Hai guys! Sorry it took me sooo long to upload this. It's been a crazay week so far we've had extra school classes to attend plus I'm packing to leave for TMA on Sunday. I'm gonna be gone for a week! It's exciting, I may be able to write the stories during free time but I won't get to upload them till I get back, thanks for ur patience and enjoy!

I Do Not Own Avatar:The Last Airbender

Chapter3: One or the Other

It was an early October morning, Ty-Lee sat up in bed and stretched. She looked out her window to her right. Outside, the dew drizzled along her window making trails of water that formed strange patterns. On an apple-cherry tree branch, just outside her window, sat a small bluejay-wren. He sang a sweet little morning song. Ty-Lee swung her legs over the side of her bed. She stood up and put on her robe. She had a good feeling, today was gonna be a good day, she thought. She went to her closet and pulled out her usual pink outfit. She quickly dressed and hurried downstairs for breakfast. She got her food and decided to sit between Meumi and Shakira. "Hey girls!" She said cheerily. Merroka, another of the Kyoshi's, sat across from her. "You seem happier than normal." She declared. Ty-Lee grinned. "Why shouldn't I be? It's a beautiful day," She said. Merroka smirked. "Right," She said sarcastically. Merroka wasn't really the 'cheerful' type. In a lot of ways she reminded Ty-Lee of her friend Mai, only not quite as gloomy. Her aura was a little lighter than Mai's. she laughed at the memory of being at Ember Island and calling Mai's aura dingy. "What's so funny?" Meumi asked. "Oh, nothing. Merroka just reminds me of Mai," Shakira swallowed her food before saying, "The Firelords wife?" Ty-Lee nodded. "Cool, I forgot you knew her," Shakira said. She wasn't the jealous type, but she did wish she could've met the Firelord and his wife. Meumi had just finished her breakfast and stood up. "Well, I gotta go now, my mom is sick and I have to take care of her." She said. Before she walked away Ty-Lee said, "I'm sorry about your mother, tell her hi for me," Meumi smiled and nodded. "Ugh how can you do it?" Merroka asked a bit disgusted. Ty-Lee furrowed her brow in confusion. "Do what?" She asked in her normal cheerful voice. "Be so happy all the time? Walk around with that stupid smile on your face?" She asked rudely. Before Ty-Lee had the chance to respond, Shakira spoke up. "Well, her 'stupid smile' must be contagious," She said and smiled brightly. Merroka rolled her black eyes. Ty-Lee stifled a laugh. Merroka gave her a half smile. "Ok, happy girls win this one," She said feigning a defeated look. Ty-Lee smiled and stood to take care of her plate.

Moments later she stepped outside and took in a deep breath. A cold breeze surrounded her and she shivered. It was getting close to winter time again, she should probably wear a jacket, but the sun shone down brightly so she dismissed the idea. She walked through town a ways, everyone was selling warm clothing for the upcoming winter. She walked passed shop after shop, until she came to Haru's. he'd moved to Kyoshi not long after Toph gave birth to her first child. He opened up his own little shop where he sold furniture made of all kinds of different things. As she walked in a little bell chimed overhead. A man came to the counter. "Ah, greetings miss Ty-Lee," He said with a warm smile. "Good morning," She said and smiled back. "Is Haru here today?" She asked. The man slowly shook his head. "Nope, he had to make a delivery to someone's house." He explained. Ty-Lee nodded. "Ok, I'll come back later," She said and walked out. She decided to take a walk in the woods, maybe she'd go to the small lake just a few miles out of town. So she walked and walked until she finally reached the little lake. She sat down on a fallen log, it was beautiful out here. The lake was surrounded by the beautiful, pink, apple-cherry trees. She sighed contentedly as she saw a white badger-rabbit hop around on the other side of the lake. She stood up and walked a ways. Then she heard the loud shrill of a giant moose-hog, it was a terrifying sound, especially if you're alone in the woods. But Ty-Lee didn't have to worry. The sound was far away from where she was. The wind swirled around her, capturing her in its cold clasp, stinging her nose as it blew recklessly by. Now she wished she had a coat. She stood there as the wind pushed her toward the trees. Soft pink leaves floated by. It was really a breath taking sight. But Ty-Lee was cold and wanted to go home.

Ty-Lee sat by the hearth reading a book when Meumi walked in and plopped down on the floor next to her. "Wow, my mom is so sick it's terrible, she isn't feeling well at all," She said with an exhausted sigh. Ty-Lee frowned. "I'm sorry, hope she gets better soon," Meumi nodded. "Me too," She agreed. "Oh! I almost forgot! I got my own pet pigeon-dog!" She said excitedly. "Really?" Ty-Lee asked. Meumi nodded. "He's tied up outside wanna see?" She asked. Ty-Lee nodded vigorously. Meumi then led her outside to where a baby pigeon-dog lie down asleep by the wall. He lifted an ear and hopped up panting and tail wagging. "Aw," Ty-Lee murmured. "Isn't he adorable?" Meumi said happily. Ty-Lee smiled and pet the puppy. He looks like a plain dog but had wings like a bird. She sat down by the animal and stroked his head. He ruffled his wings and then crawled on her lap. Meumi sat next to Ty-Lee and thought hard before asking, "So, have you seen Shang lately?" Meumi knew all about what had happened, Ty-Lee came to her crying one night because she didn't know what to do. Ty-Lee jerked her head in her direction then looked away. She sighed. "No," She mumbled. "And how's Haru been?" Meumi persisted. "Fine, he's great," Ty-Lee answered. Meumi watched her friend carefully to see her reaction. "And you still love him?" There was a quick flash of doubt in her eyes but it was immediately replaced by one of confidence. "Yes," She said. But Meumi could tell she wasn't quite sure she didn't still have feelings for Shang. "Ty-Lee, you can't keep doing this to yourself, or them, you need to decide which one you love more, then tell the other," She said trying to be helpful. "But-its not that simple," Ty-Lee said. "I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, I don't want either one of them to hate me," She said sadly. Meumi sighed. "The longer you wait, the more you hurt Shang," She said. Ty-Lee knew she was right. But truth is, she didn't know which one she loved, they where both so amazing. She just couldn't decide. It was one or the other, she couldn't do both. She sighed in frustration. "Ty-Lee, you not only need to choose the one that you love, but you need to choose the one who loves you, the one who will never leave your side, the one that will protect you and keep you, never let you go," Meumi was right. She wondered if Haru really loved her, or if he just didn't want to hurt her. Or the same with Shang. "Ok," She said and stood up. "I gotta go now," Meumi stood up and hugged her best friend. "I'm always here of you need to talk." She said. Ty-Lee nodded. "Bye," She said and walked away. As she headed to town to eat at a restaurant she ran into Haru. He laughed. "I was just coming to see you," He said. Ty-Lee smiled. "Hi," She said cheerfully. Haru frowned however. "What?" She asked. "I have to make a trip to Republic City for awhile," He said. Ty-Lee nodded. "At least this time you told me you're leaving," She said teasingly. Haru rolled his eyes. "Yea," He mumbled a hint of frustration to his tone. "I guess I'll see ya then," He said a little sad. Ty-Lee gulped. "Ok," She said. Haru was just walking away when she remembered something. "Wait," She called. Haru turned around and she ran over. She leaned up and kissed him. He didn't really kiss back, he just sat there and let her press her lips against his. When they parted she said, "I'll miss you," Haru took her hands off his shoulders. "Yea, see ya," He said as if it didn't mean anything that he was leaving. Ty-Lee frowned. Instead of going to town, she went home.

Rayseal quickly put away her mothers necklace and dried her tears as she heard Shang come in. He stopped short upon seeing his sisters eyes red from her tears. "Get anything to eat?" She asked as if nothing was wrong. Shang nodded. "Yea, you ok?" He asked. Rayseal nodded and tried not to look at him directly. "No, you've been crying," He accused her. Her head slumped to her shoulders. "I'm fine," She mumbled a crack in her voice. Shang looked behind her and saw the box with their mothers necklace half under the sofa. "Ah, Rayseal," He said understanding now. "What?" She asked. "Mothers necklace?" He said pointedly. A tear escaped Rayseal's eye. "I-I was just looking," She said innocently. Shang took her in his arms as she started crying again. "I need a mother," She said. "This is just too hard, you take good care of me, don't take this the wrong way but-"

"But you need a woman," Shang finished for her. She nodded in his chest. "Why? Why did she have to die?" Rayseal asked. She didn't know what happened. She wasn't there, but Shang was. He knew. "What happened?" She asked voicing her thoughts. Shang took a deep breath before answering. "Ok, it's time you knew," He said. Rayseal rubbed her eyes as he led her to the couch. They sat down and it took him a moment of thought before he told her what happened. "As you know, you were at aunt Sharra's house, I was with dad, we'd just finished a hunting trip, and," He drew in a sharp breath at the memory. "We came home, mom just got back from helping uncle Torren and aunt Feila with the birth of our cousin, we were all gonna go get you, but on the way-" He paused living in the memory of what happened. He shuddered. "What next?" Rayseal asked. Shang looked at her innocent pale face, he gazed in her blue eyes, so much like mom. "It was cold, dad gave mom his coat to keep warm, I ran a little ways ahead, but then a man came, he wore a mask, a creepy mask, I hid behind dad, as you know mom and dad weren't benders, but this guy was, he was a fire bender.-" Rayseal held her brothers hand. "And-?" She prompted. Shang took a deep breath. "And, he took 'em out right there in front of me, both of them," A tear trickled down his cheek. Rayseal let out a faint squeak. "I-I'm sorry you were there," she said. "How old were you again?" She asked. "Nine," He said shakily. Rayseal nodded. "I wish-I wish she was still here." She said with a sob. Shang took his little sister in his arms and held her close. "At least I've still got you," He said. Rayseal nodded and said,"Yes, and I've got you,"

Ty-Lee stood out behind her house thinking. Haru was leaving her, and he didn't seem to care. He'd come back though, he said he would. Earlier she watched as he left on the ship to Republic City. She sighed. She wiped her cheek as she felt a rain drop land on it. She looked up and as she did the rain poured on her in torrents. She hopped up and ran to the door. It was locked. She fumbled around but couldn't find her key. Then she remembered she'd left it inside. She moaned. She had no idea when any of the other girls would get back. She sat down in front of the door and waited.

"Ty-Lee?" She jerked her head up. She saw Meumi walking towards her. It was still raining. As Ty-Lee looked up she realized how cold she was. And wet. "What're you doing out here in the rain?" Meumi asked. "I-I forgot my key inside, so I waited." She said with a shiver. Meumi helped her to stand up, and quickly unlocked the door. Once inside Ty-Lee grabbed the blanket off the couch that was by the door and cuddled up in it. She sneezed. "Bless you," Meumi said impulsively. "Hope you didn't catch a cold," She said. Ty-Lee nodded with a shiver. "Uh huh," She said. Ty-Lee ran upstairs to her room. She just hopped in bed, she didn't bother to change her clothes, she was too cold. She wrapped herself in all the blankets and soon fell asleep.

Shang sat up and rubbed his eyes. He thought he'd heard a knock at the door, but all was quiet. He must've been dreaming. Then there was a knock. Not a dream, he thought. He got up and put on a robe as he walked down the hall toward the door. He opened it. There stood a girl, she looked worried. Then Shang recognized her. "Meumi, right?" He said tiredness ringing clearly in his tone. Meumi nodded. "Um, Haru went to Republic City for awhile, and I didn't know who else to go to," Shang was confused. Why was she telling him where Haru was? And what did she mean 'I had no one else to go to'? "What are you talking about?" He asked. "It's Ty-Lee, she's sick, badly sick, she looks terrible and she's coughing." Shang was immediately alarmed. "I'll get dressed." He said. He would've just gone as he was, but since he had no shirt and was in his undergarments he figured it wouldn't be appropriate. After getting dressed he told Rayseal where he was going, then Meumi led him to their house.

Ty-Lee lay on the bed. Meumi wasn't joking, she did look terrible, she was pale and cuddled up on her side. She shivered constantly despite the fact that she was covered in several blankets. Shang walked over and put a hand to her forehead. She was burning up. "Earlier tonight, it was around eight pm, she stayed out in the pouring rain because she forgot her key." Meumi said worry spread across her face. Shang nodded. "Can you get me a bowl of cool water and a rag?" He asked. Meumi nodded and left the room. Ty-Lee stirred. Her eyes fluttered open. "Sh-Shang?" She said confused. He did his best to give her a reassuring smile. "I'm here," He whispered softly brushing a strand if loose hair out of her face. Ty-Lee pushed herself up but was immediately consumed by a coughing fit. Shang put his hand to her lower back and laid her back down. "You need to rest," He said gently. Ty-Lee nodded and closed her eyes. Shang stroked her hair gently as she drifted off to sleep. She had to be ok, she would, he promised himself.

As Ty-Lee closed her eyes she felt Shang's fingers run gently through her hair. It felt nice. She slowly started to fall asleep.

Meumi came back with the bowl and rag. She set them on the nightstand by Ty-Lee's bed. Shang smiled his thanks and she left. Then he took the rag, dipped it in the water and rung it out. He smoothly wiped Ty-Lee's forehead. She was really burning up. Shang was worried, he'd never felt a sick person this hot before. Yet she was shivering like she was surrounded by ice. He sighed. As soon as the rain let up he'd have to take her to a healer.

But even as the hours dragged by, the rain didn't stop. Shang sat in a chair beside Ty-Lee and watched her carefully. If she woke up he'd gently sooth her back to sleep. If she began coughing uncontrollably he'd help her sit up and gently pat her back to help her get it out. "I'm so cold," He heard Ty-Lee mumble. Shang was immediately kneeling by her side. "I know," He whispered. "But you're burning up," Ty-Lee's eyes were still closed, but she nodded. "More blankets?" She pleaded. As much as Shang wanted to give her whatever she wanted, he had to give her what she needed. "I'm so sorry Ty-Lee, but I can't give you any more blankets, I have to keep you cool," He tried to explain. But her fever made it so she could barely understand what he was saying. All she knew was that he wouldn't let her have blankets. A tear rolled off her cheek. "But-I'm cold?" She said misunderstanding. Shang wiped the tear off her face. He gave her a reassuring smile. "It's gonna be ok, I'm right here, I won't ever leave you," He said. At this Ty-Lee's eyes widened. He said he'd never leave her. He said never. The fever also kept her from thinking clearly, she vaguely thought about Haru leaving her. And Shang never left. Haru was always leaving, but Shang never had. Ty-Lee tried to sit up but she couldn't. She wasn't strong enough to carry even her own weight. Shang laid a hand on her shoulder. "No, stay down," He said quietly. Ty-Lee wanted to sit up though. "Please," She said. Shang shook his head. Ty-Lee finally gave up and lied back down.

Two hours passed but to Shang they seemed like an eternity. Finally the rain stopped. Shang stood up and walked out of the room to find Meumi. She was sitting at the counter with a bowl of soup in front of her. But she wasn't eating, just staring at a spot on the wall. "Hey, the rains let up, I'm gonna take Ty-Lee to a healer." Shang informed her. Meumi faced him and nodded. "Ok, be careful," She said. Shang nodded. Before he walked off he had to ask her one more thing. "Hey, are you ok?" He said worriedly. "Yea," She gave a sigh. "No, I feel like this is my fault, my mom was sick and I brought it to her," She said angry with herself. Shang shook his head. "It's not your fault, you said yourself she sat out in the pouring rain waiting for you, none of us coulda known she'd get sick," He assured her. Meumi gave him a weak smile. "I guess," She said. Then they heard a loud crackled scream followed by fits of coughing. Shang and Meumi ran to Ty-Lee's room. Ty-Lee sat up on the bed coughing harshly. Shang was at her side immediately. He sat beside her on the bed and put an arm around the frightened girl. "Hey, it's ok, I'm right here, don't worry," He whispered. Meumi stepped out of the room leaving the two of them alone. Ty-Lee shook her head. "No, you said you wouldn't leave me!" She said frantically. Shang furrowed his brow. "What?" Ty-Lee looked up at him, tears stained her pretty face. "You said you wouldn't leave me, so where were you?" She asked. Shang now understood. "I just had to tell Meumi something, I never left the building, I was here, don't be afraid I'm still here and I won't leave." He said with a tone that made Ty-Lee truly believe he wasn't going to leave her. They sat a moment, Ty-Lee resting her head on Shang's chest while Shang rocked slowly back and forth making soothing noises to calm her. Ty-Lee slumped on his chest. Shang looked down at her. She'd fallen asleep. He gently laid her down and quietly stepped out. He came back with a bowl of warm soup. He gently woke Ty-Lee and tried to make her eat. "I'm not hungry," She protested weakly. Shang sighed. "But you have to eat, if you don't you'll starve and won't get better," He argued. Ty-Lee very weakly shook her head. "No, not hungry," She said. Her eyes drooped and she could barely keep them open. Shang felt so terrible for her. If he could take this away for her he'd do it in a heartbeat. But he couldn't and that made him feel worse. "Please Ty-Lee, I need you to eat, for me," He said. His voice rang of desperation. Ty-Lee sighed and finally gave in. "Alright, I'll eat." Shang lit up. He sat on the edge of her bed and began feeding her. "I can feed myself," She said independently. Shang frowned. "You're barely strong enough to hold her eyes open, please, just let me do this," He said. Ty-Lee nodded obediently.

After she ate, Shang wrapped a blanket around her tightly and then lifted her from the bed. She was surprised at how gentle he was and how caring. He was so sweet. She closed her eyes and relaxed. She felt safe in his arms. He took her outside where Meumi waited with an ostrich-horse. He mounted the animal with Ty-Lee sitting in front of him, and then rode to the healers house. The healers name was Frondea. Shang kicked at the door until she opened it. "Ye-oh! Come right in!" She said holding the door open as Shang carried in a sick girl. "Th-there, on the couch," She instructed. Shang lay her down on the couch and her eyes flickered open. "Shang-don't go!" She said hoarsely. Shang knelt down and held her hand. "I won't," He said with a small smile. "Hmm, when did she first become sick?" Frondea asked feeling her throat. Shang thought a moment. "Well, early this morning around 3 am, her friend came to me and asked for help, said Ty-Lee was sick, when I got there she explained to me that earlier at 8 pm she'd stayed out in the rain because she left her key in the house, I don't know how long she'd been out there, but her friend got back at 8 so I'm assuming she was out there for a long time." He said. Frondea nodded. "I'll get some medicine be right back," She said and left the room. After giving Ty-Lee some medicine, the doctor said they'd have to wait and see how she felt in the morning. Shang glanced at the clock. It was four thirty in the morning. The doctor told him to get some sleep so he lied down on the couch right next to Ty-Lee's. he got a blanket and pillow and was just gonna crawl in bed when he heard Ty-Lee mumble something. "What?" Shang whispered to her. "Cold," She repeated. Shang took the blanket he was gonna use and placed it on top of Ty-Lee. He bent over and kissed her forehead, then climbed onto his couch and slept.

Late the next morning Shang woke up with a start. He heard someone moving around in the kitchen. He looked over to see that Ty-Lee was gone. He jumped up and hurried to the kitchen. There she was eating a bowl of soup. "The doctor left, and she said I could eat this, we didn't want to wake you," She said innocently. Shang walked over and stood close to her. He put a hand to her forehead. She felt normal. "How are you feeling?" He asked just to make sure. "Fine," She answered. Shang nodded. "That's good." He said with a half smile. Ty-Lee smiled back. "So," Shang cleared his throat."Your friend told me Haru was out of town," He said and watched her reaction. She swallowed her food and then answered. "Yea, he is," Shang nodded. "So, when will he be back?" He asked. Ty-Lee shrugged. "I don't know, why do you want to know anyways?" She asked accusingly. Shang blinked in surprise. "I-well, just wondering, he wasn't here to help you when you were sick, so I was wondering when he'd be here to be with you," He said then walked off to get himself a bowl of soup. "Well, he'll be here whenever he can, I know he has a business to look after and he has to be away sometimes, but he'll be back," Shang shook his head slowly in disapproval. "Did he ever tell you why he ran away that first time?" He asked. Ty-Lee gasped. Her mind suddenly went blank. She didn't know what to say. "I-well he-yes, and that's none of your business," She said a little upset. Shang turned to her with a half smile that made Ty-Lee's insides melt. "Just as long as you know why, and he's not keeping it from you," He said. He winked at her. She blushed and turned away so he wouldn't see. Shang chuckled and got a spoon so he could eat. Ty-Lee smiled to herself. He was so fun to be with. "So, how's Rayseal?" She asked looking for conversation. Shang sighed as he remembered telling her about their parents. "She's-needs a mother, I came home last night to find her crying because she missed mom-so I had to tell her what happened to them." Ty-Lee spit out her soup. "What? Were you there?" She asked. Shang nodded sadly. "He made me watch as he-killed them," The last part came out as a hushed whisper. He had a terrible hurt look on his face that made Ty-Lee ache with guilt. She'd run away from her parents, but he lost his. She moved closer. Shang stood with his head slumped towards the ground staring aimlessly at the floor. He gulped remembering vividly what had taken place. Ty-Lee had to do something to make him feel better. She lifted his head to look at her. The look in his eyes was one of years of pain, carrying with him all the weight of knowing what happened and seeing it. Having to raise his sister alone, just him, having the guilt of not being able to give her a mother. She had to help him, he seemed so sad, and it killed her to see him hurting like this. She stepped closer pressing her body against his. She cupped his face in her hands and leaned up pressing a soft, vibrant kiss on his lips. He closed his eyes taking in the moment. He'd dreamed of this for far too long. He couldn't live without Ty-Lee. He wrapped his arms around her thin waist and pulled her closer. Ty-Lee knew this was wrong but she had no intention of pulling away. She felt warm and safe in his arms. She felt like he could protect her from the greatest evil, and for a moment, just a moment, she never wanted him to let go. She never wanted to lose him. But as she remembered Haru, the thought faded to the back of her mind. She was his girlfriend, She supposedly loved him. Maybe when he got back she'd give him one final chance, she'd find out just how much he loved her, and how much she loved him, then she'd make her decision. She would've kissed Shang longer but she was out of breath. She had to pull back. As she did Shang took on a look of peace and satisfaction. "Why did you do that?" He asked curiously. "Because, for a moment I thought I might love you," As she said this Shang grinned. "And what about, your boyfriend?" He asked the smile fading from his lips. Ty-Lee shrugged. "I'm not sure what my feelings for him are anymore," She said truthfully. Shang nodded solemnly. "I'm sorry Ty-Lee but, if you love him I don't wanna get in the way," He said feeling like a burden. Ty-Lee nodded understandingly. She would've stopped him there, she would've argued that he wasn't getting in the way and that she might not love him, but she remained silent. That would only create problems, she told herself. Then the doctor walked in. She checked Ty-Lee's temperature and examined her before letting her go. Shang told her he was walking her home. She couldn't talk him out of it so she let him tag along. Just as they reached her house, Haru came running up to her. He picked her up and kissed her. Shang just stood there awkwardly behind Ty-Lee. "Meumi told me about you getting sick, are you ok?" Haru asked. Ty-Lee nodded. "Yea, I'm fine, glad you're back," She said cheerfully. Neither of them noticed Shang slip away silently. "This is my friend, Shang," Ty-Lee turned around but he was gone. "Is he-imaginary?" Haru said with a laugh. Ty-Lee crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at him. "No! He left I guess," She said. Haru put his arm around her. "So, is he like your new boyfriend," Haru said teasingly. He playfully poked her in the ribs before she answered. "No!" She said with a grin. Haru chuckled and led her to her house. He was so bipolar, one day he'd be a sweet kind guy, and the next day he was distant and grumpy. Once inside all the girls piled Ty-Lee with questions. "Are you feeling ok?" "How did you get sick?" "Where did you go?" Ty-Lee felt overwhelmed and backed away. Haru pulled her back. "Hey ladies, one at a time" He said with a chuckle. "Where did you go?" Shakira repeated her question. "Shang took me to a healer," She explained. She answered the other girls questions willingly.

Two months passed and it soon became winter time again. Ty-Lee sat by the fireplace to keep warm one night. Haru sat with her. "Ty-Lee?" His voice broke the sweet silence between them. "Yes?" Ty-Lee said. "I wanted to ask you something," He still wasn't quite sure how to ask this but he knew she'd say yes. She was his girlfriend after all. "What is it?" She pushed. "Well, the annual Winter Solstice is coming up and you know how they have a celebration every first day of December so I was wondering if you'd go to the celebration thing with me," He said a bit unsure of himself. Ty-Lee gave him a small smile. "Of course," She whispered and leaned up to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. Haru blushed slightly and shifted to look fully at her beautiful face. He pulled her up and kissed her softly.

The next night was the Winter Solstice, everyone on Kyoshi came to celebrate the annual first day of December party. Ty-Lee wore a nice dress that was red and white, she bundled up in her warm coat and just finished her hair when Haru arrived to take her to the city center. She had to admit he looked very handsome in his fancy clothes. She blushed as he extended his arm to her and she took it with a smile. "You look great!" She finally spoke her thoughts on the way into town. Haru gave her a small smile. "You look-nice too," It almost sounded like he was forcing himself to say this. Almost, Ty-Lee reminded herself.

As they arrived Meumi,Leiuna, and Shakira came to greet them. "This is so exciting!" Lieuna announced. Ty-Lee smiled at Meumi's thirteen year old sister. "Of course it is," She encouraged her. Leiuna gazed at her from head to toe. "I love your dress!" She said happily. Ty-Lee smiled fondly at the compliment. "Thank you, I like your dress as well," She returned. Leiuna wore an elegant light green and white dress, with a blue flower in her hair that didn't really match the outfit but looked nice anyway. Haru led her over to the desk where a woman handed them their seat number. Each row of chairs had a color and a number. Their seats were row orange seats three and four. They looked but couldn't find row orange. Then a little girl ran up to them and hugged Ty-Lee. It was Rayseal. "Hi! I'm glad you came!" She exclaimed with a joyful expression in her sparkling eyes. Ty-Lee smiled back with the same look in her brown eyes. "Yes, me too," She replied. Rayseal pointed over to a row of seats where her brother stood by their chairs. "Shang and I are over there, if you wanted to say hi," Ty-Lee nodded although she figured she'd better not. Rayseal gave her one last smile and then left. Ty-Lee watched as she tapped her brothers shoulder and pointed in her direction. Shang followed her finger and upon seeing Ty-Lee he smiled big and gave her a half wave. She waved back. Haru noticed that as they moved Shang followed them with his eyes. He noticed the look of complete and utter love in his eyes as he studied Ty-Lee's every move. He was desperately and hopelessly in love with her. This made Haru a bit angry. He reached for Ty-Lee's elbow and pulled her close so he could whisper in her ear. "What's with that guy?" He demanded harshly. Ty-Lee's confusion only added to Haru's rising anger. "What guy?" She said innocently. Haru let out a sigh of frustration before gesturing in Shang's general direction and saying, "That guy," Ty-Lee's heart raced. What was he talking about? What's Shang doing to upset him?

"I have no idea what you mean by that," Haru scoffed. "Why is he looking at you like that? Are you 'friends' with him?" He persisted. Ty-Lee rolled her eyes. He was so-so- she couldn't think of the words to describe it. "Yes I'm friends with him and I have no idea what you're talking about when you say 'why is he looking at me like that'" she told him. This made him more angry. Why didn't she understand what he meant? Why were women so difficult? "Here's our seats," She said breaking the lingering stillness between the couple. Haru sat down reluctantly as the short theatrical play began. It was a musical. No talking, but it was still nice.

Later on, was the drawing for prizes. The seat row and number they received earlier were being drawn from a basket and you'd win a prize. There were all different kinds of things you could win. A nice vase, a vacation pass to Republic City, things of that nature. Haru kept looking over to Shang's seat and noticed that he kept looking this way to watch Ty-Lee. Haru didn't like that one bit. Up next was the drawing for a sleigh ride. "And the winner for this lovely sleigh ride through the snow goes to-" The announcer, Shakira's boyfriend Tuscan, said with pleasure. "Row orange, seat-uh what number is that? I can't read the handwriting," He said a little embarrassed. Shakira walked over and looked closely. You could barely catch her mumble an answer and Tuscan nodded kissing her cheek in thanks. "Row orange seat three," He said at last. That was Ty-Lee's seat. She gasped. "Whoa, um-" She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do at this point. "Would the person sitting in row orange seat three please come up here?" He prompted. Ty-Lee reluctantly stood and walked to the platform on which he stood. Haru watched Shang carefully. He took a sharp breath and ex hailed slowly as she walked downward. Haru became enraged. He wanted to go over there and punch him in the gut. But now Tuscan was announcing Ty-Lee's partner for the ride. "And her partner, lets see what the note says..." He trailed off for effect. He carefully opened the folded sheet. Haru leaned forward with bated breath hoping it wouldn't be Shang who was called. He was sitting in row green, seat-as far as Haru could tell it was seat nine. Tuscan cleared his throat and proceeded to read the writing on the small piece of white paper. "Row-orange-" He stumbled through. Haru let out the breath he'd been holding. It was someone in his row at least it wasn't Shang. "Row orange seat eight," He said and looked up in hopes of seeing the person walk down the stairs, but instead no one came. "Um, who's row orange seat eight?" He asked again. Shakira hurried over and whispered something in his ear. "Oh, ok," He said. "Ok so there isn't anyone sitting in seat eight we'll have to draw again." He said with a grin. This time he quickly pulled out the note and read it. "Ooh another row orange, ah and the seat right next to miss Ty-Lee, that is seat four," He said happily. Haru grinned broadly and walked up. "Ah, wonderful, it is ladies and gentlemen, Haru who will accompany miss Ty-Lee on her joyous sleigh ride." He whispered to them to have fun then ran off to bring out the next item for the drawing. Haru looked at Shang once again to see his reaction before leading Ty-Lee outside. He sat slumped in his chair saddened. When he noticed Haru was watching he sat up and smiled as if he was happy for them. Haru smirked and took his girlfriend outside. "Are you ok?" Ty-Lee asked him once they'd gone a little ways in the wagon being led by an ostrich-horse. "I'm fine," He lied. "Just sit back and enjoy the ride." He said sternly. Ty-Lee couldn't figure what was eating him. He was so grumpy. "That's just it, this is supposed to be enjoyable, but you're not enjoying it," She said at last taking a stand against his anger. Although after what he said next she figured she probably shouldn't have. "Why do you have to know everything Ty-Lee?!" He raised his voice. The driver looked back then quickly turned away. This was none of his business. "Why are you always trying to fix my problems?" Haru demanded still. Ty-Lee's heart was pounding in her ear. He was so loud and-maybe she should've dropped it when she had the chance. Now she'd really done it. "I-I was only trying to help-" She whimpered. Haru huffed his sudden irritation. "Maybe it's not that big a deal, maybe I don't want your help, maybe I don't need your help," Ty-Lee gasped. He was being extremely rude and she just wanted him to be happy. Why was he so upset? She had no idea. "Haru I-just wanted you to be happy," She voiced her very thoughts. "I thought if you talked about it, you'd feel better somehow-" Haru cut her off here. "Yea well, not everyone is a perky cheery dumb girl like you, ok, nobody else likes to just 'talk' about their 'feelings' ok, just leave me alone!" At this Ty-Lee couldn't suppress the tears that caught up in her eyes. Haru was red with anger and she could see his hot breath in the wind as he sat there silently beside her. He thought she was dumb? How could he? This was too much for her. She couldn't take that. She never cared what people thought about her. And besides she always thought people liked her cheerful attitude. Yet Haru thought she was a perky cheery dumb girly. Why? She was gonna say something but the lump in her throat prevented her from speaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks but Haru didn't seem to notice. Suddenly, with a sweep of his arm, the carriage came to halt. Then Ty-Lee realized he'd bended the earth to stop it. Haru jumped out and stormed off. The driver sat up straitening his hat and his posture. It slowly began to snow as he drove onward. "Can you take me home please?" She asked with a slight sob. "Of course miss," The man replied with sympathy in his voice. He felt bad for Ty-Lee and also a bit guilty for not stepping in and telling that boy what for. None the less he took her home without a word otherwise. She sobbed silently as they rode home. When they arrived the driver hopped down and helped Ty-Lee out. "Goodnight miss," He said solemnly. Ty-Lee wiped away her tears and gave him the best smile she could muster. "Thanks," She half whispered. She walked to the door but hesitated to open it. Inside she could hear everyone laughing and having a great time. She couldn't go in tear streaked and sad. She'd ruin the fun times. And she didn't want them to hate her on top of thinking she's dumb. She took a deep breath and wiped her face dry. But it wasn't enough to keep them from guessing she's upset. She decided to go around to the back. She could at least avoid most of the party. Needless to say she made it inside and up the stairs without being detected. She cried herself to sleep that night how could Haru, her boyfriend, think she was-of all things, dumb? She sighed with a sob and closed her eyes. Now she knew for sure which one her heart belonged to.