"A girl's day out?" Y/N asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

          "I think Toph and I need it, if you want to join us, you can!" Katara offered, and Y/N sighed with a smile. It could be a good opportunity for them to bond. 

          "It's alright, I think it would be great for you two to get the day off, spend a little time together." She checked her appearance in the mirror one last time before heading towards the door. "I can keep searching for Appa while I'm out, but mostly I want to walk the city more- possibly try the food, shop a little."

          "You're sure you want to go out alone again today?" Katara clipped her hair loops in her bun. "Are you doing alright?"

          "I wasn't alone for the majority of the time I was out yesterday." Y/N reassured her. "And I don't intend to spend the entire day alone, don't worry about me."

          "Ohhhh..." Toph smirked over at her. "You find a special someone while out in the markets, eh? A nice earthbender?"

          "He isn't an earthbender, and I don't see him that way." Y/N readjusted the strap of her bag. "Still, we connected really well, and I think despite everything, we could really be good friends." Toph nodded. 

          "Sounds cool. Find a good restaurant we maybe go to later for lunch, and we'll see you tonight, yea?" She called as Y/N pushed out the doors.

                             —|➖◾️➖|—

         The entire day was relatively uneventful. Jet never showed at the predetermined spot, which Y/N found strange in itself. She waited for awhile, people-watching and enjoying the sounds around her. 

          When he didn't show, she asked around a bit, but no one who knew of him had heard anything from him, or said anything that might give hints to where he was. Until...

          "Hey. You." Y/N glanced down when someone poked her shoulder. At first she thought the teen was a guy, but the voice said otherwise.

          "Hello? Who am I speaking to?" She asked. A guy stood behind his friend, stone faced, a bow slung across his back.

          "I'm Smellerbee, that's Longshot behind me. We're part of the Freedom Fighters, Jet is our leader. What did you tell him?"

          "What do you mean?" Y/N turned around to face her head on. "Where is he? Can I see him?"

          "He got arrested." Smellerbee cut her off, getting up in her face. "He suspected someone to be a firebender at a local shop. He's a great fighter, but he lost the fight. Halfway through it he just suddenly stopped and started apologizing. Then the Dai Lee got involved, and took him even though he stopped and threw down his weapons. He could've won! What did you say to mess with his head? Don't lie to me! I saw you with him yesterday!"

          "Calm down, short stuff." Y/N said angrily, pushing her Smellerbee's face away. "I didn't say anything that got him arrested. Did he seriously attack the suspect spy?" She nodded, and Y/N let out an angry growl, rubbing her temples with her fingers.

          "I don't know how this city works. Does he have a trial? What's going to happen?" She asked, glancing over at Longshot, who still hadn't said anything.

          "That's the thing. He's gone. No one has seen him since. He isn't in the jail. He's just gone. Poof. What did you do?"

                             —|➖◾️➖|—

          Smellerbee never said anything else helpful to Jet's possible location, and Y/N never found any more information from other people. Jet was gone. And served him right, the very same night she had spoken to him he turned around and attacked someone. 

          He had at least put down his weapons once realizing what he was doing, but overall he still needed to change. But she didn't know if he would have the chance to do so, now.

          She found Katara and Toph and walked with them some. She didn't say anything about Jet other than that who she was going to meet up with never showed. After about an hour of shopping and wandering, she split off, asking around about Appa more, but it was becoming obvious that when someone disappeared in this city, they really disappeared.

          It was unnerving.

          This city was very safe from the Fire Nation as of now, no one even seemed to talk about the war, but she didn't feel safe inside the walls either. 

          Before she knew it, the sun was setting. But she didn't feel like going back. She strapped on her water containers under a thin cloak and continued her wandering.

          The city had a different feel during the night. The flickering lights, murmur of square fountains and families inside for dinner. Main streets had many restaurants still running, people walking around and chatting, the sounds of laughter and clinking of glasses coming from inside shops and cafés.

                                   —|➖◾️➖|—

                                    Zuko's POV       

           Zuko had no idea what he was doing. 

          He poked at his food, not daring to look up at Jin, who smiled across the table at him.

          "So, what do you think of the city so far?" She asked, taking a sip of tea. 

          "It's okay." Zuko muttered. His uncle had agreed to the date for him, with no consent. Now he was stuck here, anxious, awkward, and wondering what to do.

          Jin was nice, pretty. I guess... But he couldn't shake the sad aura weighing down his shoulders.

          He had spoken with Iroh about his thoughts. Overall, he knew what he needed to do.

          He needed to let go of Y/N. She needed to let go of him.

          There was no way they could both have what they wanted. They needed to move on, to fight in their side of the war. Still, it was so hard. He thought maybe going on a date with this Earth Kingdom girl could show him there were other girls that could make him happy. 

          But every second going forward made him miss Y/N even more.

          "What do you like to do for fun?" Jin tried again.

          "Nothing." Zuko muttered. Maybe I should be nicer...

          "Excuse me sir, would you and your girlfriend care for some dessert?" A waiter asked kindly, stepping towards the table.

          "SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND." Zuko yelled. The waiter quickly left, and the other customers glanced over their shoulders to stare at them. Okay, that was way too loud...

                                   —|➖◾️➖|—

          The rest of the dinner, and night in general were equally awkward as the start, and Zuko could tell Jin was trying her hardest, but he wasn't really helping with his short answers and uncomfortable comments.

          Once he lit the torches of the Firelight Fountain, he could admit, the place was beautiful. They stood together, for once in comfortable silence rather than awkward. Then he felt Jin's hand in his, and immediately tensed, desperately thinking of a way to escape the situation.

          He grabbed the coupon his uncle had given him from his pocket, shoving it in her face as she leaned in. Jin accepted it with a smile, but didn't stop there, reaching up and guiding his face to look at her.

          "I have something for you too." She whispered. "Now it's your turn to close your eyes." 

          I have to move on. Zuko thought, hesitantly closing his eyes. I need to capture the Avatar, win back my throne, and I cannot have Y/N distracting me.

          Jin kissed him, and he kissed back, but it didn't feel right. All he could think about was grabbing Y/N's arm and pulling her back to him. 

          "You aren't supposed to." I know I'm not, Y/N, but how can I just let go that easily? Their kiss had felt like it had lasted less than moments, and then Y/N was gone again, flying away from him. He wanted to run after her, pull her back like he had done seconds before. Hold her close to him and beg for her to save him. Find him. 

          She always seemed to know where he was. Whether it was actually her, or Zuko's wishful imagination, she was always there whenever he turned around. He wanted to turn on his heel and see her right now, run to her and collapse in her arms.

          Find me, please... Y/N... I'm so lost...

          But he knew he could only hold her back so much. She seemed to be getting farther away every day, but it wasn't him leaving her, like before. She was going places, without him.

          And he didn't want to be left behind. 

          I don't want her to lose me... and  I don't want to lose her.

          Zuko jerked away from Jin, almost stumbling in the process.

          "What's wrong?" She asked, and Zuko felt a pang of guilt for leading her on. Jin was nice, pretty, smart, but she wasn't Y/N. She wasn't Y/N.

          "It's complicated." Zuko murmured. "I have to go." He turned and ran, not even saying goodbye to her, which he immediately felt bad about. He ran into a nearby side street, leaning against the wall and staring at the ground. After a few seconds, he pushed off of it, preparing to walk back to the house they were staying in.

           "That was the most awkward date I have ever seen in my life." Zuko jumped, whipping around, eyes widening in disbelief. There stood the angel herself, wearing a simple Ba Sing Se cloak and jacket, arms crossed. The water containers he had made her were slightly visible under the fabric.

           "You didn't even say goodbye." Y/N pointed out with an amused smile.