Zuko and I stare at the men. I'm frozen in fear. It's like Jon and Hon all over again, and I have no idea what to do.

I'm not surprised that I've been labeled a fugitive and I knew that Zuko was, but I never thought it would haunt us. Not like this. Not now when we're finally heading in the right direction.

Then, in a heartbeat, the man who was teaching me Pai Sho is in front of us, pointing his finger at us and yelling, "I knew it! You two are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!"

I shrink back, and Zuko puts an arm around me, glaring at them. My teacher turns to the men who accused us.

"You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" The room goes silent, and for a minute you could hear pin drop. Men look up, and weapons flash, and I am so very, very afraid. I hear the word gold whispered around the room.

Zuko's arm tightens around me, and I know he will go for his swords soon. And then I will be alone while he takes care of this mess, but I don't know if even he can fight off this many dangerous men.

I am so afraid.

And if they find out he's a firebender... I don't even want to think about it.

I wish I wasn't so helpless, but I am. I don't know anything about fighting and I'm not a bender, I'm just a useless Earth Kingdom girl with no memory and no worth! If Zuko dies it will be my fault.

I am so afraid.

And suddenly we are surrounded by men with knives and swords and the bare feet of earthbenders. Just like, I realize, the two men who accused us. They are both earthbenders.

"Uh..." the older man looks at his muscled companion. "Maybe we shouldn't..."

The other man just smiles and gets into a stance. The seedy wanderers attack, and then my teacher grabs my hand and drags me and Zuko through the melee and out into the courtyard.

In the dark, the things I didn't notice before are brighter. The wilting palm trees, the tall rocks that are the framework of most of the houses. The scent of poverty that lingers in the cool night breeze.

My teacher leads us through the darkness and the dust, beneath stars that are nothing but cold above us. We enter one of the tall buildings, and my teacher shuts the door carefully behind us.

While he does that, I look around. We're in a flower shop; we're surrounded by shelves lined with pots and plants, and a musty, herby smell pervades everything. It reminds me of a dingier version of Aki's garden house. That thought makes me sad, and I'm glad when my teacher is done with the door and turns to us.

He bows, holding both hands together and then unfolding them outward. It seems significant somehow, but I don't know what it means. Zuko looks just as lost as I am.

My teacher's next words, however, make me forget all about his strange bow.

"It is an honor to welcome the nephew of such a high-ranking and respected member of the Order. Welcome Zuko, nephew of Grandmaster Iroh."

I stare, and Zuko stares, but neither of moves. I don't think either of us breathing. I know I'm not.

My teacher smiles at us. "I would invite you into our meeting room, but I'm afraid it's members only. Though I would be honored to help the Grandmaster's nephew in any way I can."

Zuko looks at me, and I look at him. We may be using his uncle Iroh's status to our own advantage, but hey, this guy's offering.

Zuko turns back to my teacher.

"We need Earth Kingdom passports."

"And hot food. And water." I add, because a good hot meal is something I dream about, and I'm still thirsty.

He smiles. "I will arrange it. For now, get some rest. It is late."

Zuko shrugs and leans against a pillar while my teacher knocks on a door at the back of the room. A panel opens, and they exchange words, but I'm too tired to pay attention to them. I find a clear spot on the floor and lie down.

This is really happening. We're finally getting to Ba Sing Se, finally going to be free of this endless walking and riding and trying to figure out what to do and where to go. We'll be safe in Ba Sing Se.

The city is filled with refugees, and no one will ever notice two more. And there we'll find Zuko's uncle.

In Ba Sing Se, we will finally be free.

_______

Kk guys, new rule! Every 10th chapter I load (10, 20, 30, etc) on any book, the first 3 comments I get get dedications, follows, recomends, and reads from me, and the 10th comment gets the same, as does the 20th, 30th, etc.

This rule will be eternal for all my books! The 10th 20th etc comments on ANY chapter of ANY book get the same treatment as well. Again, that's DEDICATIONS, FOLLOWS, RECOMENDATIONS, AND READS! Just for commenting!

Let's do this, people! :)

-Eon