When I wake, Zuko is gone.

For a moment I think he's left me, that he's just like the rest of the Fire Nation- they use and abuse and don't care about anyone but themselves.

After all, he's got nothing to gain by staying with me- why would he want a useless Earth Kingdom girl with no memory tagging along after him? He's a prince, after all, and I'm- I suck in a breath as it hits me again. I'm not just some useless Earth Kingdom girl.

I am Zuko's wife now- whether I want to be or not.

And that means that I am a princess. A Fire Nation princess.

Does that mean that I'm my own enemy now? I don't know what to do, what to think, about all of this. On the one hand, I don't personally have any reason to hate the Fire Nation- that I remember, anyway.

But everyone hates the Fire Nation. They're evil- they just want to control the world and take all the benders away until the fire benders are the only ones left. I'm not a bender, so that doesn't apply to me- but firebenders are mean.

Because of the nature of their element, they're arrogant and angry and out of control. And Zuko is a firebender. But... but I never would have called him mean, or evil, or any of those things. When we were dancing in the water cave, it felt like I knew him. Like we were connected somehow.

Like we belonged.

And I'd thought- I'd actually hoped- that he might feel the same. That maybe not having a memory wouldn't mean that I had to be alone.

But now I know the truth- he lied.

He lied to me, and he lied to Aki, and to everyone!

It doesn't matter that his father- the firelord!- doesn't want him for some reason. All that matters is that Zuko is Fire Nation, and a firebender. We will never be anything other than enemies, married or not.

I stand and look around, noticing again that he's nowhere to be seen. I hope he did leave me. Then I won't have to feel so bad about what I'm going to do.

With a slight smile and a shrug, I glance at the sun. Then I sigh, because I have no idea why I'm doing that. I'm not a tracker- I can't tell the time of day from the sun!

I shake my head, then sniff the air, hoping for a scent of the sea. That, at least, would point me in the right direction.

But there's nothing- just the sound of the river and the woodsy smell of the trees. I could just start walking, I guess, but I don't want to. If I get lost out here I'll die out here, and I don't want to die. If there's anything that recent events have put into perspective, it's that I don't want to leave this world not knowing who I am.

I sigh and drop to the bank of the river. It looks as if I'll have to wait for Zuko to come back, if he's going to. Then I'll just get him to point me in the direction of Sen. And if he doesn't want to, well, he can just get over it.

He's not the boss of me, and I want to go back to Aki!

I want to know how she feels about me- if she hates me for being the Painted Lady. I want- I just want to go home! And Aki's little cottage is the closest to a home that I have.

Will ever have.

I slide the delicate white slippers off my feet, and let my toes splash in the river. The cool water rushing over my skin feels unbearably wonderful, and I wish I could let myself slide into the cool depths and never come out again.

Somehow I know that the feel of it closing over my head would be soft, like the barest hint of a kiss. But the current is too strong; already it tugs at my feet, trying to pull me in. I wonder idly where it's going in such a hurry.

My gaze drifts over it, following its path into the trees. It's so pretty, rushing towards the sea as all rivers must, sparkling in the sunli-

I leap to my feet, amazed at my own stupidity. With a shake of my head I pull my slippers back on, and start to follow the river's course, heading back to the sea and the shore that will lead me home.

Zuko is a liar and a firebender- he can go to the depths for all I care. I'm going back to Aki, back to the only home I know.

And after that- who knows? The world is at my feet now- as long as I can avoid Jon and Hon long enough to say goodbye to Aki.

__________

Hey sorry I know it's been awhile, but I've been sick. :( Anywho, I'm back now! I can't come as often, probably only once a week, maybe not even, since school's starting up again, but I'll do my best to write anyway and update whenever I can. :) Love you guys! (platonically!)

COMMENT and vote, PLEASE!! :D

-Eon