I appologize to the Zuko fans who read this. He has to act a little more ruthless than normal for a bit, but I promise it won't last very long.

Chapter 2

"Miss Kuan Jiun ... Miss Li Liang is missing." Her subordinate was trembling, fearing what might be coming. They had retreated hastily, but effectively ... the firebenders had not followed.

Kuan drew one of her swords, staring at the blade. "Send a message to Ba Sing Se. I want more men. We'll need them if we want to have a chance of getting Li back." Kuan slashed a tree in half, enjoying the shudder that went through her feet as the severed trunk fell to the ground. "However, Li should be able to take care of herself for a while ..."

Li opened her eyes slowly, feeling pain in every muscle of her body. It was hot, dark, she was surrounded by metal, and the chains on her wrists made them feel like they were going to snap. Keep your head, Li ... they wouldn't dare do anything to you.

As if he'd been watching for her eyes to open, Zuko stormed in. Li was yanked to her feet as he pulled her up by a handful of hair. "Where's the Gem?" Li recoiled against the smell of singing hair ... her hair, that was held in the arrogant prince's hands.

"I'm not going to tell you anything!" Li snarled back into the eyes of her captor, resisting the urge to spit. Zuko threw her to the side angrily. She flinched as the chains dug into her flesh and her neck snapped.

"Prince Zuko, that is enough." Iroh entered, holding a lamp, and pointed out the door. "Leave." He watched sadly as his nephew left and hung the lamp on a hook in the wall. "Sorry about him. He has a slight temper."

Li grimaced and spit some blood on the floor. She'd bitten her tongue when she was thrown. "You don't say ..."

The older man chuckled. "One who can keep a sense of humor in a place like this is strong in body and mind. It gives me chills, that is why I always bring my lantern." Iroh knelt next to the girl. She must be around Zuko's age ... still a child ... yet she is hardened. "I do not mind if you wish to talk. I retired a long time ago from fighting ... I don't mind speaking to members of other cultures ... I actually enjoy it."

Li sighed. "My name is Li Liang, but those who know me call me Li, it means strength. I'm an admiral in the Earth Kingdom army."

"Ahh ... that is a beautiful name. I am called Iroh. You know ... I believe that Earth Kingdom's King has a daughter by the same name ... you are the princess ... aren't you?" The firebender's eyes shown with pity. "You shouldn't be in a place like this, even as a prisoner."

"I'm fine." Li lied. "I'm not one of those prissy princesses who is afraid to break a nail. Besides, if I'm correct ... you're the Fire Lord's brother, so you shouldn't be somewhere like this either."

Iroh smiled. "You are quite right, but then, I am not chained to a wall."

"But you are tied to this ship." Li interjected. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't my place."

"However, you were correct. Stay still." Iroh ordered as he used his firebending to remove her restraints. "This is your prize for defeating me at my own word-game."

"Are you sure that you can trust a 'dirty' earthbender like me?"

"Yes, actually, I am quite sure. When you were fighting my nephew, you could have easily escaped by killing him, yet you didn't." Iroh raised an eyebrow. "I'm curious as to why."

"Not everyone in the war is fond of killing, or even fighting for that matter. My father usually has me assist with strategic planning. I've been away from Ba Sing Se for so long, however, that all of the campaigns I helped plan have long been completed." Li added quickly, not wanting to give more reason to be interrogated.

"So while you returned to the capital, you were supposed to protect the Gem as well?" Iroh asked.

"No. My older cousin, Kuan Jiun, is the Gem's protector. It was coincidence that I wound up traveling with the convoy."

Behind the door, Zuko smiled. So, she is the Earth Princess? Well, maybe our ambush wasn't a complete waste of time after all ...
"Come on, Aang, it's getting late." Katara called to the young monk who was sitting on the outer wall of Ba Sing Se.

"I don't understand. I thought I was supposed to be introduced to the royal family today." His gray eyes searched the horizon for columns of dust that would mark the caravan's arrival.

Sokka snorted. "Well, they said they were waiting for the princess to come home. Maybe she couldn't decide which shoes to wear with her dress."

Katara was about to give her brother another lecture when they were interrupted by a palace guard. "I'm sorry, Avatar Aang, but my king requires the assistance of you and your friends. The matter is most urgent."

When the three companions arrived the the Earth King's war room, they were greeted by dusty soldiers and frantic nobles. "Huh? What happened?" Sokka asked. "We've got to rescue some princess? I thought this was important!"

"Princess Li Liang is much more than a princess. She is a symbol of hope and strength to our people." The King's voice cracked, but he continued. "My daughter is also the only heir to the throne. What do you think the Fire Nation will do if they discover who she is?"

Now even Sokka realized why Aang had been asked to be part of the rescue mission. Li's life was in serious danger.

"Prince Zuko?" Iroh quietly approached his nephew. "The lady earthbender, she should have some food and a blanket, don't you agree?"

"I'm not going to pamper our prisoner because she's a princess." Zuko smiled inwardly at Iroh's shock. "I overheard your whole conversation. If she wants food or a blanket, she will have to beg."

"Zuko! You were shown quite a deal of mercy when Li attempted to avoid capture. We both know that she could have killed you, but she only attempted to escape you." Iroh blocked the passage down to Li's cell.

"She is an earthbender, and an important one at that. I intend to get any information from her that may prove useful, and then, I'm going to inform my father of our hostage and see what he wishes to do with her." Zuko's golden eyes were hard and cold.

"What conflict do you have with this young woman that you would decide this path? You have only been wounded in pride, yet she is battered and bruised." Iroh planted his feet, ready to fight his nephew if the need came. "I shall not allow you to harm her any further."

Li curled into a tight ball as she heard the two firebenders arguing. Not only was she a cause, but the only cause. "Please don't fight ... even if it means my own life ... no more fighting ..." Her green eyes clenched shut as Li tried to drown out the sound of her arguing captors. "No more ... please ..."
"Li? Oh ... you must have heard us ..." Iroh checked to be sure Zuko wasn't nearby. "Listen to me ... you will not be hurt or turned over to my brother. There is a small room adjacent to my quarters that is intended for a servant to stay in. I'll come to get you later tonight, you can stay in there. My nephew won't be able to get to you there. If he tries, I'll stop him." Iroh wrapped a caring arm around the girl's shoulders.

"No. You don't have to do that." Li protested. "I'm a prisoner, not a guest."

"True, but you are not entitled to be brutalized, even as a prisoner. I'll be back at sundown." Iroh slipped a small loaf of bread and a few round stones into Li's hands as he left. "You'll need to be ready, just in case something happens."