Author's Note: So before I get into anything, if I have anything to get into this time around. I just want to say that this chapter was supposed to be much longer, but due to time constraints, outside factors, and the temporary loss of my internet, I decided to split the chapter. Now I'm going to have to completely rewrite the second half (...Thank you cloud save... ) but I'm hoping that writing it a second time has it come out better than the first time.

Now as for this chapter, other than me taking longer than intended to get this out there, there isn't all that much to talk over this time regarding what's going on.

So with that out of the way. I thank you all for all the reviews, favorites, follows, and overall support. I'm so glad you're all enjoying it, and I hope you continue to enjoy it! I'll see you all again next time!


First Stop on the Way.


There had been an obvious flaw in the plan that Zuko had originally laid out. Not in the execution of the plan, trekking southbound through various paths in the woodland gave the traveling duo little trouble. The rain had long since passed so the weather hadn't been a negative factor any more. And thanks to Zuko's experience in avoiding people thanks to his life of solitude, the fear of running into any more patrols wasn't present.

So what issue could have possibly thrown such a wrench into Zuko's "well-laid out" plan?

Actually stepping into the village they had managed to reach. Of all the things Zuko had prepped for, interacting with other human beings was the only problem he seemed to have. Because of all the training Zuko had put himself through, all the preparations put in place, of all the situations he could have found himself in, socializing with other people was the one thing he had no skill or experience with.

The fact he had been doing so "well" with Katara, could have been chalked up to a lot of things. Zuko would outright say it was a fluke, or that Katara was the one doing all the socializing.

It wasn't that Zuko couldn't socialize. In the few occasions he had gone "undercover" in the past, he had managed to seem like a somewhat normal person. That is of course if you can call stammering, awkward pauses and a lack of eye contact somewhat normal. And if it was, then that's exactly what Zuko was, because in his mind, staying as inconspicuous as he could was the goal.

The real problem with socialization that Zuko had was a simple, but painful problem. Zuko was scared of other people.

It was an innate fear, one he had no control over. It all stemmed from the day woke up on that beach. Although he now knew he could trust Iroh, trust him more than he could potentially trust himself, the old man had terrified him at first. But Iroh was understanding, and had told him his fear was a justified one.

" It was another person who did this to you. It is only reasonable that you would fear others. "

But Iroh had once said to him that sometimes facing his fears was better than hiding from them his whole life. So why did Zuko feel so petrified at the idea of stepping into this populated port town, when it was something he had set as a goal for he and Katara?

" ...I just can't do it… "

" But Lee! We're here now, all we have to do is stay one night, get some stuff for the road, and leave. We won't stay any longer than we have to. I promise. " Katara spoke with a sweet smile, trying her best to convince the masked teen.

A half-hearted chuckle escaped the scarred swordsmans chapped lips. " You make it sound so simple...Believe it or not I wear this mask for more than just hiding from myself… "

There had been no need for him to divulge, Katara could easily make out his interpretations just by the sound of his voice alone. And what she made out of it brought a twinge of pain to her heart. " ...Lee… " Her mind immediately raced back to what she had seen under his mask. To what she shouldn't have seen. " That scar...Someone hurt Lee...And now he's afraid if he takes that mask off someone else will do the same… "

Her hand edged towards Lee's hovering over it for a second before gently resting it atop his. " Lee, If you don't want to go with me that's fine...I can...I can go into town on my own and you can meet me on the other si- "

" Out of the question… "

Her eyes widened but quickly shifted to a scowl of indignation. " You don't think I can protect myself?! You're just like my brother, always thinking I'm helpl- " Her rant on the treatment that she perceived Lee was giving her, was cut off by an index finger being pressed to her lips.

" Stop putting words in my mouth… " He grunted with mild irritation. " I wasn't calling you helpless, you're far from it. I was just saying going in by yourself wouldn't be safe… "

He had turned his "face" away from her, not that it had mattered. Katara never could tell if she was making direct eye contact with Lee. " I'm sorry… " She said with a small huff. " It's just that ever since I was little, Sokka has been treating me like I can't do anything...That if I even try I'd get hurt. And it only got worse the older I grew. "

Zuko lessened his grip from her hand, letting it slide out. Stepping away from her so that he was facing the town, Zuko eyed some of the people going about their daily routines.

It was a port town, a lively one. Traders would come from all over to ensure that their livelihood was spread out as far as could be via the numerous ships docked at the local pier. Those that weren't trying to get their merchandise shipped out, were in stalls using any tactic necessary to meet their various sales quotas, and there were always plenty of consumers looking to buy. If Zuko let Katara go on her own in a town as busy as this, it would be like letting the poor girl get caught up in an Elephant Mandrill stampede.

" You don't have to say sorry...You weren't in the wrong to think that I was implying that…It's just that it's dangerous to go alone in a town like this, we should just wait for night to come and slip past when no one's around... "

He turned back to face her with crossed arms, his head kept at a decline, making it impossible for Katara to tell if he was looking at her or the ground. She wished she could see the expression hidden behind the false face he wore, it would have made reading him so much easier. A thought suddenly struck her, one that should have shown up in her head sooner.

" Lee? Are you sure this about my safety and not something else. "

His generally relaxed stance stiffen. Gotcha.

" Don't be ridiculous… " Zuko kept his chin tucked against his chest, keeping his gaze on the ground, but ever so slightly shifted it away from Katara.

His usually gruff voice had just barely risen in tone, and while Katara had no special sixth sense for detecting lies, living with an older brother, she had taught herself a few tricks for learning when a boy was lying. The pitch in his voice rising was one such trick she had used with Sokka numerous times. Had it not been for this or his rigid posture, Katara highly doubted she could have recognized the Lee's lie. His body language had given off an air of calmness and confidence, the way he carried himself, and the fact his face was always concealed meant reading his face for lies was out of the question.

But his dishonesty hadn't been out of some ulterior motive. Katara already knew where in his reasoning the blatant lie spawned from.

Lee had been hurt by someone. That much was clear to the Southern waterbender, and much like with Aang after he learned the truth about his people, she felt as if she needed to protect Lee. " I'll protect you from whoever hurt you Lee… " He may have been plenty strong in a physical and a willful sense, but emotionally, deep down, she knew he was weak, even if he had yet to show even a sliver of that weakness to her.

" If you really don't want to go in there Lee...We don't have to. We can go around, or do like you suggested and wait till night. "

Zuko's head rose, his eyes finding their way to Katara's. He was unsure if she could tell they were making direct eye contact, but he was trying to search her blue orbs for any purpose for wanting to suddenly change her mind on the matter. Usually he could see deceit in a person's eyes, it's how he could tell a hardened criminal from some unfortunate soul who's hit a low in their life.

He saw no such deceit in Katara's eyes. Whatever her reasoning was, she was being genuine, and the thought that she'd give up a nice nights rest and an actual meal for his sake, didn't sit right. " No. "

" N-no?! " Katara sputtered. " What do you mean no?! I know you don't want to go in there Lee... So please, let's just go around or wait… "

" No. " He repeated. Zuko was adamant now, he had always put others before himself, and nothing would change that.

" It never hurts to let someone else shoulder our burdens every now and then. Having someone take care of you when you need it will not make you weak Zuko, it will only be proof that you truly trust the person willing to put themselves before you. "

Not even the sagely advice of Iroh.

Katara was frustrated now. She should have known he was going to protest, he's just like Sokka in that regard. Even when he gets his way he doesn't want to accept. Why did boys have to act so macho all the time, a little weakness wouldn't kill them. " Then what do you suggest we do Lee...Sit here and wait for the town to move itself. "

Zuko stepped closer to the town, paying no heed to Katara's blatant sarcasm. " I'll wear a disguise. "

And just like that, Katara's frustration turned to confusion.

A disguise? How was someone who wore a mask twenty-four seven supposed to disguise themselves. Throwing a hood over his head wouldn't work as one peek underneath would reveal the wicked spirit's smile. And Katara knew better than to expect him to remove his mask.

" And how exactly are you going to do that? " She asked with genuine curiosity.

An outstretched arm and index finger was her answer. Zuko kept his focus on the town, eyeing specific buildings and houses. " I'll keep it simple. Neither of us blend in. I stick out like a sore thumb, and as for you, Blue isn't exactly a common choice of colored clothing, especially in a port town frequented by the Fire Nation. " He glanced back in her direction. " So I'll go into town, snag us some new clothes, cause quite frankly...Mine are threads away from falling apart...And while I'm at it I'll find a solution to my mask problem. "

It was as good a plan of any, but the Idea of Lee just taking from people who already didn't have much to their name sat in Katara's stomach like a brick of lead. " Lee do you really have to steal…I mean, isn't there another way. "

" ...I wish there was… " He mumbled solemnly. " Just stay here till I get back… " Zuko effortlessly scaled the tree he had been under till now, using it to leap onto the nearest roof he could reach, leaving Katara there, hands clasped, watching the masked teen vanish from sight.

" Be careful Lee… "


The ability to dash across rooftops with ease and as silently as he did, was like second nature to Zuko. It was a necessary when paying a visit to the more populated towns and villages; it made keeping out of sight easier, even in broad daylight, and made getting around simpler and faster. The innate fear that he might be spotted never seemed to be present when he was outside the view of others, even if he was just under their noses, or in this case, above.

Having such a high position made spotting people and points of interest all the easier, as all it took was a quick scan from the highest point for him to mentally mark where he needed to go next. Still, Zuko had to be hasty, this wasn't like the other times, where he could take his time looking about. Katara was waiting for him, and if he kept her waiting too long, she might try venturing into the town on her own.

With this in mind, Zuko picked up his pace, jolting from rooftop to rooftop with unparalleled swiftness.

The first thing on the agenda was a new change of clothes for Katara and himself. It needed to be something green, something that would blend in no matter where they went, while also being functional; it was winter now and the nights in the Earth Kingdom could be frigid depending on where you were, and the chance of getting caught out in the rain again was always present.

Thankfully finding clothing with that description was no chore, especially in a town like this. Even in places occupied by, or even frequently visited by the Fire Nation, green seemed to be the more prominent choice when it came to clothing, even for soldiers on leave. So finding an unminded clothes line was trivial for the faceless warrior.

The wind blew clothes away all the time, so nobody would pay much attention to a pair or two of clothes going missing. The clothes that Zuko had managed to find in his and Katara's size had come from a decent-sized home, meaning whoever they belonged to were wealthy enough to replace them without much hassle. That would alleviate Zuko of any guilt he may have had for stealing from someone of lesser fortune.

Unfortunately the hard part came now. It was a qandry that Zuko dared the cleverest of scholars to ponder over. How does one who is always disguise conceal themselves, without removing their current revealing themselves in the process.

Zuko was certain that if Iroh were here he would say something along the lines of.

" When you are always hidden, your true self becomes the disguise. "

" Yeah...Something along those lines. " Zuko's many mental impressions of Iroh may have lacked any of the tidbits of wisdom the elderly man tended to lace in his words, but they were never far from something Iroh would have said given the situation at the time. Even if the voice he gave his interpretation of Iroh sounded nothing like the man himself.

Fate smiled on Zuko at that moment, as his momentary pause to think of Iroh left him in the perfect position to spy inside a doctors office. He would have simply continued on his way, but something had stopped him, a distressed voice coming from within the office.

" … Please doctor, my daughter...She needs the medication or her condition will get worse, and I could barely afford it before...Please don't raise the price… "

The doctor who had been standing near the window turned his back to the pleading woman. " I'm sorry Lanfen but the demand for medicine is growing higher by the day. What with the war going on and the Fire Nation breathing down my neck for medical supplies. I simply can't keep supplying you with your daughter's medication without the proper compensation, I'd be losing money and medicine. "

" ...B-but you can't...My daughter...She'll… "

" I'm sorry, but there's nothing more I can do for you. "

Zuko's hands curled into fists and tightened as much as they could. That man has the nerve to call himself a doctor, to practice a profession that entails he help people whenever they need it. But when a begging mother, in desperate need of medication for her ailing daughter can't pay his inflated prices, he simply says there's nothing he can do?!

A great rage boiled deep inside of Zuko. It was people like this that Zuko sought to punish the most for their mistreatment of the innocent and less fortunate. How they step on and use anyone they can till they serve no purpose, how they offer false hope only to turn around and seek compensation for something that should have been done out of the goodness in their heart. But Zuko knew deep down, there was no goodness in their hearts, only greed.

But amidst the rage he had been feeling, Zuko's eyes drifted to a possible solution for his mask dilemma. Waiting for the doctor to slither away like the spider snake he was, Zuko slipped down to the window, reaching his arm through the opening, and grabbing a bag full of basic medical supplies, which by themselves would prove useful in the coming journey. Zuko felt no remorse for taking from the man. He felt it was only fair, robbing people who needed his help just for monetary gain.

" I know one stop I need to make before we leave town… "

Wordlessly, Zuko pulled himself back onto the rooftop, stuffing the clothes he "borrowed" into the back he "procured". And if Katara asked, he found the bag lying out in the open. And as Zuko dashed away over the rooftops, he could just barely make out Iroh's voice in the back of his head, trying to dissuade him from the thought that had already cemented itself in Zuko's mind.

" Though the actions of others may bring about various emotions within us, we must never let them take reign of our own actions. Vengeance is like a wheel Zuko, always turning, always repeating itself, until it and everything else finally falls apart. "

Zuko had taken those words to heart once, had believed that mindlessly taking revenge could end up being his downfall. But something shifted in his mind, something brought about by the pleading voice of that mother. It made him wonder, what if that had been his mother in that situation?


It couldn't possibly take that long to find a pair of clothes. Even if he didn't know what size to find specifically, Katara knew that Lee was perceptive enough to get something that was remotely close. Not that she approved of him stealing just to get new garments, stealing was wrong and she felt as if no one should have to do it. Sometimes however, there were no other options.

" ...Why do boys have to be so stubborn… "

Katara glanced down at the clothing she was currently dressed in. What was once the long blue tunic and matching trousers she proudly sported back in her homeland, was now a tattered dirt covered shadow of their former selves. Damaged from her mistreatment at the hands of the Fire Nation, torn from one thing or another, and burnt in more than one place.

Even if clothes made in the Southern Water Tribe were built to last in the harsh conditions they were intended for, they could only be used for so long before they lost their practicality, and hers seemed to be at that limit. Katara lowered her eyes to her lap, her hands clenching the length of the tunic.

The thought of discarding something she'd had since she left home, the only thing she had left of home since she lost her mother's necklace on that ship, made her sick to her stomach. It was like discarding a piece of herself. " I shouldn't have to do this...Gran-gran helped me make these, and to just throw them away...It wouldn't be right! " She felt frustration, sadness, and confusion all at once.

Oh how she wished her Gran-gran were there at that very moment. She always seemed to know what to say when Katara needed it. Closing her eyes, Katara began thinking back to her many days spent with her grandmother, going back to something her grandmother had told her a few years back.

" My dear Katara, It isn't the color your clothes that makes you a part of the Southern Water Tribe. Why, it's not even your bending that makes you who you are. It's what's on the inside that determines who and what you are, but as far as I'm concerned, you'll always be my granddaughter, no matter who you choose to be. "

" You always did know what to say Gran-gran… " The thought replayed itself in her head, and with each replay, she felt more and more comfortable with the idea of discarding her garbs.

" Something on your mind. "

Katara's eyes shot open as wide as they could, her body, though seated on a stump, lost all sense of balance, and fell backwards. The source of her startlement?

" L-Lee! "

He was right there, standing in the exact same position he had been before leaving her, his arms crossed. It was as if he had never even left, and yet she never heard him arrive. Perhaps she was just too deep in thought, or maybe he was stealthier than she originally thought. All she knew was that she certainly wasn't appreciating the little laugh he was having in her expense.

" It's not funny! " She barked out, going to pull herself up, only to be met halfway by Lee's hand.

" Sorry. " He muttered. " You just looked so caught up in something, I felt like if I just came barging back I would've disturbed you. "

She slightly cut her eyes at her. " Well congratulations you did didn't disturb me...You scared me half to death! "

" Again, I'm sorry. "

Katara sighed, she was over it already. Being mad would be pointless, so instead she would focus on the notion that Lee was back because he had successfully collected what he had set out for. And if him being in front of her hadn't made it evident, then the unfamiliar bag he had been sporting certainly did.

" ...You stole that didn't you..? "

Zuko wouldn't deny it. He had stolen before to get by, and while he hadn't made a major habit out of it, he would recognize when the "liberation" of an item in someone else's possession was necessary. He shrugged. " It's not like anyone will notice a few missing clothes, not with the wind blowing, and what else I took...Well you'd just had to have been there to understand, so judge me if you will but I stand by my choice. "

He retrieved the "new" clothing from within the bag, pushing them into Katara's arms. " So...These are for me? "

" They are, now go get changed, but don't come out till I'm done changing. "

" Alright, no need to be so bossy about it… " Katara grumbled. She wondered if this is what it had been like for Sokka back in the South Pole. If it had been then she suddenly felt sorry for how she had acted towards him, only a little though.

Katara could hear the thud of Lee's old clothes hitting the ground, and perhaps it had been curiosity, or perhaps it was those old evil teenage hormones acting up, but she felt so compelled to sneak a peek. She fought that thought away however, but couldn't rid herself of the flushed cheeks that had accompanied her unbecoming contemplation.

She instead focused on getting her own clothes on, and much to her own amazement, they fit. They fit very well in fact, as if they had been made specifically for her body. " So...Either Lee has been staring at me to get a read on the size of my clothes...Or this is a total coincidence...Yeah, let's go with a coincidence..! " And there was the blush again.

" Alright you can come out now! "

He honestly didn't need to be so commanding about the whole thing. Katara had half a mind to just stand behind that bush and make him wait! But considering all Lee really needed to do was reach through the bush and pull her through, Katara chose to comply, it would save her the hassle, and Lee the irritation.

Stepping out, Katara hadn't honestly expected what she'd see. Lee hadn't disclosed what his master plan was for "disguising" himself, and she wanted to know very much what he had up his sleeve.

Standing next to the pile that was his old clothes, Katara spotted Lee, sporting a beige and green tunic and trousers, resting on his shoulders and hiding the back of his head from her, was a raggedy old cloak, which in all honesty looked like and old sack for holding vegetables.

" A hood? Lee...That's not exactly a...A well thought out idea. "

Zuko groaned, slapping his hand to his face. This girl really didn't have much in the way of imagination. " My disguise isn't the hood, Katara! It's what's under the hood...I was just trying to keep it a last minute surprise. "

Yep. It was official in Katara's head. Lee and Sokka would be excellent friends should they get the chance to meet.

" OK then Lee...What's this big surprise? "

He didn't speak, but Katara could hear him exhale, so either he was genuinely nervous, or he was just being dramatic. She watched as his hand grasped the hood, pulling it back as he swiveled around to face her. Katara laid eyes upon Lee's face, wrapped in a layer or two of medical bandages. His head had been wrapped in a way so that only his right eye, and some hair was visible.

It was the first time Katara could get such a clear look at the eyes, or well, eye, he kept hidden behind that demonic mask. And to say the least, she was stunned. Lee's eye was a bright vibrant golden amber, as clear water, and as incandescent as the sun itself. To be brief about it, and she could only imagine his left eye was the same, scar or no scar, that his eyes were gorgeous. So full of life, but not in the same way that Aang's had been, it lacked the child-like innocence, in its place was indistinguishable pain, pain he hid so much better than she ever could. .

She had been staring for far too long, and Zuko didn't like that. Was she judging the disguise? Did she think it was ridiculous? At times like this Zuko wished he had been born a mind reader!

" Uhh, Katara? "

Katara's eyes widened and her cheeks became a shade of deep red. She had been caught staring, not that she had been very subtle about it, in all honesty she had expected say something when she began ogling his eye. " S-sorry Lee...Is something the matter? "

Zuko cocked his head slightly. " No...I just wanted to know what you thought of my...Disguise. "

Ah. So that had been what he called her for, not the whole staring intently at his lone eye thing. But now that Katara had begun looking over his face, she realized it completely concealed his "identities" as, barring his eye, no piece of his face was visible, and his mask was tucked safely in the bag at his feet from what Katara could tell. There was only one thing she was wondering now though.

" Why bandages? "

A groan came from beneath the wrappings around Zuko's face. " I was hoping you'd pick up on it without explaining...But i guess that was just me getting ahead of myself. " He stopped to point back towards the town. " This town has one of the only doctors around that doesn't require a ten days travel. So not only is this a place for merchants to visit, it's also an ideal location for people who've been injured in the war. "

So that's what Lee's plan was, play the part of a victim of war, and no one would be the wiser. It was ingenious, and if Lee was right, and others injured by the never-ending conflict flocked here, they'd have a laughably easy time blending in. " ...And I guess it isn't a total lie...Lee really is hurt under those bandages… " The thought of Lee's scar hidden under the bandages made Katara's stomach twist.

" Some awful person did that to you Lee...And you probably don't even remember who… "

She brought her downcast gaze back up towards Lee, where she saw his eye resting on her. She'd need to get used to that. She'd spent nearly four days with Lee now, and in that time she had become accustomed with the masks eye holes being what she had to look into, being unable to tell if he was looking at her or something else. Being able to clearly tell that he was looking at her, would make things awkward for the time being.

She'd been silent for far too long, and Lee was started to stir where we stood, clearly uncomfortable with the silence, which he might have taken as her disapproval. Katara quickly shook herself out of her stupor, and gave him a smile. " Well, now that I get what you're going for, I think your disguise is just perfect Lee. "

Zuko sighed, this time with relief. He had been sure his idea would prove successful, but something within him wanted to reach out to Katara, to receive her approval. Whatever it was, it must've been satisfied, as he could no longer feel it in him. " I guess...We should head into town now...Shouldn't we? "

He sounded hesitant, and Katara didn't like it. He had disclosed with her the time he went into a town on his own without his mask, and how he had been terrified by all the passing glances he was receiving. It helped Katara understand that the mask truly was Lee's own way of feeling secure. " Hey. " She stepped up to him.

" Huh...What is it Katara? "

She didn't speak, she only looked him in his eye and took his hand in hers. " If it makes you feel more comfortable, you can hold my hand while we find a place to rest. "

She was giving him the softest, sweetest smile that Zuko had ever seen, and thankfully he had something hiding the fact that his cheeks had reddened severely. " Well...Only cause you said so...Besides, you won't get lost this way… "

Katara turned her head to the side as they started on their way into town, she didn't want Lee seeing the smirk she wore on her face. " You boys are all so similar...Just let a little emotion out, it's not like it'll hurt. " Having rid herself of the amused smirk, Katara turned back towards Lee with another soft smile, she'd let him off the hook this time. " Whatever you say Lee, whatever you say. "


Just as Zuko had said, the town was quite alive and bustling. People were out and about, taking care of various errands, setting up and managing shops, browsing, or just going from one place or another, and quite frankly, the sight of it all frightened Katara.

Growing up in a secluded, minuscule village in the furthest reaches of the world, crowds of this size were something Katara had never experienced. The denizens roamed to and fro, going left, right, forward, backward, all over the place like a colony of penguin otters. Her newfound discomfort must've been more noticeable than she initially thought, as she felt Lee's grip tighten around her own hand. " Thanks... " She muttered but not ungratefully.

" Wasn't he the one who was supposed to be uncomfortable with places like this? "

And he was. Zuko felt constricted in his own skin. Being surrounded by so many people without his mask left the overwhelming fear of being discovered looming over his head like a storm cloud. But Katara was there for him, just like he was there for her.

It was a practically unspoken agreement they had made while on their way to their current location. Traveling for another whole night, and resting for a short time had given them plenty of time to talk, and plenty of time for Zuko to realize the foundations of trust had already started building up.

Zuko wasn't about to complain if he and Katara could really become friends. He would finally someone to actually talk to on a regular basis! Someone other than himself or the disembodied voice of Iroh he had instilled in his own head. But now that Zuko had thought it up in his head, he couldn't help but mentally slap himself.

" I really gotta rethink my goals in life don't I… "

" Lee? "

Katara's voice brought Zuko out of his brief thoughts, she had her other arm stretched out, pointing at a nearby sign. A sign that simply read "INN".

" Well, I guess that'll do. "

Katara grimaced. " It better, this town is big and I'm not walking through that crowd to find another place. "

Well there was no arguing with that, not without getting chewed out by Katara. " Alright we'll stay here tonight… "

A triumphant grin appeared on Katara's face as she pulled Lee along behind her. It felt good being a girl sometimes, especially when it came to bossing around boys, because even if Katara disliked being referred to as "bossy" by Sokka, she couldn't deny that there was the slightest feeling of satisfaction that came with making him do chores. " I'm glad you see it my way. "

" ...Not like I had much choice… "

" What was that? "

" Nothing you're imagining things… " Zuko turned his head away, grumbling beneath his wrappings.

The interior of the Inn was very quaint, and decorated with much tender love and care. Paintings of who the duo assumed were the owners littered the walls, giving them the impression that this was a family run business. Good, less for Zuko to worry about.

Looking back and forth behind the counter, Katara searched for someone who might be able to assist them. " Uh, Hello? Is anyone here. " Lee stepped forward, leaning against the counter before ringing a miniature bell with the words "ring me" engraved on it. " I knew that was there! "

The look from Zuko's lone eye said otherwise. " Right and I'm the prince of the Fire Nation. " Even if she couldn't hear it, his thoughts had been laced in the sarcasm he so desperately wanted to speak himself, but Zuko would be good for now. The last thing he wanted was Katara getting angry and the foundation of what would be their trust crumbling as a result.

Katara rung the bell once more, and just as she had, a kind-looking elderly woman came out of the nearby door at her own relaxed pace. " Oh my, forgive me I was preoccupied with a brew of tea that one of my tennents requested. My name is Anju, welcome to my humble Inn, how may I be of assistance? "

Katara couldn't resist smiling. Something about this woman reminded her of her grandmother. She was younger than her Gran-gran by a decade or so, but still gave off the same air of kindness and comfort that Kanna had. " We were wondering if you had any spare rooms left...We're new to this town and don't exactly have anywhere else to go. "

The older woman's eyes drifted to Zuko, looking him over, and taking note of the bandages he wore on his face and arms, from there they gazed upon their entwined hands. A large smile formed on Anju's face. " You two are quite lucky, we have one more room available. But first tell me, what's a young couple like you doing in a busy port town like this? Most runaways tend to avoid places like this and head straight towards Omashu or Ba Sing Se "

" Couple..?! " Zuko repeated.

But thankfully, Katara had caught onto what the woman had perceived them as, and while she despised the idea of lying to such a kind woman, at the moment she didn't really have many options. " T-that's right...We're a couple...You see my...Fiance was a soldier...Sent off to the uh...Front lines...When he returned home he had been burned horribly, and I couldn't stand the sight of him in pain, and I'd heard a doctor resided in this town, one that could help relieve him of some of the pain… "

The innkeeper brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes now holding a great deal of sympathy. " Oh you poor dears...Such a sweet thing, I'll tell you what, just for tonight I'll let you stay free of charge. "

" F-free of charge? " That made Katara feel more awful. Everything she had told this kind old woman was a lie, everything except Lee being injured. A sour feeling welled up in her stomach, the thought of taking advantage of this woman's kindness sickened her. " W-we couldn't possibly… "

" Nonsense...I understand what it's like to be in the situation you're in...Why when I was your age I was in love with a soldier myself, my parents never approved...So we ran away. " She smiled at the "couple" seeing the supposed similarities between her memory and the two teens in front of her. " All I need are your names so I can sign you in for the night… "

Katara paled. " O-our names? " Was it really safe to be giving out their names with the Fire Nation after them? It hadn't helped that her name was vastly more noticeable than the average Earth Kingdom na-

" ...Our names are Lee and Ming… "

" Ah, so you can speak...I was starting to think your bride-to-be would have to do all the talking. " The older woman let out a mild chuckle, her words had no ill will, only the intent on teasing the selectively mute youth. " Lee and Ming...Fine names those are. " She quickly etched the names down and retrieved a key from inside a drawer under the counter, handing it to "Ming" " I hope the two of you enjoy your stay "

Had that really just happened? Had they really just lied to such a kindhearted old woman, getting a room for free for some fabricated story. Katara couldn't help but think this as she stepped away from the counter. " Lee...I think I'm going to be sick...Lee? "

He wasn't with her.

No, Zuko had stayed at the counter, looking at the old woman before reaching into the bag he carried at his side. " Here...I know you said it was free of charge...But I wouldn't feel right just accepting that… " With zero hesitation, Zuko retrieved a small pouch of coins, resting it on the counter before turning away.

" It is not uncommon to feel wrong about accepting something without having properly earned it. At least that's the way things used to be...Such honest virtues are things that few practice anymore. As the world moves further and further into chaos, greed and selfishness show more and more in the people of the nations. You're honest, kind heart Zuko, is a truly wonderful thing, something that others could learn from, something that you yourself could continue to learn from, and potentially, remember from. "

It was rare that Zuko ever wanted to hear Iroh's advice. But in the few times he had, the few times he truly felt desperate, Zuko was grateful that he had listened, grateful to Iroh for just being there.

" Lee... "

" Huh? " Zuko glanced up, his lone eye meeting Katara's two azure eyes. The blue orbs held a peculiar gleam in them, and Katara's mouth was shaped into a tender smile. " Is everything alright Katara..? "

Wordlessly, she threw her arms around him. " Thank you… " She whispered into his ear, letting go and turning away to resume walking, with Zuko in tow.

They had reached the door with the same inscription that was etched into the key. Zuko watched as Katara began to unlock the door, and as she did he felt his lips start moving on their own, words coming out without his consent. " I couldn't just leave her with nothing in return...There are so few kind people left in the world, and the only way it'll stay that was is if we act just as kind in return… "

" My Gran-gran told me something like that when i was little… "

" I remember something my own mother once told me...That she remembered a time when the people of the world got along, how kind the four nations treated one another. "

" Can we be kind to each other again Gran-gran? " Katara had remembered asking.

" Hmm perhaps. If we just spread kindness in any place we can, and return it whenever it is given, then it may be possible to return the world to the way it was… "

"...Katara? "

She shook her head. " It's nothing Lee… " Katara resumed the action of unlocking the room door, stepping over the threshold, and entering. Just as the lobby of the building had been, the room itself was very charming and simplistic in design and nature, but the appeal of it all had been stripped right away once Katara's eyes laid on the singular bed centered against the wall.

The two teens turned their heads towards one another, reading each others stare in silent agreement on the situation they now had on hand. " I'll take the chair. " Zuko stated without hesitation, ambling past Katara, and sitting himself in an old wood carved rocking chair.

" Are...Are you sure, I mean we could always...Share… "

" I wouldn't make you do that. " He glanced at her briefly, quickly putting his focus on one of the few decorations in the room. " I'm still a stranger...And most girls don't feel all that comfortable splitting beds with people they don't really know… "

" That's alright Zuko, you have nothing to worry about. There's nothing wrong with sharing a bed with your sister during the thunderstorm...She acts tough, but even the strongest women get scared sometimes, and when that happens they just need someone by their side to make them feel safe. "

It was that woman's voice again. His mother's, speaking to him from behind the veils that enshrouded his lost memories. What had she meant? Had she said sister? And how was she so sure of what she was saying?

" Because while I might be your mom, I was a young girl at one point...I know what it's like to be in a strange new place, or to be in a situation I have no idea how to cope with. Having someone there to lean on, to reassure that everything will be alright. Sometimes that person could be new to their life, but so long as a bond is there, so is the trust needed to give that feeling of safety. "

She had spoken as if it were from experience, and it made Zuko yearn to know more, to hear more of her voice, and to remember more than just bits and pieces. He longed to put a face with the voice that had been calling out to him.

Nonetheless, her words sunk in deep, and Zuko found himself briefly glimpsing back towards Katara. And brief was the perfect word to describe the glance he had given, as it lasted no more than a second, just long enough for him to see those blue eyes resting on him. His mother's words cycled in his head, repeating so that he would listen to each and every spoken syllable, and as the vocal loop finally came to an end, he found himself thinking of Katara, and if she must be feeling the way his mother had described.

Katara was staring at him now, her deep blue eyes focused on the half-lidded gaze that had been focused away from her. He was afraid that he was making her feel uncomfortable, he was thinking about how she felt, and was feeling bad despite not having done anything wrong. " Maybe I was wrong to judge Lee the same way I judge Sokka and Aang...No, I was...am wrong to judge him that way… " Her steps echoed in the subsequent silence that she would soon break. " Lee...Maybe I don't know you as well as, say, my brother, but I know more than enough to know I'm comfortable being near you...Heck I feel safer than ever since I met you. "

Her eyes widened as blood began flowing under her cheeks. " I mean to say...I know how tough you are...A-and that makes me feel safe…S-so if you really want, I won't mind sharing the bed...It's only for tonight after all right? "

" even the strongest women get scared sometimes, and when that happens they just need someone by their side to make them feel safe "

" I'll...I'll think about it… " He answered gruffly, giving a momentary side glance out the window that rested just by the corner his chair was in. " She just wants to feel safe is all… "

Great. That might have just made it worse, how that was possible, Katara was unsure of, but the tone in his voice just gave that impression. She needed to think of something fast, otherwise Lee might shut himself off like he had in his old hut. Soon her eyes had made their way to the window as well, and through the panes of glass she spied the local market, still alive into the midst of the day, the same as it had been at the start.

" That's it! " She smiled.

" What's it? "

Katara swiftly raised her extended index finger towards the window. " There's still some daylight left, and...And we just got here. Maybe we could take a look around, check some of the stalls, maybe we can buy some supplies. " Though her voice held much enthusiasm for the sudden idea, inside she was pleading, begging that he would agree to this. Anything to help get his mind off the troubling thoughts he must have been having.

Zuko's lone eye looked through the window, spying the bustling market that Katara was suggesting they inspect. His initial but swiftly silenced response was to decline her offer, to let her go and lament over his mother's faceless voice a little while longer.

But Zuko couldn't do that. He couldn't let the girl go on her own, not with everything that had happened, with everything that had been said within his mind.

" You know Zuko, I myself am known to occasionally peruse through various stalls and stands when passing through a market. So many peculiar amd riveting trinkets and antiques that can be happened across. Why I remember this one time while I was in a city called Gaoling, I spotted the most enthralling jade statue, shaped like a koi fish! I still have it somewhere in my old place of residence. Perhaps you should give browsing the wares of any merchant you may find in your travels! You never know what you may find. "

Zuko groaned internally. Leave it to Iroh to be the one to convince him to go on a shopping trip.

Wait.

He was going on a shopping trip. With Katara. Who was a girl. Zuko paled on the inside, refusing to show the instantaneous fear he had been feeling at that moment. " Is...Is this one of those fabled shopping trips that women go on...The ones I hear men and soldier's complaining about all the time, where they take forever and buy so many unnecessary items?! "

He was quickly shaken out of his highly exaggerated and panic ridden thoughts, finding that Katara was standing right over him, hands gripping his shoulders. " K-Katara? "

" Sorry Lee...You just sort of spaced out there for a second. I wasn't sure if you were just ignoring the suggestion or not...It's alright if you don't want to go...I understand what with you being- "

" We can go. " He swiftly cut her off.

The smile returned to Katara's face, broadening further than it had previously. " You really want to? "

" Yeah...A quickly splurge couldn't hurt...Besides, after my little...shopping trip for our clothes, I think I'm in the mood to find something else. "

" And actually pay for it this time. " Katara grinned, helping him out of the chair and nudging his arm with her elbow.

" No promises. " He quipped, at least Katara hoped her had been joking. He took his bag in hand and the duo made their way to the door. " Just try not to make any impulse purchases, unless of course you want me "borrowing" from somebody. "

" Noted. " She replied with her own laugh. This was Lee's rarely seen sense of humor she had learned, taking what some might perceive as serious, and giving it a bit of light-heartedness. It suited him, and Katara wouldn't have it any other way.

Just as they had stepped out of the room, Katara did a complete body rotation, dashing back into the room with great haste.

" Forget something? "

She stepped out, eyes shut, and sheepishly grinning. " Y-yeah I forgot the room key...That wouldn't have been fun would it? " The two laughed about it as they sauntered out of the Inn, making their way to the market. The day was still long, and it would have only gotten longer with them locked out of their room. So while they laughed now, on the inside they were sharing collective sighs of relief. What more could happen, they wondered. Completely unaware that they still had the rest of the day ahead of them to find out, and find out, they most certainly would.