"From what I remember, the Avatar's bison was moving that way" Asuka pointed at the sky as it was creeping into the sunset. Zuko, Asuka, and Iroh had all focused their attention on finding the Avatar after they rescued Iroh from the Earth Kingdom soldiers. It was still evening and if they moved quickly they were sure to catch where the Avatar was last seen. Sure enough they all came across a small village deep in the forest around the early morning, before even the sun came out. There they spied the people as they were settling down for an early start today, from cleaning their house to setting up little shops. One man in particular caught their attention the seemingly head of the village was the one that Asuka's eyes were following. If anyone knew about the Avatar it was him, she thought to herself.

"Him," Asuka whispered as she pointed at the man, "He's who we should interrogate."

"You're sure?" Zuko narrowed his eyes on him.

"Positive," smirked Asuka, they nodded at each other knowingly. Some how it was just that simple with them, on the battlefield they worked better than in personal relationships. While Asuka was accurate, precise, and quick with her strikes, Zuko was strategic, aggressive, and unyielding with his. Where Asuka lacked, Zuko picked up. Where Zuko was sloppy, Asuka cleaned it up. They were Yin and Yang, totally different but together they worked in harmony.

"Sneak in Asuka, I'll take him head on," Zuko said

"I'll walk within the shadows." She patted Zuko's shoulder and winked at him, as she dashed into the darkness. She snuck through the village by crossing the rooftops of the buildings there, with light feet, almost like a cat. She kept her eyes on the man as he entered a significantly larger building in the middle of the village and there she made her move and crossed several rooftops more to enter it. She made her way into the structure through a window that was partially open on the second floor and making use of the large support beams on the ceilings, she remained undetected. Spying from high above her eyes once again followed the man as he was exiting the front door, seeing just a glimpse of Zuko from the front as she moved into position and somersaulted down to the ground floor.

"Having trouble sleeping?" She heard Zuko say to the shocked man as he was shoved back in running into Asuka. She shoved him back with her eyes narrowed at him.

"Seen the Avatar lately?" Asuka asked with a demanding tone.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" the man said.

Zuko being ever impatient, "I know the Avatar was here and I know you're going to tell us where he went."

"The Avatar was here but I have no idea where he went, that's the truth!" he cried. Asuka reading his face could tell he was hiding something and suddenly flared a fireball in her hand bringing it close to the man's terrified face.

"Tell us now where he has gone off to, I know you're lying. Unless of course you want your beloved village to burn as well as the families. It'd be a shame if all these people would pay for your mistake."

The man gulped and looked at her with scared and trembling eyes, "The Avatar has gone to the Fire Temple, in the Fire Nation, to speak with Avatar Roku, before the sunsets on the Solstice."

Asuka extinguished the flame in her hand and looked at Zuko, "We need to go."

Jumping back onto the rhino that Iroh was holding in the middle of the village and left quicker than a heartbeat back onto the ship

"You can't be serious, Prince Zuko," Asuka protested. "We are banished, if we returned, we could be killed!"

"That's a risk we have to take," he replied, "I can't let Zhao or any other person take the Avatar. He's my destiny and the way to retake my honor." He narrowed his eyes onto hers which were full of concern.

"Zuko! You're being unreasonable!" she yelled at him, "You could endanger the whole crew's lives because of such an impatient response! We should wait until the Solstice ends and track him afterwards."

"So we start back at square one? Absolutely not! That's lost time that we could've gained and more time for Zhao to capture the Avatar himself." Zuko was furious as he argued with the orphaned peasant. They had been at each other's throats for hours, whether or not they would go back to the Fire Nation. Although going back would give her great joy, she knew it was too dangerous. The fact that Zuko was blindly following the Avatar for his honor, concerned her a great deal.

"We will catch him Zuko, but this is outrageous. To throw the lives of your crew, your Uncle, yourself, just to capture the Avatar."

"My father will understand." Zuko countered. Asuka huffed and sneered at the young prince.

"Just like he understood to burn and mutilate your face for punishment. He sounds incredibly just." Zuko eyes flashed in anger and hurt.

"Don't talk about my father that way, peasant! You don't know him like I do!" He yelled.

"Oh really? I don't? After all he banished me too, Your Highness. You think he knows right from wrong? He only knows what he wants, and whoever is against it is wrong!"

"ENOUGH!" Zuko cried out, sending fire streaming from his fists, "We will go after the Avatar and I will not hear another defiant word from you! Do I make myself clear?" Zuko and Asuka stared each other down with Asuka finally relenting with a sigh, as calm as a breeze.

"Fine", Asuka said softly, "I hope you know what you're doing, Prince Zuko. If not, we will all pay for your mistake."

Zuko turned on his heel with a frown, "It's not a mistake."

"Sailing into Fire Nation waters," Iroh said flatly, "Of all the foolish things you've done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish!"

It was mid afternoon and the warm sun was bearing down on the crew, Asuka, Iroh, and Zuko on the top deck of the boat. Asuka was still angry at the brash attitude Zuko had when deciding to pursue the Avatar in the Fire Nation. She knew that if any Fire Nation ship saw them they would open fire, since they were considered enemies of the Nation. She shook her head at how stubborn Zuko was, he drove her insane, yet for some reason even if she was still furious with him, she still cared and that also made her frustrated, because even after every cruel thing he did, the good deeds he performed outweighed them heavily. But right now all she could focus on was the horizon for any Fire Nation ships, while Prince Zuko looked towards the sky following the Avatar's flying bison.

"I have no choice Uncle." Zuko replied to General Iroh. Asuka rolled her eyes, she knew this argument too well from last night.

"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you!?" Iroh exclaimed

"I call it selective memory." Asuka said flatly.

"What if you're caught?" Iroh asked his nephew.

"I'm chasing the Avatar, my father will understand why I am returning home."

"Oh here we go." Asuka commented with a flat tone.

"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type." Iroh replied

"Exactly my point Zuko, this is too risky." Asuka agreed staring into his eyes hoping he'd see her concern. Instead he looked back into his telescope to try on focus on the flying bison.

"There they are," He whispered to himself, turning and looking back at the helm he ordered, "Helmsman! Full steam ahead!" The engine roared as they felt the boat steadily gain momentum catching up to the Avatar. Zuko took this as his chance as he then ordered his men to lift the catapult from the lower decks upwards. On the catapult, laid a rock layered in a hot liquid that was not the nicest smelling in the world.

"Gosh," Asuka exclaimed, pinching her nostrils to deter the smell, "What is that? Ugh!"

"A flammable liquid," Zuko plainly replied.

"Ugh, really Prince Zuko?" Iroh complained, "Couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant."

Zuko, ignoring his Uncle's comment, lit the rock on fire with a fire bolt from his fist, "On my mark," He told his men, "Fire!" The rock launched through the air but was dodged by the Sky Bison. Zuko was about to fire another projectile, when Asuka caught sight of a large black blob on the horizon.

"Zuko! Look!" She pointed.

Zuko's gaze widened, "A blockade." he said in shock.

Asuka, trying to remain calm, grabbed Zuko's shoulder, "We need to get out of here. Now." she sternly ordered Zuko.

"Technically you're still in Earth Kingdom waters," Iroh said over his shoulder rubbing his goatee, "turn back now and they cannot arrest you."

Asuka's voice softened, "Zuko, please, I implore you to listen to your Uncle."

Zuko eyed the Bison in the air and realized it was only moving forward beyond the blockade, "He's not turning around!"

"Please Prince Zuko," Iroh gritted out, "If the Fire Nation captures you, there's nothing I can do. Do not follow the Avatar." Asuka's gaze looked into Zuko's, desperately wanting him to listen to her and General Iroh. Zuko looked down and squeezed his eyes shut.

"I'm sorry, Uncle." He spoke softly, he then lifted his gaze and pointed at the horizon, "Run the blockade." he ordered.

Asuka yanked Zuko's arm, "Zuko! You can't do this!" Zuko, for once, gently took Asuka's hand, the feeling made her heart skip a beat. She looked at him with her eyes shining in concern and hurt. Zuko looked at her calmly, "We'll be fine,"

Asuka reluctantly nodded and backed down, walking back to General Iroh and standing by his side. In an instant she saw a flurry of flaming projectiles flying through the air, aiming for both the Avatar and their ship. Asuka's eyes widened as several came in near contact with the ship, causing a large wave to rush onto the deck splashing on the crew members. Asuka quickly attended to the crew, making sure they weren't hurt, when one projectile smashed somewhere near the back of the ship, with a small explosion after it. She looked back to see a cloud of black smoke and one of the crew saying that the engine was damaged to Zuko.

"We need to stop and make repairs!" He told Zuko, but he wouldn't have it.

"Do not stop this ship!" He ordered.

"Zuko with this kind of firepower we will never make it!" Asuka yelled as she walked towards him.

"I told you, we will be fine. We will capture the Avatar." His determination was to be admired, but at a time like this he looked foolish. The projectiles kept coming and after some very near misses, the attack stopped as the Avatar made it across. Asuka watched as the Fire Nation ships were about to close off their ship when suddenly for some odd reason, they stopped. Curiously Asuka walked over to Zuko again and asked him under her breath, "What do you think is happening." He didn't say a word only staring and narrowing his eyes in one direction. She looked up to see the eyes of a very familiar figure. Zhao of course, She thought to herself, he must've known that was them when they were firing at the Avatar, who else would want to sacrifice the banished Prince.

"How curious he'd let us through?" Asuka said to Zuko.

"Very curious indeed" he replied.

They travelled until it was nearly sundown, and yet Asuka still saw Zhao through the breaks in the smoke. She knew what he was up to, even the crew did bu Zuko was more confused than ever, blinded by rage.

"What's he up to Uncle? Why didn't Commander Zhao arrest me?" He gritted out.

"Because he wants to follow you, he knows you'll lead him to the prize you're both after. The Avatar."

"If Zhao wants to follow our trailed smoke, then that's exactly what I'll let him do." Zuko said.

"Zuko and I should take a small vessel and follow the Avatar in that, the crew should then throw a diversion so Zhao would follow the ship rather than us." Asuka said. Zuko looked to Asuka and nodded.

"Uncle? What do you think?" He asked Iroh. Iroh pondered to himself stroking his facial hair.

"If you believe that is right, Prince Zuko, then you should. But take caution." He replied.

Zuko looked to Asuka with knowing eyes, "Meet me on the lower deck, we'll take a boat to shore."

"Yes Prince Zuko." Asuka bowed politely. Zuko then turn towards his Uncle and ordered him to take care of the ship as went abroad.

"Don't worry about me Prince Zuko, take care of yourself and Asuka. It'd be a shame to lose either you or your beautiful friend."

As Zuko turned away, Iroh noted his slightly flushed cheeks, and smirked at his nephew. Even if he was rough around the edges, he still couldn't deny Asuka's beauty. After a few moments, Zuko arrived with Asuka in tow on the boat, as it was being lowered down into the water Iroh looked above to watch carefully his nephew and Asuka going off on their own.

"Uncle keep heading north," Zuko told Iroh, "Zhao will follow the smoke trail, while I use it as a cover."

Iroh mearily nodded and grunted in response, Asuka knew he wasn't crazy about this idea, but it was the only way to appease Zuko's desire to catch the Avatar. As they left on their own Asuka looked at the prince with softened eyes.

"You didn't want to say goodbye to your Uncle?" she asked

"I'll be back, there's no need for goodbye." He said stoically.

"Come quickly the Avatar has entered the sanctuary!" A Fire Sage said as Zuko and Asuka were approaching. They rushed to find cover behind the large pillars as they observed the situation going on.

"The Avatar is already in the Sanctuary," whispered Asuka, "Are we too late?"

"No," Zuko replied, "He has to come out eventually, and when he does, we will catch him."

"Maybe we don't have to wait." Asuka said with a smirk on her face. walking away from the pillar.

"Asuka, what are you doing?" Zuko whispered. Asuka turn towards him and put a finger to her lips, and then pointing to a boy next to another pillar. An airbender. Zuko understood and silently walked with Asuka to sneak up on him. When the Fire Sages started bending their fire, Asuka pounced onto the airbender, and shut his mouth with her hand. He was struggling almost freeing himself from Asuka's grip when Zuko grabbed onto his arms.

"Listen, Avatar," Asuka said threateningly, "Either you can come with us silently, or I will attack your friends, do I make myself clear."

The Avatar narrowed his eyes on the girl when a voice was heard on the other end of the room, "Aang, now's your chance!" Zuko dragged the Avatar out of their hiding space as there was no way to hide now.

"The Avatar's coming with me!" He told the water tribe children. They quickly struggled but were overtaken by the Fire Sages that had been subdued only moments earlier.

"Close the doors," Zuko ordered the Fire Sages, "Quickly."

Aang looked back at his restrained friends and struggled to break loose from Zuko's grip and succeeded sending an air kick to Zuko and knocking him down. Fighting Asuka was a different story, she was quick and nimble sending fire streams one right after the other. However she was also taken care of as the Avatar rushed into the sanctuary with only seconds to spare. Within moments, Asuka watched as room flooded in a bluish white glow and as soon as it was there it was gone.

"Asuka! We need to open the door, come on." Zuko tugged at her arm.

"Right of course." Asuka rushed to the door with three other Fire Sages and Zuko as they firebent at the door to try and open it, but to her surprise, the door didn't open.

"Why isn't it working?" Zuko asked, "It's sealed shut!"

"It must've been the light," said one of the Fire Sages, "Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside."

"There has to be another way!" Asuka exclaimed.

"We can only wait." The Fire Sage said. She looked down and saw one of the Fire Sages on the ground, chained, he looked defeated and beside himself.

"Who's this?" Asuka asked, pointing at the chained Fire Sage.

"This is our former Fire Sage, Shyu, he betrayed his loyalty to us and the Fire Lord when he helped the Avatar." The other Fire Sage said.

Zuko turned to face the traitorous Fire Sage with a demanding demeanor, "Why did you help the Avatar?"

"Because it was once the Sage's duty," Shyu said, "It is still our duty."

Asuka's eyes softened at this Fire Sage. She admitted to herself she did feel for the man, but he did betray the Fire Nation for his actions. An action that may cost him his life. As she was thinking of him, he thoughts were interrupted by a slow clap of a singular person in the room. She turned around and was completely shocked to see Commander Zhao and his battalion behind him.

"What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm certain the Fire Lord will understand when you explain why you betrayed him." He smirked at the Fire Sage.

"You? What are you doing here?" Asuka said venomously as she stepped in front of Zuko, protecting him viciously.

"You should have taken a more clever route to get here rather than a tug boat to sneak over. You think I'm that stupid, orphan? It was a noble effort, but your little smokescreen didn't work. Three traitors in one day, the Fire Lord will be pleased." Asuka felt a pair of arms restrain her from behind and watched another soldier do the same to Zuko. She broke free though and stepped in front of the soldier with her eyes glaring.

"I'll kill if you if you touch him!" She gritted out as a violet flame spiraled around her fist. As she was about to strike Zhao struck her head hard and grabbed her by her arms and her long raven hair.

"Temper temper, what is it with commoners like you that you can't control your savage ways."

Asuka looked at Zuko, he was visibly distraught, "You're too late Zhao! The Avatar's inside and the doors are sealed!"

"No matter," He replied with a smirk, "Sooner or later he has to come out. Until then," He yanked Asuka's hair as she yelped and tried to suppress her tears, "perhaps I could teach an orphan some manners."

Zuko breathed fire, "Stop it!" he yelled.

Zhao yanked Asuka's head and threw her on the ground, she screamed in pain lying in a fetal position on the ground. "Getting a little tense, Prince Zuko? Can't stand to see your girl in pain?"

Zuko's eyes narrowed, as he struggled to break through, "Take these two away from the door, don't let them escape." Zhao ordered his men. One of them picked up Asuka on the ground, grabbing her arms and dragging her over to a pillar and tying both her and Zuko to it with a long chain. She was beside herself, bested by Zhao, how could she let this happen? Her shame must've been noticeable because she felt Zuko squeeze her hand, as she looked up he merely gave her a look, one that she could only explain as comforting.

"I'm fine, Zuko, we just need to get out of here. With or without the Avatar." She told him.

A large light illuminated the room as the sanctuary opened, with mist rushing out of it. As Asuka watched Zhao's men fire upon the Avatar, she saw not the airbender, but Avatar Roku.

"Avatar Roku?" She said incredulously. The Avatar waved a rush of fire but it didn't burn them, instead it disintegrated the chains that kept them imprisoned. Zuko and Asuka fell on the ground for a split second, but knowing that there was no way to capture the Avatar in the Avatar state, they made a beeline for the exit. They felt the temple shake as magma and fire came up from the ground, they held onto each other making sure not to lose one another. The temple was falling apart fast but they quickly made it out.

"We need to get out of here!" Asuka yelled.

"Doing that now!" Zuko said as he turned on the engines he raced the boat out of the way of the crumbling temple. Asuka watched it fall with saddened eyes, Zuko must have noticed as he made a comment looking at her.

"It's just a building, we can build another." Zuko said.

"It was a building that Avatar Roku loved, something dear to him, its a shame to see it fall." She felt his hand on her shoulder.

"If you're wondering if I'm okay, I am. I've had worse." She said softly.

"Why'd you do it? Why'd you put yourself in danger?" He asked

"Because….Because it was all I could do, to keep them from hurting you." She replied.

"Why me?"

"Because you're the future of our nation. I see more in you than I ever saw in anyone here in the Fire Nation. You're a symbol of a new era."

And what seemed like an eternity after she said that, Zuko spoke, "Thanks"

Asuka smiled at the young prince, "No problem"