Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.

There was a raft waiting for them at the edge of the city. Iroh was more than surprised to see Zuko arrive with a familiar dark haired woman in his arms. He panicked when he saw her unmoving figure but Zuko calmed him down by saying she had merely fainted from exhaustion. Iroh eyed his nephew wearily, wondering if he kidnapped her again for no good reason.

"This is what she wanted." Zuko's voice cut through the silence and set her down on the raft.

Iroh doubted.

He had seen the way the Avatar and his companions had fussed over the woman when she was held captive and Ameya had no doubt cared for them too. He also was not sure if the woman knew that Yue had turned into the new Moon Spirit. Her parting words had unsettled Iroh but he could not bring himself to speak of it now.

With a sigh, Iroh set sail, the wind gently blowing them away from the city.

"I'm surprised Prince Zuko, surprised that you are not at this moment trying to capture the Avatar." Iroh was tired too but he carefully observed the strong back of his nephew, looking distant at the city.

"I'm tired," his voice confirmed his statement.

"Then you should rest. A man needs his rest." Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder comfortingly.

Zuko lay down on the small raft away from Ameya, turning away from them and slowly drifted to sleep. The elder man looked between the two sleeping teenagers and wondered how it came to this situation.

He was sure Zuko wanted nothing more to do with Ameya but he came back with her in his arms. Ameya looked and fit the part to be Water Tribe with her bright blue eyes and waterbending abilities but she did not stay.

Is this truly what she wanted?

The remaining smoke from the destroyed houses in the city wafted upwards to the cloudy sky. Arnook and Sokka stood by the citadel, staring at the round moon visible despite the day and clouds.

"The spirits gave me a vision when Yue was born. I saw a beautiful, brave, young woman become the Moon Spirit," Arnook sighed, his eyes closed in sadness, "I knew this day would come."

"You must be proud," Sokka consoled, hiding his own sorrow.

"So proud…and sad."

Katara and Aang joined them, noticing the solemn mood surrounding the two and said nothing. Arnook raised his head once again, turning to the Avatar strongly.

"I may have lost Yue but…there may still be hope for Ameya. We do not know where she had gone to since the invasion but I doubt she is dead."

They nodded their heads. They knew she had run off to chase after Zhao but Aang was certain La was the reason for Zhao's disappearance. As for Ameya, no one seems to be able to find her since the previous night and she left no note for them.

"I am sure…she would not leave this behind," Arnook pulled a small scroll out and handed it to Aang. They resisted the urge to open the parchment under the chief's eyes and knew it must be important. "Please…find her and deliver this to her. She does not need to return to the Water Tribe but as long as she is safe…that is all that matters."

"We will Chief," Katara promised quietly. She had grown fond of the older woman and had hoped to see her again.

"I won't let Yue down," Sokka confirmed, remembering the Moon Spirit's parting words to him.

"We will find her again," Aang reassured, putting the scroll in their travel pack delicately.

Chief Arnook smiled gently at the three children and bowed in gratitude. He is certain their paths will cross again but until then, he hopes his niece may remain safe. He doesn't doubt Ameya to be family—not anymore.

Ameya woke up in an uncomfortable position on the plank, sitting up to rub her sore muscles and furrowed her eyebrows at the unfamiliar scenery. She was on a raft—surrounded by water and ice—and no city in sight. Her eyes focused onto Iroh who had been nodding off then to the back of the prince who was certainly asleep.

"Iroh," at the sound of his name, his eyes opened in surprise, "Why am I here?"

"Ameya! You're awake! Are you alright?" He avoided her question, who knows what the waterbender could do surrounded by her element on a tiny raft?

"Yes. It appears I…fainted."

She put a hand to her forehead, feeling the temperature to be normal and sighed. It was her own fault for pushing herself to the limits. Ameya had barely time to rest during the invasion and although this was not the first time she fainted from overworking, she had not expected the prince to carry her off.

"Zuko brought me here."

The statement did not harbor any ill intent from it, almost as if she knew in the first place. Iroh still looked wearily at his sleeping nephew and nodded his head.

"Are you upset, Ameya?" He asked gently.

She did not turn to him. Her hand reached up to undo her bun and let the hair cascade down her back. She tied the blue ribbon on her wrist, staring at it fondly.

"No," she finally answered, devoid of emotions. "I was just leaving."

Ameya wondered if anyone noticed her disappearance. She wondered if anyone had cared that she left. It was not a lie when she said she planned to leave—it was her intention from the start. Her moment of weakness on staying was just that—a small moment of weakness. She knew the Northern Water Tribe did not need her—they survived the attack against the Fire Nation and will rise stronger than before.

"You should rest Iroh. Thank you for allowing me on the raft."

Her voice was soft in the night and Iroh made no movement to protest, sensing her desire to be alone. He fell asleep quickly and Ameya waited a few minutes before standing up. Both of the males were sound asleep on their side of the floating plank, they would not notice if the water current is just a little rough.

She waterbended slowly, relief filled her knowing her bending was back and smiled at the moon. She must find a way to ask Iroh later how Tui came back to life. Did Katara heal him? Did she perform some magical revival on the spirit?

Either way, she was glad. Her bending had become a part of her. She felt the inevitable loss when Tui was killed and it ate at her heart knowing she cannot prevent it. But she has a second chance now—a second chance to learn and accept this part of her. Ameya will still hide it but she would not be fearful of it, not anymore.

"It's too late, it's dead." Katara confirmed the undeniable fact after Ameya had ran off, staring at the dead body of Tui in the fish pond.

Their eyes closed solemnly, paying respect to the spirit. Iroh's eyes opened and stared at the beautiful white hair of Yue, realization dawned on him.

"You have been touched by the Moon Spirit. Some of its life is in you."

"Yes, you're right. It gave me life, maybe I can give it back." Yue was determined. Maybe she was allowed to live those many years ago was for this day. She was scared, scared to die but the weight of her people were on her shoulders.

"No! You don't have to do that." Sokka grabbed her hand, strong yet fragile.

"It's my duty, Sokka."

She had accepted it long ago. Her marriage, her life, her duty as the Princess of the Water Tribe. There was a small part of her that envied Ameya—who had been able to leave the city as she pleases unlike Yue who was tied down to it.

"I won't let you! Your father told me to protect you." He couldn't let it end like this—he couldn't let her leave him. Marriage was one thing but death—that was not something Sokka could handle again.

"I have to do this."

Her hand separated from his.

Yue approached the dead koi Iroh had fished out of the pond once more. Her blue eyes were sad but determined. Before she placed her hands over the small body, she hesitated.

"Ameya," her soft-spoken voice caught their attention, "Please make sure she is safe. She's always been alone and carries the burden by herself…but she means well."

She smiled, placing her hands over the koi fish and closed her eyes. Her life force left Yue, filling the koi fish instead and the woman fell. Sokka caught her cold body, holding it close to him desperately. Her physical body disappeared in a few seconds, their eyes widening as the koi fish glowed and came back to life.

Iroh set the fish back into the pond and from it manifested a heavenly image of Yue. She looked serene and beautiful—like this is what she was meant to be. Her eyes settled on Sokka and he felt his voice catch in his throat.

"Goodbye, Sokka. I'll always be with you."

Her voice was pure and she reached down to cup his tanned cheeks, giving a farewell kiss to the boy she fell in love with.

She disappeared from their sights, leaving them to stare at the bright full moon that returned to the night sky. Katara put a hand comfortingly on her brother's shoulder, his fist clenched to fight the tears from his eyes.

"I will Yue—I'll make sure Ameya is safe."

"Don't worry Sokka…we will." Katara reassured.

Iroh said nothing. This was not his place to interfere.

From a distant, Yue's spirit form saw the figure of Ameya on top of a bridge. Her pink lips smiled fondly at the girl she considered her sister.

"Take care, Ameya."

The said girl looked up towards the moon, confusion in her ice blue eyes and thought she had hallucinated Yue's voice.

A week has gone by since their travels. Ameya had waterbended secretly whenever Zuko was asleep, cutting down their travel time on the raft as much as possible. Iroh was thankful for the girl's abilities and kept her secret safe from his nephew.

"Arg there is absolutely no fish here!" The prince's angry voice echoed the ocean, glaring at his makeshift rod and the deep blue sea.

"Well if you yell as loud as that, I'm sure all the fish would have swam away by now," Ameya said lightly from her end of the raft, ignoring the glare Zuko was giving her at the back of her head.

"Now, now children, behave. We're all just a little cranky from hunger but good things come to those who wait," Iroh pacified in the middle.

The past week had been agonizing slow but a sense of normality has set between them. Ameya had reverted back to her cheerful self after the first two days although Iroh and Zuko suspect it to be an act. She herself said nothing to their suspicions but was waiting for an opportunity to ask Iroh about the Moon Spirit. She was still a little peeved at Zuko for abducting her again even if she did plan on leaving.

Ameya shot a look to Iroh and made a small, waving motion with her hands. Sensing what she was trying to convey, Iroh sat down next to Zuko and wrapped an arm around him happily.

"Now then! Allow me to show you how true fishing is done nephew!"

"Somehow I doubt that." Zuko deadpanned.

Making sure the prince was distracted, Ameya lifted up her hands. She waterbended the water in front of her upwards, creating a small sphere of water filled with a few fish. Her eyes light up in happiness as she gently maneuvered the water bubble to the raft and froze when one of the fish jumped out of the sphere and into the ocean, creating a splash.

"What was that?" Zuko turned around just as Ameya forced her legs in the water, dropped her arms along with it.

"Ah! I—fell!" She lied clumsily, shivering as the cold water drenched her feet, "But look! Dinner!"

Ameya motioned towards a few fish on the plank, part of it wet from the puddle she made with her legs and quickly brought it back up.

"You should be more careful my dear, although we are far from the North Pole, the water around these parts are still frigid." Iroh walked over, creating a small fire in his hands and held it close to her shivering legs.

"Y-yeah, I just slipped once I saw the fish," she noticed the suspicion in Zuko's gaze and sighed, motioning towards the fish. "Aren't you going to cook that Prince? Don't tell me you don't know how?"

Iroh had been the one to mostly fry the fish they have caught but Ameya tried what she can to distract Zuko from over thinking. She knows he has a habit of that—he was sharp and quick-witted which allowed him to capture the Avatar before so she must keep him distracted and divert his attention away from herself when possible.

"Of course I know how!" He snapped, kneeling besides the fish and setting one on fire briefly.

She smiled, glad that her plan worked and focused back on her wet legs. Ameya could easily bend the water away but did not want to risk the discovery.

She was surprised when a fried fish was shoved in her face, looking up towards the frowning prince who offered it. When she made no movement to accept the fish, his frown deepened.

"Well? Aren't you going to take it?"

Snapping out of her daze, Ameya took the fish delicately. It was warm, still fresh from the heated fire and bit into the meat carefully. Zuko offered another fish to his uncle which Iroh took happily with one hand, his other hand still occupied by the small fire.

"You should eat first, Uncle," Zuko sat down besides them, both hands raised to create a controllable fire and put it by Ameya's wet pants.

"Oh I can do both just fine, Zuko." Iroh let out a hearty laugh, lifting the fish sideways and taking a bite from its stomach.

"Aww I didn't know you cared, My Prince," Ameya teased sweetly.

"I'm not doing this for you, peasant," he whipped around to glare at her but froze at the closeness of their face. Ameya's witty comeback stopped in her throat, her blue eyes widening as the image of both of them underwater fill their minds.

They pulled away immediately. Ameya focused back on eating her fish in silence and Zuko glared at the fire in his hands, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. Iroh looked between the two curiously, wondering what had just transpired between them.

There were times when both teenagers were awkward around each other. Zuko did not hold the same fiery hatred as he had before; it was more tamed and only reacted in annoyance when she initiates the teasing.

Ameya was indifferent to him. She does not outwardly hate the prince—maybe she never did but just found his methods disagreeable. Being stuck on a tiny raft with no place to escape allows too much free time to think. And she thinks Zuko may not be too horrible—tolerable even, with his little acts of kindness—such as this.

"It's a beautiful night," Ameya stated admiringly, her eyes focused on the thousands of stars twinkling in the night sky with the moon.

"Indeed it is, Ameya. Is there someone special you are thinking of? Perhaps to share this night with?" Iroh asked slyly, hoping to gauge a reaction from her.

She laughed lightly, shaking her head at the preposterous thought. Zuko shifted from his spot, seemingly asleep.

"There is no one like that," which was true. "But it is not often you will get to see a sight like this." The calm ocean had reflected the brighter stars and everywhere she looked appears ethereal. Ameya felt at peace despite being stuck on a drifting plank for almost two weeks.

"I am sure you will find someone in the future," Iroh said politely, his amber eyes sliding to his nephew for a second.

"You don't have to be worried about me Iroh, I am not interested in one."

Ameya turned towards him with a small smile before focusing back on the moon. She felt a connection with it, wondering if it was because she is a waterbender or something else entirely. A question popped in her mind, remembering what she wanted to ask the elder man for weeks.

"Iroh? How did the Moon Spirit come back to life?"

It was the question he dreaded the most. Iroh had debated for over a week on how to answer her, how to respond to her inquiry if Ameya ever requests of it. He did not want to lie to the younger girl—she was too clever to see through it, but he was not sure if she would be able to handle the truth.

She turned towards him, her icy eyes glowed faintly under the bright moonlight and curiosity shined through them. He hesitated under her piercing gaze and Ameya turned away, knowing that her stare was unnerving. She thought it was odd Iroh was taking so long to answer her.

"The Moon Spirit was dead," Iroh spoke quietly, not wanting to wake his nephew up.

"Yes, I remember."

"There was nothing we can do. No amount of healing can bring back the dead."

Ameya tensed, Iroh was stalling—but why?

"But the Princess of the Water Tribe performed a noble feat. She…had been touched by the Moon Spirit and returned the life given to her," Iroh's eyes closed, remembering the vivid image of the beautiful woman's sacrifice. "If I was not there myself, I would have not believed it. She became the next Moon Spirit."

There was silence after Iroh's explanation. He peeked at the still form of the younger woman, sitting in a hunched form with her back to them. He could not detect her emotions but he was worried for her reaction.

"Oh."

He blinked at her.

"Ameya…she said—"

"That's enough." Her sharp voice stopped him from continuing.

Iroh saw her shaking. It was minuscule and barely visible but he saw the way her hands clenched tightly around her arms and her head dipped lower, the stars forgotten.

"Goodnight."

She ended the conversation there.

She wouldn't be able to bear anymore news. Ameya regretted asking. She regretted knowing. Yue had turned into the Moon Spirit—she disappeared without saying goodbye.

And Ameya was not there for her final moments.

It felt like her chest was burning from the thoughts of Yue and her mind drowned in memories of them. The image of their younger twelve year old forms danced in her mind, so young, happy, and naïve and Ameya wished she could have held onto the memory longer.

It reminded her of Xiao and Lu Jie. It reminded her of how painful it was to see the ones she loves gone. She wanted to lash out—to scream—to do anything to stop this pain but she couldn't. They were stuck on the raft together; any rash movement she makes will endanger their lives.

But Iroh felt the tremors beneath the waves and knew she was suffering.

He cannot comfort the girl, it was not his place. They may be friendly but he knew she still treated them like strangers. He wanted to tell Yue's parting words to Ameya but as he stared at the curled up form of the waterbender, he was afraid she would break more.

He hoped that she would find a way past her grieving; Iroh knew that feeling all too well.

Hours later, when the sun began to rise, Zuko was the first one up.

He stood up quietly, stretching his arms slowly before making his way to the other side of the raft. He sat down on the edge of the plank, his body casting a shadow over the sleeping girl's head.

Zuko said nothing when he heard of his uncle's conversation with Ameya. He said nothing when he heard her barely audible cries in the night. And he said nothing; hours later, when her reddened eyes and dried tear stains were evident on her face.

Author's Note:

I wanted to write Book 1 as in introduction to the characters and sort, giving a small idea of what other characters thought of Ameya then leading to her reaction with Yue. Book 2 will be about self-discovery and decisions.

With that said, next chapter will begin Book 2. Ameya's grief would not end here but it certainly would not be forever. Expect lots of Zuko and Ameya chapters in Book 2—actually it is mainly about Zuko and Ameya so I hope you're ready!

I hope you all enjoyed it! I'm glad this story seems to be getting more views with each chapter. Reviews are always appreciated! Tell me what you think!

More doodle on my Tumblr as always!