Author's Note: I have a very short chapter for you, but it's worth reading :)

"You are a fool! Life is more important than the Avatar!"

"You don't understand, Uncle! I-"

"You put my only family in danger! What does that make you, Zuko? That's something your father would do!"

"Why is it so bad if he would do that? My father is a strong leader and does what he needs for his nation!"

"You are naïve, nephew! You have no idea what my brother would do-"

"You're just jealous that he got the crown instead of you!"

Silence fell between the two and Kai strained to hear what Iroh said next as it came muffled through the wall.

"You are blinded by your naivety. I love you more than your father has ever cared to show and you cannot see it through the screen you have put up around yourself."

A door slammed and she sighed, slumping back against the wall as footsteps faded down the hallway in the other direction. Her fingers went to the gauze covering the wound on her neck and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears back. The cut would scar, leaving a reminder of Zuko's betrayal to mar her skin forever. How could he do that to her? It caused her heart to break even more every time she asked herself the same question, and it seemed like a mantra that repeated over and over in her mind. How could he do this to me? If Iroh hadn't said anything, would he have let me die? Am I worth anything to him? Does he even really love me?

A door down the hall opened and she didn't realize someone was coming her way until Zuko rounded the corner she was hiding behind. She pressed back against the wall, praying to Agni he would walk by without noticing her. Of course, the goddess must not have been listening to her because Zuko stopped as soon as he turned the corner.

"Kai…"

She pushed off the wall and brushed past him, making her way down the hall at a quick walk without meeting his eyes.

"Kai, please! We need to talk. I need to ex-"

His voice was cut off as she slid into her room and shut the door with a firm thud. She leaned back against it and let her blue eyes wander to the ceiling.

"Kai, you don't understand!" His voice was filled with agony and she closed her eyes, feeling an unwanted tear trickle down her cheek.

"I-I thought he would let you go. I thought he was bluffing. I thought if I let him think you didn't matter then he would let you go. Please…please open the door." He fell silent and she heard him take in a shaky breath. "I need you. Don't…don't shut me out. You're all I have left." She could hear the tears in his voice and a soft thud sounded against the door. He must be leaning against it or maybe he slumped to the floor. She slowly slid to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees, afraid to leave the door in case he tried to come in. She leaned her head back against the door and closed her eyes again, able to hear his soft sobs through the door. "Uncle hates me now," he said, his voice uneven. "He thought I was going to let you die. He loves you, you know. He loves you more than me and I'm actually related to him." A harsh laugh escaped him and she heard him shift against the door. "Everyone loves you." He sounded bitter when he said it and she frowned. "I love you." The statement was almost too quiet for her to hear. "And I hate myself for hurting you." The silence fell again and was only occasionally broken by sniffles from him. Kai managed to keep her tears silent in case he thought she wasn't by the door. The clanking of armor broke the silence after a while and stopped outside the door.

"Prince Zuko, we have orders from General Iroh to keep you away from Lady Kai."

"I'm staying here until she forgives me."

"He gave us the authority to physically remove you from this doorway if you don't leave yourself."

"Then I guess you're taking me away." There was shuffling and a few protests from Zuko before fading footsteps left Kai alone in her own solitary silence, the tears still streaming down her cheeks.

Dear Zuko,

My life with you has been full of adventure. I will always cherish our memories and our days together. I know we are young and maybe the adults think we don't know what love is, but I know that my heart beats only with love for you and I have known this for a long time. I'm leaving. I already told you I've been conflicted and now maybe you'll listen to me. What we are doing is wrong. My heart, although it beats for you, is telling me to leave and figure out what is right. I don't hate you for what has happened, I only feel betrayed and it will take time for me to heal and forgive you. I know we will see each other again although the circumstances might not be favorable and I'm telling you now: I won't stop until I've found what's right, even if you stand in my way. Maybe one day in our lifetimes, the world will be right and we will be together again. Until then, I am saying goodbye and not looking back.

I will always love you,

Kai

Zuko reread the letter over and over again, unable to believe the words written on the scroll. He had found it half an hour ago when he had managed to get away from the guard Iroh had kept on him for the past few days. He couldn't believe this. It had to be a cruel trick or a plot from one of the soldiers. He looked to the soldier standing in the doorway wearing an uncomfortable expression.

"Don't just stand there! Gather everyone on deck," he ordered.

The soldier hesitated a moment, unsure if his orders were still in effect before leaving to gather everyone on the ship. Zuko slowly got to his feet and his golden eyes swept over the room, searching for any other sign of Kai. There was no place for her to hide and his heart sunk lower as the possibility of her leaving became more solid. He left the room and stormed onto the deck, the letter still clenched in his hand. Everyone inhabiting the ship was there and lined up, all of them looking confused.

"Where is she?" he demanded, pacing up the row. He stopped in front of one of the soldiers, her golden eyes wild with the realization that she really was probably gone. "Where is she?"

His shout echoed over the water and Iroh walked to his nephew's side, a frown on his lips. "Prince Zuko, what are you going on about?"

Zuko thrust the letter into his hands and turned to the crew again. "Is this some sort of sick joke? Who took her? I swear I will execute you on the spot!"

"Everyone, get back to work," Iroh ordered before turning to Zuko and placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyes were watering after reading the letter left behind by the girl he considered his daughter.

"Nephew," he said gently. "She's gone."

A/N: I know! I know! It was very short. But I just had to get this published or I would go insane. Tell me your thoughts on all of the drama!