(A/N: Wow, I would like to thank BookKailei for reviewing every chapter! It always brightens my day along with every other review I receive. But here ya go, next chapter)

CHAPTER SIX: Bison Saving Makes for a Hard Day's Work

"You're harmonies are always dead on Rei."

Looking down at the board I laughed. My flowers were all arranged in a way that complimented each, maybe for once I'd actually beat a master at it. Then again, if my Grandfather had played it most of his life, I guess I wouldn't be a master until I was old and wise like him, and that was a time I had no desire to think of.

"He's changed because of you, you know," Iroh stated and my hand stuttered as I placed the dragon flower chip on the board.

"I didn't change him Mushi, I just helped him let loose, that all," I stated watching his moves closely.

Zuko had changed, sure, on the outside he was much less angry, but deep down, he still had problems that he needed to face. To him, finding the Avatar was the solution to that problem, and at this point in time, there was no way he would believe me if I told him the truth.

"Well, nonetheless, this Happy Lee is quite refreshing." He placed his last piece down as we tallied the points. "I only won, with two points Rei, that was a very close match indeed!"

"Close, but you're still far better than me Mushi."

I smiled at him. He was almost like a fill-in Grandfather, since mine was so far away. It was nice to get advice from someone as wise as Iroh.

"I'm glad you guys are having fun playing that crazy old person's game, but we have company!"

Zuko's voice rang loud and clear across the tea shop as the customers began flooding in. I figured Zuko probably heard us from across the room, because the way he snapped sure made the nice Zuko we had just finished talking about disappear. I let Iroh know that I would help him brew the tea since he hadn't really gotten a chance to talk with his fans. God knows I was the only one capable of brewing tea, since both Zuko and Pao were not blessed with any tea making skills whatsoever.

"One orange pekoe tea!"

I nodded and began brewing. I had to admit, making the tea was a lot calmer than serving it. Iroh took the pot of green tea around the tables, and wasn't gone long before I heard a gentleman speak to him.

"So you're the genius behind this incredible brew!"

I looked at Zuko who was just as confused as I was apparently.

"The whole city is buzzing about you," he continued. He was obviously a person from the upper ring judging by the two guards that were standing near him. "I hope Pao pays you well."

I crossed my arms and stood by watching. This guy was after something, and judging from the super sparkly, likely expensive ring on his finger, he could pay just about anything to get it.

"Good tea is its own reward," Iroh replied and I covered my mouth to hold in a laugh. Not the best time to turn humble Iroh.

"But it doesn't have to be the only reward, how would you like to have your own teashop?"

Okay this guy knew exactly how to bargain.

"My own teashop?" Iroh replied. Yup, he fell hook, line and sinker. "This is a dream come true!"

And as if cued by some unknown force, Pao made his way from the back room. I walked towards Zuko and raised an eyebrow at him. He shrugged and we continued to watch the display.

"What's going on here!" Pao demanded stepping in-between Iroh and the Upper Ring Member. "Are you trying to poach my tea-maker!"

Wow, when Pao's money was about to walk out the door, he sure jumped in to the conversation quickly.

"Sorry Pao, but that's business for you, am I right?"

I nudged Zuko's arm as he looked at me.

"I think your Uncle's already made up his mind."

Zuko gave me a crooked smile and nodded.

"Mushi, if you stay...I'll make you senior assistant manager."

Really Pao? He was considered the manager anyways. You're fighting a losing battle.

"I'll provide you with a new apartment in the upper ring,"

This guy really drove a hard bargain.

"The tea shop is yours to do whatever you want, complete creative freedom."

"I even get to name the shop?" Iroh asked his voice full of hope.

"Of course."

And people we have winner.

I felt Zuko walk away, and wondered what his problem was. They were about to get a place in the upper ring to live, I figured since he was royalty once that the idea of that would totally appeal to him. But judging by the way he was clearing tables, it irritated him more than anything,

"Uh, senior executive assistant manager?" Pao pleaded one last time.

I found it amusing as Iroh handed him the teapot, and the grin on his face grew tenfold. He bowed at them, and turned to Sparky, who was acting grumpy, as per usual.

"Did you hear nephew, this man wants to give us our own teashop in the upper ring of the city."

Jeez Zuko, I'd kill for the chance to be you right now.

"That's right young man, your life is about to change for the better."

"I'll try to contain my joy," he muttered walking out the back door.

We should rename that as Zuko's escape door. I thought.

I walked back towards the teapots and began to brew more, when a sad thought ran through my mind. If Zuko and Iroh left for the upper ring, that would mean that the teashop would go back to being a simple place to socialize because the tea would be crappy again, and I would be short two friends. For some reason, it really hurt to think of them leaving without me, but I guess it was inevitable from the start, considering his quest for the Avatar, and mine, were on completely opposite sides of the scale.

"Congratulations," I told Iroh as he came to collect two more cups of tea from me. "I hear the upper ring is gorgeous. I'm sure you and Lee will love it there."

"My nephew does not seem thrilled about the opportunity that man has bestowed on us," Iroh replied continuing to serve the members.

The customers slowed once again, and Iroh went in the back to begin packing his stuff. I decided to help him, since the shop was already clean, and I was in no mood to hear Pao complain about his life.

"What about the Silent Cup?" Iroh asked and I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

"It sounds like a bad fortune telling shop," I told him and he chuckled.

The door flew open to reveal, what looked to be Zuko, only he seemed to be extremely happy about something or other, perhaps the paper he was holding, helped brighten his mood.

"So Rei was helping me think of names for my new tea shop, how about the Jasmine Dragon, it's dramatic, poetic, has a nice ring to it."

I had to admit, that name definitely won over the Silent Cup. Zuko looked at me and I stood.

"I need to speak to Uncle alone."

I brushed myself off and rolled my eyes.

"Sure thing Sparky, but must you act like a rude jerk when you ask me something?"

Okay, so he still pissed me off on a regular basis, but I was certain that if he was nice all the time, I would probably hate him more. Being ignorant was a personality trait that made him who he was, even if I hated it most of the time.

"I'll just head back to my apartment, good night gentleman," I stated leaving our job site.

I had to admit I was upset. I didn't want Zuko and Iroh to leave, but I knew that destiny had already set things in motion and I would simply have to wait for them to pan out.

"Ugh," I muttered feeling that something was stuck to my shoe. "What in the hell?"

My eyes widened as I looked at the piece of paper.

Missing Bison

I read through the paper quickly noticing the picture of the owner in the bottom right corner. The arrows on the boy's body could have only belonged to a monk of the air temples.

This is the Avatar.

I walked as fast as I could to my apartment and changed into a pair of black pants and a black shirt, before situating myself on my futon.

The Dai Li were the only people with enough power to hide a giant bison. If they were hiding the bison, that meant that the Avatar was here in Ba Sing Se, which meant after seven months of waiting, my mother's words had come true! But that also meant that Zuko would more than likely be going after the Bison as well.

Think Ana, think back to all those conversations you heard going on in the tea shop. If the Dai Li were hiding the Bison of the Avatar, where would they put him?

I ran every conversation that I could remember through my head, but nothing stood out. Then finally I remembered two ex Dai Li members who mentioned Lake Laogai, and that it was a secret.

A lake seemed like a large enough place to hide a bison to me.

I heard familiar footsteps walk past my door, and figured that Zuko and Iroh had made it back to the apartment. I waited a few minutes before slipping out as silent as I could.

Lake Laogai was in the south, and I also figured that it wouldn't be too far from the lower ring, since many of the captured townsfolk were from the lower ring in the first place.

I wandered when finally, the large surface of water caught my eye, the moon was reflecting off the water, giving it an amazing glow. I slowly walked forward, not wanting to set off any traps that may or may not have been set up.

I placed both hands in the water as a welcomed shiver made its way through my body. It had been far too long since I had been around such an abundantly large amount of water. It made me feel at home.

I took a deep breath and began to move my arms fluidly around me as the water danced beneath my fingertips. I brought the water over top me forming an air pocket as I dove into the lake. I was not at all surprised to see an underwater fortress, obviously accessed through earth bending most of the time.

I used one hand to keep the water around me steady and used the other to bend the liquid to move me faster, and in no time at all, I had reached the inside of the Lake Laogai Dai Li headquarters.

The headquarters was made entirely out of stone and I knew it would be a while before I found the bison, since it seemed to be full of doors. So, I did the sensible thing, and started trying every single one.

I tried to be stealthy, but there were no guards anywhere near me. I fact it seemed far too quiet, but I had no time to waste on such ideas.

I had finally made it to the last room, and I quickly opened it, surprised as what I saw.

Of course it had to be the last room.

I closed the door behind me, knowing that I could get back out from the inside and looked at the poor animal before me.

His six legs were shackled to the ground, and he seemed so lonely. I had to get him back to his owner.

"Hey big guy," I stated moving very slowly towards him so that I didn't frighten him. "I'm not going to hurt you."

He snorted and backed further into the wall. I held my hands up and continued to advance.

"I'm here to set you free, to take you back to the Avatar."

At the mention of his air bending owner the bison seemed to calm down and I laughed rubbing his fur. He was very soft, and seemed to enjoy my ministrations as he licked me.

"Okay, Okay, how about I get you out of these chains?"

I looked at the metal bindings, which I could've broken easily with water bending, but considering my very limited resources, fire was my only option.

"Okay stay steady boy," I muttered heating the metal before kicking and breaking the chains.

The bison seemed nervous at the first sight of the orange flames, but after he realized I wouldn't hurt him, he certainly calmed down a lot.

"There you go, all finished," I told him petting him once more.

I was about to open the door, when two familiar voices stopped me.

"Shh," I whispered to the bison. "I won't let them hurt you, just stay calm okay."

He nudged me as if understanding and moved towards the back of his cell again, as I hid in the shadows, still very capable of hearing the conversation outside of the door.

"What do you plan to do now that you've found the Avatar's bison?" Iroh asked as the door to the cell flew open. I was still hidden behind it, but I hoped the bison was still calm. "Keep it locked in the room at our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?"

"First I have to get it out of here..."

"And then what?" Iroh yelled causing me to flinch. It was the first time I had ever heard him raise his voice at his nephew. "You never think these things through. This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the Northern Water Tribe. You had him then you had nowhere to go!"

I froze. So Zuko almost had the Avatar once before? Somehow his escape did not surprise me. Luckily neither Iroh nor Zuko had noticed the cut bindings on the bison's feet, and my luck continued with the bison remaining somewhat calm.

"I would've figured something out."

"No! If his friends hadn't found you, you would've frozen to death!

"I know my own destiny Uncle," Zuko protested ad I could see the bison growing anxious.

"Is it your own destiny? Or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?"

"Stop it Uncle, I have to do this!"

God that boy could be so stubborn, but I guess he needed someone else's opinion on the topic as well.

"No you don't," I replied stepping out of the darkness and making my way between the bison and the Prince.

His eyes grew wide at the sight of me, but Iroh continued the conversation.

"You need to look inward and ask yourself the big questions, who are you? And what do you want?"

Zuko growled throwing his hands up in the air.

"I'm sick of the two of you telling me how to live. I need to capture this bison."

Zuko took a step forward but I held out my hands.

"Sorry Sparky, but I can't let you do that. This Bison doesn't belong here as much as it doesn't belong with you. We must set it free so it can return to its owner."

"Get out of my way Rei," He stated.

"Not a chance Zuko. I know who you are, what you've been through. I know you're after the Avatar for your honour, and for some reason you think that taking his bison will lead you to him. This animal weighs two tons, and no matter how much venom of fire you spew at it, I would hate to wager a bet on who would win."

Zuko's glare could've burned holes through me, but he seemed to be swaying, which was what I was hoping for.

"Listen to us Zuko! I'm begging you."

He seemed to contemplate for a while as I continued to calm the bison. Finally he walked out the door without a word and Iroh bowed to me.

"Thank you."

"But I didn't-"

"Just thank you." He stated.

We hurried quickly through the tunnels before reaching an above water area.

We must not be the only ones here. Because this sure wasn't like this when I got here.

Zuko and Iroh stood on the edge of the lake, Zuko held his blue spirit mask with a lose grip as Iroh placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Leave it here," He told the prince and Zuko obliged, dropping the mask into the deep waters of the Lake.

I walked towards him and took his hand in mine.

"You did the right thing."

He didn't say anything, but he tightened the grip on my fingers to show he acknowledged.

We made it back to the apartments without being seen, and I reluctantly let go of Zuko's hand. He seemed to be staggering slightly and my eyes grew wide. "Zuko?"

"I don't feel right."

And with that Zuko passed out before our eyes.

(A/N: Okay so Ana has made it known that she know's who Zuko is. Crazy right? Wonder what's gonna happen now? Keep reviewing y'all!)