Author's Note:Hello everyone! I am so happy this story is starting to pick up! Both in it's popularity and in its content. I hope you all enjoy this battle-heavy chapter. I added some nice Zuko moments to help give you all a break from so much action.

You gotta have a nice balance ;) Also, yes Iroh is the best dad, he is going to be a very important person in Mira's life.

P.S. This chapter is a shorter one as where it ended felt like the best place. I promise more chapters are longer than this, so if it's short I may attempt to post two chapters closer together. We shall how my editing goes.

~Chapter 6 Start~

It had been almost a week since the storm incident. Zuko and I were getting along better now, as were most of the crew. We spent most of our time sparring or practicing, but now Zuko was a bearable teacher. Our fighting had become almost second nature. We moved with one another as opposed to against. He was a raging fire while I was the moth drawn in.

Along with that, came the ability to subtly read him. Just as I had learned to read Iroh's movements, I had learned to read Zuko's mood. Despite the fact he almost always frowned, he did indeed have different frowns for different things. My favourite was his frown when he hated the taste of something. He always suddenly looked his age, the anger dropping from his brows to add a look of incredulous as he stared at the offending sustenance.

It was late one night that I woke up having to pee horrendously. I blamed all the tea I drank with Iroh during one of his lessons. They may not have coffee, but it turned out they had a similar tea and it just ran right through me.

I was leaving the bathroom when I saw Zuko creeping back into his room, dressed in all black with a blue mask tucked under his arm. I gave a perplexed look and followed him, noticing he had two swords strapped to his back. I had never seen him wear something so plain before, even while sparring. Everything about the situation screamed he was up to something.

"Uhh...what?" I muttered to myself as he slipped into his room.

Ok, note to self, keep an eye on the prince, he was clearly doing something he wasn't supposed too. I went back to my own room and as I closed the door I turned around and saw Aang sitting on my bed.

"Long time no see." I smiled as he stood up.

"Indeed it is, how are you doing?" He asked.

"I'm ok, tired mostly, but ok. How do you guys survive without sufficient amounts of caffeine?" I asked.

"Caff-what? You always did mutter about it, never did quite tell me what it was though." Aang said thoughtfully.

"Nevermind, doesn't really matter. Actually I do have a question for you." I started to ask as I sat down.

"What is it?" Aang asked as he folded his hands together.

"Well...do you happen to know anything about Zuko sneaking around with some mask?"

Aang's eyebrows shot up at this and he hmm'd for a moment.

"I might." He answered with a smile.

"Gonna share with the class?" I asked.

"Hmm, you'll find out soon enough, no sense in ruining the surprise." He shrugged with a smile.

"Then why are you here?" I asked as I sat down on my bed and looked up at him.

"To check in with you, mostly. It's still early in your journey so many things can still change. But, it seems everything is right on track. Have you seen any of Sader's men yet?" Aang asked.

"Nope, course I've mostly kept to the ship so..." I trailed off with a shrug and lopsided smile.

"Good good, in any case rest up, you're going to need it." Aang smiled as he disappeared.

"Oh that's not cryptic, that's not cryptic at all.

~Break~

"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm. But, if we continue heading northeast-" Jee explained as he and Zuko looked over a map.

Their strategy planning was interrupted by the shadow of a large Fire Nation ship causing Iroh and I to look up from our game of Pai Sho. I could see the Fire Nation sigil painted along the hull of the ship as it passed the window. I briefly wondered who it could be only to be startled from my musing by Zuko.

"What do they want?" He spat as he turned to look out the same window I was watching.

"Perhaps a sporting game of Pai Sho." Iroh added, trying to be positive.

I sincerely doubted it as I heard the people shouting and a large thud as I assumed they began to board our ship.

Board our ship they did, and within minutes the other Fire Nation soldiers had taken most of our deck. Our helmsman having stopped the ship the minute they had sidled up to us, had turned to look at Zuko for instruction, his hands hovering over the controls. I could see their boarding platform from the window rather and frowned. I really did not like where this was going, I also disliked not knowing who it was.

A young soldier entered the room and pulled out a scroll from his armor and began to read the scroll out to us.

"The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance. All information regarding the Avatar must be reported directly to Admiral Zhao." One of Zhao's soldiers said as he held up the scroll.

Oh, great, it was Zhao.

"Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him." Iroh said as he moved one of his pieces.

"I've got nothing to report to Zhao. Now get off my ship and let us pass." Zuko ordered.

"Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area." The soldier explained as he rolled up his scroll and tucked it away.

"Off my ship!" Zuko yelled as he thrust out his hand and pointed off the ship.

Zhao's soldiers followed Zuko's order and retreated from the room, slowly returning to their ship. Zuko's expression was a mixture of pure rage and sorrowful loss. I could see his hands clenching and unclenching quickly as his eyes darted around. He was trying to think of a plan.

"Excellent!" Iroh exclaimed, "I take the pot. But you're all improving, I'm certain you will win if we play again. "

"Yeah yeah, reset the board, old man." I laughed as I watched Zhao's men pull their boarding platform from our ship.

~Break~

Zuko and I were on deck doing some training, well sparring was more like it. He was pressing hard against me, his kicks and punches coming without restraint. I managed to twist out of the way several times when he just about smashed a fist of fire into my face. I quickly grabbed his wrists and bent the fire away as I spun him.

"Jesus! Cutting it close, aren't you?" I asked as he gave a grunt in response.

"Is everything okay?" Iroh asked as he came up on deck. "It's been almost an hour and you haven't given the men any orders."

"I don't care what they do." Zuko said as he turned away.

"Don't give up hope yet. You can still find the Avatar before Zhao." Iroh explained.

"It's true, none of us want Zhao to find him first." I nodded.

"How, Uncle? How Mira?" Zuko turned around, anxiety bleeding across his face. "With Zhao's resources, it's just a matter of time before he captures the Avatar!"

I gave a snort at that, Zuko technically already had an Avatar; me.

"My honour, my throne, my country," Zuko spoke softly as he turned to stare out into the sea. "I'm about to lose them all."

"We won't let that happen Zuko." I spoke as I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I wish I was as sure as you two are." Zuko responded as we continued to stare out into the sea.

His words were startling similar to my own not long ago.

~Break~

Our sword lessons today were terse. I could tell Zuko was anxious about Zhao, I could also tell he had thinly veiled rage. Everything was slipping from his fingertips and I couldn't stop myself from feeling sympathetic now. I wasn't sure when it happened, but Zuko had slowly become more human, more approachable even.

Not that I would ever admit that to him. He had way too healthy of an ego for me to feel the need to boost it. We were moving through some slower speed sparing. It seemed the prince had a lot more talent than he would admit. The only question was, why was that the one thing he didn't brag about?

It was like firebending was the be-all-end-all to the Fire Nation. As if anything else was subpar. But, as we had continued training, it seemed that yes, there could have been a 'how to swordfight a bender' class in my time had we known anything about bending. Zuko seemed to have a lot of skill on how to fight bending with his swords, which most likely came from the fact he did indeed firebend.

His sword came towards me and I deflected it with the flat of my blade, rounding to attack his mid-line. Zuko easily blocked me, shifting to move around me and find an opening. To be fair, he usually did, but today he wasn't fighting like himself. He was fighting impulsively and my conversation with Iroh bubbled up. I started to watch Zuko's rushed movement and reacted accordingly. As Zuko continued to find an opening he began to frown and speed up slightly.

Which was strange, as Zuko had rather good control when sparring at lower speeds. I could see his jaw clenching tightly as he swung his blade down catching me off guard. I hadn't expected him to come at me from that angle and as I deflected I stumbled.

"You need to focus." Zuko almost growled at me.

I let out a huff as I turned to give him an annoyed look. I was panting from how fast he had caused us to speed up and couldn't help but want to yell at him back, but something stopped me. He was staring at me with a funny look as he stepped back and put his blade away. His hands were clenching the hilt of his blade as he twisted it in his hand. It wasn't a look I was familiar with and I found myself cataloging it for later.

"That's enough for today." Zuko said as he swept passed me and headed below deck.

"What the hell just happened?" I found myself asking to a silent ocean.

~Break~

Zuko was acting strange during dinner, and had excused himself to go to bed early. I wasn't buying it, which was why I was pacing the hall to his room. I didn't have to wait long, as soon as the sun went down and had passed the horizon, I heard his door open.

"What do you think you're doing?" I asked as I eyed his outfit, as well as the blue mask hidden under his arm,

"Nothing, now go to bed." He hissed as he tried to pass me.

"No way, you're up to something, I saw you coming in early this morning." I huffed as I placed my hands on my hips.

"You saw me returning?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't stalking you or anything. You know I have trouble sleeping, I was returning from the bathroom when I saw you." I glared at him.

"I'm just going for a walk." He pressed stubbornly.

"With swords?" I asked, raising my own eyebrow.

"It is wartime." Zuko retorted, tilting his face to look away.

"We are near Admiral Zhao's base, I doubt the area is all that dangerous. Unless it's his men you're worried about." I scoffed.

"Fine, I'll tell you if you tell me why you want to know." He huffed.

"I meant it when I said we wouldn't let Zhao get the Avatar, we includes me, so if you're doing anything to stop Zhao, I want in."

"Fine, but you'll need a mask." He sighed as he opened the door to his room again.

I smirked at my victory and followed him.

~Break~

He had handed me a similar mask, he must have had spares. I flipped it around in my hands as he gave me another look. The mask looked similar to the ornamental ones many people had in their homes in my time. It had white accents and a fanged grin spread upwards. I twisted it in the light watching as the gloss shined in the low light.

"What weapons do you know?" He asked as he began to dig around in a trunk.

"I know saber, rapier, long sword, polearm, bow staff, stick fighting, and knife/dagger fighting. I'm also not shit at hand to hand, but you already knew that." I rolled my eyes as I placed my hands on my hips in irritation.

"Calm down, I was just checking. Here, I have a set of my training swords, can you dual-wield?" He asked as he fished out a pair of banged up sabers from a trunk.

"It's been a while, but I can do it," I smirked as I took the weapons and did some practice swings. "Yeah, these feel good."

"They better be, they weren't cheap." He said as he moved towards the door and motioned for me to follow. "How did you know I was going to sneak out?"

"How do you know I wasn't going to the bathroom again?" I smirked as I placed the swords into the sheaths on my back.

"You're already dressed in matching dark clothing." He sighed as he flourished a hand towards my outfit.

"Earlier this evening, I had a feeling, then when you headed to bed early I just knew." I shrugged as we left the ship.

Zuko slipped his mask over his face and I followed suit and we both took off running through the brush towards Zhao's base.

Maybe this time I could help instead of hinder.

~Break~

Zuko peaked up through the bushes we were using as cover, he made a motion with his hands signaling for me to hold. After a few moments he motioned for me to follow him and we headed right, through the thicket, and towards the main road. Our only light the half moon above us, along with the brightly lit starscape.

Zuko signaled for me to move as a carriage came up, and we crawled towards the undercarriage until we were underneath. Zuko turned onto his back and reached out, grabbing onto the wooden struts. I followed him without hesitation, my head seated near his hip. I let out a small hiss at the pressure against my hands as the carriage started to move, but quickly got used to the movement once it had settled on its pace.

The carriage came to a stop before what appeared to be a brightly lit gate. I could see the guards feet as they checked out the driver, before rounding the carriage and looking in the back. I felt my hands begin to sweat as Zuko grabbed my arm. He raised his finger to his lips before pointing upwards.

"All clear." One of the guards spoke from above us as he finished rummaging around in the back.

We heard one of the guards approach our left, and lean down to check the underside. Zuko quickly moved, flipping himself out the back and into the inside of the carriage. He held out his hand and I grabbed hold, pulling myself into the back of the carriage as well. I marveled at how this would have been impossible to do not long ago. I guess the bonus of my training was my strength and stamina.

"All clear. Go on in." The guard announced as he stood back up.

We started moving as Zuko and I looked out from behind the boxes. I let out an internal whoop as we were brought into Zhao's base. No more guards bothered us as we were ushered into the main compound.

Once properly inside the carriage stopped and we quickly got out, crouching behind a few crates for cover. A few guards came over to start unloading the carriage so we waited for them to move away from us before making our next move. We rushed past the carriage once they had left, moving towards a staircase leading towards the main building of the base.

It led to another inner wall and we stayed low to the ground as we passed a few more guards who were busy watching Zhao's address. I peeked up and found every single one of them engrossed in what he was saying. Guess some things never change with propaganda.

"We are the sons and daughters of fire, the superior element!" Zhao's booming voice echoed around us. "Until today, only one thing stood in our path to victory: the Avatar!"

We crept past two more guards who were engrossed in the address, making a few comments of agreement and I scowled under my mask; what a blowhard. We made a left, staying close to the wall to avoid detection as Zhao continued.

"I am here to tell you that he is now my prisoner!" The crowd erupted into cheers. "This is the year Sozin's comet returns to grant us its power! This is the year the Fire Nation breaks through the walls of Ba Sing Se and burns the city to the ground!"

The crowd boomed in cheers that echoed off the metal and stone surrounding us. We continued around the wall, finding fewer and fewer guards as we went. It seemed most were busy watching Zhao's show. Sozin's comet? What was that and why was it so important? I didn't have much of a chance to dwell as Zuko started to move faster to avoid detection. I quickly moved to catch up, finding him unhooking a rope from his belt.

He began to tie a rope onto a post on the wall, testing its strength before he tossed it down. Zuko began to scale down the wall, the shadows obscuring him from the distracted masses. Once he reached the bottom he motioned for me to do the same. Once I had landed next to him we took off into one of what I could only assume was a sewage line of some sort. Zuko slipped through the bars covering one of the tunnels, and I followed him through it, having an easier time being much smaller.

We ran through the tunnels and towards one of the ladders leading out. We entered the main compound and Zuko signaled for me to take out the soldier on the right, and he would get the one on the left. I moved silently and smashed the hilt of my sword into his head, catching his body and softening his fall. Zuko did much the same and we continued through the halls. Zuko knocked the legs out from a third guard in the hallway, causing him to fall with a slam onto the ground. He kicked his helmet off before delivering a knockout blow with his boot. Picking up the helmet he walked towards the next turn in the hall and tossed the helmet down it.

He was testing the waters so to speak, he was smarter than I gave him credit for. The helmet tumbled with loud clangs against the metal floor, before finally stopping. One guard came to investigate and I grabbed his wrist as he turned the corner, twisting it behind his back as I grabbed his helmet for leverage slammed him into the wall. He fell to the ground, knocked out cold and I grinned. Ha! Another came to investigate the loud thump he heard, and Zuko shot out, knocking him to the ground with a kick of fire. He then wrapped chains around the man's arms and lifted him onto one of the pipes overheard. The guard let out a squawk of pain before I finished tying a cloth around his mouth.

Zuko and I then leapt up onto the pipes above and waited as two more guards came around the corner, their hands up at the ready. Zuko lashed out with another chain and caught one of the guards as he jumped down hoisting him up. I did the same to the other guard and we tied them up securely. Zuko quickly rushed past me as I finished up, and I heard the clatter of what I assumed was the emergency horn. I followed after him and found the last guard knocked out cold on the ground and covered with water.

"Nice." I complimented with a smirk.

Zuko quickly grabbed the keys and opened the door. We both entered and I found a pretty battered up Aang chained up in the middle of the room. Zuko closed the door and moved towards him, unsheathing his swords and rushing. He cut him free as Aang let out a small yell and winced. Aang stood there for a moment staring at Zuko, before Zuko broke the silence and slashed the cuffs off Aang's wrists, before doing the same for his ankles, fully freeing him. He then turned and moved towards me and I moved to follow him towards the door.

"Who are you guys? What's going on?" Aang asked, "Are you here to rescue me?"

Zuko's response was yanking the door open and shoving his sword in that direction. I let out a small sigh and motioned for him to follow us with my thumb.

"I'll take that as a yes." Aang answered for us.

We led him passed the incapacitated guards and I heard croaking.

"My frogs! Come back! And stop thawing out!" I heard Aang yell from behind us.

I stopped to investigate finding Aang yelling at actual thawing out frogs. He was still attempting to stuff them in his clothes when Zuko yanked him up and forced him to follow us.

"Wait!" Aang cried, "My friends need to suck on those frogs!"

I let out a small chuckle as Aang struggled in Zuko's grasp for a few moments, before relenting and following him proper. We led him down the same way we came, and into the sewer canals. We stayed close to the wall as the ceiling became grated. Guards kept passing overhead and I could hear the water swishing as we walked so loudly my heart almost exploded. Zuko then motioned for us to stop and peaked up out of the grate to see if the coast was clear. Once it was, he came back down and motioned for us to go up. He went first, myself second, and then Aang third.

We slipped past most of the guards and stayed in the shadows, weaving between boxes and pillars as we went. He led Aang to the rope we had used to shimmy down, and helped him up it. I turned to keep watch as Zuko went to follow, unfortunately they didn't get far as the alarm was sounded.

"There! On the wall!" A guard shouted.

Another leaned over and cut the rope, sending Aang screaming down the wall towards Zuko and I. Aang sent out a puff of air cushioning their fall as I braced against the torrent of wind. Once the smoke had cleared Zuko and I had our swords out and ready. Zuko pointed towards the far wall and we all bolted.

"The Avatar has escaped!" Zhao yelled from his overseeing balcony. "Close all the gates immediately!"

Soldiers rushed to do his bidding and we rushed to escape through the gates before it was too late. We moved in unison, making a beeline towards freedom.

"Stay close to me!" Aang said as he rushed past us.

We sped up, matching his pace, as a throng of guards cut us off from the closing gates. Aang sent out a strong gust of wind knocking them all away, and we just about made it to the gates when we became surrounded. Aang sped past as I blocked an incoming attack and parried another. Zuko twisted and spun around blocking several attacks as I let out a kick, knocking one of my opponents back as I moved to stop one from hitting Zuko's side.

Zuko continued to twist his blades, never stopping, never relenting, breaking the spears that came towards him, and sending pieces flying away. I followed his movements, getting used to the repetitive strikes of the blades extending off my arms. I kept the blend of high, low, high, low, covering all my quadrants and felt my pulse start to slow as the world around me became eerily quiet.

This must have been what a real fight felt like. I felt in the zone, completely comfortable with my blades. I moved with them and everything else felt so much slower. I could feel Zuko's movements as I got close to him, the wind passing against my clothing and causing goosebumps to appear. For once, Zuko and I seemed to move in perfect symmetry. In everything else we butted heads, but here we moved in sync, as if we were dancing.

It exhilarated me.

Aang quickly returned, sending out blasts of air against our opponents effectively freeing us. During his absence he had found a staff, which he was now using. He twirled it overhead, shooting out a gust of air which sent us flying up and over the wall. Zuko and I landed in a roll before standing. Mine was clumsier than his of course, I haven't actually ever done it holding swords before. Picking them up, sure, but holding them? That was new.

Soldiers surrounded us once more, but Aang was there and picked us up, his legs holding onto Zuko, as Zuko held me firmly in his arms. I let out a small squeak at being so high up, and clung onto Zuko. Aang did his best as they shot spears and arrows at us. Zuko deflected them as best he could, as Aang started to fall and almost got hit. An arrow was sailing towards Aang's back and I panicked, sending my arm out and feeling a surge of cool energy extend outwards, and the arrow shattered into splinters of wood. I gazed at it amazing for a moment, before noticing Aang was staring at me. He had an odd look on his face, but otherwise still looked the same, straining to keep us afloat.

Shit, had I just airbended?

Well any doubts that I was the Avatar were dispelled.

We started to fall as their assault grew more intense. Aang just barely managed to get us across to the other wall and we all landed hard. Zuko and I looked as guards started to pour in. Aang leapt to action, reaching for his makeshift staff, only to have it kicked off the wall. He weaved out of the way of the soldier's attack and circled him as Zuko stalked him from the rear. Zuko reached around and got the soldier in a chokehold as he pulled him to the ground, disarming the man. I fended off several attacks at his six as Zuko tossed the soldier off the wall. He picked up his fallen sword that the soldier had taken, and joined the assault at my side.

Aang managed to blast the remaining men off the wall as more soldiers poured in using bamboo ladders to climb the wall. I kicked some of them off, slashing at any that had a sword, as my muscles started to protest. Aang was doing slightly better, using his airbending to knock them from several ladders at a time. Aang grabbed two of the ladders, handing them to Zuko and I.

"Take this." He said as he jumped off the wall and onto another ladder as he held his own ladder horizontally. "Jump on my back!"

Zuko did as instructed and I followed them, landed near their legs for dispersion of weight. We started falling over, and once Aang's ladder could reach the ground, he placed it down and it bounced slightly, sending us falling once again towards our escape.

"Give me the next one!" Aang shouted as Zuko handed his ladder over.

We were just about to get over the wall when the ladder we were on started to go up in flames. I tossed my ladder to Aang who used it to switch us over quickly, too quickly, sending us falling fast into the wall. Aang jumped as we hung on, Zuko and I tried to help grab on as we hit the wall, but we didn't have enough momentum to make it. We all fell down the wall, Zuko and I quickly readying our weapons as we stood.

The soldiers fired streams of fire at us as Aang used his airbending to protect us from the barrage.

"Hold your fire!" Zhao ordered as he walked towards us. "The Avatar must be captured alive!"

At those words Zuko captured Aang from behind, holding his swords against his neck. I quickly followed suit to keep any soldiers away from Zuko and Aang.

"Open the gate." Zhao hissed out through gritted teeth.

"Admiral, what are you doing?"

"Let them out, now!" He yelled.

The gates began to open and Zuko and I backed out of it, staring Zhao down.

"How could you let them go?" One of the soldiers asked.

"A situation like this requires...precision." Zhao said as the gates fully closed.

We were nearing twenty feet from Zhao's base, backing up all the way when Zuko was hit by an arrow and sent careening back. He hit the ground hard, leaving a small imprint in the dirt where he had skidded back. I rushed towards him and knelt down trying to inspect the damage.

I looked up at Aang as he looked down at us, before he turned around and sent dust into the air obscuring us. I looked at Aang as he reached down, removing Zuko's mask and gasping. I quickly took mine off and pressed my finger to my lips.

"It's you..." Aang whispered as we locked eyes.

I nodded and moved to pick Zuko up. Aang looked back and forth between us and his escape. He had gotten up and moved as if he was going to leave us, before he stopped.

"Why did you help me?" He asked.

"Help me get him to safety and I'll answer anything you want." I answered as I managed to get Zuko's arm around my shoulder, his swords in my other hand.

Aang didn't respond, he just rushed back and slung Zuko's other arm over his shoulder and we left, disappearing into the trees.

~Break~

We had escaped deep into the woods and set up a small bed of leaves to let Zuko rest. Aang was sitting, tightly wound around himself as he eyed me warily.

"So?" He asked.

"So indeed...look this may sound absolutely insane but...I'm not your enemy, and I don't think he is either." I answered as I cast a stray look towards Zuko.

"What do you mean? You've both been attacking me for weeks." Aang said.

"I guess we are both just doing what we think we have to right now but...please trust me that I would never hand you over to the Fire Lord." I explained with a tight smile.

Aang gave me a funny look before sighing and scratching his head.

"Alright, I won't press you, but I hope one day you'll tell me the full truth." He gave me a smile and I felt my insides melt.

Aang was so kind and forgiving, how on earth could we be the same person?

"Does that mean you're hoping we will meet again?" I asked with a laugh.

"Maybe, depends on if it's friendly or not." He laughed back. "How did you end up with Zuko?"

"That's...a long story. Suffice to say, I don't have anyone else. Iroh and Zuko took me in when no one else would. Been teaching me to firebend, gave me shelter and taught me to fight. Maybe they're even family to me now, I dunno. Zuko's kind of a bullheaded idiot, but he took me in when no one else would, even if he did complain about it," I shrugged, "besides...he's not as bad as you think. I don't have a home anymore, and he gave me one in his own way. His story isn't mine to tell, but I think in another time you two could have been friends."

"You really think?" He asked with bright eyes.

"Who knows...from what I've heard he was different before he started his search for you, but now everything is so twisted up it's hard to tell where he's going to end up. I'm just hoping maybe I can do some good while I can." I explained honestly.

"Wow, you're pretty loyal aren't you?" Aang asked with a smile.

"I'd like to think so, that's why I'm here. To make sure the Fire Lord doesn't get you, and to keep him safe. His Uncle's heart would break if something ever happened to him." I smirked.

"Thanks, I'm not sure I understand why you're doing all this, but thanks." Aang answered honestly.

~Break~

I was returning from the bathroom when I heard Aang speaking softly.

"You know what the worst part about being born over a hundred years ago is?" He asked, "I miss all the friends I used to hang out with. Before the war started, I used to always visit my friend, Kuzon. The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together. He was one of the best friends I ever had. And he was from the Fire Nation, just like you. If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends, too?"

I heard Zuko yell and the tell-tale sound of firebending before I rushed over to find Zuko attacking Aang.

"Hey! He literally saved your life!" I yelled and I rushed towards Zuko and pushed him back.

Aang had jumped away with ease, and was flipping away through the trees as we watched. I was still holding onto Zuko's shoulders when he turned on me as soon as Aang disappeared from sight.

"I thought you said you wanted to help me capture him." Zuko frowned accusingly.

"I do, but you don't want to owe him do you? Zhao should let us leave now, and we can always capture Aang again. There's no honour in getting him this way. Not after he risked his life to help us." I said as I placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

He didn't say anything, but he didn't shake me off either. Maybe, just maybe, I could get through to the prince.

~Break~

"Where have you guys been? You missed music night!" Iroh smiled as he held his tsungi horn. "Lieutenant Jee sang a stirring love song.

Zuko walked past him without a word and I just shrugged.

"Training run, he indulged me." I smiled as I sent Zuko a wink and headed off for a much needed nap.

"I'm going to bed," Zuko spoke as he followed after me with a tired glare. "no disturbances."

I had never heard Zuko sound that tired before and I found myself worrying for him.

~Break~

When I fell asleep I found myself standing within my dream glen once more. The flowers had begun to bloom brighter now, the scent hitting me like a wave.

I found Aang seated in the middle, looking up at me with pride. I quickly walked over and sat down cross-legged before him with a pleased smile of my own.

"I think I finally bended another element!" I started to gush.

"Did you now?" Aang asked with pride.

"Yeah, it was air." I laughed, causing Aang's smile to widen.

"Congratulations. I told you you could do it." Aang said.

"I did...I was fighting with Zuko at Zhao's base, and...well you probably already know, you were there." I said with a tilted smile.

"I was, are you okay?" Aang asked, noticing the change in my mood.

"It's just...as I get better at bending and fighting, the more I can and do end up hurting people. I've never hurt anyone much less...killed them. I wouldn't even know what to do if I had too..." I said in one big breath.

"Yes, it is rather hard, but I have a feeling that isn't what is bothering you." Aang soothed as he leaned in.

"It's just...it used to be hard. I fought for fun, not survival or for a war. But now it's getting easier. I didn't even think about the people I hurt, I was too excited to tell you about my progress." I said as the shame spread across my belly.

"There is a difference between surviving and purposely hurting people. I had to hurt many people throughout this war. No one comes out unscathed, Mira." Aang said as he became somber.

"I'm such an idiot, you probably had to kill the Fire Lord or worse to win this war, all I did was best a few of Zhao's men in a fight." I said as I shook my head.

"Hmm, that is an interesting way to look at it." Aang said with a small twinkle in his eye.

"Let me guess, you can't tell me." I sighed.

Aang didn't respond, he just smiled at me as he and the world faded away into a proper dream.

~Break~

My next lesson with Zuko went a little different than the rest we had. This time, I found Zuko waiting for me as he held out the pair of blades he had lent me. My face lit up as I rushed over and grabbed them from his hands.

"What's this, Prince Zuko is giving me a gift? Lucky me." I grinned as I stepped away.

"Hardly a gift. They are hand-me-downs. You are better at dual-wielding than using a saber so I figured this would save us time." Zuko said as he retrieved his own.

"Why Zuko, I think that's the first compliment you've ever given me." I said, still riding the high of getting new swords.

"Just shut up and let's begin." Zuko growled as he raised his blades.

"Oh man, new sword day is the best." I gushed as I raised my own. |

"They aren't new." Zuko sighed.

"To you." I grinned.

Zuko gave me another look I hadn't seen on his face before and I almost missed a block as I attempted to memorize it. It was the first time that Zuko had looked at me without a trace of anger in his eyes that I could detect. I almost missed my next dodge and the look was replaced with one of irritation.

"Pay attention." Zuko said as he rolled his eyes.

We went through the strikes like we had the first time I had a lesson with him. Only, this time it went much faster and Zuko didn't correct me. We moved into defences, guards, and slips. Before I knew it Zuko was showing me a few grappling moves to do to disarm my opponent. His warm hand grasped my forearm as he pulled me close, prying the blades from my hands. My heart rate sped up and I felt Zuko let me go with a sigh.

"Again, only this time try and take my blades." He said as we reset.

Our lesson only completed once I had successfully disarmed Zuko, and that took a lot longer than I think either of us expected.

But, at least he didn't look angry anymore.

~Chapter 6 End~