I see chapter 13 was a shocker. Mildly depressing, no? As for five, only three reviews? Well, thank you, all ye few but faithful. Here is chapter six, I hope to have all thirteen chapters up by the end of January. This story keeps growing, it's like a dough with overactive yeast. Chapter 14 is nearly done, answering a lot of question. This chapter is dedicated to AC-chen, thanks for reviewing!

Chapter Six: How I Know You

I never have abandoned
And nor I think could you
That spark of hope for freedom
No terror can subdue
Yes, I know you
How I know you

--Aida

Hotaru quickly replaced her weapons before she took her brother's arm. She never knewwhen she might need to use them.

She sighed as she walked away from the pathetic prisoner and the caged lemur. He had been handsome and kind; it was a pity that he was her enemy. When he had tried to defend her, Hotaru had been touched, until she realized he had called the guards fire-bending scum. The peasant would not have defended her if he knew her identity. Anyway, no one insulted her brother without repercussion!

Hotaru had expected Prince Zuko to torture him to death. She had hoped to spare the prisoner a more gruesome death by mercifully slitting his throat for his insolence. Mother would have peeled his skin off with the whip for less. Why had her brother so easily spared him?

Out of the corner of her eye, she took in the changes in Prince Zuko. Her eyes flitted over the scar over his eye and the deformed ear. She knew her brother well enough not to mention them. Prince Zuko hated being pitied; he would only grow angry with her.

"You should not have stowed away. The captain will be angry," Prince Zuko said evenly, as he turned a corner.

"Let her grumble, I'm not a child that must obey anymore," Hotaru returned, squeezing her brother's arm. When they were presented to the court, they had always walked arm in arm. Prince Zuko would often joke it was to insure neither of them ran away. Hotaru wondered if he brother joked anymore. She imagined years without his only companion had forced him to lose his good humor.

"I suppose not, but you should have told me. Those soldiers could have hurt you. They didn't know that you were of royal blood," Prince Zuko reminded, his golden eyes softening. Hotaru could almost see the sweet face of her baby brother looking out from this blemished continence.

"What I am is a Fire royal, just like you, Brother. You know that's a dangerous life to lead when you are outside the nation," Hotaru reminded. It felt so strange talking to the person she had dreamed of for so long. She had imagined so many conversations in her lonely exile, but nothing matched the pleasure of hearing her brother's voice.

Prince Zuko smirked, a twisted smile so different from the smile she remembered and carried in her heart. "I won't be away from our home for long. My ticket home lies in the belly of this ship. Then I will have my place back. Come along, Sister, I can show you the Avatar himself. I was on my way there anyway before I had to rescue you," he offered, smiling proudly.

Hotaru rolled her eyes. "My hero! I remember getting you out of trouble quite a few times," she laughed.

"Do you remember the time we locked Fire Sage Minoru in a closet?" Prince Zuko asked, an eager grin on his face. "I'll never forget hiding under the table, waiting for him to check the closet and then slamming the door! Leaving my scarf inside was a brilliant idea,"

Hotaru laughed heartily. Prince Zuko's smelly history teacher had always been so hard on her little brother, so she had devised a clever plot to teach him a lesson. Prince Zuko had hidden and when the tutor came looking, they had slammed the door and then left, leaving the sage locked inside. They had laughed so hard, thinking themselves so clever.

She had not laughed when the prank had earned her poor little brother a beating. Even though she had taken full responsibility, it had been Prince Zuko who had suffered. She had sat outside the door, listening to every blow, wishing it was her that was being punished. Prince Zuko had only listened to her direction, he was completely innocent of this deed. Her governess had given her two smart slaps for misbehaving, but the weeping coming from her brother's bedroom proved her brother was being punished more harshly. He was the Heir after all, more was expected of him.

She had sneaked into his room and held him all night, apologizing profusely and wiping away his tears. She had failed at protecting him. That idea had not been brilliant, it had been foolish! "That was so long ago, Brother. I want to hear everything I missed out on," she said, squeezing his hand. She would not fail him now. She would stay here and guard him. He was a lot more muscular then she remembered, but he would always be her baby brother.

"Why dwell on that? Here, behold the Avatar himself," Prince Zuko said, pointing to a heavily guarded cell. Two Fire-Benders stood guard, looking quite formidable. Left by the door had been a bucket of water and a mess of porridge, with a long straw.

Following Hotaru's questioning look, Prince Zuko smiled. "There is only one key to it and I just got it back from Uncle. That is why I have to feed him myself. Uncle might steal the lunch," he explained, picking up the food.

Hotaru laughed heartily and nodded. "Surely you can trust the Fire-Benders who came with you," she asked, as Prince Zuko removed a key from a chain around his neck.

"Of course I trust them. When I return, I shall see that each of them is rewarded for their loyalty. I just think that there are some things worth undertaking myself, Sister. Nothing is getting between me and home," Prince Zuko placed the key inside the lock and began to use Fire-Bending to open the key.

Hotaru's heart tightened as she saw her baby brother begin the stances of Fire-Bending. He looked so graceful and powerful, like a true warrior. "Stay still, Sister and I shall give you the Avatar!" Prince Zuko sounded so proud of himself. Behind him was the chained form of a bald monk, with an arrow tattooed on his head. He looked up at the scene, interest in his large eyes. Hotaru realized he looked as innocent as her brother once had. What a price war took.

Hotaru smiled. "You lost your lisp finally. You always used to call me Thithtah. What finally changed?" she said sweetly, before clapping her hand over her mouth. She had definitely said the wrong thing now. Prince Zuko stopped abruptly and whipped around. She should have remembered he would not like being reminded of that.

"It is amazing what you can do if your health depends on it," he hissed, looking quite dangerous. A ball of bended fire erupted in the palm of his clenched hands, as Prince Zuko trembled with rage. His eyes had narrowed into slits and his jaw had tightened. He looked fearsome in his savage grin, teeth bared like a wolf. Such rage staring out of his blemished face made him look like a demon. His face grew wrinkled as he set his brows, looking nothing like the sweet boy she had treasured in her heart.

"Prince Zuko…Brother, calm down. You'll singe my clothing and then I'll have nothing to wear in honor of the Avatar," she said hastily, backing into a wall. She was trapped. Hotaru almost believed her brother would actually hurt her, he looked angry enough to wreck massive havoc. He looked just like Ozai!

Shestill had a sword at her hip and a throwing dagger in her boot. She could defend herself but could she actually strike down her brother? Only if it was truly needed!

Neither of the two guards made a move to save her or stop her brother! Yet, Zuko was not moving. He could have struck her down already, but he just glared at her.

"Don't hurt her!" a voice yelled out. Hotaru was shocked to realize the Avatar was trying to defend her. She did not understand why the little bald monk looked so upset. Why should he care about her? "You have me, leave her alone," the monk continued. Happily, Prince Zuko just threw the ball of fire at the wall, creating a black mark. He looked quite put off.

"Quiet you! Property doesn't talk," Prince Zuko snapped. He turned around to his sister, unable to look at her.

"Sister…," he whispered sadly just as Hotaru muttered apologetically "Brother…,"

The two siblings smiled at each other, able to communicate without words. That was their way of apologizing. Even after all these years, their fights remained so predictable. Zuko would rage for a few minutes, but then would calm down. Hotaru knew that she had always known her brother would not hurt her. She had been foolish to get worried. Had Zuko wanted her hurt, he would have been faster. "You should go visit Uncle. I'll finish up here and then join you," Prince Zuko directed. He snapped his fingers. "Ryota, escort my lady to my Uncle's chambers," he commanded one of the guards.

The guard saluted and gestured for her to follow him. He was an older bearded soldier who Hotaru did not recognize. Of course, she had not often noticed servants when she had been a little girl. Royalty rarely did. Over her shoulder, she saw Prince Zuko enter the cell. She smiled to herself. That avatar was softhearted. He would be easy to break. Just like the peasant boy. It was easier not to think of prisoners as humans. Getting emotionally close to them only made things worse.

Hotaru followed her guide through a few hallways and up the stairs. He was respectfully silent, obviously unsure how to treat her. Hotaru did not mind the silence; she knew if given leave to speak, she would be asked many uncomfortable questions. She knew her presence here was not wanted. Prince Zuko may have been exiled, but Hotaru and Mother were outlaws. Turning them in would earn a hefty reward. She was aware that Prince Zuko would never allow her to be harmed, but she imagined many of the soldiers would not agree.

"Here are the General's chambers…Maiden," the guide said, clearly unsure how to address her. Stripped of her title, she held no rank and was merely a pirate.

Hotaru smirked, eager to get her frustration out on someone. She had a very trying day and someone needed to suffer. "I would advise you to learn the titles. The sister of your future lord is addressed as My Lady. I shall forgive you for the gaffe, but do not repeat it. My brother would be most angry. Now announce me!" she commanded. She might as well be treated according to her future station while she was here.

"Of course, My Lady," the guide said, looking a bit nervous. Clearly, her brother's temper did have a use. He knocked on the ornate door and called, "General, I present your lady niece," he called in.

The door opened and Hotaru fell to her knees and bowed her head before her uncle. "Peace be unto you, Uncle Iroh," she whispered respectfully, her eyes cast low to the ground before her famous relative. It had been so long since she had seen him, and yet she had to observe proper protocol. Protocol was what gave her the rank she held onto and the hope of it's restoration.

"Unto you be peace, my dear niece. What a surprise. So you've decided to join our merry crew. Come in, come in," Uncle Iroh said, lifting her up and embracing her warmly. She was a lot taller now and he did not have to kneel down to hold her. Although it had been many years, pressing her face into Uncle's shoulder still gave her the feeling of being safe and protected from all home.

Uncle broke away from the hug and looked at her approvingly. "It is good to see you. I missed your sweet smile, Niece. You have grown into a beauty. You look just like your mother. Would you like some tea? I remember you always appreciated a good cup. Jasmine, right?" he said, inviting her to sit down next to him.

"Thank you, Uncle! Of course. You still remember!" Hotaru said, taking a seat by her favorite (and only) uncle. She had spent many fond hours with him as a child. He would tell her stories and make her laugh. Father…Ozai always scared her so, but Uncle Iroh made her feel so secure and loved. She wished her brother could have been allowed more free time with the kindly relation, but from the moment Prince Zuko could walk, he was bustled from lesson to lesson to be molded into the perfect Prince.

At the thought of her brother, Hotaru, a hardened pirate with blood on her hands shuddered with rage. The beautiful and innocent baby boy with silky white skin and the most innocent smile she had loved had been transformed into a scarred and angry young man. He was still handsome but rage had twisted his features into something burning cold. She had not said so, but Prince Zuko had begun to look like Ozai when he had flown into a rage. It terrified her to no end. How could Prince Zuko have become so…different?

"Are you all right, Niece? You seem tense. Between you and your brother, I am convinced I am the only member of the family who knows how to relax. Do you require some rest?" Uncle inquired, his pudgy features looking concerned for her. Hotaru looked up at the chubby uncle. Once she had told him everything. She had only been a very little girl then and the secrets she told him seemed so innocent and meaningless now. She had changed so much from that time. She was no longer the innocent royal who had sneaked outside the palace walls to see the world. She was a criminal, an outlaw, an exile. How could she tell her gentle uncle about the dark deeds she had done?

"It's nothing, Uncle. I am fine," she assured him, sipping her tea politely. There was nothing she could do to help her brother, so there was no point in crying. She was the daughter of kings, she was of noble blood. Her hairstyle reminded her that she was of the Ruby Blood. She did not notice her hands were shaking, until a drop of tea dripped on her shirt. She steadied her hand. She may have been far away from the palace and in exile, but she was still born a Lady. She had been drilled in manners since she had been a baby. She should be able to manage to drink tea properly.

"A river never stops flowing, Niece. We can only try to flow with it," Uncle Iroh murmured thoughtfully. He had not changed a bit, still spouting off proverbs of wisdom that had always perplexed her. She had no time for his slow patience now; her anger was boiling inside her. She had managed to hide her feelings when she had seen the problem, but like poison, the knowledge of the changes in the one she loved most churned inside her like poison.

"Rivers be cursed, Uncle. You know why I am angry. My baby brother! He's changed so much," Hotaru snapped, gripping her fragile teacup as if it was a weapon. All propriety had quickly been tossed aside in the storm of her fiery temper.

"Niece, all of us must grow up. It has been years, you cannot expect him to still be in swaddling clothing. As much as you and I wish for Prince Zuko to remain a naive child, it cannot be so. All tealeaves must grow up to mature into plants. It is only through maturity that they gain their true flavor," Uncle mused, sipping his tea thoughtfully. He had half-closed his eyes and almost seemed sleepy in his inaction.

Hotaru jumped to her feet, nearly wild with fury. "Uncle, this has nothing to do with leaves! When I last saw my brother, he had a sweet smile, an immaculate face and the sweetest curls I had ever known. I return now to find him scarred and sullen. How could you let this happen? He was such a happy little boy when we parted," she demanded angrily, feeling angry enough to strike something. Iroh grabbed the small cup before she threw it at the wall. The family temper had definitely not skipped her!

"You have changed a good deal as well, Niece. You have seen many things that the little girl I knew could not even dream of. You have become a strong and proud warrior. That is something I will have to get used to," Uncle reminded her calmly, taking a small cake for himself.

"Being banished forces you to learn new skills. It should not completely transform you! This is all Ozai's doing. I hate him, Uncle. If I ever find your brother, I will slit his black heart and feed it to a Komodo Rhino. I would love to beat and scar him, see how he likes it. Every night since I've left, I heard the sounds of my brother crying and I knew I could do nothing to stop it. Even when Mother took me away, I dreamed of my baby brother, alone and vulnerable. He was left to the mercy of that sadist. Yet I never dreamed he would be this…different," she whispered. Had she been younger, she would have cried. She had cried oceans of tears after she had been ripped from her brother's life, but they had dried up now. There was only a deep well of rage left, the protective instinct of one defending the object closest to one's heart.

"Anger will not heal your brother's wounds, nor will remembering the bad times. My brother was not always bad, Niece. Sometimes he would take you walking with him. You and Prince Zuko would run ahead of him, sounding like a bunch of wild hog-monkeys, screeching and laughing. Occasionally, he would play with you children. He could be kind sometimes," Uncle said softly.

"Oh, he could be absolutely wonderful, until the next mood struck him. That was the worse part. You never knew which father you would get. If it was the wonderful father who would hold your hand and make you laugh, then everything was all right. But then other times, it was the sadistic one who would coldly inform you of just how much of a worthless disgrace you were, the one who made you cower and pray he would not hurt you. We both know he would! Was Ozai the one…" Hotaru broke off. She knew in her heart that the answer was yes. She had always known her father was a violent man, she had never doubted his ability to hurt those around him.

"Yes, he was. I will not tell you what happened. There is no need for us to rehash that story. We are together now, you and I and Zuko. We should be celebrating. I can tell you that seeing you has made him happier then ever before," Uncle Iroh assured her, patting her hand to make her feel better. "Now sit and enjoy the tea, so you can make me happy."

"I hope so, Uncle," Hotaru whispered softly, returning to her chair. "I really hope so."

AN/Next Chapter up Friday! Tell me what you think?