Chapter 3

Kane looked around as she saw that they were heading toward an Earth Kingdom town. Yumi and Sokka were fighting in the back of the saddle. "You are such a pig Sokka!"
"I am not, did you see how much of the jerky you ate!"
"I didn't eat as much as you!"
"Whatever, you ate like Appa!" Kane began to laugh at them. Katara looked at her. "What is so funny?"
"Can't you tell? I think they like each other."
"You're kidding? Why would you think that?"
"I don't know? I do know that you like Aang though." Katara went a deep red as she blushed. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Hey Aang," Kane said. "Do you know how to ride the air?"
Aang grinned, "Yeah, with my glider."
"Without your glider. Like this." Kane got out her sword and sliced it through the air making a straight flying disk of air. She hopped on it and rode it beside Appa. She went under Appa and did flips. Yumi's eyes went wide in terror. "Kane you could get hurt doing that!"
Katara saw what Yumi meant and began to panic. "Kane, she is right you should get back on Appa."
"No wait," Aang cried an excited look on his face. "Kane, teach me how to do that!" Kane flipped back into Appa's saddle and grinned. She got her hand and ran it over the disk and it disappeared.
"That was awesome teach me how to do that!"
"Ok you can get you hand and do it but I have to have my sword." She got out her sword and leveled its point to her eyes. "Make a straight air line come out of your hand." Aang did as he was told and looked at her.
"Now watch carefully." With one sweep she let the air go of the tip of her sword and with her other hand she whisked it around and flattened the ball with her arm to make it a disk. She jumped on and took off into the sky. She flew back to Aang and watched him.
"Now you try Aang." Aang did the exact movement she did and made a flying disk and jumped on.
"This is so cool!"
"Now if your glider gets stolen you can fly off without needing it."
They both flew around laughing and playing. Katara looked happy, jealous, and worried that they would get hurt. She began to jump up and down waving and smiling at them.
"Show offs," Sokka and Yumi said at the same time. They looked at each other blushed then got really annoyed.
"You moron stop copying me!"
"Why the heck would I want to copy a Fire Bender?"
"I think you are jealous because you can't Bend!" Yumi smirked at him.
Sokka's jaw dropped. "What! I would rather stick to my bummer rang."
"Really I think it would like to stick to you to!" Yumi grabbed the bummer rang and threw it. It came hurling back, she ducked and it hit Sokka right in the head.
"Hey, you can't use a man's own weapon against him!"
"I didn't, I see no man around here!"
Sokka stomped to the other side of Appa's saddle and began to sulk. Just then they saw an island not far from where they were.
"Hey Aang, Kane, get back here look it is the Earth Kingdom town. How much farther to you think until we get there?"
"I would say about a day," Kane said landing back down on Appa's saddle.

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Zuko waited in his room thinking about how Kane beat him up. She had said sorry after that. Does she have switched personalities or something? He heard a knock at the door. "Who is it?" he said harshly.
"It is just me Zuko," Iroh said.
"What is it Uncle?"
"I wanted to say that if you really wanted to get that girl back you might want to look in the Earth Kingdom city we are arriving at very soon. She is with the Avatar and they would be holding a special ceremony in his honor. In fact she will have the ceremonial dress on, a very pretty design might I add."
"Uncle, why do you think I would want that girl back on my ship? She was just an annoying girl on this ship anyways."
"Ok if you really think that but I will miss her." Zuko leaned up against the wall as Iroh left. He let out a sigh and looked up at the blue spirit mask he had. He reached up and touched his short hair. (Yes this is after he cut his hair and his he is much hotter with it that way and he does have another ship!) "Besides what will she think of me now that my hair is cut off?"

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Mia woke up to Yumi and Sokka fighting. "You ripped a whole in my pants! Now I am going to look weird!" Sokka yelled.
"Oh really, I thought that you always looked weird," Yumi said with a smirk. "Would you guys keep it down I am trying to sleep here!" Kane said to them rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Oh, Kane you are awake! I was just about to get you up," Katara said.

"Are we there yet?" she asked. She felt a rough landing and looked up to see Aang. "Now we are!"

Sokka looked at the village, "This place looks kind of familiar."

"That because you have been here before. Remember you saved this place from Jet," Katara said.

"Oh, I knew that."

"You are kidding me. Sokka saved something? Wow I didn't know you had it in ya."

"It is the AVATAR!" someone yelled.

"The Avatar is here and look the AVATAR HELPER IS WITH HIM!"

"Quickly to the palace!" they were all carried away to the Palace that the village king lived.

"Ah the Avatar and look who he has with him, the Avatar Helper!"

"That name seams to stick like glue, The Avatar Helper," Kane said.

"It is your title dear. But back to more important matters. You are just in time for the ceremonial ball! It is to honor you! Now, Avatar Helper, you are to wear the ceremonial gown! You all need escorts.'

"Uh, Katara want to go to the ball with me?" Aang asked,

"Oh…Sure Aang," she said with a blush.

Yumi and Sokka looked at each other, blushed, and turned away quickly. "Looks like you two will go together," the king said.

"NO WE'RE NOT!" they said at the same time.

"Now all we need to do is find a match for you," he said to the Kane. "He will be coming here tonight for the ceremony. He will be your escort. Now time for you to see your ceremonial gown."

Kane was dragged off by all the women in the room so they could put on the dress. They took the gown out and Kane's eyes grew wide. The gown had the colors red, green, grey, and blue all mixed together to make a beautiful thread. The ladies in the room fitted her into the dress. (By the time they did it was time for the ball to begin.)

Kane looked down and saw that it fit like a glove. It hugged all the right places and curves of her body. There was a knock at her door, "Come in."

Aang and the rest walked in and looked at her in surprise. "So this is what they were doing to you," Yumi said.

"Kane I would like you to meet your escort, Jet," the king said entering the room. Aang's, Katara's, and Sokka's mouths dropped wide open as Jet walked into the room with that million dollar smile.

"So this is the beautiful girl that I will be with tonight," Jet said walking over to Kane. Then he looked to the side and saw Yumi with her Fire Nation dress on. "SHE'S IN THE FIRE NATION!"

"Correction I was born in the Fire Nation not in the Fire Nation," Yumi said annoyed.

"I'll be watching you!"

"Now Jet, she is a guest so play nice," the king said.

"Whatever, shall we go Kane?" Jet asked holding out his arm to her.

"Sure whatever," she walked out with her arm in his. She looked back and gave Yumi a little wave so that she would know not to worry.

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The guards started to drift off to sleep as the ceremony began. The music was very tiring. Then all the sudden one of them saw a figure dash across the yard.

He got up and went to check it out not telling the other guards. Then all the sudden he was knocked out and pulled behind a push.

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Jet smiled at Kane as they entered the room. The room grew very silent and everyone looked at the girl in the ceremonial gown.

"Do I really look that stupid?" Kane murmured under her breath.

"No you look very nice," Jet said. Kane looked up in surprise she didn't mean to have him hear her. She blushed and looked down.

"Just to let you know I don't get won over too quickly. My brother always said I was stubborn."

"Well, I can fix that."

"A little cocky aren't we?"

"I am never cocky."

Sure your not, Kane thought rolling her eyes.

They were all introduced and took a bow. Then they had to start the dance. As they danced Jet told Kane all about his adventures and bragged about everything. Yumi was nervous; she had never danced in her life. Kane danced Jet (more pulling him) to Yumi.

"Yumi, remember those steps Mamoru taught you to calm down?"

"Yes, why?"

"It goes with the beat of the music."

Yumi followed her advice and soon all eyes were on her and Sokka. The perfect distraction for Kane to sneak out. She started to back up when her back ran into something behind her. She turned around and looked up into the face of Jet! Oh no what adventure did he have in the last few minutes.

"Kane, where are you going?"

"Um…uh… Bathroom."

"But the bathroom is not out on the balcony." No duh idiot.

"Well I wanted to get some fresh air before I go."

"Ok I will go with you. You can't be to careful being a pretty girl and all alone."

"Fine you can come," she said with a sigh. Or you could just get the heck away from me but either way is fine with me. Wait no it's not.

They walked outside on the balcony. Kane smiled at how beautiful the woods looked like from this height. She felt a hand slip around her waist. She turned and got in fight position. Jet smiled at her.

"What is the matter, Kane?"

"What are you doing?"

"I was just going to put my arm around you to keep you warm."

"I didn't ask you to."

"I know but most girls like it."

"I am not like most girls!"

"You could give it a try."

"Yeah right. My brother told me to be myself and myself is being ready 24/7."

"Come on Kane." He took a step closer and leaned in to kiss her. Kane didn't have enough time to move. She was swooped into his arms and pressed into him.

"Let go of me!" Kane yelled. She looked to the side to see if Yumi heard her but noticed that Jet had closed the doors. "LET GO JET! SOMEBODY HELP ME!"

All the sudden a blue flash came behind her. Then behind Jet. It was the Blue Spirit! Jet quickly turned around and they began to fight. Jet was about to be pushed over the edge. Kane couldn't let that happen.

"STOP! Please, stop."

The Blue Spirit stopped. "No! We are going to continue this!" Jet grabbed Kane and shoved her out of the way. In doing so he shoved her off the balcony. "AHHHHHH!"

"KANE!" Jet said looking over but not doing anything.

The Blue Spirit jumped after her. The castle was so high that it seemed that Kane was falling forever. Well we are on a cliff and this building is probably 100 stories high. All the sudden Kane felt very sick. She closed her eyes knowing that she was done for. The first thing she saw was Zuko. Great of all the people to think of I have to pick him! Oh well I get to see a cute face before I plunge to my death.

She felt strong arms wrap around her body. She opened her eyes and saw the Blue Spirit. They were nearing a tree. He reached out his hand and grabbed a branch. She heard a crack and winced at the thought of the pain. But she then realized that it was the branch not the spirit. He landed on the ground with a soft pat.

He didn't take his arms off her instead he led her into the woods. "Excuse me, but where might you be taking me?"

Silence.

"Ok not going to tell me fine!"

They kept going until they reached the gate. News of her disappearance was now out. Only the guards were to look for her and the spirit. The blue spirit slammed Kane against the wall and pressed himself to her so to blend in.

The guard walked and turned. He looked straight at them. The spirit now had the tip of his toes against the wall pressing himself tighter to Kane. She held her breath hoping the guard would walk by. He finally did. The spirit waited a few minutes and backed away from her. He held her hands and looked down at her. Then dashed deeper into the woods near the gate.

Then the spirit stopped at a tree that split making two tree trunks. He stood by one tree trunk and she at the other. "You saved my life. In my village that means I owe you eternal service." She bowed and stood up. The spirit said nothing. She looked deeper into the face of the spirit. She noticed that it was a mask! "Will you please take off the mask so that I can see who it is that I am to serve?"

The spirit did not move. "Please will you at least do that for me?" Finally the spirit reached up and took the mask off and pulled its hood down. There stood the short haired Zuko.

"Zuko? Zuko, why did you come?"

"That is none of you business!"

"You have come for the Avatar didn't you? Well, I won't let you harm him!"

"Be quite! Why are you so dead set on protecting him?" he asked grabbing her hands.

"You wouldn't understand," she said turning her head.

"You could try to explain."

"It is my destiny as it is with all the Avatar Helpers. I'll either die of sickness, old age, or to protect the Avatar. It has always been that way and it will always be that way to the very end."

"So you will die just to protect that stupid kid?"

"If it comes to that yes," she said with a fake small smile. He saw a tear run down her cheek. His eyes grew wide in terror of the fact that she might die for a little kid that would just be reborn. He knew she wasn't telling everything. 'Come forth to me and never leave the light of my world, little angel.' He finally understood what that meant. Kane's brother is in the spirit world. She will die and then she will join her brother once more. NO! I won't let her die! Never leave the light of my world? What could that mean?

He watched her than he grabbed her and pulled her close to him hugging her as she cried. Finally those cries turned into heavy breathing then she finally looked up at him. "You don't have to come with me if you don't want to."

He let go of her and started to leave. He heard foot steps behind him. He turned around and saw her walking up to him.

"I said you didn't have to come."

"In my village that is dishonor. If I don't come with you then I am literally saying that I am leaving my village. Just like you cutting your hair. That means you are no longer part of the fire nation. Does your uncle know by the way?"

"Yes he does. And I am glad you are coming with me. Now stay close Kane." So she does understand the custom of my Nation. I wonder what she thinks of it.

"I like your new hair by the way. It seams to be more you than the long hair," she said. He stopped stunned and she just walked past him smiling and looking down at her feet.

They made it past the wall and started to walk. Zuko looked at her dress. Uncle was right the ceremonial gown is beautiful and it suits Kane.

They walked all night with no stops. Zuko admired the fact that Kane did not complain or wish to stop to sleep. Instead she kept her eyes forward and kept moving. Finally she said something. "I wish I had punched that Jet right in the face!" This made Zuko laugh. "That came out of nowhere."

"I am sorry but I had to get that out of my system."

Kane turned and looked at him with a smile. She pointed to the east. "Look the sun is coming up."

She looked up at it and smiled. "Have you heard the of the story about Yin and Yang?"

"Yes, why?"

"I bet you have never heard my brothers before."

"No I have only heard of my Uncle's I would like to hear the legend though."

"It starts back when the war first began. There once was a girl of a village and her name was Yin. She was a water bender. She fell in love with a boy that traveled through her village. His name was Yang. He was from the Fire Nation and the village did not approve. They did everything in their power to prevent the couple from seeing each other. One day they told Yang that Yin was in trouble and that she needed his help. They had a girl run off and act like Yin. The boy ran and saved her picking her up just as Yin was coming around the corner. She saw the sight and thought that Yang was seeing this woman instead of her. She fled the village in tears. Yang was devastated and was so miserable that he became sick. Yang found Yin three years later and explained what had happened. He told her that without her he would surely die. They made a village and made in a peace village. The day Yin and Yang died they were holding hands. Written on the ground by their heads was, 'Without the other I would surely die. Push and Pull, Life and Death, Love and Hatred, Difference and Alikeness.'"

"Were those two your great grandparents?"

"Yes they were but that story has happened many times in my family that it is just normal." They continued on.

"Is that why you didn't mind me being from the Fire Nation," he asked angrily.

"No it was because you seemed nice, unlike most from the Fire Nation; well there is your uncle. Besides why would you care anyways?"

"No reason!"

"Ok whatever man."

They walked on again until night fall. Zuko was still surprised that she did not complain one bit. "We'll stop here for the night." And with that he began to set up camp.

What is going to happen now? Well sorry it took so long and sorry this is a long chapter. The next one will come quicker I hope. Hopefully school, track, swimming, being grounded, and mom will not come in my way again. Oh and did I mention mom?