Somehow this wasn't ordinary dream. I remember it from long ago, when she took care of me. I've had this dream a thousand times, but I could never remember it when I woke up.

I lazily walk the plains of the forest around me not a care in the world. There isn't any need for me to end up scared or upset because I know how this dream ends. Two feet in the ground and nothing meaningful left from my life cause I left her behind. "It might be for the best right? That I'll forget again and live my crazy life like usual." The scene suddenly changes abruptly around me. "This is different. This is wrong. Nothing here ever changes!" I'm now facing the mouth of a deep cave resting alongside a large mountain. This feels wrong. But... I can't walk away. A strange force pulls me into the dark cave. An ominous presence envelopes my body.

"Hello?" please don't answ-

"Hello young child."

"Who are you? Where are you?" His voice is so deep. It doesn't exactly scare me, but there's something else. Something familiar.

"My name is Koh the Face Stealer. I'm all around you."

"Koh the Face Stealer? I'm guessing you didn't get that name because you gift your visitors and let them go, right?

"Need I give that an answer, my child?"

"heh...heh.." I laugh nervously. "Oh.. why do you call me that?"

"You young one are my descendant. My child."

"What are you talking about?" My forehead creases as I look around trying to see him.

"Child, don't try to find me. If you show me emotion on your face I will have no choice but to take it for my collection."

"What?! ok... ok..." I take a breath to calm down and relax my features. "Show me your face Koh." His smokey figure wraps around my torso, and his face is that of an old man. "This is wrong. What is your true face?"

"My child... I do not have one true face."

"Fine. Answer my previous question then."

"You are my descendant. My spirit enveloped in your body the moment you were conceived. You are a part of my being. You are my child."

"Why me? Why choose me?"

"I knew you were destined for more when I saw you. You are very precious to me."

"Then why has it taken you seventeen years now to show yourself to me?! Why after all this time?!"

"Calm yourself Juzo please!"

I try breathing techniques I learned as a child to calm my racing heart. Keeping a straight face is proving to be harder than I thought in front of the God who claims to be my creator. "I'm ok. I'm ok. Why did you call me Juzo?"

"It's the name I chose for you child. It's your spirit's branding."

"My name is Jay Liang. Named after my mother Mika and my father Uta."

"And your Father Koh..." The look on his stolen face seemed pained. Almost as if it hurt him to think that I didn't consider him a part of me. "Your creation gave you a name in the spirit world. Juzo... Jay Juzo Liang is your full name if you wish to think of it as such."

"So why am I in the spirit world then? I'm not dead."

"You have come to the spirit world often Juzo." My dream.

"Why though? I always end up dying here at the end of my "dream" because I left my friend behind. It's my punishment, but why do I have it in the spirit world?"

"That I cannot answer for you Juzo, but there are more pressing matters to discuss. The most dangerous journey awaits you. You must travel with the prince in order to fulfill your mission. If I could save you from this I would, but it has been decided long ago."

"Ok. But do I really have to go along with him?"

"Unfortunately there's no avoiding it. He will come to crossroads with himself once again, and you must be there to guide him right."

"Koh he doesn't listen to me! I try and try, but he insists that his pride is more important. That nothing means more than to be known as powerful. He insists that I mean absolutely nothing. That I'm just some peasant girl incapable of taking care of herself." My voice grew silent.

"My dear Juzo. You mean much more to him than he realises. After many years apart from him, you defeated him in battle without knowing his identity. Him, a prince with access to military style training, and you defeated him in seconds! You changed his destructive fate the moment he met you. He may have not deserved such an honour by his branding of you," He gestures to my bandages, "but he's ought to one day realise his foolishness." His shadowy figure envelopes me in what I can only assume is a hug.

"Thanks Koh -er I mean Dad." I hide my face flustered.

"No trouble my child." His voice sounded happy almost like he was smiling. The reality around me started fading. "This time, dear Juzo, you will remember when you awaken. Do not fear for what's ahead. I will guide you through your journey with him and protect you."

"Thanks Dad. I will not disappoint you."

The world around began swirling into blackness as I could feel myself waking up. *Gasps* I sit straight up on my makeshift bed outside Zuko's room. My heart pounding like a drum, I struggle to catch my breath. I comb my fingers through my curly hair as I clear my head trying to get a grip on my thoughts. That really happened. He was real. The dream I had before of my long lost friend was over powered by the idea that I had a Father still. Ok. I somehow have to convince Zuko to leave this palace again... but how do I do that when he's so happy to be home. He's a prince again.

"The help having bad dreams?"

Azula.

A.N.

It's a New Years miracle! I updated! Woohoo! Just kidding. Granted this chapter isn't as long as it should be, but I promise it won't take me 4 months to update again! Gomen-ne . Shitshurishimasta! I'm also a sucker for cliff hangers. (Even though when I'm on the other side of them I bwanna kill the author hahahaha). I know there's also a reference to a mysterious friend I never mentioned in the previous chapters, but if you check out the chapter title "Great News!" You will understand what I mean and where she's coming from.