An hour later, Zuko and Akira stood in the middle of one of the unused courtyards and they exchanged punches and kicks. Akira threw a small fireball at Zuko who easily deflected it and kicked an arc at Akira. She split it in half with a kick and punched a series of fireballs back at Zuko. They continued their sparing unaware that three pairs of eyes watched their every move.

Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai watched Akira and Zuko practice their firebending and each one of them was intensely focused on something. Azula watched Akira with jealously as the girl moved through the sets quickly and flawlessly. Akira's eyes sparked with happiness and Azula despised her for it. How could she be happy with something so simple? Azula wondered.

Ty Lee watched the way Akira and Zuko passed a stream of fire back and forth and swirled it around them. After that one would die out, each of the young firebenders would make a new one and they would continue their game without a pause. They almost look like they're dancing. Ty lee thought in amazement. She had never seen firebending used like this before. She had only seen it used as a weapon. I wonder if I could use my skills for something other than battle? Ty Lee asked herself as she looked at her hands in wonder.

Mai watched as Zuko slid his hands down Akira's arms and side, positioning them into the next move. He stood close behind her and Mai was almost sure that their bodies were touching. What does he think he's doing? She saw the obvious happiness on both their faces and when Zuko whispered something into Akira's ear and she blushed, Mai fingered her ready knife and debated sinking it deep into the other girl's chest. I hate her… Mai thought as Akira gave Zuko a smile and he quickly returned it with a one of his rare genuine smiles that Mai almost never got.

Zuko looked up when he heard a sound from the far corner. He motioned for Akira to be quiet and he looked closer at the line of bushes at the far end of the courtyard. Suddenly he saw a flash of pink and red and his heart froze. No… Zuko glanced back at Akira who was now practicing the move he had just taught her. Her eyes lit up when she finally perfected it and she looked at Zuko with an innocent smile. Zuko tried to return it, but he knew that it would never be the same now. They had been caught and to make the situation even worse, among the people who caught them was his sister. She would have no mercy and before the sun had set Zuko would bet his father would know about Akira's secret. Zuko was suddenly overcome with anger and he cursed his sister and her friends for spying on him and Akira. When he glanced back at the bushes Zuko started with surprise when his gold eyes met a pair of grey eyes peering through the bushes. Mai… Zuko tried to tear his eyes away from the grey eyes that were full of betrayal, but he couldn't. Fine you want to spy? I'll give you something that will make your efforts worthwhile. Zuko thought as he returned his girlfriend's accusing glare. Zuko turned around and looked at Akira. She watched him closely and her expression changed from friendly to guarded.

"What's wrong Zuko?" She asked. Zuko took a couple steps towards his friend and her eyes narrowed, trying to read his intentions but she didn't back away. Their bodies were so close that they almost touched and Zuko could feel his heart pounding. He knew that what he was about to do would kill Mai inside, but she had already proved that she didn't trust him. She was even spying on him this very instant and because of this Zuko felt justified. With one last breath Zuko gathered his courage and he tipped his head down and met Akira's lips with his own. She started in surprise and tried to pull away at first, but he circled her waist with his arms and held her tight. Slowly Akira gave in and she slid her hands up around his neck. Zuko tasted her lips for a few more heart beats before releasing her. Akira looked up at him, her beautiful amber eyes wide with shock. Zuko longed to tell her that he loved her, kiss her, and hold her tight to his chest… but he didn't do any of these things. Mai was still in the back of his mind and he could see her hurt expression in his mind. Zuko looked away guiltily and Akira seemed to realize what was going through his mind. She slowly pulled her arms back from around his neck and stepped back.

"I'm sorry." Zuko whispered. He was apologizing for kissing her, for teaching her firebending, for the fact that she was now going to be forced into the army… for everything. Before Akira could answer, Azula stood up and clapped slowly.

"Beautiful performance you two." She congratulated dryly. Akira looked at the princess in surprise, but Zuko just sighed and slowly turned around.

He saw that Mai and Ty Lee stood behind his sister and Mai refused to meet his eyes. Ty Lee just looked shocked and Azula wore a triumphant smirk.

"I guess you caught me…" Akira sighed with a shrug. Zuko looked at her in surprise. She doesn't sound surprised at all! Did she know we were being watched the entire time? "I just didn't think you would catch on so soon." Akira continued. Zuko realized that Akira had known that they would eventually get caught since the beginning and he admired her courage. She was determined to learn as much firebending as possible before they sent her away to war.

"Mmm… I guess you underestimated me didn't you?" Azula asked. "Well, I have to admit that I was quite impressed with your bending though." Zuko looked at his sister in surprise. Did she just give praise? He asked himself. "Therefore I've decided to give you a chance." Azula stated. Akira's eyes snapped open in surprise, but she stayed quiet and waited for the princess to continue her offer. "We will fight. Ty Lee, Mai, and I versus you and my worthless brother. If you win, I'll keep quiet. If I win, I will tell my father about your little secret." Akira nodded slowly taking the opportunity in.

"Okay. You have a deal." She flashed Zuko a glance to make sure that he would fight with her and all he could do was nod. She smirked and looked back at Azula. "What are the rules?"

"We may all use our specialized weapons, but no one is allowed to seriously injure others. Am I clear?" Azula asked them all. All of the kids nodded and she smiled. "Then let the games begin." Azula immediately kicked a powerful stream of fire at Akira and Akira rolled out of the way and shot a couple fireballs at the younger girl. Zuko saw a flash of pink come at him and he ducked Ty Lee's jabs. She hit him in the shoulder, but she missed his pressure point and Zuko just shook it off. He retaliated by sweeping her legs out from under her with a kick and Ty Lee fell to the ground. She landed on her butt and Zuko saw tears spring to the girl's eyes. He looked away and concentrated on Mai. She stood with a dart ready and her face was set in absolute determination. Zuko rushed at her and tried to dodge his girlfriend's tiny darts. One hit him in the arm and Zuko winced as his arm started to go numb. He tried to shake it off, but the tiny dart's poison had already infected him and soon he lost all feeling in his left arm. Zuko ignored his new handicap and when he reached Mai he twisted her around and pinned her to the wall. He held her right arm captive behind her while she struggled to twist back around, but Zuko held her tight.

"Let me go Zuko!" Mai hissed furiously, but Zuko just gritted his teeth and held on. Suddenly something jabbed him in shoulder again and Zuko twisted to try and stop his new attacker. Mai took the opportunity and slipped away from his hold on her arm. She reached around his upper body and Zuko felt her grab his shirt in her fist. She twisted him around and pushed him up against the wall. He hit the rock wall hard and the air rushed out of his lungs. Before he could take another breath, Ty Lee had taken Mai's place and jabbed him near the collar bone. Zuko's upper right shoulder finally went numb and he winced in pain. Mai grabbed his wrist and drove a knife through his sleeve. She preformed the same trick on his other hand and to his collar on either side of his neck. Finally Ty Lee stepped back and Mai stood in front of him. She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and stood on her tiptoes so she was eye level with him. Her lips were only an inch from his own and Zuko could feel her hot breath on his lips. Her grey eyes were cold and narrowed as she glared at him. Zuko cringed and turned his head to the side in an attempt to escape the accusing glare.

"How could you Zuko?" Mai snarled to the side of his face. "I trusted you…" Zuko faced her, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Trusted me?" He shot back taking Mai by surprise. "You were spying on me!" He yelled. "And you expect me to think that you trusted me?" Mai's expression hardened and she adjusted her grip on his shirt. Zuko felt her sharp nails scratch his chest but he ignored the sting and held Mai's cold glare.

"And it was a good thing I was spying on you." She snapped. "After all… you did kiss her." Zuko held her glare for a moment more before looking away. His teeth were clenched in a snarl and Zuko squeezed his eyes shut. A shout of pain shattered his thoughts and Zuko looked up. He looked over Mai's shoulder and saw Akira laying on the ground holding her arm. Tears slid down her cheeks and she looked up at Azula who stood over the older girl. The princess's palms were still smoking and Azula stood in a threatening stance. Zuko watched in horror as his sister lit another flame and raised it above her head. He pushed against the wall with all his might but Mai's knives held him captive. Mai watched him and a smug smile shaped her lips. She's enjoying this… Zuko thought painfully. She's enjoying my torture. Zuko watched helplessly as Azula's fire rained down on Akira. He froze as Akira's expression flashed from fear to determination and she produced a large shield to protect her. Akira quickly punched several powerful fireballs at the younger girl before the flames had even disappeared and Zuko watched as Azula desperately tried to block each of them. Akira continued her relentless attack on the princess by following through with a set that she and Zuko had just practiced the other day. She drove Azula back step by step, set by set. Azula was obviously tiring quickly and Akira's face was smudged with ash and burns, but she continued the storm without rest. Zuko was fascinated by the show before him, for he had never seen his sister lose a fight. She looked far from perfect now as she desperately tried to shield herself from each of Akira's well aimed attacks. Finally, one of the fireballs broke through Azula's defense and grazed her arm. Azula's eyes flashed and Akira stopped her assault. The princess looked at her arm in wonder and Zuko saw that she had a slight burn. Akira stared at the princess in confusion and waited for her to counter the attack but it never came. Instead the princess's lips slowly formed a smirk and she looked up at Akira.

"Well it looks like you just made a fatal mistake peasant." Azula stated looking at Akira with gold eyes that exhibited the princess's triumph. Akira's confusion turned to shock as she realized what she had just done.

"No…" Zuko saw her whisper. He shook his head in defeat. She just burned the Fire Princess… Zuko thought in wonder. Akira was now on her knees pleading with Azula but Zuko knew it would make no difference. Azula had gotten what she wanted and now Akira faced a punishment much worse than the original. Oh Agni… don't let Dad be too harsh…

Akira sat silently in the jail cell and waited for the guards to come and drag her away. She hit herself in the head and silently cursed herself for being so reckless. Stupid… I can't believe I was stupid enough to burn Azula…. Somewhere in the back of her mind Akira knew that Azula could have easily blocked the fireball, but she chose not to. I just hope Firelord Ozai is in a good mood today… Akira pleaded with the spirits. Suddenly the door opened and sunlight flooded the dark cell. Akira blinked, momentarily blinded by the light when a gruff voice called for her. Akira began to get up but a strong hand grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. Akira was thrown forward into the arms of two more guards and they grabbed her upper arms roughly. Akira winced as they twisted her arms behind her and bound her wrists together.

"You do realize that I'm a thirteen year old girl who barely knows firebending?" Akira snapped at the masked guards.

"Silence." One of them ordered.

"I'll be quiet when you take your filthy hands off me." Akira muttered darkly. She winced as the guard on her left just held her arm tighter. Akira glared at him but he didn't make any acknowledgment of her. They dragged her through the palace and Akira was conscious of the sympathetic stares that the servants gave her as she passed. Akira tripped once and she fell forward. The guards just pulled her forward and dragged her until she recovered. Akira winced and longed for the pressure to be released from her arms. They finally came to a stop in front of the grand hall doors. At first Akira was confused. Wait… I thought that we were going to the Firelord's chamber. One of the guards opened the door and as it slowly swung open Akira saw Azula sitting in a chair at the front of the room. She had an evil smirk on her face and her arm was bandaged from where Akira had burned her. Mai and Ty Lee flanked the princess and they both looked away and refused to meet Akira's eyes. When Akira met Azula's gold eyes, chills went down her spine. Revenge sparkled in the princess's cold glare and Akira looked away. She felt the pressure on her arms again and she followed the guards to the middle of the room. Akira glanced around and saw that there were only a few people in the room. Ozai, Zuko, Iroh, and was it? No… Mom… Akira saw tears rolling down her mother's cheeks and she forced herself to look away.

"Please stop mom… It will be okay." Akira whispered softly. Suddenly the pressure on her arms disappeared, but in its place the guards hands pressed hard on her shoulders and forced Akira to a kneel. Akira winced when her knees hit the hard floor, but she didn't cry out. Azula stood up and walked in front of her. Akira looked up and froze under Azula's cold, unfeeling gaze.

"This girl is here to be punished for harming a person of royalty." Azula stated in a clear and emotionless tone. "Is there anyone in this room who objects the punishment of this criminal?" She asked. Akira glanced around the room but no one raised their voice to object. She met Zuko's eyes and the gold swirled with fear for his friend. When Azula took another step forward Akira dragged her gaze away from Zuko and looked up again.

"Are you ready to take your punishment peasant?" Azula hissed so softly that only Akira could hear her. Akira closed her eyes and her lip curled in the beginning of a snarl. When she looked up again, all trace of fear was gone and Akira's eyes burned with hate.

"Do your worst." She growled defiantly. Azula's lips formed a small smirk and she backed away.

"The punishment of this individual will be given by myself." Azula announced proudly and Akira was vaguely away of Zuko's eyes snapping open in alarm. Akira ignored him and she glared back up at Azula. Azula looked at Akira casually and then began to study her long fingernails. They were painted a deep crimson and were sharpened to a point at the ends.

"Well? Are you going to actually punish me or are you going to just have me sit here all day?" Akira growled fiercely, her amber eyes narrowed and her white teeth clenched tight. Azula gave her a bored look before producing a flame in her fingertips.

"You want a punishment?" She asked coolly, her voice like liquid ice. "Here you go…" Azula rose the fire above her head and the flames rose high into the air. Akira's eyes widened as time stopped for a heartbeat. Suddenly Azula's hand started to drop and Akira turned her head to the side. She cringed and squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the imminent pain to come.

Zuko wanted to look away but he was frozen to the spot. He watched in anguish as Azula's hand flashed through the air and met Akira's neck. Zuko saw Akira's eyes flash open and she reeled back from the princess's claws, but it only dragged Azula's claws deeper into her skin. A haunting cry of pain escaped Akira's lips and tears rolled down her face. All of her muscles flexed as the pain swept through Akira's body, but suddenly she hung loosely in defeat. The guards adjusted their grip on her arms, for they were now holding the girl up. Akira's expression was twisted in agony and her breath came in short gasps, but that was the only thing that proved she was still conscious. Azula stepped back, but Zuko couldn't drag his eyes away from the wound on Akira's neck. Her delicate tan skin was charred and blackened where the flames had hit. Deep gashes ran down the center of the burn and dark crimson blood flowed freely down her neck. Akira's eyes were now shut and her chest heaved up and down as she gasped for air. She finally snapped her teeth shut and snarled. Zuko watched in amazement as she picked her head up and opened her eyes. She glared at Azula with amber eyes that burned with a wild hatred and Zuko didn't even recognize his friend anymore. Akira's hair had come loose and it hung around her face like a curtain. Her body was once again tense with new energy and Akira defied the approaching unconsciousness from the shock her body had just received. Her shirt was torn and stained with her blood and Akira's teeth were clenched in a snarl. Azula was inspecting her fingernails again, watching Akira's blood drip from the tips. She said something to Akira who tried to lunge at the princess. The two guards jerked back on her arms and Akira let her head hang loose again in defeat. Zuko could see the energy slowly draining out of her as the blood pumped out of her neck in pulses and suddenly, he couldn't take it anymore. He tried to run to Akira, but a large guard caught him by his arm and pulled him back to the edge of the room.

"No! Akira! I need to help her!" He yelled at the guard as he twisted and tried to escape the large man's grip. Zuko was vaguely aware of tears rolling down his cheeks and blurring his vision, but he just blinked them away. Once the guard had finally wrestled the prince back to his spot Zuko felt a pair of smaller hands tug on his other arm and he looked back to see Mai holding onto his arm.

"Stop Zuko!" She pleaded. "You can't help her!" Zuko saw that Mai's grey eyes were wide with fright and he obeyed her. When he looked back out he saw that Akira was looking at him with large eyes. The amber swirled with pain and apology and Akira blinked once more before her energy finally gave out. Her face twisted once more in pain before her body went limp and she fell unconscious. Azula smirked and waved her hand to the guards who picked Akira up and carried her out the door. Zuko stared at the door and for a moment he tried to believe that this was just a horrible nightmare and that he was going to wake up any minute, but when Mai let go of his arm and stepped back he was thrown back into reality. Zuko looked around the room and saw Akira's mother in the corner crying while Iroh stood by her and was comforting her softly. Mai had joined Ty Lee and they sat in chairs, numb with shock. Ozai had disappeared and the guards had followed him. Azula sat in the chair at the head of the room and she was still studying her nails with an evil smirk. Zuko felt his anger start to boil in his core and with a shout he shot a powerful stream of fire in the direction of his sister. Azula jumped back, startled and she looked around quickly to see where the fire had come from.

"How could you?!" Zuko yelled at his sibling with another punch of fire. Azula finally caught on and she batted the line of fire away easily.

"What do you mean dear brother?" She asked innocently.

"You know what I mean!" Zuko growled. "Akira didn't burn you enough to receive that punishment!" He kicked an arc at his sister and Azula once again easily defended herself with some fire of her own. She quickly returned the heat by punching a powerful line of fire back at Zuko. He dodged it and soon the siblings were fighting with an intense purpose. Suddenly an enormous blast of fire broke the siblings apart and Iroh stood between them.

"Stop!" He commanded harshly. "If you can't get along than separate!" Azula rolled her eyes and strolled out of the room snapping her fingers for Ty Lee and Mai to follow. Zuko refused to look at anybody as he followed them out of the room. Once they got into the hallway, he turned sharply and ran to his room.

Zuko sat on his window sill, one knee held close to his chest, the other hanging loosely out of his window. He felt the hot ocean breeze tickle his face as he looked up at the stars. The moon rose high above the crater walls and he sighed softly. In only a couple of hours, his life had been torn apart and flipped upside-down. It seemed like weeks ago that he and Akira had talked about firebending in school. Even the news of General Keigo's death seemed long ago. Suddenly another wave of anger pulsed through Zuko's veins and he punched several fireballs into the night sky. In the last hour of confinement in his room, he had discovered that firebending not only was a release of his anger, but when he fueled it with his frustration and anger the fire held more power as well. He squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to block out the images of Akira's burn, but it only intensified the memories. Zuko wondered when Akira would wake up and he longed to go see her. A lit window below him made Zuko look down and he saw Azula disappear through the servant's door. He narrowed his eyes and wondered what his sister was up to. He decided to investigate and he slipped out of his room and down the hallway. He wandered the palace, watching for any signs of Azula. Slowly he realized that his feet had taken him close to the doctor's wing and he stopped in shock. Azula had just come out of a room and she started in surprise when she saw Zuko. Instead of speaking to him she just turned the other direction and quickly disappeared down the hall. Zuko watched the spot where she had just vanished for a few more moments before taking a breath and knocking on the doctor's door. A short wiry man with a grey thin beard answered Zuko's knock and he slipped into the hallway quickly closing the door behind him.

"Let me see Akira. I want to see how she's recovering." Zuko demanded and the doctor's eyes widened.

"My prince… didn't you hear the news?" The man asked carefully. He seemed nervous and his eyes were full of pity for the boy before him. Zuko narrowed his eyes and watched the jumpy man shift his weight back and forth.

"No… what news?" Zuko asked, his suspicious glare obviously making the man even more distressed. "Why can't I go see Akira?" He demanded when the doctor paused, searching for words. Finally the man put a hand on Zuko's shoulder and squeezed it a little.

"Prince Zuko…" He began softly. "I'm sorry to report that the wounds were too much for her." Zuko felt his blood turn cold and he stared at the doctor with wide eyes.

"Wha… what do you mean?" He finally stammered. The doctor's eyes were deep with pity and he held on to the thirteen year old's shoulders.

"Son, Akira is dead." He confirmed Zuko's fear. Zuko stared at the man for a few more moments before he ripped himself from the comforting hands and ran. He didn't know where he was going, but he just had to get out of there. As Zuko ran, his blood pumped through his veins and his heart thumped loudly against his rib cage. He ran for the front door and burst through. The cool night air hit him and chilled his entire body. He felt hot tears run down his cheeks and burn his numb skin. He ignored the stares from the gate guards as he bolted past them. The prince kept running until he came to a well worn path into the woods where he turned sharply and continued to race up the path. Slowly the trail became steeper and steeper until Zuko had to start climbing up the rock. He scrambled up the wall until he could pull himself up to a small ledge. He took a couple gulps of air before reaching out up for the thick rope. He gripped it in his fists and stared out over the large gap between him and the other ledge. With a deep breath Zuko pushed himself into the air and he swung across to the next ledge. He quickly tied off the rope and he scaled the next set of steps. After several more swings he finally reached the top of the crater. With his last bit of energy, Zuko pulled himself up and over the edge. When he landed on the other side the cool scent of the ocean hit him and his heart started to slow. He sat and leaned against the rock, desperately trying to catch his breath. Son, Akira is dead. The doctor's voice haunted his thoughts, mocked him. It's not possible. Zuko tried to believe, but he knew that it was just a lie to himself. Akira was gone, and there was nothing he could do about it. The tears welled up behind his eyes again and Zuko tried to keep them from falling. He bit his lip and dug his nails into his palms, but a tear slipped anyways and soon Zuko gave up the fight. The prince hugged his knees close to his chest and let the pain slide down his face and soaked the tops of his knees. The salty tears stung a cut on his knee, but Zuko didn't even notice the pain. Why did Akira have to die? Why did they take my best friend away from me? He asked no one in particular. Zuko sat in silence and grief overwhelmed him. He cried until there were no more tears to shed and then he watched the moon cross the sky until it disappeared behind the horizon. When Zuko saw the first colors of dawn light up the sky he sighed and decided to return to the palace. The young prince slowly made his way back down the crater's wall and made it back to the palace by midday. While climbing the set of stairs up to his room, Zuko heard someone call his name. A servant was waving her hand about and attempting to call him back down. Zuko was tempted to ignore her request, but the guilt got the better of him and he turned back down the stairs.

"Prince Zuko! The Firelord has requested your presence in his chamber. They have been looking for you all morning!" She informed him in a hurried manner. "Please go! And hurry!" Zuko sighed and changed his direction. When he entered his father's chamber several people were gathered around a table and the Firelord sat at the head. Zuko felt his father's disapproving glare, but walked to his place and sat down silently.

"Prince Zuko. Where have you been?" Firelord Ozai asked in an annoyed tone.

"Grieving the death of Akira sir." Zuko replied in a faraway voice. His mind was still clouded with memories and didn't notice Ozai's eyes flash in surprise.

"The death of Akira?" Ozai repeated. Finally, Zuko looked up and saw utter confusion in his father's golden eyes. Father and son stared at each other for a few more heartbeats before Ozai broke away and turned to his daughter.

"What do you know of this Azula?" He demanded. Azula's eyes widened for a heartbeat at her father's harsh tone but she quickly composed herself.

"The doctor reported that she had lost too much blood from her neck and he could do nothing to help her." Azula answered the Firelord's question. As Ozai continued to stare at his daughter in astonishment Zuko couldn't help but notice the amusement in Azula's glittering eyes. How is it possible? Zuko wondered in shock. She just killed someone… not just someone… she killed Akira. Zuko's heart pounded as he began to realize how cold and unfeeling Azula was capable of being. As if she felt everyone's eyes on her Azula suddenly started to bite her bottom lip and look nervous. When Ozai looked at her in confusion she suddenly burst into tears.

"Oh Daddy!" She wailed pitifully. "I didn't mean to kill her I really didn't mean to! I just meant to burn her like she had done to me, but she moved and my nails cut her! It's not my fault… I never wanted her to die. I just wanted to punish her like you would have done." Ozai put a hand on his daughter's shoulder in an attempt to calm her.

"I know you didn't mean it Azula." He soothed in a low voice. Azula wiped her eyes on her sleeve and snuck a glance at Zuko. When the sibling's identical gold eyes met, Azula displayed her true emotions with a smug smirk. She quickly turned her head back towards Ozai and her smirk was replaced by large sad eyes. Zuko watched his sister's act through narrowed eyes and any love for his sibling vanished instantly. She's faking! Azula doesn't have a single piece of sorrow for Akira. She's glad that she killed her… The fury welled up behind Zuko's narrowed glare and soon he felt himself blink away tears. Ozai saw the tears and he glared at his son.

"Why are you crying?" He snapped, taking a powerful stride in Zuko's direction. Zuko stepped back, surprised by his father's abruptness. Ozai grabbed his son by the shoulders and gave him a rough shake.

"Answer me! Why are you crying?" He commanded harshly. Zuko was still too stunned to speak and he was lost in the intense hate that his father's accusing glare possessed. When Zuko was shook again he finally managed to stammer out an answer.

"Azula's lying…. Even if Akira… If Akira hadn't moved. Azula would have cut her anyways… She meant to cut Akira…" The words tumbled out of Zuko's mouth before he could think twice and when he finally closed his mouth, tears of frustration and pure exhaustion rolled down his face. His energy was drained to the last drop and Zuko was finished both emotionally and physically. When Ozai pushed his son backwards, Zuko tripped over his own feet and landed on his back. Ozai effortlessly picked Zuko back up and violently shook him once again.

"No! Azula isn't lying. You are." Ozai berated his son. Zuko felt his head give another whiplash as Ozai shook his shoulders again and it only produced more tears. "Stop crying you worthless boy!" Ozai yelled. "You're not fit to be a prince if you cry at every little thing that happens to you! Now either stop it this instant or leave." Zuko took a deep breath and used the last bit of his mind power to control his tears. Ozai gave his son one last push before he collected himself and returned to his spot at the head of the table. Zuko bit his lip and silently sat down. He stared sightlessly in front of him and felt the bruises beginning to form on his shoulders. Tears welled up in his eyes once again but he was too frightened to let them fall. No one looked at him and Zuko didn't care. All he wanted was to be with his mother, Lou Ten, and, Akira again. They were the only ones who understood him and cared for him. They were the only shoulders he had to cry on in the world and now they had all been ripped away from him. Why must I be forced to take this like an adult? Zuko wondered silently. I'm only thirteen… What have I done to deserve this?

Days and weeks slipped by and soon school came to an end. Zuko eventually moved back into a normal routine and religiously practiced his firebending every day. He and Mai slowly became on even terms once again, but Zuko's relationship with his father had almost become non-existent. Any words exchanged between the two were negative and Zuko now almost always had a mark to prove it. His only escape became his Uncle Iroh and climbing to the top of the crater. In this spot, Zuko would sit and watch the world go by while he remembered Akira. Day by day her death became real, though Zuko would still occasionally find himself walking to Akira's old room or expecting to see her at parties and dinners, slowly her absence became normal and Zuko would just be content to sit and watch to sun sink beneath the horizon with her memories.