The smell of jasmine wakes me from my nightmare. My vision is blurry and I try to move, but a voice stops me.

"Relax little one. You're in no danger."

My vision clears and I see an old man in a fire nation uniform. I look around for an escape, bolting towards an iron door. My legs, burned from the fire, sting and give out under me.

"Careful little one."

I cower shaking in the corner of the room burying my head in my knees. A large pair of hands steady me.

"You don't need to fear me little one. I'm not the man who defied you."

I slowly look up at him. I knew he didn't burn my village, but he's with them. And I can't hide from him, there's no earth for me to bend. The old man seemed to have noticed my hesitation.

"My name is Iroh little one. What's you're name?"

"I'm... Jay Liang.." I was nervous about speaking my last name. My family is known for being openly against the recent ruler's whims.

Sorry... Was..

"Jay. I'd like you to meet someone." With my permission, Iroh carried me out of the iron room into the garden behind a huge palace.

"Where am I?

"You're in the fire nation. Don't worry little Jay... You are in no danger as long as I'm around."

I nodded calming my nerves. Heck, how the hell am I supposed to be calm. My thoughts were interrupted when I saw the biggest tree I've ever seen. I jumped out of Iroh's arms and crawled to the tree hugging it. I was so happy to finally have something familiar. I hit the ground with my fist, earthbending a pillar to rise me to the lowest branch. I leaned against the trunk looking down at Iroh.

"Zuko... This is Jay Liang."

I followed the old man's gaze and a few branches above me sat a boy about my same age. He climbed down so he was on the same branch as me. I scooted back nervous. His amber eyes gazed into my red ones. (Yes I have nontraditional earth nation eyes. It's due to the fact that my father was once a part of the fire nation, but deserted when Ozai became fire Lord) I was suddenly aware of my tatterd clothes and blushed looking away in embarrassment. My hand slipped and I almost fell out of the tree, but the boy caught my hand bringing me back up but a little closer to him. The silence seemed to last ages. That's when he slowly gave me a warm smile and giggled a little bit.

"Not so careful are you JJ?" I was surprised at his sudden change of attitude and adopting a nickname for me.

"Shut up" I mumbled looking away. But just for a moment.

He made me smile.