"That was most wonderful, Aiori." Uncle Iroh complimented.

"Thank you. That is how we dance in my village on festive nights." She rejoined.

"Do people at your home sing?"

"All the time."

"Well," Iroh laughed, "It has been a long time since we have heard the beautiful sound of a woman's voice. Give us that honor." The other men chimed in.

"No, I couldn't possibly do that!" Aiori said with a giggle and a shake of her head.

"I am sure you have a most enchanting voice, please." Iroh said and a drummer began to play another, slower beat. Then in came a flute and some chimes. Aiori just stood back up on the crate and began to sing.

"My heart, my one true soul, I know who it belongs to," and smiles crossed everyone's faces, but Zuko was just struck! She really did have an enchanting voice, "For there is nothing…that could stop the pain, the pain I always get when I am around you. With the night lights as my path, and my spirit as my guide there is nothing left to hide…now that I have found you. The lightning bugs accompany me in my seek, the wolves whisper who it is while I am fast asleep, my mother told me to always be true…and I know now that I have found you." And sense of tranquility overcame everyone as her soothing voice floated into the air. "But what to do now? I am stuck here, in the middle of the darkness, with everything to fear. What keeps me going through and through…it is and always has been you. My feet frozen to the ground, my heart is stuck in time, and as the water flows, I hope that you are mine. How can I get there with the obstacles in my way? Dreaming of your arms reaching out to me…blessing me with light to see, I will still cry out for you from night turn into day. I am saved by hearing a wolf's cry…I looked ahead and see eye to eye…they never lie, they know only what is true…and they tell me that some day I will have you. Do not keep me waiting…the flame is burning out…please, as the cool waters wash over me, tell who I am meant to be…I will not sleep until eyes see true…I pray for salvation I will find in you." And she stopped and looked at everyone. Uncle Iroh sniffed and wiped away a tear and began to clap, then so did everyone else. One man even broke out into sobs. Zuko felt a strange ping at his heart and walked away. He leaned over the railing of his ship and looked out at the reflection of the half moon on the water. He sighed and bowed his head. An unusual feeling washed over him. Some flutes began to play another soothing song that rang into the night.

"Zuko?" he heard Aiori speak. He turned to see her standing and looking at him.

"Where did you learn that song?" he asked.

"Home." She replied. Then she leaned on the railing next to him. "That was actually somewhat embarrassing. I didn't expect them to start tearing and sobbing." Then she turned back to Zuko who was silent. "What's the matter?" He sighed, "What's wrong? Don't tell me my song tore you up too." She said with a smile.

"It didn't. It just made me think."

"About what?" she asked, trying to start conversation, and she began to stream some water with her water bending skills.

"My home…and my past." He admitted.

"That's what the song is supposed to do."

"It has been a long time since I last spoke with my mother."

"How long?"

"Many years." And he turned away, "She died when I was very young."

"I'm sorry." She said in a whisper.

"I can hardly remember her." There was a moment of silence.

"My grandmother always told me, you have to put the past behind you and look into your future. That way, the past doesn't eat you up inside." She bowed her head now. "Sometimes I let my past eat me up inside, and I turn into a mess."

"I don't see anything in my future!" he growled, "I see myself chasing the Avatar and staying on this boat until I rot!" he slammed his fist down on the railing and a flame came from it!

"Easy, easy!" she placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. "Don't think like that, it's bad luck."

"Commander Zhao wants to see my off my thrown and banished for life, a complete failure!"

"Why don't you do something because it proves good to yourself? You want so much to live up to what everyone else wants of you. Do it for you. And I cannot believe I am saying this to a fire bender, but, you're the Fire Lord's son! You can do anything! Don't let that man get to you."

"My father doesn't even want me anymore." Zuko said softly.

"Hey," and she looked him in the face, catching his attention, "You still have your uncle." Zuko looked away and then back at her. "So what do you say your highness?" she said with a caring smile and the band began to play a faster song. "Buck up and enjoy the now, forget the then."

"How?" he asked.

"Dance!" she replied and pulled him out to the rest of the people and began to dance next to him, but he just stood there. "Oh c'mon! How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"You're supposed to have fun! Now dance!" He still didn't move. "Do something!" but he just looked at her. "Like this!" and she took his hands and began to move around with him until he was dancing on his own next to her.

"Hey Aiori," he said and she looked at him, "Thanks." He actually smiled! And then they continued to dance the night away, leaving all troubles behind just to enjoy themselves.