It had been two years since they had first met and become friends. Zuko was nine, Seiya eight. They were best friends, and Zuko was grateful for that. He finally had someone who wasn't Azula to spend time with, someone he could talk to freely and say things he wouldn't even tell his own mother. He would confess to her about his frustration with his sister, how inferior he felt compared to her. Or he would tell her about his dream of becoming a firebending master, someone whom his father would be proud of. She never spoke a word of his secrets to anyone else.

One warm evening, Zuko sat under a large tree in the main courtyard to play with the new toy his mother had gotten for him. It was a little wooden sloth monkey that was holding an apple in its paws. The tail was made of string, and when yanked, the apple would pop up into the air. He couldn't wait to show Seiya after she finished with her chores. She usually finished after sundown. It wasn't like he had anything to do, so he could wait.

He was trying to see how high he could pop the apple. So far, Zuko had gotten it all the way up to that little knot in the tree trunk. As he gripped the tail tightly, he knew this attempt would be the record breaker. With an eager yank, the apple sprung up.

Suddenly, a hand shot out and snatched the apple from midair. Zuko scrambled to his feet to face Azula as she boredly inspected the apple pinched between her fingers. "Playing with little animal dolls, Zu-Zu? That little servant girl has really made you soft, hasn't she?"

Zuko reached for the apple, but Azula quickly whisked it from his reach. "It's not a doll!" he snapped. "Give it back!"

Azula sneered and bounce the apple back and forth between her hands. "Is it a little present for your girlfriend?"

"She's not my girlfriend. Mom gave it to me!"

"Well that's good," Azula sighed, suddenly tossing the apple back to Zuko. He managed to catch it just in time. "Because that's what Mom and Dad are worried about. You two have become awfully close."

Zuko scowled. "Mom thinks it's fine, and Dad doesn't care. It's none of your business, anyway. I'm allowed to have friends too!"

"Of course Mom would think it's fine," Azula said, crossing her arms. "As pathetic as it is, she's happy as long as you are. And you're wrong about Dad. He does care. He thinks it's disgusting how you associate yourself with such a lowlife. I do too. They're subhuman." A wicked look crossed Azula's face. "If you wanted a pet so badly, you should have just asked Mom for a badgerfrog or something."

"Stop it, Azula!" Zuko exploded.

"Or what?" Azula taunted. "You're going to firebend at me? Zu-Zu, I think we both know who'd win." With that, she turned and strutted away. Breathing heavily, Zuko stared at her shrinking back. Something felt hot in his hand. He looked down and realized that the toy sloth monkey had caught on fire in his hands. Quickly, he dropped it. The toy crumpled into a black mummy.

"Are you okay?" came a soft voice. And there she was, her amber eyes filled with concern. For a moment, Zuko just stared at her. He couldn't help but think of what Azula said. Did Father really disapprove of their friendship?

The thought was quickly dispelled. "I'm fine," Zuko said, growing sad when he realized he had nothing to show Seiya. He looked back down at the blackened ash.

"I made you these," he heard her say. When he looked up, he saw her holding up a pair of fur-lined gloves. "I overhead a few of the seamstresses saying how there might be cold weather coming in next week."

Zuko took the gloves. "Wow, these are cool!" he said, feeling the fur trimmings. "I wish I could give you something too."

"It's okay, Prince Zuko. You don't—." Before Seiya knew it, Zuko had caught her in a tight hug.

When they parted, Zuko said, "That's all I had on me. I hope it's enough." She was very, very red.

"I-it is."

"General, I'm sorry to say that murders happen very frequently in the Lower Ring," King Kuei said. "It's the gritty truth. As such, it would be impossible for me to have to the time or resources to resolve every single one of them."

"I'm not asking that from you," General Jing Yin pleaded. "All I'm asking for is to give me another chance. I was getting close to finding out the truth. You know the avatar is here. That's how important this is."

"I can't give you that much leeway on your own," the king replied. "Look, I know you mean well, General. I know for a fact how dedicated you are to our city. But you must understand the thin line I'm walking on. I'm under the scrutiny of Ba Sing Se's watchful eye. If it sees me giving too much power to one of my generals, people will begin to panic. The dictatorship of the Dai Li and their leader, as well as the fall of the Earth Kingdom, is still fresh on their minds."

Behind her back, Jing Yin's hands tightened. "You don't need to remind me of the scars Long Feng cut into this city," she said. "I understand the position you are in. Thank you for taking the time to hear me, Your Majesty." With a curt bow, she turned on her heel.

"General," she heard behind her. She stopped. "I may not be able to help you," King Kuei said, "but that doesn't mean I will stop you. But be careful. If someone catches you, I will have no choice but to prosecute you."

"Understood." She continued walking, until finally she disappeared behind the grand doors.

"So let me get this straight," Aang said as the three of them headed through the Upper Ring to the Jasmine Dragon. "You and this girl were friends for six years, and then she disappears completely. You thought she was dead, until you found her here in Ba Sing Se?" He scratched at the side of his head. "How does that even happen?"

"It's a long story," Zuko said. "And I'd rather not tell it."

"It must have been so bittersweet to see her again," Katara noted. "But what I don't understand is why she would act so cold towards you if you two were such good friends."

Zuko didn't say a word. Aang had the feeling he knew why, but just couldn't say. He only hoped Zuko wouldn't let the guilt fester in him too long; it had a way of slowly throttling one's soul.

"Why did we leave her back there?" Katara asked. "The Lower Ring is a dangerous place."

"She wouldn't come," Zuko said. "I don't know why. She just said she had to stay. But I think that inn is the safest place for her. You met the innkeeper, right?"

"I did," Aang agreed. "But I don't know. I got a weird vibe from him."

"Because the man's two stories tall!" Zuko said. "The Lower Ring killer is going to have to think twice about getting anywhere near there."

"Aang told me about the killer," Katara spoke up. "That's just awful. And all the victims have Fire Nation origins?"

"It's not a coincidence," Zuko said. "They're being targeted."

Suddenly, Katara stopped and grabbed Aang and Zuko by the shoulders. "Wait, I have an idea!" she exclaimed.

Aang was jerked backwards. "For what?"

"For catching this killer, of course! We set up some bait and catch them in the act!"

"Umm…" Zuko mumbled. "Why did you look at me when you said 'bait'?"

"Because it's going to be you."

"What?" Zuko and Aang cried out at the same time.

"You're putting my life on the line? Need I remind you that I am a world leader and I have a country to look after," Zuko hissed under his breath.

Katara crossed her arms. "It's okay," she said smugly. "I get it. Well, looks like we'll have to find someone else who's man enough to help us catch the killer, then."

Zuko jerked a thumb towards himself. "Are you saying I'm afraid? I'm not afraid!"

Between them, Aang put his hands up. "Hey guys," he said meekly, "let's not—."

"Well if you're not afraid, then you should go with my plan."

"Fine, I'll do it!"

"Okay, good!"

"But you're going to have to keep a careful eye out," Zuko said, glancing at the two of them. "I heard that all the victims were killed using poison. It's going to be a lot harder to catch them at it."

"No worries, we'll just carefully watch anyone who gives you anything," Aang assured. By now, they had reached the front of the Jasmine Dragon. "So when are we starting?"

"Tomorrow," Zuko said.

"What? So soon? We haven't even put together a plan yet!" Aang cried. "Where's Sokka when you need him?"

"We don't need a plan," Zuko said. "We'll just watch everyone closely and look for anything suspicious. I'm not waiting any longer."

"Is it because you're so eager to get back to that girl?" Katara teased.

Zuko frowned, but it quickly faded. "Yes," he said. "I have a lot to own up for."

Koru shielded his eyes from the sun and squinted into the distance. A couple feet away, his sister Kani sat in the shade of a tree and braided a few blades of grass together. "When do you think Mama's going to visit?" she wondered aloud.

"I don't know," Koru replied, glancing over his shoulder at the small cottage nearby.

Suddenly, a large beast leapt out from the bushes. It was a cheetah wolf, with a canine head and tail with a feline body. It landed on the grass and charged at the little boy. Koru stared at the animal. When it reached him, it stopped. There was a little green ball in its mouth.

"Good boy, Sho!" Koru praised, holding his hands out. "Now drop it!" The cheetah wolf's tail wagged, but it refused to let go of the ball. Koru reached for the ball, but Sho withdrew away. "I can't throw it if you don't give it back!" Behind him, Kani paused from her braiding to yawn. "I'm tired!" she announced.

"Then let's go take a nap," a voice suggested. Sho perked up his ears at the new sound. Immediately, he turned and raced happily towards his master. When he reached her, he began excitedly sniffing her face.

Arlei placed a hand over his muzzle and gently pushed him away. "A whole day of playing and you're still as hyper as ever."

"That's because he won't drop the ball!" Koru said. Sho looked at him, and then opened his mouth. The ball hit the ground. Koru glared at him. "You did that on purpose!"

"Well now's your chance to throw it again," Arlei said. "Come on, Kani. Time to sleep." Kani popped up and scurried over to Arlei. "What about you, Koru?"

"I'm not tired," the little boy said. "I want to stay out here a little longer."

"Fine, but you need to come back in before sundown." Arlei scooped Kani up and carried her towards the cottage. Sho sat on his haunches. He lifted his nose to the air and let out a drawn out howl. Kani raised a finger to her lips. "Shhhh!" she hissed before resting her head back down on Arlei's shoulder. The cheetah wolf lowered his head.

"All right, let's play!" Koru said as he skipped over to the ball. Sho reached down and snatched it up, jumping away as Koru let out a cry of frustration.

And we were only kids

And our time couldn't end

And how tall did we stand

With the world in my hands

And we were only kids

And we were best of friends

And we hoped for the best

And let go of the rest

"Shadows and Regrets" by Yellowcard