Chapter 5

"Sokka get over her we have a major problem!" yelled Shelby as they dragged the unconscious Zuko. Sokka who was sitting a few feet away besides the roaring fire shot up as soon as he heard them.

"What what's-!" Then he saw the Prince hanging from their shoulders with his head dropping down. Sokka took out his boomerang and pointed it at him.

"WHY IS HE HERE!"

Barb looked at him with her icy blue eyes "Another long story short we were walking then we heard Princy coming. I distracted him and Shelby knocked him flat on her glider."

Shelby gave a wide grin "Shelby: 1 Zuko: 0!" she laughed but she almost fell because of the weight.

"Geez he's heavy! Rather he's been eating too many snack cakes or else this armor weights fifty pounds!" complained Barb shifting her weight. Sokka stared at her.

"I'll tell you later Sokka." said Shelby as if she read his mind. "But right now lets set him down!"

"Let's put him under that tree." said Barb as she nodded over to a tree about ten feet from the tents and fire. Dragging him under the red leaf covered branches. They laid him sideways so he was flat on the ground. His ponytail was spread out on the ground like a black flag. His golden eyes were closed tightly as his head was turned to one side making his flame shaped scar visible. His right hand was on his dirt smeared armor.

"I say we kill him right now!' said Sokka walking towards him with his silver boomerang raised.

Then both girls sprang up spreading their arms in front of him.

"No way Sokka!" said Shelby her hazel eyes flashing

"We're not going to let you hurt him without talking to Aang and Katara!" said Barb her blue matching Shelby's hazel.

"Guy's he's a firebender!" Sokka said raising his boomerang higher over his head.

"Sokka Barb's a firebender a she didn't kill you guys!"

"Yeah but that's because your not chasing us every day!"

"Sokka you thought when you first saw me you thought I was bloodthirsty right? Well how about now?" said Barb

Sokka raised an eyebrow "Well let's see" he said counting off his fingers "Your stubborn, annoying, and really short tempered."

The two benders looked at each other.

"But I guess your O.K." said Sokka smirking

"Uh Sokka I think you're a little late for saying that!" said Shelby

"Yeah Shelby told me about being stubborn and short tempered a long time ago!"

Then there was silence between them all for about a minute then a big grin came over Barb's face.

She looked at Shelby who was staring down at Zuko "Shelby I think we should search him."

Shelby's head turned so fast she thought it fell off she took a few steps back "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! There is no way I'm searching him!" she said crossing her arms defiantly. She gave Barb a glare that said "Don't even think about it!"

Barb shrugged flipping a piece of hair off her shoulder "Fine then I'll do it." The firebender bent down over the unconscious prince. Carefully Barb started to remove sections of armor off until the soft black cloth underneath was exposed. Then under the watchful eyes of Sokka and Shelby she started searching the armor with her hands until he felt something in his chest plate section of the armor.

"Wonder what this is?" said Barb pulling it out reveling a large long dagger.

It was so beautiful. The blade and handle were made of pure gold. The handle was crafted into a serpent-like dragon. But on the dragon the most notice able was it's eyes the were two small bright red rubies that glittered like the glowing fire a few feet away.

Shelby's eyes widened "Yep your defiantly going to have to confiscate that."

"Maybe I should watch that." said Sokka taking it from a kneeling Barb. The firebender merely rolled her blue eyes and started going over the armor again. When she found nothing else she started going over the Prince himself, the other two glaring the whole time. Soon she felt something in his right pocket. Pulling it out he found a medium black leather sack filled to the brim with gold coins.

Sokka's out mouth dropped "Holy hogmonkies!" He kneeled beside Barb running his fingers through the gold. Just then Zuko started to stir.

The two on the ground sprang up and backed away from him with Barb still holding the sack.

"Great he's waking up! Now what!" cried Barb before anyone could answer the fire prince sat up and rubbed his head.

"Oh my head wh-" he looked over to see Barb and Sokka "TRAITOR!" he yelled getting to his feet making huge fireballs light up in his fists, while stepping towards them.

"Cool it hothead!" said Barb. Glancing behind the flaming teen she grinned. "Shelby would you do the honors?"

"Delighted." came a voice from behind Zuko he turned around to see Shelby with her staff raised above his head sending it down with a loud "bonk" on his head. His golden eyes flashed before rolling into his head as he landing face flat in the dirt.

Shelby spun her staff around in a circle before leaning on it. Sokka's eyes widened "Where did that come from?"

Shelby looked at him simply "When we where carrying him here I found out I could fold it up into pocket size. But when I realized I had no pockets I stuck it in my boot. So when Mr. Personality" she said pointing her finger at Zuko." Decided to wake up I unfolded it and hence the head bonking."

Sokka just shook his head and started ranting "First you two pop out of no where! Then you bring back a firebender, but not just any firebender the prince of Firebenders! What's next Zhao!"

"Perhaps." said a deep voice from behind them. The group turned around to see Zhao grinning evilly at them all.

"Great." they all said as more fire nation soldiers started to appear around them with their weapons or arms extended.

"Sokka" said Shelby holding out her staff ready to fight.

"What!" he asked holding the sword and boomerang.

"Way to jinx it!" finished Barb also extending her arms.

AN: Well that's chapter 5 hope you liked it! Sorry about the long wait A lot of stuff has been going on. Oh well summer is coming so I'll be able to write more now. So remember to R&R!