Ira glanced around the Angi kia stadium, it was nearly full news had gotten out that someone had challenged a general to Angi kai and practically everyone who had dealings in the palace was there anticipating the fight.

Ira looked around were was zuko he never missed one of these, Ira glanced around again still no zuko " were is he she muttered to know one in particular he always comes to these" she murmured as her wrists burst into flames.

The only reason she ever came to them was because zuko loved to watch them, and she of course being his best and only friend she couldn't say no when he asked her to come so she always came one way or another.

There was still no sign of him until the opponents entered the stadium on one side was fire Lord Ozia, she shuddered she could never stand the sight of him, and on the other side was zuko.

She was startled why didn't he tell her about this, her wrists burned more freely now and she marched down toward the very front of the bleachers to get a better view, she was not mistaken it was zuko and he was about to face his father in a battle of life or death which it was in most cases.

Did he even know who his opponent was, she wondered to herself did he have any idea who he was up against she didn't have time for any other thoughts as the gong rang and zuko turned to face his father.

Ira watched in horror as his stunned face observed his opponent the fire lord started toward him and zuko began to beg his father for mercy she could hear his voice clearly cutting through the any other sound "please father I am your loyal son I meant you know disrespect" zuko was now on his knees tears were streaming down his face.

I couldn't watch it was too horrible but she couldn't look away the fire lord took another step then spoke "you will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher" zuko looked up at his father the tears running in rivers.

I wanted so much to look away but I was hypnotized it was too late for zuko and to late to turn back the fire lord sent a stream of fire hurtling at zuko I watched his face the fire reflecting in his tears the scared expression.

I had never seen zuko afraid before then and I would never forget his face the image was burned into my mind the last second he still looked like the zuko I used to know.

I saw the fire eating at him and I heard his scream as the fire burned his flesh, It was only then that I could turn away tears were running down my face as well and I fled the room, the room I would come to call the room of terror.

The next time I saw zuko I couldn't recognize him it was the day he left he was given two months to heal before he was sent off to capture the avatar a quest I knew that would never be accomplished.

His left eye was the color of raw meat the reddest part around his eye and his hair was singed I turned away from him when I saw him.

I had never visited him while he was healing and so I did not know the extent of the damage done to his face when he turned around and saw me he was overjoyed to see me he asked me why I had never visited him while he was healing.

I couldn't awnser my throat was clogged up and my eyes felt hot I reached up and touched my cheek as a single tear drop flowed from my eye it was the second time I had ever cried in my life and I wasn't used to the feeling.

I turned away from zuko who put his hand on my shoulder "it's all right" he said comfortingly "I'll be back before you know it" he spun me around to face him.

I tried to look him in the eye but I couldn't that image of him before he was burned surfaced and I couldn't look at him I tried to turn around but it was too late.

zukos grip tightened on my shoulder as he forced me to face him and he saw my tear he then spoke in a serious voice "don't worry Ira I'll be back it's only a matter of time".

It was then I came to my senses I was mad, horrified, and scared all at once my wrists burst into flames and I spun around and walked away from him in disgust how could he be so blind?

I stopped a yard away and spun around "your father will never let you return can't you see that you should never have had to duel your father it should have been that general and he'll never let you come back he never will"i practiculy screamed at him

I felt more tears stream down my face "he's getting rid of you he hates you no matter how hard you try it will never make a difference to him" I yelled some more then said in a whisper "I'll never see you again".

I then sunk down up against a nearby wall and cried, all the anger and frustration flowing out of me I felt zuko come and sit by me I knew my words had hurt him but he still tried to understand me.

He put his arm around me and said with confidence "my father will except me back and I will return with honor, I'll see each other again you can count on it and then we can go sledding down thevolcano just like old times" he promised.

I looked up the flow of tears stopped as quickly as it had come "I don't believe you will ever be able to return but maybe one day you can he can't banish you forever one day he'll die then you will be the fire lord and it will be a glorious day for everyone, but I don't think you can return otherwise".

Zuko then stood up and helped me to my feet "I will come back with the avatar you'll see" and he walked to his now fully loaded ship and strode up the runway were general Iroh was waiting the runway closed behind him.

I walked to the edge of the dock, he turned around and waved and turned around to face the sea once more he never looked back and neither did I because I was running away from the dock the minute he turned around again.

I ran as fast as I have ever ran before straight up to my room and began to cry I stayed there for a day and would not even come out for meals I was heartbroken and I knew that zuko my best friend wasn't going to come back anytime soon.