Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any of its characters.

Chapter 7

Li-Shoi

"Uncle, stop it now." Zuko groaned, "This is embarrassing!"

Uncle Iroh only grinned at the people passing by their small place on the street corner, "Oh come now nephew. This is the only way we'll be able to eat. Don't you agree, Koi?"

Koima looked up from her sewing and smiled faintly at Zuko, "He's right you know. Unless we want to eat out of the trash, this is the best way."

Zuko grumbled irately, "But we are royalty, these people should be giving us anything we want."

"And they will," Uncle winked at him, "If you ask nicely."

A young woman was passing by when Iroh called out to her, "Spare a coin for a weak old man?" he begged, looking as pitifully cheerful as he could. The woman smiled and tossed a copper that landed in the straw hat upturned to catch money, "Here you go."

"Your coin in appreciated but not as much as your smile." Iroh flattered the woman. She giggled and flashed him a grateful white grin.

"See." Uncle counted the coins in the hat, "We have enough to eat for a few days unless Koima wants to earn more with her singing?"

"Wish I could Uncle. But I would sound like a screamer bird. My throat still hurts from yesterday."

Well at least we had a decent meal for once. Zuko smiled inwardly. Koi's singing was a treat for everyone and had made Zuko cheerful for a few minutes while listening. They got the most gold and a lot of cheering.

Koima tied off a knot and bit it to break the string. She handed Zuko his shirt, "There. The rip is gone."

"Thanks." Zuko murmured.

Koima settled back against Kotori and sighed petting the bird's feathers, "How long have we been here?"

Zuko shook his head, "Too long." Koima was starting on the next ripped article of clothing when a man sauntered up to them. No good mirrored in his cocky gait.

The man pulled out a gold coin and showed it to Uncle, "You're going to have to work for this one old man." He grinned meanly.

Zuko was about to tell the man to shove off in a 'nice way.' But Iroh didn't seem angered, "Of course." And he launched into a song about the girls of Ba Sing Sei being to pretty. He finished and waited for the coin. The man withheld it, "Anyone can sing. Dance old man!" The man took out his two broadswords and begun slashing at Uncle's feet, making him dance to avoid injury. Koima looked up, pale faced, "Uncle!"

Uncle fell down, tired and the gold coin was tossed into the straw hat. Zuko wished he could kill the man, embarrassing them in front of the whole market. But what the man did next was even worse to further their embarrassment...mostly Koima's.

He took out another gold coin and sneered, kneeling in front of Koima, "How about another gold coin for some fun?" he suggested as he waved the coin in her face, leering suggestively.

Zuko burned with rage. How could someone suggest such a thing in the presence of him and his Uncle?! Zuko was standing to deal with the perverted man...when all of a sudden, Koima did something very unexpected. She smiled and took the coin from the man. Just as the man smiled... she flung her hand forward and chucked the coin into the street where a group of children descended on it and ran off yelling and laughing.

Koima glowered at the man, her gold eyes glaring daggers into his enraged ones, "No. You couldn't pay me enough money to even be in your presence. Go to a whore house. I'm not for rent."

This was the first time Koima had ever stood up for herself in front of a man. Zuko was amazed.

The man took out his swords and brandished them menacingly, his face red and burning from the insult, "You little cunt! That will cost you dearly! No one makes a fool of Li-Shoi!"

Suddenly, the ground under Li-Shoi gave way and he sank three feet before it hardened once again. He yelled with surprise and rage, waving about trying to pull himself out. Zuko and Uncle looked at Koima. Her face was set in angry concentration, her hands laced together making the ground hold Li-Shoi firmly.

Li-Shoi struggled futily to break free of the hard earth. Though it was a pity he didn't sink up to his mouth. His curses were attracting unwanted attention...

"You Bitch! You dirty little Bitch! Let me go now before I kill you!" He grunted and strained to get his legs out. Koima beamed like a little child that has learned a new trick. She tisked the angry man, "Language like that won't loosen up the Earth. You need to be more respectful to women or it will get you in big trouble in the future." She grinned teasingly.

Li-shoi's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!" Okay, this was ridiculous. Zuko shook his head and straightened up, "C'mon, Koi, Uncle. It doesn't look like he'll quiet down any time soon. Let's move. Someone will let him out...eventually."He smirked, "Good job Koi."

Koima and Uncle got up and mounted Kotori. Li-Shoi did not stop yelling at them as they wandered off to find a more quieter place to settle down.

"I'll get you! Don't sleep tonight when Li-Shoi is out for blood! I'll get YOOOOUUUUU!"

Koima rode between Uncle and Zuko, holding onto Zuko in the front, "Now that is getting annoying. Do you think someone would let him out...?" Zuko glanced at her face, seeing the worried, yet pleased frown. Zuko shook his head, "Nah, they'll bury him completely, to stop his shouts."

He looked back at the grounded man, who was now using his broadswords to dig himself out... an idea formed in Zuko's mind...

:Koima:

The next morning, after moving off from the city, I happened to notice two broadswords strapped to Zuko's pack. Those weren't there yesterday? They looked like the ones that repulsive man, Li-Shoi, had carried. The hilts were worn and looked old. My mind went back to the man in the blue mask and I felt my heart flutter in my chest. His broadswords were more elegant and looked more expensive, with silver hilts.

"Zuko. Where did you get these?" I touched the tip of one of the swords carefully.

"Oh, those?" Zuko looked up from his breakfast by the fire, "Um... I stole them. We need something to defend ourselves without using firebending."

I gave him a look, but I couldn't help but smiling, "Who... Who did you steal them from Zuko?"

He smiled faintly and I could see the miscevious glint in his eye as he said it, "Why, from our friend Li-Shoi of course."

Well that was good. I felt a bit better that I won't wake up in the middle of the night with a sword pressed to my throat. I picked one up and swung it experimentally, I lost my balance and stumbled along with the swing. "Yike!" It was heavy!

"Please don't do that." Zuko sighed exasperated, his eyes wide, "Dear Agni, you'll lose a foot if you're not careful."

I mumbled an appology and as carefully as I could I put the sword back with its partner by the sacks.

"You know how to use these?"

"Yeah. A bit. Uncle taught me how. Plenty people know how to use them. Especially ones that are not benders. They have to have some way to defend themselves."

"Oh."

I sat down next to Zuko and grabbed a mango from the provision pack for my breakfast and began eating.

Zuko finished his meager meal and leaned against a tree, looking bored and irritated. I had noticed that last night he was moving around a lot. Probably couldn't sleep. I understood. The ground was not the softest place to sleep, especially if you are use to sleeping in a bed. As for me, I had slept on much more uncomfortable things than the bare ground. A metal cage was not comfy.

"I'm bored. This whole place is boring." Zuko grumbled, "I hate the outdoors. Give me a room anytime."

I disagreed, "What's so boring about it? I rather be outside. There's much to see and you get to move around anywhere that you want. Plus, It's peaceful. Quiet. No noise from people and carts. No chocking dust that makes your eyes sting. I wish everywhere was like this."

Zuko scoffed, "I'd die of boredom."

I gave him a look, "Honestly. Can't you at least enjoy the silence?"
"I would if you would stop jaw-flapping."

Ouch. That hurt., I glared at the lazy ungrateful prince. He yawned as if to mock me. Fine. If he wanted some quiet, I'll give it to him! I stood up and stalked off.

A nice long walk will help me cool off. This wasn't the first time that Zuko had thoroughly irritated me this past week. He complained far too much! He doesn't realize how good he's got it! I would have given my left leg to be out here when I was in that cage. Look at him!

I scowled at Zuko, his eyes closed lazily and a frown on his face, You can be so ungrateful. I said under my breath.

Uncle hadn't noticed me leaving the camp, he was snoring away still beside Kotori.

Sorry its been awhile. I've been kinda down about stuff.

I'm leaving on Saturday to go see the set up for the winter X-games in Colorado. I'll be snowboarding and stalking Shaun White! YAAA! Hehe. I wonder... Does any of my reviewers live in Aspen, Colorado? If you do, let me know!

Does anyone know when the new season of Avatar comes out? I have no idea and I would like any information on it.

Oh yall. I decided that this is going to be the last Koi story... sorry. I have no ideas for a trilogy. Well, At least yall will know that there will be romance in this story. Lol. Yeay.

Well, don't forget to leave reviews. If you don't... I'll hold off as long as I want. Truly, I can hold out for years if need be. So review. All it requires is a click of a button and a few words, or are yall so lazy that you won't give and "Hoorahs" to the person that is writing you this story for your own enjoyment? Go on I Dare you! PRESS THE BUTTON! Or no... wait. Don't press the button! (reverse psychology) Ha! I tricked you!