As they drew closer to Death Island anxiety began to raise in Zuko and everyone around him could feel it radiating off of him. Even Iroh didn't speak to him unless it was necessary. Zuko spent most of his time out on deck, watching for the island to slowly appear.
"Hard to believe it has been two years since she last saw you," Iroh said as he walked up to Zuko on deck.
"It was all my fault," Zuko whispered as he slammed his fist against the rail.
"Zuko, I wouldn't blame - " Iroh began, but Zuko interrupted him. "It's true and you know it! You warned me before I walked into the throne room, Juno warned me before the meeting even began! She said the same thing you did, and all I did was the opposite."
"You did an honorable thing, Zuko," Iroh said reassuringly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I just wish she hadn't seen me like… this," Zuko said as he put his hand on his scar.
"I think she was more concerned about the fact you were banished other than a slight blemish," Iro said.
"Zuko?" Juno asked as Zuko ran up to her. She sat on a windowsill from the middle of the hall as Zuko came running excitedly to her.
"Today's the day, Juno," he said happily. "The leaders are having a meeting in the throne room and I'm going to join them." It had always been Zuko's hope to join in one of their meetings and Juno knew all about it.
"Zuko, you're still too young," Juno said as she jumped down from the window. "They won't let you in."
"I'm going in today, no matter what," Zuko said with determination.
"But Zuko," Juno pleaded. "Father has told me all about those. You can easily offend someone and get into serious trouble."
"I'll be fine," Zuko insisted. Juno sighed knowing exactly how stubborn Zuko could be.
"Fine," she whispered. "But just promise you'll be quiet while they're talking. I don't want anything to happen to you, alright?"
Zuko agreed and went on to the meeting. Iroh had caught him attempting to sneak into the room and convinced his uncle to let him in. Unfortunately the main conversation was about the troops in the Earth Nation that Jigo was sent to and how they would be put in the front lines to draw out the Earth Nation army, a suicide mission. Standing up for him and the others in the troop, Zuko was challenged to an Agni Kai, which he accepted.
When the time came Zuko stood ready to fight the general that had given the challenge. His eyes scanned the crowd, but he saw no sign of Juno. That was because she found out about Zuko fighting his father other than the cowardly general. To prevent Zuko from finding out, Zhao had guards around his home to keep Juno inside away from the fight. As she managed to escape and run through the doors where the fight was to take place, she was welcomed by the sight of Zuko begging his father forgiveness and repaid by a flame fist to the face.
He had ignored her calls to see him after he was officially banished from the Fire Nation and prepared to leave. As he and Iroh, who volunteered to join him, was ready to leave on a ship that was given to them Juno was heard calling out Zuko's name as she ran desperately to the docks.
"Zuko?" Iroh whispered as he looked at his nephew. Zuko kept his head low and out of the sight of Juno as she came near.
"Go on, uncle," Zuko said. "I'll join you soon."
"Zuko," Juno panted as he walked up to him.
"I'm banished, Juno," he said, still not looking at her. "I have to leave before the admiral arrives and forces me to leave.
""Zuko, look at me," she pleaded.
"I can't," he said softly as tears came to his eyes. "I look hideous."
"I saw what happened," Juno said. "My father didn't want me to tell you who you really were to fight so he had be under guard. When I finally made it, it was too late. I know you now have a scar." Zuko then slowly turned and revealed a fresh scar over his left eye that prevented it from opening for now and reached over his ear, the hair that was around his wound was burned. Instead of gasping or backing away she lunged herself towards his, enveloping him in a hug.
"Oh, Zuko," she sobbed into his chest. He held her close, tears running down his cheek.
"I'll come back," Zuko said. "I'll return as the prince when I find the avatar and everything will be like before."
"But the avatar hasn't been seen in a hundred years!" She exclaimed as she looked up at him.
"I'll find him," Zuko whispered.
"Zuko!" Iroh said from on the ship's deck.
"This isn't goodbye," Zuko said quickly to her. "Just until we see each other again. I promise we will." He quickly kissed her lips before turning and running up the ramp to the ship. Juno watched as the ramp was pulled up and the ship began to move. She followed beside the ship as it headed away from the docks, Zuko looking over the railing and waving to her.
As the ship got further and further away Juno waved to him until she couldn't run any farther at the edge of the beach. She waved even when Zuko couldn't be seen as the ship drew closer to the horizon, tears running down her face.
"I have a promise to keep," Zuko whispered to himself.
"Land!" Shouted the helmsman. Zuko and Iroh looked out to see the island appearing and several ships landed at the docks.
"Order the engines to slow to a stop!" Iroh shouted.
"Uncle?" Zuko asked as he watched him run to the side. The ship began to slow down and Zuko noticed at the side of the ship was a fisherman's boat, something he didn't notice before.
"Excuse me!" Iroh shouted to the fisherman, an old member of the Earth Nation. "Can you tell me what's happening on the island?"
"There's an execution going on today," the old man shouted back. "Some Fire Nation rebels or something like that. Happens at noon!" Zuko put his hand to his eyes as he looked up at the sun.
"We have to get there now!" Zuko yelled at Iroh as he stood straight from over the railing.
"But you're not allowed at these events," Iroh argued. "You're banished, remember? They'll arrest you, they may even have you part of that execution."
"Then they won't see us," Zuko said. "Put a long boat in the water and bring two black cloaks out! I want someone down here and row us to shore!"
"Zuko, are you mad?" Iroh asked as the men were doing as they were told.
"Juno could be one of those and I won't let her die!" A rope ladder was thrown overboard and Zuko and a soldier walked down. Seeing no other solution Iroh followed after before the boat left for shore. They quickly put on the cloaks with hoods as they landed on the beach and Zuko ran off before Iroh could get out of the boat.
Zuko followed the shouts of a crowd and by the cheers, someone was already executed. Zuko followed the sound and found a large gathering in front of a podium where a man in a black hood was holding a broadsword, covered in blood. They were beheading the prisoners. Zuko pushed people out of his way as they were bringing out another person. It was a girl, covered in fresh bruises and cuts, tell tale signs of her abuse before her death. Zuko gasped as he saw Juno being led to the execution block. Her neck was placed before the executioner and her eyes were closed as she waited for her death. The sudden sound of the crowd in displeasure made her open her eyes as Zuko lowered his hood. Her eyes widened as she saw her friend and whispered his name as the sword came down upon her.
Zuko could not take his eyes away as the crowd cheered, tears streaming down his face. In one motion his hood was brought over his head and face as Iroh whispered his name harshly. He led Zuko to the boat and was rowed back to the ship, his head never leaving his hood, quietly crying over Juno's death. As he was returned to the ship he thought of how he'd never again see her smile, never again hear her call out his name. Now he was more determined to get back his throne to stop the pain he now felt to going to others as their loved ones were being killed in the war. Never again would there be death because of the Fire Nation. Not if Zuko had anything to do about it.
Zhao watched as they lifted Juno's body and carried it away. No tears ran down his face, no pain was seen in his expressions, just one thought ran through his mind.
"No one has anything to say?" He asked to a cell of prisoners that very morning. Four of the Fire Ants were caught, beaten, and sentenced to death for that day. Three men and a girl sat in the cell without saying a word. As Zhao turned to leave the cell he heard the girl say loud enough for him to hear, "Long live Zuko." She repeated herself as soon was join by the men, louder and louder.
Zhao looked down at his daughter as she praised Zuko, the banished prince. That moment on, he knew he could never forgive Zuko for corrupting his beloved daughter.