Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters. I own Koima.

Chapter 6

Destroying of the Reminder

"Where is Prince Zuko?"

General Iroh shrugged, "I don't know exactly where Prince Zuko went Koi. He took a small boat and went to land to take care of something. I hope he brings back some tealeaves; my supply is running low. I do not know when he will be back though."

I frowned then shrugged it off. I ate my dinner stew hungrily, loving the taste of it as it filled my empty stomach. I already felt healthier then I have days ago. General Iroh has kept me company when Prince Zuko was gone or absent, mostly when he is up in the Navigation room working to find the Avatar.

I have grown fond of the old man over the hours. I've smiled so much in the past few hours that my cheeks ached. I could finally laugh again, it being forever since I have laughed so it sounded more like a cough then a cheerful laugh. I had slept most of the day away, my body never have been used to living in such comfort.

However, my lower back stung whenever I moved a certain way or just in general. A painful reminder that I still have a part of Master with me wherever I go.

"Are you alright Miss Koi?" Iroh asked, seeing me wince when I shifted in the infirmary bed. I nodded…and decided to ask Iroh the question that has been bugging me all day.

"Sir…is there anyway…to…to get rid of…tattoo's?" I asked hesitantly, hoping that he didn't question me. Iroh looked at me closely, as if trying to figure out something but he nodded, 'Yes. There are a few ways. But why would you want to get rid of your tattoo's?" he asked the dreaded question.

I looked down at my hands clenching them in sadness and in anger, 'Don't cry.' I told myself, but I already felt the tears welling up in my eyes.

"I…I just want to." I said quickly, wanting that to be the end of it. For him to say, "Sure, all right then. When would you like them off?" I was close to tears. The memory of Master was still strong in my mind. I wanted to dig a deep hole and crawl inside, and cover myself back up so no one could find me.

"Why did you get the tattoo's if you want to get rid of them?" Iroh asked, puzzled.

"I Never Wanted Them!" I cried. My strong front burst like a dam weakened by time and like the dam, I broke down crying, "I-never-wanted-them!"

Everything came out in a flood of tears and words. I told Iroh that Master had carved the tattoos into me, had carved "Bird" into my back so that I would never forget whom I belonged to. I told him of the punishments I would get from forgetting to call him Master or for doing something he did not like. I never told him of the other punishments, or 'treats'. I will never tell anyone about them…. Never.

Iroh sat stunned by all that I had told him. When I was done I covered my face with my hands, not wanting to see him look down on me, saying that I am weak because I had let that happen to me and that Master had every right to beat me for my actions. But what Iroh did told me otherwise: I felt his arms wrap around me, hugging me comfortingly. I held onto him and cried. I felt the build up in my chest lessen with ever tear I shed, leaving me feeling lighter.

Iroh patted my back, murmuring soothing words to me and I listened while I tried to stop crying. Iroh held me protectively, like I was a scared child that had awoken from a terrible nightmare.

"Cry, get it all out," He told me, " You'll feel better. It's all right to cry. He had no right to do that to you, none of it was your fault Koima. He is a monster to hurt a young girl. I promise you'll never see him again. He can't get you here; Zuko and I will protect you. You are strong to live through all that he had done to you; no one could've survived for that long. When I find out who did this, I will release unto him ten-fold what he did to you. Who is he? Tell me."

I shook my head, "No!" I didn't want to tell him. It hurt even to think about him, I never wanted to see his face again, or hear his voice. "I can't! He'll kill me if I do. He will find out! Please don't make me tell you, please!" I begged the old general.

Iroh relented, but reluctantly, "I will find out." He said, "But you don't have to tell me." I sighed in relief. But I still didn't want Iroh to know who Master is. Iroh would want to see him, and I couldn't bare to face Master again. I would die.

"Now about the tattoos…" Iroh said, changing the subject, "we will have to wait until you are in better condition before trying to remove them. But I am telling you this now, 'They will hurt!' The tattoos will have to be burned, that is the only way besides cutting them out. That is too risky to do since they are so close to your spine. Burning will be the best way, but it will also be the most painful."

I shook my head, "I don't care. I just want them gone. Anything to get rid of them. How long do I have to wait till I can get them done?"

"A few weeks or until we can't see your bones." I looked down at my arms, they were almost like sticks.

General Iroh patted my folded hand, " Get some sleep Koima. It's late and you've had a full day. Good night."

It had been a long time since anyone had said, 'Goodnight' to me. I felt tears prickle my lashes but I blinked them back.

"Goodnight General Iroh." I said, hugging him one last time. He patted my back reassuringly, "You can call me Uncle Iroh. Sleep tight Koi, and sweet dreams." He extinguished the wall torches and left. I settled back in the bed, covering myself with warm blankets. I stared at the ceiling trying to go back to sleep. But I found that I couldn't.

Where was Prince Zuko? I asked silently. I rolled over on my side, hoping that I would see him walk through the door. Knowing that I would sleep easier if he was on the ship. After about half an hour, I turned and faced the wall. I sighed, closing my eyes. I saw Masters face. I opened my eyes and he disappeared. No! No Dreams about him!

I thought about something else. I thought about the man in the blue mask. Who was he? And did he know that I would be safe on the ship with Prince Zuko? I was so thankful that he took me away from Masters fortress. I hoped that I would see him again. I closed my eyes, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

;Zuko;

"Where did you go Prince Zuko? Did you get my tealeaves?" Uncle Iroh asked him the next morning. Zuko shook his head wearily, "No Uncle. I'm going to bed, no disturbances."

Zuko shuffled down the hall to his room, the Avatars words repeating in his head. "Do you think we could've been friends?"

Zuko sighed, getting into his bed, "We could've."

He went to bed and looked at the Fire Nation Tapestry. He frowned and turned away.


I love Uncle Iroh so much! I want him as a plushy, whenever you squeeze him it would say, "Ginseng tea is my favorite." Or some other random things like that. I wish I had an Uncle Iroh. I have a red neck uncle on my mothers side, Uncle Rob. The very definition of a Red Neck.

I hoped that you all like this chapter. I would like lotsa review por favor. Bye Bye!