Recap:

The two teens find the ruins where Aang, Katara and Sokka once stayed in. Troubled by the rebel's status he manages to find a map and a herbal institute. He makeshis way toward the institute and is stopped by a rouge warrior. With anger fueling him he kills the warrior with ease. Finally reaching the institute he receives the cure and makes his way back as he debates if he really is attracted to Jet or if it isjust a moment in the woods.

"Zuko grunted in response and left with the bowl. He noticed how she kept on saying "friend" and so on. Flinching slightly as he recalled his past behavior with the rebel...this was all a phase, right? The stream incident was just a moment…a moment in the woods."

Chapter Eight: Our Father's Lost War

The dark-blue sky of a canvas was dashed with blotches and streaks of light from the awakening sun. Near the horizon the sky became a light shade of pink that seemed to hover around the sun…waiting. The prince looked at the horizon for a moment, wondering if somehow he was like this shade of pink. Also hovering around the Avatar, eagerly hoping to catch him…but never able to grasp those rays.

Sighing heavily, he looked down at the small bowl in his hands. The greenish liquid remained still and silent as if waiting for the prince to hurry it along. Agreeing with this blob of muck, which is somehow supposed to help Jet, he countinued on his way. The prince made his way down the rocky slope where he experienced his battle with the rogue warrior.

The dark-blue canvas floating above him was now dashed with a fiery-orange. The sky seemed to be alive with growing colors as minuets begin to pass by. But Zuko paused when he reached the exact spot of the man's downfall and death. However, the body was gone. Eyes narrowed with anger and shock, the prince crouched down and lightly touched the ground.

Amber orbs scanning the blood-stained ground, he spotted tracks before him. Standing up to full-size, he examined the tracks closer as he edged forward. They were the footprints of a bird, but at least five or seven times it's size. "What the hell?" the prince whispered as he followed the tracks down the slope.

He could feel his heart thump against his chest as if trying to break free and run. But the prince just took in a deep breath and glanced up to see he was near the ruins. There they were, towering above the sea of trees. Squinting to get a better view of the opening of the ruins, he managed to only see darkness. Biting his lip, he debated if he should go or stay here.

"No…if I go and help him…then I'm showing Jet that I do I have feelings for him." he argued angrily at himself. The prince began to pace back and forth, as he could already foresee his father laughing at him.

Two years ago…

"How can he expect himself to be a powerful ruler if he is compassionate?" echoed the words of his father, as he laid there on the cold ground. Conscious and blind but his ears managed to catch his father's whispering words that stung his heart and pride. Clenching his hands into fists he struggled to get up. A wave of pain buffeted him roughly as he realized his eye was screaming with inhuman pain.

"Getting up, Prince Zuko? Will you allow yourself to be pushed down on the ground again?" his father spoke savagely into his ear. The prince could hear the crowd whispering with awe, disgust and anticipation. He knew the whisperings were for him…they were waiting for his own father to punch the life out him.

Am I that much of a disgrace?

Falling back down on the ground as his arms gave away, Zuko muttered something inaudible under his breath. Heaving out a whimper in pain he fell into a dark vortex of torment and misery.

Rubbing the back of his neck, as he was forced again to relieve these torturing memories, he kicked the dirt with chagrin surrounding his mind. "It doesn't matter what he thinks of me…I already did enough damage for now. If I just get the Avatar…all will be well." he assured himself as he broke out into a sprint. Placing a hand over the top of the bowl, he made sure the contents didn't spill over. Deep inside of Zuko, he knew he was lying to himself…and maybe to his country.

The liquid licked his hand as he pushed himself threw the hungry trees. There branches clawed him, leaving small cuts on his smooth cheek, hand and his clothing. His boots crushed the fallen leaves, leaving the sound reverberating through the forest. The sweet sound of the stream reached his ears once more, telling him he was near.

The tracks became more visible as the earth was now a deep chocolate color. Backing up slowly he prepared to jump over the stream that now seemed to look violent and threatening. Dashing forward the prince leapt, using all his strength in his legs. Landing roughly, he staggered forward but managed to regain his balance.

His legs throbbed with pain from the landing, but he countinued to run forward. Fueled with compassion, an emotion he shunned for two years and an emotion that caused him agony, he moved forward. His heart was already ashes that littered his body like dust that remained forgotten for years. However the ashes slowly seemed to place a small piece back together…just a small piece.

The ruins stood against the pale blue sky with smears of white puffy clouds. The prince noticed, as he reached the ruins, that there were two odd-looking, large birds. They bore long gangly legs, huge feet, and a metal armor around their body. So this was the bird... Judging from the attire the birds held and the dead man slung on one, they were from the Earth Kingdom. The prince suddenly began to admire the damage he placed the dead man through; it pleased him to know that he was no longer weak compared to his former self two years ago.

Climbing up the stairs, he noticed how silent it was. He couldn't hear the birds chirping, the wind whistling or Jet's gruesome cough. Fear gripped the prince in the stomach and began to twist his insides madly. The stairs finally came to an end and the prince peered around the room for any signs of Jet.

Gazing about, the prince spotted three bodies on the ground. They were all still, silent and with the air reeking of blood. Edging forward he saw two Earth Kingdom guards with Jet's weapon lying beside them. Zuko noticed that their guts and organs were ripped out of them and hanging on the rebel's weapon.

Turning to the next still body, the prince saw that it was Jet. There the rebel lay with a pool of blood by his head. Zuko paced the medicine on the ground and kneeled beside the rebel. Placing his index and middle finger on the rebel's temple he waited to feel a pulse. Nothing came.

Getting up slowly, the prince backed away toward the wall. Feeling the wall behind him he turned his back toward Jet. Pressing his forehead on the wall his breath became ragged and short. "He's gone." he whispered to the wall. Turning back around he walked toward Jet and leaned down to kiss the rebel on the lips.

The dirt was kicked up as the prince dashed through the small narrow path. The Earth Kingdom's bird seemed to become a great way of transportation. But Zuko didn't take the time to notice this; his thoughts were muddled and troubled. Nothing seemed right… But his father's words echoed through Zuko's head once more as silent tears streaked his face, "Suffering shall be your teacher."

Girl With Fire: Thanks, I'm glad you like the chapters.

TMW: Sorry about that. I hope this chapter somehows ease your headache.