Sorry for not updating for awhile. I was away and couldn't write. Anyways, got a questions about why Azula was so emotional last chapter. I decided to make her upset and actually show it because she is only around sixteen at the time. There's only so much stress and sadness a teen can take. At least that's what I think. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and keep the reviews coming!

Chapter 3: Zuko

"Zuko!" Someone was calling me, but my eyes wouldn't open "Oh great Fire Lord! Wakey wakey!"

"Sokka?" I rubbed my sore eyes "What's wrong?" He was twiddling his thumbs, looking nervous.

"Well you see... Your dear sister kind of... disappeared.." I sat up straight. Azula? But.. I thought we were ... friends now. Maybe not. Some things don't change. She's probably mad that she spilt all that crap.

"Don't worry though, everyone who has nothing to do is looking for her." No one else was in the camp though, unless you count Momo and Appa.

"Fine, they said I needed to stay here to clean Appa's toes." Seeing the branch in his hands, I guessed that Appa's toes weren't exactly clean.

"You're doing a nice job." I patted him in the back "Keep it up."

"Aye, aye, sir." Grouchy, isn't he. But honestly, where could Azula have gone?

I got out of my blanket. Something fluttered out. It was just the note from the hawk. Whatever. I threw it into the fire. Might as well be some kind of use.

"Sokka, can I borrow a knife?"

"Why?"

"The fire's dying. And I want to take a walk. You know, you never know what's out there"

"Okay, fine." He rubbed his stomach while looking for a knife. I drew circles in the dirt.

"You done?" Why was he always so damn slow?

"IT'S MISSING! KAKA IS MISSING!" Sokka waved his arms in the air, going crazy.

Kaka? "What's Kaka?"

"My special knife!" He collapsed on the ground. Wow, dramatic much?

I held out my hand and helped him up. "It's just a knife. We'll get you another one in the nearest town."

"You don't understand!" He wailed. "I had a special bond with Kaka!" Then he grabbed Momo and squeezed him. I gently tried to pry the lemur from his arms, but it was hopeless.

"Sorry little guy," I murmured, hoping Sokka wouldn't hear me. But then again, he was too busy wailing to notice. I was sure it had to be here somewhere. It can't possibly just disappear.

"Are you sure you didn't misplace it?"

"I couldn't of misplaced it," He looked up "I slept with it!"

I grabbed another knife, and prepare to leave.

"It's gotta be around here somewhere." I was trying to reassure myself more than Sokka. Although I wanted to deny it, the truth was in plain sight. Azula took it. What she intended to do with it, I don't know. Then again, maybe I don't want to know.

The forest was strangely quiet. No, seriously. None of the birds were chirping, and there was no wind at all. It scared me. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck raising up.

Maybe it was because Azula was gone. I'm trying to believe that she does have a good side, but honestly, it's hard. I mean, would you believe someone who's tried to kill you again and again?

"Hello?" I couldn't help it. The silence was really bugging me. "Anyone there?"

I swear the grass rustled. A flame appeared in my palm, and I shot a column of fire at the bushes.

"Ah!" There was someone in there! I drew the knife up, preparing to strike. Half of me was hoping it was Azula. I wanted. No, needed, to know why she left with Sokka's knife.

"Please don't hurt me!" Whoever it was, they had a very squeaky voice. I stepped closer, moving the grasses aside. It was a small boy.

"Who are you." I tried making my voice harsh, but it didn't work. He looked weak and innocent. I reached out to help him up. After hesitating for a few seconds, he took it.

"My.. my names Kyou." he was a tiny thing, coming up to only my hips.

"Where are you parents." Didn't my scar scare him?

"I don't know. I don't remember." Kyou fell onto the ground and hugged his knees, as if it hurt to remember. I picked him up. He was light, too.

"It's okay.." I awkwardly patted his back. What if he suddenly stabs me? I put him down, cautious. Can't blame me. Azula looked innocent back then... have you seen those pictures?

"I'm hungry." Typical kids.

"Okay, come on." I kept him in front of me. Just in case.

"Hey Zuzu!" Toph's voice "Who's with you?"

We appeared from the trees.

"Where'd you get a kid from!" Sokka rushed up, poking at Kyou like he was some exotic creature.

"I found him." God, what'd he expect?

"Aw aren't you a cutie.." Katara appeared out of nowhere and pinched his cheeks. Kyou hid behind my back.

"He's not a zoo animal..."

"He looks like you Zuko." Aang hopped down from his glider "Those eyes and the jaw."

"Maybe its Zuzu's long lost twin!"

I wrinkled my nose "I don't have a long lost twin."

"Just joking around."

Kyou's stomach grumbled, halting the conversation. As Katara led him away to get food, i couldn't help but think about Toph's words. My mother's beauty was well known throughout the entire Fire Nation, with her golden eyes flecked with green that me and Azula had inherited, and her strong jaw. I'm just reciting what I've heard from people, so don't look at me weird. My other stronger features (ahem ahem, scar on my face) came from my father. It's quite strange how Kyou has the same features from me, given from my mother.

"Anyways, I feel a storm coming.. we should get moving soon." Toph yawned

"Yeah, but where do we go?"

"I think down south, towards my mother's hometown.."

Toph gave me an exasperated look "Zuko, come on. Most people who run away don't exactly end up in their home town. What would be their point then?"

"I know, but maybe it will give us a clue to where she has gone, even if she's not gonna be there."

I knew she was right. If my mother had gone back to Hira'a, wouldn't Ozai had found her already?

"Well it's a place to start. We might as well go." Aang reasoned. Toph nodded, and he called for Appa. The huge sky bison appeared above us and landed with a thump.

"Katara are you ready? We're leaving."

"One second! I'm just getting some clothes for little Kyou here." Her voice came from inside the tent.

"Wait, are we keeping the kid with us?" Toph sat up.

"We can't leave him here, so we might as well." I sighed. Is he gonna drag us down? I hope not.

I climbed onto Appa's saddle, reaching over to grab our packs from Aang. The rest of them climbed up one by one, with Momo drapped over Sokka's shoulder like a fur scarf.

"So, which way is it?"

"That way." I pointed South "It should be about 2 day's travel, according to my map."

"Alright, let's go! Yipyip Appa!" Aang sat on the bison's head, and it flew up in the air.

*End of Chapter 3*