Zuko shouldn't have been surprised.

Honestly, he shouldn't have. Even if the Avatar were dead, the waterbender probably still would've barged palace, prepared to fight the Firelord single handedly.

However, that didn't stop the feeling of shock from flooding his mind and body when he heard her yelling in the hall, nor did it stop him from rushing out of his room to confirm that it was indeed her voice he'd heard.

Oddly enough, the first thing Zuko noticed about her was that she looked very good in red, with her hair done up in a traditional firenation topknot. Really, it was absurd. As was the fact that he was doing nothing to prevent her and her friends from reaching his father.

Then again, he'd had been having second thoughts about the war.

Truthfully, he'd been planning to end it once he took his place as Firelord. Though he couldn't undo the damage the war had already caused, Zuko hoped he could prevent further suffering. After returning to the firenation, he'd had a lot of time to think, and realized the war was quite pointless. What would anyone gain, besides more land and a world of mourning?

So Zuko just stood there, watching with mild interest as the waterbender froze three royal guards together, effectively immobilizing them.

And then she turned to face him.

Rather than taking a defensive stance, as a sane person would, Zuko instead found himself wondering what her name was. He'd heard her brother and the Avatar yell it plenty of times, but he'd never bothered to pay enough attention to actually remember it.

"Prince Zuko?" One of the guards said, confused by the prince's lack of reaction.

Zuko looked over at him, and, seeing the guard's confused expression, said, "Let them pass."

"But-"

"Don't question me, just let them pass."

The guard, though clearly confused, obeyed. The other teens quickly ran past, and only the waterbender stayed behind long enough to throw him a suspicious glance.

Zuko never did learn her name.


Author's Notes: Yup, another update. I'm actually very happy with this particualr drabble.

Oh, and thanks to whoever left that critique. It's nice to get some good advice everyone once and a while. I'll try to explain things a little better in future drabbles, though I can't promise things will be much longer. I seem to have an inabilty to write anything that's long.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters.