A.N. I feel so loved:looks at her reviews and grins: Much more than when I updated my Spirited Away fic last time...:sad smile:...only two new reviews since it's been updated...makes me think it wasn't quite as good as I though...:sigh:...anywhosit...the reviews on this one made me feel much better! Thanks!

Disclaimer: Avatar I own not

Chapter 2: The Shadow Bender's Second Appearance

Keely sighed heavily as she walked through the forest, "What a day."

Her brown hair was pulled up into a messy bun and a few strands hung down infront of her face. Sapphire orbs took in the beauty of the forest, but were on alert to notice if anyone followed her.

She replayed the events of that afternoon in her head and thought, "Was that interest I saw in his eyes?"

Immediately, she shook the thought from her head. She heard the sound of footfalls behind her and jumped gracefully onto a tree branch.

"I wonder who it is..." she thought as she peered through the leaves that blocked her from view.

"Uncle, why did you buy all this junk?" the now familiar voice of Prince Zuko asked.

"It's not junk, nephew. Each piece is a treasure in it's own right," Uncle Iroh replied.

Keely smiled and leapt down from the tree, "Why hello you two!"

Prince Zuko had taken on a fighting stance at the sudden noise, and didn't relax even when Keely had called out her greeting.

Uncle, on the other hand, had went over and hugged the girl in greeting, "What a coincidence that we run into each other twice in one day Miss. Keely!"

"Very much so," Keely grinned.

"Why were you in the tree?" Zuko interrupted.

Keely rolled her eyes at him, "I heard you coming, but didn't know who you were until you walked into view."

"Hiding?" Zuko asked with a smirk.

"When facing an unknown opponent, or any opponent at all for that matter, the element of surprise is one of your best weapons, duh. But of course you know that already," Keely smirked.

"Hn," was the only form of reply from Zuko.

"Keely?" Uncle asked from behind her.

"Yes?" Keely turned around.

"What element do you bend?" Uncle implored.

(A.N.: I like that word...implored...:grin:...)

"Don't you mean elements?" Keely rose an eyebrow, she knew they'd seen her shadow-bend when she'd left.

"You bend more than one element? Only the Avatar can do that," Zuko skeptically said as he walked up beside her.

"No, the Avatar is the master of four elements. I can only bend two," Keely replied like it was obvious.

"Which ones?" Uncle Iroh asked.

"Shadow and fire," Keely shrugged like it was no big deal.

Uncle Iroh's and Zuko's eyes widened and finally Uncle said, "Would you consider helping my nephew capture the Avatar?"

Keely shook her head, "NO."

"And why not?" Zuko asked furiously.

"Nasty temper, Zuko. Maybe you should take anger management classes?" Keely suggested.

(A.N.: I don't care if they don't know what anger management is!)

Zuko's eyes flared in anger.

"Guess not," Keely shrugged, "And the reason I won't help is because not only do I hate your father, I also have to make sure that once the war ends, peace reigns."

Zuko took on a fighting stance when she mentioned his father, but Uncle put a hand on his shoulder, "Calm down Zuko, now Keely, you're saying you play a part in the war's end?"

"Yes," Keely said slowly.

"Who told you this?" Uncle asked.

"Midori, and her premonitions have never been wrong yet," Keely replied.

"Okay, now why do you hate Zuko's father?" Uncle asked, still holding Zuko back.

"When I was about five, Zuko's father attacked what he thought was a small earth-bending village," Keely began, "But in truth it was one of the few shadow bending tribes that hadn't went into hiding."

"Go on," Uncle encouraged, seeing the pain in the young woman's eyes.

"He slaughtered most of the village, including my family," a small tear ran down her face, "The only reason I escaped was because Midori helped me, so forgive me if I despise your dad."

"You were only five, how do you know it was him?" Zuko was obviously trying to find a loophole for his father.

"Did anything happen to you at that age that you've never forgotten?" Keely glared at him, which was made all the worse because tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"Yes," Zuko finally replied, "My mother died."

(A.N.: Sorry if his mom's not dead...but I haven't seen her on the show..so oh well...)

Keely saw a flicker of sadness in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared, "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay, I suppose we're even on the remembrance of painful memories now," Zuko glanced away from her.

Uncle decided to break the silence, "If it's all the same to you Miss. Keely, why don't you travel with us anyway?"

Keely rose an eyebrow, "I'm not helping you capture the Avatar."

"I well understand that, but it doesn't prevent you from traveling with us for a bit, does it?" Uncle replied.

"I suppose it doesn't," Keely smiled and turned to Zuko, "What do you think?"

"Do as you wish," Zuko replied with his cold exterior firmly back in place.

"Then I'm going to join you!" Keely grinned.

"This way then," Uncle Iroh started to head down the path again.

Zuko began to follow, but Keely grabbed his wrist, "I really am sorry."

Zuko ground his teeth, "I told you that it's fine."

"But it's obviously not," Keely looked straight into his eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it," Zuko looked away and pulled out of her grasp.

"If you ever do, I'll be here to listen," Keely promised.

"I doubt that," Zuko started to head after his uncle.

"Which part do you doubt? The you wanting to tell someone part or the me being around to listen part?" Keely asked, running up next to him.

"Both," Zuko replied right before they caught up with Uncle Iroh.

A.N.: Hope you liked it! Sorry for the overuse of the phrase 'rose an eyebrow' and the word 'obviously'...I just happen to like that phrase and word! Review please! reviews+Libby...equals...UPDATE!

:Libby-chan: