient. The doctor's eyes grew wide as he watched the water glowing over the wounds which slowly began closing. Chiara sensed how critical his condition was as she worked to heal him, and she continued working until he regained consciousness.

"Who...who are you?" he asked.

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

"R-Rizin," he answered.

"You'll recover, Rizin, but it will take some time."

"I heard the doctor say he couldn't help me."

"You'll be okay now, but you need to rest and gain back your strength."

She took a towel and dipped it in water, and then she tenderly touched around his face and forehead. She turned to Dako.

"I'll need to do another session tomorrow," she said.

He nodded.

She turned to the doctor. "He'll need increased rations."

"That's probably not going to happen," he said.

"Take from mine if you have to, but he needs the nourishment."

The doctor and the three guards were stunned by her offer. The doctor especially was impressed by her healing ability, and they followed her as she healed every patient in the infirmary.

Word continued getting around about Chiara's healing ability and her willingness to heal or help anyone who needed it no matter what Nation they were from or whether they were prisoner or guard. The other prisoners were finding it difficult to hate her, and many were beginning to doubt the rumors of her being a spy for the Water Tribe. And since Gui returned to the kitchen after she treated him, her food rations increased, so she had more food to share with others.

Zedak walked up to Chiara one afternoon as she was scrubbing the floor.

"Spy!" he yelled. "I know you've been stealing food."

She looked puzzled wondering what he was yelling about. He kicked over her bucket forcing her to stand up as the water spilled everywhere.

"Stealing food from the guards is a night in isolation."

"But I didn't..."

He backhanded her. "Liar! I've seen you giving food to other prisoners."

"It was from what I was given," she said.

"Are you telling me someone else is stealing food and giving it to you?" he asked.

"That's not what I meant..."

"Where's Izin?" he yelled.

"He didn't do anything," she said.

"Izin!" he called, ignoring her.

"What are you yelling about, Zedak?" said Jiro walking over to him.

"Find Izin. She and Izin have been stealing food."

"I don't think she's been stealing...," started Jiro.

"What are you going on about?" interrupted Izin, walking over to them having heard Zedak yelling.

"Are you stealing the guards' food again?" asked Zedak.

"I haven't touched your food."

"Either this traitor stole it or you stole it and gave it to her."

"He didn't steal anything," said Chiara. "I gave away from my own rations."

"You're lying!" he yelled. "There's a crate of food missing and one of you took it."

"It wasn't us," said Izin. "Maybe you misplaced it."

"Now you're covering for this traitor," said Zedak.

He moved to lash Izin.

"Wait!" said Chiara as she ran between them.

She was struck as Zedak brought the fire whip down. When he realized what she had done, he became angry and raised his arm to purposely lash her, but Izin wrapped his arms around her and turned his back towards Zedak who unintentionally struck him instead of her.

"Traitor helping traitor!" yelled Zedak.

Izin turned towards him. "You've abused her enough," he said as he blocked Zedak's next assault and then sent a small fire blast at him.

Jiro ran over grabbing hold of Izin just as Nai had come running up to them.

"A night in the cooler!" ordered Zedak. "And traitor whore gets isolation."

"Please don't punish him," said Chiara grateful that Izin protected her.

"Prisoners who firebend get a night in the cooler," said Zedak.

"I'll take his punishment..."

"No, Fire Princess," said Izin.

"But you didn't do anything wrong," she said.

"And neither did you." He glared at Zedak. "It sounds like someone's getting fat on the guards' food and needs someone else to blame it on."

"Take them away," growled Zedak.

"But Izin is innocent," argued Chiara.

"Get her out of here!" yelled Zedak.

Jiro led Izin to the cooler while Nai took Chiara to solitary.

"Princess, you can't keep taking other prisoners' punishments," she said softly as they walked.

"But Izin didn't do anything wrong. We didn't steal any food."

"I know you didn't, but...but this might've been handled differently." Nai regretted not being able to get to the argument before it escalated. "Zomi and Dako are going to be upset with you for getting locked up. They were looking forward to having you check out a few new patients tonight."

"There's always tomorrow night," she said, though her mind was still focused on Izin being sent to the cooler because of her.

"If you don't butt heads with Zedak again."

After following Chiara into the cell, she pulled out burn salve.

"Turn around, Princess."

She turned around and removed her top so Nai could apply it.

"You know, I've been carrying this burn ointment around because of you," she said.

Chiara softly laughed. "I haven't gotten in that much trouble, have I?"

"You've caused more trouble than any other prisoner I've dealt with," said Nai with a smile.

Chiara turned her head towards her. "Really?" she asked with disbelief.

"Yes."

"But what about the guy who tried to kill poor Rizin and Dako? I haven't tried to kill anybody."

Nai was laughing. "True, but you do break a lot of rules."

"Well, they're stupid rules."

She finished treating her wounds.

"I'll try to bring you food later."

Chiara turned and bowed to her. "Thank you, Lady Nai."

Her gesture was unexpected, but it brought a smile to Nai's face to be treated so respectfully by Fire Nation royalty, and she wished she was able to free her princess from her imprisonment.

When the guards were changing shift, Nai met up with Dako and Zomi.

"Don't bother looking for the princess tonight, guys," she said. "She's in solitary."

"What?" asked Dako.

"What'd she do now?" asked Zomi.

"Zedak accused her of stealing a missing crate in the pantry..."

"How would she get hold of a whole crate?" asked Dako.

"She didn't," said Nai. "No one did. They miscounted. We didn't find out until after the...uh...altercation."

"So why's she still in solitary?" asked Zomi.

"Zedak went after Izin and the princess defended him, so they're both locked up."

"We need to do something about Zedak," said Dako softly.

"I just found out he'll be on leave for the next few days," said Nai.

"Everyone'll be getting a reprieve with him gone."

"I just hope he moves to the night shift when he returns," she said.

"Hey, we don't want him," said Dako. "We see enough of him in the afternoon."

"Maybe we can get him moved to the entrance courtyard," said Zomi.

"Good luck with that," said Nai wryly. "The warden enjoys the way he treats the prisoners."

The next day Nai released Chiara from isolation after breakfast.

"Princess, you won't have to scrub today."

"What else needs to be done?" she asked.

"Gui could use some help."

She nodded and walked with Nai to the kitchen.

"Here's your assistant, Gui," said Nai. "Take care of her today."

Chiara sensed there was something going on.

"Princess Chiara," said Gui cordially. "Here, sit." He pulled out a chair and placed a bowl of porridge on the table with a large piece of bread.

"I'm supposed to be helping you."

"Eat, rest."

"No."

He and Nai were stunned by her refusal.

"I won't eat while everyone else is working," she said.

"You missed breakfast," said Nai.

"Then I'll eat at lunch with the others." She looked at Gui. "Do you want me to help with the vegetables?"

"I want you to take a break," he said. "You work too hard and are treated too harshly."

"He's right, Princess," said Nai.

"I enjoy keeping busy," she said.

"Then you can help me with the vegetables," said Gui, "but only after you eat."

"And if Zedak walks in?"

"Don't worry about him," said Nai. "He's gone for a few days."

"There's an old saying," started Gui, "If you don't eat, you don't work."

Chiara shook her head. "I don't think that's how it goes."

Nai smiled at Gui before turning to leave as Chiara reluctantly sat down and started eating.

At lunch, Gui gave her extra rations which she saved to share with the other prisoners. When she saw Izin eating she approached him.

"I'm sorry, Izin. I didn't mean for you to get punished yesterday."

"It's not your fault, Princess. Zedak enjoys being cruel, especially to you."

"Here," she said. "Take some of this." She offered him her soup.

"No. I can't take your food from you."

"You're much bigger than I am, and you need to keep up your strength."

He shook his head refusing to take it.

"They only have me working in the kitchen today," she said. "You're strenuously working out in the sun. Please eat some more."

"I won't take food from the Fire Princess who took my punishment for me."

She sighed softly. "May I heal your wound for you?" she asked.

He nodded. She drew water from a bucket and healed the wound on his back. Though he had heard of her ability, he was amazed to experience it firsthand. When she finished she tenderly placed her hand on his and smiled at him. She picked up her bowl and walked away while he continued eating, but he became suspicious when his bowl looked more full.

That night after lockdown Dako entered Chiara's cell.

"Princess, we have a few injuries we need you to look at."

Something in his voice caused her to feel apprehensive. There was a slight tone of timidity and nervousness making her suspicious, and she wondered if she was about to be punished. She slowly stood up from her mat and then watched Dako go down on one knee before her.

"Princess Chiara, I never thanked you for what you did for me. I know I didn't deserve it for what I've done to you, but I beg your forgiveness for my cruel and disrespectful behavior."

The courage he displayed in his act of humility filled her with hope of a better future for the Fire Nation and for the world.

"I've forgiven you," she said.

He looked up to see her bowing to him.

Late in the afternoon, Zuko was sitting impatiently near the marketplace while people moved up and down the street entering and exiting shops. The Gaang decided that a young man with an obvious eye injury would be more suspicious in trying to learn any news on Chiara than Sokka and Katara. Zuko sat with his head bowed, more so out of frustration than trying to hide his eye patch, while Aang and Toph were sitting on each side of him. He suspected they were flanking him just in case he decided to run off to search for Chiara on his own; though he wondered what they could possibly do to stop him in the middle of a Fire Nation colony. He noticed that Aang had been less animated since Chiara's disappearance. The boy was normally so full of energy making him wonder if Aang was naturally hyper or if it was just his age. He could not remember being that hyper at thirteen, but then Uncle Iroh might remember things differently. Toph had been pretty quiet too lately. Despite her talk of being proud at her independence, he suspected she enjoyed the way Chiara catered to her like a mother and treated her like a noble at the same time. It now occurred to him that he was not the only one hurting. His own grief at her loss had been occupying his mind, and he had not realized just how much everyone else had been affected. Even Katara was less hateful to him than usual, but he was sure it was just a temporary cease-fire while they worked on a common goal...which he felt was odd since he was sure that training the Avatar was also a common goal. It was the sound of an erhu that interrupted his attempt to decipher Katara's moods and he lifted his head.

"What is it?" asked Toph softly as she sensed his heartbeat and his movement.

"I hear music."

"Probably street performers," said Aang.

"Azula, show your brother how to properly execute such a basic move," ordered Ozai, his voice full of condescension.

"Of course, Father."

Zuko watched her. Her movements were perfect and fluid, and the fire she created was strong and bright, unlike his own fire which seemed small and weak.

"Now do what your sister just did," ordered Ozai.

Zuko tried imitating Azula. He performed the same movements, but somehow he could not get them as smooth as his sister's and there was little improvement in the fire he produced. Feeling a burn on his arm, he could not help a small gasp, but he kept himself from yelling out. He knew yelling or crying would result in something far worse.

"Clearly you weren't watching her or you would have known to step and punch simultaneously. You punched before stepping forward."

"Yes, Father."

"Do it again!"

It was then that the sound of the erhu came from the other side of the wall causing Ozai to angrily exhale a few flames with his breath.

"That little urchin has to start her racket now?" he growled in a low voice.

Zuko could not understand how such calming music could be considered a racket, but he found it relaxing while Azula just frowned seemingly indifferent to it. Ozai seemed to be the only one bothered by it. Zuko had a small smirk as he took his stance. He took a deep breath in and then out with the music, and then he started his kata trying to move as smoothly as Chiara was moving the bow over the strings of her instrument. In the end he delivered a strong, bright flame, not as strong and bright as Azula's of course, but he felt and saw a definite improvement.

"Do it again," demanded Ozai not acknowledging his progress.

Zuko did not expect a compliment from Ozai—he had always hoped for one, but he would never get it. At this point, no insults and no burns were what he worked towards.

He went through his movements again creating another strong, bright flame.

"Again," said Ozai.

He repeated it with the same effect.

"You're trying to force your motions which makes your firebending weak. Your movements should appear effortless and steady." He shook his head in disgust. "This seems to be a lost cause," he added in a low, but audible voice. He looked at Azula. "Your forms were perfect, just as I taught you."

"Thank you, Father," she bowed.

He looked back at Zuko. "I'm done with you today, but I expect you to keep practicing," he said sternly before walking off.

"You're lucky the little Earth peasant chased Father away with her noise."

"Shut up, Azula."

She just laughed as she walked away.

Zuko looked back relieved to see them gone, and then he ran and jumped up on the wall. He looked down on the other side to see Chiara leaning against it still playing her erhu. He looked back again making sure no one was around before jumping down next to her.

"Thanks," he said.

She stopped playing and looked at him. "Where are you burned?"

He always hated showing her his marks, but he appreciated that she always insisted on taking care of them. He held out his arm, and after looking at the burns, she stood up and took him to the kitchen where they sat at the table while she treated them. They had done this often, but he could see she would never get used to Ozai's teaching method. When she finished, he pulled out a dagger and laid it in front of her.

"Uncle sent me this. He got it from a general after they broke through the outer wall of Ba Sing Se."

She picked it up and pulled it out of its sheath. "Never give up without a fight," she read softly. She looked up at him and smiled. "That's perfect for you."

"By the time I join the military academy, there'll be nothing left to conquer," he said.

"You could travel the world and make sure that peace remains in the colonies."

"That doesn't sound as exciting."

"I think it's harder to make peace than war," she said. "But whatever you do, I'm sure it'll be something great."

Her confidence in him brought a smile to his face.

"Hey, they're coming back," called Aang.

Zuko looked up to see Sokka and Katara walking towards them.

"Anything?" he asked as he stood up.

"Sorry," said Sokka softly.

Though he had not expected to hear good news—or any news—Zuko's shoulders sagged.

"Let's try another town," said Aang.

"I don't think we'll find any information heading east...," said Zuko.

"Just one more in this direction," said Aang clearly not ready to give up.

Zuko slowly nodded, but he knew he could not allow them to continue searching with him much longer.

A/N: I know this chapter and the next may seem pointless and boring, but they are going somewhere. I'm sure it's pretty obvious where, but I can't really omit them.