Everyone laughed at Sokka as they walked through a small canyon. He was currently dealing with 'Suki withdrawals' and trying to deal with Yori's obsessive fan girl flirting.

Yori gave him an innocent look "You know, I could always take you on a date to cheer you up" she said innocently.

Sokka just groaned in response. Kira shook her head in amusement at their antics. They had been traveling through the desert for the past two days and were now out of the brutal heat and in a large canyon. Kira looked up, her skin prickling uncomfortably.

Shaking it off Kira turned to Yori "So exactly where is this air master?" she asked.

Yori paused, blushing "Um…Cali?" she said sheepishly.

Kira shot her an annoyed look "You don't know? You only know the state? Which happens to be one of the most populated states in the USA?" she asked.

Yori shrugged "Actually I'm not even completely sure on the state. I heard they were here three years ago but I've no idea where they went since then. And even then it was only a rumor" she said.

Kira sighed but let it drop. Luckily Yori was back to herself. She had recovered from the portal incident after a good nights rest. Ever since she's been popping up all over the place using the portals. It had gotten to the point where Toph kept her stuck in the ground for twenty minutes until she promised to stop.

They had been deviating between walking and flying for the past few days and were all ready to get to a town. Especially Zuko who had strict orders to stay on Appa. Suddenly chills ran up Kira's spine and everyone froze "Hold on you guys felt that?" she asked.

Cautiously Zuko climbed down to join them "It feels like we're being watched" he muttered.

The gang stood tense, looking around in worry, studying the sides of the canyon that now looked very unwelcoming "Maybe we should…" Sokka didn't get the chance to finish as men jumped out of hiding, instantly surrounding them.

Quickly the gang gathered in a circle, launching steady attacks though Kira kept mainly with fire while Aang did the same with air. They managed to get rid of the men in just seconds but instantly another group took their place, with four times as many as before.

Kira felt her heart pound in fear but she didn't let it show as the people surrounded them "Let us go and we may let you off easy" she growled.

One of the men snorted, stepping forward. His hood threw a shadow over the top half of his face, making him mysterious. But somehow his smirk made Kira's heart leap in a strange and unexpected happiness. For a moment she studied him in confusion before scowled "Are you in charge?" she asked.

His smirk deepened "Actually I am, and I must say I'm surprised you're a fire bender. I would have marked you as air or earth. Or even water to match your swan like grace" he said casually.

Kira remained silent, glaring as he turned to Yori "And Yori. You've always been so peaceful, not at all like those hot tempered fire benders" he said in a falsely pitying voice.

Kira snorted "Obviously you don't know her as well as you thought. Peaceful? As if" she commented.

Yori smirked, sneaking a high five. The man however didn't seem so amused. He scowled, giving his face a threatening appearance. For a moment Kira thought she saw his eyes flash, a vibrant blue before the calm returned and he smirked "So the question is…what to do" he said.

He cocked his head as if in puzzlement but his sickly sweet voice made Kira queasy. But at the same time she couldn't help but feel her heart flutter every time he smirked "Normally we take fire benders and torture them but you I think we can find other…uses" he said to Kira.

Toph glared at him "Pervert" she said dryly.

Kira balled her hands into fists, her body shaking in anger as Aang carefully approached her "So what's the plan?" he asked.

Carefully Kira took a deep breath, looking at her friends behind her before turning a stony gaze to the leader who studied them carefully, a frown on his face "Follow my lead" she hissed.

Quickly Kira shot her fist forward, air shooting forward and knocking several men back. The one in front quickly braced himself but his hood flew opened, his vibrant blue eyes staring at her in shock. Instantly Kira's knees lost feeling and she opened her mouth in horror, her lips moving but no sound came out as tears shot to her eyes.

She closed her mouth, taking a step back in horror. Finally a single word escaped her lips "Randy" she breathed.

Line break

Without warning Kira's horrified expression was replaced by one of cold anger. All emotion left her eyes and she squared her shoulders "So this is what has become of you. Capturing and torturing people because they fire bend. It doesn't matter whether or not they are innocent" she said, her voice a deadly whisper that carried to everyone.

Randy stared at her in surprise before glaring "No fire bender is innocent. The Fire Regime takes pleasure in destroying lives" he hissed.

Kira's gaze darkened even further "And what makes you think that all fire benders are part of the Fire Regime?" she asked.

She then motioned to the group behind her "And what makes you think we're all fire benders?" she asked icily.

Randy's eyes narrowed dangerously "I saw you and Yori fire bend" he hissed.

Kira snorted "But what about Danny? He's an earth bender, and so is Toph. Katara's a water bender and Sokka can't even bend at all" she said quietly, her voice as devoid of emotion as her eyes.

Randy looked at them carefully before his gaze met Kira's "But association with fire benders just makes them traitors" he hissed.

Zuko raised an eyebrow "Unless the fire benders are traitors themselves. Just because one man leads the people of his element doesn't mean that all of his subjects follow willingly. Some will rebel" he pointed out dutifully.

Randy snorted "Prove that your traitors and I set you free, no strings attached" he said.

Kira smirked and stepped forward. In reflex Randy launched a water whip at her. Kira stood her ground her ground, her mind thinking back to Katara and Toph's training sessions. Like a master she waited, stepping out of the waters way and turning with it, bringing it to her command.

Randy's eyes widened as the water left his control, forming a globe in front of Kira. She moved another hand and dirt rose up, turning it to a murky brown. Skillfully Kira heated the water as she had done in the boiling rock, however this time it had even begun to boil.

Kira then launched the globe at Randy, using air bending to increase the speed double time. Randy gasped in pain as the boiling water hit him, throwing him back into his men. He ignored them however, looking up at Kira in shock, slowly rising to his feet "You're the Avatar?" he asked.

Kira nodded "And nobody threatens my friends" she said darkly.

She then closed her eyes "No matter who they are" she said quietly, her voice pained.

Her eyes then snapped open in surprise as Randy lunged at Zuko "They've brainwashed the avatar! Get them!" he shouted.

Quickly Toph moved her hand in a slice and the earth shifted under Randy, forcing him to the ground. Before she could do more, however, Yori had moved forward, her face livid with fury. She drew her hand back and the smack echoed off of the walls of the canyon, quieting any noise.

Yori panted, her body trembling in anger "How dare you. We have all lost something in this war so don't you dare insinuate that I brainwashed Kira! I gave up everything to protect her and her family while you hid here like a coward, cornering innocent people. And I'm not blind either. You just want her to yourself. But I know how you are, you've always been a filthy perverted freak and you've always been after Kira! I don't even see how she could stand to go out with you! Unless from pity. Oh and news flash, your fighting a losing battle if you want her affection. She's happily engaged to be married" Yori spat.

For a moment Randy stared at her in shock, his hand on his now bright red cheek. Finally he looked at Kira who nodded, her expression pained "It's true" she said quietly.

Once more anger crossed Randy's face before it was replaced by a cold expression. Calmly he snapped his fingers and fearfully one of the men stepped up "Y-yes s-sir?" he stuttered.

Randy kept his cold gaze on Kira "Make sure the Avatar and her friends are fed and get some rest, treat them as quests and they are free to go as they please" he said before turning and vanishing through the crowds.

Line break

That night Kira sat on a hill overlooking a large camp full of water benders. Hearing someone approach from behind she turned, relaxing as she saw Zuko approach. She turned back as he approached, sitting carefully by her.

For about an hour they sat in silence until Zuko took a deep breath "You know him, don't you?" he asked.

Kira looked down "We went out for awhile" she said quietly.

Zuko winced, lowering his head guiltily. Noticing this Kira frowned "Zuko what's wrong?" she asked.

He turned to her, guilt clouding his expression "Now I know how you felt, as though you were taking me away from Mai?" he asked.

Kira looked at him in surprise before sighing "Look. Randy and I…had something special. But after today…I don't know. He's turned into such a heartless monster and I don't think that's new if Yori's reaction was anything to think about" she said hesitantly.

Zuko shot her a look "How do you know you can trust her?" he asked.

Kira smiled "Yori and I only met a few years ago but since we've met we've become closer than friends. Actually we've become so close that I consider her the sister of my heart and soul" she said.

Zuko's eyes lit up in amusement "So basically she's your sister in all but blood. Like you, Toph, Katara, Ty lee, and Mai" he stated.

Kira nodded "Pretty much" she confirmed.

She then chuckled "There was one time at work when she got bored. We were just sitting down for a break and after Yori finished the phone rang. The guy working with us decided to answer it and Yori, being as bored as she was, decided to have some fun and put some jalapeños in his soda. He didn't even notice and when he came back he chugged down the whole thing. You should have seen his face once he realized what was in it!" she said, chuckling.

Zuko laughed along with her "She sounds like a good person. But has she always been so…" he trailed off.

Kira chuckled "Yori and I are quite similar in that. We can go from happy to angry to sad in minutes" she said.

She then chuckled, remembering the other day "And then just shrug it off and move on to the next topic" she said with a smile.

Zuko chuckled "Definitely" he said.

They then looked out over the camp, just sitting there silently. They watched as small figures moved around, almost like little ants from their position. Kira couldn't help the small smile that rose to her lips "It's so peaceful out tonight" she said.

She then chuckled, looking upwards "I keep expecting to look up and see the stars of your world but I don't. It used to be the opposite" she said.

Zuko looked down "I kind of understand how you feel. It's overwhelming how different this place is. With your 'vehicles' and 'technology'. I don't know how you could stand going from one world to the next. At least I have you here to help me but you were on your own several times" he said.

Kira blushed "Well I also had seen most of your world before. See, in our world we have what's called TV. It's sort of like plays on a little screen and Avatar was my favorite show and I had seen the episodes up until near the end. Which for us was that stupid play we watched before the comet" she revealed.

Zuko smirked "So that's how you knew who I was" he said.

Kira blushed in response "Yeah. And then Yue gave me time to pack so I got tons of maps and star constellation maps so I wouldn't get lost. Didn't work though" she said.

She then laughed "They really need a map of Ba Sing Se" she joked.

Zuko chuckled as well "Yeah, I remember finding you just sitting out in the rain. You probably would have been better off staying with the gang" he commented.

Kira shrugged "Actually if I was truly smart I would have followed Iroh's example and followed you. But oh well, everything turned out just fine in the end" she said.

Zuko nodded "That's for sure" he said.

They fell silent once more, watching as some men slipped out of camp with some flashlights, most likely to patrol. Suddenly Zuko frowned, turning to look behind them. With a sigh he got to his feet "Are you leaving?" Kira asked, startled.

Zuko smiled at her gently "Somebody would like to talk to you. I'll be down in my tent if you want to talk. Good night" he said softly, moving to walk down hill.

Kira smiled gently after him "Don't forget to take it easy! Your still hurt!" she called after him.

She smiled brightly at hearing his muffled reply. She then settled back, looking up at the starry skies, almost one instinct searching for a familiar constellation before shaking her head. A small chuckled fell past her lips "Man. If I'm having difficulty adjusting I can't even imagine the gang. At least I used to live here" she said softly.

Her eyes lowered to the camp again "What do you mean?" a voice asked.

Kira jumped, looking at Randy who watched her curiously. Kira sighed, looking forward with her eyes flashing "What do you care" she mumbled.

Randy sighed, sitting by her. Kira recoiled, scooting away from him "Leave me alone" she said angrily.

Randy looked at her desperately "Please, I wasn't thinking clearly. More than anything I just wanted to get you away from that monster where you'd be safe" he begged.

Kira's breath caught "That 'monster' just happens to be my fiancé" she said coldly.

Randy flinched but then looked up at the stars "When you left it felt like my heart had been ripped out. I couldn't think, couldn't breath. And then those monsters attacked my home, killed the only family I had left…I just wanted to die. But then I found some rebels, a small group that had no leader and were actually pretty pathetic and I took charge. We've grown a ton since but I'm still their leader. They look up to me. I have to do whatever it takes to help them because they're my family now. Just like I want you to be" he said.

Kira sighed and for a moment she looked at Randy, and she saw who he used to be. An innocent smile was plastered on his face and she felt her heart flutter. For a second she almost agreed before remembering that morning and she sighed "I have to go" she muttered, running down towards the camp.

As soon as she was among the tents she leaned against a pole, sighing as she tried to calm down "Get a grip" she muttered to herself.

After a few minutes she sighed, walking carefully through the tents until she came across Zuko's. She smiled and quickly ducked inside. Zuko jumped up from where he had been reading. He then hissed in pain and Kira sighed, moving by him "Your ribs?" she asked.

Zuko snorted "Nothing gets past you" he muttered.

Kira smiled and punched him lightly in the shoulder, causing him to wince. Kira sighed, rolling her eyes "Here, let me change the bandages" she said.

Hopefully new ones would keep it tight. Zuko looked at her blankly "You do know I can do it right?" he asked.

Kira shrugged "But I want to" she commented as he removed his shirt.

Carefully she removed the bandages, pausing as she saw the scar on his chest. It was still big and red, a permanent scar that contrasted with his pale skin. Kira shivered as she remembered that day. She was so helpless.

Zuko could have died and she was only able to stand there like an idiot. Zuko carefully put a hand on her cheek "It's no use to feel guilty about the past you know" he commented.

Kira sighed, taking out some more bandages "I know but now you've taken two major hits and I wasn't able to help either time" she said quietly.

Zuko smiled "How do you think I felt when you took the two hits for me?" he asked softly.

Kira smiled lightly "So I guess we're even, huh? No more taking hits?" she asked.

Zuko chuckled, kissing her lightly "No more taking hits" he promised as they pulled away.

Kira then fingered his shirt "You realize how badly we don't fit in right?" she asked.

Zuko nodded "I've noticed that. Maybe while we're here we can get some clothes to better blend in?" he asked.

Kira smirked "is it okay if I decide?" she asked.

Zuko looked at her suspiciously "It's not going to be embarrassing is it?" he asked.

Kira chuckled "You kidding? Like I would be that cruel. And I'll probably have Katara and Yori help me. We're girls. We have a natural instinct on what looks cute" she said.

Those words however, did not assure Zuko in the slightest.