I don't know how I made it, but I did. Azula thought as she leaned over the railing of the ferry looking out across the lake.

"Hey!"

Azula jumped in surprised.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Shen. You are?" a boy about sixteen inquired.

"What's it to you?"

"Well I told you mine so you tell me yours?"

Azula thought for the minute, trying to recall what her passport said. Mingmei.

"Mingmei."

"That's a pretty name."

"Thanks."

"Why are you coming to Ba Sing Se?"

"Ran away. Figured it's the one place they won't find me. I mean, there are thousands of people in Ba Sing Se, there's are very little chance they'll find me. Your turn."

"My family died in a fire. Needed a fresh start."

Azula's insides squirmed. "Fire Nation?"

"No, my grandma, in her old age, forgot to put out the fire in the fireplace."

Azula relaxed.

"Why did you run away?"

"Abusive father, divorced parents, when mother was around she dotted on my brother. Now I know she only paid attention to him so much because my father only paid attention to me because I was a fighting prodigy."

"Do you know where your mom is?"

"No, I don't even know if she's still alive."

"Your brother?"

Azula shrugged.

"You have no one?"

"I think I have an uncle in Ba Sing Se. So this the best place to go. I just thought..."

"Good Luck finding him. You said it yourself there are thousands of people in Ba Sing Se so there's a good chance-"

"Thanks for your support." Azula retorted.
"Sorry."

"At least in the Outer Ring they give homes to new comers for free, well to refugee's anyway." he smiled.

"And how are you going to do that?"

"Well my house did burn down, and it was burned to a crisp while the Fire Nation controlled my village. So I just leave out the grandma factor and free house. I know it's wrong but I have nothing."

"Well looks like we're here." Azula said.

"Well bye." Shen said as they left the ferry.

"Bye."

Azula watched Shen walk away. She felt a flicker of sadness as his figure retreated. She actually found a friend in someone she scarcely knew. And he was cute. Shut up. She argued with herself.

She wandered around aimlessly for a while. Then looked carefully down an alley. Looks safe. Just because it looks safe doesn't mean it is, Earth Benders. I know!!!!!!!!!!

She held her aching head as she sat in the alley way. Her hair was greasy, her stomach felt like it was going to heave, her breath was ragged and uneven. Then nothing.