This is my first Avatar The Last Airbender fanfiction thank you to LunaStar07 for helping out with my writing and beta reading my work hope you enjoy the next chapter

I also just wanted to thank you all those that are following and favouriting my fic I really appreciate you all and that are enjoying my work and continue to do so now please enjoy

Disclaimer I don't own anything related to ATLA

Once they reached the camp, they could see all the Kyoshi warriors armed up and mounting their Ostrich horses ready to go out and search for them. "They're back, they've come back!" Tam squealed as she dismounted and ran over, the other Kyoshi warriors follow suit.

Zuko pulled his beast to a halt before trying to slide off the saddle. His body still aching from the fight and his exhaustion. Right when he got off he was nearly surrounded by the female warriors as they approached.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Kikki asked, eyeing his charred and torn tunic. He was about to answer when Aikio looked around frantically. "Where's Suki?" she asked, but her question was quickly answered when she saw Suki struggling to get out of the cart.

"Captain!" a few of the girls screamed and rushed over to help her up while Aikio glared daggers at the masked man.

"What happened to her? What did you do?!" Aikio yelled furiously in the Blue Spirit's face, jabbing a finger accusingly against his bruised chest. Zuko groaned but didn't answer, looking down forlorn as he was yelled at. He couldn't muster a way to defend himself and he didn't even want to try.

"Aikio enough," Suki said sharply, even with a tried quivering voice. "He didn't hurt me... we were ambushed by those Fire Nation soldiers. The same ones that attacked Chong Sheng," she said as Kikki helped her stand while Ami was examining her arm and removing her armour. "They killed my Ostrich horse and tried to kill me but... Blue saved me... he saved my life," she said softly as both Aikio and Zuko were both stunned but for different reasons.

"You saved her?" Aikio looked to the Blue Spirit a bit in disbelief.

Zuko didn't meet their gaze, instead, he remained silent. He was still bracing for Suki to mention he is a firebender, but it never came, she was almost as silent as he was. "I... didn't," he said almost whispering.

"Don't be modest Blue, you big masked hero you," Tam smiled wide as she hit his arm playfully.

"Owwww," Zuko groaned rubbing his arm, even with such a gentle punch she managed to hit the cut sending a sharp pain through his body.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry I'm so sorry Blue," Tam panicked as she looked him apologetically hands in the air. Aikio huffed and pulled her aside to give the Blue Spirit some room.

"Let's... let's get you both patched up before someone else gets hurt," Aikio said as she offered her arm to the Blue Spirit to hold to lead him to sit. Zuko reluctantly took it, still very unsure what to do or think as he was lead over to sit by the outed campfire. Suki was also guided to take a seat near Zuko though neither of them looked at each other, the tension still there between them.

Suki bit her lip as she gave quick glances to him as Ami examined her arm. "You dislocated your shoulder pretty bad," Ami said running her fingers along the bruised. "How did this happen?" she asked.

"Huh? Oh right, the um... their commander had blasted me off my Ostrich horse and when I landed on the ground, it just sort of, popped," Suki explained.

"If I ever get my hands on him, I swear I'll kill him," Aikio huffed angrily, shaking her head. "Lift your arms Blue let's see the damage," she said bluntly as she went to pull his shirt off. Zuko groaned as she tugged his tunic top off revealing the large welt of bruises along his stomach and the cuts along his arm. When Suki saw the abuse he went through it made her heartache, she didn't notice as Ami was yanking on her arm.

"He's already de-Owwwww! What the owwww?!" Suki screamed as Ami yanked on her arm pulling and resetting her arm into its socket.

"Sorry, I had to reset your arm before it got worse," Ami said sorrowfully as she tentatively grabbed fresh bandages and ointments to treat her arm.

"No, no it's okay... thanks," Suki sighed as Ami wrapped her arm before putting a new sling to rest her arm in.

"He's already what?" Tam asked curiously, once she saw Ami was done with Suki's arm and headed over to examine the Blue Spirit.

"Oh, um the commander guy... he's already dead... Blue killed him," Suki said and everyone looked at her and the Blue Spirit completely in shock and disbelief.

"This guy here, the Blue Spirit, this guy right here killed someone," Kikki said not really believing it as she pointed to the Blue Spirit. Neither Suki or Blue answered both downcast as Ami started to treat his wounds.

"Leave them alone, alright," Aikio shoved Kikki's side before rolling. Her eyes then turned to the Blue Spirit, looking down at him empathically as she knelt in front of him. "I'm sorry, it couldn't have been easy," she said which surprised Zuko as he never thought Aikio would ever be nice to him, yet here she was. He rubbed his head subconsciously thinking he must of hit it somehow.

Ami finished wrapping the bindings around his chest and arms, using some of the ointments to treat the burns and bruises. "You both should heal, it may take a few weeks to recover," Ami said as she put some of her stuff away. "But I think we shouldn't move today you both will need your rest before we can move camp," Ami recommended.

"No, we have to move we can't- owww," Suki groaned as she went to stand up but felt the surge of pain in her arm as she did.

"You are the captain, but I'm the medic and you both are in no shape to travel," Ami said concerned. "Besides you may outrank me but when it comes to your health I outrank you."

"But," Suki tries to protest but Aikio crosses her arms.

"No she's right you both need to rest you are in no shape to travel," Aikio says sternly towering over them. "You guys will rest for tonight and then first thing in the morning we will head out and no hunting trips understand," Aikio ordered and Suki couldn't help the small smile that crossed her lips.

"Yes, okay fine, we will do as you say."

"Good, now Kikki you go rest up now, when nightfall comes, you and I will keep watch in case there are more Fire nation troops in the area," Aikio said, giving out orders. "Tam, let the refugees know that we won't be leaving today but first thing tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am," Tam said, saluting as her and Kikki headed off to do as they were ordered.

"Good, now I'm going to take a nap myself, but first, Ami help me with these... cat deer maybe one of the refugees can prepare them for dinner," She sighed as Ami nodded.

"Oh, before I forget, we found a small river bank just past those trees," Ami said pointing over behind the Blue Spirit. "We washed up over there earlier, maybe it will help you relax," she smiled a bit meekly

"Thanks, maybe later," Suki said smiling up at the young warrior as she nodded and proceeded to help Aikio with the cart. As the Kyoshi warriors went off to do what they needed to she turned back to the Blue Spirit he remained silent as she was building the courage to speak herself.

"I'm going to lay down," Zuko said softly before Suki could open her mouth watching as he got up to head to his tent.

"Oh, okay," she sighed, watching as he disappeared into his tent. She sat there resting her head on her knees for several moments in silence with no idea what she should do. She wished she had the answers, but they were right, she needed a rest. She slowly got up and slunk into her own tent, laying down on her soft cot, drifting off right as she laid down.

Several hours had passed and the sun was already setting over the trees, barely any light out as the sky slowly dimmed into darkness. Suki finally had woken up, her body aching as she tried to stretch out her aching limbs. She sat herself up and was met with the smell of food. A small bowl of rice and a bit of meat mixed in, laid next to her cot. She smiled, her stomach grumbling as she picked up the small bowl. Instead of taking her time with chopsticks, she decided to pour the contents into her mouth, hungrily devouring them. She coughed a bit but didn't stop, stuffing the food down till her bowl was nearly clean. When she was done eating, she took a whiff of herself. She was met with the strong sweat smell that clung to her body, making her gag a bit.

"Yup, I think I could use a wash," she said to herself as she slowly got up and grabbed herself a towel and a change of clothes. She slowly snuck out of her tent, peering around as she spotted Kikki and Aikio, both on watch as they said. She smiled warmly at them as she quietly tiptoed out towards the trees, following where they had pointed to where the river was earlier. Once she made it to the edge of the woods, she groaned. "So much for the camp being secure," she sighed as she snuck off without anyone noticing.

Suki tread slowly through the woods. She could barely see where she was going, only getting a few beams of moonlight lighting her path. though it didn't take long for her to hear the slow rushing of water. She smiled to herself as she followed the sound until she found the river. She sighed happily as she reached to strip off her robe. She went to hang it on the tree next to her, but she squealed as she suddenly saw the Blue Spirit mask staring back at her. She jumped at the sight as she covered herself up. Just as suddenly, she heard a loud splash from the river and a figure of a man rising from the water.

"Blue? Is that you?" Suki asked still barely able to see as she held her robe tight around her body.

"Suki? Yes, yes it's me," Zuko said as he rose up from the water, turning to face her in the moonlight.

Once Suki saw his bruised body and the cloth mask that was wrapped around his face, she knew it was him. She sighed in relief that it was just him, but the relief was quickly replaced with the tension that was rising between them. She knew they needed to talk and now seemed like the perfect time to as they were both alone. "Blue, um would you mind if I joined you? Or I could come back if you wanted some privacy," she asked a little nervously as she looked at the ground.

Zuko sighed heavily, shaking his head "No, it's okay... you can join me if you like," he said just as nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Zuko was trying to avoid this. After taking a nap in his tent earlier, his mind was flooded with images of blood and fire. Akechi's voice echoing in his mind and Suki's screams shaking him to his very core. He couldn't get any rest. He would wake up in a cold sweat several times whenever he tried to close his eyes. "Why is this happening to me?" he asked himself each time he woke up. The last time he shot up, he was barely able to catch his breath. He thought dunking his head in the river would help calm his nerves, so once everyone was getting ready to sleep, he slipped away, wanting to be alone as he got in the water. But now, out of all people to find him, it had to be her.

"Thanks," Suki said, biting her lip as she slowly undressed. She saw him quickly turning away and settling back in the water. She slipped off her robe, deciding against stripping off her bindings as she set her clothes aside and made her way to the water. She slowly placed her foot into the water expecting the cold chill to rush up her spine, but instead felt a soothing warmth that felt like bliss. She smiled as she let her body slither into the warm water and rested her back along the rock bed.

"Is this your doing? The water I mean," she asked curiously, as she glanced over to him. They both resting merely feet apart from each other in the water.

"Yeah."

"Huh, guess there are some perks to having a firebender around... nice warm baths," she said with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

The Blue Spirit remained silent and Suki feared the uncomfortable tension would return. She sighed as decided to try and pull herself out of the water.

"Why didn't you tell them?"

Suki stopped moving as she heard his voice and let her body sink back down in the water. "Because I wanted us to talk first, I owed you at least that much," she said as she faced him.

"What is there to talk about? I'm a firebender... I'm the enemy," the Blue Spirit said, disheartened, as he just wanted to drift off beneath the water.

"Blue, you're not the... " Suki bit her lip as she turned in the water to face him. "You are not my enemy, but you also haven't been honest with me," she said as she saw him slowly turn to face her. Even if she couldn't see it, their eyes met in the shroud of darkness. "Blue, please tell me who you are."

Zuko sighed as he wanted to look for a way to try and get away from her, but he couldn't. "If I told you, you'd hate me, you'd want me to leave," he said finally.

"You don't know that," she said, shaking her head. "Don't I deserve a chance to make that choice for myself? Please, Blue." Zuko was still reluctant to answer. Even if he did owe her some explanation, he wondered what would be enough for her.

"I'm a firebender, I was born in the Fire Nation," he said simply and Suki couldn't help let out a small chuckle.

"I kinda figured that... I need more than that Blue, come on tell me."

"I'm the son of a high ranking Fire Nation noble."

"A noble? Huh, so what does that make you... Prince Blue Spirit?" she said a bit teasingly as he spoke.

"Something like that," he said a bit nervously as he cleared his throat.

"So the Blue Spirit was some pampered prince? And here you are now slumming it with the peasant folk... what happened?" she asked curiously.

"I was banished remember," he said sternly with an annoyed growl in his voice.

"Oh, right, I forgot... I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's fine."

"Why were you banished? I didn't ask before but I need to know now," Suki said seriously but with a comforting smile, wanting to understand him.

Zuko chewed on the inside of his cheek. He was on edge. He never talked to anyone about that day, he even avoided talking about it with his uncle. He just wanted to forget it and do what needed to be done to get back home and that was it, but now she wanted to know. No matter how he felt, he knew he owed her. "Three years ago, I... I was attending a war council meeting at the Fire Nation palace," he said already picturing the warm reds and lustrous golds that lined the hallways. "I had begged my uncle for me to attend the meeting, I wanted so bad to prove myself to my father. He finally agreed and let me join him, but warned me not to speak and just observe and learn."

"The Fire Nation palace... that must of been some honour to go there," Suki said impressed as she could barely imagine what it might look like. Only picturing walls and floor completely covered in gold, something she imagined would blind her just by looking at it. "I bet it was quite intimidating visiting that place," she said as the Blue Spirit nodded.

"To me, it wasn't the place that was intimidating," he said knowingly. Suki already understood what he meant as she's heard horror stories about the royal family and their cruelty. She then paused letting him continue his story. "When I attended the council meeting, I sat next to my uncle. I tried to keep sitting straight and properly, trying to look like the model son. I did my best pretending I was paying attention to the meeting, but I was mostly focused on looking my best. I wish I stayed focus on looking my best."

"Why? What happened?"

"One of the generals spoke of a plan to... sacrifice hundreds of new recruits to an earth kingdom battalion just so they can ambush them," Zuko said with disgust in his voice. Even after all these years, thinking of that plan still made his blood boil.

"What!? That's horrible!" Suki said, completely revolted at the plan. Even if it was the Fire Nation soldiers, sending people to their death just to take out a target was unforgivable.

"I thought so too," Zuko replied simply before shaking his head. "Still, I should have kept my mouth shut," he paused taking a long breath before he continued. "I got up and told them how horrible the plan was. That they are betraying those young men, who love and defend our nation. I didn't realize until it was too late what I had done. Speaking out of turn like that in the Fire Lord council meeting was an act of disrespect that wouldn't be easily forgiven."

Suki could already sense a coming dread. She watched as the Blue Spirit had finally pried his eyes from hers staring down at the water in front of them. She then reached her hand under the water, following the growing warmth until she found his hand and took it into hers. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze knowing this must be difficult for him to talk about and wanted to comfort him in any little way she can. When Zuko felt her hand curling into his, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze aswell, acknowledging the gesture.

"Because I insulted and disrespected the general, I was told I had to fight an Agni Kai... a fire duel. I believed that since it was the general I insulted, I would have to face him. Seeing how frail he was, I accepted believing I could best the general in a fight."

"But, it wasn't an easy fight was it?"

"I didn't face the general," he explained, picturing the day as he marched out onto the arena in the courtyard. He believed he was ready to fight, but when he saw the dark shadow of his father towering over him, he fell to his knees. "When I turned to face my opponent in the ring... It was my father who I was facing. Even though it was the general I disrespected... it was my father that I dishonoured and had to fight."

Suki gave his hand a squeeze seeing how hard this is to talk about. She could already see the strain in his face and feel the trembling in his hand. She wanted him to know she was there for him. "You lost the fight?" she asked softly.

"No, I couldn't fight him," his voice hitched a bit as he spoke. "I couldn't fight my own father... I loved him. I just fell to my knees and begged for forgiveness. He wouldn't have it, he told me to fight, but I refused." His left-hand instinctively rose up to his scarred cheek, feeling the heat on his skin like it was freshly burned. "The last thing he said to me was, 'You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher'." Zuko felt a tear rolling down his face, remembering the pain before blacking out.

Suki was horrified and unable to comprehend how anyone, especially a father could do such a thing to their own son, their own child. She felt sick at the thought and her eyes rose up to meet the Blue Spirits face. "Your scar... He did that to you?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

Zuko nodded as he avoided meeting her gaze. "Next thing I knew, I woke up in the middle of the ocean on a ship with my eye bandaged up. I was told I was banished, unable to return home until I complete an impossible task. My title, my home, my family were all gone in a single moment! And I didn't find out about my scar till months later when I was able to remove my bandages." He said anger rising in his voice as the water around them started to get hotter.

Suki held his hand tighter letting him know she was there with and for him. As she squeezed it she could feel the temperature going down slightly till it was just a gentle warmth.

"Sorry."

"Don't be... now I know why it was so hard for you to talk about it," she said sympathetically. "I can't imagine what that must of felt like being punished like that," she said softly. "Blue... thank you."

"For what?" Zuko raised his brow as he faced her.

"For telling me, for saving my life, for defending me even when I felt like I didn't deserve it."

"What are you talking about?" he said genuinely confused.

Suki sighed, shaking her head as she looked up at him, almost peering passed the black cloth and meeting his eyes. She bit her lip "When I first saw you firebend... I thought you were a monster," she said as the guilt in her heart started to rise. Zuko looking at her in disbelief as he was speechless and this time, not by choice. "All I thought about as you fought that man, whatever his name was... was running. All I wanted to do was run, to get away from you both," she said, taking a breath. "But even as I thought of these things... you were still fighting for me. You could have died fighting for me, and here I was, wanting to run," she said, ashamed of herself.

"But, you didn't."

"Does that really matter? I wanted to," Suki sighed, her eyes watering slightly "I'm just... I'm sorry. You didn't choose to be a bender, you didn't choose to be from the Fire Nation, but you did choose to defend me," she said, her voice full of remorse and regret.

Zuko shook his head knowing he didn't deserve her apology, but she stopped him, reaching up and cupping his cheek. "You were a nobleman's son, a prince of the Fire Nation, but to me, to my sisters, you are the Blue Spirit," a soft smile graced her lips. "To me, you are the greatest swordsman I've ever seen, a warrior with no equal, a hero," she said then let out a small chuckle. "But your archery could use some work... guess you can't be good at everything."

Her teasing caused his lips to curl slightly into a small smile. Suki smiled back as she leaned a little closer to him. "I promise you Blue, no matter what happens, no matter what comes our way. I'll fight by your side just like you did for me," she said and a small grin crept up her lips. "Even when you don't deserve it or act like a jerk."

"Thank you, Suki," Zuko said as his doubt and unease washed away along with the river. They both hadn't realized how close they had gotten to each other as they talked. Only being brought back to reality as they felt their breath tickling each other's skin.

Suki's eyes went a little wide realizing how close she was to him but she didn't pull away. Zuko too didn't pull away their closeness just felt... right. In a way, neither of them could describe how their hearts leaped in their chests.

"Blue..."

"Suki..."

Suki's eyes fluttered closed as she leaned up and took the first step. Her soft lips gently touching his. And just as quickly as they touch, she slowly pulled them away. Suddenly, she felt him leaning into her, their lips touching and melding together. She sighed softly as their lips met, and it was like electricity was coursing through them both as they kissed.

Zuko never felt more at peace then he was at that moment. He reached his hand up her back, getting tangled in auburn hair. While she cupped his cheek, her thumb traced along the edge of his scar, feeling the smooth ridges as she held him close. No one had ever touched his scar before, even just as little as she was, but he didn't pull away or recoil from her touch. This, to him, felt perfect.

Suki smiled against his lips, but as he leaned in closer, the rocks under them started to shift from their weight. And before either of them knew it, they both slipped and crashed into the water. Suki yelped as they both fell in, getting completely submerged in the river.

Zuko did his best to get to his feet and out of the water. He took Suki's hand helping pull her to her feet. "Suki, are you okay? I'm so sorry, I didn't mean too..." he raised his brow, confused, as Suki just started laughing as she got out of the water.

"Hahaha, no no it's fine, haha not the way I pictured our first kiss going, but it wasn't so bad," she laughed as she brushed her wet hair out from her eyes.

Zuko couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped his lips hearing her. "Hahaha, I suppose not... so you pictured us kissing quite a bit huh?" he asked, his turn to tease her as he watched her face turn bright red.

"Hey, that's not what I meant haha," Suki smiled wider feeling back to her old self again. "I... I think we should start heading back. We don't want the girls panicking when they see we are gone."

"Yeah, yeah we should," Zuko sighed, not wanting tonight to end just yet.

Suki stepped towards him, smiling a bit sheepishly as she got closer. "Thanks for this Blue... I needed this."

"Me too," Zuko smiled as he was glad he could open up to her. "Maybe she would be okay if she learned my name," he thought, knowing he'd have to tell her soon, but just yet.

"I'll head back to camp... it'll probably be easier to explain if we don't walk back together," she said, chuckling a bit awkwardly.

"Yeah, it probably would," Zuko nodded in agreement.

"Well, goodnight Blue, or good morning... whatever it is now," Suki smiled with a soft chuckle as she leaned into him, pressing her lips to his in a soft sweet kiss.

Zuko sighed into the kiss before feeling her pull away. "See you, Suki."

"See you, Blue," She smiled as she collected her robes before disappearing into the woods and heading back to camp. The sun just starting to rise for the new day.

Please review and let me know what you think and if any of you have questions or want to know what I have planned for more you can message me anytime would be glad to hear from any of you