After the long night of talking to Zuko, Rei was exhausted but very, very happy. She was sleeping very peacefully in Zuko's warm and comforting arms when a sudden intense heat pulled her from a dreamless state. Wishing the heat to go away, the spirit closed her eyes tighter in defiance but was suddenly pulled into reality by Zuko who was glancing around suspiciously. The others had woken up to and now glanced at the large opening in the great outer wall. There stood four strong and menacing elders, all dressed in the same garments and colors, one who stood with a hunched back shook in joyous laughter and snorted in glee.

"Well, look who's here!" Katara and Sokka burst into smiles as the men jumped into the clearing, causing the fire to instantly snuff out. The men stood in a line parallel to the group with small smiles on their faces. Rei studied the men with curiosity but slightly hid behind Zuko, who was behind Sokka and Katara. Only the water tribe members knew who the men were.

"What's going on? We're surrounded by old people?" Katara moved to the first man, a waterbender named Paku.

"Not just any old people! These are great masters and friends of ours!" She bowed before him in a sign of great admiration. Rei surveyed the other men and could sense something familiar about them even though she was sure she had never met them outside of Aang's memories.

"No." Paku responded stoically to Sokka's question, causing him to slouch in defeat. Katara showed Zuko to the man Rei recognized as Aang's first fire Bending teacher, Jeong Jeong. Sokka greeted his old sword master Piandao, who bowed happily back.

"So wait, how do you all know each other?" Suki asked.

"All old people know each other." King Bumi replied with cackle. "Don't you know that?" He grinned insanely, causing Rei to smile.

"We're all part of the same secret society," Piandao explained. "A group that transcends the divisions of the four nations."

"The order of the white lotus." Zuko stated, a smile on his lips.

"That's the one!" Bumi interjected.

"The White lotus has always been about philosophy, and..."

"Beauty and truth." Rei interrupted Jeong Jeong's explication with a large smile. "Striving to bring the spirit and mortal world together in harmony." The elders stared at her in disbelief.

"How do you know this girl?" Paku asked.

"Oh yeah, about that," Sokka started, "Well Rei here is from the spirit world. She came here in a comet a few months ago to help Aang put the world back in balance." They all stared at her with open mouths. "And this is Toph and Suki."

"I've met many members of the White Lotus in the spirit world." All four men swiftly bowed in much respect to Rei, who blushed and attempted to hide behind Zuko again. He laughed and pulled her out to the side.

"It is a great honor to meet a respected spirit." Piandao said earnestly. "Your presence here will surely give us hope and luck."

"Luck for what?" Rei questioned.

"A few months ago a call went out that we were needed for something important." Jeong Jeong continued to explain.

"It came from a grand lotus, your uncle, Iroh of the Fire Nation." Paku said to Zuko, who smiled again. Rei could feel his mood lightening at every mention of Iroh and could not help herself from smiling also.

"Well that's who we're looking for!" Toph explained to the elders.

"Then we'll take you to him."

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

The group was walking behind the elders when a wave of exhaustion broke over Rei. She accidentally bumped into Zuko, who was walking next to her. He grabbed her arm to steady her and threw her a worried glance.

"Are you alright?"

"Just tired I think. Long night." She whispered to him, causing him to smile. Bumi was in the middle of a story, so they could not raise their voices very loudly.

"Why don't you go sleep on Appa?" Zuko suggested. Normally Rei would refuse but after another wave of sleepiness washed over her she quickly nodded her head and walked back to the end of the trail where Appa was trotting along. Casting one final glance at Zuko Rei bended herself into the air and landed in the saddle, instantly curling up into a ball and falling asleep. The others followed along behind Bumi and a sudden silence fell over the group.

"I'm so worried about Aang. I hope he's ok." Katara said quietly to the group.

"I'm sure he's fine Katara," Suki said, "He would never leave us like this unless it was for a really good reason."

"You guys don't think Rei had something to do with the disappearance, do you?" Toph suddenly questioned, causing a silence to fill the space that the question created.

"Now that you mention it Toph, she was acting really strange when we were about to leave." Sokka added.

"Could she be holding out more information? Another vision about where Aang is?" Suki wondered.

"And she's never been this tired before, ever! You don't think she pulled some crazy spirit world magic to make Aang disappear completely?"

"Would you guys listen to yourselves?" Zuko harshly reprimanded them. "I can't believe you would think that Rei has something to do with Aang missing. Why would she make Aang leave when she is so set on what is supposed to happen tomorrow." Silence entered once again.

"I thought... I thought she was starting to think differently." Katara whispered in a shocked voice. "She still thinks that she's going to...to..." Zuko's hardened face was the only answer they needed.

"But, how do you know that it wasn't her?" Sokka questioned, causing Zuko glare at him. "It could be some strange teaching method or some-"

"For the same reason I know you or Katara didn't do it, I trust her." The others looked at the ground in embarrassment. They all felt terrible for attempting to blame the girl who had done nothing but help them. "And besides, I was with her the night Aang disappeared and she couldn't have left. And she's tired today because we were up late last night."

"Well I guess you're rig...WHAT?" Sokka exploded with sound, causing the elders to glance back in question. "What were you two doing?"

"We were just talking!" Zuko shouted back in defense, instantly turning beet red. Sokka was grinning like a madman at this new information but the other girls just acted like everything was normal.

"Oh my god! You and Rei? Rei and YOU?"

"Sokka, how did you not know?" Suki asked, slightly worried at her boyfriends' stupidity.

"You all knew?" Zuko and Sokka asked at the same time, turning to the line of women behind them.

"Of course." Suki replied.

"It was obvious," Toph answered. "I'm blind and even I could see it." The two boys looked at Katara who smiled sheepishly.

"Rei told me a month ago, but to be honest, that was kind of before you were even really together so it wasn't my place to tell." Zuko fell into a blushed silence while Sokka yelled at the girls about trust and honesty.

"Sokka, I'm amazed that you couldn't see that they love each other. You'd have to be some kind of an idiot not to know." Suki said.

"Check." Toph snickered.

"Well I bet Aang doesn't know!"

"Actually he was the first person to find out." Katara corrected. Zuko threw her an unbelieving glance and she put her hands up in defeat. "But it wasn't Rei's fault! She can't help what Aang sees and knows. It's a spirit world thing." Zuko opened his mouth with a witty response when a sudden noise from Appa silenced them. Rei was sitting straight up with a confused expression on her beautiful face.

"Wha-what are you guys talking about?" Her hair was a white mess and her clothes were wrinkled from deep sleep.

"Oh nothing Rei, go back to sleep." Katara called to her sleepy friend, who was about to respond when Bumi called out to them. He lowered a giant rock and revealed a small encampment filled with people and lights.

"Welcome to Old People Camp!" He explained with a chuckle before leaving the group to settle in. Rei slid off of Appa's back and approached Zuko as he was looking around the camp almost desperately.

"Where is he?"

"Your Uncle is in there, Prince Zuko." Piandao said as he pointed to one of the grander tents. A mixture of fear and joy crossed his face and he pulled away from the others. Rei watched as he made his way right outside of the tent before succumbing to hesitation and plopping down in defeat in front of the door. Katara started to approach him but stopped and looked at Rei whose eyes never left Zuko's form. Silently the spirit approached the man she loved.

"Are you ok?" She asked him in a soft voice before sitting next to the prince.

"No, I'm not ok." Zuko didn't look at Rei as he spoke. "My uncle hates me, I know it. He loved me and supported me in every way he could," His amber eyes met her lilac ones, "And I still turned against him." His head dropped in agony. "How can I even face him?"

"Zuko," She whispered softly, "You're sorry for what you did, correct?"

"More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life." Rei leaned forward and gently kissed Zuko's left temple.

"Then He'll forgive you..." She pulled his face to look at hers. "He will." She was so pure, so confident, and so sure that Zuko had no choice but to believe her. He leaned forward swiftly for a surprise kiss, causing her to gasp, then pulled back and smiled an almost non-existent smile before kissing her on the forehead and standing to his feet. He entered the tent swiftly and silently, Rei's eyes again never leaving him. After he entered the tent she slowly rose to her feet and stood staring at the canvas.

"Hey Rei, come eat with us. Bumi is telling the most hilarious stories and you-" The dark skinned girl paused and stared at Rei in shock. "You... You're crying Rei." The light haired girl snapped to attention and put a hand to her lilac eyes, surprised to find moisture welling up and spilling over, down her cheeks and into the dirt beneath her feet.

"What's wrong Rei?" The spirit opened her mouth but couldn't get the lie out.

"I'm scared Katara." The water bender threw her arms around her friend and squeezed her tightly, affection pulsing out of every pore.

"We'll be fine Rei... Just keep fighting. Just keep hoping."

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

Avatar Aang lay on the mysterious Island in agony. None of the other Avatar's had helped him with his predicament. In fact they had actually made his plight even worst, with all signs pointing to murder. He lay on his back staring up at the stars.

"Momo... I can't do it. I just... I just can't. I'm not strong enough."

"Aang." He heard a woman calling to him. "Aang, I am here." The avatar knew that voice so he shot up in surprise. A beautiful figure stood before him, the same color of the other visions but much more tangible and with a set of large lilac eyes staring kindly at the troubled teenager.

"Rei? What are you doing here?" Her white hair was loose and slightly billowing, as if she was underwater and her clothing seemed to be made out of smoke for the way it moved and changed. She wore ancient robes and her mothers' pendant, looking like a goddess instead of just a girl. The Avatar rose to his feet quickly.

"Hello Aang," Even her voice was different. Loud and soft, weak and strong, but eerily captivating, "I see you have not found the answer to the question you are seeking."

"Did you send me here Rei?" The woman nodded with a smile.

"I thought it might clear your head, but I fear it did not."

"I can't do it Rei." Aang dropped his head in defeat. "I'm too weak to break my beliefs."

"Aang, valuing life is not weakness, " He looked up at her and she smiled. "And disregarding it is not strength..."

"Do you know what I should do then?" He asked, elated, but Rei shook her head sadly.

"No Aang, I know only of my fate." His posture slumped in defeat. "It is your destiny to face the Fire Lord tomorrow Aang. And for the sake of the entire world he must be stopped." He dropped to his knees and did not look up at her. "But I did bring you to this island for a reason, for this is a place where troubled spirits wander until they discover a way to cease their suffering. I believe that it will help you answer some of the questions you possess."

"But I've been here for two days and am only more confused." His voice raised in frustration as he threw his hands up in defeat.

"Aang, I cannot say more," Her figure began to thin out and loose consistency, "However I advise you not to accept something without first questioning it." Aang's eyes tightened slightly as he listened to his friend.

"Like you did with your vision Rei?" Her smile dropped as she began to vanish and her eyes seemed to become clearer as her body continued to disappear like smoke.

"Aang, what a wise man you are becoming." Her body was nearly gone. "Good Luck Avatar Aang. I will be seeing you again very soon." And with that, Rei disappeared into thin air, leaving Aang with even more to think about.

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

On the day of Sozin's comet Rei woke with a start. The sky was the pale blue-white of early morning and Rei knew that she would be allowed no more sleep that day. A strange jolt of electricity pulsed through her body as she sat up in the tent where Toph, Katara, herself, and Suki had all stayed in. With a deep breath, Rei stood up silently and walked from the dark tent into the bright summer morning. Although it was still early in the day there were several members of the White Lotus milling about the campsite. Some were sharpening weapons, some were cooking in giant pots, and some were just socializing. Rei began to walk through the small camp and was on her third lap when she passed the men who had received them the previous day at the wall. King Bumi noticed her with a cackle and yelled in a loud and obnoxious voice.

"Hey Spirit Girl! Come and have tea with some curious old men!" Rei shrugged her shoulders and went over to where the group was sitting on a beautifully woven rug, a pot of tea in the middle of the circle. Rei sat between Paku the water bender and Jeong Jeong the fire bender. The Later poured her a cup of tea and passed it to her with a small smile. She bowed her head in respect and took the cup, which felt strangely cold in her hands.

"Please introduce yourself again young lady, memory tends to fade with age." The Fire master requested.

"My name is Rei," She smiled at them, "And thank you for the tea."

"What is a spirit like you doing so very far away from her home?" From Piandao with a fatherly smile.

"I was sent by previous Avatar's to help Aang. The world is terribly out of balance and they feared that leaving a 12 year old untrained Avatar to fend for themselves would have very bad consequences, so they sent me." She took a sip of her tea and noticed that the temperature was perfect... but why did the cup feel so cold?

"And why do you feel that they sent you specifically?" Paku asked sternly. Rei only smiled sweetly.

"At first, sir, I'll admit I had no idea why I was the one chosen to come to the mortal world. But, as I have discovered through my experiences here, balance is kind of my thing." The men laughed at her reply.

"What makes you say that child?" Jeong Jeong this time, offering Rei more tea. As she presented her empty cup to him she realized that the steaming teapot should have been radiating waves of heat, but instead she only felt a tingle of coolness.

"Well my mother was a mortal which makes me only a half-spirit, if that's what one would call it." A look of utter surprise was their response and Rei grew self conscious under their inspection. "Yeah so... this tea is great..." She trailed off awkwardly, gulping down the rest of her tea.

"Well my dear," Snorted King Bumi, "Let us hope that your strange appearance brings us fortune." The other men slightly toasted towards Rei and then finished their drinks. As the teapot was being passed around again Paku turned towards her.

"Well at least with that white hair you'll have no problems fitting in."

"Yes, now all I need is a daily nap time and an unquenchable desire for pai sho." The others laughed heartily and talk quickly turned to how they all knew the Gaang (As Sokka liked to put it). Rei listened intently to the elderly men, learning even more things about her wonderful friends. This chat really cleared up the story that the ember island players had so poorly reenacted.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Rei became increasingly edgy. Something felt like it was surging beneath her skin and no amount of deep breathing and calming tea was going to quell the anxiety. What is wrong with me? She thought as King Bumi was going on a crazy tangent. I think that I'm going crazy. I feel so nervous I could just cry. An unexpected hand fell on her shoulder and Rei tightened up as a reaction, breaking the china teacup in her hands and spraying the contents all over her only set of clothes. All conversation stopped as Rei realized what she had done and instantly dropped the broken cup and whipped her head around to look up into surprised golden eyes.

"Are you alright Rei?" Zuko's deep voice reverberated through Rei's ears and she immediately calmed down completely. She noticed a shorter, older man just behind Zuko who was looking at her with an impressed smile.

"Y-yes, just startled is all. Hello Master Iroh, it is wonderful to see you again." Rei got to her feet and bowed in deep respect to the familiar man.

"Hello Rei," He smiled kindly and returned a respectful bow and a wink. "You are looking a beautiful as usual, perhaps even more so." Zuko looked from his uncle to his (girlfriend?) in complete astonishment.

"Uhhh, do you two know each other?"

"Zuko, I thought I told you that Master Iroh and I met once in the spirit world."

"Of course that was when I was much younger and a lot less dense around the middle." Iroh chuckled and Zuko began to recall Rei mentioning something about meeting his uncle earlier in their relationship but he just thought she was confused... If they actually had met in Iroh's younger years... how old did that make Rei?

"Nonsense Iroh, you still look very handsome now." Rei giggled. Ok this was weird...

"Now if you gentlemen don't mind, I'd like to take my old friend and my newly reunited nephew on a walk." The other men just smiled and nodded before bowing goodbye to Rei, who returned the gesture. Soon the three left the group and began making their way around the camp, Iroh in the middle of Rei and Zuko.

"Where are we going uncle?"

"My other private tent. I am in need of some tea and Rei is in need of some new clothes." The three eventually made it to a smaller tent near Iroh's grand one.

"Why do you have two tents uncle?" Zuko questioned as they walked inside to discover that it was furnished with various comfortable looking pillows and mats along with a shelf full of the most random of items: bag of sea shells, a blue mask with two swords, a strange looking instrument, and a pretty green plant. Zuko looked at each item on the platform slowly, his face blank.

"Think of it as a good luck tent... I filled it with memories of you and it brought you back to me." Zuko turned to his uncle and said nothing, only smiled and bowed in respect. "Rei, the chest on the left wall is full of extra clothes. I'm sure with Zuko's help, you two can find something for you to wear." He went over to a small area with a table and began to make tea as Zuko and Rei began to rummage through the chest.

"So you actually did meet my uncle?" Zuko asked in hushed tones as he pulled out some soft pieces of fabric. Just like the shelf full of his old items, somehow all of the clothes in the chest looked familiar to Zuko.

"Yes I did... Granted I could not truly appreciate it until you came to help me." She smiled at him and he smirked. "Master Iroh caused a bit of a commotion... Something I had never witnessed before."

"Yeah... He has a gift for doing that."

"What are you two talking about? Come and get some tea." Iroh called from his place on the floor. Rei and Zuko jumped in surprise before Rei grabbed a white and pale red tunic and fled to change behind a screen. Zuko closed the chest and went to join his uncle who was smiling brilliantly.

"Why are you so happy?" Zuko questioned while accepting a steaming cup of tea from his uncle.

"Oh Prince Zuko, please don't think of me so old as to not see what is happening before my own eyes."

"What do you mean?" Iroh's nephew narrowed his eyes in a confused expression and the old man began to laugh. Zuko scowled and was about to demand an answer from his uncle when Rei walked from behind the screen. Zuko immediately realized why the clothing looked familiar. Everything in that box was his old clothing from his old life in the fire nation and from his travels with his uncle. Rei looked stunning in a pale red and white tunic, tied together with a dark red sash at her waist. She had re-braided her hair, which hung over her right shoulder and ended down at her waist and he noticed that she was wearing the pendant that he had seen her give to June the previous day.

"I have put my old clothes in a small bowl of water. The tea should come out." Rei then sat next to Zuko and gratefully accepted a cup of tea from Iroh, who sat smiling. The teacup felt freezing, but Rei could see the steam rising from the cup. She sat staring at the liquid until Zuko cleared his throat and whispered to her.

"You're supposed to drink it."

"Oh, ahhhh... I was just... admiring the.. ah, aroma." She then took a great gulp and gasped in surprise at how delicious it was. She had not had such a high quality tea since before she had left the spirit world. "Master Iroh this tea is amazing."

"It's an old family recipe my dear. It used to be the prime seller in my Tea Shop in Ba Sing Se." Iroh smiled widely at the two in front of him. "The secret is love." Zuko nearly choked on his own tea but Rei did not seem to catch the underlying message in Iroh's words. The older man chuckled to himself as he poured them all another cup and Zuko quickly tried to change the subject.

"Rei, how did you get your necklace back? I thought you gave it to June." Rei's cheeks blushed bright red and Zuko was surprised to find her acting embarrassed as she clutched the bright red and gold pendant as if to hide it from sight.

"Well it seems that since we found the necklace it doesn't wish to part from me."

"Are you saying it just came back?"

"Well, ahh. In a way, yes." She answered in a questioning manner and Zuko grinned.

"Rei, I'm surprised at you. I didn't think you to be the stealing type." Rei's face got redder.

"Well Nephew, lets not forget the little thievery phase that you went through." Rei glanced up at Zuko, wondering how he was going to take the mention of his past but he was still smiling.

"Yes Uncle, but that was another life." Rei grinned at him before letting go of her necklace and taking another sip of tea.

"With light bending, it is possible to make one object look like another." She demonstrated by changing the colors of the cup in her hand from red and white to a beautiful plum and silver. Zuko took the cup in amazement and turned it over and over in his hands.

"How long does it last?" He handed the cup back to her and she smiled.

"Only a few hours, unless I continually add more light to it. I'm guessing that June had already discovered that the necklace I gave her was, in fact, one of Appa's longest hairs." With that Zuko threw back his head and laughed.

"It seems that you have been through a lot since we last met. Please Rei, tell me all about your time here." With a smile Rei launched into the thrilling tale, leaving almost nothing out. While she explained everything it was easy to see how happy the spirit girl was to be on earth. Nothing she had ever done during her time had bored her in the slightest and she explained each and every story with the same love and wonder. Zuko sat sipping his tea and listened patiently, laughing every so often at fonder memories and grunting at the less desirable ones. Iroh sat in complete silence as he watched the two in front of him, a smile never leaving his face.

In all honesty, Iroh was shocked at what he saw. Through out the entire time that Rei talked, Zuko's eyes never left her. Every action he made, either sipping his tea or scratching his shaggy head, brought Zuko slightly closer to the girl. Iroh's heart grew as he watched Zuko look at Rei in an almost reverent way. She had irrevocably changed him and Iroh almost could not believe that this boy, no, man sitting next to her was the same one that he had traveled the world with only a few months ago. Almost everything about Zuko had changed, his posture, his voice, even his eyes seemed lighter somehow. His nephew was in love, and Iroh could not be any happier.

"And then we came here and you know the rest." Rei finished with a smile to both Iroh and Zuko, who chuckled quietly.

"It is quite an adventure that you have been having. And the news about your father, how very interesting... It sure does explain a lot. There are stories saying that when the sun goes black he is always searching for something... Maybe that someone is you Rei." The girl blushed slightly and finished her tea. "I am glad that my nephew has been able to help you along your journey. It does my heart good to see him so happy." This time it was Zuko who blushed.

"Zuko has been very kind to me, sir." Rei's voice was quiet and reflective; obviously her words were straight from her heart. "He has helped me here in more ways than I could say and I will forever be grateful."

"Prince Zuko is a great help to many people. He always has been and he always will be."

"Uhh Uncle, tell us about what you've been doing since you, errr, got here." Zuko blurted to change the subject. He didn't like being singled out in front of the two people who meant the most to him.

"Well Zuko, it is a thrilling story..."

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

The three sat together until it was time for lunch and a bell rang around the campground. Iroh escorted the two younger people to a place where they met up with the rest of the gang. They sat eating a sort of salty noodle dish when Rei again began to feel the surging of something in her veins and she found it hard to focus on the conversation. Soon the conversation of where to proceeded came up and Rei almost started hyperventilating. It had been easy to forget that today was the day of Sozin's comet when she was near Zuko... Much too easy. But now with her mind refocused, Rei began to realize what was actually supposed to happen.

"Uncle, you're the only person other than the Avatar who could possibly defeat the fire lord." Zuko stated point-blank. There was no disproving this fact and everyone in the group knew it. And Aang was gone... Iroh sat in contemplation and Rei watched as he thought. "We need you to come with us!"

"No Zuko," The man finally said, "It won't turn out well."

"But you can beat him! And we'll be there to help." Zuko argued, motioning to the others.

"Even if I did defeat Ozai, and I don't know that I could," Iroh warned, "It would be the wrong way to end the war. History would see it as just more senseless violence. A brother killing a brother to grab power. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the avatar to defeat the fire lord." Zuko's head dropped in defeat for he knew he would never be able to convince his uncle to come with them. Rei's head was pounding but she forced herself to focus and watched at Iroh turned to his nephew.

"And then..." Zuko was thinking. "Then would you come and take your rightful place on the throne?"

"No." Iroh stated, "Someone new must take the throne, an idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you Prince Zuko." Zuko's eyes widened in surprise and he turned slightly away from his uncle. Rei watched as he thought over Iroh's words.

"Unquestionable honor?" Zuko shook his head in disbelief, "But I've made so many mistakes."

"Yes, you have." Iroh agreed. "You've struggled, you've suffered, but you have always followed your own path. You've restored your own honor and so only you can restore the honor to the fire nation." Zuko lowered his head and thought for a minute. After casting Rei a quick glance he turned back to Iroh.

"I'll try uncle." Rei smiled and the fever she felt slightly weakened.

"Well, what if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph asked.

"Sozin's comet is arriving and our destinies are upon us." Iroh said wisely.

"Aang will face the fire lord." Rei said quietly. "He will." She did not look up at her friends as Iroh told them about his vision of Ba Sing Se and his plan to re-claim it for the earth kingdom, but she could feel a pair of golden eyes boring into her.

"Zuko," Iroh interrupted and the eyes left. The surging returned. "You must return to the fire nation so that when the fire lord falls, you can assume the throne and restore peace and order. But Azula will be there waiting for you..."

"I can handle Azula." The prince replied, his tone deadly.

"Not alone." Iroh warned. "You'll need help"

"You're right. Rei, Katara, how would you two like to help me put Azula in her place?" Katara smirked but Rei closed her eyes in anguish. The pulsing in her veins was beginning to hurt.

"It would be my pleasure." The waterbender replied dangerously. Every one turned to Rei and noticed that her breathing had sped up rapidly.

"Rei, what's wrong?" Zuko asked, quite taken aback at how strangely she was acting. She shook her head violently.

"No-nothing. I-ah I'm sorry I need to go!" She blurted and fled from the group, leaving them all staring after her in shock. Zuko stood up instantly and followed, ignoring his name being called. The last thing he heard was Sokka.

"What's our destiny today?"

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

When Zuko reached the tent he found Rei curled up on the floor, pieces of clothing thrown everywhere, wearing only her black shorts and purple top. He would have blushed had he not been so horrified at her actions. She was breathing unnaturally fast and her body was covered in a thin layer of sweat. Her eyes were tightly closed and her face screwed up in a grimace of pain. Zuko silently reached her and grabbed her exposed shoulder, turning her so that she lay on her back. Lilac eyes popped open in surprise and almost at once her breathing slowed.

"Rei, what is wrong with you?" His voice was shaking slightly. "Please tell me!"

"Zuko, I'm afraid." Her voice was so pained, so small that the prince almost fell apart. "I'm so frightened Zuko." Tears fell from her eyes and into her hair and Zuko didn't know what to do, he couldn't comfort her. A spasm ran through her body and left her gasping for air. Zuko picked her up and placed her on the most comfortable pillow that he could find.

"What do you need? How can I help?" He made to leave to grab some water or anything that might be able to alleviate her pain but a small hand snaked out and latched onto his arm.

"Zuko, I feel like I'm on fire." Her voice was breathy but not hysterical any more. "I feel like there's something burning inside. Please help me!"

"What can I do? What do you need?" She said nothing but a sudden wave of clarity hit him. In one swift movement Zuko claimed Rei's mouth with his own. Her heart instantly slowed and the fire in her head dulled a substantial amount. His hands cupped her face as hers clutched at his clothing and the heat in her cheeks and forehead died immediately. Zuko pulled back slightly to look at Rei but she swiftly propped herself up on her elbows and kissed him back. His hands fell to her arms and the fire retreated from there as soon as contact was made. Zuko broke away from Rei and trailed his lips down her neck. Everywhere his lips touched left a brush of ice, which eventually spread to Rei's entire neck and shoulders. Her hands furiously attacked the clasps on the front of Zuko's tunic and as soon as those here free Rei backed away from Zuko in order to untie his sash. His eyes never left her as she did this and only when his shirt hung loose around his torso did she look up into his eyes. Delicate shaking hands reached under the fabric around his shoulders and pulled the fabric from his pale body. Zuko pulled Rei into his chest and kissed her harshly. Everywhere that his skin touched her instantly quenched the fire and left Rei shivering with pleasure. Rei felt her back make contact with the pillows behind her as Zuko melted onto her. His hands were everywhere at once, calming the fire on her body while his lips stirred up the heat in her soul. Sweat trickled down his well-toned back as they both struggled to control their breathing. Zuko pulled Rei into another kiss, one hand behind her neck while another one rested on her thigh. Her hands were buried in his hair and her right leg was interwoven with his. The smallest of noises were coming from Rei and Zuko broke the kiss gasping. They stared into each other's eyes, gold and lilac as they calmed their breath.

"I love you Rei." Zuko whispered.

"I love you Zuko." Rei replied, tears spilling over her cheeks.

"I wont loose you Rei," Zuko's voice had turned hard and his words desperate. "I can't loose you."

"Zuko..."

"Promise me Rei, promise me! Tell me that you won't give up, that you wont stop fighting." But Rei said nothing as tears continued to fall from her lilac eyes.

"I don't want to die Zuko." Her voice was small and chocked and it hurt the prince greatly to hear it. "I want to stay here, on earth... with you."

"Then stay." He grabbed her leg and hitched it around his side, pressing even closer to her. "Just promise me that you'll never give up Rei. Never stop fighting... Stay with me...forever." Her eyes bore into his for several moments and everything was silent and still. Suddenly, she pushed her head forward and kissed him.

"I promise Zuko." Her lips were centimeters from his. "Forever."

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

Hours later the two emerged from the tent, Rei fully dressed in her normal purple clothes and Zuko in his Fire Nation red. Suki, Toph and Sokka were next to a green animal and about to leave when they saw the two arrive in the middle of the campground. There were no questions asked as Rei hugged each of her friends before they climbed on the giant eel hound.

"So if I'm gonna be fire lord after the war is over," Zuko questioned his uncle, "What are you gonna do?"

"After I reconquer Ba Sing Se, I'm going to reconquer my tea shop and I'm going to play Pai Sho everyday." With a smile Zuko helped Rei onto Appa's saddle and looked over to the others. A quick nod of good luck from Sokka signaled both groups to leave.

"Goodbye General Iroh." Katara said.

"Goodbye everyone," He replied, looking at each of the teenagers. "Today, destiny is our friend." His wizened eyes lingered on Rei. "I know it." With that the group took off, leaving the elders behind them. As Rei sat back and watched the quickly changing sky the only thing on her mind was one simple word.

"Forever."

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

I'm horrible I know. But the second semester of school is always the worst... Let me know what you think and what I should change... It's gonna be over soon (waaaa) but I think it has a really good ending...

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