The big day had come, and it was all too soon for Leiko. She wasn't ready for anything so big, especially with someone she hated. She looked at the wall ahead and then down at herself as Kilix's maids put the dress on her. It was a huge white dress with all the trimmings…and it was the most gorgeous dress she had ever seen. But she didn't want it. The tiara was placed on her head, over her neatly done hair that was in a bun with white flowers in it and the veil hung over her face. She looked beautiful, but she knew that she was looking beautiful for the wrong person. Never had she dreamed of dressing like that for anyone other than Prince Zuko. She wanted this day to special between him and her, but instead it was a day of obligated commitment. "You're all ready for your big day, Leiko." One of the maids said.

"No," she replied softly, "I'm not." But the maid just left. Soon after she did another walked in and led her outside. When she reached the dirt outside of the quarters the maid placed the heavy metal cuffs on her wrists again. Leiko looked down at her ailments and whimpered. Then a wagon came with two decorated rhinos leading it. She stepped in reluctantly and sat as the rhinos lead her to the wedding grounds.

Along the ride she watched the other commoners of the Fire Nation go about their ways of business. And it struck her; why she was rebellious, why she ran away…she hated them. She didn't hate them in particular; she hated their ways, their traditions and their customs. They thrived from hate and angst whilst teaching their children the same thing. She scowled, what was to become of a civilization with such morals? Nothing, that's what. She wanted nothing to do with them if that be the case. She wanted to live a life worth living. And when she arrived at the wedding grounds she realized that it may have been too much to ask for.

Kilix stood waiting, with his father standing next to him, and then several other important people. It was now and forever, the deciding moment. As the doors opened and people watched to see her walk down the aisle she knew she wasn't ready. People stood with anticipation, lingering.

Instead of calmly walking down the steps of the wagon and walking down the aisle to Kilix, she took off running the other direction! For it was the only thing she knew to do. Guards went after her, but even in the dress she was too fast for them. All those days of training and exercising paid off, and she was always ahead of them. She carried the front of her dress in her satin wrapped arms and ran as fast as she could in heals away from the ceremony! She could hear the guards calling out to get her, but she pressed on despite the weight of the infernal gown.

She dashed into the forest and pursued her journey! The brush made her put forth even more effort. The limbs of trees reached out to her, as if trying to push her back to accept her unwanted fate! They ripped and tore her gown in the shadows and nipped at her skin, but still she went on. She continued to run until she reached the shore. Leiko looked back to see if the guards were following her, but they weren't. She had lost them in the forest. But still knowing that they could come out any second she took off again and ran down the shoreline.

But her feet stopped her when she spotted a familiar ship. She stared at it; were her eyes deceiving her? They couldn't be. She hurried, tossing the veil from her face, until she reached the ship. The only thing attaching the ship to the shore was a long chain. So even with her heavy gown, she began to use all her strength to climb up it. It was the only way to save herself, and she pulled herself up with all her might. The chain was big and cold, and her dress seemed to grab onto it as she did, but she had to reach the top.

And when she did, she climbed over the edge and drew in a deep breath and looked ahead. Prince Zuko stood at the tip with his hands resting on the rail. He was in his tunic, and his hair blew in the breeze. She had reached her hero. "Zuko…" she panted with what breath was left from her escape. Zuko turned and his eyes grew big when he saw Leiko.

"Leiko…" he replied and looked her up and down. The breeze blew her dress, veil and wisps of hair that had escaped the bun. "What're you doing here?" he asked.

"Setting things right." She said and she held her hands together in front of her. Tila flew up from the bunk of the ship and twittered loudly at the return of her master. She landed happily on Leiko's shoulder and nuzzled her head on Leiko's cheek lovingly.

"Leiko, you shouldn't be here. Kilix is probably worried about you."

"He is…and I don't care." And she walked forward and up to him. She gripped the necklace that Zuko had given her many years ago. "Do you remember this Zuko? Do remember how you said this was a symbol of our friendship. Well you were wrong. It's a symbol of out love. I've kept it for years…treasured it and never let it go. I'm going to do the same with you. Marrying Kilix is wrong."

"But…" he started, but she placed a finger over his lips.

"I cannot go against my heart. My heart is telling me to be with you, no matter who says it is wrong." And she removed her finger, "I'm back and here to stay."

"But…I'm banished."

"I don't care." She replied, "I don't care if we never make it back to the Fire Nation…my place is with you, Zuko. I am not leaving your side."

"There she is!" a guard yelled out and both Leiko and Zuko looked over the edge of the ship to see guards racing to the ship after her. Leiko looked back up at Zuko. "I just fled from my own wedding; the pact made that would save my life, to be with you. Don't you understand? I love you Zuko…"

Zuko went silent and just looked at the beautifully dressed Leiko in front of him. She had run away from her wedding for him. Her words stuck in his head and stayed with him. He remember how much he loved her, and how we was ready to give up everything to be with her. She looked wonderful, like how he had hoped her to look on the day of their own wedding. Tears had come to her eyes and gave them a glassy look. He couldn't refuse. He couldn't just stand back and let the guards snatch her away again.

"Head off!" he called up the helmsman. Leiko stood there and watched as the ship slowly moved away from the docks. The guards stood helplessly on the sand with their spears readied. There was nothing they could do now. Leiko was out of their reach.

For the second time, Leiko watched as men gathered along the shores, bellowing and cursing her for getting away. And the Fire Nation seemed to shrink off in the distance again. A slow breeze came and tugged at her dress. Then she turned to Zuko who stood right in front of her. A grin crossed her face. "You know, Kilix will be sending out a ship of his own to retrieve me."

"I think we have about a three day head start." Prince Zuko answered. Leiko just rushed forward and into his arms and the held each other tight. "I love you Leiko Sikari."

"I love you too Zuko." And they kissed as the ship took them farther into the sunset and away from the ailing memories that the Fire Nation had for the last time bestowed.

The End