Alright, another update! I need to update my other one... But anyways, this is turning out to be a fun story, even if there's going to be a very sad ending. I predict this will only be 4 chapters long, but that may change depending how deep I want to get in this. I ask this now other than wait till the end... DON'T HURT BE FOR WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE END!

FYI: Zuko is now 10 in this and the previous chapter and Juno is 8. Yes, their ages will change by chapters as the meory sequences continue and I will, of course, inform you of those changes. Enjoy!

They soon left the island on their way to the Southern Water Continent as they had planned on their search for the Avatar, but now Zuko's thoughts were more concentrated on Juno and her whereabouts.

Juno had been his friend since the day he met her and always knew her to be someone who didn't always liked to stay on the safe side.

Zuko was sitting underneath the statue, the same he sat the day it was raining. He looked around and saw the bushes move and stood up to see Juno walk out.

"Sneaking out again?" He asked with a smile as he walked up to her.

"I promised I'd meet you, didn't I?" Juno said with a smile. "Besides, I won't get caught."

"You live near the palace, right?" Zuko asked as he watched her climb the statue. "How come I've never seen you before?"

"My father doesn't like me going out so much," Juno responded.

"And he is…?"

"Zhao," Juno said sadly.

"You mean Captain Zhao?" Zuko said in amazement. "I can understand why you're father would be mean as to keep you at home, but aren't you worried about him punishing you? I heard that he can be rather rough."

"He can be," she said, looking down at him from on top of the statue. "But what else can you expect from a Captain? He lives by rules and expects everyone else to live by rules, too."

"He tell you that?" Zuko guessed.

"Uh huh," she sighed as she stood up. "But don't worry, he won't find out." Like a sick omen, she fell from the statue the moment she said that.

"Zuko?" Iroh asked as he peeked into his nephew's door. He was told Zuko wanted to speak with him about an important matter.

"Did that poster have a location to where the Fire Ants were last seen?" Zuko asked as he sat looking into his mirror.

"You're not planning on searching for her, are you?" Iroh inquired.

"Did it or did it not?" Zuko demanded, turning to look at his uncle.

"They were last seen on Nari Island," Iroh said with a sigh. "But Zuko they would have or than likely have fled by the time the poster was put up."

"I have a feeling you don't want to find Juno," Zuko said in a low voice. "Whether you want to or not, I command this ship. I will find Juno before anyone else. I will not let her die!"

"Do you believe I want her to be punished?" Iroh asked softly. "Juno is like a part of our family, you know that! But you need to calm down and think about what you are doing."

"I am," Zuko said as he walked to the door. "I'm going to that island and find any clues I can to find her before a bounty hunter does."

"Zuko," but the door had slammed before he could say another word. "Oh, Juno. Please be safe, for both of us."

"What are you doing here, Prince Zuko?" Iroh asked as he walked up to his nephew. Zuko looked from the middle of the palace hall as he was in the midst of pacing. He looked nervous as he was waiting for Juno for their arranged meeting and wondered what his uncle would do if he saw her out of her home.

"Nothing," Zuko said quickly. "I-I'm just walking."

"In circles?" Iroh said with a chuckle. "You wouldn't be waiting for Zhao's daughter, Juno, by any chance, would you?"

"Why would you say something like that?"

"You tend to be secretly meeting a person lately and Zhao tells me that she seems to go missing every once and a while. Besides," Iroh said, looking up, "She's on the ceiling." At that moment Juno landed from above next to Zuko, who yelled in surprise and fell over. "Training to become a spy, Juno?"

"No, sir," Juno said with her head down.

"You know each other?" Zuko said, standing himself upright.

"Zhao introduced us one day," Iroh said. "I believe he's in the library as we speak."

Both Zuko and Juno looked shocked at what he was saying, yelling, "Uncle, you can't tell him!" and "Please don't, I'll get in trouble."

"Now calm yourselves, the both of you," Iroh said. "Juno, if you'll come with me, I can try to convince your father to see if I can 'barrow' you for the day." Juno smiled widely as Iroh winked at her an followed him. "You go to my home, Zuko. We'll meet you there."

"Thank you," Juno said as the two walked through the hall.

"You don't have to be so formal with me, Juno," Iroh said with a smile. "It is I who should be thanking you."

"What for?" She asked.

"For Zuko," Iroh said. "I haven't seen him as happy as this for ages. He is calm and he seems to be taking on his stresses more easily now that he has you."

"But I've just been a friend to Zuko," Juno said. "I haven't done anything special."

"Oh, but you have. You've listened to his problems, you've given him suggestions and advice. And I can see it all just by looking at Zuko while he smiles. Only because he hardly smiled before. You being a good friend to him means everything." While Juno was trying to process all that he said, Iroh opened the door to the library to see Zhao leaning over a table with papers scattered around it.

"Captain Zhao," Iroh said loud enough for him to hear.

"Ah, General Iroh," Zhao said, looking up. He noticed Juno by his side and raised an eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"

"No problem at all," Iroh said cheerfully. "I was wondering if I could use Juno in a little training experiment. I've come up with a new method, but I think it may only work for those in smaller stature. I went to your home, but she told me you had left for the palace."

"Yes, indeed," Zhao said, looking straight at Juno, who looked straight back. "Well, it would be an honor for her to receive training from our famous general. Wouldn't it, Juno?" She could only nod in reply as Iroh took hold of her hand.

"I will return her for dinner," Iroh said with a slight bow. Zhao return the bow and turned back to his work, but kept an eye on Juno as she turned t leave. "He does love you, you know." Juno looked up from staring at the closed library door.

"He doesn't act like it sometimes," Juno said in return as she walked by his side.

"Well, if you ever need or want to, you can come to my home at any time," Iroh said and laughed a her excited expression.