Disclaimer: Yo no poseo Avatar el último airbender! Ha, take that Spanish class!


Chapter 8)

"I'm not a spy!" I exclaimed.

"Sure… Let's go," ordered the soldiers. They marched me away from the fire-nation camp, continuing eastward. I stumbled along the trail, tripping over small stones and exposed roots. We walked over a tiny hill and the forest disappeared. Clearly visible for miles around was the great city of Ba Sing Se. I saw the huge stone walls surrounding it and wondered if it was possible to defeat such a city. How would you stage your attack, you'd be seen approaching, unless you had an impenetrable shield or shell over your attack that rock couldn't break…

I was pushed out of my thoughts as we walked over an old bridge which crossed a trickling stream just outside the forest. Beyond was a large expanse of desert. I planted my feet against the wooden planks of the bridge; I had an idea. I ripped my hands out of the soldier's grip and quickly bent a wave of water up from the stream into the three men's faces, making them step backwards.

"Wow," muttered one of the men.

"I am NOT a spy," I said, dropping my arms.

"Were sorry miss, but if you aren't a fire nation spy, why are you dressed like one?" asked one of the benders. Before I could think up an answer, the soldier with the lantern replied.

"She was spying for us, Duh!"

"Yeah, I was spying for you," I answered; wearing the I-clearly-made-this-story-up-but-am-going-along-with-it-anyway-look.

"But we don't need anyone spying for us, we can handle anything!" exclaimed the first soldier.

"I have family in Ba Sing Se, um, I was just trying to help them by trying to find my uncle's kidnapped army party?" I said and smiled. The soldiers seemed to buy it and lead me towards the city. After walking through enough sand to give a cat a heart attack, we made it to the back doors of the city. The man with the lantern handed it off to another, took his stance for earth bending, and forced his hands down; sending a section of the wall into the ground.

"Enjoy your visit," smiled the soldier closet to me. The wall was replaced as soon as I took a step inside. I looked around, and even though it was night, a sea of green people flowed around me. I felt very obvious in my red, fire nation attire. If I have time I might want to buy new clothing… As I walked I was surrounded by shops, stores, and outdoor café things. I glanced at the prices and saw that they were cheaper, then at "home".

Wondering how much money I had on me, I dug around in my pocket. My search yielded eleven copper pieces. I bought an apple for one of them, pocketed the rest, and continued on through the market munching the apple as I went. I wandered into a small shop and sat down, enjoying the fragrance of the hot water and leaves they served there.

"Look Zuko," Iroh mumbled.

"Is it another girl uncle? I will not go on another date!" hissed Zuko continuing to wait for the water to boil over the small flame.

"Zuko, just look," plead Iroh. Zuko paused and turned to see a young girl, about his age sitting in the shop, in fire nation clothing.

"What do you think she is doing here Zuko? She's in noble's clothing, she didn't just run away. I can't place a name, but doesn't she look a little familiar to you?" asked Iroh, smiling. Zuko had taken the bait. His eyes were riveted to the girl, she was so familiar.

"Niki," Zuko mumbled.

"Niki. Oh the girl you had a crush on before you were banished?" asked Uncle Iroh. Zuko cringed only slightly, but let the pot of water making his way towards the girl.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a green figure approach me. I readied my alibi in my head and turned to face the person smiling. I blinked a few times in amazement; my smile slowly disappeared from my face. Zuko stood wringing his hands in front of me. Wow, he's a lot taller in person, I thought.

"Niki," Zuko said gathering his voice, "I need to ask you something, can we talk?" I nodded, I was still in shock. He led me out of the shop, into the market. Uncle Iroh smiled to himself.

"So why are you here? Did something bad happen at home?" asked Zuko, trying to start a conversation. Real answer or lie? Real answer or lie!

"I'm here, on a little trip," I said. It's not a lie, but it's not the truth either…

"Oh," Zuko replied I looked up and saw him gazing up at the sky, and then rest his eyes on me. I looked away, at my shoes, then on the path ahead. As we walked he brushed his hand against my hand, until I felt his fingers close gently around mine.

"Mai look isn't that Zuko?" asked a shadow from between to stone buildings.

"Yes, but who's he with?" Mai asked, "Can you see her face Ty Lee, who is it?" Just as she finished, Mai saw Zuko's hand close around the girl's. Mai's heart beat faster as she saw the girl turn, slightly blushing, towards them.

"Isn't that Niki?" asked Ty Lee, "That must mean Azula's here, let's go see if she's waiting for us." The two girls disappeared into the shadows as Niki pulled his hand out of Zuko's grasp.

I pulled my hand out of Zuko's hold and looked straight ahead. What is he doing?

"Niki, I've been wanting to ask you," Zuko started, but stopped, "Let's take a walk in the forest." I followed him out of the safety of the walled city and into a smaller area of sandiness. We crossed it quickly and made our way into the northern forests surrounding the city. Zuko led the way onto a small worn path into the trees.

"I think you'll like it here, I come here all the time just to think," said Zuko trying once again to start conversation. We walked into a small grassy clearing and sat down waiting for the sun to rise over the trees. The morning light seeped in through the trees lighting the clearing, illuminating our faces. We watched the clouds in silence. I wonder what he thinks about. I watched more of Zuko then the clouds, but I didn't think he mined. As the sun rose higher Zuko stood up.

"We better head back," said Zuko shattering the peace. I nodded; he offered his hand to help me up. I accepted it and he pulled me to my feet, but then into his arms. My eyes came to the middle of his nose. My chocolate eyes gazed into his golden ones; I smiled, but pushed away. Zuko closed his eyes, let my hand go, and turned away.

"Niki, why did we stop being more then friends?" he asked as he walked back to the city. I had no idea, but as I started to follow him I began thinking of a fake reason. Suddenly a hand slammed over my mouth and another caught me around the waist. I tried to call for Zuko, but the hand muffled my screams. Zuko turned to see if I was going to answer, and saw what was happening.

"Azula, let Niki go! What are you doing here?" Zuko roared. Azula pulled her hands back, letting me stumble out of her grasp. I stood between the two siblings. I looked back at Azula and saw Ty Lee and Mai gathered behind her. Azula was smirking at Zuko and I. Zuko stood ready in his fire bending stance, ready to attack.

"Niki, whose side are you on?" asked Azula smiling. She didn't care really; she just wanted to toy with Zuko. I stood rooted to the ground in-between the two of them, not bugging. Zuko watched me, I felt his heart breaking, I tear slid from my eye.

"Zuko, don't fight her, it isn't worth it," I called to him, but it had only fueled the fire of fury. If he couldn't have my attention, Azula definitely couldn't. I ducked as a fire blast shot towards me. Zuko ran towards Azula flaming, literally. I ran from the collision course and watched.

"Hey Zuzu, you want to know why Niki dumped you?" Azula sneered, avoiding Zuko's fire blast. "Because I told her to!" I felt Zuko's heart break, and watched as Azula aimed a bolt of lightning at her brother. As he fell, I felt my own heart falling.

"Ty Lee, Mai, escort Niki back to camp," Azula commanded. I walked back between them silently, while Azula somehow transported Zuko. We all arrived in camp and awaited further instruction. Azula explained the plan to some soldiers, as I was ordered back onto the ostrich-horse. A partly conscious Zuko was propped up on a rhino, and the soldiers led the two animals back on the path towards the ship. We traveled until we reached the ship. What is going to happen to me?


Wow, that took a long time to update… I hope you all like it. Hopefully I won't have a lot of homework so I can update soon… Thanks for all (5) of the reviews. I know all about Mary Sues now so no need to explain that to me anymore. Read and Review!