Okay here we go! Only two more chapters to go. I hope you enjoy!


The Arrival Of Friends

As the second hour after sunset approached, we could hear the wall of rock which shielded us from view coming down and something told me that King Bumi had returned. Even as I wanted to tell this to my friend beside me, I felt a tremor run through my entire body. I had felt this kind of anticipation before, long ago when I had been in Ba Sing Se.

"That can't be." I breathed out, heedless of Chen frowning next to me due to my strange reaction. Without so much as a glance I hurried to the curtain which was our door and peered outside. We had a direct view towards General Iroh's tent and the space in front of it. And sure enough, there was Zuko, standing rooted in front of Iroh's tent. Briefly I was worried, but then I caught the look in his eyes, as he stared at the tent with a mixture of shame and plain fear. I had never before seen him like that.

Dimly I recognized Chen's presence behind me, also peering outside. As we watched Zuko sit down, almost as if he wasn't sure if he should dare to go inside the tent to his uncle, I heard Chen's voice whispering behind me.

"That is Prince Zuko, isn't it?"

"Yes, though I have no idea how it comes that he is here." I whispered back, hardly believing the sound of my own voice. I knew that I could just go outside and meet him, but my fear held me back. To this day I don't know why I was so afraid of him then and there, but I was and I couldn't change it.

Presently I saw Katara, the Waterbender I had once met in Ba Sing Se, sitting down next to Zuko. She seemed genuinely concerned for him and my friends shoulders sagged, as if he barely had enough energy left to sit upright. Suddenly he seemed very small compared to the world around him, as he averted his gaze away from the tent towards the ground. I could hardly understand what was being said, so much I concentrated on every movement he made. Pity roared in my heart and even without hearing his words I knew why he was so downcast.

He was afraid that his uncle could hate him. Sure, that was nonsense, Iroh would love Zuko until the day he died, but nonetheless it was an emotion I could relate to. Then I saw Zuko take a deep breath and stand up again, almost as if it was a heavy task to stand up even. As he vanished within the tent, I too drew back and regained my composure, looking ahead, but seeing nothing in front of me really. Chen had his hand on my shoulder, of course he knew how much I wanted to greet Zuko, speak with him, be again the friend he had lived so long without.

"Of all the things I have seen beforehand, why didn't I see that they would be coming here?" I asked to myself, shaking my head in disbelief. And though it was a question that needed no answer because I desired none, Chen took it upon himself to look after me again.

"Well, I guess because the battle is more important right now. And besides, you haven't slept a lot in the last couple of weeks anyway." he said with a smile. The small, carefree and encouraging smile I had grown accustomed to see on his face and I smiled back, not even knowing that I was in the first moment.

"Do you think the Avatar is out there?" Chen asked, suddenly very nervous. And to tell the truth, it passed onto me as he suggested that possibility. He was right, Zuko was here, Katara was here, it was possible that the Avatar was with them also, guessing as they wouldn't divide forces so soon before the final fight.

I took a quick peek out of my tent again and saw Katara talking to a young man in blue clothing. A small girl stood next to them, her black hair hanging in broad bangs down her forehead and she had her arms folded at her chest. There was another young woman in Fire Nation clothing standing next to a great furry creature which was probably the Avatar's bison, but whereever I looked, I couldn't see the bald monk anywhere.

"Perhaps he is talking with one of the Members of the White Lotus. Come on, lets greet them and find out." I said and stood up.

Chen followed me outside, but gasped as he too set eyes on the strange furry animal. I had to stop myself from gasping also, it didn't look half as big on the poster I had seen. It grumbled low and roared quietly as the woman in Fire Nation clothing petted its head.

Quickly I shared a look with Chen, he was just as stunned by the animal as I was. I had never before seen it in real life, had heard stories about Sky Bison when I had been a child, or when Katara talked to me before, but nothing compared to the sight of it, standing on six legs, its broad tail halfway lying on the groung, a saddle on its back and a rope attached to his horns like two reigns. I sure hoped it wasn't carnivourous, thinking of the hippo-cows back in the Fire Nation, who ate everything, including meat. And even if it was, I hoped it had already eaten and wouldn't snatch me or Chen for dinner.

Suddenly the little girl turned around to me and I could see her eyes were blinded, clouded with a curtain of grey, staring unfocussed into the space in front of her. Surprised I blinked, if she was blind, how could she have seen me? Before I even could regain my composure and speak, I heard Katara's voice.

"Hey, I know you, don't I? I met you before, but where?" she looked at me and the man behind me, not really suspicious, but watchful. Her friends kept silent and it seemed to me that even the bison loked at me with wonder in it dark brown eyes.

"We met once in Ba Sing Se. You were hanging up posters of the Bison and I helped you out of a fix with some scum. I'm Kyona, remember me now?" I asked, smiling kindly.

As soon as I had ended I saw realisation bloom in her blue eyes and knew she could recall me now. I wasn't angry that she hadn't recognized immidiately, I supposed they had met a lot of people in their travels, more important than me, so it was only natural for one to lose track of all encounters.

Happily she introduced me to the rest of her group and I found out that the blind girl's name was Toph, the young man was actually Katara's brother Sokka and the third girl in their group was called Suki. I for my part introduced Chen and as soon as Toph found out he was an Earthbender also, she smirked strangely at the two of us. I didn't know why, but I had the feeling that she knew more than she was letting on. But there was no time now to think of that, I could ask her later of the meaning of her smirk.

"Where is the Avatar? Isn't he with you?" I asked and could see that concern crept into Kataras gaze at the mentioning of her friend.

"Aang's missing. We don't know where he is. Zuko suggested that we ask his uncle for help against the Fire Lord. That's why we're here." Sokka explained, laying a hand on his sister's shoulder.

"Then you probably have to wait until morning. He went to bed about three hours ago and I don't suppose he'll be waking up until the sun is up again." Chen answered in my stead and upon seeing that they didn't really know what to do or where to go now, we invited them to sit in our tent and eat something.

While Chen left in search for sustenance, I led them to the tent and held the curtain for them. I drew it up so we could see what was going on outside, and I wouldn't get sleep tonight anyway. I was way too awake for that. Appa laid his figure down in front of the tent, almost immidiately falling asleep and grumbling quietly amidst his slumber. I had to force my gaze away from him, it was just too fascinating to watch him.

"So, what are you doing here anyway? Are you part of the Order?" Sokka asked and dimly I could see the spirit of a great leader within him.

"No, neither Chen nor me are iniciates. But I knew that the General would be coming here and waited for him. We will help him in the upcoming battle." I answered calmly, already feeling comfortable around them, almost as if I knew them before they even stepped foot inside our camp.

"What can you do? Are you a bender?" Suki asked me and I felt all the eyes drawn to me. As much as I had kept silent about it in Ba Sing Se, there was no need to keep this information from them now.

"I'm a Firebender. I didn't want to tell Katara when I met her in Ba Sing Se, but I see no reason to lie to you about this." I answered and caught Toph's sightless stare again.

"And I would advice you not to. I'd be able to tell if you were. So if you're a Firebender and obviously know Iroh, then how come you knew he would be here?" she asked and I looked towards Katara.

"You didn't tell them that you met me, have you?" I asked startled.

"It was pretty confusing after I met you. I guess I kind of forgot about it." she answered sheepishly and looked to the ground for a few moments. I too was silenced for a bit of time, but soon caught myself again and decided to fill them in on my abilities and my ties to Iroh and Zuko. Chen had returned in the meantime with food for them and some members of the White Lotus brought some hay for Appa, which was ignored as the the animal continued sleeping. Silently he sat next to me as I talked to the group in front of us, occasionally glancing at me.

"So, you can see what happens in the future?" Suki asked doubtfully while nibbling on some bread.

"Kind of. I can catch glimpses of it, but the true meaning of what I see I can never find out before. Sometimes I see pure metaphores, something that doesn't make sense at all unless it happens." I explained, swallowing my guilt at the thought of what I had seen before the Avatar fell. I had just been too slow to figure meaning into what I saw and too timid at preventing it. I didn't know what could happen if I told them of it, therefore I kept silent about that part.

"And you knew Zuko when he was a kid?" Toph answered again, somehow knowing that the topic was difficult for me. Smiling I looked to the ground, remembering the carefree happy smile of my friend, when we had been children.

"Yes, I did." I answered and looked up at the young Earthbender again. Strangely she was smiling, as if she liked Zuko more than the others did. More like she saw Zuko as a sort of brother, a moody big brother that kept looking out for her, but never assuming she was weak. I knew Zuko had a protective streak within him, even if he hid it very well and seemingly Toph had stepped into this place.

"What was he like?" Sokka asked me eagerly and quickly I decided to not tell anything potentially embarrassing to them, I had a feeling that Sokka would tease him with it.

"He was a happy kid, as far as I know. Except when Azula or his father were around. He kept trying to fulfil whatever expectations Ozai threw at him and in his eagerness to do that he overdid it sometimes. I'm a Firebending prodigy, but I never rubbed his nose in it like his sister did. I guess that's another reason why we were such close friends, besides the fact that I'm his birthstar. I tried to teach him the movements I had learned and even though it took him longer to figure them out, he managed them in the end. But still, he was happy whenever I or his mother were around him, I guess because we didn't expect him to be amazing, he was just Zuko. Thats why he loves his uncle so much. After Iroh's son died, Zuko became a sort of replacement son for Iroh and he in turn became Zuko's father. Because of Iroh, Zuko is who he is now. At least thats how I see it." I exlained them and when I looked up again I could see a new understanding for Zuko blooming in their gazes.

"So how should we imagine that? The two of you running around playing "tag" or something like that?" Katara grinned towards me, seemingly having a hard time imagining that possibility.

I chuckled slightly at the memory that I actually had to teach him how to play "tag" because it was not something a Prince learns from his private tutors. But I kept that information to myself, trying not to hurt his ego, because somehow I was sure they would tease him with it.

"Well, we practically grew up together. I spent most of my free time with him, our first Firebending lessons were held together, we celebrated our birthdays together. So yes, when we were young and before Azula was born or showed talent for Firebending, we played a lot together. Why does that surprise you, he was a kid once too, just like you." I answered, faintly smiling, but aware of the slightly sharper edge in my voice. I can't understand to this day why I was always protective around Zuko or around things that concern him, but I suppose it is because of us being the others birthstar. The stories say that a birthstar is one soul divided into two people, allowing them to have a bond far stronger than other people. I guess that's why.

I saw Katara shrug and smile slightly, while Toph just sat with one hand on the ground, her head tilted to the side as if she was listening. Suddenly she spoke up.

"Okay, I have a question here!" she said, a little louder than I expected, which made me flinch a little along with Chen beside me.

"Do tell. What is it you want to know?" I answered, swallowing my surprise and concentrated on the girl on my left side.

"Does Chen here... does he have a thing for you?" she asked bluntly and the breath caught in my throat, plainly I heard the surprised gasp next to me and shared a quick look with my friend.

I felt my heart speed up at what this young girl was implying and prayed silently to Agni that I wasn't blushing too hard. Chen had to cough and averted his gaze away from me.

"Why do you assume that?" I asked after a moments hesitation. I was aware of the higher tone of my voice and cursed it silently. Whenever I was nervous my tone became somewhat higher and I hated that I was nervous now.

Toph smirked again and chuckled quietly, as if she knew something the others didn't. For a moment I thought that maybe she had the power to read people's minds, but hoped I was wrong.

"Oh, simple. His heart starts to pound faster, when he looks at you or when you move a bit closer to each other. And just now, when I asked the question, his heart missed a beat and skyrocketed. Funny thing though, your heart did the same thing. And you're both blushing." she said and leaned back to look in my general direction. The others kept silent and just stared at me and Chen in silent shock. Me and my friend looked at each other again. I caught his silent question and hesitated a bit longer. I could see in his eyes that he wondered what would happen if we told them the truth about us. How would they react to a Firebender and an Earthbender sharing such an intimate bond of mutual affection?

Thankfully it was not necessary for me to ask these questions further, for Chen decided he'd take a chance and stand his ground to the yooung girl next to us.

"As a matter of fact, I like Kyona very much. I am not sure as to what extend your assumption goes, but if you mean by that, that I would be willing to follow her everywhere, then you are right, I do have a thing for her. And if you knew her for as long as I have, you'd understand that." he answered sternly, inching a bit closer to me. Maybe he didn't realise it consciously that he did it, but I realised it.

I smiled gratefully at him, glad that he hadn't left me to explain things. As much as I liked Chen, I was not sure about this new development in our relationship, so I couldn't possibly been able to explain properly.

"Okay, back to topic here!" shouted Sokka, maybe a little over-enthusiastic than necessary and the rest of our conversation was filled with our explanation of our little plan, my vision and before we knew it, dawn approached us.

Chen looked out of the tent towards the horizon that gradually got lighter as time passed. I could sense his anticipation. Who could blame him, for I shared it. We had been waiting for so long for this day to arrive and now it was only one sunset away. On the next day the comet would arrive and the battle would be fought. While I shifted my interest back to the Avatar's friends surrounding me, I caught Chen standing up and leaving the tent.

Probably he would check on the weather or the time, for we would be going soon.

"Are you sure, you should be trying to do this all on your own?" asked Suki, a little worried on our behalf.

And if I was honest to myself, I was worried also. Not as petrified as I had been when I had been brought to Yon, not even as frightened as I had been when Chen came back to me after I fled the city, but I was worried. I just refused to let the fear get the better of me, in a figure of speech.

"I can't be sure of anything at this point. It could be that I get killed within the city, but from my opinion death is a better choice than life under Azula's and Ozai's rule. I know as a Fire Nation citizen I shouldn't be saying that, but lets face it. I'm no Fire Nation citizen, I was banished and have been hunted for a long time now, though often my friend didn't know it. As for our plan, I can avoid to be seen if I truly wish, but there is now no need for secrecy. If neccessary, I will take my offenders down and mourn over their loss for the rest of my life." I said sternly, but before anything else could be said regarding that statement, Chen returned and informed me with a nod of his head that the time had come. We should be going now, or else we wouldn't make it into the city before nightfall.

I rose and bowed to each of the Avatar's companions.

"It was an honour to meet you all. Perhaps we will see each other again, but I don't know that. Fight bravely my friends, that is all I can do to give you aid." I said and grabbing my sword I left the tent. I petted the huge head of Apppa, marvelling at the softness of his fur.

"Goodbye. Take good care of your friends."

Then, without even so much as a glance back, I followed Chen and left the campsite behind me. Had I dared a glance back, I would have seen four young warriors standing next to Appa, watching us leave, all wearing concerned faces.

On a hilltop, just in front of the Outter Wall, I finally turned around and looked back. Girting he sword to my side and fastening my robe around me I spared a final look to the world around me. The sun just rose in the East, her golden rays touching the peaks of the mountains afar, while thin mist swirled and drifted in the glades and between the rocks around us. I wished to memorize as much of the sights and sounds and smells as I could.

For if I would die today, I at least wanted a beautiful memory to carry me to the Spirit World.

Then, as I felt Chens hand brush my arm, I turned away from sunlight and followed him into the long, perfect darkness of the sewers.


Okay, seems like were getting close to the final fight... BTW When you find spelling errors, sorry on my behalf, I must have overlooked them then^^