Chapter Four! Sorry about update times guys, but I'm back in school now and I have a very crazy life.

Thanks to reviewers:

LadyWillowtree

Willow-Ginerva-Alice

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar. I do own Pyra though, and any other OC characters.

Edit: Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. My computer uploaded chapter 3 again instead of this one and I didn't realize. So here's your long overdue update!

Chapter Four

On My Own Now

Pyra's POV

For the what was probably the first time in my life, I felt completely alone. I pulled my cloak closer around me, slightly scared. I'd said goodbye to Zuko and Uncle Iroh. I'd stayed at the appointed meeting place for two weeks, after that, it was agreed that I would go to the Earth Kingdom Capitol of Ba Sing Se.

My whole life, I'd had someone to talk to, even if they would rather not have heard what I told them in the first place. Sometimes I can be a bit… brash. I found it hard to not inform people of things like bad hairs days and such.

I was going down the coast of the Earth Kingdom until I could find a traveling partner. If I journeyed into the Earth Kingdom without direction, I would probably end up somewhere I shouldn't.

I was nearing a town now, when I realized that I was nearing the town where I'd run into the guard after curfew. Obviously, it was a Fire Nation occupied town.

Half an hour later, I found myself looking hungrily at food. I hadn't had anything to eat all day. I was trying to save my money. A new shirt would have to wait. But, that meat pie looking really good.

"You gonna stand there all day girl?" The merchant said looking at me with disapproval.

I looked up. "How much for the pie?" I asked. I reached into my pocket and felt the fifteen bronze pieces I had.

The guy studied me for a minute. "Three bronze pieces."

I blanched. That was way to steep. If I spent that much, I would have to go a whole day without food, maybe two.

It was then that I heard the voice behind me. "It's on me."

A hand reached out and dropped the bronze pieces into the merchant's greedy hand.

I turned around slowly and found myself looking into two smiling brown eyes. It was then that I realized the eyes had glints of gold in them.

I took a step back and instantly recognized the guard from before. Dang. If he decided to expose me, I could be punished for the curfew thing.

He handed the meat pie to me. I reached out and took it gingerly, trying to be cautious.

"Would you come with me? I want to ask you a few things."

I thought for a minute. It would be wrong to run off with the food he'd paid for. I nodded and followed him into a nearby alley, where he sat on a crate and gestured for me to do the same. I sat.

I rubbed the dirt off my hands and onto the side of my dress. I broke the pie in two, careful not to let the filling fall to the ground. Carefully, I handed one half to him.

He reached out and pushed it away. I shook my head. "You paid for it," I muttered.

I studied him while he ate his share. He was still wearing the Fire Nation fire bender uniform, though he wasn't wearing mask, same as last time.

"So what are you doing here Pyra?"

I quickly glanced from side to side. There wasn't anyone paying attention to us. "Call me Kurohyou for now." I grinned inwardly at the meaning. Kurohyou meant Panther. I wanted to stay true to myself, even if I had to take a false name.

"Okay, Kurohyou, why are you here? Is it okay if I just call you Kuro?" I nodded.

"I'm traveling." I finished it with a glare, telling him not to push further.

To bad he couldn't take a hint. "Why?"

I glared icily at him. "Why do you have those weird gold tints in your eyes?" Actually, I kind of liked it.

"That is not of your concern."

"Why don't you have that clipped accent of all the soldiers?"

"Still not your business."

I think he got the message.

"My name is Takeo."

I nodded. The name meant warrior.

It seemed we'd run out of conversation. "Is there any way I can repay you for the food?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Like I said, it's on me."

I didn't like accepting charity. "But surely there's something I could do?"

He studied me for a minute. "The other soldiers here are bullies," he finally said. "If you're as insolent as you act, do you think you could steal some things back?"

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I probably could. That's what I told him.

"I don't like it when the others steal from the weak. There's a knife they stole from one of the local kids. They took it off him, saying he could turn into a threat. That kid was no more than five. He said it was his father's. If you could steal that back, I'll consider your debt repaid."

I watched him wide-eyed. "I'll do it."

"It's in the filing room; they put the stolen items there. It's in a concealed spot, though I haven't figured out where it is yet." I nodded, paying attention to the words.

It was then that we stood up to go our separate ways. I walked deeper into the alley, going toward the other street, he went the other way.

Late That Night

Time: Unspecified

I pulled the hood over my cloak closer. There was a small window in the back of the filing room with bars. I had my swords strapped over my back, in case I needed to use them. I'd smeared my face with dirt, till it was very dark brown. The cloak was hooded.

Problem: The window was at least ten feet off the ground.

Answer: Try to climb the wall.

PA (Pyra's Answer): Go get a couple crates.

A few minutes later I was standing on top of the crates, looking into the room. It was devoid of people, save for the one guard on the other side of the door. Now all I had to do was figure out how to get into the room. I tried the bar, it was iron and I wouldn't be able to break it no matter how hard I tried. I wasn't that strong. I wouldn't be able to break them with my swords either.

PA: Dress up Fire Nation style and sneak into the room past the guard, through the Fire Nation soldier barracks.

So that's what I did. First, I stole over to the showers, lucky for me, a soldier was taking a shower. I took the clothes and put them on. The sleeves were about six inches too long and the leggings were too long. But they would work.

I pulled the mask over my face.

Five minutes later, I found myself outside the room facing the guard.

"Is there something I can do for you?" He asked, annoyed.

I didn't say anything. Just took out my swords and stepped toward him. Fire spouted out of his fingertips. Before he could do anything, I kneed him in the stomach and the back of the head. He would be out for a few minutes.

I entered the room and started looking around. One wall was empty of the filing cabinets. I looked over there first.

Since lighting was really bad, I felt along the wall. It wasn't long before I hit a pressure point or something and a panel slid away. Behind it was a small room. The ceiling was three feet high, so I had to slide in on my belly.

Next Day

I met the soldier a.k.a. Takeo in the same alley. I handed him the knife. In short, it was beautiful. The hilt had a large gemstone in it and the blade gleamed.

I turned to walk away when I heard him step up behind me.

He pinned my arms to my sides from behind, standing really close.

"I'm half Earth Kingdom," he whispered in my ear.

Wow that took a while write. Anyway, hope you guys like Takeo. I want two more reviews.