Leiko was fast asleep in her room, in a deep slumber. But the peace ended when she had a nightmare. She was running through the woods, her head throbbing and her arm gashed and bleeding. She was in her ninja suit, but her face was exposed. Her heart was racing as drops of sweat ran down her skin. She felt like she had been running for days! She looked back and saw the fire nation; soldiers and guards were running after her! She turned back and continued to run away! She heard them shouting at her, "Murderer! Murderer! Traitor! Dishonor!" and then she felt a sharp pain go into her back! She was hit by and arrow; and she stopped and pulled it out, letting blood drip down her outfit. She began to run again, trying to escape the angry mob or face certain death! "Murderer! Traitor!"

"No!" she yelled back, "I'm not!" and she tripped over a tree root. She stood back up, ignoring her aching knee and limped as fast as she could away. "I don't want to be a part of you anymore!" and she went on, until she ran into a spider web! She swiped the spider off her face, but out from the shadows stepped an even bigger one! It was bigger than her! It grabbed her wrist with one of its hairy legs and wouldn't let go!

"You traitor!" and it transformed into her father, Zhao! She gasped and tried to pull away! But he continued to grasp her. "You will do as I say!"

"NO! I don't want to be a part of you anymore!" she screamed! "I won't! Let me go!"

"Kill the prince!"

"NO, I WON'T!" and he grabbed a knife and put it in her hand. He spun her around and Prince Zuko was standing out in front of her. "ZUKO, RUN!" but he stayed. They both changed, shrinking until they were little again. There in front of her stood the Zuko she used to know and love, but the scar stayed.

"KILL THE PRINCE!" and he jabbed her hand forward, stabbing the prince in the chest, making blood rush out and onto her hand as he gasped for air and fell to the ground!

"NO!" and then the other eleven people she killed stepped up from behind him and towered over her! Sang drew out a long sword and placed it over her head! "NO!"

She awoke with a jolt when the fog horn blew! She sat there, out of breath and sweaty. She looked at her hand and didn't see any blood on it, thank goodness. It was just a dream, all just a bad dream! She sighed and looked out her window. It was a beautiful day, and Tila was chirping her morning song. Leiko bowed her head and began to cry. What a horrible dream. She didn't want to be a part of anything that had to do with the fire nation; she wanted so badly to be free of the burden. But it seemed like nothing would take it off her shoulders. She was born to kill and would do just that. And something told her that on that particular day she would have to do the unmentionable again. Iroh came in with a smile.

"Why Leiko, it is a beautiful day and here it is a beautiful girl such as yourself is still in bed? Tisk, tisk!" And he walked over to her, "Wake up!" but then he noticed the tears running down her face. "Uh oh, something tells me there is a reason you have stayed in bed."

"Just a bad dream." She told him. He sat down on the foot of her bed and patted her feet from atop the covers.

"Tell old Uncle Iroh about your dream, dear. It will make you feel better." And she sniffled and did just that.

"I had a dream I was being chased by the people of the fire nation. Then my father came along and forced me to…to kill Zuko." She turned away from him with her eyes closed, in shame. "Just as he wanted." She finished. Iroh stroke his beard and thought.

"Leiko, I understand your pain. You are fighting your own war inside of you." And then he placed a hand on top of her head. "And you can win. My dear, you are on a ship miles away from your father and all the bad memories of the fire nation. Your prince awaits you right now in the mess hall, safe and unharmed. You need not let this dream get the best of you. Moreover, Prince Zuko will not let anyone harm you. Now get out of bed and enjoy this precious day." And she looked up and smiled at him.

"You're right."

"Of course I am." And he stood up and walked to her door. "Now get ready for the day. Zuko has been awaiting your arrival." And he left. Tila flew over onto Leiko's shoulder and chirped. Leiko smiled and pet her.

"I can win." She repeated to herself.

She got up and ready for the day, telling herself that Iroh was right. She could win, and all it would take is some time, some confidence and something good; something that would make a huge difference in her life for the better. And as she entered the mess hall, she was reminded of what that thing was. "Good morning." Zuko said to her as she walked in. "What kept you?" She walked up to him and looked at him in the eye to make sure that it really was just a dream. "Leiko?"

"How are you feeling this morning, Prince Zuko?" she asked.

"I'm fine. Should I be worried about you?" he asked, unsure of what she was doing. She leaned into him and put her ear to his heart. She closed her eyes and listened to his heart beat, and the soft rhythm of his heart beat calmed her. It hadn't vanished, it was still there. She knew that in his chest beat the same heart that did years ago. The same heart that cared about her and the good of mankind. The same loving heart that wanted to make a difference; the innocent heart. She backed away and looked at him.

"No," she answered, "I'll be fine." She smiled. "I have what I was looking for."