Leiko approached the ship with a sullen look on her face. Her feet felt heavy as she walked up the ramp and onto the ship. The other firebenders were getting ready to leave the ship. Even Zuko was putting the finishing touches on his armor, when Leiko walked onto the deck. "Leiko, we're getting ready to search Kyoshi for the avatar. Aren't you coming with us?" Zuko asked. Leiko didn't answer, but she sniffled and looked down at her feathered friend. "What's wrong?" he asked as he walked up to her. And then he noticed Tila with the knife in her torso. He gasped and others gathered round to see what the matter was. Leiko held out her companion for everyone to look at as a tear fell from her eye. There was chatter and then silence. Prince Zuko placed his hand on Leiko's shoulder and then pulled closer to him. Leiko leaned her head on his shoulder and let her tears fall.

"Someone did this." Leiko managed. Zuko closed his eyes and put his nose to her temple.

"We'll give her a proper burial." He informed his wife. Iroh came out with Reina and saw Tila and the dagger. He closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Oh Leiko." He spoke. "I'm so sorry."

"She was my best friend." Leiko squeaked out.

"We'll get you another bird." Zuko tried.

"No," Leiko said hardly, "I don't want another bird. I just want to be…alone." And she walked off slowly into the main part of the ship as everybody watched. Iroh turned to Zuko.

"She's lost something very dear to her."

"We've only been married four days and she's miserable." Prince Zuko said. "I wish there was something I could do." And he bowed his head, "It's my job to keep her happy as her husband." Iroh looked down at Reina who was playing with his beard and then at Zuko.

"You could take this child as your daughter." Iroh said.

"What?"

"Leiko has expressed to me that she wishes for you to accept the baby as your own. That would make her happier than anyone in the world." Iroh stated as he looked on at his nephew. Zuko looked at the baby with a stern face, but then it softened as the baby began to reach out to him. He reached out and took the baby from Iroh. Iroh smiled. "Make sure to support her head." He instructed. Zuko did as he said and cradled the baby in his arms. He looked down at the baby in his arms as she gurgled and played with her own fingers. Zuko made a face at first but then sighed and looked down at the baby with eyes full of care. "Reina needs a strong father."

"I know." Zuko said as he walked into the main part of the ship and into his room. He found Leiko sitting on the bed with Tila wrapped up in a small blanket next to Leiko. Zuko walked in and took a seat next to Leiko. Leiko sniffed and looked at the baby in his arms.

"You're…holding Reina?"

"Yes." And then he handed the squirming baby back to Leiko. Leiko gladly took her. "I know you feel terrible right now. And I feel it's my fault."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because as your husband it's my job to keep you happy." Zuko told her, "And I've been a terrible husband." And he bowed his head, "We've been married for less that a week and you're forlorn. Plus, I haven't exactly been accepting of Reina. And I know that's all you want."

"I want your love and good word." Leiko said. "You forgot you're married to an assassin. I ask only of you your love and good word. Asking you to accept the baby is a bit much of me."

"No, you have just reasons. I should have from the beginning." And he took one of her hands in his. She held Reina in her other arm. "After seeing what has happened to Tila, I realized that I've been a bit foolish. Part of being married is appreciating every single day with your loved one, knowing that they could vanish before your very eyes. I haven't been doing that, and for that I am sorry." Leiko smiled.

"That's the most beautiful thing you have said since we had our wedding. We both have been foolish. We're going to argue. But life is short, and living the life that we live we should love everyday that dawns. Danger lurks for us in the darkness of night and light of day."

"But I promise that no danger will come to you…" Zuko said and then he looked down at the baby who was now asleep, "Or Reina. I'm going to be a good husband and father from now on." And Leiko smiled and kissed him.

Later in the day, after the sun had gone down and the magic of night set in, the crew left the ship and went onto the beach. Fireflies were out and the sky twinkled with glittery stars that watched over the people of earth along with their mother moon. The air was cooler, and the night was quiet except for the washing of the sand by the blue ocean waves. The firebenders stood aligned in a circle as Leiko placed Tila in a whole. She stood over it with Iroh and Zuko, who tossed in small flowers. "She was a brave bird. In fact she was more than a bird. She was my sister. We did everything together. We held memories together. I haven't just lost a pet. I lost a sister…a best friend. I pray she may rest in peace and fly with the other birds now." Leiko spoke. And the firebenders began to burry her with the mound of sand and dirt next to the hole. After, Leiko placed a single flower on over the patch. "We'll meet again in the spirit world, Tila." And she stood back up with Zuko and Iroh as they stared at the small grave. It was true, Tila was more than a bird…she was a living being.

"She's in a better place now, Leiko." Iroh said as he placed hand on her shoulder from behind her.

"I know, Iroh." And she sighed, "I know."