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

Song Recommendation: So Far Away – BTS (Suga, Jin, Jungkook)

It was in the darkness of the night did Ameya feel truly in her own element.

Infiltration, deception, trickery; it was who she was. It was how she had survived all the way up to now. She never learned how to rely on others, not until Xiao and Lu Jie took her in, but even they cannot completely protect her. So she struggled and ran, lied and deceit others.

When she brought up the idea of infiltrating a Fire Navy ship, she had planned to do it alone.

Ameya did not expect Hakoda to go along with the plan.

She did not expect his tribe to follow along and support her.

She did not expect to be in a war meeting with them, formulating a strategy for a small group of warriors to capture a Fire Navy ship and use it as a disguise to sail away.

But here she was on the boat with a dozen of them, following a lone Fire Navy cruiser in the night.

Sokka and Katara initially tried to follow them aboard but Ameya insisted they stay behind, stay with Aang in case the plan does not go through. The Water Tribe siblings tried to protest but it was Toph that calmed them down, saying it was the best plan of action right now.

So they stayed back, hiding from the other Fire Navy stationed along Chameleon Bay and waited. It was futile trying to fight all of them at once; the best plan of action was to capture one and sneaked all of them aboard.

They understood but cannot help but feel abandoned as Ameya left them.

With careful movements, Ameya waterbended her and the group of men upwards to the deck of the cruiser. The darkness of the night provided perfect cover for them behind the moonlight and barely any guards were stationed on look out. They must have been relaxed in the ocean, unaware of attack that was to take place.

There were three helmsmen they can see on deck but they were lax and careless. Hakoda and his tribe took down the men silently, as if they were used to battling against the Fire Nation soldiers. It was hard to keep the soldiers at bay without alerting the whole ship but it helped that most of the helmsmen were asleep.

After binding the unconscious soldiers, the group separated again. Hakoda led them into the ship base and Ameya cannot help but recognize the passages of some, remembering how familiar it all looked from when she was once held captive. She shook those thoughts away, carefully following the Water Tribe soldiers descend.

"…meet up with Admiral Liang's fleet at Ba Sing Se. Looks like the war is finally coming to an end. Ba Sing Se has fallen and the Avatar is dead! It is a glorious time for the Fire Nation."

Hakoda raised a hand for the group to stop, pausing to listen into the conversation behind the ajar door.

"Victory is within our grasp. Princess Azula and Prince Zuko are returning home, leaving us to secure the aftermath. We cannot let them down."

Ameya's blood froze at the mention of the royalty's name. Before anyone could stop her, she ran into the room, water out from her canteen and froze one of the two men to the wall. The captain moved in a firebending position but she pounced on him before he can ignite the fire, both figures tumbling into the floor with her on top and she twisted the man's hand behind his back.

Hakoda and his warriors rushed in immediately, surprised on their aged face to see the young woman took down what appears to be the captain of the ship and his helmsmen. Icy eyes glared at the captain under her grasp, tightening the grip on his wrist painfully.

"When?" She hissed out quietly, "When did the Prince's ship leave?"

The captain glared at her, at the small girl who had rendered him useless in under a minute then to the Water Tribe who began tying him up. He opened his mouth as if to scream but Ameya reacted quicker, breathing in once then out and a stream of chill air froze his mouth over.

Her hand reached behind her, unsheathing a familiar pearl dagger and twist it over, holding it close to the captain's open neck. Hakoda watched on tensely but none of the warriors moved.

"I won't ask a third time. When did the Prince's ship leave?"

The ice over the man's mouth melted away courtesy of the waterbender and she saw the fear in his eyes when he glance her over. He looked away, shame on his face as he muttered just one word.

"Yesterday."

One of the members bound the captain's mouth to prevent him from talking then to the helmsman as soon as Ameya unfroze him from the wall. She walked away briskly, her mind loud and blaring at the mention of the banished prince.

Well, not so banished anymore.

They quickly subdue the rest of the crew and threw them into the prisons. It was almost tempting to throw them overboard; they would have no chance of survival out in the ocean. Ameya did not comment on it, only taking down the helmsmen with the help of the fellow Water Tribe warriors.

Once everyone was thrown in prison under the ship, the Water Tribe members gathered on the deck. They celebrated quietly at the successful infiltration but regained composure for the next step of the plan. Now, another group was to return back to Chameleon Bay to retrieve the rest of them and they will head west.

"Are you okay?"

Ameya glanced towards Hakoda's voice. Why was everyone asking her that lately?

She brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek, untying the black cloth over her mouth. "I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

The elder man watched his group of men leave to retrieve his family then back to the young woman who was staring out into the ocean. Her body was still tensed and guarded even after all of the helmsmen have been captured. He remember the way she attacked the captain; ruthless and cold. Hakoda cannot imagine her to be the same, smiling woman that had been living with them the past week.

"Uh—no reason I suppose," he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. He never was good with teenage girls; Hakoda barely rekindled his relationship with his daughter. Katara was still avoiding him after their reunion and only gave brisk responses whenever they converse.

"I'm leaving," his blue eyes scanned her apprehensively, "Just for a bit. I'm going to borrow one of the kayaks in this ship's disposal. I'll be back."

Ameya did not look at him, focusing intently on the water below. She avoided thinking about him all week but once he was mentioned, she lost all focus. She attacked recklessly, she moved impulsively, and she used the dagger carelessly. It was different from her normal demeanor; she knew why Hakoda was concern.

But he was not her father; he had no right to chastise her.

"What do you plan to do?"

He understood that too. She had no reason to join the fight but she promised to return. Hakoda had a feeling something was wrong with the young woman but he doesn't know her for long. He only trusted in his children's judgment. She had proven to be useful and capable not just tonight but during the past week too.

"Severing my ties."

She glanced his way and bowed politely before making her way beneath the deck. The captain said they were going home, back to the Fire Nation. This would be her last opportunity to see him—not convince him. Ameya wanted no part in that. She just wanted answers, maybe one last conversation before they face off as enemies. It would be her closure, it was what she need.

When Katara, Sokka, and Toph arrived on the ship with the unconscious Avatar, Hakoda explained to them of Ameya's departure. He saw his daughter glare at him accusingly, wondering why he did not stop her but he could only say it was her request and she will return.

They left him quietly, the children lost in their thoughts and Hakoda hoped he made the right call.

The beautiful full moon hung over the sea silently. Zuko looked up onto the night, his mind cloudier than the ones that swayed in the sky. It had been over a week since they conquered Ba Sing Se, three days since they set sail for the Fire Nation, and it will be two weeks before they are to arrive home.

During this time, he had been thinking again. He was not able to face his uncle, who was held prisoner under the royal navy's deck, and was scared of what he would say. Zuko could not get the look of disappoint away from his mind nor can he ignore Azula's voice echoing in his head for calling him a traitor.

What he did was the right choice. He was loyal to the Fire Nation; he was loyal to his father. This will secure their win in this war and he can finally reclaim what was rightfully his. That was why he spent three long years away, chasing the Avatar and his honor.

A flash of blue appeared in his mind and he looked away from the moon.

It was not only Iroh who had been haunting him. Zuko had been angry when he left her, he should stay angry and yet—he cannot get her screams away from his mind. They had been so ready for the change, ready to accept the next step to their relationship but it was for naught. Their relation had always been undefined, always been vague from the beginning.

She was a thief and he a prince.

She was a waterbender and he a firebender.

She lied and hid her emotions, he was open with his.

They were opposites with each other; it only made sense that they were on opposite sides. And yet, why can't he still get her out of his mind? Why did a part of him still want to trust in her words back at the Crystal Catacombs?

"Aren't you cold?"

Zuko turned to the quiet voice that spoke behind him, noticing the long strand of silky black hair and almost faltered. But it was narrow topaz eyes that greeted him, not wide icy blue and he was reminded of the current situation.

Mai had confessed to him after their reunion.

It had been shocking for Zuko; he almost forgot to reply if not for her sarcastic, drawl out voice to remind him she was still waiting. For a brief moment, he wanted to refuse. He had never been in a relationship before—not an official one at least—and never saw Mai as anyone else except 'Azula's friend' for the longest time.

But Mai was Fire Nation, she was of noble blood. It only made sense that he, the Fire Nation Prince, should find and settle down with someone of his status. It helps that her apathetic behavior was completely different from someone else he had come to known, at least Mai would not lie to him, he believes.

So Zuko agreed to date her. Even when the kisses they share did not hold the same fire as his previous ones, even when her eyes were not a soothing ice blue, even when her voice lacked certain playfulness; Zuko agreed.

"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long, over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed." He pushed the thoughts of her away; Zuko had other things to worry about than a lowly thief.

Mai yawned. "I just asked if you were cold, I didn't ask for your whole life story." She held his face in her hands comfortingly, a rare smile on her pale lips at her own tease. "Stop worrying."

Zuko allowed her to pull him into a kiss. Her lips felt cold against his and he felt almost bashful at her affection. When they pulled away, she bid him a quiet farewell to return to her chambers and left him staring out onto the moon again.

There were still too much on his mind. He hoped that with his new relationship with Mai, he can finally move on from his past. Once he returns home, the shame from the past three years will disappear. Zuko made the right choice; this was what he wanted for the longest time.

"Are you happy, Prince Zuko?"

Zuko froze.

He turned towards the direction of where the soft feminine voice came from and spotted a figure hiding in the shadows of the ship. The person's back was to him, half of it hidden behind the pillar but he recognized the flowing black hair and her cold tone.

What was she doing here?

He almost wanted to ask—almost wanted to demand but felt his throat closed up instead. Zuko had learned long ago to stop questioning her appearances but could not stop the way his heart accelerated at her figure. If she were to get caught now then there would be no mercy for her. If she were to be discovered here, Azula will not let her go.

But she was not running, waiting quietly for his response and he almost wanted to go towards her, to see the color of blue sky and teasing smiles.

He ignored those thoughts—he shouldn't be having them in the first place. She was an enemy, she betrayed him.

So why was she here?

"Yes, I am."

Zuko replied confidently. He will be happy once he returns, he will be happy once his honor has been restore. He will be happy when his father finally acknowledges him.

He should and yet—he was not happy now, not in this current moment. That happiness was reserved for the future.

"You are still the same, foolish prince."

His hands balled into fists by his side. She should be so lucky he was not alerting the helmsmen of her appearance. She should be grateful he has not attacked her yet. She was the one that betrayed him first—she was the one that always lied to him.

And yet—why didn't Zuko apprehend her yet?

"Three times."

He seized thinking at her voice, waiting.

"The first time, I had meant to bump into you in the pirate's harbor."

His brows furrow in confusion, what was she talking about?

"The second time, I didn't sell the dagger."

Slowly, his gold eyes widen at her words.

"The third time, I had waterbended fish for us on the raft."

Ameya turned to him then and he felt his heart beat painfully against his chest at the sight of icy blue. She was not glaring at him like he expected, she was not smiling nor frowning. It was an empty gaze, devoid of emotions yet it affected him just as strongly were she to cry.

"You can choose to believe it or not, I only wish to finish up our conversation from the catacombs. Now, this will truly be goodbye."

She made her way to the edge of the ship and Zuko felt himself breathe again when her eyes turned away.

"Stay happy and foolish, Prince Zuko, so the next time we meet, I will make you regret."

He ran towards the side of the ship the moment she jumped off. Zuko did not hear the splash of her body against the water and when he scanned the ocean, no boat or body was floating above. The clouds wafted over the moon at that time, covering the only light of the night and hid her escape.

Zuko fell on his knees afterwards, frustrated and drained from the simple conversation. But he understood what she meant and cannot stop the burning in his chest. The only things he could control were the shouts he contained, the sting behind his eyes to prevent the water from spilling, and fire from igniting from his fists.

Ameya only lied to him three times.

He shouldn't believe it—he shouldn't trust her words and yet—why can't he forget it?

She didn't know how long she spent waterbending away from the royal ship. The moon emerged from the clouds after what felt like hours and Ameya realized she was out in the middle of nowhere, only her on a lone boat surrounded by the sea.

Ameya was proud of herself to be so composed in front of him. She was happy she managed to inflict some type of doubt in him the moment she saw his eyes. She wanted to hurt him just like he had hurt her.

But it felt insignificant and hopeless. She felt worthless and empty when she saw him kiss another girl.

Zuko had already moved on—he had never thought of her as anything else but someone who was just there. Ameya could only speak to him impassively and prayed he did not hear the betrayal in her words. She could only lash out with controlled sentences she had rehearsed for hours.

I shouldn't have gone to see him.

I shouldn't have cared for him.

I shouldn't have fallen in love—

Ameya stopped moving. Her knees collapsed under her and she sat on the boat numbly, eyes widen at her traitorous thoughts.

I shouldn't have…what? With…Zuko?

Her hands began to blur in front of her. Her eyes turned hot and watery but she cannot register the tears, only the painful—heartbreaking ache in her chest. She blinked and water fell onto her palms but she cannot see—cannot focus on what was in front of her.

Memories from the past months flew into her mind, drowning her thoughts and clarity. Memories of their first encounter, memories of their constant fights, memories of his small gestures of kindness, memories of his golden eyes changing from hostile to gentle at the sight of her, memories of their tender embraces, memories of their kiss—

Ameya screamed and the tears fell like waterfalls.

She let herself shout and cry alone in the ocean where no one could hear her except the silent moon above. She let herself lose control and break and think of the prince she had fallen in love with but refused to admit it until it was too late.

She allowed the emotions she had been bottling up since their escape from Ba Sing Se out and felt the waves beneath her boat rock harshly back and forth.

At the age of sixteen, Ameya had fallen in love and experienced her first heartbreak.

Since when did it happen?

Since when did she begin to care for him?

Since when did she start trusting him?

Since when did she start to love him?

Ameya could not pinpoint the exact moment she fell in love with the prince. She could only remember how happy she was to see him. She could only remember how prepared she was to throw her fox mask away. She was prepared to throw everything away for Zuko—if it meant she were to stay by his side.

But he left her just as she feared.

He chased after the Avatar; he chased after Azula.

Even though Zuko was the one who asked her to stay—even though Zuko was the one who confessed.

He left her.

He betrayed her.

And now he has someone else by his side. He has someone who was not a thief, who did not lie and steal for a living, who was not his enemy.

Ameya was always the one leaving others. She had always tried to keep herself from forming close relationships with others. Was this karma in the end? Was this her punishment for always pushing others away?

It was a mistake. Everything was a mistake on her part. Falling in love with Zuko was her mistake and now she was being punished for loving the enemy.

She should have never stolen from him. She should have never stayed with him. She should have never cared for him.

There were so many things Ameya should have never done but she did—and it was too late to take anything back. She hadn't realized her own feelings until now, hadn't realized everything she did was not for herself anymore—but for him.

Ameya cried harder, burying her face in her hands pitiably.

"Yue…" her voice was weak and pathetic, crying out the name of the person long gone, "You never said—love would be this painful. You never said…it would hurt this much!"

She screamed again, angry and frustrated and hurt.

"But I fell in love—I fell in love like a fool and only got hurt in the end. Why—why did he not choose me?! Why did he leave me?! Why wasn't I strong enough to stop him?!"

The Moon Spirit watched her friend pitifully beyond the moon. Her heart yearns to comfort the one she considers her sister and descended below. It was uncertain if Ameya could even see her but Yue sat behind the crying woman, leaning against her lonely back hoping she will feel the comfort.

Yue had seen, under all the nights they shared under the moon, she had seen the two steady fell in love with each other. She had hoped with all her heart it was meant to be, she had hoped another tragedy like hers were not to occur. It was the first time Ameya had opened up to someone so intimately…but it mattered not in the end.

"I'm sorry, Ameya…I'm so sorry."

Ameya continued to cry harder, drowning out the heavenly voice of Yue's apologies.

Author's Note:

I sneaked in the scene with Zuko and Mai from episode 1 in Book 3 here because I thought it was fitting…all for this moment. I have planned this for a long while…and now that I finally wrote it, I feel drained too aha. This is honestly one of my favorite chapters ehehe…there's a reason why I love writing the moon so much.

Ameya is usually so composed but when things happen beyond her expectations—beyond her own emotional control, she breaks. Similar to how she froze during the catacombs and now, she's unraveling. Hope that makes sense?

Reviews are much appreciated! This is one of the few chapters where I will actively beg for reviews because…this felt like an important scene to me—to Ameya and Zuko—and one of my all time favorite chapters I've been planning since the beginning of the story. So please, share your thoughts! Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Mini notes below if you're interested!

Zuko started to see Ameya as a thief again…maybe that's all she ever was in his eyes.

Remember chapter 7 when Ameya and Yue had that girl talk? No? I recommend you revisit it eheh.

This is…my favorite chapter.

Also thank YOU SO MUCH FOR THE 100 FAVORITES! AND COUNTING QQ I'm honestly so honored thank you so much for giving this story a chance! I will try to draw more Ameko when I can!