Welcome back my lovelies!

I tried not to make this wait as long. One: Because it took me forever to get out of that writer's block funk I was in. Two: Because I have a feeling a lot of people didn't see where I was trying to go with the final chapter of Book One. And Three: there are a few of Felicity's personality traits I want to point out a little more clearly.

Explanation time! I wanted to create a rift between the sisters to give the story a little more drama in the chapters to come. When people who love each other fight, it makes a relationship healthy. You have to go through the bad so you don't take the good for granted. So that was just the way I thought up to start the process of painting a picture of their relationship, and a way to further their character development.

OK, so Felicity coups with hard, hurtful, bothersome emotions by suppressing them, pushing them down, or trying to pretend like they are not there by joking or smiling it off. It is easier for her at first, but as we all know, by not dealing with them right away it slowly starts to eat at her. This is how I deal with things. (Not good, I know.) So the seemly cold reaction she had to what happened to Yue will affect her over time, so just bear with me. :) Also the deal with Zuko's hair….it's comic relief, just trying to defuse the tension….but seriously I am ready for that sexy black hair of his.

If you guys have any questions, comments, or whatever let me know I love hearing for you!

Now on with the Show! Happy Reading!

YOU ARE FIRE: BOOK TWO

FELICITY'S POV - Four weeks after the Siege.

Man, I love this place. It's like every dream I've ever had about traveling to Japan. The spa was built on a boardwalk over a waterfall. There were planters and man-made gardens all over. In most of those planters there were beautiful cherry blossom trees and with every gust of wind the air became thick with the wonderful floral scent of cherry blossoms. We had been here a week and all I wanted was to stay, but I knew this place and who would find us here.

I had tried over and over to get Zuko to talk to me, but every time I walked to the room he would leave. I wasn't going to press the issue to much I knew he had a lot of his mind. I knew how he felt in that regard. After everything that happened at the North Pole with Alice, Yue, and the Moon spirit I was once again was having the hardest time sleeping.

I try to keep telling myself that what I did was right. Yue's destiny was to become the Moon Spirit; she had to in order to help Aang in the future. I wish I could have changed things, I wish I was as brave as Alice was. She knew what had to happen, but she fought anyway. I needed to talk about this, to get it out of my mind. The last time I kept everything in it blew up in my face, literally. I was sitting in our room staring out at the water when someone entered the room.

"Felicity, are you alright?" Uncle Iroh walked over to me with a serving tray. He had tea, and by the smell of it, it was jasmine. "I've been worried about you ever since you said you wanted to speak to me about the siege."

I gave him a warm smile, "I'm glad you came, Uncle. I really need to talk to someone. Zuko has a lot that he is dealing with, but more than that, you will know a bit more of what I'm talking about, since you were there."

He sat down and poured both of us a cup, "I'm glad to help, but I'm a bit lost. What is it you need to talk about? You have seemed to be fine since the siege. Your training has gone well, and your talents have been improving too." He handed me my cup.

I took it and drank a large gulp. It was hot, but I really didn't mind it for a few days now I had felt strangely numb like before when I was dreaming of Alice, "Yes, but that's all on the surface."

"You've been holding in your emotions again." It wasn't a question; Uncle Iroh seemed to know exactly where this conversation was going. "What is it you are trying to hide from yourself? Are you sad that you didn't go with your sister?"

"Yes, in a way. She was mad at me before we left," I set down my cup and bit my lip.

"Why is that? Every time I see the two of you together you're both so happy," He smiled and reached for my hand, "Even though you are on different sides of the board the two of you still find ways to laugh at the game. Is she mad that you stayed with us so long?"

"No that's not it," I shook my head. "You see, we, she and I, both knew that Zhao was after the Moon Spirit, and we knew he would kill it." I hung my head, "I knew everything and I was going to let him do it."

Uncle Iroh let go of my hand for a moment. I stared down and both our hands. He clenched his fist, then after opening his hand again he placed it back over mine. "Why were you going to let this happen?"

"Because I knew," I looked up into his eyes again, "I knew Princess Yue had been touched by the Moon spirit, I knew Zhao would lose, Aang would join with the Ocean Spirit, and the Fire nation would lose the siege. I knew all of it so I didn't say a word. Zuko would face Zhao, the Fire nation would flee, and Yue would become the Moon Spirit as she was destined to."

"Then why, if you and Alice knew all of this, is she angry with you?" Uncle Iroh looked confused but like he wanted to understand.

"Because she didn't want Zhao to kill the original Moon Spirit, she hid the Spirits and I betrayed her by telling Zhao," My eyes began to burn but I forced myself to composure. "Zhao attacked Alice right in front of me. His men held me back as he burned her, as he beat her, and as he threatened to kill her, but she didn't say a word. She was so brave and so strong to fight for Yue and the Spirits, but I was so weak that I told him where they were."

"No, Felicity, you saved your sister, no one can fault you for that." Uncle Iroh placed both is hands on my shoulders, "That was the most selfless and brave thing you could have done…"

"NO! I was weak and a coward!" My tears felt like acid running down my cheeks, and the reality of what I had done was like a knife in my heart, "I didn't do it to be brave. I was selfish! I was so afraid of losing Alice. I couldn't breathe at the thought of her death. I picked her because if she died so would I and that petrified me." All my weakness and shame floated in the air and made it unbearably heavy. My chest began to ache as I sobbed.

Uncle Iroh pulled me forward and wrapped arms around me, "Felicity, you love your sister. If I was in your place and I had to choose an innocent girl or Zuko I would have done the same thing. Protecting the ones we love isn't weak, because they are what give us reasons to become strong and keep fighting."

He moved back away from me to look me in the eyes, "The princess knew her choice. She could have chosen not to become the Moon Spirit…'

I took a deep breath and nodded, "In my head, Yue is alive. She is the Moon Spirit and she will guide her people forever." I wanted to hold on to that thought, but there was an icy grip on my heart, "But in my heart, Yue was forced to make that choice, and give up her life because I didn't fight with my sister to keep the Moon spirit alive. In my heart, Yue is dead, and I killed her."

Uncle Iroh continued to hold me while I wept. He didn't say anything else he knew this was something I had to get out and let my tears wash it away.

ZUKO'S POV

Uncle and Felicity didn't seem to notice I was outside the door. I had kept my distance to think, and they had been patient with me. I didn't eat with them much and I had my own room to go to when I needed to think, but when I returned from my walk I couldn't help but over hear everything.

I don't know why I was surprised, Felicity always had the answers, and she had proven time and time again that she knew what would happen in the near future. For days, weeks even I had been racking my brain trying to figure out what I had done wrong and trying to come to terms with my failure. When all along she knew I would fail, and she never said one word.

…I knew Zhao would lose, Aang would join with the Ocean Spirit, and the Fire nation would lose the siege. I knew all of it so I didn't say a word. Zuko would face Zhao, the Fire nation would flee…

I couldn't make myself stomach anymore of her confession. Her words echoed again and again in my mind. How could she do this to me? She promised she would never lie to me, and that she was one my side. Was it all a lie? Did she plan this? Her sister is with the Avatar, was that their plot to keep me running in circle?

No! Felicity had been by my side through everything, even when I didn't want her to be. She wouldn't let my doubt myself so why should I doubt her?

But why shouldn't I? She did have all the answers. She had to have known all along that I wouldn't capture the Avatar. Of course she did! She had just said it, so why would she keep it from me?

Maybe it was to encourage me! Felicity doesn't want me to give up! That has to be it, yes! For all of her distractions, she made up for it by helping me, encouraging me. She had even told me from the beginning that I would return home with the Avatar one day.

One day? Why did it have to be "one day?" I wish she would just tell me where he was… Wait, it she knew that I wouldn't get my hands on him this time then she must have known about every other time. Why does she keep these things from me?

She said she wouldn't lie to me, but only telling me part of the truth is just as bad. I've never lied to her. I might have fought how I feel about her, but after that night in the cave I put all my trust in her.

I thought that she felt the same, especially after she kissed me. I don't know why she would care about me. No one but my uncle and mother have ever shown that they cared. Felicity has her sister, and she stayed with me?

No one in their right mind would pick a shamed, banished prince over they're family. Felicity loves her sister, I have seen what happens when she thought she had lost Alice. So when she knew Alice was save and so close why didn't she go with her?

It had to be a trick. She had to have some kind of plan with her sister and the Avatar to keep me from capturing him. Felicity was playing me and I fell for it like the perfect love-sick idiot I was. I fell for every smile, every word. When she would reach for me and I would forget everything she even made me forget my scar, my shame. Every time she touched me I thought I was stronger, but she was just slowly poisoning me, and the kiss…. That was her killing blow.

I should have seen this from the beginning. Until I reclaim my honor, I can't trust anyone. I was a fool to think that someone like her would truly stay by my side. Felicity could have anything she wanted, she was just like Azula but far more dangerous. I was a fool to think she might love me, "And I thought that I….."

No, I couldn't and wouldn't say it!

Hours had passed before Uncle left the cabin. He didn't see me when he left, good! That meant Felicity was alone, and she was going to answer for everything, right now! Maybe this was all in my head and she does care, but I highly doubt it.

FELICITY'S POV

Man, my eyes hurt. I hadn't cried that much in forever. Uncle Iroh stayed with me for the longest time until I finally ran out of tears. I told him to go relax and I was going to rest. I could use a massage, but I wanted sleep more.

I laid down and stared up at the ceiling. My mind was racing, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get any sleep. I took a deep breath and started to close my eyes, but something in my peripheral vision drew my attention and I snapped back up.

"Zuko?" He was standing with his back to me as he closed the door. I jumped out of bed and ran quickly over to him. "You are exactly what I need right now." I wrapped my arms around his waist and laid my head on his back. "I know it's my turn, but can you be the pillow this time? I really need it and I'll owe you…."

He didn't move an inch, "Felicity?" I really didn't like the way he said my name for some reason. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Ok, fussy pants, what's up?" I loosened my arms around his waist so he could turn around. He looked mad, but then again he always does. I stared up at him for a moment then I remember what day it was, "You're upset. Today is a hard day for you."

He flinched, but didn't say anything.

"Oh, Zuko," I reached up and laid my hands against his chest, "I know, today marks three year since you were banished. I know…"

"Do you?" he hissed.

I just reached up and untied this strings of his hat, "Yeah, I know it doesn't help much now. Things always get worse before they get better, but I promise it will get better. I knew you're going to go back home one day, I promise you that."

"You also promised you would never lie to me," Zuko caught my wrists and held them tightly, too tightly.

"Zuko, what are you..?"

"I heard you talking to Uncle, Felicity," Zuko glared down at me. "You promised you wouldn't lie, but only telling part of the truth is just as bad as a lie. Admit it! You knew all along that I wouldn't get the Avatar, didn't you?"

I tugged my hands to try and free them, "Zuko, I…"

"Answer me!" he hissed again. "You knew didn't you?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Then when? When will I have the Avatar, and return home? Soon?" Zuko squeezed my wrists as he pressed his questions.

"I can't tell you…."

"But you will! Now," His eyes didn't look right, they looked like they were full of hate.

I shook my head, "You won't, at least not for a while longer."

"How long? Days, weeks?"

I shook my head again, "Months, I think it will be another year, maybe more."

"More?" His jaw tensed.

"I'm not completely sure, but I know it has to be at least a year," I wiggled my hands. "Zuko please let go, you're hurting me."

Zuko glared down and me as he released my hands, "Why didn't you tell me this sooner? Were you simply trying to make a fool out of me?"

"No, that's not it," I reached over to him, but he turned away from me and began to circle around me. He looked like a jaguar, powerful and angry, as he circled around me. It was like he could strike me down at any moment, and I was helpless to stop him. If he were anyone else I could fight back, but he was Zuko and I had let my heart get in too deep.

"Then what?"

"It has to happen this way." How could I possibly explain this? "This story is already planned out. I'm not even supposed to be here…"

"The first truthful thing you have ever said to me," He stopped and turned on his heels to face me.

"What do you mean by that?" I didn't know what was going on, "I've always told you the truth."

"Like I say, Felicity, part of the truth is just as bad as a lie." Zuko move towards me again, "But I don't blame you."

"What?" I was completely confused.

"I blame myself," I cut his eyes away from me, "I was so stupid to think you honestly cared…"

"Zuko, I do care…" I reached out and grabbed him. I felt like a moron, but maybe, just maybe if I could show him he would understand. "I care about you more than I can explain. I didn't let myself love anyone again since Adam," I felt him tense up in my arms, "but I…."

"That's enough!" He pushed me away and I lost my footing. Zuko towered over me as I stared up at him. "You got into my head once and distracted me from my mission. I will not let you do it again. As far as I'm concerned everything you have even said to me was a lie. More than that, every smile, touch, every kind word, even that kiss all of it was a lie. "

I choked on tears as I shook my head, and just when I thought I had none left they poured down my face, "No…."

"Not another word!" He clenched his fist and smoke raised from between his fingers. "I want you gone! Out of my sight, and I never wish to see you again. Everything between us is dead and it means nothing to me."

I felt numb all over at first, but then I felt cold. Like something inside me had frozen over and there was no melting it. However, no matter how icy I felt on the inside, on the outside heat sizzled across my skin. The tears on my cheeks evaporated away, and I forced myself to stand. I glared up at him with all that heat and painful anger, "It all means nothing to you? Well, now who's lying, Zuko?"

"How dare you?" He looked shocked, but only for a moment, "You have no right to speak to me like that. I am the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, and for the last time you will address me as such."

"Forgive me, Prince Zuko," I took two steps back without looking away from him. When I finally turned away from him I picked up my bag, gathered my things, and pulled the bag over my shoulder. I looked back at him and mirrored his expression as I bowed my head. I walked around him and opened the door. "If everything that was between us meant nothing to you, Prince Zuko, then why…." I looked back at him with no sign of sorrow or even anger on my face. I was simply blank, "….Why did you kiss me back?"

Before he could answer I was out the door and slammed it shut behind me. I heard him yell out my name in red hot fury, but to hell with it. I walked down the stairs as if it was nothing.

The door flew open and Zuko called out again as he followed me down the steps, "Felicity, you will answer me, I order you to do so!"

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned on my heels. "Silly, little prince…" I held up my hand and stretched out my fingers, "…you of all people should know…" His eyes widened as he raised his arm to block, "…me and orders don't mix!" I blasted him back, not hard enough to really hurt him, but hard enough to make him fall back against the steps.

Zuko stared up at me for a moment. What he did after that I wasn't sure because I had turned my back to him.

"Oh and Prince Zuko," I waved back at him as I walked away, "here's one piece of future-knowing wisdom before I go. Consider it a parting gift for old-time's sake." I stopped one last time, but didn't turn to him, "Give Azula my best wishes, but remember what you always tell yourself. Azula always lies!" I started walked again. "Just keep that in mind when you see her."

Zuko called out, "Felicity, what is that supposed to mean?" He yelled as I walked farther and farther away, "Felicity?"

'Figure it out for yourself, Prince Zuko,' I hissed.

'Stay out of my head!' Zuko growled back to me.

I gave him a wicked little chuckle, 'No problem! I won't need to get in your head; you'll keep me there all on your own.'

"We'll see about that!" He yelled as I was nearly out of sight.

I grinned to myself, "Yes, you will!"

ZUKO'S POV

The sun was just starting to set, and Uncle Iroh still hadn't returned from his walk yet. I was already packing our things. If Felicity….or I….changed our minds about what had happened a few hours ago I didn't want to be here to find out. I had made up my mind that I was going to cut ties with her. It was better for both of us. She could go and be with her sister, and I could focus on my hunt for the Avatar.

Stop it! Stop thinking about her! You will only make her right if you keep your mind on her. I had wanted this. I sent her away! It doesn't matter about how I felt now, I had made my decision.

I sat down on her bed, and when I did the smell of her perfume floated into the air. At first I got lost it that sweet smell of flowers. I closed my eyes and let it into my head. It didn't last long, however, I jerked myself up off the bed and roared at myself in anger for letting it affect me so. I curled my fingers down on the pillow, and I set it on fire before I threw it out the window.

The shine of something laying on the bed caught my eye, "Felicity's phone?" I reached down and picked up the cold, glassy device. "How could Felicity leave this? I've never seen her without it…." Did she know she had left it? Probably not, but at the same time she might have known, and this was her excuse to come back.

"Well, it won't work. By the time you realize it we will be long gone!" I dropped it back on the bed. I heard movement outside and I jerked around thinking it had to be her.

Luckily it was just Uncle Iroh. He dropped a bag on the table and a mountain of seashells spilled out, "Look at these magnificent shells!" He examined his query, "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."

"We don't need any more useless things! You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!" I reminded him.

He waved off my comment, "Where is Felicity? I know she will love them! She always talks about the beaches back at her home. I wish she had joined me for my walk."

"She's gone, and she won't be coming back," I turned away from him.

"What? Where has she gone?" Uncle reached out and caught my shoulder, "What happened, Zuko? What do you mean she won't be coming back?"

"She went to join her sister. I thought it was best," I jerked my shoulder away. "I heard the two of you. She hasn't been honest with me from the start so I told her to leave."

"You don't know what you have done, Prince Zuko." Uncle forced me to look at him, "She doesn't know this land. What if she gets lost or worse?"

"Felicity is perfectly capable of taking care of herself…."

"We have to go find her," Uncle moved around me to the door.

"No, I forbid it!" I ordered him.

"I hope I'm not interrupting…."

That voice?! When I heard it behind me a chill rolled down my spine.

"Hello, brother. Uncle," in the corner of the room, sitting calmly at the table was my sister, Azula.

I had had enough of this. I glared at her, "What are you doing here?"

Azula held up one of Uncle's shells as she answered in a nonchalant manor, "In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions." She stood up and walked towards us, "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

I hated it when she called me that, I hated it more than Felicity's,, nick-name fussy-pants,. "Don't call me that!" I yelled angrily.

Uncle Iroh also seemed upset, but I wasn't sure if it was about me or Azula being here, "To what do we owe this honor?"

"Hmmm ... must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point." She crushed the shell in her hand, "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust." She paused briefly, "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Azula became quickly annoyed, "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."

I stared aimlessly out the window. I didn't know how to respond.

Uncle moved towards Azula, "I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment…."

But that only made Azula all the more furious, "Don't interrupt, Uncle!" She yelled at him then turned to me, "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."

I was still in shock, "Father regrets? He ... wants me back?" I heard Azula say something, but it didn't complete register.

Smoke was rising from the remains of Felicity's pillow, and Felicity's parting words popped into my head, "Oh and Prince Zuko, here's one piece of future-knowing wisdom before I go. Consider it a parting gift for old-time's sake. Give Azula my best wishes, but remember what you always tell yourself. Azula always lies! Just keep that in mind when you see her."

They are both liars, but I couldn't take the chance that maybe, just maybe my father did want me to come home.

FELICITY'S POV – Much later that night.

I had been walking for forever, and I could hear my feet planning a murder/suicide down there. I decided to make camp for the night. Thank goodness it didn't look like it was going to rain. Objective number one: buy a sleeping bag and tent.

I set my bag down and started putting together a little fire. I didn't have much in the food department but a hunk of, what to me tasted like, ham, a small wedge of cheese, and two small loafs of bread. I cut two pieces of bread, a slice of cheese and a slice of the ham and presto, a ham and cheese sandwich.

I could use the ham as bait and catch some fish easy. Good thing I was born a southern girl, fishing, hunting, and gardening was second nature for me. I had learned as a little girl how to fish from my grand-father. I even knew how to skin and fried to jokers. I had gone camping a lot to growing up so I wasn't afraid of the outdoors. I just wish I had my pillow.

Oh well, at least I had my mus….. "Where the hell is my phone?!"

I dumped out my bag, "Where is it? Where is it? No!" I opened my little makeup bag, and checked all the other pockets of my bag, "Where's it gone?"

I stared down at all my stuff laying there on the ground….. "The Precious is lost!"

Damn it! I must have left it at the resort. I can only imagine what Zuko will do to it once he finds it. I had to get it back. Not only for my music and Fruit Ninja to entertain me when I get bored, but that was my only way to get in touch with Alice.

I had to re-gather up all my things, make sure not to forget anything, and kicked dirt over the fire. With any luck I will get back down before The Precious gets a fiery death.

"I swear, Zuko, if anything happens to my phone the Fire Nation is going to be short a Crowned Prince."

ZUKO'S POV – The next morning

I made my way down the path to the ship. I never thought this is how I would go home. One: I didn't have the avatar. Two: I was alone. Felicity was gone and Uncle had gone to find her after he and I fought last night.

Just before I started down the steps again I heard Uncle call out behind me, "Wait! Don't leave without me!"

I was overjoyed to see him running down the stairs towards me, and I couldn't fight back the smile on my face, "Uncle! You've changed your mind!" If only she could be with us too. I quickly pushed the thought to the back out of my mind.

"Family sticks together, right?" He laid his hand on my shoulder.

I smiled again and nodded, "We're finally going home!"

We hurried down the path to the dock and there was a Royal Procession of guards lining both sides of the dock and Azula waiting at the end of the dock waiting for us. This was how a Crown Prince should be welcomed home.

As we made our way towards the ramp Felicity's words popped in my head again, but I quickly muted them when Azula spoke, "Brother! Uncle! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come."

We both bowed, respectfully, as she greeted us with open arms.

Her captain then turn to her, "Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?"

Azula smiled down at me for a moment then nodded, "Set our course for home, captain."

The words cause warmth to rise inside my heart, "Home."

Uncle and I followed the captain up the ramp towards the deck of the ship and my sister, "You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"

My feet suddenly froze in place as well as my heart. Felicity was right! I'm such a fool. I pushed the captain out of my way and he landed in the water below. Uncle had already come to take care of the guards.

I ran up the ramp to my sister, "You lied to me!"

She smirked at me, "Like I've never done that before." She turned her back to me and began to walk away, as two guards standing near her shot fire blasts at me.

I crossed my arms in front of my face to block the flames and charged on the deck at full speed. I leapt up onto the deck of the ship and blasted the two guards off the ship. Azula had her back to me, but I knew she was completely on guard. It made me even more furious that she would keep her back to me as well as trick me like this. I squeezed my fists tightly together and bent my flames into daggers as I attacked.

Azula dodged my every move. She didn't even try to firebend. She simply avoided each of my attacks. When she caught my arm she bent it at the elbow towards my chest, forcing me to release my fire dagger.

She pushed my away and taunted me as I tried to regain my balance, "You know, Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar! Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"

Attacking like I was caused my stamina to drain and it was harder to breath. I could hear Uncle down on the dock with the other guards. He was winning, of course. Why did Azula have to get to me like this? I needed to calm down to think, but her words confirmed everything Felicity had said and it made me furious.

I conjured up two more fire daggers again, and leaped into the air. I kicked the most powerful fire blast at Azula that I could. She jumped and landed safely on the deck several feet away from me. I charged up after her as she raised up to her feet. After dodging several more attacks, she managed to scrape my forehead with her fingernails, I felt a small trickle of blood at my temple.

As our duel continued Azula managed to grab ahold of my arm. Azula knocked my feet out from under me and I landed the bottom of the stairwell. My vision was blurred, but I could see what Azula was doing. Her movements….she was bending lightening.

As she aimed her lightening down at me another figured jumped in front of her and forced her hand up to the sky.

"Honestly, fussy pants, I'm gone for one day and look what you get yourself into."

I shook my head as my vision cleared and I saw her standing there holding Azula's forearm, "Felicity?!"

FELICITY'S POV

That could have turned out worse. I honestly didn't expect it to work, but luckily my chi control was just enough to keep that electric energy from knocking me on my butt.

Azula hissed at me as she tried to pull her arm away, "Who do you think you are? Unhand me!"

I turned my gaze towards her as gave her that same wicked grin she gives to everyone else, "Me?" I squeezed her arm as tight as I could in my left hand as I slowly raised my right hand, my fingers spread in front on her stomach, "I'm your worst nightmare."

"Oh really….." Before Azula could finish I shot her a bass pulse right to the stomach and let her go.

I ran down to where Zuko was laying, "Zuko, I need to you tell me where my phone…."

He stood up and as he did my phone fell from his robes, "I….well…."

I reached down and picked it up and untwisted my earbuds.

Azula had now made it back to her feet, "How dare you interfere in royal affairs. Who are you?"

I popped my earbuds in my ears and grinned up at her, "Forgive me for that rude introduction, Azula….."

"What did you call me? I am Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, and daughter of the great Fire Lord Ozai." She scoffed as she looked down with her nose at me.

"Yeah, I know, I just don't do titles very well, but any who, I got what I came for so, as you were." I nodded to the both of them as I started towards the ramp.

"How dare you? Answer my question! Who are you?" Azula ran down the stairs toward me.

Zuko jumped between us, "She nothing more than an ordinary peasant…."

I jerked back around to face them, "Really, ordinary? You're going to call me ordinary after I just put her on her butt. Honestly, Zuko, Azula might be cuckoo for cocoa puffs, but she's not an idiot."

"Shut up, Felicity!" Zuko hissed back at me.

"Whatever go back to your sibling rivalry, I just came to get my tunes," I threw my hand up in the air.

"You're not going anywhere. You just attacked the Fire Nation Princess. I'll have you imprisoned for life for that." Azula smirked back and forth from me to Zuko and called out, "Guards, take the prisoners…."

"That's not gonna work," I in turn smirked right back at her. "You see, Azula, I'm not ordinary. Far from it actually. Two of three of my bass pulses and your guards were enjoying to refreshing waves."

"What exactly do you mean you're not ordinary? Other than that little sound wave of yours you seem perfectly ordinary." She was trying to taunt me.

"Let me put it to you this way, Azula. I'm you but with morals." I held up my hand and let heat coil around my fingers, "And I'm a firebender, a musicbender, and I know the future."

She laughed aloud, "You couldn't possibly…."

"Oh but I can and I do. I tried to warn him about you coming," I pointed over at Zuko. "He didn't listen, but maybe you will. You're a smart girl, sometimes." I shrug my shoulders, but then became very serious, "I hope you know how to swim."

"Of course I know how to swim!"

"Good, I'd hold your breath if I were you." I smiled and took two steps to the side.

She laughed again, "And why is tha…"

Uncle Iroh ran up on deck and kicked an insanely powerful fire blast at Azula the knocked her off her feet and over the railing into the sea, "Felicity? Zuko we have to go now."

We all ran off the ship and down the dock. We ran for forever until I knew I couldn't run anymore. As soon as we stopped Uncle Iroh grabbed me and wrapped his arms around me.

"I'm so glad you are alright." He squeezed me to him.

"Thank you, Uncle! I'm glad you have such great timing." I laughed, "I wasn't sure if you were still going to be able to knock Azula over board after I jumped in."

"You mean you didn't know it would work?" Zuko glared at me.

"I knew he was going to push her over originally, but I stepped in, in his place to save you so I wasn't completely sure. Let's just call it an educated bluff." I panted for air as I explained. "Well, gentlemen, now that I have my phone I will be on my way."

"What?" Uncle Iroh reached out and caught my arm, "You can't leave. Azula will be looking for you. We should stick together."

Zuko turned his back on us and kneeled down back the river bank.

"I can't, Uncle Iroh, Zuko doesn't want me here."

"He may not want you here, but he needs you here." Iroh looked over at his nephew and walked over to join him.

Zuko took his knife and cut off his ponytail, then handed the knife to his uncle. I couldn't help myself. As quietly as I could I jumped and danced a small victory dance behind them. Finally that awful ponytail was gone.

Zuko and Iroh threw their hair into the water, and Zuko stood up to face me, "My uncle is right, Felicity. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I spoke too soon yesterday and I am sorry."

"Thank you, Zuko," My smile faded, "but I don't forgive you, not yet at least."

He kept his eyes locked with mine, "Nor do I forgive you, but we have to work together if we are going to survive this."

"No joke," I chuckled. "You two are royal. Do you know how to hunt or camp or wash your own clothes? Oh, you are going to owe me big time when we get to Ba Sing Se."

"What? Never…nevermind that, we have to make some rules first," Zuko looked very serious again.

"I couldn't agree more, fussy pants. Rule number one: I'm not going to help you one bit unless you grow your hair out." I turned toward the forest and went to look for a good place to make camp.

He glared at me, "No! Rule number one is no more lies." He chased after me, "Felicity, are you listened to me? Felicity?"

Uncle Iroh just laughed as he followed us.

I walked up ahead of them for a while and pulled out my phone. I hit shuffle. The slow low tone of the song ate away at my heart. I had put on my normal happy face in front of him even though being close to him was heart breaking.

Christina Perri – The Lonely

"2am; where do I begin,

Crying off my face again.

The silent sound of loneliness

Wants to follow me to bed."

I walked faster as the tears came. I didn't want him to see me cry, not anymore. That part of us was gone. He didn't trust a word I said, and I had an open wound from his words. I couldn't turn to him anymore when I needed his warm or strength.

"I'm a ghost of a girl that I want to be most.

I'm the shell of a girl that I used to know well.

Dancing slowly in an empty room,

Can the lonely take the place of you?

I sing myself a quiet lullaby.

Let you go and let the lonely in

To take my heart again."

I knew from the beginning that I shouldn't have let him in. He was going to leave me at some point or another. He is going to be with Mai, and I'll be alone. At least he was mine for a little while, but all good things have to end. If there is anything that my love life has taught me, my heart is safer behind its walls. So I choked the feeling back and pushed them deep, deep down. I will force myself to smile and laugh again until I forget how lonely I really am.

"Broken pieces of

A barely breathing story

Where there once was love

Now there's only me and the lonely."

OK! So this chapter has a lot of the same feel that chap.19 of B1 had, I know! I promise the happy, funniness will return you just gotta bear with me. The plot is starting to thicken. I knew our love birds were getting very love-y in book one, but how boring would it be if things between them was perfect since then! I'll tell you how boring, VERY BORING!

So be prepared to be on your toes so much you might as well be a ballerina! Zuko and Felicity are about to face the first REAL test in their relationship and that is overcoming this hard time together when they aren't really here for each other like they were.

My theme for this book is going to be just what the Earth element represents: Substance! They have to come together and build something from the ground up, but do you think they can build something solid yet or are they building a castle on sand? Only time will tell and they have a lot of time ahead of them!

Until next time: Happy Reading!