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A/N: Pirates!

He knew it wasn't dignified. He knew that he was raised better, but he had also been raised better then to become a pirate and that was what he was now. Pouting was just one little thing to add to the list of things he knew he should never do, but was doing anyways. It wasn't like there was anyone there to actually see it. Anyone that he would acknowledge anyways. The island he had been deserted on contained only one other inhabitant and Zuko would rather cut his own foot off then acknowledge that person.

Zuko sat on the sun warmed sand and watched the waves crash upon the beach. The island wasn't that huge, but it was far from small. The island's other inhabitant was currently in search of any fresh water the island might have to actually offer. It seemed a likely bet given the lush vegetation. The island also seemed large enough to maintain a small amount of animal life. Shelter really seemed like the only issue, besides the whole lost and stranded thing.

"-o! -ko! Zuko! Zuko!" The voice rang out across the island as it grew near.

Twisting toward the running voice, Zuko sneered. Of all the people to be stranded with, this was far from his top pick. The tattooed boy ran up to him and dropped onto the sand beside him.

"I found water, Zuko! I think I saw something small moving in the bushes too! Food! I wanted to tell you first thing, but I nearly got lost," The boy exclaimed.

"Only you could get lost on an island," Zuko said scathingly.

His frustration seemed utterly lost on the boy. Aang just seemed happy to stare out into the into the ocean. The care free look on the boys face seemed to anger him further.

"I bet sun set will look great from here," Aang said.

"I bet you will have countless day to find out," Zuko snorted out.

"Come on, Zuko. It's your birthday, you can't be so grumpy. That is something at least to be happy about."

"You think I want to spend my birthday on some island in the middle of nowhere for who knows how long with the likes of you? You are one sadly mistaken person. The first shark I see, I'm tossing you in the water! This is all your fault!"

Aang looked at him in shock before saying, "How is this my fault? You are the one that attacked me! Thanks to you the whole boat was nearly in flames! If this is anyone's fault, it has to be yours."

"That lantern was poorly place! Besides, who asked you to interrupt a private meeting between two people? And then you didn't even have the decency to leave! You deserve to be taught some manners!"

"I'm sorry that this poor orphan boy is no where near as refined as the Governors son!" Aang snapped.

Zuko stared at him in shock.

"You didn't think we would know who you were. You are right. Most of the crew didn't have any idea, but I knew who you were. You were the envy of every kid at the orphanage. I saw you when you ran away and I saw you join up. I also know it was your uncle that joined up with you. He is the only reason the whole crew didn't find out who you really were. Your arrogant attitude gives you away as some haughty royal. I do have to admit though, I did at least expect your uncle to put up some kind of fight for you not to be marooned here."

He sat there stunned, letting it all sink it. The annoying boy that had been the constant pain since the moment he signed up had been there all along knowing who he was. He could have easily told someone and been arranging a ransom to his father, but instead the boy kept it to himself. Which was for the best, considering his father would never actually pay one for him.

"Uncle wouldn't put up a fuss to save me. He knows there is no way he could stop them at that point and it would be far more effective for him to stay on the ship and leave after finding port so he can come back and rescue me. Better then having him stranded here with us for trying to help. At least, this way if we can survive long enough, we can be rescued," Zuko explained.

"I suppose your uncle is a smart guy," Aang said bashfully.

"Smarter then you could ever hope to be when you reach his age," Zuko said, but it lacked any real bite.

"What made you become a pirate?" Aang asked.

Zuko looked at him as if he was some sort of alien that had just suddenly appeared before him.

"I knew you were the son of that wealthy Governor. What made you want to give up your pampered life to be a pirate?" Aang asked elaborating.

"I didn't want my life lived for me. Living there, I would never be my own person. I would always be the person that everyone looked at as my father's son. It wasn't the life I wanted. More like, I wanted a life and I was willing to take whatever one came my way. Besides, if you knew that much, you know enough to know about my father's winning personality," Zuko explained.

Aang flinched a bit thinking about Zuko's dad. Even at the orphanage the man was labeled a tyrant. There was nothing, but bad rumors and trouble that seemed to follow the man.

"Why did you join up?" Zuko asked actually feeling half curious.

"You did. I wanted to see where you were going. I was actually sneaking back into the orphanage from talking to my friends when I saw your uncle trying to talk you out of it. You seemed so dead set on it. I followed you guys. When you signed up, I figured you must have had a reason to do so and I wanted to go and figure it out for myself."

Zuko gaped at him. He looked back at the sea and ran a hand over his face tiredly. Now he would have to make sure the kid got out of this in one piece or his guilt would eat him alive.

"Zuko, Happy Birthday."

He groaned as the guilt settled deeper knowing that he was doomed.

FN: Prompt: Lost On Birthday (#6 of 50)