Over two weeks had passed since the fateful salon experience but everything remained normal. Katara stayed true to her promise and said nothing to the prince, only smiling to herself every time she caught the two sharing a heated glance. Things in the gang stayed relatively the same as always except for three things.

First, Rei no longer trained with Aang, explaining that he was advanced enough to continue on his own, which he agreed upon with reluctance.

Secondly, as the day of Sozin's comet approached Rei's actions were becoming increasingly erratic and strange. She fell into random silences often and always diverted any questions about them.

Thirdly, though Zuko and Rei had agreed to keep their relationship a secret, they spent every night together and often disappeared during the day. The others took no notice, except for Katara and sometimes Aang who did not fully understand, and they developed a very healthy relationship.

"My home was not anything very describable." Rei confessed to Zuko after he described his home at the fire nation, before and after his banishment. "I was alone for most of my life, though I new of the other spirits. But knowing is not the same as seeing or experiencing. " Zuko nodded absently before becoming lost in thought, Rei sat observing him with a smile on her face that remained even after his golden eyes flicked to her mirror ones.

"So what is your favorite part about being here? In this world I mean." Zuko asked her suddenly. Rei paused, deep in thought, before a blush rose to her cheeks.

"This…" And she leaned in ever so slightly before Zuko instinctively followed her lead, their lips meeting somewhere in the middle. It was several more minutes before the conversation continued. "And the food here. It is delicious. I've never really had to eat before."

"Really?" Rei nodded as he took her hand in his and began to trace patterns on her smooth skin.

"Although most spirits have to ability to eat, there is really no need for it. Every thing is very bland, very boring. The only time something exciting happened was when your uncle come to the spirit world on accident." Zuko grew tense at the mention of his uncle and Rei drew back slightly, unsure of his reaction. But this Zuko, the prince she was unknowingly transforming him into, did not want her to leave. He held on tighter to her hand and pulled her securely into his arms. Her face was buried in his chest and she inhaled his scent: the unique mixture of smoke and forest fogging her mind.

"I never believed that he was telling the truth. But, wow…he actually went to the spirit world…"

"He caused quite a scene too." Zuko laughed quietly and Rei bounced as the sound rumbled from his chest. As always, a strange and pleasant heat radiated from his body, and Rei pulled herself unconsciously closer. She twisted slightly so she was on her side, her legs curled slightly between his. His right arm was draped protectively around her back with his hand resting on her waist. Her arm sprawled against his taunt stomach, her hand dangling.

"What are you thinking about?" Zuko asked, like he constantly did when Rei grew silent and demure. She had drifted off into a darker place and had to shake herself before she could answer.

"Uh, what are you thinking about?" She replied with another question, attempting to throw off his first. It was silent for a while and Rei feared that Zuko was annoyed at her weak reply. She had been acting very aloof lately, a fact which continued to concern him.

"You." He replied very quietly, very truthfully, very meaningfully. Rei lifted her head instantly and stared into his eyes. He stared back unwaveringly and she felt her lips curving into a great smile. A blush covered his cheeks and he looked abruptly away causing Rei to chuckle before cupping the unscarred side of his face and bringing his eyes back to hers.

"What about me?" Zuko smiled deviously as he brought up a hand to stroke her cheek. He could feel her skin moving closed at the contact and his smile widened.

"I was thinking about this." He brought his lips to her forehead. "And this." A kiss on the cheek. "And this." The nose. "And most especially this." He used his hand to tilt her head up and gently covered her lips with his. She sighed in contentment and he could feel her relax instantly as her mouth worked against his. Breathing came shallower and more rapid as the kiss deepened. Breaking for breath Zuko slid his thumb across her plump rose tinted mouth as he trailed his own lips along her jaw line. Ending with another kiss on the lips Rei allowed her head to fall onto his chest while Zuko put his arm behind his head. His hand rubbed her side absently and the calm rising and falling of his chest led her to a state of sheer relaxation and eventually Rei drifted off into a blissful sleep.

She dreamed her veins were lightening and her blood fire. A great power consumed her body and flooded her mind. Rei felt like the sun itself had been lodged into her heart. Looking down at her body she found flames coating her skin, her hair flickering wildly, her eyes burning.

And she felt no pain.

Instead, Rei felt power, unimaginable and raw. She knew if she wished it, she could have easily destroyed the entire world. Wind whipped at her raging body and it was then that she realized that she was flying. Soaring through the air, looking down at the racing landscape, the endless ocean. She shot across the blood-red sky, leaving a trail of fire in her wake.

But as the earth flew by her Rei understood the cost for this magnificent power. She knew what would most certainly come to pass and it was at this moment of understanding that golden eyes flickered to her burning mind.

It was then that Rei felt the pain.

"Rei, please wake up." Zuko urged her as he attempted to shake her awake, his actions wary of the tree they were still sitting in. With a gasp Rei's eyes shot open, her head snapping up to look at the fire nation prince. "You were sleeping." Her hands were tightly fisted in his dark red clothing and a thin layer of sweat coated her tanning skin. "It's ok Rei, I've got you." His reassurance allowed the breath she'd been holding to release, along with her death grip. Shakily rubbing her eyes Rei sat up straight, Zuko following closely. "What's wrong Rei?"

"Just a dream." She attempted to casually explain, never looking him in the eyes. "Sorry, I just had a bad dream. No big deal really."

"Your lying Rei. I can tell." She glanced at him and her heart throbbed at the sad expression on his face. "Let me in Rei, I want to help you." She didn't move and he lowered his head, bringing his scarred face closer to hers. "Please."

"The comet." She whispered her eyes finding his gold ones with little reluctance. "It was the comet." Strong arms wrapped themselves around her slight frame and he felt her melting into his touch.

"Are you afraid?" He whispered, his head resting atop hers.

"Yes." She whispered back.

"So am I." Rei pulled back very slowly and Zuko allowed it to a point. When she was face to face with him, his arms turned to iron and she could separate no more.

"Why?" She asked. His forehead touched hers.

"Uncertainty." He answered honestly. "I'm not sure what's going to happen. It scares me." Rei's eyes slipped closed.

"Sometimes not knowing is easier." Her voice was lifeless and cold and caused something in Zuko's mind to snap to attention. She had been acting like this for a while now; speaking absently about the future and focusing only on the present. She avoided all conversations about after the war with determination and would not answer the questioning glances, remaining staunchly separated from the others at times of discussion.

"What do you-"

"Shhhh…" She silenced him, putting up a finger to his lips. "Kiss me Zuko." Her voice was shallow and commanding but he didn't move as Rei's small fingers began to trace his beautiful scar. Her gaze fell to his lips before slowly moving to his eyes, a look of question in molten gold eyes, a look of desperation in mirror-like lilac eyes. "Please…"

He pulled her closer and their lips met roughly, and though Rei pushed her fears from her mind forcefully the ones in Zuko's sharpened to one single point. At the tip, a sneaking sensation that the white haired girl was hiding something ; something important, something big.

A-A-A-A-A-A-A

The two teenagers arrived back at the house around noon and found everyone lazing about, an activity which had become almost ritual. Zuko's mood darkened dramatically at the sight of sloth and Rei's indifference didn't help matters. He snapped at Aang to get ready for fire bending practice once he and Rei reached the back porch closest to the house.

"Ok Zuko, but first I have a question for Rei." The airbender turned to his friend and spoke quickly, unaware that she was not paying much attention. "So the other day I was meditaiting and I got a vision about some giant island, but that's it. Do you know what it could mean?" He looked at her expectantly, but her eyes seemed distant and unseeing. "Rei?"

"Wh-what Aang?" She snapped to attention, aware of Zuko's golden eyes boring into her. The air bender began to repeat his question when he trailed off, aware that once again Rei had become distracted.

"Are you ok Rei? You seem a little… preoccupied."

"Yes Aang. I am quite normal." She laughed quietly, not meeting Aang's grey eyes. Zuko noticed this action and immediately grabbed Rei's wrist, forcing her to look into his eyes. What he saw in them was something so foreign yet familiar to him that he instantly angered.

"Aang, start the fire bending basics and continue till I get back. No more fooling around anymore." After this order Zuko pulled Rei up the back stairs and into the house. No one was near the back room but Zuko still kept his voice low.

"Rei, I know you're hiding something, I can see it in your eyes." He snapped causing said eyes to open wide in shock. "What's going on?" Zuko could see his anger reflected back at him. A small part of his heart regretted his harsh actions but he knew that this was the only way she would open up to him.

"Zuko there is nothing-"

"Don't tell me there's nothing going on ! I'm not an idiot Rei, I can see it. It's in your eyes all the time. Plus you are always falling into deep, silent thought and refuse talk about it. And at night, you mumble and twist, never fully asleep."

"That is not true Zuko. I do not always-"

"Yes you do!" He yelled suddenly, shocking her into silence. "It's me Rei, isn't it? What is it about me that makes you not want to trust me?" His voice had lowered into a whisper once again and Rei leaned forward to hear him.

"Zuko! I trust you more than anyone!" She said quickly, appaled that he thought so badly of her. "And you must believe me when I say that there is nothing wrong."

"You're lying." He declared quietly, a small sneer on his lips. "Your eyes always dim when you lie." He backed away from her slightly and gazed down with hard eyes. "Rei, I'm trying to help you, but you obviously don't trust me."

"Zuko," She whispered, not looking him in the eyes, "It's not…I want to…" She paused and took a deep breath before meeting his glaring golden orbs. "It is nothing for you to concern yourself over. Just a spot of…hesitation on my part." The prince groaned in anger.

"Why won't you let me help you Rei?! Can't you see that I lo-" Zuko stopped short and forced his blush away. "Can't you see that I care for you, everyone does.

I know that you are hiding something and you wont tell me about it." Rei's expression dropped and she knew she had said too much. "Are you lying to everyone or just to me Rei? Or have you already told your best friend Aang since you two are such buddies?!" A myriad of emotions flickered across Rei's face: betrayal, anger, sadness... She ended with a blank face and expressionless eyes.

"Zuko, I no longer wish to discuss this matter. If you care for me at all you will let this pass." The prince instantly regretted his accusations and opened his mouth to reply when another voice entered the conversation.

"What are you two shouting about?" Sokka asked as he, Suki, and Katara walked toward the back door. Katara's eyes flickered between both people in apprehension as the two looked back at their friends with blank glances.

"We were just discussing something." Rei replied dully.

"It's a pretty loud discussion." Suki commented. "What about?"

"Uh…Jello-squid." Zuko lied lamely. Rei glanced at him in hidden shock. Did he already know about her previous lie?

"Jello-squid?" Sokka repeated stupidly. Rei opened her mouth to reply but Zuko beat her to it.

"Yes, jello-squid. It seems Rei talks about that a lot." He shot her a scorching glance before walking towards the back door. "If you'll excuse me I need to train Aang." With that he was gone and the others followed him, passing a stunned Rei. Katara attempted to catch her eye but the spirit girls eyes remained fixated on the wooden floor, her mirrors, for once, not giving away any emotion.

A-A-A-A-A-A

A while later, everyone watched as a prickly Zuko shouted out orders at Aang, who struggled to comply. Rei had gone to her room after the fight with Zuko and was just returning as Aang finished a difficult bending move with flourish.

"More ferocious!" Zuko snapped. "Imagine striking through your opponents heart!" Rei leaned against a pillar and watched, attempting to ignore Zuko's harsh tone and vivid orders.

"I'm trying!" Aang replied with a grunt of exasperation. Zuko scowled at his whining student.

"Now let me hear you roar like a tigerdillo!" Aang twisted slightly and let out a tiny growl, weak flames erupting from his mouth. He glanced at the prince sheepishly and Zuko glared back. "That sounded pathetic! I said ROAR!" Aang repeated his action, this time a mighty flame bursting from his roaring mouth and fists. Zuko nodded curtly in his approval. Rei smiled encouragingly at her young friend as Katara offered everyone watermelon juice.

"Oh!! ME ME!!" Aang yelled childishly as he sprinted towards his unrequited love. Zuko grabbed the scruff of his collar before he could make it very far.

"Your lesson's not over yet. Get back here!" He lifted the air bender like a twig and held him dangling in the air. Rei stifled a laugh as she accepted some juice from Katara.

"Come on Zuko, just take a break. What's the big deal?" Suki asked from where she lounged at Sokka's side. Zuko looked at everyone in the group, his eyes resting on Rei the longest. She sent him a faint smile.

"Fine," He snapped, releasing the avatar with a frown. "If you want to lounge around like a bunch of snail sloths all day, then go ahead." He turned from the group, as if he couldn't stand seeing them.

"Maybe Zuko's right," Started Sokka, "Sitting around the house has made us pretty lazy. But I know just the thing to change that." Standing Sokka instantly tore off his clothes, revealing a swimming suit underneath. "BEACH PARTY!" And the warrior tore off for the ocean, diving in foolishly. After everyone exchanged questioning glances they all raced after Sokka, leaving Rei and Zuko alone with identical looks of shock.

"You've got to be kidding me!" Zuko seethed, licks of fire spouting from his hands in anger. Rei walked down the stairs and watched as her friends played on the beach, her heart torn in two.

"I feel such sorrow for Aang."

"Why are you sorry for him? He's down there having a blast when he should be training!" Rei tilted her head to look at Zuko and the fire in his fists extinguished instantly.

"He is only a child yet must carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has been forced to mature much too early."

"That's the price of being the Avatar. Aang has to do this." Zuko replied simply, walking towards the house. That is right Zuko…Has to… Rei grabbed his arm as the prince passed her and he paused, not meeting her stare.

"Zuko. I am sorry." Her voice was so low that he turned toward her just to hear them. Her eyes were clear and vulnerable... and amazingly beautiful.

"Lets just forget it." He grunted, not wanting any secrets slipping like they attempted to earlier. "It was my fault, I shouldn't have acted like such a jerk." He put a hand to her cheek and watched as she leaned into his touch. It was the same way he leaned into hers. As he bent towards her and once more their lips met. Rei smiled the whole time, which led Zuko to laugh into her mouth. She pulled back from the kiss and followed it up by pulling him into a tight hug, which he instantly returned. Rei's eyes stared out into the sky and her grip tightened.

"Three days…" She whispered.

"Yeah…" Zuko replied, releasing Rei and planting a kiss on her cheek. "Time to get serious." With that he raced towards the beach, a glint of anger in his eyes.

Rei watched in horror as the banished prince began attacking the Avatar, holding nothing back. He chased Aang across the beach and up the cliff, leading into the house. Rei scurried into the back and up through the 1st floor ceiling. She ended up at the end of a hallway with Aang sprinting straight towards her and Zuko not far behind. The latter created a giant funnel of fire and pushed it towards the fleeting air bender, who caught sight of Rei in shock. Knowing that she might get hurt Aang instantly twisted in the air, extinguishing some of the fire.

"Enough!" He yelled at Zuko before blasting him out of the hallway and into the forest. He followed his projectile and Rei followed him. Everyone ended up on the grass as Zuko rubbed his head and stood up.

"Whats wrong with you?!" Katara screamed. "You could have hurt Aang!"

"What's wrong with me?! What's wrong with all of you?!" Zuko yelled back. "How can you sit around having beach parties when Sozin's comet is only three days away?!" Rei glanced at the others and noticed their reactions were different than what she would have expected. They looked like they had been caught doing something naughty instead ashamed for their lazy actions.

"Why are you all looking at me like I'm crazy?" Zuko asked, catching onto their sympathetic expressions also.

"About Sozin's comet," Aang started, causing Rei's heart to race slightly. This does not sound good… "I was actually going to wait to fight the Fire Lord until after it came."

"After?!" Zuko and Rei spoke at the same time, Zuko's voice full of question and Rei's full of fear.

"I'm not ready. I need more time to master fire bending." Aang spoke like an adult, looking Zuko straight in the eyes. Rei could feel her heart speeding, but no one spared her a second's glance.

"And frankly, your earth bending could use work too." Toph informed Aang. Zuko looked at everyone, his eyes locked onto Rei as he asked the next question.

"So, you all knew Aang was gonna wait?" The white haired girl stared back in horror as she shook her head. She knew nothing of this plan.

"Honestly, if Aang fights the fire lord right now, he's gonna lose." Sokka explained, adding. "No offense." To the Avatar.

"The whole point of fighting the fire lord before the comet was to keep him from winning the war. But he pretty much won the war when he took Ba Sing Se." Katara looked sadly at Aang and then to Zuko. "Things can't get any worse."

"You're wrong!" Rei shouted shocking them all. She glanced at Zuko quickly before turning back to the Avatar. "Aang, you must fight before the comet completes it's journey! There is no other way!"

"What do you mean Rei?" He questioned, suddenly aware of how strangely she was acting. "Why is it so important that I do it before Sozin's comet?"

"Because it is how things must be!" She yelled. "The spirit world commands it of you! I thought you understood that!" Her voice was slowly becoming louder and higher in pitch. The others, who had never heard Rei raise her voice, stared at her in shock.

"What?! How do you know that?!"

"The vision Aang! If you do not fight and defeat the fire lord before he can use the power of the comet, all will be lost!" Silence followed her poor explanation. "Zuko! Help!" She begged him, rushing to his side.

"Things are about to get worse than you can even imagine…" Zuko started, followed by his father's plan to completely obliterate the earth kingdom. Rei forced her heart to slow as Zuko finished his story, one she had heard before many weeks ago. Katara fell to the ground in anguish while Aang stared at the prince in amazement.

"Why didn't you tell me about your dad's crazy plan sooner?!" Aang yelled at Zuko before turning away from everyone.

"I didn't think I had to! No one told me you decided to wait!"

"This is bad." Aang said as he fell to the ground. "This is really, really bad."

"Aang," Katara started as she walked towards him, everyone but Rei following her. "You don't have to do this alone." The others confirmed with nods and meaningless words as Rei closed her eyes in meditation.

"Yeah! Team Avatar is back!" Sokka yelled. "Air, Water, Earth, Fire, Fan and sword! And even spirit!!" They looked back at Rei and she walked slowly to the group, not looking any of them in the eyes.

"Fighting the Fire Lord is going to be the hardest thing we've ever done together." Aang spoke seriously before adding a small smile, "But I wouldn't want it any other way." Then Katara, Toph, Suki, and Sokka walked over for a group hug before they all stared at Rei and Zuko.

"Get over her you two! Being part of the group also means being part of group hugs." Sharing a glance Zuko grabbed Rei's hand and reluctantly walked over to the group. Rei fought to keep tears at bay as the group embraced laughing. Even Appa joined in, knocking them all to the ground.

A-A-A-A-A-A

As everyone else got prepared for the mock fight that Sokka insisted on putting together Katara and Rei watched as Zuko showed Aang how to redirect lightening. Rei found herself becoming increasingly distracted and only returned to the conversation just as Zuko warned Aang.

"You'll have to take Fire Lords life, before he takes yours." With that, the prince stalked away, ending up in front of Rei. "I want to talk to you." He said before helping her up. Rei snuck a look at the avatar and noticed how torn he appeared. Her heart broke at the sight of the troubled 12 year old.

"What is it Zuko?" Rei asked as he led her to his room, afraid of what was to come.

"It's about Aang." He said, plopping down on his bed and rubbing his shaggy hair. Rei sighed silently in relief and made her way over to the boy. He patted the space next to him and she gracefully sat down. "I'm worried he wont be able to do it." He rested his elbows on his knees and hung his head.

"Aang is in a difficult place right now Zuko. So much is being asked of him and much of it highly against what he believes in."

"I know. And I spoke to Sokka earlier about where we'll all be in the battle. You are going with Aang for the most part."

"Zuko, I don't-"

"If Aang cant do it Rei, then you must." He turned and looked at her straight in the eyes. Her's wide and fearful, his deep and smoldering.

"Zuko, I must tell you that-"

"COME ON EVERYONE! TIME TO GO OVER THE BATTLE PLAN!" Sokka yelled loud enough to be heard by everyone. Zuko stood up and walked to the door, where he turned and waited for a very shocked spirit woman to rise and follow. She turned and looked at the prince with such sadness that he was taken aback.

"Rei, what's wrong?"

"No-nothing Zuko. Let's go." She said as she got to her feet and walked past him quickly, not letting him see her face again.

Outside, Sokka had set up a melon headed fire lord at the top of the cliff. The others sat in a semi-circle as Sokka explained his plan.

"Our timing has to be perfect! First Suki and I will draw his fire," he drew a curved line with a stick, "Then Katara and Zuko burst in with some liquidy hot offense," A straight line, "And while he's distracted, Rei and Aang will swoop in with some spirit world action and- BAM! Deliver the final blow!"

"Uh, what about me?" Toph asked, noticing that she was the only one not included in Sokka's "fool proof plan".

"Right now, you're the melon lords forces, but during the real thing, you'll be with Suki and me."

"So…I get to chuck flaming rocks at all of you?"

"Whatever makes the training feel more realistic!" Sokka added with a smile.

"Sweetness…"

A-A-A-A-A-A

As Toph, or Melon lord as she now preferred to be called, began to hurl fire bolders at the others, Rei found herself growing more and more helpless. Suki and Sokka dodged the rocks, Sokka coming very close numerous times, Katara and Zuko destroyed earth made soldiers, and Aang and Rei waited.

"NOW AANG!!" Sokka yelled, causing the Air bender to jump straight at the scare crow. Rei watched as his determination fell and he ended his attack just shy of success. She had not moved a single inch the entire time.

"What are you waiting for?" Zuko yelled. "Finish him!" Aang's shoulders dropped in defeat.

"I…I can't." The others raced up to where he stood still facing the melon lord. Rei followed slowly behind.

"What's wrong with you?" Sokka yelled in anger. "If this was the real deal you'd be shot full of lightening right now!" His gaze wavered to Rei as he saw her approaching. "And what were you doing?! You didn't help at all! It's a MELON!" All eyes turned to Rei as they waited for an explanation.

"I am sorry Sokka."

"You've been acting really weird lately Rei. What's wrong with you?"

"There is…"

"Sokka's right Rei. You've been really distracted and quiet for the past couple days." Suki added.

"Rei, what's wrong?" Katara asked sincerely. Rei looked up at all of her friends and her heart began to race.

"Your heart rate just sky rocketed." Toph announced. "Are you alright?"

"Rei, let us know what's bothering you." Zuko said softly. "We can help."

"No Zuko," She replied with a breaking voice. "You cannot." They stared at her in shock.

"What do you mean Rei?" Aang asked.

"During the battle I will not be fighting the Fire Lord with you."

"What? Are you going on vacation or something?" Sokka scoffed.

"No," She replied, her eyes dropping to the ground, "During the battle…" She took a deep breath and looked straight into Aang's grey eyes. "It is my destiny to die."

Silence fell as the weight of her words soaked in.

"Wh-what?" Aang stammered. "What are you talking about?"

"The spirit world has informed me that I will not survive the final battle."

"What?! When? How come I didn't know about this?!" The avatar demanded to know.

"It was my vision the night of the play. And I used dark bending to hide it from view so even when we connected you could not see it."

"I thought you said that vision was about jello squids!" Sokka reminded her of her lie.

"The vision was about the final battle. When it would occur and what my fate was to be during it."

"You…lied to us." Toph accused roughly, unable to believe that the kind spirit girl could do something like lying to all of them.

"I did not wish to worry you and since you were already planning on fighting the Fire Lord on the correct date I did not think it was necessary to inform you about this vision." Rei's voice was emotionless.

"So you didn't tell us the truth. That's the same as lying Rei." Sokka informed her harshly. "What else have you not told us?!" When Rei remained silent Sokka threw up his hands in anger. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"Sokka! Shut up!" Katara yelled. "Rei just said she thinks she's going to die!! But, it can't be true. It can't be." She looked at the white haired girl in horror but Rei only glanced back, no emotions crossing her face.

"This is what you've been hiding?" Zuko asked her quietly focusing all the attention on them, their eyes locked. "This entire time, this is what you refused to tell me?"

"I didn't wish to worry you. Aang is going to have a hard enough time defeating the fire lord with out worrying about something that is inevitable."

"But why Rei? Why are you supposed to…" The avatar couldn't continue his question. "Are we going to loose?"

"I do not know that Aang. I only know that I will fall, it is my destiny.

"Quiet!" Zuko shouted suddenly, causing Rei to jump with shock. "I'm sick of all of that destiny rhino-shit! You've given up Rei! You don't believe we'll win."

"No, no!" She asserted, the first flickers of emotion crawling into her voice and washing over her face. "I believe in all of you!"

"You didn't believe in us enough to tell us the truth!"

"That's because it has nothing to do with you!" Rei yelled. "It is my destiny and you cannot change that."

"Weren't you the one who told me that it's our choices and not chances that make up our destiny?! You've given up Rei!"

"There is nothing to be done. I shouldn't have told you."

"No Rei! You should have told us sooner!" Aang sadly told the girl. "That way we could have figured out another course to take, another way to end the war."

"There is no other way Aang! Just as you must fight, I must die."

"How do we know you're not lying?!" Zuko sneered, swiftly returning to his old ways as he stalked toward the white haired girl. "Why should we believe this is the truth?"

"You want the truth?!" Rei screamed, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't want to die! I don't want to loose this world and all the people I know in it. I don't want it to end this way."

"It doesn't have to Rei!" Aang attempted to calm her, but the tears began to flow openly. "Let us help you and I know you'll be fine."

"Aang's right Rei, we're in this together, all of us!" Katara said.

"No one's going anywhere." Toph said confidently. Sokka nodded in his approval and Suki smiled. Only Zuko remained unmoving.

"I don't know what I did to deserve such friends, but I am truly honored to have known all of you. Thank you for giving me hope and I am very, very sorry to have lied to you." Rei looked around at everyone, except she purposely avoided the prince's glare.

"All this shouting is making me hungry, lets go eat!!" Sokka yelled before rushing towards the house.

A-A-A-A-A-A

They ate outside in the court yard that night, Aang sitting further away from everyone else. They all ate in silence, mulling over the days strange events. Katara burst outside with a scroll suddenly.

"I've got a surprise for everyone!" They turned their heads to her and Rei glanced up at Zuko, surprised to find him staring back at her, something glinting in his golden eyes. "Uh, no…" Katara replied to Toph's comment. "I was looking for cooking pots in the attic and found this!" She unrolled the scroll and revealed a beautiful painting of a very happy baby sitting on the beach. "Look at baby Zuko! Isn't he cute?" Zuko scowled as everyone laughed and cooed at the painting. Rei glanced over at Aang and noticed that he did not turn around.

"That's not me…It's my father." The mood dropped several degrees and Katara quickly rolled up the painting.

"But he looks so sweet and innocent."

"Well that sweet little kid grew up to be a monster." Zuko reminded them blankly. Rei looked up at him but this time he did not meet her gaze.

"But he's still a human being." Aang said from his spot.

"You're going to defend him?"

"No, I agree with you. He's a horrible person and the world would probably be better off with out him but there's gotta be another way." Aang said as he stood up and walked onto the courtyard.

"Like what?" Zuko scoffed. Rei looked at Aang sadly and could see his torn thinking. He suddenly threw a crazy idea about glue bending and Rei's sorrow deepened.

"Yeah! And you can show him his baby pictures and all those happy memories will make him good again!" Zuko said scarcastically, something that Aang missed.

"Do you really think that would work?" He asked hopefully.

"No!" Zuko snapped back as the others chuckled behind him. Aang sighed in defeat before he began to pace in front of everyone. Rei opened her mouth to speak but the Avatar interjected over her.

"This goes against everything I learned from the monks. I cant just go wiping out people I don't like."

"Aang I understand…" Rei attempted to soothe before Sokka interrupted.

"Sure you can! You're the avatar!" He said encouragingly, not noticing Aang shaking in anger. "If its in the name of keeping balance, I'm pretty sure the universe will forgive you. Right Rei?"

"Uh, that's not really how it works." She replied.

"This isn't a joke Sokka!" Aang yelled, turning around to face everyone. "None of you understands the position I'm in!"

"Aang, I do understand, it's just…"

"Just what Rei?!"

"We're trying to help!" Katara yelled at Aang, shocked by his attitude.

"Well then, when you figure out a way for me to defeat the Fire Lord with out taking his life I would love to hear it!" With that, the Avatar stomped away angrily.

"Aang, don't walk away from this!" Katara yelled after him. Rei stood up and made to follow the air bender but a warm hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Let him go. He needs time to sort it out by himself." Rei looked down into hard golden eyes.

"Yes, and so do I." She pulled away from him and walked towards the house but before she entered she turned to face her watching friends. "I know that you all love Aang very much but please try to be more sensitive to his position. He is going through a very big moment in his life right now, something that will surely change him."

"Oh, and what makes you so knowledgeable?" KAtara snapped, still peeved about Aang's bad attitude.

"It's a spirit world thing. Besides were kind of riding the same bison." With that she walked through the door and disappeared.

It was late into the night when Rei's bedroom door slid open roughly and Zuko entered. Rei had been sitting Indian style on the porch and did not hear as the banished prince approached.

"I want the truth Rei. All of it." She turned and saw the prince glaring down at her.

"I told you the truth this afternoon." Zuko sat in front of her, blocking her view of the ocean.

"You're lying."

"What do I have to lie about Zuko?"

"You don't believe you'll survive. You really think your going to die." The finality in his words drew Rei up short.

"Zuko, I-"

"No, no more excuses. I want the truth and that's it." Rei became enraged at his sharp attitude and non-understanding. Her jumped at the prince and grabbed onto his collar, her knees landing in between his own. Shock covered his face as the girl began to yell.

"You want to truth Zuko?! Ok, I'll give it to you! My father is the sun! You know that spirit in the story; it was spirit of the sun! He then proceeded to lock away both my emotions and my powers before abandoning me in the spirit world for an eternal life of utter nothingness. Oh and then I accidently created the most powerful comet in the world by foolishly trying to escape my prison hundreds of years ago. Then some idiot used my power in the comet to wipe out an entire clan of people and launch the world into a 100 year war! But that's not all! I come to earth, make wonderful friends, and fall in love, only to discover that I'm going to be obliterated by my own power!" She finished inches from his face. "How's that for truth?"

"Fall in love?" Was his reply, which caused Rei to scream in anger and release him, stomping to her room as soon as she stood up. "Wait, Rei!"

"What Zuko?! What is it now?" he followed her into her room but she did not face him.

"I don't understand."

"You have got to be kidding me." She threw her hands up in a very Sokka-like movement before turning around. "I love you Zuko, ok! I have for a long time, even without knowing it. How else do you think my father's seal broke?"

"That was because of me?"

"Yes! And now, also because of you, I'm going to fail my mission!" He didn't understand why she was so angry, but he knew that his anger was changing into something much, much different. "I was supposed to come here, assist the Avatar, and then disappear. And now, because of how I feel, I don't want to leave." She ended in a whisper her voice shocking him further. "I don't want to die Zuko." With this passionate plea Zuko found himself charging towards Rei and pulling her roughly into a fiery kiss. Rei's eyes widened in shock before they slipped closed and her arms snaked around his neck. They backed up slightly and went tumbling into the bed, the kiss never ending. Only when breathing became absolutely necessary did their contact break.

"Rei," Zuko started as they lay together in silence. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes." Was her reply and he knew it was the truth.

"Then promise me something." She turned her face to his and looked in his golden eyes that were sparkling even in the darkness.

"Anything."

"Promise me that you will not give up. I want you to promise me that you will keep fighting, no matter what happens in three days." When Rei remained silent Zuko sat up and towered over her, his arms on either side of her head. "Rei, I want…I need you to promise me that you'll stay. I can't loose you." The honesty of his confession brought tears to Rei's eyes and she turned to hide them, but Zuko's hand gently stopped her, his thumb brushing the tears away. "Promise me." She looked up into his eyes for what seemed like eternity. Isn't that what I want? To be with him for eternity? Aang is right…there must be another way… With a gasp Rei's eyes opened wide as she remembered something highly important. A small smile fell upon her lips as she gazed back up into the princes' eyes.

"I promise." Once again his lips were upon hers and she welcomed it with a renown vigor. Something in Rei's heart burst with happiness and she suddenly laughed into Zuko's mouth, which caused him to pull back with a smile.

"What is is?" he questioned as her hand found it's way to his scar.

"I'll tell you later." And she pulled him in for another kiss.

As the world began to lighten outside, Rei skillfully maneuvered herself from beneath the sleeping prince and swiftly jumped through the celing and onto the roof. She quickly made her way towards Aang's room and slipped inside, finding a sleeping Avatar.

"Aang, you've given me so much. It's time I returned the favor." She kissed him on the forehead lovingly, causing his arrow to glow instantly. With a smirk Rei disappeared the way she came and climbed back into bed, snuggling up next to the prince who instinctively drew her closer to himself.

"Where'd you go?" Zuko's groggy voice broke through the morning silence.

"Just to check on Aang." She yawned before resting her head on his chest and closing her tired eyes.

"Rei?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

A-A-A-A-A-A-A

Hope you liked it, I put so much romance in there in made me happy inside!! I was wondering if anyone would get seriously offended if I possible put another level of romance into it with out changing the rating. Noting graphic, just implied. Oh and let me know what you think of the story as a whole and the main relationship! MKKKK! Thanks!

REVIEW!!!