The ship's front opened up and the fire benders walked off of it and onto the rich soil of the earth kingdom island. It was a fairly small island, yet the shop was full of supplies and that's exactly what they needed. Before dispersing, Zuko leaned into the Lieutenant's ear and whispered something. Leiko ran off the ship with Tila and her shoulder and her bow and arrows on her back. She turned back and looked at Zuko who was still whispering to the Lieutenant's ear. Then they both nodded and walked away. "What was that about?" Leiko asked Zuko. Zuko just simply replied,

"I was telling him what supplies we needed." And then he took Leiko's hand in his and they walked off and into the woods.

"Now, if I'm going to teach you how to hunt, you're going to have to be very quiet. Part of hunting is feeling what's around you, and you can't do that by talking." Leiko said as they walked amongst the trees.

"Right,"

"Take this," Leiko handed him the bow and he held it out in front of him. "Take an arrow." She said handing him one. He took it and placed it on the bow and pulled back. "Don't hunch your back." She instructed. He straightened up. Then she walked over and leaned against a tree. "Now aim for my head and let go."

"What?" he was shocked to hear her say that and lowered the weapon.

"You're not gonna hit me." She said.

"But what if I do?"

"Trust me, you won't." and she stood there still, "Now raise the bow and let the arrow go. Remember that no finger can be touching the arrow as you let go or it'll go off to the side."

Zuko drew in a deep breath very slowly and let it out. Then he pulled back on the arrow and closed one eye, his bad one to be exact, and let go of the arrow with a shaky hand. The arrow struck far above Leiko's head in the tree, leaving her unharmed. She didn't flinch once while the arrow was coming. Zuko lowered the bow and arrow and sighed. He was relieved that he didn't hit her. Leiko walked forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"The first time someone uses a bow and arrow they never hit their mark. Plus, you shouldn't close one eye. One eye is good but two is better. Always remember that." He just handed her the bow and arrow.

"I'm done for today Leiko." He said.

"As you wish." She replied and took it from him. She loaded the bow with an arrow and aimed at a hanging branch and fired without a second of hesitation. The arrow nailed a single leaf to the tree trunk.

"How did you get so good?" he asked. She loaded it again.

"Lots of practice. I still need to learn more to be honest. My aim isn't as good as I want." And she fired again, nailing another leaf. "Ready to hunt?" she asked. Zuko nodded and they walked on.

Leiko climbed up a large tree trunk and sat on a big branch. Zuko began to climb after her and she gave him a hand, helping him up to her. The two teenagers sat on the branch, but then Leiko stood up and crouched down. She readied her bow and aimed for a duck that was swimming in a small pond just ahead. "Don't make a sound." She whispered to Zuko. Then he let go and the arrow cut through the air and struck the duck in its neck! The other ducks complained and flew off. Leiko jumped down the tree in one swift movement, and Zuko slid down the trunk. She walked over to the pond and then into it, letting her legs get wet, and picked up the dead duck. She tossed it in a sack. "Let's keep moving. The flock only flew to the next pond."

"How do you know?"

"Ducks are stupid." She answered, making him chuckle.

Later, Leiko Sikari and Zuko were walking put of the woods. Leiko now had four ducks in her sack that was slung over Zuko's shoulder. It was getting dark, and the sun was setting, creating an orange orb on the sea water. The air was growing cooler and clouds slowly danced out of nowhere to start and patch the sky. The teenage lovers walked back onto the ship and the large door closed up after them. Zuko and Leiko walked into the kitchen where Zuko handed the cook the ducks. "I want these ready for dinner tonight." He told the chef. The chef nodded and took them away.

Leiko took a seat in front of Iroh who was sipping on some tea and took her ponytail holder out, letting her hair fall down. Zuko walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm going to freshen up for dinner. I suggest you do the same." He told her, and he bent down and kissed the top of her head before leaving the mess hall. Leiko smiled at Iroh. Iroh smiled back.

"What's he planning?" she asked the retired general.

"Nothing, he just wants to freshen up a bit. Nothing strange about that." Iroh replied. Leiko gave him a look and stood up.

"Alright…if you say so." And she walked away, her hair swishing behind her. She walked into her room with Tila on her shoulder. There was a small bowl of water on her dresser which she used to wash her face with. She splashed her face a bit and dried it off with a cloth. Then she opened up her drawer and pulled out a small bottle of perfume. She dabbed a bit on her neck and wrists, and as she looked at her wrists she saw the familiar scars. She stopped to touch her wrists and look at them. The memories came back to her, about how she got them, about the pain and suffering she went through, about the hate and her last adventure.

Oh what a big adventure it was. Escaping the hard fist of her father, running off with an old friend, fighting off the fire nation and assassins that tried to put up a barrier in her way…and succeeding. And in the end getting the handsome prince. She walked away from that adventure in one piece after slaying 16 men and then the fire nation's evil princess. And she was proud of herself. It was probably the biggest adventure of her life, and now all she had was the story to tell.

Zuko came into the room and looked at her. She turned and looked back at him. He smiled and her and walked forward, placing his fingers on her wrist and looking at her scar with her. "It brings back memories doesn't it?" he asked her. She nodded and looked into his eyes.

"The adventure of a lifetime." She told him. "Unforgettable."

"You showed a lot of strength, Leiko." He said, "I don't think anyone could have done all that and survived." Leiko didn't say anything for a while.

"I'm just grateful." She finally spoke up.

"Come, dinner is ready." And he placed his arm around her and pulled her out of the door. As they went, she noticed that he was dressed in a fancier tunic than usual. I had cold trimming and a gold flame insignia for a button. He smelled good, like expensive cologne. She smelled his scent and grinned.

"You're up to something." She knew it.

"What am I up to?" he asked with a grin.

"You tell me." And he chuckled.

"You'll see." He finished and they entered the mess hall. All the crewmen were gathered around the table and placed bowls full of food in their spots. The chef came out and placed the four roasted ducks on the table. The room had steam dancing near the ceiling, and the aroma danced with it and flowed into the noses of the people. Leiko took in a deep breath of the heavenly smells of stewed fruits and vegetables and meat, and she sighed and sat down next to Zuko who took a seat at the head of the table. The chef brought out flasks and wine. Zuko took one and popped the cork off, pouring some for himself and Leiko.

"Wine? What for?" she asked. Zuko smiled at her and handed her one of the flasks. He cleared his throat and stood up, raising his hands and calling the attention of the crew, making them go silent.

"Listen up, today is a special day. Today is the day Leiko escaped the wedding and rejoined the crew. It was on this day that Leiko and I became serious about our relationship. It could no longer be ignored, and our love grew." Leiko blushed from where she was sitting. "I was once a cold, angry man."

"Boy." Iroh corrected, making Zuko glare and Leiko giggle.

"Anyway, that all changed when Leiko came back into my life. I never thought I could be happy again, but she came along and changed all that. She is the wind under my wings, she is the light that shines in the dark, and she is everything to me. There is only one thing that could make me complete." Leiko at him in the eyes as he took her hands and pulled her up to his level. "Leiko, you are everything I could ever want, brave, strong, loyal. I need you in my life."

"I need you too." She replied.

"That is why I have a very important question to ask you. It's been a year, and I think it is time." He reached into his pocket while holding her hand. "This is hard for me to ask…I've never felt this way before. I'm so used to hate and anger…but you changed that. I've never felt love before…which is why I want to ask you." And he pulled out a necklace. It was gold, with a ruby dangling from it. It glistened brightly against the flaming candles. Leiko gasped and looked back at Zuko. Was he really about to ask her? "Leiko Sikari…will you marry me and be my wife?"

Leiko felt tears coming to her eyes and let one slip down her face. Could he be real? Was he real? Marry him and be his wife. The dream she had wanted to live for so long now. She let another tear fall and answered him when the air came to her lungs. "Yes…yes I will!" she cried and she leapt forward into his arms and he held her tight! The crew began to clap and cheer. Iroh stood up and walked over to the teenagers. He placed his arms around them and looked at the young and happy couple.

"Well, I never thought this day would come, but it has. Congratulations to the new couple." He said and he picked up his flask, and everyone else did the same. "I'd like to make a toast…to Zuko and Leiko." The men cheered and lifted their flasks into the air. Zuko placed his arm around Leiko and they smiled at each other. "This is a most happy beginning."