As she walked down the dirt path during the midday sun, Siam realized just how tired and exhausted she was. Gliding in and of itself does not take a lot of strength but instead it takes focus, balance, and above all a need to stay awake. If one does not maintain any one of these they will crash or not be able to fly at all. Having flown for several hours, so she could make it on time, Siam was feeling the effects to a point where she didn't see where she was going and walked into a fish cart. The wheel popped off sending it toppling onto the street.

A burly man came out of a bar on the opposite side of the street and hobbled up to Siam. Clearly being drunk, he swayed and slurred as he began to talk. "Wat do ya ink (hick) your doin to ma cart! Seak to me damnit (hick)!"

Still recovering from her fall, Siam did not know what to say. She was feeling tired and now was feeling bewildered. At that point the man lost his patience and was reaching down to grab her. But just as he was going too someone started to attack the man. The person grabbed the man's arm with one hand then twisted around and drove his elbow into the man's stomach then his face knocking the drunk unconscious.

When Siam finally got a good look at the person she was astonished to find that it was a young boy probably in his mid-teens. He wore a red tunic with black shorts and sandals. He had brown short hair and carried a sack around his shoulder. The boy looked over the unconscious drunkard's to make sure he stayed that way then turned and held out his hand.

"Are you okay Miss…?"

Blushing out of her own clumsiness she extended her own hand in gratitude. "Siam, my name is Siam."

"Siam," replied the boy. "That's a beautiful name. And what brings a person like you to a place as decayed as this?"

"Actually I just got here and am visiting my parents. Um, is he dead?" "No, don't worry about him he's just unconscious and actually he could use it more often. He's a jerk even when he's sober… the cart not even his. By the way I saw you stumble and even before then you were looking sick. Are you okay?"

"No I'm fine; just a little fatigued and hungry."

"Hmm…," he said scratching his head. "Wait, I got something." The boy reached down into his sack and made a notion for Siam to come closer. As he finally found what he was looking for he pulled it out and presented it to her. Siam looked down at the object and realized that it was fruit-tart. She looked at him and shook her head.

"Wow that looks good but I really couldn't. I'm about to head over to my parents and I don't want to spoil my dinner."

"Awe common have one. If the people knew that I had these I'd either have a lot of friends or get beat up, not that I'd let that happen. Well if you don't want one then for the sake of your rescuer at least eat half of one."

He put on the puppy dog face and looked as if he was going to cry.

"Well…," she replied.

Before she could finish her sentence the boy had already broken one and had placed it in her hand. He smiled innocently and put the other half in his mouth. They both sat there silently and ate the tarts for a second. As she chewed the tart she realized just how good it was. The tart was still warm and flakey and not like the food she had to carry on her when she flew.

"So you're an air bender? I recognized it by your staff and the part about flying in."

"Yes I am, and you're a fire nation student aren't you? Playing hooky?"

He looked at her sheepishly. Then after producing a flame from his palm he replied. "Caught red-handed… anyway who are your parents, they must be lost too if there anywhere near here."

She laughed at him and then pinched his cheek. "You really are funny and actually they are liaisons headed for the fire nation. Their staying at some inn in but I don't know where or which one."

"I bet they're staying at the white dragon. That's where all the rich or important people stay when they come to this town. It's actually in a different district, the rich one to be exact, and a good walk in-land but if you want to I can show you where it is."

"A comedian as well as a gentleman. Alright I'll take your offer."

"And while I'm at it I will point out the sites, famous and notorious."

"Well you're a bit young to go on dates but I guess I have no choice."

Regardless of making good time, Siam found the sun setting by the time they had arrived at her destination.

"Well this is it," the boy replied.

Siam looked at the inn and realized it was for like a mansion or palace. The place was entirely white except for the roof. It had a magnificent entrance that had the black outline of a dragon snaking around it. The inn looked a little ominous as if it were trying to stare down Siam with its gloriousness. "Wow…"

The boy looked at her and chuckled. "Yeah most people get that when they first look at it. Anyway it was nice saving you but I've got to get going before it gets too dark. "

Just as he started to run Siam she snapped out of her state of gapping and called out to him. "Wait, you never told me your name?"

"Oh yeah, my bad. It's Mizuhiro."

Waving goodbye to him Siam walked into the White Dragon. "I had a good time talking with you Mizuhiro and thanks for the tart."

Feeling a lot better since her arrival, Siam walked into White Dragon with high spirits. Taking her shoes off and handing them to the service maid she now entered the threshold of the exotic inn. Siam's newly found joy turned into ecstasy as she made her way through colorful tapestries and paintings not to mention the wall to wall carpet that felt silky to the touch. Siam's little taste of paradise was then interrupted all too soon with a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around to find a vulture or someone that resembled a vulture with a stare that sent shivers down her spine. By looking at her clothes Siam inferred that she was the manager

"Y, yes? May I help you?"

Upturning her nose the manager replied with an indignant voice. "I think you are mistaken madam. It is I that can help you. But I must first ask: what do you think you are doing walking in here like this? "

"I, uh…" It was then that Siam looked down at herself and realized just how dirty she was. Her clothes were torn and muddy from having trip over the fish cart earlier in the day and her hair was in disarray. All this combined with the fact that she was to wearing her travel clothes. Her face then turned several shades red in her embarrassment.

"Just as I thought," replied the manager with an upturned face. "Sightseeing are we? Well I'll have none of this in my inn and if you would be so kind please escort yourself back to the streets before your fleas decide to take up permanent residence!"

Siam didn't know what to say to this. She had never in her life been so humiliated and degraded in all her life. She thought she was about to blow up or just breakdown and Siam couldn't even decide then. And just as she thought she could take no more someone walked up behind her and started to speak.

"Excuse me, is this woman giving you trouble?" The man talking behind her talked with a kind familiar voice but before Siam could reply the manager spoke.

"I am sorry to have disturbed you but I found this dirty tramp in here sightseeing and ruining the carpet and you know we don't tolerate this kind of thing!"

The man came forward and stood in between the two of them. He started to lift his finger but instead of directing it toward Siam he did so toward the manager. "First off I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to my lovely daughter over here…"

He turned to Siam and looked gently at her. He then took Siam in his arms and hugged her tightly. Siam suddenly felt overwhelmed and started to cry softly. He looked at her passionately and bent down and whispered in her ear. "Everything will be okay now… watch this."

Siam's father then turned back to the manager and glared till his eyes burned even to look at. The gawping manager just stood there with the deer in the oil-lamp look on her face. "… And secondly she is not in any sort a dirty tramp and if you think I'm going to tolerate this kind of behavior then you are gravely mistaken."

He then winked at Siam. "Now unless you wish to find yourself behind bars by the end of tonight I suggest you apologies to my daughter, deliver some fine clothes and towels to our room, and round up some food for our supper; exactly in that order and as soon as possible.

It was now the manager's turn to turn red. "I am so very sorry for the mix up Ms. Nakamura. I had no idea who you were. Please allow me to make amends and I shall do all that you have asked for."

Mr. Nakamura turned his back to the wheezing woman and gave Siam the thumbs up. "What do you think Siam? Should we give her a second chance?"

Still clinging to her father and never wishing to leave all Siam could do was nod.

"Well that settles it then. Siam let us head back to the room. Shall we? Oh and Mrs. Izanagi we'll be expecting those clothes and towels within the hour and the food within two. And I may not be as forgiving if either is late."

The two walked away and left the frenzied manager to figure out what to do with herself. No sooner did Siam and her father had walked into the room and closed the door did they burst out laughing.

"You should have seen her face," Mr. Nakamura laughed.

"I did see it and seriously father sometimes you can be very beastly."

The father turned to her and laughed. "I get it from your mother, but don't tell her that."

Then both of them heard a voice calling from across the room. "Could you say that again dear? I didn't quite hear you the first ti..."

A figure suddenly rushed into the room. "Dear what has happened to you? Are you all right? Who is the scoundrel that did this to you?"

"No mom I'm fine; I just had a little spill and nothing more." Siam thought nothing could persuade her mother to stop but to her relief there was a knock at the door. She was about to excuse herself to get it but Siam's father insisted instead and answered the door.

"This simply won't do. I won't allow it. You must change out of those rags immediately and wash up. Mr. Nakamura would you make yourself useful for once and get some towels and clean clothes for our daughter immediately."

"They are already here," he replied.

"Well then be sensible and have them run Siam a bath."

"Dearest, it has all been prepared and is ready," he replied again.

"Well how … sensible of you," Mrs. Nakamura replied with her brainstorming exhausted. "Siam you'd better hurry up before the water gets cold."

"Yes mother."

Siam felt like a kid in a candy store. The bath she was in was shaped like a giant kidney and along the wall was an arranged assortment of soaps and oils. She decided to randomly pick one and stay with it. Stepping out of the bath she noticed a pile of white folded towels. Placing one around her middle she then used air bending to dry her hair. She was ready ten minutes later and proceeded to walk into the dining room.

The room consisted of a round table that came up to ones knee and had pillows placed around it. The aroma from the food hit her stomach like a stone wall. Siam's mother turned when her stomach gurgled. "Are you sure you've been eating properly dear?"

"I am fine mother." She sat on the pillow next to her parents and proceeded to fill her plate.

"So…" Mr. Nakamura began after he chewed his first bite. "How has your research been going?"

"It has been going extraordinary well. The temple monks have been very helpful in assisting my search. And just as I predicted each air temple actually does contain different techniques. It is amazing to see the variations as well as the similarities."

Both parents shook their head in agreement to her conclusions. After a sip from his cup, Siam's father patted his mouth with his napkin then stared at Siam.

"Siam we've been thinking about it and your mother and I wanted to know if you wanted to take a break and come with us to the fire nation. Even though you went when you were young we knew you wanted to come back even though you were unable."

Mr. Nakamura then turned into his wife and bobbed his head to prompt her to speak.

"We know you wanted to finish your research within the year but it would mean so much to us if you would go."

Siam thought about it as she chewed her food. She then remembered that this would be her parent's last journey as liaison before they retired. She had to. "Yes I'll go with you. I love the fire nation country."

"Well it is settled then," Mr. Nakamura said. "We leave tomorrow. If you want to you can fly along side or you can ride on Kempa with us."

"Kempa! You brought Kempa?"

Siam's mother laughed at her delight. "He'll be overjoyed to see you too dear."

"You know how he is and besides we needed his help with supplies."

"Now, Now dear, He carried us too. You know we can't fly for extended amounts of time and walking kills my feet."

Mr. Nakamura extended himself over the edge of the table and kissed his wife "You're still young at heart though dear."

"Ow!" A throbbing pain blinded Siam as she recoiled in shock.

Her mother immediately got up to assist Siam. "What's wrong dear?"

"I don't feel so go…" Siam consciousness faded despite her parents pleas. She felt like she was falling, falling into the abyss. She saw what looked like a girl and realized it was her younger self. The girl was picking flowers and humming a lullaby. Siam immediately recognized the song because it was the one her parents sung to her when she was young. Then Siam saw another young girl next to the first who was also picking flowers. Then the second girl started to laugh cruelly and darkness flowed out of her. The girl that looked like Siam begged the second to cease but it was in vain. The darkness continued to flow and turned the girl and the flowers to dust.

It was then she opened her eyes. She felt something hard against her face and realized it was the floor. She looked to her side and saw to strangers looking at her. She would have said something but she heard them speak first.

"I think she's coming to," said the first person.

"Yes, our lord shall be very pleased," replied the other in a raspy voice.

Siam tried in vain to collect her thoughts. The last thing she remembered was joining her parents for the evening supper at the White Dragon. But now she found herself lying in a pile of rubble in what looked like a battle field. She tried to get up and face the two men in front of her but collapsed as a throbbing surged through her head. It was then that she noticed something warm dripping from her head. As Siam tried to get up again the two mysterious men started to advance towards her.

"Get away from her!"

Siam painfully turned her head toward the liberator she had met earlier that day. She watched as Mizuhiro sent two flame balls flying toward the mysterious men driving them back. One of them made a step toward Siam but his companion pulled him away as they dodged three more fire balls. One of the flames hit its mark and set the man's cloaks aflame. The man scowled and tossed the smoldering cloth aside revealing the fire nation symbol. Running into the night the men escaped by the moon light. Mizuhiro ignored their escape and made his way through the rubble until he came up to Siam.

"Are you okay Ms. Siam?"

All she could manage to do was blink before unconsciousness overtook her.

Siam awoke to the sound to the feeling of something pressing down against her head. She struggled to open her eyes and saw two people standing with their backs turned to her.

"She'll be fine she just had a slight concussion and lost a little blood from her head wound. She should be able to get up and walk around but the moment she feels lightheaded she needs to immediately rest."

"Thank you doctor I'll call if you if she get worse."

"No my dear she'll be fine, just fine. In fact whoever bandaged her head from that nasty cut did such a good job that I didn't even have to touch it. I won't ask what happened to the hotel or the girl but whatever it was it bodes ill for all of us."

"Thank you doctor, you have a good day."

"You too my dear."

Siam decided it was time to get up. Even though her body threw a fit she fought back and got to her feet. The alteration in Siam's balance caused blood to rush to her head and she faltered. She tried to reach out for the night stand next to the bed but toppled it over as she fell. A person rushed in and propped her back onto the bed. When Siam looked up she was very surprised at the face she saw.

Author's Notes: Thank you all my adoring fans.

(Crickets chirping)

This segment seemed to dance alive in my head. I mean after deciding how I was going to start the story. For some reason I got very descriptive with everything and when I read I was like "hell yea" Comment if you read or comment if you haven't. Flamers with wake up in the 13th circle of hell. Thank you.