AN: BLEH, I'm really not sure about this on. Forgive me...
It was almost morning when the two had reached the eye-sore Fire Nation ship that was docked at the harbour. Zuko emerged first, wearing his regular uniform. The Red Mask emerged second, cautiously stepping through the dim light casted by the pink sky.
Zuko met the foot of the ramp that his companions had lowered for him. He paused there, glancing over his shoulder at the masked woman who escorted him there.
"Thanks." He murmured, almost in a forced manner. The masked figure simply bowed politely, beginning to back away slowly. However, a plump figure meandering down the ramp had a different idea.
"My, how long it's been. Thank you for escorting my nephew home." Iroh passed Zuko halfway up the ramp and bowed politely to the figure. She stood quiet for a moment, hesitating before bowing back politely, her fist in her opposite palm as a show of respect.
"Anything for the Royal Family, sir."
"Please, drop the formalities. I've been watching your progress since your promotion. Your squadron is magnificent." He laughed heartily, placing a hand on her head in familiarity. Zuko turned on his heel, very confused.
"Uncle. Enough riddles, let's move."
Iron gave him a disappointed scowl, very aware of his pressing tone.
"Zuko. You see your best friend for the first time in years and that's how you react?"
Zuko's usually scowl grew deeper, as he snarled at his uncle.
"That was a long time ago and she left me in cowardice! A family of petty spies and thieves."
There was a silence, as Zuko turned around and tried his ascent once more.
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Zuky.-" he stopped in his tracks, shoulders tensed. "I never meant to leave. I had to. They...would have killed me...I was trying to protect you."
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and a spark of familiarity jolted through his veins.
'Zuky! I'm sorry Zuky! I just lost track of time...'
"I just lost track of time. Time and objective. I'm going to set things right."
He remained silent, turning his head to glare at the masked figure over his shoulder.
"You're not her. She'd know better than to grovel. Get out of my face."
Iroh glared at his nephew, stepping towards the two.
"Zuko. You're not thinking clearly. You are being fueled by a negative feeling-"
"Prove that she's her then! If you think my anger isn't justified, when you claim a ghost in my life has come to haunt me, then you are mistaken!" The prince snapped his jaws at his uncle, glowering furiously at the masked figure.
"Prove it."
The mask, hiding her hurt facial expression, slowly began to raise as her dainty gloved hands unsecured the mask.
The moment the mask was pulled away and dropped on the ground, Prince Zuko was bewildered. The light metal clattered as it hit the metal ramp on its edge. Mouth slightly agape and eye wide, he watched as the girl from his passed slowly released her tied up brown locks and stared into his amber orbs with hurt emerald eyes.
They were both silent, before Zuko spoke first, adjusting his stance into an aggressive one. Out of the shadows, the three masked figures appeared, creating an arc of fire in front their leader defensively. As they stood in a firm line, the blue masked male in the center aimed a fist towards Zuko, only five from launching fireballs.
"Tell me, why I shouldn't kill you right now. You're an enemy to the Fire Nation. A traitor."
"Because you are too." She hissed, just above a whisper, through pained expression and tear filled eyes. "I fight for the good of all people, our Nation. You fight for your selfish needs. Who's really doing wrong here?"