Author's note: I had intended to post this a bit earlier but as this last week had been unexpectedly and exceptionally busy, I had no time or energy left for anything. Meaning, that not only was this update delayed, but as I couldn't write, you'll just get 2 new chapters instead of the 3 I had hoped to give :( Nonetheless, I wish you a happy belated new year.

Fight 58: Rallying

The gaang had unloaded Appa and was returning in the protected inner chamber to set their beddings. The Water Tribe siblings were still angry at Zuko. Why would he try to fool them like that? It was obvious he wanted to lead them into some kind of trap. Katara noted this was just like when they were in prison together in Ba Sing Se. He started talking about his mother, and making it seem like he was an actual human being with feelings. He wanted them to trust him and feel sorry for him, so they let their guard down, then he struck. The thing was, it did work. Katara did feel sorry for him. She had felt like he was really confused and hurt. The blue-eyed girl looked sadly, worriedly at the female firebender. Chenlian must have felt that especially keenly, that was why she had wanted to help Zuko so strongly, and be there for him, because she had seen good in him, and because they had been childhood friends... She'd thought she had seen his love for Chenlian... But obviously when the time came, he'd made his choice, and they paid the price. He was a man who betrayed the woman he claimed to love without a second thought. There was no way they could trust him.

It was then that Aang decided to confess that when the two had been sick and Zhao had captured him, it was Zuko who had risked his life and got him out. But that didn't change the siblings' opinion. They were sure Zuko had only saved him so he could capture him himself. And Chenlian confirmed it. To Zuko, his honor hinged on the Avatar's capture; if someone else got the credit, he would have lost all hope of returning to his family, being accepted by his father, and regaining his position. There was nothing more important to him. He didn't care about anything, or anyone else. She had understood that.

"You're certainly right." The monk admitted.

"And what was all that crazy stuff about becoming our friend? How could he be so stupid as to come out with such obvious lies?" The waterbender kept ranting.

"Actually, he wasn't lying." Toph pointed out.

"Oh, hooray. In a lifetime of evil, he spoke the truth a single time." Sokka sarcastically replied, glaring at her.

"I'm just saying that considering his messed-up family, and how he was raised, he could've turned out a lot worse." The blind girl tried to tone down her friends' animosity.

"You're right, Toph, let's go find him and give him a medal. The 'not as much of a jerk as you could have been' award." Katara, for once, was as sardonic as her bother.

"All I know is that while he was talking to us, he was sincere. Maybe you're all just letting your hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly."

"Easy for you to say, you weren't there when he had us attacked by pirates."

"Or when he burned down Kyoshi Island."

"Or when he tried to capture me at the Fire Temple."

"Why would you even try to defend him?"

"That's right! That guy's not needed! Aang already has Chenlian as firebending teacher."

"Because we need as many allies as possible, even just one more! The best would be to have Zuko and Chenlian cooperate-"

"What? No! I'm not having Zuko teach me! Especially after what he did to Chenlian, you can't ask them to cooperate!" The airbender decided, settling the 'negociations'.

But Toph hadn't given up. She went to Chenlian. If SHE said it was okay, then the others would be sure to reconsider as well. She tried to appeal to her reason, to her ability to put her feelings aside to do what needed to be done, what was best, for the Avatar's sake. Besides, she of all people should know how earnest and desperate Zuko was, how strongly he wanted to do the right thing, how much effort it must have taken for him to renounce his family and come here. And she had thought for sure that Chenlian wasn't one to coldly brush off such earnestness and resolution.

"I understand what you're trying to say... and if I thought he could be trusted, I'd be the first one to welcome him and vouch for him. But by experience, I KNOW that his earnestness, his desperation, and resolution are the very reasons why he cannot be trusted now. Back then he was struggling desperately to do what's right too... That's why I wanted to help him and be with him. I believed in him... right to the end... but even putting in your best effort doesn't guarantee success. If he does dare come back here, why don't you ask him... if he truly loved me back then, if his promises to me, to stay with me, had truly been from the heart... and how... despite all that, he could still turn his back on me? He's already done it, so he can do it again. Further down the road, in a week, a month, a year... he'll turn coat again, because he can't escape the yoke of his family. Then it's best not to trust him at all, so you can be prepared. Get close to him and you'll get hurt, believe in him and he'll stab you in the back. That's what I concluded after knowing him for close to ten years. What happened can happen again. So this time I won't be fooled. This is to protect Aang and you guys. To that end, I'd even like to make sure he can't harm us first. Even without killing, there are ways to incapacite a person..." The female firebender suggested like she was talking about garden pests. She was speaking calmly, with no trace of anger or rancor. Her voice was sad but firm, and her years of observation gave weight to her words. The earthbender could tell that Chenlian was simply exposing the facts, and her convictions.

"You say all that, but in fact you just want revenge, don't you?" Toph accused her, even though she could tell it was not the case. Chenlian laughed at this. A physical injury that could heal in a month or two couldn't be called 'revenge'. So she was asked what her revenge would be.

"An eye for an eye...? First have the people he loves killed, all the things important to him taken away little by little, letting him heal, know happiness, and then crush him again, every single time, making sure tragedy befalls all those who help him, and their families, before letting him rot away somewhere all alone, then I'd entirely forget about him in the arms of another man who'd make me the happiest woman on earth. He'd watch me be happy even though I had destroyed everything important to him... something like that I guess. Revenge is both time- and self-consuming. It would be beyond stupid to waste any more of my precious time and energy on something like this... on him... when I have many and much more important things to do." The amber-eyed girl calmly explained. Again, the earthbender detected no lie.

"I get it." Toph sighed. There was no way she could convince Chenlian. She had suffered too much. She could not ask anything of her. More than that, if she listened and sympathised any further, Toph would be the one at a danger of being persuaded. At this point, it would be impossible unless Chenlian's emotional wounds were treated. But the only way would be to let Zuko, the one who had hurt her, touch her heart again, to let his love heal her... and that was exactly why Chenlian refused treatment. And that was also why Toph HAD to talk to Zuko.

It wasn't just about having Aang learn firebending and saving the world. She wanted Chenlian – her friend – to heal and be happy. Although she might not act like it, she was worried about her, just like everyone, and wanted the best for her. Chenlian did not seem to realize how much she was loved... by them, or by Zuko, and surely, by many others. Pain had clouded her eyes. But because Toph had more hindsight than Katara or the others, she knew that for Chenlian to be truly happy, she had to overcome that pain and despair once more and be with Zuko. It was not too late. As long as she still had even dregs of feelings for him, they could be strengthened again. However, it was also true that she no longer had any strength left to believe. So it all rested on Zuko now. The blind child was still furious that this idiot prince had reduced the truly strong, kind and proud Chenlian to this state, but to restore her, there was no choice but to rely on him after all. That was certainly going to be long and arduous to say the least, but again, he would just be reaping what he sowed...

It was night. Zuko was sleeping when a rustling noise woke him up. He slightly raised himself and stared beyond the campfire.

"Who's there? Stay back!" He demanded, sending an arch of fire.

"It's me!" Toph yelled back as she shielded herself with a rock pillar. But the flames circled around it, burning her feet as she stepped back in surprise. "Ow!" She yelped in pain and fell back on her behind, the soles of her feet visibly red and raw. "You burned my feet!" She shouted angrily. Now fully awake, Zuko rubbed his eyes in disbelief at what he had done.

"I'm sorry, it was a mistake!" The boy apologized and rushed to her.

"Get away from me!" The frightened earthbender tried to escape on all fours, hurling rocks at Zuko as she did. He evaded them all and quickly caught up with her.

"Let me help you!" He pleaded. Toph sent a chunk of earth back as he dodged it. "I'm sorry!" He apologized again and evaded another rock. He clamped a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

"Get off me, get off me!" The terrified girl screamed and turned around, falling on her back on the ground, and earthbending a pillar that hit Zuko's chest and hurled him away. He landed on his back a distance away.

"I didn't know it was you!" The prince justified himself. He sat up and tried to move forward but held his side and grimaced in pain. "Come back!" He yelled as Toph kept crawling away and disappeared into the darkness. Zuko lied back down and groaned in frustration. "Ugh! Why am I so bad at being good?!" He howled in the night.

Chenlian woke up. It was still night, but dawn wasn't too far off. She swore. She had intended to keep watch all night but she had ended up dozing off. She stood up and went to drink at the fountain and wash her face, but when she turned back, she noticed that Toph was gone. She swore again and took off. She could easily guess where she had gone. When she reached the forest she heard a rumble and headed towards the noise. She saw an opening in the ground, landed, entered the tunnel and called her friend. The earthbender hadn't gone far. The girls were both relieved to see each other, but then, Chenlian's blood boiled when she saw the state of Toph's feet. She gritted her teeth, but made no mention of it. That guy had hurt one of her friends again. There was nothing more to say. But for now, she had to take care of Toph first. She took a deep breath and calmed down. After all healing techniques required extremely careful and precise control. She infused her chi, alleviating the pain, speeding the healing process. Then the wounded child climbed on her back. They exited the tunnel and the firebender took off while carrying her injured friend.

They returned to everyone. Chenlian yelled to wake them up. They were surprised to see the state Toph was in. She entrusted her in their care and left again. Sokka asked where she was going. She told him to ask Toph.

Zuko was sitting before the fire, thinking. His mistake earlier had made things even more difficult. He was too on edge. He really had to fix his habit of jumping in before properly assessing the situation. How many times had Chenlian and his uncle scolded him for his impulsiveness and covered for him? He hurt people too easily. Now that he was alone, he had to be careful... He had hurt one of Chenlian's friends again... Could she forgive him now? Could he convince her and the others it was an accident? In any case he would go and apologise once the sun was up. However, a voice soon snapped him out of his brooding.

"So you stayed instead of running away. I guess I should praise your courage... and thank you for saving me the trouble of looking for you..."

"Chenlian!" The prince bolted upright as the girl appeared in the firelight.

"How many times will you keep on hurting my friends before you're satisfied?" A glacial type of rage was carving her attractive face.

"It was an accident! I didn't mean to-"

"ENOUGH! I told you to leave, I told you you're only good at hurting others... but you wouldn't listen! This time I'll make it so you can't cause any more damage..." She bended lightning at him. He was so surprised he barely had the time to redirect it to the sky. She clicked her tongue. He had good reactions after all. She sent balls and arches of fire his way but he quenched them. Well, she didn't want to risk burning the forest so she was holding back a lot. He kept begging her stop and listen to him but she didn't even bother answering. She's had enough of his excuses. Then that left close combat. She launched a particularly large fireball, obscuring his view, so when he erased it, he couldn't dogdge her flying roundhouse kick and was sent tumbling away. He rolled away to avoid a flaming drop kick, stood up and took some distance. The Fire Nation prince started pleading again. The girl glared at him, gritted her teeth, closed the distance in an instant and put all her power into her punch. Zuko was about to raise his arms to defend himself but suddenly stopped. The fist collided with his cheek, knocking him back. Blows rained on him. He was just letting her hit him, until he finally fell on his back. She dropped to her knees, straddling him, and grabbed his collar.

"Why don't you defend yourself? Fight back."

"I didn't come to fight. I don't want to hurt you."

"But you still hurt my friend. I warned you, Zuko, didn't I?" Chenlian made a fire dagger she pressed against his throat. "Now fight. Fight, and when you're within an inch of your life, I'll drag you to face judgement. If you don't, I'll end that life, eliminating the threat."

"Do what you want, but I won't fight you. And I won't leave. I know what I did to you and the Avatar, and everyone. I came prepared for anything." He made no attempt to resist or even grab her arms.

"So you'd really go that far to pretend to be the good guy. You want to capture Aang THAT much."

"That's not it!" Zuko suddenly sat up, grasping her fist holding the fire dagger with his left hand while his right hand was clamped on her shoulder. "And I would never use you to approach him either! I love you! It's true I tried to stop loving you but I can't! I can't love anyone but you! When I thought you were dead, I... you don't know what I felt...! You don't know how it destroyed me!" He gripped her shoulder so tightly it hurt. "And then there was the war meeting and I thought I had to finish what you couldn't do because of me... because that was the only thing that could still connect me to you... but then you were alive, and... and... Chenlian, I know my place is at your side, helping the Avatar! I know you don't want to believe me and you feel like you can't after everything but I love you! And I'll keep saying it and proving it to you, and I will do everything I can to help the Avatar and everyone. Back then I was unable to believe you, to believe in you, and in your judgement. If I had then you wouldn't have had to endure so much because of me. I forced you to bear much more than you should ever have... even though I kept saying that I wanted you to rely on me... I was just a coward... I blamed you for everything... all because I couldn't face myself, my feelings, or the truth about my family... but not anymore! I changed! You changed me! Because you've been standing before me all this time, I've found the strength to believe... I believe it's not too late, and I believe in you! If you really think I'll just end up betraying you again and my real goal is to capture him, then kill me now." He pressed her fiery blade to his neck.

"...Unlike you cold-blooded lot, the Avatar detests bloodshed. I intend to be loyal to him and respect his wishes as much as possible. You think he'd allow me to kill people so easily?" Chenlian contradicted her earlier statement that she'd kill him. Although it didn't show in her countenance, voice, or expression, his intensity, his earnest passion, his words, had caused her soul to waver and cracks to appear in the ice shielding her heart.

"I think you would do anything to fulfil your duty and protect those you chose to protect. But now, you can't believe in yourself, in your own judgement anymore, that's why you're leaving the decision-making to the Avatar, and you're waiting for me to retaliate and show antagonism, to have a justification. You're afraid of being too drastic because you can sense that I'm telling the truth. A part of you still wants to believe in me... A part of you still loves me..." The prince looked straight at her. His eyes were so different from before... they were so clear now, so void of doubt, and so full of love... She didn't want to see that! She wanted to avert her eyes and deny him, but she couldn't say anything! Why?! Even though she thought she had learnt her lesson and taken her decision! Time passed until he slowly leant in and kissed her, tenderly but just as deeply. He very gently pushed her to the side, and laid her on the grass without breaking the kiss and lay on top of her.

Early morning, the group was next to the fountain. Katara was filling bowls with rice and handing them out. She was worried about Chenlian who still hadn't returned. Toph had related her meeting with Zuko, resulting in her injury. While she had admitted that it had been accidental, she couldn't deny that she still had been firebended at. She had hoped to talk with Zuko and worked something out. Sokka mentioned how they had warned her not to trust Zuko, but she had still gone and got burned, literally. Chenlian had found and helped her. Although the female firebender had kept quiet, it was easy to guess where she had gone and what she intented to do. Zuko was too dangerous to be left alone, so she had gone after him. She really worked fast after all. But they didn't want her to be alone with that guy. She should have waited until they could go together. She should have relied on them instead of taking everything on her shoulders and going alone. They would have to redo her education from scratch. The boys once more carried Toph to the fountain and sat her down on the edge, letting her cool and soothe her feet in the water.

They had no idea that their murderous pursuer had found them again and was observing them from a ledge high above them on the side. But suddenly, their attention was drawn by an explosion. Right as the assassin had thrown back his head, about to attack, Zuko swinging on a vine, had bumped into him, deviating the shot that Chenlian had intercepted in midair. Like a violent tug at her soul, when she had calmed, she had then felt the urgent need to return to her friends, fearing for their safety, and seen the image of Combustion Man. And she had left the prince with one furious glare. She was going to clean up his mess. He had begged to accompany her and promised to stop the assassin. After hesitating, she ended up agreeing, although she had neglected to tell him why... Whatever his reasons, he WAS intent for the time being on gaining Aang's favor, so he was going to do his utmost to convince them of his loyalty. In that sense, he could prove useful. But if he intended to take advantage of the situation and team up with his assassin, she would finish them both off. Still, now that she was seeing that assassin again in person, the living proof of Zuko's crime, everything was coming back to her... that day in Ba Sing Se, her time in that cell, the pain and the wounds that guy, his sister, and his hireling had inflicted on them... and her own decision... "I'll get that assassin before he kills Aang! I can't allow Zuko to cause any more damage! I won't allow it! Whatever those siblings throw at Aang, I'll stop it! And when the day we face each other as enemies comes, this time, I'll definitely..." Right, how could she be stupid enough to trip over and over over the same stone? She had been tossed around more than enough! She covered her comrades' retreat. The kids were carrying Toph away but stopped when they heard Zuko.

"Stop! I don't want you hunting the Avatar anymore! The mission is off. I'm ordering you to stop!" The Fire Lord's son went to stand before Combustion man, arms spread out to block him. Aang was shocked when he heard that. Chenlian's eyes narrowed. Of course he would do this much in order to keep his act up. However, the hitman ignored his employer and shoved him out of the way before firing another blast that was detonated by the female firebender. "If you keep attacking, I won't pay you!" Zuko threatened, while actually trying to firebend at him... though he was easily stopped when his shirt was grabbed. His fireball missed too and hit the ground. "All right, I'll pay you double to stop!" He then attempted negociations, breaking free and kicking his rebellious employee. The beefy man was barely affected, and the teenager was the one who sprung back.

Zuko landed on his hands and feet, and quickly turned around, alarmed. Tired of his constant interference, Combustion Man fired at his paymaster and prince. The boy protected himself with a shield of fire, using rotation to increase its capacity... but the blast nonetheless pushed him across the floor, and over the edge. Fortunately he had caught a thick vine hanging under the ledge and was climbing back up. Chenlian clicked her tongue. So that guy was useless after all... not like she had expected anything from him. The assassin turned his attention back the Avatar, but it was too late. Aang and the others had already got to safety.

The amber-eyed girl smirked. At this distance, the others could not easily interfere. This time she would protect them and finally put a definitive end to that nuisance! She went on the offensive, drawing his attacks towards her, moving away from the fountain area to making sure that the energy beams she would dodge could not go on to hit the fountain and pillars and endanger her friends. She defended herself with fire or sometimes her lightning collided with his shots, causing explosions. It was a second after one of those that she fired at the cliff above him. He raised his arms for protection but was still buried by the rockfall. As expected though, it was not enough to kill a man with such physique. He soon started freeing himself. However, he missed a pebble falling on his third eye. Chenlian quickly moved her arms, separating the yin and yang energy and letting them collide again, generating lightning. Seeing that, Combustion Man had no choice but to forcefully try to fire his energy beam despite his blurry vision. And because of his hastiness, his power malfunctioned. Sparks flew from his forehead, causing a series of explosions around him. The female firebender shot a powerful bolt right where her enemy stood. There were other explosions. Something suddenly flew towards her. She caught it. It was a metallic arm. The ground, no, a whole pan of the cliff crumbled and fell in the chasm along with the assassin. Chenlian dropped the arm too.

Even if he still wasn't dead, with his defective power, that man could not get closer to the cliff and stop his fall with his one flesh arm. It was impossible for him to survive. It was finally over. She had protected her friends and defeated the assassin. Aang and the Water Tribe siblings ran forward and looked down in shock. Haru, The Duke, and Teo peeked out from behind one of the tall doors. The airbender, Katara, and Sokka looked up. Chenlian was coming back to them. They hugged her and touched her arms and back. Then they looked back again. Zuko had reached the ledge and was pulling himself up.

Zuko walked towards Aang, Sokka, Katara, and Toph, who was sitting on a large rock.

"I can't believe I'm saying this... but thanks Zuko." The last airbender spoke.

"That's our infinitely kind Avatar for you. Rewarding the seeming intention even though he was useless... I couldn't possibly do the same." Chenlian shrugged, shaking her head. Her childhood friend chose not to raise it but remembered perfectly well every time she had praised his efforts even if those had resulted in failures... She had never been put off, and always encouraged him to keep trying hard, again and again... until he succeeded... until now. And because he could not forget, he really could not give up... on her, or on his choice to side with the Avatar...

"Listen, I know I didn't explain myself very well yesterday. I've been through a lot in the past few years, and it's been hard. But I'm realizing that I had to go through all those things to learn the truth. I thought I had lost my honor, and that somehow my father could return it to me. But I know now that no one can give you your honor. It's something you earn for yourself, by choosing to do what's right. And the ones who helped me realize it were you, Chenlian, and Uncle. If only I had realized sooner... If only I could take back all the things I said and did that hurt you and make it so they never happened... but I can't. I can't change the past no matter how much I cry or beg... so instead I'll do all I can now to make up for it, even if it takes a lifetime. All I want now is to play my part in ending this war, together with you. And I know my destiny is to help you restore balance to the world and build an era of peace and kindness with everyone." The Fire Nation Prince spoke clearly, earnestly. Aang's expression softened. Zuko looked at Toph. "I'm sorry for what I did to you." He bowed. "It was an accident. Fire can be dangerous and wild. So as a firebender, I need to be more careful and control my bending so I don't hurt people unintentionally." He explained. At this, Aang's expression changed to one of surprise and realization and he looked down in thought for a moment. "In that sense, Chenlian is certainly the best teacher. She has long known something I learned just recently. She has the discipline and has mastered both the spiritual and technical side of the art. I also need to learn from her in the same time as I hope to be of assistance to her."

"When I first tried to learn firebending, I did it against Chenlian's advice, and I burned Katara. And after that, I never wanted to firebend again. Now I know you understand how easy it is to hurt the people you love. And whenever I chose to ignore her advice, I generally ended up regretting it. It was the same for you, wasn't it? I guess we're the same after all. If we learn from the best, we can only become better benders, and better people." The young monk bowed to the man who had hunted him for almost a year, hurting the people around him in the process. Chenlian looked down, upset. Now that had been quite underhanded of Aang... to assume she was going to allow this... and to phrase things in a way she could hardly refuse him...

"Thank you. I'm so happy you've accepted me into your group." The royal firebender smiled warmly, greatly relieved, and bowed too.

"Not so fast. I still have to ask my friends if it's ok with them." The airbender put on the brakes. "Toph, you're the one that Zuko burned. What do you think?" He turned to the blind child who agreed. This way she'd have plenty of time to get back at him for burning her feet. And if Aang believed that was what they should do to defeat the Fire Lord, then Sokka was ok with it too. The avatar nodded with a small smile and turned to Chenlian. She was the one Zuko had hurt the most over the time. She sighed.

"I'm absolutely against it." She declared. Distraught carved Aang's and Zuko's features. "... or so I'd like to say, but actually you've already decided to let him join, right? You're the Avatar, firebending training aside, it's not my place to question your decisions. Besides, there's this saying... keep your friends close, and your enemies closer..." She smiled, but it was an uncharacteristically sinister smile. Right, since Ba Sing Se, she had learned... or rather been reminded of the importance of keeping a close eye on your enemies. She could react immediately at the smallest move, and until that time, they could work him to the bone. He seemed to be asking for it too. Besides, they had already settled on the fact that it was too dangerous to leave that guy to his own devices. In any case, although her reason left the two with mixed feelings, she had still agreed to it. Only Katara was left. The waterbender looked at Zuko and frowned.

"I'll go along with whatever you think is right." She answered reluctantly. If Aang AND Chenlian were okay with it, then what could she say? Though obviously, the whole thing didn't sit well with her.

"I won't let you down, I promise." The Fire Lord's son approached them, all excited. He was still smiling when his new allies returned inside, Sokka carrying Toph.

"Then first thing first, don't make any careless promise. Some people might believe you." Chenlian smiled mockingly, glancing back at him.

Some time later, Zuko, after having fetched his belongings, was following Sokka down a hallway to a door.

"So here you go, home sweet home. I guess, you know, for now." The ponytailed guy spoke awkwardly, inviting the newcomer into the room they had chosen for him. Zuko entered. "Unpack... lunch soon. Uh...welcome aboard?" He continued from the door. The young Fire Nation man smiled back at him. Sokka stared, disconcerted, and left. He stopped by Aang. "Yeah. Ok, this is really, really weird." Indeed, for THAT person to have joined them... Aang and Sokka walked away. The Avatar was smiling. But that smile faltered when he saw Chenlian leaning against the wall, her arms crossed, looking over them with a dark expression. He was aware that he had forced her hand a bit... and that despite her words, it must be VERY difficult to bear Zuko's presence... and that he had so easily accepted the guy who had hurt her so much into the group... so he felt the need to apologize to her.

"Chenlian, I'm sorry... I-"

"Why are you apologising?" She interrupted him. "It's not like you're going to change your mind about him just because of me, is it? If you don't regret your decision, and you believe yourself in the right, then you shouldn't apologize." She coldly replied. Aang hung his head. She knew how much he wanted to give Zuko another chance. And he knew that because of that, she couldn't refuse him... and that given the situation, he was basically considering her feelings as secondary, and forcing her to just suck it up. She didn't resent him or felt any kind of animosity... but his actions had driven a splinter in their relation, and caused her emotional detachment. He could tell that he had disaffected her. And that one really stung.

Zuko sat on the bed and started unpacking. He pulled out a small portrait of Iroh. Again, he remembered that day one week after his banishment when he had come to this temple and strongly declared that he would spend every day of the rest of his life hunting the Avatar if he had to, because he knew it was his destiny to capture him. And then, his uncle had placed a hand on his shoulder and told him that destiny was a funny thing. You never knew how things were going to work out. And he had promised that he would find his own destiny someday if he kept an open mind and an open heart.

Back then, Iroh must have known that what Zuko had believed to be his destiny had actually been 'just' the 'curse' his father had placed on him, and that his true destiny was something else... which was why he had given those words of advice. And everything had happened just as Iroh had foretold. Zuko smiled at the reminiscence, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a presence and saw Katara leaning against the door frame. Slightly alarmed, he quickly stood up and was about to speak but the waterbender cut him off.

"You might have everyone else here buying your... 'transformation'..." Katara started venomously. "But you and I both know you've struggled with doing the right thing in the past. We know that no matter how much you MIGHT have loved Chenlian, that didn't stop you from betraying her." She walked up to Zuko and leant forward threateningly. "So let me tell you something right now. You make one step backward, one slip-up, give me one reason to think you might hurt Aang or Chenlian again... and you won't have to worry about your destiny anymore. Because I'll make sure your destiny ends right then and there... permanently." She menaced. And he could tell those were not empty threats. The girl turned back but stopped when she saw Chenlian in the doorway.

"Sorry Katara, but that's my role, as my atonement for that time." Chenlian spoke. "Just like you felt responsible for Hama, I am responsible for this guy. Don't worry, as long as I have that safeguard burnt on my back, I can never forget what happens when I place my trust in the wrong person." She reassured her with a cold smile.

"You're right..." Katara agreed and walked to her friend. "But Chenlian, was it really okay to allow him back here? If you had refused then... "

"Isn't it fine? We'd already decided to have him around to keep an eye on him. And since he intends to pretend to be on our side, he'll do his best to earn our trust. He'll listen to whatever we say and try to make himself useful. Of course you can't entrust him with important stuff but other than that, you can work him to the bone... not like he can do much though. This way, it'll be easier to cut him off too as we won't have to look for him. Just see him as a disposable manservant. Well it should be fine as long as we stay sharp and don't let our guard down." The female firebender smiled coldly and calculatingly, talking as if the man in question wasn't there, like warning him to be mindful of his position and not get his hopes up.

"Alright." Katara placed a hand on her shoulder. "But I'll be there whenever you need me, and I'll still interfere at the slightest hint of danger. I won't hesitate. You should understand that I want to protect you, my family too." Her sapphire eyes bore straight into her amber ones.

"Thank you." Chenlian's smile softened and became warmer as she placed a hand on her 'sister''s. Katara left. The firebender girl was about to follow her when Zuko stopped her.

"Why...? You stayed with me... I thought you beli-"

"I thought too, a lot. I thought about what I should be doing... to protect the Avatar, my friends, and myself. And I remembered. You're always sincere. That's the very reason why I cannot trust you. So when the time comes that you'll turn against us again, I will be prepared. That is my way of protecting myself and my friends. I guess it's true that I still have feelings for you. They couldn't disappear that easily after all. You could call that 'lingering attachment to a past life'. However, they shouldn't stop me from doing what I must next time. For safety though, I should make sure to completely snuff them out. I should properly say things, make a clean break. After all, even though it was obvious from our actions, we never had the courage to actually say it. Zuko, it really is over between us. Accept it."

"And you expect me to just say 'yes' and give up?! How can you-"

"And what can you do? What can you say? Whether you want it or not, that is reality. Don't escape into your delusions, don't throw a tantrum like you always do. Grow up and face it." Her voice icily worded his fears. And her cold eyes that already saw him as a stranger and potential threat; constantly observing him as if to determine when he would overstep the line and must be eliminated... Back then in the Earth Kingdom, her hands on his cheeks, she would look at him as if searching for his heart, in order to gently, warmly embrace it and protect it. They had always chased after each other. When she had faked her death, he had thought that everything was over, his deepest fear had come true. But then he had found that she was still alive, and it was his second deepest fear that had come true. She had utterly rejected him. It was like just as he finally reached out to her enough to grab her, she kicked him down, escaped, and flew off. That was why he had to overcome his fear, to surpass himself if he wanted to win her back.

"And I told you I believe in you, I believe in us, in the bond we've formed, I believe that even now, you haven't completely severed it, and I believe that even if you have, I will be able to tie it again and strengthen it and I will do everything I can for that."

"Someone's heart is not something that can be obtained forcefully, you know? Besides, even if you believe, you will be betrayed in the end. WE belong to the past. All you are now is a potential enemy." The girl asserted implacably. Tears fell from Zuko's eyes. The cold and hard facts, how she assumed he was inevitably going to betray her again, how his sincerity, which he had thought would be his greatest asset in winning her back, was actually acting as the principal reason for his downfall... just what could he do?! "Don't cry. Don't think someone will necessarily come to your help if you cry. Don't think crying can always get you what you want. There are things that can never be obtained or returned even if you cry all the tears in your body. Even kids know that. And don't assume you can soften my heart just because I am a woman, or because I am me. Crying... cannot get you anywhere. It will only invite others to take advantage of your weakness." She remembered when she had cried after Zuko had left her in her cell and how Linshen had kissed her.

"Then did you cry, when I didn't take your hand? Was that guy the one who comforted you? He was the one who took you out of prison too, wasn't he? I know he's been seeing you regularly."

"Well, who knows? What's for sure is that I can trust him with my life. That's more than I can say about you."

"But you know he's just playing you!"

"Yet, his playing around is much more sincere than your so-called seriousness. Even if our relation exists out of interest, that doesn't change the fact that he can support me in many ways and that I can rely on him, at least to some extent. That's much more than you were ever able to do for me, so you really have no right to complain. In that case, are you going to have him killed? Like you were about to do with Aang, like your father did with my family?" She was smiling mockingly, spitefully. Zuko trembled, torn between hurt and rage. He knew it was his fault that things had become like this. He certainly deserved it after everything he had put her through. He knew, he understood... but... still... even if it was totally absurd... there was nothing he could do about this jealousy that was burning him, consuming him. His fury was so intense and violent that indeed, if that man was there, he'd likely try to kill him. To support and protect Chenlian... to be trusted and relied on by her to this extent... that was exactly what Zuko had always so ardently yearned for... even though he had only ever achieved just the opposite... What to do with those smoldering feelings?! However, as much as that rage was directed towards that man, it was also directed towards himself. And looking at her eyes, he also knew she was waiting for the moment he would snap. He could not snap. He had to endure.

"...I won't do anything." He replied after a time, having calmed down.

"Oh my, at least you've become wiser." Chenlian smiled cynically. So he was aware that were he to act against Linshen, her ally, she would consider that an act of rebellion and terminate him.

"You would really kill me to protect him?"

"Yes." The girl answered unhesitatingly. The blow made him let go and stagger backwards. He seemed to have gone numb for a time, barely able to stand. Then the pain returned and distorted his expression.

Has he given up? It would be good if that was enough. She started leaving but instead of falling on his knees Zuko caught her and hugged her tight. Over all these years, he had made her suffer much more than this. He couldn't fall from only this much. Every hurtful word, every provocation, every attempt to anger him... he had to take them all, accept them, withstand them... because they were the consequences of his own actions. He had broken her, and all the shards he was picking were cutting through him. He had to accept it. He had to embrace her and comfort her every time she'd hurt him, because she was the one who truly hurt. He had to let her know he loved her, he'd be there for her, no matter how painful it was, no matter how much she would struggle, he would no longer let go.

"I love you."

"You're saying that to the wrong person."

"No, I'm not."

"You knew he was coming to visit me. And still you didn't do anything. You letting him take care of me means you entrusted me to him because you knew you could no longer be by my side. This was not your place. Your place is with your girlfriend, Mai, your sister and father. You chose them over me. Don't try to win me over again now. I'm not some permit you can get whenever you need entry into the Avatar's circle."

"I broke up with Mai and abandoned my family because I chose you. I chose you because I love you. Even if you hurt me, even if you struggle, I won't let go."

"Is that so?" She indeed struggled hard, but true to his words, he withstood it, cradled her more and squeezed her tighter. She was only exhausting herself. His scent, his warmth, his firm embrace, his breath, his voice in her ear whispering words of love... all evoked memories she'd rather erase, roused feelings she'd rather extinguish. She had to keep it together. She had to stay strong. So Chenlian changed tactics and hugged him back. Zuko was pleasantly surprised and thought maybe his feelings had finally reached her... until he found himself growing weaker, colder, like his energy, his blood, his warmth were rapidly flowing out of him... and into her, through her hands. He staggered to a sitting position but still did not let go, concentrating all his strength in his arms, in his hold. Then she finally stopped taking his chi and easily freed herself. She stood up and icily glared at him before leaving.

In the hallway, Chenlian leant back and crouched down, trembling, holding herself. He's more persistent than I thought. This could be bad.

Author's note: next chapter is 'Returned Fire' and should be out either today or tomorrow.