Note: I'm so very sorry that my grammar is so bad; I'm not even kidding! What kind of writer has bad grammatical errors? But can I just say to BlaznXrapture I really appreciate your review but when you were talking about the exquisites thing it was a misspelling because I'm dumb, but I really like that whole water makes fire beautiful I might use it. However, I'm glad that my reviewers, which I hope are you who are reading this, gave me such good advice! Thank you so much and keep those reviews! Also since I'm half way through this story and only have nine more chapters left a question has come to my attention: should I create a sequel? Let me know.

Disclaimer: I don't any of the Avatar: Last Airbender characters or the story line.

Chapter Twelve

The news that Caine was the spirit of the island really didn't come that much of a surprise to Zuko, after all, both of them had the same scar on their lips. What surprised him and even went so far as troubled him deeply was that Caine could become so desperate that he might slay the one he claimed to call friend. He knew very well that if his mother believed Caine might do something like that then it was probably the case; after all it was his mother who had faith in all people, even the worst kind. But even so was it possible for him to commit such an act especially to someone he claimed to love?

Noticing that her son had become quiet, Zuko's mother said, "Zuko are you listening to me?"

But he wasn't- his mind wasn't on her nor was it on her lecture, but that one possibility that Caine might kill her.

Why do I care? He practically yelled in his head, she doesn't need my help or me she's made that plain on more than one occasion.

But still something inside his body whispered to save her.

"ZUKO!"

His mother brought him back to reality, "Huh?"

"Did you hear me?"

"Hear about what?"

"You have to save that girl!" she commanded him, almost as if she had made up his mind for him, which was very possible.

"She doesn't want my help!" he was becoming irritated with his mother; he knew that Katara would probably need his help, and he knew that his mother wanted him to help her, but he also knew that if he did help Katara that he would never be able to return home freely. And that's what was keeping him from going to her aid; something inside him was nagging that if he helped her all his struggles to return would be in vain.

Sensing his thoughts his mother said, "Zuko you listen to me and you listen to me well your father is never going to let you come home freely; trust me and your uncle on this because we have know Ozai longer than you or your sister."

"You don't know that," he couldn't believe that his mother was telling him something so painful.

"Yes I do and I know you do as well," she paused, "Your old enough to face the truth now that you've become a man, and the truth is your father doesn't want you."

"Yes he does," he whispered but he knew it was the truth; he had always known it was the truth, "Yes he does."

"No he doesn't and now its time for you to choose your plan of action," he looked up at her, "Will you continue to try and win a futile battle for your father's affections or will you do your people right and the people of the world right and help the avatar and his friends complete their journey?"

"What are you talking about? Then Father will never allow me to come home."

Her voice had become softer now at her son's continuous denials, "He will never let you come home."

"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" he yelled at her clinging to a false hope that wasn't there, "I will fulfill my destiny by capturing the avatar and taking back my throne."

"How do you know that is your destiny?" her voice remained calm and even, "Can't your destiny be also, to help the avatar gain peace and serenity? To stop this war that only destroys happy homes and smiling faces? Isn't it possible that your destiny is to teach the avatar to fire bend so that needless killing can end? Isn't it possible that your destiny is to take your throne back through the aid of the avatar? Why must your father have to give it to you?"

"Because that's how it suppose to be!"

"But he will not give it to you! He never planned to give it to you!" she sighed and painfully continued, "He had always planned to give it up to Azula it was just a matter of time!"

Tears came into his eyes blurring his vision; they weren't out of self-pity but out of relief; his voice shook as he said, "You know that for sure?"

His mother nodded her head her eyes also filling with tears at her son's final release of his father.

"How come you never told me?"

"I never had the chance."

It became quiet again; the only sound was the rain-washing away all the guilt, lies, and false hopes. Zuko began to walk to the entrance of the cave, but still no words were spoken they both knew what he was going to do. He was half way out side when he said, with rain droplets racing each other down his cheek- mixing in with his tears, "Maybe my destiny isn't what I thought it was after all."

"Or maybe it just isn't suppose to happen the way you thought it was."

He nodded his head and began to walk back toward the village, but for once the trees didn't speak. He didn't know why and really didn't care why. Something new had happened to him and a new feeling was rising within him making the young prince feel more alive than ever before. The questions no longer stood in his path threatening to trip him as he walked but instead were gone.

He reached the village but only one person was outside, the very same person he was coming to get. He walked up to her, but remained quiet, watching her as she danced in the rain. She was bending the water droplets so that they swirled around her small body as she swayed to the left and then to the right; he noticed, that for the second time, she had taken his breath away.

When she was done he tapped her shoulder to gain her attention; she jerked around their eyes meeting but each having a different message.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped at him her hatred clear through the rains mists.

He was taken back; when they had last spoke they had been friends, but now she had regained her hatred for him. Her new attitude toward him was even harsher than before they had acquired what now seemed their temporary friendship and that sent him into a deep depression making unable to answer her.

"WELL?" she demanded bitterly.

"Why are you acting this why?" he managed to get out through all his confusion.

"What do you mean why am I acting this way?" she yelled through her teeth.

He took a step back; his newfound feelings of hope shattering into tiny little shards.

"This is why!" she pointed to her neck where the black circle was that Caine had put on her.

"The circle?" he became furious, his voice rose just above his normal talking level, "You KNOW I didn't do that!"

"NO!" she roared at him, "My necklace where is it?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? I DON'T HAVE YOUR NECKLACE!"

She formed an icicle and was prepared to throw it at him, "I know you have it and I want it back right now!"

"But I don't have it!" he defended himself.

"Then why did you run away last night!?"

He ignored her question, "Who told you I have it?!"

"Caine!"

He stopped yelling and let out a low growl, "Katara there is something I have to tell you about Caine."