Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.


Their third meeting sealed their fate.

The Avatar and his friends had left shortly after their encounter. Ameya wasn't expecting them to stay for long. If the Avatar has returned, that means he must be on his journey to defeat the Fire Lord. There was too much injustice in the world, too much blood has been shed in the hundred year war.

But none of that mattered to the young woman. She knew her role in the story. She was just a thief, hidden in the shadows and did what was necessary to survive. She did not have a glorious destiny to 'defeat the Fire Lord and save the world' like the Avatar or his companions.

So why did she end up in front of the large building with a grand red door where the fortuneteller resides?

"You must be here to see Aunt Wu!" A young cheery voice spoke to her and Ameya looked at the young girl behind her, two large braids on her head.

"Ah, no. I was just looking," she politely declined.

"Aunt Wu does not charge for her services! It would not hurt to try!" The younger girl grabbed onto her hand, pulling her into the building.

The inside of the building was well decorated and smelled faintly of lilies and incense. Ameya was instructed to sit on the purple cushions on the floor and she obliged, wondering why she came here in the first place. A minute later, an older woman dressed in fancy yellow robes stepped out.

"Come, young one. Meng told me you have been staring at the estate for quite some time."

Ameya rose to her feet, a simple smile on her pink lips. "I was just passing by."

Nonetheless, she followed the fortuneteller to a grand room where red pillows surrounded a small fire in the middle. She took a seat on the opposite side of Aunt Wu, waiting for further instructions.

"Your dominant hand, if you may," Aunt Wu gestured towards her.

Ameya held out her right hand, allowing the older woman to grab onto and read her palm. She was silent for a moment, studying the old blisters and calluses unfit for a girl of her age.

"You have been through a lot, my child."

"I thought this was a fortunetelling, not retelling tales of my past."

"Yes, of course," her finger traced a line on her palm, "There is a big decision you must make in the near future. It may either mend or break the ones you hold close but it is necessary for the good of the world."

She took her hand back simply. "You must be mistaken. I have no one I hold close to," she stood up, "and nothing I do will be impactful to the world. Thank you for your time."

"You are lost but it would not stay that way for long."

Before Ameya could retort, loud screaming was heard beyond their door. Aunt Wu stood up in alarm, a frown on her painted lips as she made her way out. She followed after her curiously, wondering what the cause of their distress was.

"The girl must have spent a lot of time here."

Aunt Wu opened the door, stepping out and allowing her guest to follow. They saw a large shirshu in front of the building, two riders on top of the animal while the third jumped down.

"We have no time for this!"

She recognized the voice immediately and turned around, hoping to sneak back into the building with no notice. A rough hand grabbed onto her wrist painfully and she turned to glare at familiar gold eyes and a scarred face.

"What are you doing here?" The prince growled out. Was it luck for him to have met her again so soon? Did she still have his dagger? Either way, he refused to allow her to escape a third time.

"Getting my fortune read of course. I was just about done so please; don't let me keep you from having yours read too." She tugged on her trapped wrist stubbornly.

"Prince Zuko! That is no way to treat a lady." The older man on the shirshu scolded but made no move to get off the mount, merely staring at the two in amusement.

"You're coming with me!"

"I'd rather not."

Zuko huffed and shoved her towards the shirshu. Before she could react, a slick tongue came out and hit her neck, causing her to lose balance and all feelings in her body. She yelped, falling backwards right into the firebender's arms.

"You know I normally don't implement kidnapping but we're going to lose the trail soon if you don't hurry it up," the woman on the shirshu stated, dark eyes boring into the two teenagers. "And she is way too pretty for you."

"She has something of mine that I want back," he hoisted the paralyzed girl on the shirshu.

"What, your virg—"

"NO!"

Zuko's face flushed in anger, glaring at June as he sat back behind his uncle. Ameya groaned behind them, wondering how she was going to escape this. Whatever the shirshu did had paralyzed her and she doubt it would wear off soon.

The shirshu sped off, heading towards a destination unknown to her. She felt Zuko's hand against her back occasionally, making sure she would not fall and that only deepened her frown.

"What does she have that inclines you to take her, Prince Zuko?" Iroh inquired.

The man in question stiffened. "Nothing that concerns you Uncle."

"I don't have it anymore if that's what you're wondering." She forced out. Even talking was difficult.

She couldn't see his heated gaze but she sure felt it. "Then where is it?"

"Sold."

"Then you're just going to have to steal it back. I'm sure it would be easy for a lowly thief such as yourself."

"Aww I didn't know you thought so highly of me, My Prince."

"After I capture the Avatar I'm making sure you will be kept locked up where I don't have to see you anymore," he promised.

"Great."

If Iroh and June heard the exchange, they made no comment on it. Iroh merely side glance at his nephew, wondering why he held a grudge for the young woman. They said nothing more after that and it was not long until the shirshu stopped again, ambushing the two Water Tribe siblings.

"So this is your girlfriend? I don't know what they see in you, they're too pretty," June deduced.

"Where is he? Where's the Avatar?" Zuko demanded.

"We split up! He's long gone." The Water Tribe boy said and Ameya recognize the voice, thinking back to three she met at Makapu Village.

"How stupid do you think I am?" She resisted the urge to answer him.

"Pretty stupid," the boy said again and she smiled despite her uncomfortable place on the mount, "Run!"

She could tell they didn't get far however at the sound of two bodies hitting the floor. Soon, she was roughly hoisted off of the mount by the prince and she stared at the traveling companions of the Avatar.

"It's you!" The girl spoke in strained surprise, "Am…?"

"Meya," she reintroduced herself with a weak smile. It was not a surprise that they forgot.

"Katara."

"Sokka."

They both replied while the shirshu found a new scent, not paying attention to their capturers.

"What did you do to piss off Prince Pouty?" Sokka asked as they were dumped onto the back of the shirshu.

"Quiet!"

Ameya ignored Zuko. "Oh I think he's in love with me. He wouldn't let me go." She sighed dejectedly.

"You kidnapped her?!" Katara gasped at the prince.

They were all on the shirshu now. The two Water Tribe siblings behind Zuko while Ameya was sprawled out across his lap still paralyzed.

"As you can see, he is attached to me," she teased.

"This is the easiest way to travel! Now shut up before I bind your mouth." The prisoners said nothing and did not see the flush on Zuko's cheeks.

True enough, the three kept quiet throughout the ride. Ameya was slowly starting to get some feeling back in her arm but stung as she attempted to move. She kept that to herself, not wanting to risk the discovery.

Soon, they arrived at another village, busting through the wooden gate and the shirshu slowed, circling the ground.

"What's it doing? It's just going around in a circle!" Ameya wonders if Zuko ever goes by a day without yelling in anger.

The shirshu startled as the young airbender flew towards it. The creature rose up, causing his passengers to tumble off towards the ground. Ameya grunted when Zuko landed on her and he hurriedly pushed himself off.

"Aang!" Katara cried in relief.

Zuko and Aang engaged in combat, fire and air flying from fists and staff. Three of the citizens dragged the paralyzed trio to the side, away from harm. Ameya watched in amusement at the Avatar's swift maneuvers, avoiding the deadly fire and countering with his own bending.

Off to the side, the shirshu and sky bison battled. She never seen a sky bison before—but then again, they were thought to be extinct. The creatures were fairing well against each other but she could tell it was difficult for the sky bison to withstand the paralysis.

A woman came out from the hole besides them, giving the three a whiff of their perfume. The pungent smell somehow wore off the paralysis and Ameya rolled her shoulders, thankful to be able to move again.

"The shirshu sees with its nose," she commented to the Water Tribe siblings.

Sokka nodded his head, "Let's give him something to look at."

"The perfume?" The woman asked.

The three nodded to each other, Sokka with a smug smirk on his lips as they moved to bring huge jars of perfume outside. They pour the liquid at Katara's feet and she moved to bend the liquid around, splashing the shirshu in different scents.

Ameya looked on surprised. Katara was a waterbender and although she was no master, she had potential.

The shirshu lashed out in confusion, hitting Zuko with the tongue and stunned him. It hit June soon after but Iroh caught her, cushioning their fall on the ground. The shirshu continued to attack wildly, turning towards the civilians. Ameya jumped out, blocking the tongue from hitting Katara and fell to the floor just as the shirshu ran off.

"Meya!" She heard the Water Tribe girl yell out in shock.

"Just go, I'll be alright." She mentally sighed. She had just got rid of the paralysis and here she is, frozen again. She ignored the reason for her impulsive decision to protect the younger girl.

They looked at each other, then to Appa as he shook off his own paralysis. With hesitant steps, they made their way to the sky bison.

"Thank you," Aang bowed to the young woman and she would have wave if possible.

Once the sky bison was out of sight, Mother Superior kneeled next to Ameya, giving her another dose of perfume to counter the paralysis. She stood up again, giving a quick thanks to the nuns who helped.

"Uncle? I didn't see you get hit with the tongue," Zuko observed.

"Shh!"

She made her way towards the three, "Well it's been a fun ride but it's time for me to go."

Zuko really hated her fake 'pleasant' voice. He recognized it as the one she uses to sound harmless and innocent to others.

"Nyla ran off somewhere! The least you could do is find him for me," June begged.

"You kidnapped me."

"Take that up with Angry Boy here."

Ameya thought it over. She did need a ride back to Makapu Village and did not know what direction they came from; all of her belongings were still at the inn as well. The bounty hunter did seem desperate for her mount and with a sigh, she turned around.

"I need a ride back to the village once I find your shirshu and I don't want to see those two here when I get back," her blue eyes narrowed at the Fire Nation duo.

"Deal."

"No!" Zuko disagreed and willed himself to move but couldn't.

"You're in no position for an opinion."

She turned and ran towards the forest where the shirshu had gone moments before. It wasn't too difficult for her to track down the large creature. It left deep foot prints and scattered, broken branches behind him. Ameya found him huddled amongst the tree by a small river, whining and swiping at his confused nose.

"Hey boy, stay still will ya?"

Making sure no one was around, she lifted up her hands. Water from the stream flowed towards her and with careful, concentrated movements; she willed the water to rinse over the shirshu's nose gently, washing away the perfume scent.

The animal calmed down and Ameya let her hands fall, sweat appearing on her forehead. Healing had always come natural to her but when it came to actual Waterbending; she was never proficient at it. It was a secret she hid since young and it was an ability she considered as her greatest weapon. If only she had a master to teach her. She never did find one.

The Water Tribe girl flashed before her mind and she smiled. Katara would be a great master one day but Ameya would not go to her for help. She is needed with the Avatar.

She took the reins of the animal and tugged it, walking back to the Abbey.

True to her words, only June was waiting for the shirshu when Ameya arrived. The young woman still glanced around wearily, expecting for the prince to pounce on her.

"Relax, they're gone. The nuns shooed them out as soon as you left," June smiled, rubbing the shirshu's snout.

"Do you know where they went?" She wanted to avoid them as much as possible.

"Nope," hopping onto the shirshu, June gestured for Ameya to follow, "C'mon, I owe you a ride."


"I can't believe she saved me," Katara mused quietly, touching her mother's necklace for comfort.

"What was she doing there in the first place?" Aang asked from his position on Appa's head.

"She was already captured when Zuko caught us. We're not sure ourselves," Sokka rubbed his head, "She did say Zuko is in love with her."

Aang gaped at him while Katara shook her head in disbelief. "I think she was just saying that to rile him up."

"True, she's a little too pretty for Zuko," Sokka paused when he saw the sly looks from his sister and Avatar, "What? I'm not interested!"

Aang laughed, "Whatever you say Sokka. If she's still held captive the next time we see Zuko, we'll rescue her for sure."

"We owe Meya that much," Katara agreed.

Aang turned around again, an eyebrow raised in confusion. "I thought her name was Ameya?"

Katara blinked then turn towards her brother. He shrugged, "I'm not so sure anymore."


It was nighttime when June and Ameya arrived back in Makapu Village. The younger woman thanked her briefly and the bounty hunter sped off on her shirshu. It wouldn't hurt to stay an extra day, Ameya reasoned, it had been a long and tiring day anyways.

She made her way towards her room in the inn, her muscles sore from the long day. Maybe she should have been more aware of how deadly quiet the inn was. Maybe she should have noticed something was amiss by the time she entered the room.

She only realized her mistake when she was roughly pushed against a wall, her hands pinned behind her once again.

"Where. Is. It?"

Ameya tilted her head, looking at the face she's come to hate.

"Zuko! You said you only wanted to talk!" Iroh appeared behind him, disappointment on his aged face.

"She's a thief Uncle, I should have her locked up while I still have the chance," he pressed harder onto her wrist.

"I told you it's gone," she hissed in annoyance. Ameya doesn't glare often but lately, she found herself doing that in the presence of the prince. "Unless you plan on searching my body like you did in the forest, let me go!"

Zuko flushed at the implication of her words but before he can react, Iroh grabbed his own wrist, releasing his hold on the young woman. A frown was on his lips as he stared at his nephew.

"I understand you are angry but it is dishonorable to touch a woman without her permission, Prince Zuko. You do not have to let her go but you can at least show some dignity."

Zuko looked away, a scowl appearing on his lips. Ameya rubbed her wrist tiredly, looking between the two and knew she had no chance of escape.

"And you will be coming with us to pay for your crimes. Any objections?" Iroh said sternly to the woman.

She frowned but it quickly turned into a strained smile. Her smile was beautiful and deceptive but her eyes were icy cold. "As if I had a choice."

She grabbed her travel pack from the corner of her room, swinging it around her shoulders and crossed her arms. Zuko scanned her over then turned to his uncle.

"Can't we at least restrain her? She's dangerous."

"Once again, you think too highly of me, My Prince. I know I'm beat when it comes down to it."

While Zuko thrives when people refer to his proper title, he hated it when she speaks of it. With a huff, he walked out of the room, glaring at her when she refused to follow.

"Where is your eel hound? We're taking it too."

Ameya cursed under her breath, leading them towards the stable where the eel hound resides. Zuko took the position as the rider and Iroh helped her up behind the prince, the older man taking the spot behind her. She was squeezed in between the two and put her hands on Zuko's broad shoulders to keep from falling.

She wouldn't let it end like this. She had escaped from plenty of prisons before. This one would be no different. She'll play along for now but she will find a way to escape, that she can guarantee.


Author's Note:

I love writing long chapters but it seriously burns me out but it will continue to be long from here on out. I appreciate all the follows and favorites! It's not a lot but I'm happy to know someone out there is reading it and may be enjoying it.

And yes, Ameya is a waterbender but a weak one at that. She excels in healing, however.

Reviews are much appreciated! They motivate me the most ehehe.