They left the next day after filling a backpack to the brim with food.

"Zuko, what if it's already too late?" Katara asked, unable to keep the worry from her voice.

"Katara, don't worry. Once we get Uncle's help, we'll rescue them," Zuko said, trying to soothe Katara.

"This won't work, though! It will take far too long to get to Ba Sing Se!" Katara explained.

"You're right, Katara. We have to…" Zuko was cut off by the sound of hoofs nearby.

"Whoa there! Easy does it, Cherry Blossom!" Came a feminine voice. "Who's there," she asked.

"Oh… Uh… I'm Lee and this is Kya!" Zuko Introduced himself and Katara, under false names of course.

"I'm Hope and this is my Ostrich-horse, Cherry Blossom!" Hope exclaimed. "Where are you going? Could you use a ride?" Hope asked.

"We're going to Ba Sing Se. We could gladly use a ride if you don't mind giving us one," Zuko answered for them both.

"Sure! I'll just have to ask my parents. I am only ten, after all," Hope explained.

"Alright!" Zuko and Katara said simultaneously. Hope allowed them to get on and ride over to her parents' house. Suddenly, Hope put a hand to her mouth and cried out. "what's wrong, Hope?" Katara asked. Hope pointed above the trees. There Zuko, Katara, and Hope could see smoke and flames rising above the trees.

"Yah! Yah!" Hope called out to Cherry Blossom. At once, the Ostrich-horse picked up speed. They reached the location of a burning home. "Mommy! Daddy!" Hope leapt off Cherry Blossom and raced to her home, crying out.

"Stop, Hope, stop!" Zuko and Katara called to Hope as they caught up with her. "Hush, now. I'll go and see if I can rescue your parents," Zuko said as he rushed through the burning wood. When Zuko finally found them, they were in bad shape. He dragged them out to see if Katara could help. Katara rushed over and pulled out her water to heal them, but it was too late.

"Are they going to be ok?" Hope asked frantically.

"No, Hope. I'm sorry. They're dead," Katara said as she held Hope while Hope cried for her parents.

"Anti benders!" Zuko exclaimed, suddenly.

"They were here, Zuko?" Katara asked.

"Zuko? Fire lord Zuko?" Hope questioned. Katara flinched as she realized her mistake too late.

"Yes. My real name is Katara. Could you keep our names a secret, though? We're in a lot of trouble," Katara explained.

"Sure! What am I going to do now? I mean, with my parents and all," Hope asked Katara.

"Come with us to Ba Sing Se! We could help each other," Katara offered.

"Ok!" Hope shouted. With that, the three of them hopped onto the Ostrich-horse and disappeared through the trees.