Chapter 11: Sissy

Zuko awoke to a small foot jabbing him in the throat. Somehow, Kameko had maneuvered herself upside down across his chest. Zuko sat up and sighed. He was wide awake now and there was no chance of going falling back to sleep. He picked up the girl and set her down beside him. Kameko rolled over and groaned, not yet fully awake. Zuko shook his head with a smirk, leaving her to sort herself out as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stretched. He remembered Kunai falling asleep next to him, but he just now noticed she was nowhere to be seen. He assumed she'd gone to get her things ready, though it was barely sunrise and she was not much of a morning person.

"Kameko," Zuko said, giving the girl a shake. "Come on, let's find your Mom."

Kameko let out a cry as she pawed at her eyes. "I'm hungry!" she whined.

Zuko picked her up and ruffled her hair. "Then let's get some food, okay?" He walked out to the courtyard, starting up a small fire and placing a pot of water over it to boil. He wandered around a bit, looking for Kunai. There were no bags on Appa's saddle, no evidence of anyone being up and about. He looked in Kunai's room where her stuff lay, undisturbed. For a moment, he considered the idea that she'd left once more. But he knew her love for Kameko was too strong to abandon her during such a dangerous time. Her being gone made no sense.

For the next few hours, while the others dragged themselves out of bed, he packed his and Kameko's bags and loaded them all onto the saddle.

"Where are we going?" Kameko asked as she trotted to his side.

"You're going to stay with Ekiri for a while. We have important things to do." It was the only possible plan Kunai would consider for Kameko. She'd spent an hour working on an itinerary with Sokka last week. Zuko glanced once more into Kunai's room. Still her belongings remained untouched.

"What kind of things?" Kameko asked, struggling to keep up with him as he strode back to the courtyard where the others were eating breakfast and making their final arrangements.

"Adult things," he murmured. "Has anyone seen Kunai?"

Katara shook her head, and grimaced. "I haven't seen her. I haven't seen Aang for that matter either."

Toph wriggled her toes into the earth. "They're not here, that's for sure," she said, concerned.

"What do you mean, they're not here?" Zuko demanded, setting Kameko down. "Where are they?"

Sokka stood up. "We'll split up and look. They've got to be here somewhere."

Kameko pulled at Zuko's pant leg, staring up at him with a wide eyed pout. "Where's Mama?"

Zuko exhaled and clenched his fists. "I don't know, Kameko. I don't know."

"Aang!" Kunai screamed as she waded through the thick, greenish waters. She flinched at every sound as creatures she'd never seen before pounced overhead and rustled in the brush. Large birds with crooked necks and unmatched wings, a lemur monkey with the face of a man, and a baboon-bear with no face at all… "Aang!"

"Kunai?"

The young woman jumped at the familiar voice. She ran towards it, pushing through tree branches and shrubs. The young boy came into her sights, sitting cross-legged on the top of a grassy mound. He jumped to his feet, grinning wide, and bounded over to her.

"You did it!"

Kunai, however, did not share his enthusiasm. "Aang! I woke up in this strange place and I don't know how I got there."

"Me too!" Aang replied. "We must be on the same island."

Kunai smacked her forehead and breathed deep. "Well how do we get off? I thought I might find a way out. That's why I came here. But I have no idea what to do!" Her voice cracked with terror. She clenched her fists, willing herself to be less emotional.

"Calm down. We just need to think this through."

Kunai snarled and threw her arms up. "We don't have time to think. I have to get back to Kameko!"

Aang reared back. "She's fine. Zuko's probably taking great care of her."

"That doesn't matter! I need to be there with her now!"

"I don't understand-"

"Of course you don't. You're just a kid! You've never had a baby-you couldn't possibly get it." Her anger at him dulled to frustration. She covered her face and sniffed, trying to conceal her tears. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just need to get back to her."

Aang nodded, not daring to push the subject further. "Okay. I know who we need to talk to. The spirit Takeo helped me find Katara at the South Pole. He watches over warriors," he said seriously. "Follow me." He turned and started down the hill, back into the swamp. He walked the path without thought, having knowledge deeper than memory. Kunai marched behind him in stern determination. She kept her focus on the task and hand until she was struck with a debilitating headache. Her thoughts scattered. Her vision blurred. The world spun.

"Keep your arms strong. Perfect!" Gorou stepped back, admiring his sister's perfect sword stance.

Kunai beamed and stood, bowing ceremoniously. "I had a great Sifu."

She awoke from the flashback, doubled over on her knee with Aang holding her shoulders. "Kunai! Are you okay?"

Kunai blinked a few times, reacquainting herself with reality before answering a weak, "Y-yeah. I'm fine."

"Did you have a flashback? I started getting flashbacks of Katara the closer I got to Takeo's den. What did you see?"

Kunai frowned in confusion as she stumbled to her feet. "I saw my brother." She looked over at him, awaiting some explanation. Aang shrugged, unable to answer. Kunai sighed and waved him away, straightening up. "It doesn't matter. Let's just keep going."

Aang frowned but kept walking, glancing back at her every so often. Kunai straightened her back and continued her march, feeling her composure returning.

"A tattoo? Kunai, I thought we talked about this!"

"I got it because I'm supposed to be the Dragon one day, like you!"

Kunai doubled over as the next flashback hit her. This time, she didn't have the frame of mind to bat Aang away. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and braced her before she fell.

"We must be getting close," Aang said with a forced smile.

Kunai nodded. "Yeah, yeah let's just keep going."

She stayed braced on his shoulders, her vision blurred and her sense of direction skewed. Every once in a while, another vision of a gangly prepubescent boy or a strong, dark haired man would appear, jarring her mind and agitating emotions she'd long since stowed away. However, when she got to the point that she could barely move even with Aang carrying her, her strength began to return. With each step, her legs grew stronger, her vision grew sharper and she developed a strange sense of their destination. However, her emotions did not heal and she still walked behind her young counterpart so he could not see the tears that escaped her eyes.

Finally they came to a large expanse. They stepped gingerly onto the unnaturally flat and dry terrain. There were no trees, no plants, and no odd creatures leaping around. In the center of the clearing was a stone with an enormous opening. A red glow emanated from the cave, illuminating an opening into the ground.

"After he told me where Katara was, he said that he only gives information to true warriors. Go walk up to the cave entrance," Aang said.

"And if he doesn't think I'm a 'true warrior'?" Kunai asked.

"He'll trap your soul on Earth until you learn the meaning of bravery, strength, and power."

Kunai's eyes widened. "He told you all of this?"

Aang nodded. Kunai gulped, clenching her fists.

"Don't worry Kunai. It'll be fine," Aang reassured her, taking a few steps forward and smiling back. Kunai took a deep breath and walked into the clearing. Sweat beaded on her forehead as they got closer and closer. All was silent except for the quiet rustling of pebbles beneath their feet. When they got within a few feet on the entrance, a low, quiet rumble trickled out from the cave, growing louder and more intense until it seemed to shake the earth beneath them. Kunai tried to take a step back but her body would not cooperate. The roar grew closer and closer until finally, the great dragon Takeo flew from the mouth of the cave, twisting gracefully. It locked eyes with her and hovered in the air, motionless for few seconds. Suddenly, its body straightened and the beast set its path in her direction. She could not scream or move, only watch as it tore its path towards her.

Then it stopped mere inches from her face, floating in the air and examining her with piercing black eyes. Kunai glanced over at Aang in a mixture of terror and confusion. Aang smiled reassuringly, though the apprehension was obvious. Kunai held her breath and watched as one thin feeler extended towards her and lay gently against her chest.

"My suspicions were correct."

A disembodied voice spoke to her. She knew that voice somehow, yet she could not connect a name, a face.

The dragon turned it head for a moment, then rippled. "Of course you don't know me. Not in this form."

The dragon withdrew its feeler and gracefully turned over itself, floating like a ribbon before darting back into the depths of the cave. When the last flash of red was out of sight, Kunai collapsed to the ground, clutching her head.

"Kunai! Are you okay? Did he say something to you?"

"He was-"She stopped when a brilliant white light exploded from the depths of the cave. Aang covered his eyes and stepped back. However, Kunai looked into it, struggling to keep her eyes open. She searched the depths of the light and for what she didn't know. Slowly, the light began to fade and a figure came from its depths. At first, all she could make out was the vague silhouette of a tall, strongly built man. As he stepped farther out of the cave, long, white flowing robes became visible. He had black hair that flowed past his shoulders, sun-kissed skin, and a smile that exuded joy.

Kunai stared up at him. Her eyes burned as tears formed. Everything stopped as she recognized the face she never thought she'd see again.

"Gorou." She breathed the name, as if speaking too loudly would destroy any vision or illusion. But he did not disappear. He was real.

Without hesitation or thought to what was happening, she flung herself into the arms of her brother, burying her face in his chest and sobbing.

"I missed you so much!" Kunai choked.

"I missed you too, Sissy." The Great Spirit Takeo's voice cracked and a single tear fell down his cheek. "So very much." Gorou smiled and placed a finger beneath her chin, tilting her head up to look at him. He thumbed away the steady stream of tears on her face. "But I'm here now. You don't have to cry." He turned to Aang and pointed back towards the swamp. "Head that way. You'll find the information you're looking for, Aang."

Aang nodded obediently and began to turn.

"Oh, and Avatar?"

Aang turned back to Gorou, meeting a bright smile. "Thank you for leading her to me."

Aang smiled and bowed low before taking off running and disappearing within the thick of the swamp. Gorou turned back to Kunai. "I've wanted to tell you for so long: You've turned into such a beautiful young woman."

Kunai beamed up at him, pawing away at the last of her tears. "How are you here?" she asked.

Gorou sighed, looking up towards the abyss. "After I died, I went directly to the Spirit World. Humans usually wander Earth or cling to someone or something for a while before passing on. But, I came to realize that my connection with the Spirit World on Earth was a gift to me. I was at peace. I watched you all the time, Sissy." He smiled, but when he continued, the smile died. "But even at peace, I was able to experience pure rage. That is what made me take my dragon form."

"Rage?" Kunai asked.

Gorou looked down at her. "I made very few mistakes regarding trust in my friends. Crico was one of them."

Kunai looked down. Her lips quivered and she searched desperately for something to say. This situation had that she played over in her head every time she had considered suicide: explaining to her big brother that he's wasted his glory days raising her, that she was nothing but a whore.

"Gorou, I…" She sucked a breath past the lump clogging her throat. "I'm sorry! I led him on and I ruined all of my chances for being the Great Dragon! I'm a whore. I know you're disappointed." She covered her face with her hands and sobbed.

Gorou grabbed her wrists, gently yet firmly pulling her hands away from her face. He gazed at her for a moment before dropping her arms. "You were so innocent, so perfect. He broke you." He stroked her cheek. "Sissy, nothing that happened was your fault. You didn't deserve any of the things he did to you." He cupped her face in his face as tears fell down his cheeks. "I'm so proud of you." He pulled her to his chest and buried his face in her hair, pressing kisses to the top of her head.

"B-but I've made so many mistakes," she said, her voice muffled by chest.

"You had to do it all by yourself, Sissy. You were just a baby. Of course you made mistakes. Sheo, Calila, Vawn- they did try their best to help you, but they could only do so much." Through his tears, he chuckled. "Besides, they were always idiots anyway."

Kunai threw her head back and laughed. The pair laughed until their tears were no longer those of sadness, but of joy.

Gorou looked down at her and smiled. "I've been keeping a close eye on you. Kameko… she's so much like you."

Kunai nodded. "She's growing up so fast." Remembering her objective, Kunai grew serious. "Gorou, where am I? I woke up on this island and I don't know how I got there. I have to get back to Kameko."

Gorou smiled. "It's not an island, Sissy. It's a lion-turtle, an ancient and extremely wise creature. The Avatar is on the same creature but you were kept from seeing each other until you came to the Spirit World."

Kunai nodded. "Do you know if Kameko is okay?"

Gorou smiled. "She's fine. Zuko is taking good care of her."

Kunai smiled brightly for a moment. When her smile faded, she sighed and brushed her her ear. "When I go back, I'll never see you again."

Gorou shook his head. "Sissy, I'll always be with you. Even if you can't see me, I promise I won't leave you."

Kunai sniffed and nodded, biting her lip. "I understand. I just wish it didn't have to be this way."

"Me too." He looked up and closed his eyes, taking a deep, deliberate breath. "It's time for you to return. Head back to where you first arrived in the Spirit World and meditate as you did before."

Kunai nodded, and though her heart hung heavy in her chest, she kept her head held high. She was a warrior and she had obligations to fulfill. "Okay. Then I guess this is goodbye for now."

Gorou wrapped his arms around her and shook his head, a loving smile stretched on his face. "Just for now, Kunai. Just for now."

"I love you." Kunai said.

"I love you, too."

When Gorou released her from the embrace, Kunai pawed her eyes and began to walk away, one step at a time. Gorou called to her.

"Wait! Before you go, you need to remember this."

Kunai turned.

"The Avatar Apprentice's duty is to the Avatar first. Living without balancing that duty and the duties of the world will only lead to a life of pain and strife. The last Avatar Apprentice left me that message shortly after I died."

Kunai bit her lip and nodded. "I spoke to him once. That sounds just like him."

"Then it's up to you to interpret. Now go, you've got big things ahead of you." Gorou smiled and tilted his chin towards her destination.

For once, when faced with the cold realities of her place in this world, Kunai smiled. "I do." She said and took off running back to the swamp to return to the physical world.

"What are we doing at a seedy Earth Kingdom bar?" Katara asked as they landed in front of the bustling pub.

"There's someone who can help us. This is the place to find her. Besides, it was on the way," Zuko said. "If you don't want to go in, stay with Kameko." He motioned to the sleeping bundle in the saddle. Katara hummed in agreement and sat next to the little girl while the others filed out.

"Who is this girl anyway?" Sokka asked, idly toying with his boomerang as they walked in.

"She's a bounty hunter named June. She helped me find you back in the Earth Kingdom," Zuko said as they pushed through the crowd.

"Wait? You mean the girl with the giant mole?" Sokka asked.

"That's the one." Zuko pointed to a woman in the midst of bar fight, smirking and holding her drink as she toyed with the man before finishing him with a swift kick to the face, much to the delight of the drunken crowd. Zuko ignored them and walked up to June's table, slamming his fist down.

"I need your help finding the Avatar and the Avatar's Aprentice."

June glanced up at him, unfazed. "Oh hey Prince Pouty. Get in line. Every bounty hunter from here to Ba-Sing-Se is after that broad."

Zuko's first instinct was to inform her that his girlfriend was no 'broad,' but her bit his tongue, unwilling to give her more ammunition against him. "Well, why don't you be the one to find her?"

June tapped her chin in mock contemplation. "Hmm? Doesn't seem like much fun."

"Does the end of the world sound fun?" Zuko snarled.

June sucked her teeth, becoming serious. "Keep talking."

"Sozin's Comet is coming is two days, and if the Avatar doesn't defeat the Fire Lord by then, the entire Earth Kingdom will be burnt down." He spoke in a harsh whisper, trying to avoid attracting the attentions of the patrons.

"All right, I hear you. What's in it for me?" June asked.

"An entire bag of silver pieces."

June nodded and stood up. "I'm convinced," she said, sauntering past them and outside where Katara was sitting cross-legged with Kameko squirming angrily in her lap and crying out, "I want my Mama!"

"I can't calm her down!" Katara shouted in distress when she saw Zuko.

"Hand her to me," Zuko said, walking up to Appa. Katara grabbed the little girl and held her out to Zuko. Kameko flung herself into his arms, sucking her thumb and clenching his shirt with the free hand.

Zuko shushed her and stroked her hair. Kameko whimpered and mumbled incoherently.

"Who'd you knock up?" June quipped as she rode up on the shirshu.

"It's a long story!" Zuko grumbled, attempting to put Kameko back on the saddle. Kameko shrieked and kicked until he gave up and let her cling to him.

"All right, who's got something with the Avatar's scent on it?" June asked.

"I've got his staff." Katara tossed it towards her. June caught it and held it out to the shirshu. The creature sniffed it and pressed its nose to the ground. It walked around in circles, sniffing and waving its feelers in the air. Finally, it lay down on its stomach and covered its nose with its paws, whimpering.

"What does that mean?" Sokka asked.

"Means your friend doesn't exist," June said casually.

"Wait, you mean he's, you know, dead?" Sokka asked.

June shook her head. "Nope. If he was dead we'd be able to find him. Weird huh? Got anything of the girl's?"

Zuko and pulled a hair brush from his bag and tossed it to June, who held it to the shirshu. Once again, the creature roamed around in circles and eventually collapsed to its stomach and mewled.

"The girl apparently doesn't exist either. Well, my job's done," June said, climbing back into the saddle.

"Wait! There's someone else you can look for." Zuko rooted through his bag with his free hand and produced a pungent weathered sandal. "It's Iroh's."

"You saved your Uncle's smelly sandal?" Sokka asked.

"I think it's kind of sweet," Toph said, smiling.

The shirshu smelled the sandal and put its nose to the ground, sniffing around for a few second before settling on a direction and jumping up on its hind legs excitedly.

"She's got his scent. Come on!" June said, snapping her whip. The creature took off through the brush.

"Hold on!" Sokka cried, climbing into Appa's saddle and pulling Suki up.

"Yip yip," Sokka said once everyone was on board. Appa took off, following the shirshu from the sky.

Zuko sighed and dropped his head into his hand. Kunai had disappeared along with Aang, leaving them without the most important key to defeating the Fire Lord. Soon, he'd have to face his uncle. Plus, they were losing essential time to get Kameko to a safe place. Kameko stirred in his arms. He rubbed her back and readjusted her, but she continued to whine and fight, growing more and more agitated. He'd seen Kunai calm her down with the lullaby she'd sung in Ba-Sing-Se. He wasn't quite sure of the words but he knew the tune well. He leaned his head against Kameko's and hummed. His song was awkward and off key and at first, he felt ridiculous trying to take the place of her mother. However, after a few minutes her whines faded and she settled down, nuzzling his chest and sucking her thumb. Zuko's heart swelled, and he finished the song with a smile on his face, hugging her just a little bit tighter.

"Nyla's getting antsy. Your uncle's close," June said, pulling back on the reigns to still the agitated shirshu. "Good luck." She gave a command and cracked her whip, riding off.

"It's been a long day," Zuko said. "Let's set up camp and look in the morning."

They pitched their tents and retired, not bothering to start a fire and try to force nighttime conversation. Zuko sat outside of his tent, staring up at the moon, consumed by his own thoughts.

"Daddy." Kameko crawled up next to him, tugging at his arm. "I want Mama."

Zuko looked down at her. "Go back to sleep, Kameko."

She shook her head vehemently. "I'm not sleepy. I want my Mama!"

"She's not here Kameko," Zuko said through his teeth.

"When is Mama coming back?"

"I don't know." When she didn't reply, Zuko looked down at her. Her lower lip was poked out and quivering. "Wait, calm down, Kameko." He picked her up, trying to stop the imminent tantrum, but she sucked in a breath, and he braced himself. She let out a loud, strangled cry until her face turned red and she was forced to breathe.

"Mommy!" she shrieked.

"Stop crying!"

Exhausted from a day's travel, stressed and overwhelmed, Zuko found himself gritting his teeth as his frustration threatened to bubble over. It was then he pictured Ozai and remembered his own short-lived phase of tantrums. He remembered his father storming away with smoke billowing from his nose, or shouting out cruel obscenities. Zuko looked around. Just the slightest haze of gray smoke drifted across the ceiling. His hands shook, his heart raced and his eyes burned. He pulled the little girl to his chest and held her tight in his arms, a few rogue tears dripping onto her head.

"Daddy, you hug me too tight," she whimpered, burrowing into his chest.

Zuko sniffed and let her go. He looked away and pawed his eye. "Sorry, Kameko."

Kameko reached out and poked his wet cheek. "Daddy, why are you crying?"

Zuko swallowed. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

Kameko settled back into his lap and sucked her thumb, having forgotten she was upset. Zuko watched her closely. She was so content even though he'd been so hostile towards her. She wasn't scared or even hesitant. She and her mother shared that trait of being uncomfortably forgiving. He had lost himself in reflection when the peace and silence was abruptly broken.

"We're being attacked!" Toph barked. Before she had finished her sentence, a ring of fire formed around their camp.

"Stay here," Zuko told Kameko as he set her down. He rushed out of the tent. Four cloaked silhouettes stood atop the rubble. The group stood close together, poised to attack when one of the men stepped into the light, a bright smile on his face.

"Bumi!" Katara and Sokka exclaimed in unison.

"What's going on? Why are we surrounded by old people?" Toph asked.

"Not just any old people," Katara said, running up to a silver-haired water tribe man. "Pakku." She bowed deeply.

"It's respectful to bow to an elder. But how about a hug for your new grandpa?" Pakku said.

"That's so exciting!" Katara said as she hugged him.

"I made her a new betrothal necklace and everything."

"Welcome to the family, gramp-gramp!" Sokka said, throwing himself as Pakku.

"You can just call me Pakku," he said with a small push and a reserved smile.

Katara smiled and looked back at Zuko. "Zuko, these are all our past masters. Jeong-Jeong, Piandao, King Bumi. How do you all know each other?"

Bumi's disturbed, bright smile spread across his face. "Don't you know? All old people know each other!" He snorted a laugh and waved his arm for them to follow, hopping down from the rocks and walking down a rocky pathway without looking back. Zuko turned to collect Kameko, only to find her standing right behind him. He sighed, not caring to reprimand her for leaving the tent, and pulled her into his arms. They followed Bumi as close behind as they could manage. He recounted the story of how he'd won back Omashu. While he spoke, Zuko's mind wandered. He became painfully aware of just how close he was to seeing his uncle, to trying to save the world.

When they arrived at the camp, Pakku escorted everyone to their tents. He walked up to Zuko, who was standing in front of Iroh's tent, one hand clenched in a fist, the other holding Kameko's.

"You're too young to have a child of your own," Pakku said.

Zuko glanced over his shoulder and sighed. "It's a long story," he said.

"A story you don't seem prepared to tell your uncle."

Zuko dropped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. When he didn't respond, Pakku shrugged. "Nevertheless, knowing Iroh, he'll find his answers. Your tent is over there." With that, the old water tribe man walked away.

Zuko groaned and sat cross-legged on the ground. Kameko crawled into his lap and took a handful of his shirt. He glanced between her and the tent for several minutes before he heard footsteps approaching him. Katara sat next to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"No, I'm not okay. My uncle hates me, I know it. He loved me and supported me in every way he could and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?" He dropped his head and pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes to stop the tears from falling.

"Zuko, you're sorry for what you did, right?" Katara asked.

"More sorry than I've ever been in my entire life."

"Then he'll forgive you," Katara said. "Look at all the good you've done since then."

Zuko thought hard. He'd joined the Avatar. He'd protected the group with everything he had. The fact that he'd once contemplated turning them over to his father still nagged at his conscience, but he remembered Kunai's firm assertion that it was his actions that truly mattered. Katara looked between him and Kameko with a smile. Zuko looked down at the little girl who was rocking back and forth, trying with all her might not to sleep.

"Can you put her to bed?" Zuko asked Katara. She nodded and lifted Kameko into her arms. She stood slowly, still wary of stirring the little girl and causing another tantrum. She walked off to her tent, leaving Zuko alone. Mustering all the nerve and courage he had, Zuko stood and entered the tent.

"Uncle-" he started, cut off by a loud snore. Zuko smiled, reminded that even though he and the circumstances had changed, his uncle had not. He sat on his knees and bowed his head, content to wait until morning.

The approaching comet tore through the sky, a brilliant gash in the scarlet expanse. It was as beautiful as it was ominous. Aang and Kunai stood side by side, silently gazing out over the rocks at the approaching fleet of airships that threatened the existence of everything they knew.

"Are you ready for this?" Aang asked.

"Have I got a choice?" She flexed her hand. Small flames danced on her fingertips. She looked over at Aang and smirked, sharing with him a tradition she'd only shared with her fellow warriors in the militia. "My only choice is to win; I've got a baby to get back to."

"My only choice is to win." Sheo grunted as he threw his last pack onto his ostrich horse. "I've got half a bottle of whiskey and a sexy Earth Kingdom woman named Tay to get back to."

"I've got a bag full of silver pieces I've been waiting to blow to get back to," Vawn said with a small smile, running her finger across her sword.

"I've got a pipe and some of the finest Earth Kingdom grass money can buy to get back to." Calila laughed, popping her knuckles. The three continued on their preparations until they realized there was no response from the fourth member of their team. They all glanced over to Gorou, who was sitting on his ostrich horse, staring straight ahead.

"Gorou. My only choice is to win..." Sheo repeated.

"I heard you," the nineteen-year-old replied. "But I don't think I have anything to go back to this time."

Well our stories almost at an end and what a great journey it's been. Thank you so much to everyone who has given support and love to this story. A million thanks to Tonights-The-Night for making this story readable. Honestly, the best beta imaginable. Thanks to all the fans and what not. Love you all so much.

Coming up next will be a series of oneshots going over the "what happens next" they'll be vaguely connected and for the most part in chronological order.