The nearest Fire Nation port was a few days away. Luckily, there were no other storms that ravaged upon us. The crow's nest would take time to be repaired, but the first thing to be secured was the roof. The helmsman thanked me for literally keeping the roof above his head, and reunited me with my trusty staff.

My relationship with Zuko had also gone through a massive repair. Rather than demand whereabouts I had of Aang, he would actually greet me if our paths crossed and ask me if I had any knowledge of areas where rumors of Avatar sightings were. Since we both were in the know that Aang's travels were not a simple straight shot to the North Pole as I had hoped, it led to many contemplations. Some areas I knew were not true Avatar sightings but rather people claiming to have seen him. There were no more demands about my brother. He didn't treat me rudely, and in turn, I wasn't rude to him. On slow days, we would spar together or even hide in his quarters, sharing stories about our likes and dislikes. One time, we even practiced a meditation I had told him about.

"I dare say you and Prince Zuko have become friends." Iroh had said one day as I helped him prepare a peppery spice cake.

I almost spilled the spices I had ground up "I wouldn't say that. I just think that he needs someone to talk to. Not that your advice isn't bad, but I can tell he wants to talk about something else." I poured the batter into the prepared dish, "I was always happy to lend Aang an ear when he was feeling alone, and, well, your nephew is the same."

Iroh took the pan and pushed it into the oven. "Is that not the actions of a friend?"

"I…suppose."

Apparently, the storm had been a bond for everyone. The ship was running smoother than it had been since I was brought aboard. Rather than barking angry orders, Zuko spoke firmly and directly, but less demanding. With that, the men were much eager to assist him and not just Iroh. No doubt the general explaining that Zuko's obsession was from his own father's abuse had something to do with it. Either way, the hunt for the Avatar no longer felt like a chore but a cohesive team effort.

Most of said team was standing over a map one day. The repairs to the crow's nest were complete, and chatting the course on where to go was a top priority. Iroh was playing Pai Sho with other crew members. Lieutenant Jee, Zuko, and I were fixated on several locations marked on the map. The storm had been the last sighting of Aang, so his trail was left unknown. Jee suggested that we sail northeast from our current location. Just then, we heard the low blast of a Fire Naval ship. The much larger hull blocked out the sun, darkening the room and obscuring the map.

"What do they want?' Zuko huffed annoyed.

"Well, that's my cue to leave." I ducked into a weapons closet. If Zhao was on any Naval ships, I refused to make my presence known. For all he knew, I had run off with Aang back at the Fire Temple. I preferred to keep that story straight. By hiding, I would still be in the know of the Fire Nation's movements while still being close to Zuko. I regretted not having a messenger hawk like I had seen some soldiers carry, or even borrowing Momo to relay messages to Aang. Yet at the same time, doing that would have been me betraying the few I considered allies.

Heavy footfalls echoed as a few armored messenger soldiers entered. One of them carried a scroll. They unfurled it, showing it to a less than excited Zuko. In their report, the guards demanded that all information regarding the Avatar was to be reported directly to Admiral Zhao. Zhao was promoted, apparently. Good news for him, bad news for anyone that was in his crosshairs or who had made a mistake of betraying him.

Zuko folded his arms and looked down. "I've got nothing to report to Zhao," he looked up and shot a fiery glare at the messenger, "Now get off my ship and let us pass."

The messenger didn't even flinch, "Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area. Oh, and one more thing; have you had Any word on the Avatar's sister? There have been rumors that you have been in correspondence with her."

Zuko's glare became withering. My heart began pounding loud enough to echo in my head. Would he truly tell them that I was still on board?

"No. She escaped when my crew was attacked by pirates. I haven't seen her since then. You can tell that to Admiral Zhao." His tone became louder and snappier, "now off my ship!"

He lied. My heartbeat steadied. Sure, it was a lie to an officer that he had an obvious dislike for and he himself needed me to guide him towards Aang, but something about his cadence was different. He was less angry and more confident about his lie. A tiny part of me wondered if this was true concern for me on his part.

The messengers left. No other ships came to harass us for news about the Avatar. Everyone on the ship was suddenly on edge. I had left the weapons closet and chose to stay inside the structure. Perhaps this whole "no other boats in or out" was a blessing in disguise. It meant that the Navy was far enough away, and if Aang was on land, he would be safe. At least for now. But if all Avatar sightings were to be reported to Zhao, it meant that the Admiral had multiple people at his disposal. Meaning that the hunt for the Avatar was growing in number. There were too many people. I could keep Zuko from Aang, but the whole Fire Navy? Not a chance.

My anger and fear was at a boiling point by the time the sky turned a dusky yellow, and there were still no orders from Zuko. I had heard intense blasts coming from the bow, meaning that he was either practicing his Firebending fueled by frustration or having a rough sparring match. Maybe I could throw my swings into the ring. I found that when we both sparred, what would have turned into an explosive argument turned into venting. I picked up my staff and walked to the door. Maybe Iroh was right; I was doing the actions of a friend.

When I stepped onto the bow of the ship, I saw the prince standing alone, staring at the sea.

"Your Highness?" I asked hesitantly.

He stiffened, startled at my voice. But then he turned back around. I didn't know what the look on his face was. I was so used to him being pleased or angry. Instead, he looked defeated.

"Gitan," he said my name with relief. "You're the one thing I have that Zhao doesn't; a person that really knows the Avatar."

"I'm not just a resource, you know," I folded my arms. "I'm your friend." Saying it out loud was strange. I didn't believe it as I said it, but then the feeling of honesty changed my viewpoint. Would it change his? He had lied to those messengers after all. If that wasn't him being my friend, I wasn't sure what was. The prince simply raised an eyebrow at me. I sighed, and I joined him by the edge, looking out at the sky.

"I guess I'm worried," I admitted. "I have no idea where my brother is, and for all I know, he's being hounded and I can't do anything about it." I gripped my staff and gave it a long swing. The air made a low whistling from how fast I had swung it. "I'm a failure."

"No, you're still fighting. Instead of waiting, you're out here pretending to hit Zhao with that staff." A corner of his mouth lifted smugly, but not with malice. "Don't think I've caught onto your little mental strategy."

I folded my arms, equally annoyed and impressed that he had noticed my habit, "Fine. You figured that out." I glanced over at him. "But you can also figure that out with Zhao. Instead of rushing in, find a way to sneak in under his arrogance." I shrugged indifferently. "I don't know, I'm just spitballing."

We stood against the railing in comfortable silence. It was honestly the first time that I had felt that, not counting the shared tea during the storm. This wrinkle with Zhao was personal for both of us, and talking about it more would only increase tensions. Aang was both my brother and the Avatar, so my worries came from a place of love. But for Zuko, his issues were rooted in a sense of betrayal. He was stripped away from his home, and now there were people from that home keeping him from ever returning. It was a pain that I couldn't even begin to understand.

"You should get some rest," he said quietly.

I looked over at him, "As should you." We both went back to our quarters.

That night, I didn't join the crew at music night. When Iroh asked why, I simply said that I was too tired from sparring with his nephew. IInstead, I tried to get some sleep, but that was easier said than done. I kept tossing and turning. Whatever sleep I did sink into was short lived as the sudden rush of fear snuck in. Or if I was able to fall asleep, my dreams were filled with nightmares. I saw images of myself tied up watching Zuko be burned and disowned by the shadowy silhouette of his father and me unable to intervene. I saw visions of Aang captured and imprisoned by Zhao before being lowered into the jaws of a dragon made entirely of flame while I was either held back by soldiers or reams upon reams of wanted posters of myself and Aang pinning me down. After one final nightmare in which I found myself falling into a pit meant for Aang as his immense Avatar power started to push everyone back, be they friend or foe, I gave up trying to sleep. My eyes were heavy but I lacked any energy to close them.

Eventually, I went out onto the main deck. It had been abandoned since the rest of the crew had retired after music night, save for a strange idol with glowing red eyes. At first, I startled in fear, but relaxed when I saw it was only a statue. The grin was wide and toothy. I sat by it and glanced it over. Not so frightening and evil when seen up close.

I looked into its eyes, feeling foolish for even talking to it. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I want both Aang and Zuko to be all right during this. If they just…talked…or found a way to work together…this would be so much easier. But knowing Zuko, it won't happen. He's too stubborn and driven in his pursuit." I exhaled heavily. "I'm just glad I can finally talk to him."

The monkey didn't answer me, as I expected.

I went down to the galley and brewed myself a cup of tea. To be considerate, I kept the kettle out in case Iroh wanted a cup. As I sipped it, I heard the unmistakable low drone of a tsungi horn. To me, I had always found its tone to be sad. I went up after a while of contemplation and saw Iroh on the deck, playing the instrument next to the monkey idol.

"Ah, Gitan!" he greeted me, "Lieutenant Jee sang a romantic ballad last night. With how well you and my nephew have been getting along, perhaps one day he'll have one for you two. I definitely see a connection between you."

I blinked in surprise, and shook my head with a dry huff. As much as I was denying it, I hated thinking that he was onto something. Whenever I came to stand by him, Zuko's face would soften ever so slightly, or his body would relax. When we were sparring or hiding alone, exchanging playful verbal jabs, there was a glint in his eyes. There was also that smile that I had always been drawn to, the one that made his golden eyes glisten with a soft gentle flame akin to a campfire.

"I…see it some times," I finally admitted. "He listens to me and when no one's watching, I…well I don't think the only one that has ever looked at me as sincerely as your nephew does was Aang."

Iroh smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. "Those are only seeds, Gitan. Don't let the thorns of the past prick the growing buds. Instead, clear them away and let them blossom." He picked up the tsungi horn again and started playing once more. The low notes resounded slowly into the early morning light,and I glanced towards the horizon. Its din was beginning to make me sleepy. I fought a yawn and stepped back into the structure, settling down in my quarters.

I sat in front of my staff, which was laying on its side. My eyes drifted to the burn marks. Not unlike Zuko's scar, they were a reminder of failure. I touched the wood, smoothing the black grooves on one end, tracing it down to the other side. Air Nomad swirls were carved onto one side, and I traced them softly and lovingly. I dragged my finger methodically down to the burns, then to the swirls.

There was a loud bang of the door leading to the deck shutting a bit too loudly. I looked up. Zuko was walking past me, sluggish. There were two broadswords flung onto his back. He had mentioned during one of our conversations that he had trained with them. Had he pulled an all nighter practicing with them?

"Is everything okay?" I dared ask.

"Your brother is safe. For now." He sounded fatigued.

So, he had gone out to help Aang? In the dead of night with only broadswords? I looked at him with a heart racing with mixed emotions. I had so many questions, but with how tired Zuko looked, I knew now was not the time to ask them. To me, the most important thing was that he helped my brother. He had gone out there and didn't use his Firebending. He had risked his life to ensure his safety. Ever since the storm, I was beginning to see something new in Zuko. Something…good.

"Zuko…" Realization I had simply said his name and not his title made me stop. His expression was stunned but not unkind, hidden under a veil of tiredness. I corrected my mistake by saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Truth be told, I was as stunned as he was. I had never thanked him for anything, nor did he deserve my thanks. Who thanks someone that wants to capture your family? Yet he did the unexpected, risking his life to save my brother from his own people, the same people that were keeping him from ever returning home.

"You're welcome."

After the exchange, he slunk off to his quarters and I went back to my meditative tracing of the staff.