Summary: Prince Zuko has joined the trio and vowed his loyalty to the others, Aang has finished waterbender in the North Pole, but has yet to learn earthbending. And now admiral Zhou wants Zuko dead more than Aang, so he can prove to the banished prince that he is a worthless scum with no honor... some romance in later chapters...OoO

Last Chapter: Uncle Iroh supposedly died. did he? You'll have to find out by reading my first chapter: Haunted memories. Oh well, like the summary says- Zuko joined Aang and the other two, because he thinks his nation/father has betrayed him to many times, and to avenge his uncle's death (Zhou killed him, that bastard) But this is just is in Zuko's dream, just think how bloody it would had been if it wasn't! I don't want to think about it :( If you're wondering why Zuko started crying, that's because he's having an emotional breakdown

"text"- someone talking

text- flashback or dream

(text)- probably me speaking

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or any of the characters, I have new places and a couple random people, those belong to me, the rest... no, I unfortunately don't and never will own that other stuff

Part Two: Flight of the Bison

Zuko was the first of the foursome to wake up the next morning, he closed his eyes and heard the soft hiss of water hitting the shore. The prince stifled a yawn and clambered out of his "bed" and gave a disapproving glare at his rather uncomfortable sleeping bag, it had given him quite an ache in his back. He shot a glance at the Avatar, that wasn't a dream? Had he really joined the avatar? Had he really betrayed his honor for his uncle's death?.. wait a minute, did his uncle really die? The sad and horrible truth was yes, he did, and he could not change that. A blanket of silence covered the temporary camp since the prince stopped his constant shuffling, taking in the moment, he thought best if he cleared his mind... without company.

Not looking where he was going, he stumbled upon the beach, the beach where his uncle died. A sickening smell reached Zuko's nose, he could just make out what it was... burnt flesh... Zhou's burnt flesh. He chuckled at the thought of Zhou's eyes widening as he approached the murderer, his whole hand set aflame. It didn't take long for the flaming fist to contact the admiral's weak jaw. The smirk quickly turned into Zuko's normal expressionless face as he remembered why he did that in the first place. He waded into the water without taking out his armor, which was rather cumbersome on his sore back. He walked until the water reached his knees, the icy substance sending shivers up his spine. Looking down at his scarred face, and surprised to find it to be tear stained. He avoided mirrors on the ship and stores his uncle shopped in- because of mirrors were in them, or they were just stores that you would look funny walking into, he didn't know- The last time he remembered intentionally looking into a mirror was when he was at the fire nation palace, right after he found out he was banished-

(flashback)

"Uncle?"

"Yes, prince Zuko?"

"Why did father banish me? All I have ever tried to do was care and protect my home. Why can father not see that!" Prince Zuko was lying on on a cot in the healing room below the palace, his uncle was sitting on a stool next to him. "I am sorry that-" he let out a long sigh"-that my brother has shown you no compassion in a while, for he is too busy... But then again, this was over the top, I agree with you, my brother was wrong in harming you."

"What happened to me after my father threw the punch at me?" Hopeful that his father tricked him into believing that he had searing pain shoot though his entire left side of his face. He turned to Iroh, his face hopeful, but found his rather happy uncle's face quite disgruntled. "Uncle?... What is wrong?... Is everything alright?" concern dripping from his voice.

"I am sorry to report to you that the fire lord , has indeed assaulted you... I hope that you take this lightly, prince Zuko." He reached for a mirror on the other side of Zuko's bed. He looked at it and wiped it viciously with his sleeve. He handed it to Zuko with a shaking hand. He snatched it quickly hoping to see his normal face, but was surprised to see really nothing at all... well except for the corner of a crimson mirror. "Uncle, I cannot see anything." Iroh was hoping that his nephew would not notice that, but that was a very slim chance since bandages were covering more than half of his face. "... Oh... Really? O-of course, how could I have not noticed? That is because you have cloth covering most of your eyesight." He tried to make having a scar that will never go away seem as neutral as possible. His hand trembled as he unraveled the mountain of cloth covering prince Zuko's face. When he finished unwrapping the blood-stained fabric, he winced to see his awaiting nephews face.

He indeed saw Zuko's face, full of confusion and anger.

"no"

(end flashback)

Zuko snapped out of his thoughts by hearing the avatar shifting through the bushes and trees behind him. "HEY! PRINCE ZUKO! WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE LEAVING!" Afraid that someone, even the avatar, saw him like this. He was supposed to be a strong, powerful leader, he wouldn't allow even the tiniest tear to be seen by anyone. He quickly collapsed to his knees and splashed the stinging water around his face. "I am over by the sea Aang, I'll be at the camp soon." Zuko said through the water dripping from brow and nose. "OK! Don't get lost!" and ran back to pack up the rest of the loose items. 'How can I get lost if the camp is barely 50 steps away?' Zuko sighed at the stupidity of people sometimes. He looked back out over the horizon to see the sun peaking out over the sea. He turned his head and ran back to were the others were.

It took him about 15 seconds to walk to the site from the beach. Still hidden from view from the others, he could still see them, He was surprised to see the water tribe boy awake, he always seemed like the type that would wake up late. His thoughts were cut short by Sokka's high pitched squeals "How do you know that you can trust him? I mean he's been chasing us for, how long? For all we know He's plotting our capture right now! Or-" Sokka was throwing a tantrum while the ever two seemed to just ignore him 'How can you ignore him when he has fits like that?' thought Zuko, he shrugged and walked on. "-Or... he can helping these two pack" Zuko finished for him.

Zuko had came into the clearing were they could all see him. "Thanks for trusting me, by the way." he added on. Both teens shot glares at each other, but then Sokka closed his eyes and interrupted the glaring contest and stated, "Well, thanks for eavesdropping!" "Sokka, he has the right to eavesdrop! I mean, you were criticizing him when he was only a few feet away to begin with!" replied Aang. Katara nodded her head in agreement and handed Aang the last of their supplies. "Well I think that's all of it!" exclaimed Aang. "Finally!" shouted Sokka, "It was so boring with no one around except Aang and Katara... and who else?.. Oh, yeah! that Prince that no one likes! Yup, he's with us too!"

Zuko thought it best to not say anything about his snide remark, but thought his head would implode if the warrior said anything else. Katara glared at Sokka for being so rude while Aang scampered onto Appa's back. "Hey Zuko! I bet that you've never been on a flying bison before!" "No I don't think I have" said Zuko under his breath, his temper rising. He sighed and let out a tiny smile for his reply. Katara walked around the giant creature until she reached his tail. She claimed up it like it was a tiny hill.

Zuko must have had a confused face on, for Sokka snickered, and let out a sigh, "Oh? Is thebig bad Prince afraid of a fluffy bison?" Zuko glowered at the water tribe peasant and let out a long string of steam escape his nose.

Sokka's eyes widened, "Well, sor-ry, Zuko, not even you can take a joke..."

"No, I guess I can't" his eyes still squinted at Sokka

"What the hell's your problem?"

Zuko stained to not say, 'you' but instead glared at him once more and walked away to the monstrous animal. "So... how do you get on this...thing?" Sokka stifled a laugh, but Zuko ignored him. "Well one way is climbing up his tail..." Aang turned hi head towards Appa's humongous one "Hey, buddy? Can you lay on the ground so it's easier for Zuko to get on?" Appa groaned in reply and laid down. Zuko was stunned that that bison listened to him, but then again, how old was it? Over one hundred, not that hard to persuade him.

Zuko walked over to his tail and bolted up it. Once everyone was on the saddle (and after Sokka's complaints) Aang yelled, "YIP YIP! At the top of his lungs. The animal took off from a swish of his tail, and sped through the sky. "HOLY CRAP!" was all Zuko could say. Sokka let out a cry of happiness to see Zuko scared, with his eyes full of terror if he fell off. " So, where are we headed Aang?" Katara asked sweetly. "We're headed to the city of Jhiensiton to pick up supplies, "I hear that they have mighty fine corn too" Aang said through his smile. Zuko gulped down his fears and hoped for the best.

Yay! Chapter two is up!Eh? kind of a cliffy, at least there's nothing important right now so it's not that annoying :) Well, please review!