I hum softly to myself as I walk; the sound is barely audible above the rushing of the river, but it's enough to keep my mind from wandering to painful things. Like what I'm going to do when I reach Sen- what Aki is going to-

No!

I hum louder, a senseless tune that I vaguely recall hearing sung by a group of traveling performers. The man didn't know all the words, but the tune is catchy, and I find myself muttering the words in a half-singing chant.

"Winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Winter, spring, summer, and fall.

Four seasons, four loves.

Four seasons, for love.

Winter, spring, sum-"

"Pretty song." I gasp, the next few words coming out of my mouth in a strangled garble of sound. I whirl around to see Zuko leaning against a tree to my right, looking completely unruffled. I stop walking, hovering uncertainly.

"Wha-"

He moves suddenly; one second he is leaning against the tree, the next he's right in front of me, and his amber eyes are glaring at me accusingly.

"Just where do you think you're going, anyway?"

I scowl at him. "Home! I'm going home, and there's not-"

"You don't have a home." Zuko's voice is flat and hard, and I take a step back, almost falling into the river. Faster than thought, his hands snake out and catch me, pulling me up against his chest. I catch my breath at it, staring up at him. "Wha- what are you talking about, of course I have-"

He shakes his head. "No, you don't. They hate you now- those soldiers are going to make sure of that. You can't go back there, Kara."

"You're wrong! I can- I have to- Aki-"

"Will understand. You don't have anywhere to go, Kara." His voice, so hard before, is now gentle. It rasps slightly, brushing fingers down my spine. I shiver; the truth of his words makes them hurt even more.

"Then what am I supposed to do? Where am I supposed to go!"

He cocks his head at me, and there is confusion in his eyes. "With me."

I shake my head, backing away from him again, managing to avoid the riverbank this time. "No."

"Why not?"

I glare at him. "As if you don't know! You lied to me! You're a firebender! You're my enemy, Zuko! I am not going anywhere with you! I hate you!"

I turn and run, brushing past trees and low-hanging vines. I hear his voice behind me, calling my name. I ignore him. Maybe if I run fast enough, all of my problems will disappear, and I won't have to worry anymore.

In the back of my mind I know how stupid that is, but I ignore that, too. Sometimes stupid hopes are all we have.

Suddenly a weight hits me from behind, and I fall, rolling on the ground. Sticks and stones dig into my back, arms, and legs, and I cry out. But the weight on top of me doesn't give.

An iron grip closes around my wrists, holding them above my head. I glare up into Zuko's eyes. The left one, the scarred one, is almost completely closed, but his right eye glares right back at me, blazing amber fury.

A part of me knows that I should be afraid.

But I'm not.

When he speaks his voice is clipped and precise. Every word hits me like a battering ram, shattering me. "You are my wife. My wife. Nothing else matters. You will come with me. You will speak civilly. And you will not, ever, ever call me a liar!"

He shouts the last sentence.

Tears spring to my eyes, pouring down my cheeks. I don't understand why he's doing this to me. I turn my face away, grinding my right cheek into the dirt.

He shakes me. "Do you understand me, Kara? Do you understand?"

I shake my head, refusing to look at him. I won't let him see my pain. "Just leave me alone, Zuko! Just- just leave... leave me alone..."

I sniffle, keeping my eyes shut tightly. I try not to notice the weakness in my voice, the pleading. I don't want to seem weak, but I don't know what to do. I didn't have much, but it meant something to me. Aki and her garden and the smell of the sea. They were all I had, and now they're gone.

And I am left with this man, my husband, and his anger the knowledge that nothing will ever be the same again.

He's right.

I can't go back.

But I don't know what else to do. I can't go with him- he's the Fire Prince! He is everything that is wrong in the world. How can I join him? How can I admit that I am connected to him?

How can I do anything but hate him?

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Hah finally update!! You're welcome! I've recently had an idea surge!! This trilogy is gonna be AWESOME!! :D Now I just have to write it... :)

COMMENT and vote!!

-Eon