Hikari was running as fast as her legs would carry her. She had seen Appa a couple of hours ago. At the moment, she was following the fur he had left behind in a lovely trail. Wherever they had been going, it was clear they were in a rush. She was pretty sure she had only seen the flying bison go that fast when they had been chased to the crescent island.

     The girl finally slowed to catch her breath. Just how far had everyone gone? Ever since she had seen the bison, she had persistently chased the trail of shedding fur. Now, she was just plain tired. She had been running off and on for the past few hours. Now was just another break in her determined run for the Avatar. As far as she knew, he may even be gone by now. It would not hurt to try though.

      After her long-deserved break, she took to walking through the wooded area, covered in bison fur. The birds chirped merrily, creature spoke to each other with glee. The brunette was shocked when the area suddenly ended. It all trailed out to a desert like area. The land was dry. To the right were cliffs and winding trails. In front of her was the looks of an abandoned town.

      "Whoa... What happened here?"

      It looked like a fight had taken place. The ground was scorched in certain places. Earth was moved in unnatural ways. There was one building that had collapse, but it looked like everything had broken by force and not decay.

      She felt like she was walking through a ghost town. She froze when she got to one point. It looked like all four elements had been used. All of it was directed at one point. It was scary to think someone may have-

      "You! Who are you? What do you think-"

      Hikari turned, ready to fight, but found herself in shock. There was a teen about her age with short black hair that probably was not even an inch in length. He was dressed in dark green clothes with a lighter undershirt that covered his arms. The dead give away were the gold eyes and scar that covered the right side of his face.

      The boy relaxed his stance in his surprise, "Hikari?"

      "Zuko!" She ran over and tackled him in a hug, "It's been so long!" She held him at arm's length, getting a good look at him, "Look at you, growing out your hair! How've you been? What are you doing here? Where's uncle? How is he? Why are you in the Earth Kingdom? I thought you'd be back in the Fire Nation by now."

      He removed her hands from his shoulders, "What are you doing here?"

      "I thought I asked you first?" When she received his glare, she rolled her eyes, "I saw the Avatar's bison some few hours ago and followed the hairy trail it left behind. I never expected to run into you, though... I guess I should have expected to see you at some point since the Avatar's still running around. What happened in the North Pole?"

      So that was kind of a lie. The reason she had tried to find the Avatar was to get that chance to see her best friend and Uncle again. She would not let him know that. He did not need that kind of knowledge.

      "I don't have time for that right now," Zuko spoke.

      She attempted to ask, "What-"

      "Uncle's been hurt."

      Hikari may as well have been slapped. Iroh? The man who was practically her father was hurt?

      She swallowed thickly, "Is he... Is he going to be okay?"

      "Knowing uncle, he'll make it..." Zuko trailed off before turning his back to her, "Come on, I'll bring you to him.

      "Right."

      Hikari followed him outside the village into an abandoned house, distanced away from the ghost town. Iroh was laid on the ground. He was left without a shirt and his arms and torso were wrapped in bandages. The girl kneeled beside her uncle and placed a hand on his head. Thankfully, he was not burning with fever.

      The girl looked to her best friend, "What happened?"

      "It's a long story," he grumbled.

      "I think we have time. Besides, we haven't seen each other in months! I wanna know how've you been."

      "You want tea?"

      It amazed her that the nephew had offered her tea and went through with making some. He had not let the leaves soak long enough, so of course, the girl played it off as her taste buds still not adjusting.

      He told her all about how his sister had tried to capture him and his uncle. They had been living as refugees. He stole someone's ostrich horse to travel. He had separated from Iroh to travel on his own for a while. That was until he ran into his sister again. That crazy girl was the cause of Iroh's pain.

      The brunette told him about her travels. June had been a big help in getting her started. She told him about her little adventures with a group of friends she made. There was the story of how she had kicked butt in another village to save them of burly men who had basically been robbers. She actually got Zuko to laugh when she told him about one guy who had tried to make advances on her.

      It was nice to be with Zuko again. She had missed him, maybe a little more than she had thought. It was amazing to see how different he was. She was honestly glad that he had ditched the ponytail. He actually looked a little handsome with his hair growing out. Not that she would say that out loud.

      The two pulled out blankets and used their bags as pillows to get some sleep. The girl was completely out. After running to try to catch up with the Avatar, she was beat.

      The next morning, Zuko was up before Hikari was. He was surprised. Yesterday felt like a dream. His uncle was injured and still asleep. Thankfully, the prince knew how to take care of injuries. Then, out of the blue, some woman walked into the abandoned setting. He was so shocked to see it was Hikari!

      She was the last person he expected to run across. Yet somehow, he was happy she had stumbled upon them. It had been months since they had seen each other. She had been his friend and she still was. He would not say it out loud, but it was nice to see her smile again.

      "How's he doing?"

      Gold eyes watched as she crawled over to the older man, "He hasn't moved all that much. But I think he'll start waking soon."

      "That's good. The big question is if he'll want to eat first or have a cup of tea."

      They looked at each other and said at the same time, "Tea."

      The brunette pulled some food out of her bag and handed the prince some fruit. The other lit a fire and began boiling some water for tea. It was silent in the little room, but it was peaceful. The setting may have been different, but it almost felt like she was traveling on the ship again.

      Some groaning came from Iroh. Hikari sat back while Zuko tended to the older man.

      "Uncle." The old man opened his eyes, "You were unconscious." Iroh started to get up, but grunted when his shoulder hurt him, "Azula did this to you. It was a surprise attack."

      "Somehow, that's not so surprising," the other stated.

      Iroh pushed himself up against the wall. Clearly the action pained him. Zuko raised a hand, not sure what to do. The girl just did not know if she should say anything yet. When the prince went to grab the cup, she finally made herself known.

      "Not yet Zuko," she stood and moved herself next to him, "the leaves need more time to soak. Otherwise it's going to be really watery."

      "Hikari," Iroh asked.

      She crawled over and hugged him as tightly as she dared, "Hi, Uncle."

      Even with one arm, she was crushed in him embrace, causing her to laugh.

      "Hikari!" He cupped her face with his good hand, "What are you doing here?"

      "I saw the Avatar's bison and thought I would follow the trail left behind. I was led here... Zuko the tea should be ready now."

      The three each got a cup. The taste was still bitter to her, but this time, it was almost sweet. It made her happy. She was having a nice cup of tea with her closest friends. It warmed her heart just to be near them again.

      "Uncle," Zuko got himself seconds for the first time in his life, "I've been thinking. It's only an amount of time before I run into Azula again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her. I know what you're gunna say, "She's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her."

      Iroh set his cup down, "No. She's crazy and she needs to go down."

      The brunette choked on her tea, "What?!" She had to clear her throat, "I'm sorry, but that's shocking to hear that from you uncle!"

      With a painful grunt, the old man was on his feet, "It's time to resume your training... But first, we need more tea!"

      And all of a sudden, they were on the ship again. The temperamental prince face palmed with a groan. She was laughing at the nostalgia and her uncle. Things really did feel as if they were out at sea again.

      They had another pot of tea going. Their uncle sat with crossed legs as a teacher would and Zuko kneeled. The female sat to the side. She was not a fire bender, but watching them train had always been nice.

      "Lightning is a pure expression of firebending, without aggression." Iroh worked on preparing the tea as he talked, "It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the "Cold Blooded Fire". It is precise and deadly, like Azula." He handed his nephew another cup, "To perform the technique requires peace of mind."

      "I see," the younger male took his cup, "that's why we're drinking tea, to calm the mind."

      "Oh yeah! Good point!" He paused, "I mean, yes. Would you like another cup, Hikari?"

      The female laughed, "Of course."

      Once the tea drinking was done, the girl sat against the old frame and watched the two begin the real lesson. They stood close to the cliff. Iroh was simply explaining his lesson to Zuko. She wanted to listen in, but decided to distance herself in case she accidentally provided a distraction.

     Her uncle began the start of a bending technique that she had never seen before. Seconds later lightning shot out from him with the sound of thunder following. She sat frozen in awe and fear. Ever since the incident on the ship, she had gained a fear of storms. Lightning put her on edge and thunder made her heart beat faster. She never realized it until she had been camping out during another storm. Minor as it was, just hearing the raindrops hitting the earth kept her awake.

      Zuko walked forward, following the same motions. Instead of lightning, whatever he had created exploded. She jumped at the sound and watched as her best friend was sent backwards. Of course, like the stubborn man he was, he tried again...and again. It went on for a long time, maybe an hour or more. However long it was, it still resulted the same way.

      Iroh kneeled next to her a while ago to keep watch. She had no doubt he noticed she would flinch every time the fire exploded. She almost hoped that he would think she was just jumpy because the noise scared her.

      The prince finally stood with an angry shout, "Why can't I do it? Instead of lightning it keeps exploding in my face..." His next words were a little quieter, but she caught them, "like everything always does."

      "I was afraid this might happen." The old man stood, his niece following, to walk to his nephew, "You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you."

      "What turmoil," he shouted.

      "Zuko, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away."

       "But I don't feel any shame at all. I'm as proud as ever."

      "Prince Zuko, pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame."

      She expected him to shout, but instead, he spoke more quietly, "Well, my life has been nothing but humbling lately."

       "I have another idea. I will teach you a firebending move that even Azula doesn't know, because I made it up myself!" Iroh smiled, "You two stay right here. I'll be right back."

      Once he was gone, the prince sat himself down with a heavy sigh. It was weird. She had never seen him so somber. She was used to all the anger and temper. He was the prince of the Fire Nation! He was practically a flame in actions, speech and fighting skill.

      Hikari lowered herself next to him, "You know... Things happen around us that we don't like. They make us question why it happened to us, to those we care for or why anything so frustrating or tragic could happen..." She placed a hand on his shoulder, "But when those things happen, we change as people. It's up to us to decide whether it will help us become better people or," she smiled, hoping to lighten the mood, "let our fire go out."

      Zuko looked at her with a slight smirk, "I think you've been around Uncle too much."

      "You've been with him longer than I have."

      "That doesn't change the fact you've been picking up on his terrible jokes."

      Hikari laughed and hit his shoulder, "You're so mean!"

      Instead of retorting, he just smiled at her. He had really missed this girl. Things had been so different after she left. He had been hidden on an enemy ship, pretending to be another one of the fighters. He had become a wanted criminal for reasons unknown to him. He had become a refugee. All the while, he found himself wondering what she would be doing if she had been there with them.

      Iroh came back with a long stick in hand, "I'm back! Hikari, why don't you stick around. I think this is something you should hear."

      The brunette blinked in confusion, "Okay."

      He started drawing the Fire Nation insignia in the dirt, "Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy to drive and achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance," the Earth Kingdom insignia came next, "The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom." The air insignia followed, "The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor!

      Iroh smiled at this, but was met with Zuko's blank expression and an apologetic shrug from Hikari. "Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything."

      The brunette found herself starring at the Water Tribe insignia. She felt connected to them, hearing those words. After she lost her memories, she had to adapt to her life with her best friend and uncle. It was funny how things changed. She saw them as family now and she loved them deeply. If they were by her side, she felt stronger and more confident.

      Zuko narrowed his eyes in confusion, "Why are you telling us these things?"

      "It is important to draw wisdom from many different places." Their uncle explained, "If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale." The insignias were divided at those words. "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole."

      "All this four elements talk is sounding like Avatar stuff."

      Hikari had to agree. She also understood what Iroh was getting at. Still, what she did not understand was why he had wanted her to hear all of this.

       "It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful, too. You see the technique I'm about to teach you is one I learned by studying the waterbenders." He looked to his niece, "Hikari, I'd like for you to leave us for a while. Go do some training. I want you to think about what I said."

      Confused, she stood, "Alright... I guess I'll be back later."

      That was probably the strangest thing Iroh had ever told her to do. She did not mind the training, but think about what? Fire is power; earth is substance; air is freedom; water is change. Each element was different and unique. Together, they could be even more powerful. What was it that Iroh wanted her to catch on to?

     Water, Earth, Fire Air... Four elements. Four natures. It was not just the elements and benders that made the world either. There were non-benders like herself and boomerang guy. There was balance between all.

      She nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt the first drops of rain hit her. Within seconds, the rain came down at a steady pace. Taking it as a sign to turn back, she sheathed her weapon and walked back. She was glad she had walked into the greenery. It shielded her just enough what she was not soaked to the bone.

      She entered the broken house and found Iroh in the corner with a small fire, the bags had been moved to a different dry spot. Considering that most of the roof and some of the walls were gone, there was not much protection.

      "Oh good," Iroh shifted so she could go sit by him, "You've returned."

      "That I did," Hikari replied. "Though I don't believe I've caught on to what you wanted me to figure out."

      "What have you discovered, then?"

      "Four elements, four natures. With the elements, there are those, like myself, who are non-benders. Still, there is balance between the elements and those who have no ability to control them."

      "Very clever and very true." He smiled, "You were correct in your assumption."

      She laughed, "I figured as much... Anyway, where's Zuko?"

      Iroh made a face that showed concern, "He..."

      "He's out being Zuko?"

      "For a lack of better words, yes." As if he read her mind, he shook his head, "This is something he needs to work out on his own."

      "I can still wait for him to get back," she retorted.

      "But you'll get sick! You need your rest, niece."

      "I can rest while I wait for him. I'll be fine uncle." She kissed his forehead, "I'll be right outside if you need anything. You need rest too you know."

      Before he could retort, she walked out and placed herself against the wall she had been against during their training earlier that day. The thunder was really started to role in and the lighting was the only source of light. The rain was pouring harder than it had been. It was going to be a very long night.

      She was persistent though! She remained where she was. She closed her eyes and did her best to relax, even though each clap of thunder made her flinch or jump in surprise. Even with her heart pounding in slight fear, she refused to move.

      Finally, the sound of something approaching made her open her eyes. Zuko was leading the ostritch horse back to the house. He appeared to be deep in thought and upset.

       Hikari slowly stood so that her muscle would not hurt. Once she was up, she jogged over. The prince looked up, clearly shocked to see her out in the horrible weather and soaked.

      "Hikari?"

      She took the reigns from his hands, "Go inside and find a dry spot. It's late and we both need to warm up. I'll tie this boy up."

     Zuko did not argue, only did as she had told him. He was exhausted and frustrated with the world, but Hikari had been there, waiting just for him. Maybe the world was not totally against him after all.

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A/N: What is up my dudes?! Merry Christmas Eve! I am BACK!!!

I'm so so so sorry that I've been absent the past few months. The semester was killing me and I had no time for anything outside of studies. You would think being an art major wold be easy but NOPE! "...art students do as much project work as graduate lawyer students do studying."

So yeah, I've had a long semester,bu I'm back and hopefully I can finish this book before break is over.

Love you guys!

~Muse