DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NICKELODEON'S AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER OR ITS CHARACTERS. I just post about as often as Toph washes her feet...

PREVIOUSLY, IN THIS LONG-IGNORED (by me) TALE...Lan Chi is being forced, by Ozai, to marry a man old enough to be her father. Accepting that, and convinced that the Fire Nation will lose the war, she embarks on an audacious plan to buy Zuko and Iroh's freedom from the Earth Kingdom. Using a blue spirit mask, she begins stealing Fire Nation secrets to give to the Earth Kingdom. Zuko, however, discovers the plan, and, although he is furious, he forgives her, destroys the secrets, and elicits a promise that she will abandon the plan. She agrees, and they decide that she should run from her arranged marriage and take refuge at a convent in the Earth Kingdom...

Zuko watched until he was certain that he saw Lan Chi enter the gates of the abbey, then, with a sigh, he walked over to the campfire, which was now a pile of pale embers. With a vicious kick, he scattered the embers afield, and watched as they died in the dew-damp grass.

He had done it. He had sent away the person in the world that he loved most. He had sent her away, to an unknown future, so that he could wander the world in search of someone he might never find – someone who might be dead.

But, no! The sages had said that the Avatar was alive, and so Zuko would pursue him, come what may. Nothing would stop him. He would find the Avatar, return home, and convince Ozai to allow him to marry Lan Chi.

You won't find him, an insidious voice within him whispered. He's probably dead. And, even if he is alive, you don't have a prayer of beating him.

Zuko pushed the doubts away. He had much to do, and no time to wallow in self-pity. He had to study, and practice, and plot.

He settled down by the remains of campfire to wait for the next dawn.

"So, uh, you can leave your horse - here." Sister Bu had escorted Lan Chi to a barn near the periphery of the compound. "Liu is the stablehand. And the farmhand. And the handyman." She shrugged. "He takes care of all the animals - among other things." She leaned over a half door that led into the barn. "Liu! Are you here?"

"Be right there!" A voice from within called.

Bu turned to Lan with a smile. "He'll take good care of your horse."

A young man emerged from the barn, wearing the clothes of a farmer, and Lan Chi realized she had met him earlier, at the doors of the abbey.

He smiled as he, too, recognized her. "I remember you."

She returned his smile. He seemed to be a few years older than she, with sandy hair and green eyes.

Bu introduced them. "Liu, this is Lan. She is going to be staying with us."

He peered at Lan. "A postulant?"

"A – what?" She frowned.

"A postulant." He repeated. "Someone who wants to be a nun but hasn't taken holy orders."

"She blushed. "Oh. Right. Of course."

He smiled at her. "Well, welcome. I like your hair."

Lan had forgotten that she no longer wore any hair covering, and grimaced as she touched her head, self-conscious. "That's nice of you. You don't have to say it, though. I know my hair's – weird."

His smile widened. "No, it's not." He changed the subject easily. "Is this your ostrich horse?"

She nodded, but remained silent as she handed over the reins.

Just then, another woman, dressed in a habit similar to Bu's, scurried up to the group. "Bu, Sister Tiān needs you. There is a patient who won't eat."

Bu sighed. "I think I know who it is." She turned to Liu. "Could you please bring Lan to see me in the infirmary when you're done here?"

"Of course, Sister." He patted the animal's flank as he watched the two women hurry off. He shook his head. "Sister Bu does too much."

"She does seem busy." Lan agreed, although she was not entirely certain that he was speaking to her.

"Busy is an understatement." He turned his attention to the animal as the horse stepped sideways into him. "She's sturdy."

"Sister Bu, or the horse?"

Liu grinned. "The horse."

Lan nodded. "She's been invaluable."

He gave a small, rueful smile. "You probably won't see her much for a while, unfortunately."

"Probably not. Unless I go into the town." She put the saddlebags down.

He shrugged and turned to the stable, pulling her mount behind him. "Doubt you'll do that. Postulants are confined to the abbey for the first year."

She was horrified. "Th – they are?"

He led the bird into a stall. "Didn't you know that?"

She shook her head and followed him. "N – no."

He began to remove the animal's tack. "It's to separate postulants from worldly concerns, according to Mother Superior."

"Oh, well," her shoulders slumped, "I'm – I'm okay with – not going anywhere. I guess."

He opened the stall door and carried the tack to an adjacent room that smelled of saddle soap and beeswax. "You'll get used to it." He smiled as he emerged. "Everyone does."

Thinking about how different her future was to be from everything she had known, she watched in silence as he grabbed a pitchfork to throw hay into the horse's stall. When he had finished, he returned the pitchfork to its place. "I'll take you to the infirmary now." He held his hands out, and she blinked at him.

"I'll carry your saddlebags." He prompted.

Lan Chi pressed the packs, which contained the gold from Zuko and Iroh as well as her dearest possessions, more closely to her chest. "No. I'm fine. Thanks, though."

He shook his head. "Mother Superior will have my head if I don't carry them. She believes in equality of the sexes, but draws the line at the sisters – and anyone, really – carrying heavy things while I carry nothing at all."

She relaxed her grip. "Oh, well. I don't want Mother Superior to be mad. At you, I mean." She allowed him to take the bags.

"You don't want her mad at you, either, believe me." He led the way across the courtyard at a brisk pace.

She had to nearly run to keep up with him. "Does she have a bad temper?"

"Let's say that you'll know when she's mad. Luckily, it doesn't happen often. I've only ever seen her mad two or three times my whole life."

"Oh. Do – do you live here?"

"Yeah." He opened a door into one of the buildings and allowed her to precede him.

"I didn't know men could live in convents."

He passed her to open another door, which she passed through before him.

"I guess they can when they're born there. Here's the infirmary. Hi, Sister Hao." He greeted an older woman who sat at a desk before a set of double doors.

Her face widened into a smile. "Liu! I haven't seen you in days! Where have you been?"

He smiled. "Here and there. Lots of chores and errands. You know how Mother Superior is. Have you met – " he looked at Lan, "– Lan, right?" He turned back to Hao. "She's going to be living at the abbey."

Hao directed her attention to Lan Chi. "I heard we had a new postulant. Welcome, Lan. Blessings upon you."

"Thank you." Lan Chi bowed. "I am honored to meet you."

The woman returned the bow.

"She's here to see Sister Bu," he explained.

"Bu's within. Seeing to that Earth Kingdom soldier who won't eat."

"As if she doesn't have enough to do," Liu commented.

"I'll take you to Sister Bu, Lan." Hao stood.

"Thank you, Hao." He turned to Lan. "I'm sure that we'll be seeing a lot of each other, Lan." He bowed. "Blessings upon you."

Lan bowed. "Thank you, Liu, for your assistance. Er – blessings upon you, too."

He gave a small smile at her awkwardness and, after handing back Lan's luggage, was gone.

Lan glanced at his retreating back for a quick moment. He was nice. She could see herself being friends with him. He seemed very – uncomplicated.

"I'll take you in now." Hao stood. "Have you been here before?"

Lan shook her head. "No. I'm from – far away."

Hao smiled kindly. "We all are. All over the Earth Kingdom." She indicated that Lan should follow her, and she passed through double doors into a large ward lined with cots, upon which injured men lay. The room was bright and airy, and, although there was the smell of sweat and blood in the air, there was also a faint air of lemon and pine.

"We care for soldiers of both the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation – which is controversial, but we were founded to care for all people of all nations, and we've been around longer than the war." She frowned in thought. "We don't see a lot of Water Tribe soldiers here, though. They have their own healers." Hao smiled at the men as she passed, although some appeared to be asleep or unconscious. Some returned the smile, while others acknowledged her with eyes filled with pain. "Everyone is equal in the eyes of the spirits, and we strive to live that ideal."

She passed into another large room, which featured several rows of patient cots. "The room we just passed through was our intermediate ward. Those are men who still require frequent care, but who do not currently have life-threatening injuries."

"Were those men Earth Kingdom or Fire Nation?"

"Both. We mix the two nationalities together – it encourages camaraderie and fellowship."

"Do you ever have any problems between the two?"

"Sometimes. But we deal with it – mainly through prayer."

"Does that work?"

"Oh, yes. No one wants to listen to an old nun pray over them constantly."

"Oh, you mean you actually pray with them?"

Hao smiled. "You would be astounded how quickly men will agree to be peaceful after a few hours of reciting prayers. Now this ward," she changed subjects quickly, "is our convalescent ward. It is where the men go directly before discharge. Oh, there she is." Hao pointed to Sister Bu, who was conversing with another nun.

Hao made her way over to the pair. "Sister Bu. Sister Tiān." She bowed, and Lan belatedly joined her.

"Sister Hao." Bu returned the bow. "I see that you have met our postulant."

"Yes, indeed. I've been teaching her a little bit about what we do here."

Bu smiled at Lan. "I trust that Liu took good care of your horse."

Lan nodded. "Oh, yes, thank you, Sister Bu."

Bu indicated the woman with whom she had been speaking. "This is Sister Tiān. Sister, this is the postulant that I told you about."

Tiān, an older woman with gray hair peeking from under her headwear, bowed. "Blessings upon you, my child."

"Thank you." Lan bowed in return.

Hao put a hand on Bu's arm. "Were you successful in getting our patient to eat?"

Bu smiled. "Fifteen minutes of prayer with him. That's all it took."

"We thank the spirits." Hao put her hands together, palm to palm.

"The spirits are great." The other two nuns murmured in unison.

Lan's eyes widened. She did not know any of the prayers and responses that seemed to flow so easily from the mouths of the sisters.

As if reading her mind, Bu smiled. "Don't worry. Our ways will soon become second nature to you."

Lan sighed. "I hope so."

Bu grabbed her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "They will." She turned to Hao. "Hao, Sister Bai is in the apothecary closet. Could you go fetch her for me, please?"

"Yes, Sister." Hao bowed and was gone, and Tiān similarly excused herself to tend to patients.

"The Mother Superior has assigned Sister Bai to be your counsel. She will mentor you in the ways of our order. She will answer any questions you might have, and, should you require guidance in any form, she will be attendant. Of course," Bu continued, "you should feel free to ask questions of any of us." She smiled.

"Will I be working with her?"

"Actually, no. You will work with Sister Chú. According to your talents, the Mother Superior has decided that the kitchen is the best place for you. Sister Chú is the cook."

"Oh. Okay." Working in the kitchen was actually not the worst place that Lan could imagine.

Hao returned very soon with another nun, a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties. She was slim and tall, with a kind, weary face.

She bowed to Bu and Lan Chi, and Bu introduced the arrival as Sister Bai.

"I am honored to meet you." Lan bowed.

"As am I. Blessings upon you, sister."

Lan was taken aback, and Bu smiled kindly. "We address all postulants and novices in the same manner as those who have taken their vows. So you are to be Sister Lan from now on."

Lan felt a wide smile come to her face. Suddenly, she belonged.

"I'll escort you to your chamber now. It's in the residential building."

Bai led Lan Chi across a courtyard and to another building in the abbey complex. "This is the dormitory. We all live here – except Liu, of course. You met him earlier, I believe?"

Lan answered in the affirmative as they entered the wide double doors of the dormitory, a two-story building.

She led Lan up a staircase. "He has accommodations above the stable." She turned to smile. "He's the only one, besides the abbess, who doesn't share a bathroom." She continued through a corridor. "We all have private rooms, though – in order to pray and meditate."

Lan was relieved – at least there would be one place that she would not have to hide her true self.

"Mother Superior has put you in a vacant room near me – in case you need help, or have questions."

Lan smiled and nodded.

"We wake one hour before dawn and go to sleep one hour after sunset." At Lan Chi's horrified look, Bai laughed. "It's hard to get used to the schedule, but you will, I promise you."

At the head of the stairs, Bai turned to the right and began down a long corridor lined by doors on either side.

"This is my room." She indicated a door, and continued on past three other rooms. "And this is yours."

She swung the door open to reveal a small room with a single window, a bed, a nightstand with a candle, and a low bureau with a mirror and a washbowl. Lan walked in slowly, listening to her footsteps echo, and let the saddlebags and pack slide to the floor.

Bai pointed at a bundle on the bed. "Those are your vestments. They're unbleached." She smiled at Lan. "When you become a novice, you'll get a true, white habit."

"Oh." Lan had no idea that what a novice was.

"I know that it all looks bulky, but it's really rather freeing."

Lan picked up the bundle slowly. "What do I do when it gets dirty?"

Bai seemed confused. "You wash it."

"I mean – I only have one. What shall I wear when it's being washed?"

"Oh! Right. We'll go to the seamstress tomorrow, and she'll make sure this one fits properly, and she'll find you some more used pieces that should suffice."

Lan Chi nodded.

"Dinner is one hour prior to sunset in the main hall. I'll come back to get you for that." Bau folded her hands.

"Is that where all the meals are served?"

"Yes. Breakfast is at sunrise, and lunch at noon."

"Sister Bu mentioned that I'll be working in the kitchens with Sister Chú. Is that in the same building?"

"Oh, no. The kitchens are in a separate building. In case of fire – which has happened more than once, from what I've been told."

"Oh."

"You won't start that until tomorrow, though. Today, just acclimate yourself and relax."

"Relax?" Not much chance of that – she had to spend that time training to fit in and reminding herself to hide her past.

"Sleep. Unpack. Try on your raiments." Bai smiled. "Today is yours. Tomorrow – well, tomorrow belongs to the spirits."

After Bai had gone, Lan flopped down on the futon and lay there, staring up at the ceiling. This was it. This was going to be her life for – well – for the rest of her life, probably. Waking before dawn and working throughout the day until falling asleep an hour after sunset. How could she wake so early and retire so early? She was a waterbender! She liked to sleep late and stay up late!

She sighed and pressed her palms against her eyes. It could be worse, she reasoned. The sisters seem nice, and I'll have a roof over my head, and three meals a day. And I'll be far, far away from the Fire Nation, and Ozai.

And Zuko.

No Zuko, and no Iroh, and nothing else that she had ever known. She thought about what she had lost – love, family, and everything familiar.

Tears started in her eyes, and she sat abruptly, angry with herself. There was no use lamenting something that couldn't be changed. Besides, there was a chance – albeit an infinitesimal chance – that Zuko would someday return for her.

She wiped her face, pulled the bundled convent clothes to her, and, sniffling miserably, shook them out. There was a long shift, a long-sleeved, long tunic with a belt, and a wimple that covered her neck and chest.

And it was beige. Gone were the days when she could wear any color that she desired. The vibrant colors that she had adored – blue, yellow, green, gold, red – those were things of the past. From this point on, her wardrobe would be – beige.

She put the clothing aside and decided that it might be a good time to unpack her belongings. She had to find a place to hide the gold that Zuko and Iroh had given her.

She looked around the room with dismay. There was really no place to hide anything. She would just have to put the money in one of the bureau's drawers and cover it with clothing – the clothing that she would no longer be wearing. The same was true for the miniature portraits of her family. There was no way that she could display them, since it was apparent, by the uniforms worn by the men, that they were Fire Nationals.

She just hoped that no one would try to snoop in her room, because it would be difficult to explain those hidden possessions.

"How do you do this?" Lan Chi asked herself aloud, frowning as she tried to figure out how to don the tunic that Bai had given her. It had several panels and cords, and she had no idea how to tie or fold or wear it.

There was a knock on the door. "It's Sister Bai. May I come in?"

Lan gave up her attempts to tie the habit and opened the door.

Bai stood there holding a small tray. "I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you lunch. It's just rice and tea, but," she shrugged, "the rice has mushrooms."

"Oh, thank you so much!" Lan took the tray with eagerness. She hadn't eaten before leaving Zuko, and her stomach was protesting.

Bai watched Lan eat. "I see you've tried on the tunic."

Lan grimaced. "I tried to try it on. I can't figure out how to wear it. I think I might have it on backwards."

Bai looked at her critically. "No. It's the right way. I think you have one of the front panels behind you, though."

"Oh." Lan stood up with a mouthful of rice and lifted the tunic off to examine it more closely. "I see." She grabbed one of the panels and pulled it over her head, and then held her arms out so that the fabric settled into place. "Is this right?"

The sister smiled. "Perfect." She stepped forward to tie the tunic at the waist.

"Thank you." Lan smiled.

"Are you settling in?" Bai looked around the room and saw no personal items.

Lan Chi nodded. "Everything's put away." She shrugged. "I don't have much."

"Possessions are over-rated. I found that out not long after I came here. The important things are the work that you do, and the relationships that you make." She smiled. "And your devotion to the spirits, of course."

Lan smiled again weakly. "Of course."

"Do you need help with the head covering?"

Lan turned to look at the fabric in question, crumpled on the bed. "I haven't even tried it yet."

"It looks intimidating, but it 's not so bad once you get used to it." Bai picked it up and turned it in her hands until it was upright. "Here you go. Slip it over your head."

Lan took it reluctantly and did as she was bade. Bai helped her straighten the cap and, with a final pat, stepped back to survey her handiwork. "There. Take a look."

Lan Chi turned to the mirror. The headpiece covered her head from her hairline back. She gave a small smile and turned back to Bai. "Thank you."

Bai gave an understanding smile. "It's all a bit overwhelming – I know. It will get better. You'll see."

Lan nodded, but her responding smile was sad.

Bai squeezed Lan's hand impulsively and was gone, leaving her alone again. She sat heavily on the side of her bed and looked around. She felt restless and aimless, and reflected that, if she felt this way only hours into her stay at the convent, it did not bode well for the rest of her life there.

After a few minutes of reflection, she let herself fall back onto the futon.

Her eyelids began to feel heavy, and she was soon asleep.

She came awake to a rapping on her door and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Come in." She called.

Bai stuck her head around the door. "It's dinner time. I came to show you the way to the dining room." She smiled. "Oh, you slept! That's wonderful. I love naps – although I don't get them often, unfortunately."

Lan stretched. "I should've been exploring the convent to get familiar with it."

Bai laughed. "Oh, you'll become very familiar with it – I guarantee."

They walked through the corridors of the dormitory, Bai leading the way. She spoke of inconsequential things, from anecdotes of her life at the convent to a list of vegetables grown on the abbey farm. Bai was talkative and happy, and seemed very pleased to have been given an postulant to mentor.

The dining room was large and high-ceiling, lit by hanging candelabras. Long wooden tables with backless benches filled the room. Women clad in the habit of the convent and a few who wore robes similar to Lan Chi's were all chatting merrily. Bai led Lan to a table near the front, where she recognized a few of the women that she had met earlier in the day, although she could not recall any of their names.

"Spirits be with you, Sister Bai – and with you, Sister Lan." One of the women smiled at them both.

Bai returned the greeting, and Lan followed suit, albeit more quietly.

She and Bai settled down next to one another just as several women came out of a side doorway pushing carts laden with large bowls that looked to contain noodles.

The women set bowls down on every table, and the Mother Superior entered the room, a beatific smile on her face as she nodded to those already assembled. She took her place alongside others seated at the head table, although she remained standing.

"I see that Sister Chú and her staff have provided a delicious meal for us all." She turned her smile on the cook, who returned it. "So let us pray over this wonderful food, and give thanks to the spirits, who provided the ingredients so generously."

Everyone bowed their heads, and Lan Chi followed suit, and listened as the abbess intoned a prayer of gratitude. After its conclusion, all of the women simultaneously moved into action, chatting and filling bowls and passing them around until each had one.

Bai smiled at Lan. "Your first meal in your new home. How exciting!"

Lan Chi nodded weakly and turned to her bowl.

The stick that Zuko held smoldered, and he snapped it in frustration, tossing it away. He could see, in the valley below, sunlight glinting off a mirror, and he knew that that was the signal that he and Lan Chi had agreed upon – the signal that she was well, and that he could leave to return to his ship.

He sighed and sat down heavily, still staring at the reflection, hoping that, somehow, he might be able to see her in the distance. He knew that he should be relieved – happy even, that her mission had been successful, and that she was apparently settled at the convent. Part of him, however, had hoped that she would return to him, defeated, and that they would have to continue to travel together. But that, he knew, was selfish - and impractical. Lan Chi was a fugitive now, and his father would surely try to hunt her down.

He looked down at the ground briefly as tears stung his eyes, and, when he lifted his head again, the mirror's reflection was gone.

Lan Chi slid the mirror back into her pocket and blinked away tears before turning back into the convent gates. She had just cut the last tether between herself and Zuko, and between herself and everything she had ever known. Again.

She slid her hands into her sleeves and trudged towards the kitchen building.

"Hey, Lan! Wait up!"

She swiped at her nose as Liu caught up to her, a basket of produce slung over one arm.

She tried to muster a smile. "Hi, Liu."

"Where are you going?" Liu fell into step beside her.

"The kitchen. I'm supposed to start work there today."

"With Sister Chú? You'll like her. She's nice."

Lan gave a small smile. "Is that where you're headed?"

He looked puzzled. "How did you know?"

"You have a basket of broccoli." She pointed out. "Where else would you be going?"

He blushed. "Right."

She stopped and held her hand out. "Do you want me to take it for you? Then you won't have to go."

He appeared flustered. "What? No, I – " He cleared his throat. "No, I like seeing Chú. Besides, she bakes in the morning." His brows rose meaningfully.

She laughed and started walking again. "So you get to sample dessert?"

He stepped quickly to walk beside her. "Or the bread. I have to make sure everything is edible, you know. She wouldn't want to accidentally give Mother Superior a sour stomach."

"Spirits forbid." They had come to the door of the kitchen building, which was propped open with a large rock.

As predicted, the smell of bread was wafting out, and Liu stopped to inhale the scent. "Ah. Fresh bread."

She followed him into the kitchen, where several women worked in various stages of meal preparation. He approached a stout woman standing at a sink, and put one arm around her. "Good morning, Sister Chú! Spirits be with you. I've brought the last of the ripe broccoli."

The woman gave him a quick look. "Thanks, Liu. You can just put it there."

He followed her directions. "Do I smell bread?"

Chú gave him a jaundiced look. "Of course. Get yourself a piece – since that's why you're really here."

Liu laughed and grabbed the heel of a loaf sitting on a nearby counter. "I did need to bring the broccoli! Also, I brought your new postulant."

At that, Chú flung water off her hands and grabbed a towel. "Ah, yes. Mother Superior mentioned it." She turned to Lan Chi with a smile. "You must be Lan.''

Lan clasped her hands before her and bowed. "Yes. Spirits be with you, Sister." She had been practicing her greetings, and was hoping that she had been successful.

The cook returned the bow, still smiling. "And with you, Sister. How are you settling in?"

"I'm settling in well, thank you. And everyone has been so nice."

Chú's eyes slid to Liu, who was still contentedly chewing. "We're a nice bunch."

Zuko trudged slowly up the gangplank of his ship, his gait weary and his shoulders slumped. His uncle appeared at the railing, a smile wreathing his face.

"Prince Zuko! You're home!"

Zuko leveled a dark look on him as he came aboard and tossed his knapsack on the deck. "I'm not home. I'm back."

"Of course, of course." Iroh brushed Zuko's rebuke away, and motioned for a crew member to retrieve his nephew's pack. "How was your mission?"

Zuko's face grew stormier. "How do you think it was?"

Iroh's eyes were knowing. "Much as you expected?"

Zuko did not answer him, but turned to one of the crew. "Assemble the men."

The man jumped to do the prince's bidding, as Iroh glanced over Zuko's shoulder, onto the shore. "Where is your horse, Prince Zuko?"

Zuko's jaw set. "I sold it. I don't have time for self-indulgent activities like horseback riding. I need to find the Avatar. Besides, if I need to ride, I'll take one of the rhinos."

"How wise of you." Iroh squinted at him. "Look at your hair, Zuko!" The younger man had not shaved his head since leaving the ship many weeks before.

Zuko's eyes were like stone. "What of it?"

"You have hair!"

"Not for long." Zuko growled at him.

"Well, no matter." Iroh's voice was jovial as he clapped Zuko on both arms. "You've arrived just in time for dinner." He wrinkled his nose. "Perhaps you'd like a shower first?"

Zuko was still for a moment, then gave a brief nod. A shower sounded good. He had not been clean in weeks.

His crew finished falling into ranks on the deck, and he pulled from his uncle's grip. "Jee, prepare the ship for departure. We leave with the tide."

Jee bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

Zuko acknowledged his lieutenant with a brief nod and headed towards the ladders leading to the crew quarters.

"I'll call you for dinner!" Iroh yelled after him.

Zuko stood in the doorway to his cabin, watching the dust motes floating in the waning light from the only window, high in the wall. The room had a stale, disused smell, and, with a sigh, he tossed his dirty clothing on the floor at the foot of his bed.

His hair was plastered to his skull and he wiped it off his forehead with annoyance. He vowed that he would have the cook, who also functioned as the ship's barber, shave it the following day. He had to get back to normal, and return to the only thing that mattered: finding the Avatar and returning in triumph to the Fire Nation.

He flung himself onto his bed and frowned when the sharp edge of an unknown object poked into him.

With an oath, he pulled back the blanket to find a fabric-covered bundle jutting from beneath his pillow.

His heart jumped for a moment when recognized one of Lan Chi's robes, and he touched it with a tentative finger. Tucked in a fold was a small envelope, and he pulled it out slowly.

It was addressed with a single letter, a "Z," and he opened the envelope with a mixture of hope and dread. He had recognized Lan Chi's script immediately, as he knew that he would.

My Dearest, Darling Zuko,

I have left this item for you, in the chance that it may help you with your hunt for the Avatar. I certainly have no use for it anymore.

Please be safe, and know that my thoughts are with you, always.

All of my love, forever,

Lan Chi

He pulled the bundle to his lap and untied the sash that secured it. The silk of the robe slid away, and the garish, grotesquely grinning face of the Blue Spirit mask stared sightlessly back at him.

It was an insistent knocking at his door that woke Zuko up, and he opened dry, scratchy eyes. It was fully dark, and he realized that he had fallen asleep. With a yawn, he struggled to sit.

"Prince Zuko! Prince Zuko!" His uncle's muffled voice reached him.

"What is it?" He called, the irritation clear in his voice.

"We've left port, and Lieutenant Jee would like to know our course. Oh, and dinner is ready."

Zuko looked at the window, as if the sky could give him an answer to Jee's question. Where should he go to find the Avatar? Where could the blasted old man be? They had already searched a good portion of the world. Where was left?

Did it really even matter? His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all tried to find the Avatar, to no avail. What chance did he, a burned and scarred sixteen-year-old with mediocre firebending skills, have when they had failed?

Zuko lay back down on his bed and turned away from the door to face the Fire Nation flag opposite.

"Prince Zuko?" It was his uncle again. "Jee says that he really needs to know the course you would like him to chart."

Zuko squeezed his eyes shut. "Who cares?"

There was silence for a long moment from the other side of the door until Iroh responded. "I'm sorry, Prince Zuko! I didn't hear. Could you repeat?"

Zuko gave an aggrieved groan. "For all I care, we could sail to the South Pole!" His voice rose to a raw yell.

In the corridor outside Zuko's room, Iroh gave a small nod and turned to Lieutenant Jee, at his elbow.

"You heard Prince Zuko, Lieutenant Jee! Set a course for the South Pole!"

End of Part II

Please stay tuned for Part III

Author's Notes: And we all know what Zuko finds at the South Pole...

MORE Author's Notes: I know, I know! I'm sure that you all thought that I had fallen off the edge of the world...

I didn't. But I dealt with what was a crippling case of writer's block, despite the fact that I: a) knew what was going to happen, and b) was REALLY close to ending this portion of the story.

*sigh*

I am now resolved to go back to work on BOTH my fics (the other being Shatter Me) until they are finished.

Anyway, thank you for reading!