It really couldn't be delayed any more. The gang had to make a stop at a city for supplies. There wasn't a grain of rice or even wheat left.

At their current location they hadn't been able to hunt or fish. They couldn't even collect berries on this high cliff side.

Aang had also informed them they were almost out of tea. Which probably wasn't too surprising as Zuko had been making tea for everybody every morning as well as after his own training routines.

And of course Sokka would keep dropping all of the obvious hints that he would really like for them to find a sword.

Never mind that money wasn't exactly what they had a lot of. And while Katara didn't know much about swords, she knew that they probably weren't cheap.

Still, finally they had packed up and left their spot going to the first village they could spot. They landed a fair bit away and walked how-ever as they moved closer Zuko stopped.

"We… Probably should move on to another city." Zuko commented making all the other turn to him.

"Why?" Katara asked.

"This city is under fire nation control." Zuko pointed up and they all turned to see a fire nation banner raised in the air meaning this place had been conquered."We need to hope they haven't spotted Appa yet and then walk away from fire nation controlled land."

"Urhm. Zuko. I really do appreciate another guy around with some common sense. But we have no food." Sokka pointed out. "And if this city is under fire nation control changes are every village and city in the area is under fire nation control. For how long would you have us all walking without any food?"

"We just have to be careful." Katara said. "Really careful."

Zukos eyes narrowed, and somehow he didn't look less intimidating as Lin-Lin jumped up on his shoulder.

That was another thing why it had been so easy to let Zuko in. It's difficult to hate a guy who had a turtleduck who would always snuggle up to him when he slept. And he would clearly slip it some of his own food and dote on the thing when he believed no one was looking.

"We can disguise ourselves! We've done so before!" Aang encouraged as he grabbed a bunch of Appas fur that easily came off as the big bison would always be shedding, and then put it on his own hand. "Look! Say hello to old man Anzo!"

Zuko groaned deeply rubbing his own forehead then walked over to Appa and pulled out one of the clothes Aang would tie around himself as a tunic. Then walked over to Aang, swept the Appa fur away and instead tied the cloth around his head like a hat. "You really all ought to get some traditional earth kingdom clothes." Zuko commented dryly. "In fact… If we're doing this. It'll probably be better if Aang and I stay here while you three fetch supplies."

Katara lifted an eyebrow, she couldn't help but note how only two weeks ago leaving Zuko alone with Aang would just be out of the question.

"You two are the most recognisable faces." Sokka had to admit. "We can cover Aangs tattoos with a hat but there's not much we can do about…" he halted.

Zuko lifted a hand to his scar.

Katara sighed deeply. "This wont work. Zuko has to come with us."

Zuko frowned deeply.

"Don't think I didn't notice." Katara commented. "You only have one set of clothes!"

Zuko blinked.

"It's really nice you did your best to keep them clean! But this just isn't going to do any more. The only set of clothes you have is worn out! They are going to fall apart. You need clothes." Katara stated.

"Oh." Zuko blinked.

"Also, as our designated tea maker I expect you to pick out tea leafs." Katara continued. "Then we also know already that Sokka is going to be looking at swords. He is going to need some help figuring out what to look for. I am not saying we are buying a sword! But when looking he should know what to look for!"

Zuko groaned as he rubbed his forehead. "Okay… Some rules though." he held up a finger. "Everyone needs to keep a low profile! The first thing we are going to do is go to the nearest clothes store and we will get Aang, Sokka and Katara traditional earth kingdoms clothes which you will change into immediately!"

"And you'll change clothes to." Katara smirked.

"Fine." Zuko rolled his eyes. "You are going to call me Lee! Got it. My name now is Lee. And as for Aang." he turned to Aang.

"I kind of like Anzo." Aang said.

"Good. Anzo." Zuko stated. "But you need to keep a low profile!" he stated.

"Zuko relax. It will be fine. We've been in fire nation colonies before." Aang assured.

Zuko huffed. "This might be fun and games for you. But it isn't for me!" he stated. "Do you have any idea what they will do with me if I get captured?" he asked.

"Erhm.." Sokka halted. "Kill you?"

"If I am lucky!" Zuko stated. "I am the prince who turned traitor! They will want to make an example out of me. To show that treachery is never allowed within the fire nation. That's why my father made our Agni Kai public! To set an example."

"Wait… Agni Kai?" Sokka blinked.

"A fire duel to the death. And it was that battle which gave me this." Zuko pointed at his scar. "I was thirteen years old and basically tricked into anticipating facing my father the firelord. It was an unfair fight from the start. It was to set an example that treachery would not be tolerated. Even from a Prince! That though will be nothing next to what he would do now! If Aang is captured. He would just be kept alive while locked away. Me? I would be on public display to show what happens to traitors and my sister would be laughing from her front row seat! To the fire nation, there is no lower scum than a traitor."

There was stunned silence as everyone looked at Zuko.

"So you see?" Zuko asked. "This isn't fun."

Everyone was just silent as they wide-eyed looked at Zuko.

"Man…" Toph at last broke the silence. "Zukos father is a jerk."

"Okay." Katara nodded. "I can see why you are worried." she said. "We'll do like you suggested." she assured. "We'll find a clothes store first and do our business as fast as quietly as we can."

Zuko nodded. "Thank you." he simply said.


As they finally entered the small city Zuko had his head bowed. Fire nation banners were hanging from the poles and the walls, as well were there wanted posters which Sokka started to check out. Zuko didn't even bother looking at them.

They didn't need to get far though to get to a clothes shop, the second they were inside Aang and Sokka began to laugh as they hurried to check out different clothes.

Zuko frowned deeply from where he stood.

"Hey." Katara looked up at Zuko. "We are here. You might as well find something you like." she pointed out.

Zuko scowled, admittedly being more like his old self than their entire time together at the mountain.

Finally they had all found new clothes. Aang had found himself a set which came with a hat! And finger gloves that covered the tattoos on his hands.

Zuko had found himself a cloak with a hood… Katara probably shouldn't have been to surprised by that.

"You know. I do look good in green." Sokka grinned as he turned around looking down at himself.

"You look great!" Toph grinned.

"Thank you. HEY!" Sokka exclaimed and Katara sighed as she paid at the counter. Her heart sinking as she felt their wallet grow significantly lighter.


Afterwards they headed to the general store. Zuko kept his hood up and kept looking suspiciously over his shoulder.

Katara supposed she couldn't really blame him after what Zuko had told them, still she wished he wouldn't stress her this much. As they came inside each one kind of headed in each their direction. "Lee. Would you pick out some tea leafs?" she asked.

"Erhm. Yeah sure." Zuko nodded and headed towards the cabinet with different small drawers that had tea leafs while Katara headed for the grains and rice section. Only to sigh deeply as she saw the price tag.

So much for cheap food. Not helped much when Sokka came with a big slap of meat, pointing out he hadn't had any meat for ages.

And Aang running up with multiple fruits and vegetables as well as a begging look in his eyes. At last Katara had to ask Sokka to find a cheaper cut and ask Aang to select half of what he had found.

Katara shook her head as she scanned the store to find Zuko and finally found him in a corner holding a jar in his hand which he was examining. Finally Katara stepped up as Zuko addressed the woman behind the counter.

"Excuse me. Is this Zingiber salve?" Zuko asked the lady.

"Yes!" The woman smiled kindly. "The herbalist who makes it grows her own Zingiber in her garden, two villages away from here." she said. "I think you will find it to be very good quality."

Katara stepped forward as she looked up at Zuko. "Is it something you want?" he asked.

Zuko frowned deeply then shook his head as he put the salve back. "It's to expensive. Maybe another time." he said and then walked away.

Katara blinked as she looked at the jar of salve then at the lady who looked after Zuko, sadness in her eyes.

Katara chewed her lip.


"No meat?" Sokka asked. "But you said!"

"You are a strong and capable hunter aren't you?" Katara asked in a huff as the group walked down the street. "We'll make sure our next camp will be at a place where you can hunt. Problem solved."

"It sure would help if we had a way to make money." Toph sighed deeply, then blew on her hair.

"It'll be all right." Aang assured. "We'll figure something out. Like we always do."

Zuko frowned. "You're just improvising?" he asked.

"Yeah. Pretty much how we do things." Sokka shrugged. "Just improvise and kind of hope for the best."

"That's stupid." Zuko commented.

"It worked so far." Aang smiled a little apologetically just as Katara halted by the sight of a big collection of clay pots, pans, cups and anything you could think of made in clay. All in bright and sparkling colours.

"Wow." Katara breathed. "That's so pretty!" she couldn't help but admirer and glanced inside where two people were almost dancing around a man and a woman.

The man winked at Katara. "Hello young woman. Seeing anything you fancy?" he asked as he moved his hands over some clay and suddenly a pot started to form from the clay itself.

"You're an earth bender!" Katara grinned.

"He sure is." The woman smiled as she took a finished but still wet put and dowsed it in a white powder. She held the pot and suddenly the powder itself started to melt while water evaporated from the pot.

"And you're a fire bender." Zuko blinked surprised.

"She sure is!" The man grinned. "Welcome to Ming and Ying pottery!" he grinned. "I'm Ying! And this absolutely lovely creature is Ming! Remember you can watch, but you can't touch. She'll burn you!"

Katara blinked astounded. An earth bender and a fire bender working together to have a pottery shop. "This is amazing." she gasped.

"How do an earth bender and a fire bender end up starting a pottery shop together?" Zuko couldn't help but ask. "I mean… usually they hate each other."

"Oh that one is simple." Ying smirked. "By the end of the day. Love is stronger than hate."

"You're married?" Katara asked.

"You better believe it." Ming smirked. "So don't go around saying it can't be done!"

Ying stepped towards Ming, putting a hand that was soiled in clay around her shoulder. Since Ming was mostly in covered in clay too though, she clearly didn't matter. "I grew up in this city." Ying said. "And believe me, when the fire nation first came. I hated them." he admitted. "I didn't think I could ever forgive someone from the fire nation. Boy did I learn." he shook his head.

Katara smiled. "That's so nice. I'm really happy for you."

"So." Zuko looked at Ming. "She changed your mind?" he asked. "About… the fire nation I mean."

Ying sighed deeply. "We're not really supposed to talk loudly about it you know." he whispered. "Let's just say I realized that… The fire nation people are victims too."

"I didn't want anything to do with the war." Ming sighed deeply. "I was just… Born into it."

Zuko nodded sadly. "I understand." he said. "Thank you." he bowed for them.

Ming blinked. "For what young man?"

"For giving me something new to reflect upon." Zuko said as he stood up.

Ming looked at Zuko, her eyes softened by the sight of his face. "I see. You were hurt by the fire nation." she said. "I'm sorry. We're not all like that."

"I know." Zuko assured holding up a hand. "And that's not what I was thinking."

Ming smiled, her face still looking sad. "Is there anything you like?" she finally asked gesturing at their wares.

"I'm sorry." Katara said. "We don't have any money. Thank you for letting us watch though."

"Any time." Ming assured. "And if you change your mind. You know where we are."

Katara nodded as she smiled. It was just so nice to see, the elements working together!

Really when you started to think about it. The possibilities truly were endless.