After their little enchanting swim, Aiori and Zuko got dressed and went back into the town. It was a starry night, and Aiori had no problem with holding Prince Zuko's hand. It was peaceful, until the earth began to tremble! People ran and screamed, dropping anything they had to the ground! Aiori held onto Zuko and he held onto her as they stood and watched in terror! Little kids were screaming for their parents and others ran into houses! Suddenly, the mountain behind them began to crumble, sending boulders, sand and dirt rushing towards the town! The teens looked at each other and ran hand in hand as the earth came closer to them! Aiori could feel the rumbling of boulders catching up on her feet!
There was a small child who stood in the middle of the path of destruction! The little girl cried and held onto her twisted ankle! Aiori ran past with Zuko and looked back. Something about the girl reminded her of her little sister, and she remembered how the little kids in the village looked up to her for protection. A warrior always protects those who need protecting… Aiori stopped unexpectedly and ran back, leaving Zuko ahead of her. "Aiori, what are you doing!" he yelled to her! "AIORI!" But Aiori paid him no mind and scooped up the small child in her arms! She looked up and saw the mountain of terrain coming for her! She jumped up and ran with the girl in her arms! The little girl screamed in her ear as her feet took her as fast as they could! Zuko grabbed her arm and ran with her and the little girl!
The path to the dock was already blocked by gravel tumbling down! Zuko pulled Aiori in another direction and they ran away! But the danger followed them, as if challenging them purposely! The little girl went on screaming for her life! "It's okay, I've got you!" Aiori told her as she looked back and ran with her prince. It was coming closer! Zuko grabbed her and pulled her back just in time to keep her from running off the ledge of a cliff! She stumbled back and looked down at the ocean water many feet below! It was a long drop, they were trapped! Aiori looked back at the rocks and then the water! "JUMP!" she yelled and she and Zuko jumped off the cliff! The little girl screamed at the top her lungs as they went plummeting down! Zuko reached out and grabbed Aiori's hand, determined to stay with her!
With a loud plash they entered the water! Aiori opened her eyes and looked at the little girl in her arms and then at Zuko who clung onto her! She reached one hand out and waved it in a circle, creating a giant hollow bubble! Zuko and the little girl coughed up water and Aiori patted her back to help her. "Are we all okay?" she asked, and Prince Zuko nodded as the little girl began to cry. "It's okay, it's okay. You're safe now." Aiori comforted her as she stroked the little girl's hair. The girl buried her face in her Aiori's shoulder as she looked up and watched as the rocks and debris tumbled into the water, but still leaving them unharmed. Aiori sighed and looked at Zuko. He seemed okay. She took his hand and then leaned on him, her heart still racing. Zuko held her with his arms also around the little girl.
"What do we do now?" he asked the princess.
"I can get us to the ship." She said and she reached out one hand and guided the bubble to the surface and then made a giant platform of water that sat atop the currents. It held them up like a small boat. She then directed the water to the ship. Uncle Iroh was happy to see them safe and reached down a rope. The crew pulled Aiori and Zuko up as Aiori held the little girl.
"How did you escape the landslide?" Iroh asked them. But then he saw the little girl in Aiori's hands. "Who is this?" he asked, being friendly to the child.
"Aiori saved her." Zuko told his uncle and Aiori wrapped a blanket around the terrified little girl.
"What is your name, sweet heart?" Aiori asked the little girl, being gentle.
"Hiroshi." She replied softly with a sniffle.
"How old are you Hiroshi?"
"I'm four." She answered with another sniffle.
"Where are your parents?"
"I don't know." Aiori just looked up at Zuko and Iroh.
"Okay, I'm going out to find her family." Aiori told them as she stood up.
"I'm coming with you." Zuko said as he followed.
"But we can't get off the boat. It's blocked." Iroh told the teenagers. Aiori handed the girl to Zuko who took her, surprised, and held her. He looked down at the little girl whose little dark eyes shined up at him like stars. He wasn't use to having a little, squirming child in his arms. But he smiled at the little girl anyway, knowing she was probably scared to death. He would have never done that before, it was yet another thing Aiori had changed about him. For a minute, he even pictured himself holding another small child in his arms, but being able to call it his own…and Aiori being the mother. He shook the thought out of his head, feeling embarrassed.
Aiori began to water bend, pushing and pulling the water to make waves and remove the dirt and other earth in the way. Once the path was clear, she took Hiroshi back from Zuko and walked off the ship. Zuko followed. Hiroshi looked up at Aiori and smiled. "You're a water bender!" she gasped in awe. Aiori giggled and placed the girl on her hip as she walked. She had admitted to herself that one day she wanted to have Zuko's child on her hip, but now wasn't the time to day dream. She needed to return the babe to her mother and father. She looked around, seeing that everybody was unharmed and pleased to see so. "Mommy!" Hiroshi cried out and then a woman looked over and called back.
"Hiroshi, my baby!" she cheered with open arms and tears of joy in her eyes. Aiori set the baby down and let her run over into her mother's arms. The mother hugged the baby tight. "Thank you so much for returning her to me!"
"It's my job, and my pleasure." Aiori replied with a small bow of her head. The mother looked at Zuko and gasped.
"A fire bender!" she shouted. Aiori held up her hands in defense.
"Don't worry! He's with me. He won't harm anyone." Aiori went to walk away, "Be safe." And she left with Zuko. Just as she was about to get back on the ship, Zuko pulled her into a hug.
"You're amazing." He said to her softly. She blushed and smiled.
"Because I did my duty?"
"It's more than that. You follow your heart and even sacrifice yourself to insure the safety of others."
"That's what I live for." She returned. He leaned in and kissed her again. She just rubbed her nose against his after. "That's just who I am."