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Oh, How She Favors Her Mother

Zuko lay in bed and made a list of three things he knew to be certain.

The first: He probably had a horrendous bruise as he always seemed to forget how strong she was.

The second: Although it seemed like it at the time, she hadn't want him at all last night. The writhing, the nails, were all attempts to push him away not beckoning him to go further.

The third: The birthday present he'd gotten her would not be nearly enough to patch up with gaping wound in their relationship.

With a groan he rolled out of bed. He could feel the presence of the sun much more intensely then when he usually woke up, a sign that he had overslept. He stumbled into the courtyard, expecting some sort of training to be going on only to see everyone solemnly sitting on the front steps, Sokka holding a crumpled scroll in hand.

"I can't believe she would do this! The comets almost here and she just leaves?!" Katara cried out, the hurt and betrayal obvious in her voice.

"Whatever she left for, it seems important," Toph murmured, sounding disturbingly serious.

"That doesn't change the fact she just left with no clue as to where she might be going!" Katara said.

Sukki, who appeared on the brink of tears, sighed deeply. "How are we gonna tell Zuko?"

"Tell Zuko what?" The older boy made his presence known in a demand. "Where's Kunai?"

The group exchanged nervous looks, with the exception of Toph, trying to silently decide who would break the news. Sokka sighed, and stood up.

"Kunai's gone. She left a note."

Zuko felt his heart sink, the words stabbing deep into his chest as he processed exactly what Sokka had said. He grit his teeth and clenched his fists.

"Give me the note." he said with much effort put into controlling his voice.

"Zuko, I think you should-"

"Give me the note!" He saw everyone visibly flinch as he barked. He didn't care. Sokka quickly handed the older boy the scroll. Zuko gripped it tight in his fist and stormed back inside, nearly tearing it open when he got to his room.

By the time you read this I'll be gone, is said, from the island where you won't find me. First off, I want you to know this isn't as sudden as it may seem. I've been thinking about leaving since I first joined the group, knowing a day would come where I'd have to stop running from my past. You guys were all such great friends but some friendships can never last and this is one of them. I'm not as good a bender as you make me out to be, not as powerful and not nearly as useful. I forfeited my destiny as the Avatar's Apprentice a long time ago. There's no point in pretending. It is cold and cowardly of me to leave this note instead of facing up to you personally but, like I said, I'm not who you think I am. I'm a coward and I'm a liar for ever making a commitment with you. Don't look for me, you won't find me.

Kunai

By the time he reached the end, the edge were singed, the paper on the brink of destruction. He hurled it against the wall, growling in primal anger. To add to his irritation, there was a knock at his door. He flung it open, scowling in hopes of scaring away whoever dared bother him. Much to his annoyance, it was Toph. Unfazed, she held up another scroll with his name written delicately.

"Hey Hotpants, thought you should have the letter actually meant for you." He blinked, his features softening just slightly. He took the letter roughly turned away from her.

"Hey Sparky?"

"What!?" he snapped.

"I'm sorry." Shocked at actual sympathy, he turned to see her walking away with an air of pride. With a heavy sigh he closed the door, resolving to at least attempt to be calm as he read his letter.

Dear Zuko,

Let me first say that no matter what you may think, I have always loved you. You were the best friend I've ever had. What happened last night isn't what made me leave, it was just the catalyst of a lot of built up tension and lies to you and myself.

I don't know how you feel about me. I think you care about me, as much as that scares me. All I can ask of you now is that you forget everything you feel for me because it's all lies. You don't know the real me, the real you've been wasting your time on. You may care about me, but you don't need all these problems, you don't need me. I wish that you needed me. I wish that you knew I'd always be there for you. I wish that I could tell you the truth and you wouldn't hate me but that's entirely too much to ask of you. Not telling you everything is the last selfish act I'll hurt you with. I don't want to go on knowing you think of me as everyone else does.

One day, you'll fall in love and be happy. You could never do that with me.

Kunai

Zuko clung desperately to his pride, trying not to give into his emotions but when the lump in his throat became too thick to bear he surrendered himself and broke down, crying for the first time in what felt like an eternity. He buried his face in his knees, tears silently burning down his cheeks.

If this is what love was, abandoning someone for your own adventures and leaving them a damn note, then he wanted no part of it. She'd lied to him, betrayed him and he already missed her. Part of him wanted to terrorize the world to find her, burning down anything and anyone that got in his way. He stomped the floor in frustration and heard a clang as his small bag toppled off the nightstand. Out of the bag rolled two silver armbands, worked into breathtaking patterns and swirls and encrusted with red jewels. They'd been intended to be Kunai's birthday gift along with his first proclamation of those three priceless words that she'd now used to tear holes in his heart.

While part of him wanted to still be with her, another part of him arose. That part wanted nothing to do with her. That part wanted to hate her, to forget she's ever existed and to never let himself fall for another woman's charms. That's all it was to her anyway, a game of charms.

Hatred was easy. However, lusting over something he couldn't have was unbearable.

Right now, the easiest way seemed like the only way.

Katara stormed aimlessly through the woods, angry tears welling in her eyes. Kunai was their hope, Aang's only advantage over the Fire Lord. Kunai had known that, yet she ran off anyway.

Consumed by rage, Katara didn't notice someone tracking behind her until the person spoke.

"Well well well. Someone's wander far from home." Katara whirled around to see Azula, leaning against a tree and examining her nails. Katara gasped and lowered into a stance, drawing the water quickly out of her pouch.

"What are you doing here!?"

Azula chuckled, turning her eyes upon the Water Tribe girl.

"No need to be defensive. I just want to make a deal with you."

Katara scowled deeper, waiting for the princess to strike.

"What makes you think I would make a deal with you?"

Azula rolled her eyes. "Let me cut to the chase. We both know what I want, the Avatar and victory in this war. Now I know I'll get both those things. The only question is how exactly do I do that? This could all work to your benefit, Katara."

Katara grit her teeth. "What are you talking about?"

"It's simple. I've seen you in action and I must admit you are a powerful waterbender. You could work well on my team-"

"I would never help you!" Katara yelled.

Azula chuckled. "Oh yes yes I know. Your poor mommy got killed and now you hate the Fire Nation. Trust me, I get it. But what if you're precious Avatar would be spared?" Azula began to circle the tense young girl, eyeing her decisively.

"If you join me, I won't kill the Avatar and I won't melt your pathetic tribe to the ground."

Katara whipped around, her eyes widened in terrified shock. "You wouldn't!"

"Oh I would." The princess purred. "As we speak, seven empire class ships are headed towards that little block of ice. Now I could call them off just as easily as I could hop into my airship and join them. And once I'm done with that, I'll wipe your little Avatar off the face of the earth. Your choice."

Katara stared blankly ahead of her. Her stomach churned, her blood nearly freezing as it all sunk in. Join the enemy or risk the lives of everyone she loved. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to devise a plan. If she ran now she could alert the other. They could fight Azula off together and then head South. Taking out seven ships wasn't impossible. Her plan solidified, she took a deep breath. She took off but in mid-stride the princess's hand locked onto her shoulder. Electricity shot through the younger girl, coursing through every bit of her body.

She dropped the unconscious Water Tribe girl to the ground, smirking. She sauntered through the woods to a cliff side where her airship was hovering just over the water's surface. She hopped down, landing gracefully upon the top.

"This is going to be fun."

The others were just beginning to worry about Katara's whereabouts when Katara came running out of the woods, disheveled and frantic. Sokka ran to her.

"Katara, are you ok!?" he demanded as he looked her over. Katara nodded, panting heavily.

"Sokka, I'm fine. But something happened." She explained to them Azula's deal and that the princess was now gone, presumably to start her attack on the South Pole. Sokka stiffened, the warrior in him coming out at the threat upon his people.

"We've gotta intercept that fleet."

"But what about Aang!" Katara said.

"That's what she wants. If we go, she'll kill him."

"And if we don't she'll kill the whole village! Look, we've fought Azula before, we can do it again," Sokka said sternly, holding his head high. Suki nodded, taking his arm.

"I think Sokka's right."

Aang nodded. "I can defend myself Katara. You don't have to worry about me." He smiled brightly at her and she returned it, weak and forced. Toph nodded, slamming her fists into her palm.

"If it's a fight she wants, it's a fight she'll get."

Sokka nodded. "So we all agree?"

"What about Zuko?" Suki asked. He'd retreated to the beach hours ago and no one had dared confront him.

"Leave that to me. Pack up Appa, we need to leave as soon as possible." Everyone dispersed to get their things while Sokka headed to the beach. Zuko was curled into a tight ball, unmoving except for the rise and fall of his back as he heaved in and out. Sokka walked up to him.

"Leave me alone." Zuko snapped, still staring blankly into the ocean.

"We need to leave the island. Azula's going to destroy the South Pole if we don't."

Zuko turned around and Sokka put up a hand, cutting off whatever question the older teen was about to ask. "I'll explain it all later. Right now, we've got to leave."

Zuko grumbled and stood up. As he tried to brush past Sokka, the younger boy caught his shoulder.

"For what it's worth, we all get you're upset."

Zuko jerked away and kept walking, not even validating that comment with a response. He wasn't upset at her disappearance. Not at all. She was probably skipping around with her old militia buddies, having a damn great time. Why should he be upset?

However, she was not among friends. Rather, she was in the hull of a cargo ship, smoking a joint. The ship was passing by Sacora Island and for a few silver pieces the crew had been fine with her hitchhiking. The rest of her money had been spent on the weed that she'd been chain smoking for hours.

One of the few crewmen stepped silently into the room, smiling to himself. He walked over to her.

"Can I help you with something?" Kunai startled the older man as she sat up, glaring at him with disgust. The man jumped back slightly but a smile spread on his face. He brought a finger to tip up her chin.

"You're a pretty little thing," he murmured. She didn't respond, her eyes following him as he walked around the bed behind her, bringing his hands to knead her shoulders.

"Now I'm not going to ask you to do anything you haven't done before, I'm sure."

Kunai chuckled dryly, shaking her head. "Oh really?" Her hand slipping discreetly under her pillow. The man chuckled, bringing his lips just shy of her ear.

"You'll enjoy this, sweetheart. Trust me." As his hand began to slip down her collarbone, Kunai whipped around, dragging her knife across the vulnerable flesh of his abdomen, shallow enough to be repairable, deep enough to hurt like hell. The man yelled, jumping back and gripped his bloody stomach, doubling over in pain.

"The fuck, bitch!" he screamed, stumbling from her. Kunai stood up and grabbed him by the collar.

"I'm a lot of things but I'm not weak," she snarled, pointing the bloody tip of the knife at him. "Do not mess with me." She released his collar and lay back in bed, listening as he scurried out with his tail between his legs. Kunai shut her eyes, tears dripping freely down her cheeks, pooling on the edge of her nose. She cried herself to sleep, gripping the bloody knife close as if her only reminder that she had some control in this forsaken world.

It would be take a week to reach the North Pole and three days into the trip, Zuko patience was already fading away. He woke up every morning thinking about Kunai and every morning he had to deal with the realization she wasn't there and wouldn't ever be there again. No one talked to him, in fear of catching the brunt of his bottled up emotions.

"Guys we've got to land. Appa's tired," Aang said, gentling patting the beast.

"Where are we supposed to land? We're in the middle of the ocean!" Sokka exclaimed, waving his arms around to motion at the blue abyss beneath them. Aang scanned the horizon, pointing excitedly as a tiny island came into view.

"There's a spot!" He steered Appa over the island, landing him in a lush clearing. Appa groaned and almost immediately fell asleep.

Toph leapt down, falling face first onto the ground and making angels. "Land! Sweet land!"

Katara chuckled as she crawled off, stretching her limbs. "Why don't you reacquaint your feet with the ground and walk into town to get us some food."

Toph nodded and stood up, brushing a bit of dirt of her face. "Fine. Hey Sparky, you're coming with me!"

Zuko glanced over at her in surprise, as no one had really even addressed him in the last 3 days.

"Why do I have to go?"

"Because you've got money and the poor little blind girl needs protection. Now come on!" Toph grabbed his arm and began dragging him towards the town. Zuko rolled his eyes and stomped broodingly beside her, silent the entire walk to town. When they finally arrived at the tiny market place, they found an odd gathering of Fire Nation citizens, walking around almost as if tourists. Poor children ran around, begging at the feet of anyone dressed in red, Fire Nation men chatted happily as their shoes were shined by the Earth Kingdom citizens. Zuko sighed deeply.

"This must be Sacora Island. A lot of Fire Nation people come here because of the beaches and exploit the natives." Zuko grumbled as they walked throughout the town. Toph nodded, beginning to say something when her mouth snapped shut and she froze in place.

"Uh… Sparky?"

"What is it?"

"You're not gonna believe this but Kunai's here."

Kunai wandered through the small town, her heart growing heavy as she observed the injustice in the town. From now until she could support herself, this would be her life and she barely knew where she was going.

"Kunai?" She turned to a familiar voice and the first smile she'd worn in days crossed her face as she ran to embrace and old friend.

"Ekiri…"Kunai whispered. Ekiri giggled, her eyes glazing with ecstatic tears.

"Oh Spirits, just look at you! I had no idea you were coming."

Kunai forced a smile. "I promised I'd come when I was seventeen." She bit her lip, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I um… I don't have anywhere to stay," she whispered, casting her eyes down. Ekiri sighed, giving a friendly pat on the back as she led the younger girl through the market to a small brick house.

"You can stay here as long as you need." She tilted Kunai's head up, examining her face.

"What's wrong?"

Kunai looked away, trying to hold back tears.

"I… I gave a lot up." She sniffed and added, "Ekiri I don't wanna talk about this." Ekiri nodded understandingly.

"It's fine, Dragon. Come on inside. She went to sleep about a hour ago, she should be waking up now." Kunai attempted to smile but only tightened her lips, nodding as she walked inside the house that would now be her home.

Zuko looked around and sure enough, there she was, walking along with an older looking woman and chatting casually. He snarled and took a step forward. Toph's hand slammed against his chest, holding him back.

"Cool it, Hotpants. If you want to talk to her let's figure out what's going on first."

Zuko grumbled and grit her teeth, nodding reluctantly. He followed Toph through the market, arriving outside the door once the two women were inside. Zuko put his ear to the door while Toph focused on what was happening inside

"Kunai's heartbeat is going insane." She 'watched' as Kunai walked over to a little girl, concentrated on the mumbled conversation she was having with her dolls.

"She's so big." Kunai whispered. Ekiri chuckled and put her arms around Kunai.

"She's looking more like her mother every day." Just then the figure turned around. She was small for a three year old, black hair in an untamable mess around her head. Clutched in her hands was a rag doll dressed in red. The little girl eyed Kunai.

"Kiri… who's that?" she asked innocently, rocking back on her toes. Ekiri smiled.

"Do you remember what I told you about your real Mama?"

The little girl pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. Suddenly her big violet eyes lit up with realization and a smile split her face.

"You're my real Mama!" she squeaked, jumping up and down in glee, a natural glow about her. Kunai nodded and knelt down as the little girl bounded towards her, falling into Kunai's arms as she giggled. Kunai squeezed the little girl tight, tears streaming down her face. She kissed her head over and over, rocking her back and forth.

"Yeah… I'm you're real Mama Kameko."

Cliffhanger cuz that's how I rolls mo-fo

This An will tell you nothing about the story.

Info piece number 1: Follow me on tumblr at livingloving123 or spooky-firelady. You can also follow AskKunai so you can ask her little questions and what not.

Info piece number 2: I want your contributions! I WANT IT! FANART! DRABBLES! SIMPLY SHARING AND TELLING FRIENDS, IT IS ALL SO PRICELESS TO ME! PLEASE DO IT! PLEASE! I'LL LOVE YOU FOREVER!

Info piece number 3:I have re-written some songs for the story and if you'd like me to sing them, tell me in a review

Info piece number 4: It's time to release the playlist!

Sweet by Plumb

Me by Plumb

Cut by Plumb

Werewolf by Cocorosie

Breath Me by Sia

Arms by Christina Peri

Jar of Hearts by Christina Peri

Check out the songs and review please my pretties!