Summary: Banished from his home and scarred by his own father, Zuko feels lost in a world ravaged by war. In order to regain his honor, he must find the Avatar, a figure that has not been seen in over a hundred years...Meanwhile, dark secrets make things complicated and suddenly, his path becomes uncertain.

Authors Note/Warnings: This is a 'What if?' kind of story and major AU...starts with the air benders, then Zuko's banishment and will contain many changes to the story line, lots of Oc's, twists and spoilers for certain (if not all) canon events. You have been warned. Rated T due to violence, slightly mature themes and death (though the rating will go up to M if readers believe it to be necessary).

****Pairings will be revealed as story progresses.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Avatar the Last Air bender or its characters, only my Oc's and the plot. I do this for my enjoyment and nothing else. Standard disclaimer applies for every chapter.

Book 1- Water
(Part I of the Lost Nation Series)

The Lost and Forgotten

Chapter One: A Form of Discipline

Two sky bison lay nestled within dense foliage to hide them from any prying eyes, while the small surviving group seated upon them watched a part of their civilization be destroyed as great air ships descended to the ground and fire erupted in the night.

Nine year old Lian Shu could only stare unblinkingly as the Eastern Air Temple burned while the distant sounds of screaming mingled with the nearby frantic whispers and soft wails.

He glanced at the group behind him where his friend Jiani and their teacher Monk Kano, tried unsuccessfully to stem the blood seeping from Anu's deep wounds while her three disciples were huddled together and sobbing pitifully.

The older nun and her wards had been returning home when their groups had stumbled across the other in the chaos of the Fire Nations unexpected attack.

The smell of smoke in the air was acrid and he fervently wished he could erase the sight of great fireballs tearing through the temple walls or deafen his ears to the terrible shrieking of people dying. Even their sky bison were not spared.

How quickly things change. He wondered vaguely.

It had been a wonderful visit to their sister temple, carefree and fun, until the dreadful news which had reached their ears prompting an early return to the Southern Air Temple.

The Avatar was missing.

Lian Shu shuddered.

If they had left any later, their screams would also be among the current cacophony.

Dying…

Lian Shu listened with horrified distraction as the old woman stuttered a few short breaths before her chest stopped moving altogether and Kano ceased his efforts, staring at his red stained hands.

Kano then gently wrapped Anu in his cloak and whispered a soft prayer before glancing at them with grim eyes.

"Children, I need you to be strong with me now. We cannot return to the temples." He said. "We will continue our search for the Avatar, but above that, we will keep ourselves safe."

Lian Shu bristled.

"Are we not going to try help them at all? Are we going to just let our people die?!" He all but shouted.

Kano's grey eyes darkened and Lian Shu flinched at the stark anger and grief reflected in those usually warm depths. Jiani muffled a sob.

"We cannot be certain that this is not a full scale attack on every temple and if that is the case, then storming into the fight will gain us nothing. It seems too coincidental that the young Avatar would be announced as missing days before an army invades our borders." He replied quietly. "It pains me greatly to leave but there is nothing left for us there but death. We will continue with the mission the council has given us and find the Avatar."

He turned his eyes on the fading battles.

"We must preserve what balance we can."

Lian Shu turned back to stare at the temple while Kano instructed Jiani to fly the second bison with the young girls.

He closed his eyes briefly to give a prayer and brushed aside a tear before moving to assist in any way that he could, his thoughts varying and jolted.

Whatever the road ahead, everything would be different now and they would carry a great and terrible burden.

Wherever you are Aang, I hope you're safe. Without you, the cycle is broken and all hope is lost…

Almost 100 years later…

Thirteen year old Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, approached the arena with little fear and sheer determination in his bright, golden eyes.

It wasn't a mistake…

Though he had entertained a few moments of doubt.

Thousands had gathered to watch the fight that was about to take place, but he paid them little to no attention as he steadily climbed the stairs and took his place upon the alabaster platform bordered by glowing torches.

Despite the harsh murmurs and soft acerbic jibes emanating from the crowd of mostly nobles and upper class soldiers, to the young teen it seemed almost silent, like the gentle calm before a raging storm.

Even when he knew that was far from the truth.

He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, one thought repeating itself constantly in his mind.

He was not wrong…or at least, he did not believe that could be so.

Even now, the events from yesterday replayed heavily in his mind.

After all, it was the day which had led to this very moment.

…

Sighing heavily and staring at the door mutinously, Zuko figured it might be better to give up already.

After having failed for the third time in the last week into gaining admittance to his father's war chamber, it just was not worth the effort. Especially if the guard was going to be so stubborn about something so simple, but even so, the mere thought of giving up still made him disappointed.

If he gave up now, how would he ever prove himself worthy?

"Prince Zuko, what is wrong?" A familiar voice questioned and the young teen felt a large hand rest gently upon his shoulder. He turned to find himself face to face with his beloved Uncle Iroh.

"I wanted to go into the chamber so I could listen to the council session, but the guard won't let me pass." He admitted quietly, feeling a little foolish over how childish he sounded and before his uncle, the great Dragon of the West, no less.

"You're not missing anything, trust me." Iroh announced with a jovial smile and comforting tone, although his golden eyes held a concern that Zuko did not understand and the hand on his shoulder seemed to tense slightly. "These meetings are dreadfully boring and even I only attend them out of necessity, not want. If I could have things my way, we'd all be enjoying some lovely jasmine tea and relaxing instead."

Zuko frowned at the answer and folded his arms across his chest. He knew his uncle meant well, but that fact did not sway his determination in the least. This was important.

"If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can? The war is a big part of our lives and doesn't seem likely to end soon. I need to know more of what's going on and how best to consider every aspect of my nation when I one day take the throne, not just the good things."

Zuko held his breath hopefully as his uncle adopted a thoughtful look.

"Very well." Iroh finally murmured though still looking somewhat unsure, before he smiled warmly and patted Zuko's shoulder. "Just promise me you will keep quiet. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know."

Zuko hid a triumphant grin and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, uncle and I promise."

…

Thoughts returning to the present, Zuko closed his eyes and repressed a sigh.

I was so foolish.

The war meeting was supposed to have been his shining moment, the moment when he proved himself worthy of his royal lineage to Fire Lord Ozai. When he made his father proud…to have him as a son and as an heir.

Zuko had wanted to show his father that he was capable of acting mature and responsible, that he could learn just as quickly as his sister did, but things had not turned out as he had expected or planned. Within the meeting, Zuko had discovered one of the true horrors of war…

That there was nothing glorious or honorable about it.

He had listened to the reports with growing disgust. Found his ideals and knowledge of the situation grossly lacking compared to what the council was now displaying.

Anger followed the dismay coursing through him and finally, when a General he found particular reason to loathe, stood and voiced an opinion, he snapped.

Breaking the promise to his uncle, Zuko had spoken and doomed himself with his words.

I couldn't remain silent.

The idea was wrong and the young Prince had told the council exactly how he felt, unable to simply sit by while he listened to a General promote something so unjust. His outburst had led to this Agni Kai, one of the most ancient customs within the Fire Nations culture.

It was a dual of honor, courage and respect.

The door opposite of him swung open and a tall figure stepped forward. Zuko prepared himself for what was about to happen, while the shadowed form drew near.

He would show this General, that his plan was immoral, that you could not sacrifice lives meaninglessly, simply for an advantage in a battle.

Yes, they were at war with the two remaining nations, but that did not mean they should abandon their principles...their humanity, for the sake of one victory. Zuko did not think he had spoken out of turn, nor did he think he had behaved insolently. He had been right, when he stood against the Generals suggestion, and he would defend his honor to prove that point.

Their people, their soldiers, were not simply tools you could use and then discard as if they were worthless.

The young Prince watched carefully as the General came closer, eager to get this ordeal over with, but what he saw next nearly stopped his heart. The flames of the candles illuminated the approaching man's face revealing him to be, not the General who Zuko had insulted, but the Fire Lord himself.

Zuko's raised hands, immediately fell to his side in utter disbelief, his earlier confidence suddenly abandoning him.

"Father…"

Shock and fear coursed through him, followed closely by confusion.

This was not happening. It was not real, so therefore it had to be a nightmare. His father was not his opponent...He would not fight his own son.

A gong sounded and Zuko watched with mounting horror as his father took up an offensive stance and someone announced the terms of the duel.

The reality of what was happening, hit him in a strangely detached way.

Zuko was convinced that his mind had to be imagining the figure before him, but no, this was his father. The man who was preparing to fight his own son, in something considered one of the Fire Nation's most brutal contests.

…a contest, he realized suddenly with shamed clarity, which he couldn't hope to win given his meager ability at fire bending.

"I won't fight you." The words had left his mouth before he could stop them and the crowd rumbled with whispered comments of surprise.

"You will fight for your honor." His father answered coldly.

"You can't possibly agree with that plan?" Zuko asked softly, though he felt he already knew the answer.

"You will fight or you will face dishonor." Ozai stated, not bothering to give the question a response.

Anger unexpectedly overwhelmed all of Zuko's senses, hot and bright like the blaze within him, and he temporarily forgot exactly who was standing before him.

"Does that also apply to General Kazue, since it was him, not you that should be standing before me...Is it not dishonorable to send another in his place, when it was him who challenged me?"

A murmured gasp echoed throughout the chamber and the Fire Lord's amber eyes flickered dangerously. Zuko, however, kept his expression blank, not allowing his true emotions to show.

"By insulting him, you have insulted me. You will fight." His father uttered softly, though his voice was still strong. "Fight, Prince Zuko!"

Tears started to fall silently from Zuko's eyes and he vaguely realized that he had not cried in years…Not since his mother...

…No, I can't think of that now.

"I won't."

The crowd was silent.

"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher." His father suddenly whispered harshly and moved.

Zuko stood still as he watched the man move. Shock and unbelievable sadness rooted him to the spot, and he did nothing as the hot flames hit the left side of his face and sent him flying across the arena. The pain was sudden and intense, making him scream, the fire searing into his flesh. He hit the marble floor with a dull thud and for a second, time seemed to stand still.

Burning skin was all he could smell.

His face ached in a way that was indescribable and the simple fact that his father had struck him, shook his core. Struggling to remain conscious even with the pain, Zuko tried to get up, a familiar thought re-entering his now emotionally fractured mind.

He was not wrong.

Why was caring for your people wrong?

Before the injured boy could get any further than his hands and knees, a sharp crackle rippled through the air and Zuko sucked in a sharp, disbelieving breath.

Did his father view his attempt to stand, as another act of defiance; was he going to strike again?

Despite the turmoil of emotions raging furiously within him and the blistering throb on his face that dulled his senses and blinded his vision, Zuko continued to try to get to his feet; mentally readying himself for the blow that he knew was imminent and ignoring the crimson liquid which was beginning to stain the white tiles beneath him.

He refused to be seen as weak, and yet when the flames hit his shoulder, he was not ready and the force of the attack sent him tumbling off the arena.

Fresh pain washed over the Prince and everything around him was slowly fading. He desperately wanted to scream and cry, but no sound came. He could not move...He could not breathe properly…could not see...And once again, only one thought was prominent in his mind, as the world began to turn black and fade away.

He was not wrong.

Up in the stands where he sat among the others members of the main war council, General Kazue smirked and turned slightly towards his left where his daughter stood, her magenta eyes wide with horror.

"You see that Riu. That is what happens to traitors." He stated sternly. "We punish those among us who defy our methods. The Fire Nation seeks to bring order to the other civilizations, to end their barbaric existence and give them guidance under our glorious rule. They are blinded by their ways and force is needed to show them the right path. Do you understand why I wished for you to see this?"

"I understand, father." The young girl murmured softly, candle light revealing unshed tears that clung to her dark lashes. "You want me to avoid making the same mistake."

"Good." Kazue said, looking satisfied with her answer, though he had expected no less from his child. "You are a true daughter of the Fire Nation, and I will not have you turning out like our pitiable excuse for a Prince. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes father."

Kazue offered a short nod to Captain Zhao, a man who had served under him a few times in the past and a deep, respectful bow to a young girl in the row not too far from his own; she was Princess Azula, the Fire Lord's youngest child.

"Good evening, Princess."

"Good evening, General." She replied with a small bow of her own, though he noticed how her gleaming eyes never left her brothers form. He refrained from asking if she had enjoyed the spectacle as much as he had, instead, turning back to address his daughter.

"Come Riu. Our business is finished here."

As Riu turned to leave and follow her father, she could not help glancing over her shoulder to where the young Prince still lay motionless as the crowd dispersed. The sight of his injuries made her shudder and fresh tears welled in her eyes. Despite the reasons for his crime, which she still did not completely understand, an Agni Kai seemed too harsh a punishment to inflict upon a child...a child barely older than herself.

Riu blinked back the tears and turned once again to leave.

She had told her father she understood, that she believed what he was trying to teach her, but that was a lie.

How could she understand something that felt so wrong?

"You will fight for your honor…" The voice whispered, invading the surrounding darkness easily like water creeping through ice.

"You will fight." His father uttered softly, the words echoing loudly all around, chilling him to the very bone."Fight, Prince Zuko!"

"I-I won't." Zuko stammered in reply, emotions whirling chaotically within him. Anger, grief, rage and disbelief…Tainted with fear, confusion and a sorrow he did not fully understand. All sorts of feelings that were contradictions to themselves, and yet he felt them anyway.

"Fight, Prince Zuko!"

"I won't!" Zuko answered, repeatedly…until he could speak no more.

"You will learn respect and suffering will be your teacher!"

…And then there was pain, pain that burned and gnawed, ripping him apart…

…

He woke to sharp words and a sense of movement all around him. Everything burned.

He screamed.

...

The next time he woke, all sensation was blissfully gone, buried under whatever drugs they had given him to stem the pain.

Warm hands tilted his face to allow water to touch his lips.

But he couldn't drink and couldn't move.

He couldn't respond to the whispered encouragement.

There were no words.

No feelings.

Just an emptiness that covered him like a blanket, thick and stifling.

He sank into oblivion.

...

Zuko awoke to the sound of hushed voices and feeling rather disorientated.

His limbs felt heavy and numb and his skin was burning, as if it were on fire. He could not move, nor could he open his eyes and no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts refused to organize themselves into something coherent.

Trying to ignore the growing agony and the panic swelling up inside of him, Zuko focused on the voices. One of them sounded familiar and he quickly realized that the subject of conversation was about him.

"And you are sure you have tried everything?" Asked the familiar voice softly.

"Yes, Your Highness..." The second voice murmured grimly. "There is no way to heal the burnt skin completely and it will eventually become a scar. Both injuries will..."

Injuries? Scars? Zuko thought dazedly as the man that was speaking continued.

"...he hasn't lost his eye, but there is still the possibility that he will go blind. We will have to wait and see how it heals."

"Hmm...I understand. Thank you for all your help."

"I wish I could do more. Goodnight Lord Iroh."

Zuko heard the name and suddenly felt like crying.

He wondered if his uncle had witnessed the Agni Kai, would he be angry...ashamed...or worried. Did he agree with what the Fire Lord, his brother, had done? Was his uncle also going to punish him for his disobedience?

He flinched involuntarily when something took hold of his arm, but calmed down when he realized that it was his uncle and that the man was only holding his hand. As if the former Crown Prince could read his nephews thoughts, he began talking in soft, gentle tones. Zuko was starting to feel tired, but he forced himself to remain conscious.

"Do not worry nephew...I am here and you are going to be alright-" His uncle suddenly broke off and Zuko felt the man begin to tremble.

His uncle was crying...

A spark of warmth flared up inside of the teen, a feeling quite different from the burning pain that engulfed his aching body and the exhaustion that had been seeping through him. He listened intently to the old man beside him, as he started to hum song, nothing he recognized but comforting nonetheless.

Zuko let himself drift in to a deep sleep, the pain and fear diminishing, if only for a little while.

...

When Zuko woke the fourth time, his right eye snapped open and agitation flooded his body as the last dregs of a nightmare faded.

Taking a moment to calm down, he found himself in a small room with little light save for what seemed to be the early morning sun peeking through a small window. He lay there for a moment, feeling confused and a little bit afraid, with his vision hazy and distorted.

The last thing he remembered clearly was feeling angry and scared...the Agni Kai...his father...the blinding, constant pain...then hearing voices...his uncle crying.

How long had he been lost to the world...

Zuko tried to sit up and winced at the throbbing pain coursing through his body. He put a hand upon his face and felt the bandages that covered his left eye, and then let his hand drift to his shoulder, which was also heavily bandaged.

Tears started to form, but he refused to let them fall.

His own father had scarred and possibly blinded him...without even the slightest hesitation. Yet Zuko felt odd. Yes, it hurt that his father had done this to him, but it hurt more when he thought of why his father had done it to him...for respect. Respect for what? Plans that involved killing hundreds of soldiers...How could Zuko respect that. How could anyone respect or even justify an idea like that?

Zuko clenched his fists angrily and ignored the discomfort in his body. He was so lost in his thoughts that he almost did not hear the door slide open, or see his uncle enter the room.

"Zuko?"

Prince Iroh, former General of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne, entered the room and stopped in surprise when he saw his nephew sitting up in bed as if he hadn't been battling a fever or infection for the past few weeks.

Iroh's hands tightened on the tea tray he was holding, and he felt quiet relief wash over him.

"Zuko?" He questioned softly.

The young boy did not seem to hear him, so Iroh quietly deposited the tea on the small bedside table and then took a seat on the chair he had been using for many nights. He decided to wait, using the time to thank every spirit imaginable that his nephew, though scarred, was alive.

Agni, I was so afraid I would lose him…

"Is it really bad? It feels bad."

Iroh was surprised when he heard his nephew's voice, but it quickly replaced with affection.

"I don't think it looks too bad, dear nephew."

The young boy's right eye glanced at him before it went back to staring at the bed he was within

"Lying doesn't suit you uncle." He then said softly, making Iroh want to cry.

"I'm sorry nephew." Iroh truly was sorry. He was sorry for everything because if he had never taken pity on the young boy, this most likely would not have happened.

"It's alright..." Was the boy's even quieter reply. "I would lie too."

There was a brief moment of silence and Iroh could not think of any way to offer more comfort, other than small words that would barely come close to describing how much he cared, or how strong he believed his nephew to be.

"It's not your fault you know." Zuko's soft voice murmured, once again interrupting Iroh's thoughts before he could reach any conclusion.

"What do you mean?" The old General asked in a slightly puzzled manner.

"I know you're blaming yourself for what happened, uncle." Zuko said, looking at him from the corner of his uninjured eye. "It wasn't your fault and I'm not going to allow you to feel guilt over my naievity."

Iroh frowned. Was it not he who was supposed to be saying that to his nephew? Instead, his nephew, who had been horribly scarred, was offering his guilt-ridden uncle comfort. Before he could even offer a response to this sentiment, Zuko piped up with a question that made his blood run cold.

"Did you watch?"

"Yes." He breathed in reply, because he could only be referring to the Agni Kai and Iroh watched an unknown emotion flash through the teen's right eye before it disappeared and went back to being empty.

"Oh."

Iroh stood suddenly and grabbed Zuko's hands, noticing the slight flinch when the boy was touched, but ignoring the tension and moving the boy's face gently so he could look in to his eyes.

"You were very brave Zuko." He whispered, unable to put it into more words without breaking. His nephew's nonchalance did not help the situation either.

The boy did not reply, but nodded slowly, removing his hands carefully from Iroh's grasp. Though Iroh was confused and a little bit sad, he did not say anything and instead went back to his seat.

"There is tea or water if you prefer."

Again, all Zuko did was nod.

Iroh watched his nephew from where he sat, as many thoughts and emotions welled up inside of him. He hated how he felt split between two different opinions. He was proud of his nephew and what he had done. How he had stood by his beliefs even when facing his father and how brave he had been. Yet a part of Iroh, wished that his nephew had kept his word and had never spoken out at the meeting...that he had not been in the Agni Kai...

Iroh snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the sound of his nephew's voice.

"I suppose he doesn't want to see me."

Another wave of sadness erupted in Iroh along with a touch of anger when he realized whom Zuko was referring. His brother had not seen his son ever since the fight, nor had he asked about how the boy was doing, or if he would even recover...And when Iroh had questioned his brother, all he had said was that Zuko had dishonored him and would have to be punished...As if getting permanently scarred wasn't punishment enough.

"No Zuko...I'm sure he's just busy." Iroh decided to lie. To his astonishment, the boy snorted.

"Right..."

Zuko sighed and closed his eyes. He was grateful that his uncle did not want to upset him, but frankly, all Zuko needed to hear right now was the truth. It didn't take him long to figure out, that after challenging his father the way he did, that the man wouldn't want to see him...He had easily burned his own son, so why should Zuko pretend that the man actually cared enough to feel a little guilty about what he had done.

The truth was that his father most likely did not.

"You should get some rest Zuko." He heard his uncle say. "Your injuries are still very raw and you will need your strength if you wish to recover properly."

Zuko nodded briefly, but did not open his eyes. He was sad, confused, and angry, all at the same time, but could not help wondering why it did not feel worse.

His own father had hurt him as if he was nothing, yet Zuko was surprisingly accepting of that fact. He had always fought for his father's attention and had been second best to his younger sister, Azula who had always been better and yet now, when he should be feeling broken and distraught, he only felt slightly detached emotions and a strange emptiness...

Why did it not hurt, as he knew it should? Why was he calmly accepting the outcome and not breaking down into a million, shattered pieces. He felt the bitter taste of bile rise in his throat, but he refused to get sick.

Golden eyes snapping open, he eased himself down, planning to do what his uncle had suggested and get some sleep. His emotions and the pain began to dull as darkness took over, but it did not prevent him from thinking one last thing as the world washed out.

It should hurt more than it does…

A week had passed since Zuko had woken properly, and in that time, he had spent the majority of it thinking…It was not as if he had anything better to do. He had also become well acquainted with the room he was staying in, as he was not allowed to leave it. Of course, no one had told him that he could not leave, but due to the events that had occurred during (and after) the Agni Kai, Zuko had decided for himself, that it would be in his best interest if he stayed in the room.

It was a small, bare room with no real furniture except the bed, a side table, small chair and a basin for washing up. The window was also rather small and high up, so Zuko could not even look at the scenery outside to pass the time. Therefore, he was left to his thoughts and frequent visits from uncle, who was his only visitor besides the healer. The pain of his injuries did not even bother him anymore. At first, they had been the only thing on his mind, but he had quickly become used to the fact that they were there and not going away any time soon, so the pain was more of an annoying throb now than anything else was.

The Agni Kai was also one of Zuko's most recurring thoughts. It kept replaying itself in his head, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. He even saw it in his dreams, though to some, those dreams would be considered nightmares. Looking back, Zuko sometimes wondered if he should have fought, maybe then things would have been different. Maybe then, he would not have been banished from his own home…Sighing, the raven-haired boy glanced at the small table beside him, where a scroll had been placed.

It had arrived exactly three days ago with the Fire Lord's crest upon it. At first, Zuko had been happy and maybe even a little excited, but once he had opened the letter, his recently discovered anger towards his father had returned. He supposed he should have seen it coming, since he had refused to fight in an official Agni Kai, a duel that was one of the most sacred events in the history of the Fire Nation. Therefore, the way he had lost, had left him dishonored in the eyes of his people.

Now Zuko would be leaving later on today, to go in to exile and his only hope of ever returning home and regaining his honor, was to fulfill a seemingly impossible task. Locate and capture the Avatar, a legendary and powerful bender that could use all four of the elements...A figure that had not been seen in over a hundred years, ever since the genocide and destruction of the Air Nomads by his great grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin.

Only then, would he be forgiven for his insolent behavior.

How in the world did his father expect him, a thirteen-year-old boy, to find a person that could be dead? In addition, even if the Avatar was alive, how was he supposed to fight a master of all the elements? It was illogical.

Zuko huffed and stared impassively at his ceiling, an activity he found himself doing quite a bit.

He secretly doubted the reasons behind the task, though would never admit it aloud or even within his own head. Sure, everyone would say it was to regain his honor and prove his loyalty to the nation, but he could not help wonder if it was just some wild goose chase, his father was sending him on in order to get rid of him. Azula, Zuko's younger sister, had always been his father's favorite and the boy was not about to delude himself by thinking otherwise. Azula was the prodigy, the genius and the perfect child...the only problem concerning her, was that Zuko had been born first, which immediately made him heir to the throne.

So maybe my banishment is a way of ensuring that Azula becomes Fire Lord…After all, it's never been a secret that father thinks her better suited than I. Besides, maybe Azula becoming the heir, wouldn't be a bad thing? Because, who would want a banished Prince with no honor, as their ruler?

Zuko sighed once again.

It was times like these, when he wished his mother were still here. Although he craved his father's attention (as any son would), his mother had been the light of his life. Things had never been the same after the mysterious events surrounding her disappearance -or death, as his mind vehemently reminded him, and now life was only getting worse.

The sound of the door opening, pulled Zuko from his melancholy thoughts and he turned to see his uncle entering the room.

"Good afternoon nephew. How are you today?"

Zuko simply shrugged. Any reply he made now would most likely be sarcastic.

What was he supposed to say?

I'm feeling wonderful because in a few hours I shall become known as the banished prince of the Fire Nation and will be leaving my home in search of some legendary dead guy, just so that my father will care about me, so that he will acknowledge me...

Zuko could not help but feel a little bitter about the whole thing, but there was no way he would take it out on his uncle, the only one who seemed to care about him.

"Hmmm..." His uncle took a seat in the small chair and folded his hands neatly in his lap. Zuko tried to think of something to say, but then his uncle spoke.

"And who might that be from?"

Zuko glanced at what his uncle was looking at and frowned when his golden eyes fell upon the prettily wrapped present sitting on his bedside table beside the scroll.

"Mai…" He answered simply, turning his golden eyes back towards the ceiling.

"Isn't she one of Azula's little friends?" His uncle then asked, a finger tapping his chin thoughtfully. "The daughter of that nobleman-oh, I forget his name."

"Yes."

"Oh..."

Zuko nodded.

"She must care about you a lot to send you a gift."

Zuko fought to contain the blush that threatened to cover his cheeks and glared at his uncle from the corner of his eyes.

"I highly doubt that." He hissed irritably while his uncle just laughed.

"Why don't you open it?" The old man urged with a merry smile.

"Because I don't want to." Zuko snapped.

"It's very rude to ignore someone's gift." His uncle said with a stern expression, though the effect was spoiled due to a slight twinkle in his eye." Especially, when they have made such an effort to wrap it up nicely for you."

Zuko huffed and sat up in his bed slowly.

"Fine!" He snapped, grabbing the small package from the table and tearing its bright red paper off with a flurry. Zuko stared in shock at the object hidden inside. Within his hands, lay a mahogany woodcarving of a small turtle-duck, no bigger than his palm, along with a note containing a few simple, yet elegantly formed words.

I know how much they mean to you and I thought you might like something that brought good memories while you are away.

Best wishes...Mai

Zuko carefully placed the carving and the note upon his bedside table and lay back down on his bed.

"That was very nice of her." He heard his uncle say in a gentle voice.

Zuko blinked back the tears he could feel forming.

"Yes, it was." He replied in a quiet voice, staring up at the ceiling, though not really seeing it as his mind focused on a different image...A memory of a time long ago.

A hand with long fingernails, which could only belong to a woman, touched the surface of a small pool. Fire Nation red robes adorn the arm to which it is attached. The person pulls her hand out of the water and opens her palm to reveal some small bits of food. A baby turtle-duck, all fuzzy except for where it is covered by a hard green shell, waddles forward and squawks. The hand coaxes it gently and the tiny creature accepts the offered treat. A musical laugh fills the air…

Zuko closed his eyes. His mother had liked the turtle-ducks.

A little while later, Zuko sat with his uncle and the barber sent to shave Zuko's hair, as a symbol of his up and coming banishment.

The man was short and had a foul temper that Zuko found amusing, since he seemed irritated by more or less everything. The man was also rough and to the point, something Zuko felt was a refreshing change compared the usual formality he was required to endure as royalty.

He snorted softly when the barber who had offered no name, cursed, struggling to find a place to start as the bandages covering Zuko's left eye were not allowed to be removed unless they were being changed. His uncle and the barber began to debate how they were going to go about shaving his hair without causing any damage to the dressings, allowing the teens thoughts to stray.

He had not seen his father since the Agni Kai, nor had he received any letters besides the scroll declaring him banished. Zuko figured that either his father both cared about him and was ashamed of how Zuko had acted during the Agni Kai, or he really did not care about his only son and this was his way of showing it.

Zuko liked the first option yet was more inclined to believe the second.

He did not know what it was, but every time he thought about his father, Zuko always found himself growing angry. What father, even if he had viewed his son's actions as disrespectful, burnt them...twice. What father didn't even come and visit his son once to see if he was okay? Zuko thought the least his father could have done, was tell him about his banishment in person.

He returned to the present, to find the barber had still not started and was grumbling about how unnecessary this all was. Zuko could not agree more and an idea suddenly formed in his mind.

Turning around, he spied a small knife glinting in the barber's bag, and grabbed it. Before either man could even register what was going on, Zuko had promptly cut off his ponytail just before the base. His black hair instantly fell in to his face, a little past his ears and with bangs that rested close to his eye (and to his pleasure) seemed to semi-cover his bandages. It was now short, messy and he liked it.

"There. It can stay like that."

Zuko put the knife down and glanced at his uncle, who had an unreadable expression on his face. The barber, on the other hand, was chuckling loudly.

"The Fire Lord is not going to be happy about this." He stated with a wicked grin, sweeping up the hair on the floor.

"He doesn't have to be happy about it." Zuko shrugged and added in a slightly bitter whisper. "...It's not like he's going to see it anyway."

His uncle sighed, but Zuko could not tell why, then he stood up and said.

"I suppose we're done here. Let us go nephew."

Zuko nodded and grabbed his belongings: which was really just a small bag containing a few items, such as the woodcarving and note from Mai, a dagger his uncle had given him and a portrait of his mother.

Before he could head after his uncle, the barber stopped him near the door.

"Good luck boy, you're going to need it."

Zuko did not know how to respond to this, so he just nodded his thanks and left.

As Zuko and his uncle made their way to the docks, he blatantly ignored all the people who were staring. All the unwanted attention made him feel uncomfortable and he actually found himself wishing he had left at night, just so he could have avoided all this.

They reached an old ship eventually, the ship set aside for his mission, and Zuko felt himself instantly grow sad. He would soon have to say goodbye to his uncle and the idea of never seeing the man again, hurt a lot more than he expected it to.

"Well hurry up nephew or the ship is going to leave without us." Uncle announced, walking a little faster.

"Without u-us?" Zuko questioned in a puzzled manner, trying to keep up.

Had he heard correctly?

"Yes, us." The old man replied without slowing down or stopping. "You still have a lot to learn, especially when it concerns your fire bending. Did you think you were going to teach yourself?"

Tears formed in Zuko's eyes and he furiously rubbed them away. He really had to get over this whole crying thing. It was starting to get stupid.

"Come along nephew."

Falling in to step with his uncle, the old man glanced his way, smiling warmly.

"I will always be here for you, Zuko. Remember that."

Zuko nodded, not capable of speaking or expressing how much those few words meant to him. He glanced briefly back at the palace, the only home he had ever known.

From here, everything changes…

Zuko took a deep breath and turned away. His golden eyes met those of his uncle and he allowed himself a small, tentative smile. He did not know what his future would hold, but at least he knew he would not be alone…Uncle returned his smile brightly and for just the tiniest of moments, none of Zuko's other troubles mattered.