"Hey, Aang," Sokka called out as he unloaded the sleeping bags, "Why don't you ask Zuko to teach you Firebending?"

"Huh?" Both Aang and Zuko chorused in surprise.

Sokka shrugged. "You're the Avatar, aren't you? Aren't you supposed to learn all four elements?" he asked sarcastically.

Aang chuckled nervously. "Well, yeah, but… I thought I was gonna defeat the Firelord during the invasion, so I don't need to master all four elements, right?"

"Yeah, but it wouldn't hurt to start learning a few things, anyway, right?" Sokka said.

"Aang doesn't have to do anything he doesn't want to." Katara admonished sternly.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Sokka huffed.

Aang frowned thoughtfully. "No, Sokka's right. Zuko, would you teach me Firebending?"

"Uh… if you really want me too. I mean, I'm not that good at it and… you know, I used it to attack you before…" Zuko stammered shyly.

"No, you're really good at it," Aang said, "And like you said, you used it to attack us, so we know that. And I'd be honoured for you to teach me."

If that was a joke or just an unfortunate choice of words, Zuko didn't know. He just shrugged it off all the same. "Sure. We'll start tomorrow at sunrise, alright?"

Aang nodded with a smile, but his eyes were hesitant. Nervous. He was quiet for the rest of the day; slow to joke and harder to draw a laugh from.

Zuko remembered what that was like. It had taken a long time and a lot of coaxing from his uncle before he started Firebending after… He wasn't as patient or as gentle or understanding as his uncle, but he hoped he could help Aang overcome whatever was holding him back. If the Avatar trusted him enough to let him, that is. So far, they'd been infinitely more open and welcoming than Zuko ever hoped for- but would that extend to actively Firebending at the Avatar? He didn't know yet.

It was hard to fall asleep that night. The cloying scent of Sokka's fish turned his stomach and Aang was restless. It was only when the Avatar finally settled down, that Zuko managed to drift off as well.

Zuko woke Aang at the break of dawn the next morning and lead him to a quiet outcrop of rocks devoid of any vegetation. Perfect for Firebending practice.

"I know you're nervous, but remember, Firebending in and of itself is not something to be afraid of." Zuko explained.

Aang just sighed, already looking down trodden. "Okay. Not something to fear."

Zuko folded his arms. "But if you don't respect it, it'll chew you up and spit you out like an angry Komodo rhino!"

Aang squawked nervously. Yeah, that was probably too harsh, but Zuko didn't want to admit that.

"Now show me what you've got. Any amount of fire you can make."

Aang sucked in a deep breath, squared himself and- released a tiny burst of smoke from his hand. "Maybe I need a little more instruction. Perhaps a demonstration?" he meeped hopefully.

"Good idea. You might want to take a couple of steps back."

Zuko breathed in deeply, instinctively falling into position. The flames crackled from his fist; controlled enough not to scare the Avatar, but free enough to make a point.

Aang applauded with the first genuine smile Zuko had seen from him all day. "That was really cool."

Zuko shrugged. "It was nothing special. Now you try again."

Nodding reluctantly, Aang readied himself again. A puff of smoke. The Avatar winced. So did Zuko. And unfortunately, that was the course for the rest of the day. Zuko corrected Aang's positionings to no end, made him run through several of the most basic katas until he had them perfected: and still nothing more than a tiny spark. It was only when Katara called them for lunch that they conceded defeat. Aang just shrugged sheepishly, head hung low.

"Sorry, Zuko."

"It's fine, Aang. You'll get it." Zuko said, cautiously putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe." Aang muttered despondently.

"Oh. Jerk bending didn't go so well then?" Sokka grimaced.

Zuko just growled at him. He tightened his grip on Aang protectively.

Sokka held his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. Heh. Jerkbending. Still got it."

"I found that positive reinforcement is the key to training Aang." Katara suggested as she passed around the bowls.

"Or just annoy him into Firebending." Toph shrugged.

Aang shook his head. "It's not Zuko's teaching that's the problem. I don't want to Firebend. I'm trying but… I guess I'm just stopping myself."

"I see." Zuko really wished for his uncle. Iroh would know exactly how to help Aang. Zuko, on the other hand? No idea.

"I guess all I've seen of fire is pain and destruction." Aang sighed.

Zuko hung his head and slumped. "I am really sorry."

"It's not your fault." Aang replied quickly.

"All those times I used my fire against you…"

"Is all in the past." Sokka assured with a warm smile.

Zuko couldn't help but smile back, just ever so slightly.

"I have an idea," Toph interjected, "Why don't you go back to the original source of Firebending and relearn it or something?"

"What, by jumping into a volcano?" Sokka joked.

"No," Toph replied, "I mean going back to whatever the original source of Firebending is."

"So is it jumping into a volcano?" Sokka asked.

"I don't know. For Earthbending, the original benders were badgermoles. One day when I was little, I ran away and hid in a cave. That's where I met them. They were blind, just like me, so we understood each other. I was able to learn Earthbending, not just as a martial art, but as an extension of my senses. For them, the original Earthbenders, it wasn't just about fighting. It was their way of interacting with the world."

"That's amazing, Toph." Aang breathed excitedly, "I learned from the monks, but the original Airbenders were the sky bison." He leaned around Toph to grin at Appa. "Maybe you can give me a lesson sometime, buddy."

Appa growled and continued eating his hay. Zuko scowled as he felt himself becoming more and more hopeless. He picked at his food and his stomach swirled uncomfortably.

"Well, that doesn't help us. The original Firebenders were the dragons and they're extinct."

"What do you mean?" Aang asked. "Roku had a dragon, and there were plenty around when I was a kid."

"Well they aren't around anymore, okay?" Zuko snapped. Agni, why did he need to be so harsh? He was supposed to be nice now. Why was he so bad at this?

"Okay, okay. Sorry." Aang apologised nervously. As if Zuko didn't feel bad enough.

"But there might be another way," Zuko mused, his mind whirring, "The first people to learn from the dragons were the ancient Sun Warriors."

"Sun Warriors?" Aang repeated, "Well, I know they weren't around when I was a kid."

Zuko so desperately wanted to snap back that Aang still was a kid. But he held his tongue.

"No, they died off thousands of years ago. But I know where their civilization is. Maybe we can learn something by poking around their ruins."

"It's like the monks used to tell me. Sometimes the shadows of the past can be felt in the present."

And didn't Zuko know it.

"So what?" Sokka interrupted, "Maybe you'll pick up some super old Sun Warrior energy just by standing where they stood 100 years ago?"

"More or less." Zuko shrugged. "Otherwise the Avatar won't be learning Firebending."

Aang gulped.

It was a very irritable Zuko who set out on Appa with Aang the next morning. Not only had the Avatar's tossing and turning kept him awake in addition to his own insomnia, but he also had to choke down his breakfast while trying not to gag on it.

"We've been riding for hours." He scowled at the ocean.

Appa growled lowly.

"Appa's right, Zuko," Aang chirruped, "In our group, typically we start our missions with a more upbeat attitude."

Zuko leaned back against the saddle and groaned. "I can't believe this."

"Don't worry. You'll get the hang of it." Aang grinned.

Zuko didn't respond. He was too busy trying not to throw up over Appa's side.

The breath taking ruins they soared over were definitely worth the nauseating flight. Carved from dusty gold stone and ensnared in emerald green vines, it was truly a sight to behold. Zuko could only imagine the craftsmanship that went into building it so many centuries ago. What was it like back then? When the city was flourishing, and its civilization was blooming?

"Even though these buildings are ancient, there's something eerily familiar about them." Zuko pondered as they wandered through the desolate empire. "I can tell the Fire Sages' temples are somehow descended from these."

"Okay, we've learned something about architecture. Hopefully, we'll learn something about Firebending too." Aang replied. "'The past can be a great teacher.'" He quoted, semi seriously. He let out a startled scream as he tripped on a wire. The paving beneath him opened up; revealing a bed of deadly spikes. The Avatar blew out a gust of wind and messily somersaulted over.

"Zuko, I think the past is trying to kill me!" he gasped.

Zuko ignored the theatrics and knelt down to examine the trap. "I can't believe it. This booby trap must be centuries old and it still works."

"There's probably a lot more. Maybe this means we shouldn't be here."

Ignoring him, Zuko ran across the wall to join the younger Beta on the other side of the pit. "Where's that upbeat attitude you were talking about? Besides people don't make traps like this unless they've got something worth protecting." He stared up at the towering pyramid looming above them.

They climbed the steps in a comfortable silence until the came to a huge mural.

"Look. This seems promising." Aang remarked.

The intricate carvings showed a figure surrounded by flames. Flames that emerged from the mouths of two dragons.

"Though. I'm not sure what this tells us about the original source of Firebending."

"They look pretty angry to me." Zuko replied.

"I thought the dragons were friends with the Sun Warriors. " Aang said.

"Well, they had a funny way of showing it." Zuko hung his head and turned away.

"Zuko, something happened to the dragons in the last 100 years. Something you're not telling me." Aang frowned.

"My great grandfather Sozin happened," Zuko sighed. "He started the tradition of hunting dragons for glory. They were the ultimate Firebenders and if you could conquer one, your Firebending talents would become legendary and you'd earn the honorary title Dragon. The last dragon was conquered long before I was born by my uncle."

He ran his hand along the stone statue next to him. Recounting his uncle's crimes always stung. And knowing that it was his family that wiped out a race of such magnificent creatures was just another shame for him to bear. His chest twisted at the thought of how much more he could take before he crumbled under it all.

"But I thought your uncle was, I don't know, good?" Aang asked.

"He had a complicated past. Family tradition, I guess." Zuko huffed. "Let's just move on." He deflected, stalking away.

They came to a courtyard. At the far end was a huge, golden door, topped with a red jewel. Aang ran over to try and pry it open. Useless, of course. "It's locked up." He grunted.

Zuko looked between the door and the ornate pillar behind him. "Wait. It's a celestial calendar." He realised. "Just like the Fire Sages have in their temples. I bet that sun stone opens the door. But only when sunlight hits it at just the right angle, on the solstice."

"Monkey feathers!" Aang cursed, "The solstice again! We can't wait here that long."

"No we can't," Zuko agreed as he drew his sword, "But we might be able to speed time up." He set the blade against the ground, angling the light up. "Let's see if we can outsmart the sun stone."

"Nothing's happening." Aang said.

"Come on." Zuko muttered. Sure enough, the doors parted with a loud rumble.

"You know Zuko, I don't care what everyone else says about you. You're pretty smart."

And Zuko could have really done without the elbow to the stomach. But the praise. The friendship. He couldn't help but smile as his chest bubbled warmly.

The inside of the chamber was odd, to say the least. Angry looking statues snarled at them from the dim room. Aang gasped in surprise.

"Relax," Zuko soothed, "They're just statues."

"It says this is something called the 'Dancing Dragon'." Aang read. Curiously, he copied the position of the statue. Abruptly, the tile under his foot clicked downwards.

"Zuko, get over here!"

Zuko startled as the Avatar blurred across the room and grabbed his arm tightly.

"I want you to dance with me!"

"What?" Zuko exclaimed, yanking his arm back.

"Just do it." Aang groaned.

It was Zuko's turn to groan as Aang pulled him across the room. Apparently the Avatar didn't take no for an answer. "Let's follow the steps of the statues."

Reluctantly Zuko copied the statue's position. The tile pressed down as he stepped on it.

"Don't you see? These aren't dance moves. These statues are giving us a lesson. I think this is some kind of Sun Warrior Firebending form."

"This better teach us some really good Firebending." Zuko grumbled. He really hated dancing. He was not outgoing enough to like drawing attention to himself. Aang didn't reply as they completed the last sequences.

They both turned and watched as a pedestal emerged from the floor in the middle of the room. On top was a golden egg.

"Hooray!" Aang cheered. "Wait. What exactly is that?"

"It's some kind of mystical gemstone." Zuko replied confidently. What else could it be, after all? He strode over to it and reached out to touch it.

"Well don't touch it!" Aang yelped in protest.

"Why not?"

"Remember what happened out there with those spikes? I'm just very suspicious of giant, glowing gems sitting on pedestals."

Zuko picked it up. It wasn't as heavy as he was expecting. The energy thrumming from it though. That, he wasn't expecting either. "It feels almost alive."

He went to put it down. Only to be slammed upward by a torrent of green fluid.

"Oh no, its another trap!" Aang cried as the doors slammed closed.

Zuko grunted and groaned against the goop pinning him to the barred ceiling. "I can't pull free. It's like some kind of glue."

The Avatar deftly dodged the spurts of green, climbing one of the statues. He sent up a gust of wind to try to free Zuko. All he succeeded in doing was flipping Zuko over, so his chest was against the bars. The chamber was filling fast. As a last ditch effort, he leapt up to join Zuko. Only to be immediately pinned as well.

"I can't move," he grunted, "Zuko, do something."

"Me?" Zuko snapped, "I can't move either."

The glue surged upwards. It pressed them painfully against the bars before finally receding. "It stopped." Aang said.

"At least we have air," Zuko sighed, "Maybe if we stay calm, we can figure a way out of this."

"You had to pick up the glowing egg, didn't you?" Aang huffed as they stared up at the stars.

"At least I made something happen. If it were up to you, we'd have never made it past the courtyard." Zuko barked bark.

"Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!" Aang bellowed.

"Who are you yelling to? Nobody's lived here for centuries."

"Well, what do you think we should do?"

"Think about our place in the universe?" Zuko suggested. It was his main hobby after all.

Aang just sighed.

"Who's down there?" a gruff voice demanded. A man in vibrant red and yellow stepped into view.

They were pulled out of the glue and Zuko tried not to think too much about the anteater saliva all over him. Instead, he focused his attention on the group surrounding them. Including Firebenders. The Sun Warriors, he presumed.

The leader stepped forward. He had the sharp, tangy scent of an Alpha. "For trying to take our sun stone, you must be severely punished."

"We didn't come here to take your sun stone." Zuko shot back. He refused to be submissive. Not while he was on the ground and at their mercy. "We came here to find the ancient source of all Firebending."

"Yeah, right," One of the Warriors scoffed, "They are obviously thieves, here to steal Sun Warrior treasures."

"Please. I don't normally pull this card, but I'm the Avatar." Aang pleaded with a nervous smile. "Just hear us out."

Zuko stood. His chest steadied just a fraction. "My name is Zuko, crown prince of the Fire Nation. Or at least, I used to be. I know my people have distorted the ways of Firebending, to be fuelled by anger and rage. But now I want to learn the true way, the original way. When we came here, I never imagined the Sun Warrior civilization was secretly alive. I am truly humbled to be in your presence." He bowed his head, forcing down his ragged, unsteady breathing. "Please teach us."

"If you wish to learn the ways of the sun, you must learn from the Masters Ran and Shao." The leader said.

"Ran and Shao?" Aang echoed, "There are two of them?"

"When you present yourselves to them, they will examine you. They'll read your hearts, your souls and your ancestry."

With the last line, he loomed over Zuko threateningly. Zuko held back a whimper and clenched his shaking hands.

"If they deem you worthy, they'll teach you. If they don't, you'll be destroyed on the spot." With that last growl, he pulled back out of their personal space.

Aang and Zuko exchanged nervous looks.

Come morning, they were brought to the top of the pyramid, where a large fire was burning in a temple-esque building.

"If you're going to see the Masters, you must bring them a piece of the Eternal Flame." The leader explained. "This fire is the very first one. It was given to man by the dragons. We have kept it going for thousands of years."

"I don't believe it." Zuko muttered.

"You will each take a piece of it to the Masters to show your commitment to the sacred art of Firebending. "

"Um, mister Sun Chief, sir? Yeah, I'm not a Firebender yet. Couldn't my friend here carry my fire for me?" Aang asked sheepishly.

"No." was the resolute answer.

The Sun Chief reached into the Flame, cupping a small fire in each hand. "This ritual illustrates the essence of Sun Warrior philosophy. You must maintain a constant heat. The flame will go out if you make it too small. Make it too big, and you might lose control."

Eyes narrowed determinedly, Zuko took his flame. Aang hesitated.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little nervous." He cautiously reached out his hands and allowed the Sun Chief to pass him the fire. And tentatively smiled. "It's like a little heartbeat."

"Fire is life, not just destruction. You will take your flames up there. The cave of the Masters is beneath that rock."

Zuko lead the way as they hiked up the mountain. He repeated everyone of his uncle's lessons that he could remember to confidently balance the flame in his hands. Aang lagged behind, watching his small flame intensely.

"Hurry up."

"I can't," Aang protested, "If I walk too fast, my flame will go out."

"Your flame's gonna go out because it's too small. You're too timid." Zuko pointed out. It probably sounded sharper than he meant it too. "Give it more juice." He advised.

"But what if I can't control it?" the fear was palpable on Aang's face.

"You can do it. I know you can. You're a talented kid." Zuko assured through a wash of guilt. The smile Aang gave him did little to alleviate it, but it warmed his heart none the less. Aang scrambled up the rock and his flame grew just that little bit brighter.

When they arrived at the rock, the Sun Warriors were already there waiting. The sun was starting to dip in the sky.

"Facing the judgment of the Firebending Masters will be very dangerous for you." The Sun Chief warned. His eyes narrowed on Zuko. "Your ancestors were directly responsible for the dragons' disappearance. The Masters might not be happy to see you."

Zuko turned away at the reminder of the shame and guilt his family carried.

"I know I wouldn't be." The Chief's snide companion smirked smugly.

"But once they find out I'm the Avatar…" Aang began.

"Have you forgotten that you vanished, allowing the Fire Nation to wreak havoc on the world? The decline of the dragons is your burden too."

The Chief swept part of their flames and passed it along to the other Warriors.

"We could turn back now," Aang whispered, "We've already learned more about fire than we'd hoped." He smiled unconvincingly.

"No, we're seeing this through to the end. We're gonna meet these masters and find out what's so great about them."

"What if they judge us and attack us?"

"Well, we're the Fire Prince and the Avatar. I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are." Zuko said with a grin, unsheathing his sword for effect. Aang didn't look entirely convinced but nodded anyway.

"Bring em out." Zuko said to the Sun Chief.

He spread his arms wide and called out, "Chanters!"

Drums started playing and the women started praying in turn. The Firebenders held up perfect rings of fire effortlessly. The Chief and his companions stepped aside and Zuko and Aang began the climb to the stone platform. Two caves lay at each end.

"Those who wish to meet the Masters Ran and Shao will now present their fire."

Aang and Zuko turned to the ends and bowed with the hands held out. Zuko's entire body throbbed with nerves and he felt faintly dizzy.

"Sound the call."

A horn blew. The caves started crashing. Aang jumped and spun around, letting his flame extinguish. "What's happening?"

He gasped loudly. "Zuko! My fire went out!"

"What do you want me to do?" Zuko hissed.

"Give me some of yours." Aang was already trying to grab for it like his infuriating lemur. Zuko pushed him away.

"No, just make your own."

"I can't." Aang whined, snatching for Zuko's again.

"Get some from one of those Warriors." Zuko suggested. "Hurry. Stop cheating off me."

"Quit being stingy."

They grappled with each other some more. They looked at each other in horror when the flame flickered out. More crashing sounded from the caves.

"Uh oh."

Two enormous dragons shot out of the caves; one red, one blue. They circled the platform, creating a windstorm around them.

"These are the Masters…" Zuko breathed in awe. There were dragons left. His family hadn't killed them all.

"Still think we can take them?" Aang whispered.

"Shh. I never said that."

Zuko and Aang stood back to back, watching the dragons swirl around them- both too unsure to move.

"Zuko," Aang whispered, "I think we're supposed to do the dragon dance with them."

"What? What about this situation makes you think they want us to dance?"

"Well, I think they want us to do something. Let's just try it."

"Fine." Zuko sighed. If he was going to die, why not die looking like an idiot. Angi, he had regrets.

They went through the steps through the wind, the dragons still circling them. Zuko pushed aside his terror, focusing every part of his body on performing each movement as perfectly as possible. There was no way he was risking disrespecting the Masters by doing their dance wrong if that's what they wanted from him. He and Aang joined their fists and the dragons stopped. They hovered eerily still. Staring. Zuko met the blue dragon's eyes, his own wide with fear. Aang whimpered at his back.

The dragons sank into the rocks. And fire erupted from their mouths. Aang and Zuko both screamed out. Zuko's hands were shaking as they covered his face. Not again, not again, not again.

Only this time, he really would die.

But the burning never came. Instead, a vortex of colours whirled up around them. Twisting and bright. Dancing. A new, sudden warmth bloomed in his stomach with an unexpected weight.

It was so beautiful.

"I understand…" Zuko breathed in wonderous awe.

The rainbow of flames faded, and the Masters vanished back into their caves, leaving Zuko and Aang standing alone.

Zuko's legs shook slightly as they made their way down the stairs again. "Their fire was beautiful. I saw so many colours, colours I've never imagined."

"Like Firebending harmony." Aang agreed softly.

"Yes," the Chief rumbled, "They judged you and gave you visions of the meaning of Firebending."

"I can't believe there are still living dragons. My uncle Iroh said he faced the last dragon and killed it."

"So your uncle lied." Aang said.

"Actually, it wasn't a total lie," the Chief said, "Iroh was the last outsider to face the Masters. They deemed him worthy and passed the secret on to him as well."

"He must have lied to protect them, so no one else would hunt them." Zuko realised.

"All this time, I thought Firebending was destruction. Since I hurt Katara, I've been too afraid and hesitant but now I know what it really is. It's energy and life."

"Yeah. It's like the sun, but inside of you. Do you guys realize this?" Zuko exclaimed.

"Well, our civilization is called the Sun Warriors, so yeah."

"That's why my Firebending has been so weak," Zuko continued, "Because for so many years, hunting you was my drive. It was my purpose. And my fire came from my hate and rage. But now I'm not angry any more. I have a new drive. I have to help you defeat my father and restore balance to the world."

Zuko stepped easily into his katas and felt the flames come so easily, so naturally, so brightly. Was this how it was for Azula? No, she didn't understand any of this. All she knew was spite.

Aang copied him, with his own brilliant burst of fire. Now, that smile was something Zuko wanted to store in his memory forever.

"Now that you have learned the secrets and you know about our Tribe's existence, we have no choice but to imprison you here forever." The Chief boomed.

Aang and Zuko startled in fright, but the Chief broke into a smile. "Just kidding. But seriously, don't tell anyone."

"We won't. We promise." Aang chirruped.

"Good. Now let's find that bison of yours. What a magnificent beast." The Chief said as he beckoned them to walk with him.

Aang beamed with pride. "Yeah, he is."

The Chief lead them down a short cut back to the city ruins. It didn't take them long to find Appa, happily munching on the undergrowth. He turned to Zuko. "You know, had you been any further along, we wouldn't have allowed you to complete the trial."

Zuko's face furrowed in confusion. "Huh? Further along in what?"

The Chief raised his brows in surprise. "In your pregnancy."

"What? I'm not pregnant. I don't know where you got that from." Zuko growled furiously.

The Chief raised a placating hand. "We Sun Warriors have keen noses, and the Masters are never wrong. You are expecting, Fire Prince."

"I'm not! I can't be! There's no way, I- oh…" All of Zuko's breath left his body as he remembered that one night. Surely that wasn't enough. But… but it did make unfortunate sense.

The Chief frowned uncomfortably. "Ah. I didn't mean to spring this on you like this. I sincerely apologise."

"No, no, no. It's fine. Thank you, for everything. We'll be leaving now." With that, Zuko climbed onto Appa's saddle and curled up.

Aang glanced helplessly between the two Firebenders for a long moment. Then he muttered his own quiet thanks to the Chief and jumped onto Appa's head. Appa picked up on the tense atmosphere and his take off was half hearted and lazy. They flew in silence for a long time before Aang cautiously turned around. "Zuko?"

"What?" Zuko spat back.

"Well… do you think he was right? That you're… pregnant?"

Zuko wanted to deny it. He ached to deny it. But he knew he would be wrong. He should have had a heat by now. He'd blamed it on his recovery from so many months of malnutrition. But that was wrong. The nausea. The warmth in his stomach in the dragons' fire. There was no denying it.

"I've been nauseous all day. I don't want to talk about this anymore." He glowered.

Aang cowed away. "Okay."

Zuko sighed and laid down in Appa's soft fluff. It didn't bring the comfort he was hoping for, but it was somewhat calming none the less. He hoped he would fall asleep and escape this mess. But his mind was whirring too much for that. He fisted his hand in his shirt, resting it against his flat, not empty stomach. There was another life inside of him. A life he was entirely responsible for. Agni, how did he always end up in the worst situations possible?

The silence hovered over them for the rest of the journey. If Aang slept at all, Zuko didn't know. It was only when they neared their campsite that Zuko sat up and spoke. "Don't tell anyone about this."

Aang frowned. "Are you sure? We don't keep secrets, especially not ones this big and Katara can help you and it seems kinda risky to hide this and-"

"Aang!" Zuko hissed, "I don't want anyone to know. Not while I'm still figuring it out myself. Now can I trust you to keep it to yourself?"

Aang didn't look at all like he agreed with Zuko's decision, but he nodded sullenly anyway.

"Good. Thank you."

To Aang's credit, as soon as they were in view of the others, he shifted to his usual upbeat self. As soon as they had landed and dismounted, Appa dropped to the ground with a thud. Aang laughed and obediently lifted the saddle off.

"How was it?" Katara asked. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Aang shot Zuko an unsure look. At Zuko's warning glare, he grinned brightly. "It was great. With this technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable."

Zuko took the hint and followed Aang into the dragons' routine, with blasts of shining flames. Toph, Katara and Sokka obediently clapped.

"Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned there." Sokka teased.

"It's not a dance. It's a Firebending form." Zuko snapped.

"We'll just tap dance our way to victory over the Firelord." Sokka continued.

Zuko stalked towards him, seriously contemplating murder. "It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old."

"Oh yeah?" Katara chimed in. "What's it called?"

Zuko scowled in defeat. "… the Dancing Dragon."

Had he been in a better mood, he might have taken their friendly teasing better. As it was, he wasn't and being laughed at was the last thing he needed. "Hah, hah. You're hilarious. I'm tired. I'm going to bed, so try and keep it down. If that's possible for you."

"Zuko, we didn't mean to offend you," Katara said apologetically, "It really is a good form."

Zuko sighed. "I know. It's fine, I'm not offended. I just really want to sleep."

"Are you sure you don't want some dinner first?" Aang asked worriedly.

If he tried to eat anything now, it was definitely coming back up. "No, thanks. I just want sleep."

"Okay then. Well, good night."

The other three echoed Aang but Zuko didn't have the energy to reply. He slunk off as far as he dared and curled up. There was no fighting the tears that dripped down his face that night.

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