A/N: Wow, so much positive feedback already. ^^ Thanks everyone~

The Path We Choose

Chapter 1: Trust

The first thing he became aware of was the gentle rocking motion all around him, a familiar, soothing movement. He knew immediately that he was on a ship. The next thing he became aware of was the deep, aching pain that radiated through his entire body, centered at his chest. Groaning softly, Zuko slowly opened his eyes, trying to blink away the sleep and bring the world into focus. The moment he did, he knew he was in a Fire Nation ship, the room decorated in reds and golds.

Slowly, he pushed himself up onto his palms, the blankets sliding down from his bare torso. There were no visible injuries. The banished prince closed his eyes, attempting to sort out his thoughts and bring back the memories of what had happened.

... The avatar! Zuko's eyes snapped open again. He'd saved the avatar, he'd turned on the Fire Nation! Then what was he doing in a Fire Nation ship?

"The Avatar failed..." he whispered to himself, mind running a thousand miles a minute. If Aang failed, then that meant they were being taken to the Fire Nation now as traitors. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he slowly pulled himself out of the bed. It didn't register in his mind that they would likely not put a traitor in a nice room all by himself, not while he was in panic mode. The banished prince stumbled across the room, catching himself on the wall in order to remain standing.

Taking a deep breath, he pushed the door open, peering out to make sure no one was there before slipping outside. It was difficult to remain standing. His entire body protested to the movements, shooting pain through every nerve. He had to get out, though. He had to-

Zuko grunted in surprise as he smashed into something solid and fell back onto his rump. It caused his entire world to spin for a moment. Looking up, he was met with a pair of blue eyes that were strangely familiar, but a face that wasn't.

"Woah kid, hold on a minute," the man said, crouching down and reaching out to help him.

Once Zuko managed to make the world hold still, he saw that the man was dressed in Fire Nation armor. Gasping softly, he kicked, sending a burst of flame through his foot and nearly scorching the strange soldier's hand off. The fire prince clutched at the wall, trying to pull himself to his feet.

A pair of arms suddenly grabbed him from behind. Zuko growled, wriggling to get away.

"Zuko!"

He stilled in an instant. Slowly, the young firebender glanced over his shoulder. "U-Uncle?"

Iroh loosened his his hold, but kept a firm hand on Zuko's arm, helping to hold him upright. "Calm yourself, Zuko. You are not in any danger."

Zuko turned his eyes to the strange soldier. The man removed his helmet, holding it under his arm. "My name is Hakoda," he introduced himself. "I am the chief of the Southern Water Tribe. Also Katara and Sokka's father." He held out his hand. He smiled, but Zuko could still see there was tension in him.

It took him a moment to realize that Sokka and Katara must be the Water Tribe siblings. He'd never actually known them by name, despite hearing them all yell to each other. Iroh nudged his arm and Zuko realized he'd been staring. Hesitantly, he reached out to return the gesture, gripping Hakoda's arm in greeting. Their eyes locked, measuring each other up. When they released their arms again, Zuko turned his attention back to Iroh, a frown hardening his features. "Uncle... what happened?"

"When you redirected Azula's lightning, the energy passed too close to your heart and it stopped," Iroh responded, pointedly resting a hand on Zuko's chest, right at the epicenter of his pain. The prince cringed, understanding now why Iroh had not wanted to shoot lightning at him when teaching him that technique. He had made a mistake.

"But how..."

"Katara healed you," Hakoda spoke up, catching Zuko's attention again.

Understanding dawned on the teenager. The water from the spirit oasis. It had special properties. She had... brought him back to life. The prince's hand moved over his chest, resting where his uncle's had once been. It was beating again. He had been dead. He had technically died protecting the avatar. His insides twisted up, his body ached, and his head spun.

"Zuko?"

The prince wavered.

"Nephew-"

The world blurred and Zuko closed his eyes.

"I don't trust them," Sokka growled for what had to be the twentieth time since they left Ba Sing Se about two weeks ago. Dressed in Fire Nation armor, he leaned back against the railing of the ship, studying his friends closely. "So he did one good deed. That doesn't excuse him from all the bad things he's done. It's a trap."

Katara shook her head, placing her hands on her hips. "It can't have been a trap, Sokka! That 'one good thing' he did, was save Aang from being killed. His heart stopped! You can't fake that."

"How do you know?" Sokka demanded, waving his arms around frantically. "Maybe the Fire Nation developed some new technique!"

"Death?" Toph asked dryly, crossing her arms over her chest. "I don't think so."

"Sorry Sokka," Aang said, a frown tugging at his mouth, "but... I think they're right. Zuko and his uncle turned against the Fire Nation. If we send them out now, they'd have no place to go."

Sokka snorted. "That's what they want, they want us to feel pity for them!" He knew his theories were getting a little ridiculous, but how could the others so easily forgive them for what they'd done? He hadn't been there like they had. "And that Uncle of his too... how can we trust him?"

Toph narrowed her eyes, though she couldn't properly glare at Sokka. She punched him hard in the arm, nearly knocking him over before turning to face him, her stance solid and strong. "His uncle's not lying," she snapped. While Katara had been quick to defend Zuko, she seemed more hesitant about the old man, and it pissed Toph off. Iroh had been the one, all this time, trying to help Zuko find the right way. "Everything he's said to us has been honest!"

"Ow!" Sokka rubbed his arm, pouting a little. "Okay, geez!"

Toph snorted softly. Whimp. "Iroh really helped me. So shut up about him, got it? If I hear you say one more bad thing about him, I'll kick your ass!"

Sokka's eyes widened and he nodded quickly.

"Good."

Katara smiled, shaking her head. "Relax Sokka... I really think we can trust them this time..." She crossed her arms, looking out at the ocean. "When we were in those caverns, he... he told me something. About his mother, and how the Fire Nation took her away. And for the first time since we've seen him, he sounded human and vulnerable..."

"He woke up."

Everyone - excluding Toph - looked up in surprise to see Hakoda, helmet under his arm. "What?" Aang asked for all of them.

"Prince Zuko," Hakoda clarified. "He woke up."

Katara broke into a smile, grabbing Aang and pulling him into a hug. "Oh, that's great! He's awake!"

Aang waited a moment as she hugged him before pulling away. "We should go talk to him."

The waterbender blinked in surprise before a frown tugged at her lips. For the past week it seemed like he had more... withdrawn from her. She wasn't sure she could quite place it, but... She shook these thoughts from her head when Hakoda spoke agian.

"Actually," he said, "he passed out a few minutes later. I just wanted to let you guys know that he's at least recovering."

"Oh..."

Toph shrugged, turning to go.

"Where are you-?"

Too late. She was gone.

Iroh sighed as he carefully placed his nephew back in bed, tucking him in with care. Zuko was still weak, the lightning had done quite a bit of damage, but he couldn't help fretting over the boy. This time, he promised himself, he would be there when Zuko woke up so that he would not strain himself once again. It must've been frightening to wake up in a Fire Nation ship after what they'd done. Stroking Zuko's hair - it was still growing, almost long enough now to brush over his eyebrows - he found a seat next to the bed to watch over him.

He didn't expect the solid knock on the steel door. The retired general raised an eyebrow, looking up. "Come in."

Toph shouldered the door open and used her hip to close it again. She carried a tray with her. On it was a tea pot and two cups. "I though you might want some company," she said, shrugging carelessly.

Iroh smiled. Despite seeing his old friend, the two of them had not had a chance to really speak. "I would be delighted to have the company of a lovely young lady like yourself."

Toph snorted softly, but she smiled none the less. "I don't need your flattery," she pointed out. "I can't see, so I can't really care much about my appearance."

"It is not flattery if it is only the truth," Iroh answered calmly. He took the tray from her, pouring the tea for both of him. He knew it would be a little difficult for her without sight.

She took her cup, sitting on the floor and sipping it slowly just as he took a drink from his. "I didn't make it, I don't really know how. One of the Water Tribe warriors made it for me."

"I appreciate the gesture none the less," the retired general responded, chuckling. "What brings me the honor of your company?"

Toph shrugged lightly. He feet were placed flat on the metal, allowing her to feel the vibrations of the entire ship. She could even feel the rise and fall of Zuko's chest. Iroh raised an eyebrow, but he didn't say anything. He had a feeling that there was a reason, she just didn't want to say it. Whatever it was... he was thankful for it. For a while, the two of them just talked. Toph told him about the adventures she'd had since having tea with him, and Iroh told her about how far Zuko had come.

"I'm glad your nephew came around," Toph said, grinning. "Now he'll finally see what he was missing."

Iroh chuckled, his eyes softening. "Let's hope so."

A/N: Yeah, this one didn't advance the plot much, it's just showing how relations are right now. More action next chapter, promise. xD