Zuko ran over to the edge of the river and looked down with his uncle and other men of the crew. They searched desperately for a sign of Aiori! "Aiori!" Zuko called down, but there was neither answer nor a stir in the water. "Aiori, where are you?" he called out again, but still nothing. "She may be hurt!" he was actually worried about her. "Spread out and search for her!" he commanded his crew and they all ran off in different directions! Zuko ran down the river, in the direction of the current and looked in the water for her. There was still no sign of her. He stopped when he heard a wolf's howl. He spun around, looking around him. "Aiori?" but there was nothing there. He ran further down and spotted a wolf staring into the water.

He looked at the wolf that in turn looked at him. It howled and called to its family members, and they walked up to it. Zuko watched as the wolf howled again in his direction and then approached him! He backed up and flared his fists! The wolf stopped and cocked its head. It set down something it had in its teeth and walked off with the others. Zuko picked it up and looked at it, it was Aiori's scarf! Zuko stood up and looked around. The wolf howled again. He remembered that Aiori seemed to be able to communicate with the wolves. "Wait a minute!" he called out into the dark. "Where is she? Did she send you?" there was nothing. He slid down into the gorge and ran in the shallow end of the river. "Aiori?" he called again. He was worried about her, even if he didn't want to admit it. He didn't just lose a servant; he lost the person who saved his life. Maybe his uncle was right. Maybe Aiori was more than she seemed.

Zuko spotted a figure in the water further down! "Aiori!" he yelled and ran down to her! The wolf howled again and Zuko looked up into the starry sky. Then he looked back down at Aiori. She was face down in the water, her arms and legs hanging limply into the current. He turned her over onto her back and looked at her. There was hair covering her face; that was now free of the scarf. Somehow her face had managed to stay hidden. He looked down and noticed that she was wearing his armor. It upset him, how dare she steal his armor suit! But he looked back at her face and his temper cooled. Temptation ran threw his veins.

He had never seen her face before, but now was the chance! He heard his uncle calling for him. "Zuko…Prince Zuko! Where are you?" he called. Zuko looked up, but then looked back at Aiori's face. He reached out one hand and gently swiped the wet hair from her face. He was caught of guard by what he saw. Her face was a nice tan color, and her features looked heavenly, almost perfect. She had long eyelashes and rosy cheeks. Her lips were pink and voluptuous, like the rest of her body, and looked sweet. She had a small chin and perfect cheek bones. She was beautiful! Zuko touched her cheek and looked on as a drop of water travel down her temple. The wet dress clung to her upper body, exposing cleavage. Zuko drew in a quick, sharp breath and let it out slowly. He lifted the girl up from where she rested and walked up to his uncle with her cradled in his arms.

"Uncle," Zuko said as he walked up to him, "We need to get her back to the ship."

Aiori stirred and awoke in a warm bed. Her head ached, but she sat up and looked around. The room had a fire nation flag hanging from the wall. She gasped and turned to run out of the room! She opened the door and ran into General Iroh. "Whoa, hold on there young one!" he said and he held her by her shoulders and she looked up at him. She smiled.

"Iroh?" she asked in disbelief.

"It is nice to see the face of our hero." He spoke to her. She suddenly moved her hands up to her face and felt around for the scarf, but it was gone! She gasped and went to run away, but Iroh grabbed her. "Easy, you fell into the river after saving us, and your scarf fell off."

"Is everyone okay?" she asked. He smiled.

"Everyone is alive and unharmed, thanks to you Aiori." And with that he tucked his hands into his sleeves and bowed. "You have saved us all from Commander Zhao's army."

"Commander Zhao?" she repeated.

"He is the man you fought. He has been after Prince Zuko since he was banished." Iroh explained. Aiori's eyes grew big.

"Zuko…did he see my face?" she asked. Iroh smiled.

"He did. But I do not see why you could not show your face before."

"I find no honor in showing my face to my enemy." She informed him.

"It was Prince Zuko who saved you; I do not think he sees you as an enemy."

"He saved me?" she was surprised, "Why?" her tone darkened.

"Because you saved him, and the rest of us. That attack you pulled was amazing, you completely found Commander Zhao off guard. Where did you learn to fight like that?"

"Everyone in Irashimu learns how to fight."

"Now I have another question for you. Why did you save Prince Zuko?"

"Well, I saved you because you have shown me respect, and so has the crew. A warrior is to protect those who have aided them. As for Zuko, it was the Irashimu Warrior Code of Honor. A warrior must protect all, even if they don't approve of that person." Iroh smiled at her and placed a hand on her head.

"What am I going to do with you and my nephew?" he said with a smile.