I gapped for breath loudly and frantically, my lungs being completely deprived of air. I never thought I would miss air so much. Recent events played through my mind once again like a broken record: everyone's screams, Tenki's pale face, and the fall. I glanced around the water and treaded for the time being. That really did happen. I checked the skies one last time, half expecting Appa and the others to come back for me, but there was nothing but rolling storm clouds. I couldn't be mad at them, since I did jump an unimaginable distance to my possible watery death. They were safe now and that was all that matter, but now I need a plan.

I quickly took note that Zuko's warship was only a short swim away from me. I could stow away on his ship before he was the wiser and wait from him to dock. From there, I could track down the Avatar's group without Zuko knowing and reunite with my friends. It wasn't my best plan, but I had to work with what I was dealt. Plus, jumping off of a flying bison probably wasn't the best plan either. I cursed my spontaneity in dangerous situations, but thanked my instinct for getting the group safe. Who knew I would risk my life for so many people?

I began to paddle towards the warship, being carefully not to make many splashing noises or to draw attention in my direction. This plan would have to involve a great deal of stealth and luck for it to work. Every move will have to be planned out in advance. My clothes weighed me down and offer me no protection from the chilling water. I shivered uncontrollably, and my lips lost all feeling, but I pressed forward. The help the swim, I readjusted my bow and quiver more comfortably for my arm movements. Although I had no arrows left from the fall, my bow and quiver meant too much to me to simply throw away to make swimming easier. Thankfully my swim was a short one, and in no time at all, I was beside the great vessel. From up close, it seemed a lot bigger and intimidating, but I tried to not let it get to me. I spotted the anchor a few yards away from me, which was just begging me to climb it. Smirking, I paddled over to the hanging chain and hoisted myself onto it. Safely on the anchors hook and grasping tightly onto the chain, I looked up. Now all I have to do is climb up, scurry across the deck, go below deck, hide with some provisions and wait. Seems doable. The climb was more tasking then I thought and I frequently stopped to take breathers and size up the rest of the climb. The chain would sway with the boats rocking and as I moved up it as well, which would cause it to knock on the boat's haul. I would stop and look up, expecting to see fire balls reign down on me with every clank of the anchor, but so far I've been unnoticed.

Just a couple more pulls and I was up. My arms ached and it took the very last bit of my strength to pull myself onto the deck. I panted heavily as I flopped myself down, my eyes were shut from exhaustion. My body was sure if it should shiver from the cold or if I should sweat from the exercise. Either way, I need to find food, water, a warm shelter, and fast. As my eyes drifted open, I was met with similar golden eyes and a scarred face. Oh shit.

"I saw you fall…" A low voice grumbled out as Zuko grasped onto my collar and pulled me up to his face, "Welcome aboard."

Everywhere ached. Was I hit by a cart? Or did Appa step on me? What happened last night? I could vaguely remember being on a boat, and a horrible storm. I was fighting a hurricane, all around me waves clawed at our ship and ripped us apart, and the thunder was deafening. And then Akuma came out of nowhere, and took Sokka and the fisherman away. She always seemed to show up to save the day, just like when she pulled me out of the sea the first time. Then I was in her arms, and that was it. I groaned out to Akuma, hoping she could hear me. She saved me again, before I even had the chance to pay her back. I groaned out to Akuma again, this time a bit louder. I don't know how I could thank her this time. And Katara, Aang, and Appa: how could I thank them? A final time I called out to Akuma. A cloth wiped away the sweat on my brow, and a smile cracked over my dry lips.

"Thanks, Akuma… You always look after me." I chuckled out and tried to grab her hand.

She drew back, like I knew she would, "Ummm, no sorry. I'm not Akuma…"

My eyes shot open. Katara kneeled close to me with a warm washcloth clasped in her hand. She gave me a sheepish grin and placed a hand on my shoulder. I fought against her hand and painfully sat up. My eyes searched the camp for any signs for my partner. Aang was practicing a few water bending techniques, and Sokka was fretfully starring at me. Everyone seemed a little tense, did something happen? Did something bad happen to the fisherman?

"You were out in that storm a long time. You need some rest and recovery-" Katara's voice was soothing, but I quickly cut her off.

"Is Akuma out hunting?" She probably getting some more meat for tonight or maybe we're low on water, she should be back soon, "Or… Or is she hurt? Where is she?"

The camp went completely silent. The three travelers looked back and forth from each other, shooting worried glances. Something was definitely up, something happened when I was unconscious. I was getting a little panicked now as I strained myself too hard. Biting down on my lip, I grabbed onto Katara's dress and looked her straight in the eye. She tried to avoid my gaze, but I yanked at her dress forcefully so that she would look back at me.

"Katara…" My voice was low and threatening, "Where. Is. Akuma?"

She stumbled on her words like a gapping goldfish, but Katara was still able to give me a response, "She's…Tenki, umm… Akuma is… Gone."

"Gone?" The word hit me in the stomach like a rock, "What do to you mean gone?"

"She…. Jumped off of Appa…" Katara sighed out and snapped her head away from me, "Appa couldn't handle all the people, and he was too heavy from the water. So she took the sacrifice upon herself and-"

"And you let her?!" My voice boomed out as I became hostile, "You let one of your own jump? What if it was Sokka who jumped? Or Aang! You would've flown back without a second thought! I bet it was because she was Fire Nation-"

"No one said that," Sokka grabbed me by my shirt and pulled me off of his sister, "No one said we let her jump because she's Fire Nation! We tried to come back for her when we could. Aang flew back once he dropped us off on land and he said she was gone. Zuko must've seen-"

"Zuko was there!" I pushed Sokka off of me and snarled, "She saved your life once standing up to those pirates, and now she saved you from Zuko?!"

"I'm so sorry, Tenki," Aang finally peeped out, approaching me with teary eyes, "When she jumped, we tried to grab her. I'm sorry, I should've gone back for her when she jumped."

"We wouldn't have been able to fly, Aang." Sokka interjected before turning back to me, "Akuma did what was best for the group, and for you…" From behind his back, Sokka pulled out a burgundy belt with a golden Fire Nation symbol, "She tied you to Appa right before she jumped I think. She didn't want you to fall off of Appa when she was gone. I don't think Akuma wanted to get picked up after, I think she wanted you safe."

All I could do was stare at the belt; Akuma's belt. The Fire Nation symbol glimmered in the afternoon sun which gave it a feeling of warmth and comfort, but all I saw was sacrifice. Why did she do that? Why did she risk herself again for me? The Fire Nation emblem: a symbol of oppression, war, and suffering. This symbol belongs to Akuma, but doesn't define her. Selfless, caring, and stupid as all hell, how dare she do this to me again? I quickly grabbed the belt from Sokka and wrapped it around my wrist. We just reunited with her, that very day, and now she's gone? For what, to save me? For the Avatar? For hope? I swear Akuma, I will find you again, and after I'm done beating the crap out of you, I will thank you for everything you did.

I looked up apologetically to Katara, "I'm sorry I got mad. It's inappropriate for me to act this way…"

By now the other two boys have left us, sensing that I've calmed down enough for Katara to handle. She smiled to me slightly and fixed her dress, "It's all right Tenki, if Aang or Sokka jumped, I would feel the same way. Do you think she's okay?"

I pondered for a moment, "I like to think so. Akuma can think quick on her feet, I'm sure she came up with some sort of plan… And I know she's a strong swimmer, she did drag me out of the ocean in the middle of a storm."

An awkward silence surrounded us. Birds chirped in the background along with Momo and Appa chattering about animal business. Katara eye contact with me the whole time, her eyes slanted with concern. I didn't really care about what she was thinking, I didn't want her pity. Akuma was alone, possibly dead, because of me. If I listened to her and didn't go on the fishing trip then there would've been enough room on Appa. I promise, Akuma, when you're back, I'll listen to you more. Katara breathed out slightly before finally breaking eye contact with me.

"Akuma and I went to look for Aang when he ran away," Katara finally broke the silence, "We found him in a cave, and she started talking about how she was at the Air Temples. Were you there too? With her?"

"Yeah, I was. We just finished a long boat ride and a hard mountain climb when we stumbled onto the Western Air Temple," I chuckled out slightly, thinking about Akuma's complaints on the boat, "It was amazing, the buildings were built upside down! I was a little shocked at first, I mean, you don't see upside down buildings every day. Akuma said that the Western Air Temple was one of the two temple that exclusively housed women, so it made sense why there were only female monk statues. It was the first Air Temple we went to, and Akuma went right to work. See, she scours the world, looking for different bending techniques and learns them. Then, she adapts them into Fire Bending techniques."

"Wait, I thought Akuma wasn't a fire bender?"

"She isn't, her father and mother were both fire benders, but she isn't. Akuma said that her parents taught her the proper form, kind of like a discipline thing, and that it was a part of her culture to be taught. But she was disgusted by the way her country used their culture, so she wanted to… 'purify' it somehow. So, she set out on a quest to learn from all the other Nations and their bending techniques. That's why she was outside the Northern Water Tribe, and that's how I met her," I paused for a moment to breath and recollect my thoughts, "At the Western Air Temple, we spent most of the time inside. I complained the whole time about it naturally, but she told me that if I wanted to go explore, I could. Akuma… All she did was read and read and read then practiced air bending. I felt bad leaving her alone, so I stayed by her side the whole time, coaching her through the diagrams. The motions were so… fluid, it was like she has been air bending her whole life. Once she got the hand of it, she'd incorporate some fire bending flair. And to be totally honest, it made fire bending look innocent. She was really purifying fire bending. It was… beautiful."

Katara stayed silent for one second, my words seeping into her thoughts, "… That's amazing. Do you think she could make fire bending… Desirable again?"

I looked up at the sky with a small smile, "Yeah, I think she can."

My cell was small, damp, and dark. I could lay down with my head touching on end and my feet touching the other. I shouldn't complain too much, I could still be swimming in freezing water. Zuko's men grabbed me without a second thought and threw me into this sorry excuse for a dungeon. My cell was the only cell in this room, and possibly the only cell on this ship. I guess Zuko only had one prisoner in mind. I sighed out, and my breath echoed over the metal walls. Alone at last, just like in the old days. I'm not sure if it was a refreshing feeling, but something was for certain, I had to get back to the group.

This definitely wasn't part of the plan…

The bar that held me seemed fortified with iron, welded with perfection. I couldn't expect less from a Fire Nation ship. I tapped the bars with my foot and listened: That was definitely iron steel. I grumbled out in frustration as my head rocked back against the fortified walls. I sat with my knees against my chest and tried to concentrate. How can I get away from this? If Zuko finds out whom I really am… He might take me back as a bonus with Aang. If he finds out what I did, he'd try to kill me. And what if he tortures me for answers? How long could I hold out before screaming? How can I get back to Tenki? As if someone read my concerns, a heavy duty door swung open. Great, company.

Zuko stormed into the room with his head held high. I was surprised to see Zuko alone, and without his uncle. He glared down onto me like I was an insect before approaching me in my lowly cell. I simply glared back at him, making sure to keep my hood low to hide any distinguishable features in my face. I watched him as he pulled over a chair and sat down in front of my cage door. He spun a key around his finger, teasing me and my patience. I growled out, I'm not in the mood to be teased.

"I told you I would be back, peasant," Zuko spat at me, "And don't expect escaping from me this time…"

I kept quiet as usual; I knew what he was going to try with me. He wants information about the Avatar. Why else would he keep me here?

"What is your name?" I stayed silent and stared at my warden, "Your Prince asked you your name! Answer peasant!"

"… I don't have a Prince anymore."

Zuko violently pounded on the bar of the cage, "You're Fire Nation! That means that you listen to me, the Prince."

"I don't consider myself Fire Nation anymore. I don't listen to any royalty." My voice was strong and confident despite my circumstance. I should be more flexible to Zuko's command, since I am at his mercy, but I refuse to back down to any oppressors. After all that him and his family have done, how can I ever listen to filth like this?

"Then you'll listen to your prison guard. After all, I have this…" From behind his back, Zuko pulled out a very familiar object to me.

"My bow…"

"That's right, if you want this back, then you'll answer a few questions for me…"

I bit down on my lip hard, swallowing down my rage. I won't give into this torment.

"I asked your name, peasant. Tell me."

"… Chun" It was the best I could come up with. Chun was a boy I went to school with when I was younger, but the name was unisex, so I'm sure it worked in this situation.

"Why are you with the Avatar, Chun?" Zuko pushed me further. I guess my name wasn't good enough for the Prince.

I simply looked Zuko in the eye and smirked smugly, my lips never parting to reveal my teeth. He would have to try harder than that in order to get information about Aang. The Prince repeated his question, but I stayed stoic and still. My amber eyes burned with his, the air around us lit into flames with the tension we were creating. We were reaching a boiling point. Zuko screamed his answer once more before throwing the chair at my cage door, bursting into thousands of pieces and scattered all over the room. I didn't even wince at his violent display; I staying in the exact same position and continued to smirk (not that he could see it). A few pieces came soaring into my cage, in hopes that it would startle me, but instead, I saw opportunity. I quickly spotted a large, sharpened remnant and snuck it into my sleeve before Zuko could notice my movement. This may help me escape.

Zuko breathed out a line of smoke, calming himself down from his outburst, "Chun, you have to understand… We're the same kin, we're both Fire Nation at heart, even if we're both away from our home. But I would like to return home, and with your help we can return home together, as heroes…"

This struck me right in the heart. I rose to my feet and approached the cage door, and raised my head. Zuko was now looking right into the eyes of a woman who has nothing left to loose, a lost soul, a murderer. The Prince didn't seem fazed by my threatening display, but instead, returned the gaze with the same intensity as I opened my mouth to speak.

"There is no home left for me… Your family made sure to take all of that away from me…"

Iroh must've heard the commotion, because he soon popped in a curious into our low lit room. Zuko didn't turn to face his uncle. He was locked in a glaring contest with me, and my opponent was relentless. Iroh sensed our tension and skillfully broke it up without any hitches.

"Prince Zuko, the Captain is asking for you. He wants to know which direction you want to head now that our ship is fixed."

Prince Zuko roared out, and before leaving the room, pointed a finger into my shoulder through the bars, "I'll be back for you, but you're not going anywhere, are you?"

The Prince left like a temperamental child: he stomped his feet all the way to the exit and slammed the door as he left. I rolled my eyes at his immaturity and flopped back down into a sitting position. I didn't even notice Iroh was still in his room before he cleared his throat. It caught me off guard, and my gaze jumped back up. He was holding a tray with some tea cups and a kettle. His warming smile was a little offsetting, since I was technically his prisoner. What was he up to?

"I thought you might like to share a cup of tea with me, Akuma," He sat down in front of my cell and began to arrange the setting, "You look like you've had a rough day."

I nodded to the old man. A cup of tea would be nice. I watched him pour two cups of tea and hand one over to me. He pushed it through the gaps of my bars, which was the most polite way he could hand a prisoner a cup of tea I guess. I graciously took the steaming cup and sipped quietly as Iroh watched his 'guest'. As the flavor hit my tongue, my eyes lit up.

"White dragon tea…" I mumbled and glanced up at Iroh, "This is my favorite, and you served this to me when…"

Iroh picked up his own cup and peacefully sipped, "Yes, that seems like so long ago…"

"You remembered?"

"Of course! That was a defining moment in your life, as it was for me as well. But now, look at you, you're all grown up! What have you been up to as of late?" It was really as if I was talking to an old friend.

"Well… I've been around the world. I have friends now too."

"Yes, friends with the Avatar. Strange how our destinies are intertwined with each other once again…" Iroh smirked and leaned forward.

I snickered at this comment and worked on my tea once again, "Yes, maybe next time we meet, we can actually be on the same side, and not enemies."

Iroh let out a hearty guffaw and refilled my cup, "I don't see you as my enemy. You are my guest on this ship, just like you were my guest at the palace."

"Maybe you can give me a better room then…" I huffed out and shrunk down, remembering where I really was.

"I'm sorry about my nephew… He is a complicated young man, just like you're a complicated young woman. At heart, you aren't much different…"

I was ready to fight back with a rebuttal, but nothing came back. Iroh made a valid point, and as much as I hated to admit, he was right. Although Zuko was banished against his own free will, we were both outcasts, doomed to chase after our own ridiculous dreams. We both had terrible pasts and were taboo to speak about. He wore his shame on his face, and I chose to hide mine under my hood. The more I looked into it, the more similar we seemed. I cursed under my breath; how could I be relating with the enemy? He locked me up in here, he'll do great evils, and he doesn't care for anyone, but himself. That's where we are different.

"I brought you some bread as well, Akuma. You look hungry and tired," Iroh rose to his feet and bowed to me, "You should rest before my nephew comes back for you. Thank you for sharing tea with me. I will come back tomorrow with breakfast."

Without another word, Iroh left. My eyes were locked onto the fresh bread sitting right outside my cell, tempting me with its flaky crust. I lunged for it like an animal and kept it close like someone wanted to take it from me. I also brought in the tea kettle Iroh left for me to set up a small dinner for myself. It wasn't much, but it would have to do. After all, I will have to survive in this hell hole until I can escape.

And I will escape.