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Okay here it is people. The next chappie. Sorry for the shortness on the other chappie but I was in a rush. Only had 15 minuetes. So yeah... Here it is though!

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Kaori had been silent for the longest time. Zuko had never seen her so...serious. She had stayed on the balcony after their meeting with Zhao. All she did was stand there and watch the sunset with Otaki in her arms. Zuko quietly walked up to her and stood there, not saying a word.

"He will not have our baby," Kaori suddenly said.

"I know," Zuko agreed.

"I will never let him take her. He would turn her into...him,"

"Kaori. He will never take Otaki,"

"Good,"

She was silent for a moment or two then handed Zuko Otaki. He was suprised because he never really would hold Otaki.

"Watch her while I go out," Kaori said.

"Kaori wait!"

She stopped at the doorway and turned around.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Just...be careful..." Zuko replied.

"I will Zuko. I promise,"

She turned and was gone. Otaki gurgled in Zuko's arms.

"What are you laughing at?" Zuko asked her.

Otaki squealed as if she answered him. She reached out with her hand and grabbed his nose.

"Ow!"

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Kaori walked through the town. It was a beautiful day and she had been inside for so long. She carried a basket of apples, which was what she loved to eat. The palace had run out of them. Kaori was trying her best to get Otaki to like apples. It worked to. Otaki would eat apple sauce everyday. Kaori was humming a song when she looked up.

"Ouphf!"

The basket full of apples fell to the ground along with several books. A boy, a year or two older than her, stood up. Kaori quickly jumped up.

"I am so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going!" Kaori stammered.

"No, no, no! It's all my fault. I was so focused on my book," the boy said.

He looked at the ground and blushed.

"Now I've ruined all the apples you've bought. Please, let me make it up to you," he said.

"It's no problem really,"Kaori said.

"I insist,"

Kaori smiled. He was persistant. His hair was short and brown. His eyes were green and soft. Yet there was a hint of mischeif in them. He was tall and muscular. (sry for spelling) Kaori blushed.

"Well...I guess...If you insist," she said softly.

He gave her a little bow and picked up the basket.

"Let me replace all the apples you bought," he said walking away.

"Um...excuse me but...you're going the wrong way," Kaori said.

The boy put one hand behind his head and smiled while blushing.

"Oh sorry!" he said quickly.

Kaori laughed and followed him to the store.

"So what's your name?" he asked her putting an apple in the basket.

"Kaori. Princess Kaori of this island,"

"Princess? Well, that must be fun,"

"More like tiring! What's your name?"

"Char. I am a wanderer,"

"So you get to visit places all over?"

"Yep that's me,"

"Must be interesting,"

"Sometimes. I traveled to a small earth village and had to eat the grossest of all foods,"

"Oh don't tell me!"

He laughed.

"Sorry. It's fun though. I always felt that when I stayed still I was...what is the word..."

"Stuck? Captured? Imprisoned?"

"Yeah! That's exactly how I feel,"

"I've felt that way too,"

"Awful isn't it. That's the good part about being a wanderer. Get to go places," he looked over at Kaori," and meet new people,"

She smiled and looked away. Char picked up a rose at a nearby stand. He handed it to Kaori.

"Oh no I couldn't!" she exclaimed.

"Please. It's a gift from me to you,"

"Thank you,"

"You are very welcome. But I should be thanking you. It's not everyday that I meet a beautiful, kind girl."

"How long are you staying here?"

"Long as I feel like. It does get lonely though,"

"Well I will be your friend,"

Char smiled at her.

"Really? Thank you Princess Kaori,"

"Kaori. Just Kaori."

"Well I must be going Just Kaori. I hope to see you again,"

"Same here Char."

She waved goodbye and picked up the basket of apples. Why was her head spinning? She felt like she knew Char. He knew her it seemed. It was as though he knew everything about her. She was married though. But there was a connection with Char. She had a child. But Char... No! No more thinking about Char. He was a friend and only a friend. She couldn't think about him. No no no no no no. But then again...

What was she saying? Kaori kicked a rock. It fell into a puddle. Char was just a friend. Char was just a friend.

Char was just a friend.

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Hmm...wonder why Char knows everything about her... Ack! No that was supposed to be a thought in my head! How did that come out? Um...erm...you never read that...

-Emma