Author's Note: I do not own "Avatar: The Last Airbender" or anything related to it. I do, however, own my characters. If you steal them or borrow them without my "Yes." I will hunt you down. Thank you for your time. Oh, and if you do not like this, you don't have to read it! I will not force you or beg you.

Dedication: This story is dedicated to Winter Rose Alchemist. She is my buddy, a sister-figure, and a great person to talk to. This story is for you, WRA (a.k.a. Winter Rose Alchemist)! And to my: readers, reviewers, and friends.

-A Heartache for Artymis-

When the sun barely took it's first peek, Avatar Artymis stood up and looked in the rooms and outside. Anduril and Appa were fast asleep, as well as Katara and Sokka. Momo was also fast asleep as well. She quietly snuck around her sleeping friends and wandered far from their room, still in her white skirt and shirt. She walked around the frozen ice buildings and continued deeper into the city, then she finally stopped by the quiet calming stream. Artymis leaned against a building, the ice didn't feel cold really, not against her dress that Princess Yue lend her to keep warm. Artymis was still wondering about Zuko and all that he told her. To top that, she also felt mixed emotions about Zuko and had felt happiness and anger when he told her that he loved her. Artymis sighed.

I never expected 'Shang' to be Zuko, and I never expected the Blue Spirit to be Zuko, she thought, Zuko was everywhere. She paused and remembered what he said to her days ago. He said he sent Shyu to me in the Avatar's Temple in the Fire Nation. And Zuko helped me as the Blue Spirit, as 'Shang', and as himself during that storm. He sent Chey to me and he saved me from my death when I was sleeping during concentration on that rock hill. A pause. Zuko was guarding and guiding me ever since 'Shang' appeared. Possibly, even longer than that. Artymis looked down at the ground, and it seems he cares for me, but in his journal...

(Flashback Begins)

Artymis read the last two entries in Zuko's journal when he went out to answer a man's cry for help. Artymis began reading:

Today, I feel weird. I've been having dreams of my banishment now. I don't know who to talk this over with, not Uncle Iroh, he'll freak out and say, "Drink tea!" So, I'll deal with these dreams myself.

Artymis smiled and muttered, "That was yesterday, what did he write today?" Though she respected the privacy of others, curiosity caught her eye in Zuko's journal. Artymis read that day's entry, the most recent one:

I know I've written that I probably felt for the Artymis. But she doesn't matter now. She was probably important to me because I thought she was. But my honor comes before anyone, even if I am in love, least of all with the Avatar. I feel nothing for her, just hatred. She's naive and falls for anything. I can't believe I promised her I catch her when she fall. What a dumb and stupid promise. This is final: the Avatar is nothing to me but a thing that can get my honor back.

(Flashback Ends)

Artymis read enough after that sentence. She looked up and thought some more, I can't believe I admitted my feelings - feelings of love - for Zuko, and I said it to him! He just played with my heart, even if in the past his actions and words were affectionate. I was just a little doll to him, like I am to anyone else I suppose. I'm real, he, of all people, should know that. "Tut!" I can't believe I honestly felt for him, after I comforted him and everything!

"Now," She muttered, "I have to act like I don't care about him anymore, when a part of me still strangely does." Artymis started walking a little from the city and up on the bridge that overlooked the ocean, luckily no one was there. She stopped and looked up to the sky, which was like a painting now at the very first peek of dawn. She lowered her eyes from the sky and continued walking on the bridge.

"An Avatar cannot be involved with anyone. It never was, and never will be." Avatar Roku's words echoed in her mind once again.

Artymis blinked to hold back the tears that stung her eyes. I was so foolish, she thought bitterly to herself. She stopped and leaned against the rail. Artymis stared out into the ocean, as she choked on her tears. She stared at her reflection at a crystal ice. She looked away and continued walking. An image of Zuko smiling in a gentle way came in her mind. I can't believe I actually fell in love, Artymis thought, And I can't believe it was him.

"I should've been more careful." She muttered, "But I wasn't." She lowered her eyes, "I honestly thought he was my fairytale. My dream coming true, my wish on a shooting star - my happy ending. But all he was, was a heartbreaker and an ignorant prince." Artymis felt a tear roll down her cheek. She breathed deeply, and she closed her eyes. She wiped the tear away and silently walked half of the bridge. Can I live with myself, knowing some part of me still loves him? She stopped, and looked up to the sky.

"Who am I kidding? It's written all over my face." She muttered, knowing she did love Zuko, but she didn't want to listen to her heart that pleaded for Zuko's touch. "I don't love him anymore." Artymis suddenly whispered, though she knew it never was and never would be true.

Gray thick dust began falling down upon her, like rain. She looked up to the blue sku that had gray clouds, she moved her gaze to the the horizon. Her green eyes widen with fear. Artymis clasped a hand over her mouth. She shook her head and felt alarm. An massive force of Fire Nation Navy ships were laying out on the ocean on the horizon. They were far, but one could tell they were heading to the city. Artymis began to ran with the sudden cold wind. She felt her heart pounding and felt panic rise in her. She shouted, "The Fire Nation is here! The siege of the North has begun!"

Author's Note: This chapter was a little filler in, k? The "Siege of the North" chapter will be the next, both parts as separate chapters. The next chapter, called "First Assault on the North" will take about a month I think. I highly doubt that it'll take two months to upload it, but I won't make any promises.

Firework: No problem and thanks for support. I still need to read chapter three of your story still. And, is your question answered about what Artymis read in Zuko's journal?Well, l8ters!

LadyPearlDragon: Hello, and I'm glad you didn't cuss in your review, I appreciate that, very much. But can you tell me why it's Mary Sue and Gary Sue, I like to know what I can improved on. So, if you be so kind, please tell me.