"What will you do now, Z?" Cyra asked me some time after we returned. Aang stood nearby, also awaiting my decision. I had to think for a second.

"I will not kill Zuko. Koda would not have done so, and to dishonor him in such a way would be terrible. I will take my chances with the Order, but I will not destroy my friend's integrity." Both of them nodded. Aang spoke first.

"You're welcome to come with us. We could always use more fighters." This I had to disagree to.

"I'm sorry, Aang, but Koda was from the Fire Nation. Ninjas are not meant to take sides in the war, though he supported his homeland proudly. I do not blame him." He accepted this and returned to Appa, taking to the skies. Cyra placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Though I respect your decision, Z, it is not a wise one." I turned to face her.

"What do you mean?"

"Koda gave his life to save your own, Are you going to let his sacrifice be wasted when the Order kills you over the same matter?"

"I appreciate your concern, Cyra," I said curtly, thoroughly displeased. "But my decision remains the same." I left before she had a chance to answer. I felt guilty about speaking to her that way, but I still thought I was right. Koda wouldn't want me to kill Zuko. But he also wouldn't want me to die at the hands of the Order; neither of us would wish that fate on anyone. 'You might as well have wished it on him,' I thought to myself as I arrived back at the cave. It was about midnight, and I was exhausted. But if I slept now, Zuko would be gone in the morning, and the Order would surely have come to take his place. I had to make my decision, and very soon.

Something moved among the trees nearby. I knew who it was, and it gave me an idea. This person would have to die for my purpose. However, I knew the Order would not mind, considering the circumstances. I crept up behind the person and placed a hand over his mouth so there would be no sound. I quickly and quietly disposed of him, then lay him on the ground near the camp. I saw Zuko's blue mask nearby and picked it up. From out of nowhere a hand snatched my wrist, and I instinctively struggled to get free.

"Drop it," said Zuko, trying to keep his voice low. The anger was still evident.

"If I do, you will be killed." It made absolutely no sense, but that wasn't my focus right now.
"Why? I recognize your voice. You're the person who's been after me."

"Yes, but I am no longer. I have found someone to take your place, and if you do not let me use this mask, you will be dead before the sun rises. So I would suggest you take my advice." He paused, uncertain, then let go of my wrist. I ran back to the person and placed the mask over his face. I was surprised yet thankful; this man had worked for the Fire Nation, making my job even easier. I returned to the camp, where Zuko was still waiting. The dying embers of the day's fire had been relit, and he sat by it, glaring at me. My first instinct was to run, but I felt he had a right to know why I was trying to kill him.

"Zuko, I know you probably hate me, and you have every reason to. But I think you should know the reason behind all of this. I will tell you if you wish to listen." He nodded, and I sat by the small fire as well.

I explained it all, carefully and quietly, for other ninjas lurked about. I had to stop talking periodically because they were too close, though not enough to see me. Zuko quickly understood why.

"You must be gone by morning for this to work. I will return the mask to you soon, but I will not be able to do so if I am dead, and they will kill me if they don't accept what I've done. You have to trust me." He nodded slowly. I wasn't completely sure my plan would succeed, but it was the only thing I was willing to try.

I heard the leaves rustle. They were here.

"Go! You have to get out of here," I whispered as quietly as I could. He nodded and swiftly took off, hopefully to somewhere safe. I heard the leaders of the Order speaking quietly to one another. They were suspicious, to say the least.

"So, Z succeeded after all," said one.

"Just to be sure, we need to remove the mask," said the leader. I had known they would do that. It was gone in a second, and there was a collective gasp. The third ninja was the first to speak.

"An archer of the Yu Yan?"

"Yes. I think she's trying to offer him in place of Zuko. No doubt for the same reason Koda stated. They believe he is innocent."

"That is ridiculous! Why would they think Prince Zuko is innocent?" I stepped out of the bushes, drawing their attention- and several weapons.

"Because I have seen his memories. He does not want to capture the Avatar for personal glory; it is a meaningless quest to attempt to restore his honor. He is desperate." I took a slow, deep breath before continuing. "His own father gave him the scar."

Their reactions were mixed. One of the ninjas was certain I was lying to try and save my own life, while the other believed what I said. The leader silenced them and faced me with cold, staring eyes.

"This is almost a desperate thing you have done, Z. But considering who it is…" He trailed off, looking back at the dead archer. "Perhaps we could accept this in place of Zuko's life." I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. This was better than I expected.

"I would greatly appreciate that," I said, kneeling in respect. I felt a twinge of fear; this was almost exactly like my dream.

"However, you did not fulfill your mission. You failed." The feeling of fear escalated. I almost knew what was coming next.

"He is innocent. I cannot kill him," I said apathetically, not trusting my own words. It was hopeless. I was about to die.

"Remove your ring, Z." I unwrapped the cloth and looked at the two rings. Now they looked like two drops of blood. I slid them off one at a time, tears beginning to fall. A small sound nearby would have caught my attention, but I was too preoccupied. It was probably nothing anyway.

The knives whistled as they skated through the air. They were thinner than leaves but deadly, as was a knife's nature.

Something stopped them in their tracks. I opened my eyes, and my nightmare was coming true. Zuko had been hit, and fatally as had been intended. He staggered backwards, eventually coming to rest against a tree trunk.

"We are finished here," said the leader, and the three of them disappeared. I hesitantly neared Zuko. He was alive, but he would need help. Katara and Aang would be long gone by now, and I was fairly certain Aang couldn't heal anyway. My options were limited; I would have to heal him myself. I had no healing powers, but I am a ninja, after all. I knew many ways to heal more minor injuries, but this was anything but minor. One wrong move and he would be dead.

I picked up the two rings and slid them back onto my finger for good luck. I would need as much of it as I could get.