For the past few weeks you've been camping outside. The fact that you, Zuko and Iroh have no money is a bit of a problem. Zuko has been doing his best to take care of you even though you insist you can take care of yourself, but of course prince-pain in the ass won't hear it. Luckily you think he's adorable when he's stubborn.
Currently you're in a town. You feel really awkward because you're just sitting around, waiting for people to give you money. Iroh politely thanks everyone and he seems to be fine with it. You feel dishonest taking charity money and you know Zuko is not in a good mood. He's making it really obvious.
The only possessions you have is your dual swords, and two changes of clothes that Zuko stole for you. You disagreed with stealing but your need to wear clean clothing overrode your moral code.
"Thank you" Iroh said to a woman who gave you money.
A large man walked over. "How about some entertainment old man" he said.
You put your hands on your dual swords.
"We are not entertainers," Zuko said in annoyance.
"Not professional anyway" Iroh said as he stood up. Then he began to sing "Its a long long way to ba-sing-se but the girls in the city, they look so pretty! they kiss so sweet, that you've really got to meet, the girls from ba-sing-se!"
You and Zuko looked away pretending not to know Iroh.
The man laughed, "that's not worth my gold, hey girly why don't you sing and dance," he said looking at you with hungry eyes.
"I don't take orders or requests," you said bluntly.
The man tried to take out his weapons but before you could get into a fighting stance, Zuko had one of his dual swords at the man's throat. "Leave" he said with venom in his voice.
The man obviously defeated walked away.
"Uncle this is degrading" Zuko said in anger.
"Living life as an honest beggar is nothing to be ashamed of" Iroh said.
"Iroh I don't like this either" you said uncomfortably. Normally you would trust Iroh's judgment but you really don't like begging for food and money. You would rather earn it.
That night you left the town and stayed in a cave. Zuko held you close all night
When you woke up the next morning zuko was still asleep so you changed into a black skirt and a black halter top, you can't wear red anymore because it would be way to obvious that you're fire nation if you did.
Iroh was nowhere to be found so you waited for zuko to wake up. Unfortunately for Zuko he was woken up when Iroh came back into the cave with a weird rash all over his body.
"Uncle what did you do?" Zuko asked
"I thought I found white jade so I made tea out of it but it was really a deadly plant." Iroh stated.
Zuko stayed with Iroh while you ran into town, because you're the fastest. You spent all the money you got the previous day so you could buy medicine for Iroh. Because of this Zuko was really annoyed all day. You tried to cheer him up but nothing worked. Iroh was very weak all day but the medicine seemed to be working. The next morning Iroh was still a little weak but he was cured.
"Prince Zuko I think we should move on" Iroh said referring to moving on to a new town.
"I agree but I see no point in traveling together anymore" Zuko said. You gave zuko a confused look.
"Uncle you may be happy with the simple life of a beggar but I'm not, I need to regain my honor, and more importantly I need to help Kana find her brothers, I love her and living in caves is not a good life. I don't care what I have to do but I will do anything to take care of Kana" Zuko said nobly.
"Zuko..." you trailed off speechless.
He turned towards you "Kana you deserve better than this" Zuko said then he turned back to Iroh. "I hope we meet again" Zuko told him. Then he turned back to you and extending his hand, you quickly gathered your few possessions and took Zuko's hand.
Once the two of you were kind of far away from the cave you left Iroh in, you turned to Zuko, "don't you think you were a little to hard on Iroh?" you asked timidly, you felt horrible about leaving Iroh.
"I think I was a complete jerk, but I cant just sit back and let you sleep outside all the time, I noticed you lost a lot of weight, you haven't had as much energy as you usually do and you get so cold at night." Zuko paused. To be honest everything he said was true, you noticed it but you didn't think Zuko did.
"I didn't think you noticed' you said honestly.
"I notice everything about you, I cant keep my eyes off you" Zuko said his voice was filled with love.
The two of you walked into a small farm town. Zuko talked to a kind farmer who let Zuko help with the fields in exchange for food and you helped the farmer's wife around the house in exchange for money.
That night you and Zuko were able to stay in a decent inn and you had about a week's worth of food. You took a long shower, washing away the dust of the day and your insecurities. For the first time in a while you thought of your cherry blossom tree but you tried not to let your mind linger on the thought. You felt very homesick and you missed singing and dancing but you couldn't seem to find your voice to sing or the freedom to dance.
When you got out of the shower you didn't bother drying your hair it's so short now, you missed your long hair. You dressed in your spare outfit, a pale green skirt with a pale green halter-top.
When you walked out of the bathroom Zuko was already laying down, he was really tired. You laid down next to Zuko, who instantly pulled you into his arms
"I love you Kana" Zuko said softly.
"I love you too Zuko" you whispered as you cuddled into his chest. It wasn't too long before you fell asleep.
The next morning Zuko made you eat a decent portion of the food in hopes that you wouldn't lose any more weight. You bought another outfit for yourself and a black training uniform for Zuko, you spend 1/3 of the money remaining of food and various supplies. Shortly afterwards you and Zuko were on your way to another village.