As you walked back to your room, you ran into Zuko, Mai, Ty Lee and Azula all chatting together. It seemed that you wouldn't have to wait for the night after all.

"Hey, y'all!" You ran up to them. "What's happenin'?"

"My father has sent us--" Azula began explaining proudly.

"Forced us." Zuko corrected.

"Implored that we travel to Ember Island. So we're all packing." Azula laughed as her friends chatted with each other.

"Ah, sounds awesome! Can I come?" You asked as the group suddenly fell quiet.

"Well, you see, YN... Four is a really good number to travel with, especially to our vacation home." Zuko tried to explain.

"Well yes, that, dear Zuzu. But also, we don't want you there." Azula covered her face as she laughed, prompting Mai and Ty Lee to follow suit.

"I don't think you would... fit in with the scene, you know?" Ty Lee added sympathetically while you gave Zuko a begging look.

"Or our scene. You're just a little too... You know, swampy?" Mai loved to call you that, like it was an insult. Zuko looked away from you.

"Jeez guys, I get it." You smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of your head. "I'll get out of ya hair. See ya around!" Quickly, you ran back to your room, trying to hold back your tears. You had never felt so rejected in your life.

So you gave up. You were going to go home to the swamp where you apparently belonged. You had had enough of put-downs and the isolation. You couldn't believe that you really thought Zuko would treat you and the Mai the same. You were a big, swampy embarrassment to him.

"I'll fuckin' leave. Ain't no damn reason to be stayin'." You wiped your tears away and you crammed a bunch of clothes and toiletries into a bag.

As you heard laughter outside your room, regardless of who it was, you threw your bag over your bag and climbed out the window. Zuko hadn't even tried to get those girls to let you come with them. So why would you bother to say good-bye?

You looked back at the tower that held Iroh within its confines.

"I'll getcha eventually, Iroh. But I'm thinkin' ya comin' out 'fore that any whozit." You mumbled as you snuck out of the palace. You needed to get to the coast the quickest, easiest and cheapest way possible. So you walked.

It was another few hours before Zuko could even begin to escape his sister, girlfriend and their friend. Each minute felt like agony that he couldn't go comfort you and explain to you why he didn't stick up for you. So when everyone finally decided to retire for the evening, he practically sprinted to your room.

"YN." He panted as he slammed open your door and looked around.

Empty. The room was just as empty as it had always been. No clothes. No hairbrush. And most importantly, no you.

Zuko fell to his knees and felt the despair seep in. He couldn't have you both. He had lost you.