Don't own avatar. nuff said.

4

The Shadow crept silently through the fortress, pleased with her plan. The treasure room was well guarded, but the weapon room was not. And it just so happened that The Shadow needed a sheath for her sword and new throwing stars.

'Hmm, this fits nicely,' she thought, 'I can pull the sword out quickly, but it's not so loose that it could fall out. And these throwing stars are even better than my old ones!'

"Well hello," she heard a voice from the doorway. The Shadow spun around and saw someone she never would have expected.

"Blue Spirit," she breathed.

The ninja smirked beneath his mask, "Well, The Shadow, according to your wanted posters you've racked up a lot of crimes. A reward of two thousand gold pieces. No pardon available except by Fire Nation royalty."

"Two years ago that would not have been a problem," she muttered. Suddenly, a horn's blast filled the air. She glanced at the Blue Spirit, "Care to continue this conversation later?"

A dozen guards burst into the room, and the Blue Spirit pulled out his Dao swords, and The Shadow whipped out her single samurai blade. Both easily cut through the ranks, and were soon outside in dense forest.

The Blue Spirit panted, "Good job, Canoi. By the way, is this yours?" He held up a green headband with a red gem in the middle.

"How do you know my name...and how do you know that's mine?"

"Simple Canoi, I gave it to you."

The Shadow stumbled backwards. "Zuko?" she asked softly, "How, that Agni Kai..."

"Why did you say I was destroyed?" the Blue Spirit demanded. The Shadow stumbled backward and stuttered, "I thought you were gone! I knew you'd never be the same, and you're not, are you?"

"I'll admit Canoi, some things have changed," he muttered, and his hand brushed the left side of his mask.

The Shadow nodded, "Yeah, the 'leave your mark' thing, he left it... oh my gosh! That was you I dumped the cliff on?"

"True, you've been practicing." said the Blue Spirit as he slid off his mask. The Shadow's eyes widened at the sight if his scar. Zuko smiled tightly, "Different to look at isn't it?"

"Why did you follow me?" she asked, removing the cloth, revealing her young features. Zuko folded his arms, "I can't return home until I complete a little...mission, and I could complete it faster with your help."

----

Here we go! They're going to actually be togther, no more wondering!