Disclaimer: I don't own Atla
Chapter 11
Lenetta and Zuko stayed wrapped in each other's arms long after the rain stopped, his sobs eventually turning into hiccups. He never let go of her dress so she didn't let go of him. Lenetta gave him another soothing rub and finally moved startling Zuko slightly. " We should go back to the shack, I'm sure Iroh is worried." Zuko nodded and finally stood up with help from Lenetta.
As they walked home they kept their eyes forward though Zuko gave occasional glances towards Lenetta. I can't believe she stayed with me the whole time, and all to comfort me. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat, gaining Lenetta's attention. " Um...I just wanted to thank you for staying with me through that...I guess I'm just kinda confused why you did it." Lenetta gave him a small smile as she looked at her feet then back at him, she looked straight into his eyes, she needed Zuko to believe her when she said this. " Because it's what friends are for, you're my friend Zuko I'm not just gonna leave you alone whenever you clearly need comfort." Zuko's eyes widened at the sincerity in her words. She smiled at him as she put an arm around his shoulders and smiled even more as he reciprocated.
" Thank you Lenetta." Lenetta rubbed his shoulder. " Your welcome Zuko." They walked the rest of the way home in comfortable silence.
oOoOo
Iroh sat on his sleeping mat as he meditated. He was really starting to get worried, Lenetta and Zuko had been gone for two hours. He had a mind to go and look for them himself. He knew Lenetta could take care of herself and Zuko if it came down to it, but what worried him most was the emotional state Zuko was in when he left. He could only hope that he doesn't do anything drastic or that Lenetta could stop him.
He was startled out of his meditation by the opening of a door. He opened his eyes to the sight of Lenetta and Zuko both wet but otherwise unharmed. Iroh jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around Lenetta and Zuko. They both gave a startled yelp at the sudden affection. " Thank the spirits you're both alright." Iroh was struggling to hold back tears as he took in their presences. " We're fine Uncle." Zuko told him with an air of exasperated fondness which made Iroh smile, Iroh glanced at Lenetta to confirm and she smiled and nodded at him.
Iroh breathed a sigh of relief as he let them go and brought them both by the fire he had made. They both plopped to the ground and put their hands to the fire and used it to warm their cores. Iroh watched them with a small smile as they seemed to lean close to each other. He wanted to ask them what had happened but he chose to let them talk about it if they chose.
He went to grab them some food as neither of them had eaten anything since before firebending practice. Lenetta and Zuko smiled at him gratefully as they ate the bread and drank warm tea which brightened their eyes a bit.
After they finished they all went to bed since they had such a long day. Iroh noticed that Lenetta and Zuko seemed to be sneaking each other smiles when they thought Iroh wasn't looking. This made Iroh's curiosity as to what happened stronger, he just caved and decided to ask. They sneaked glances at each other, a silent conversation it seemed. Zuko nodded his head and Lenetta took that as permission to tell the story it seemed. " I found him on the top of this rock formation a few miles from here, he was screaming for the lightning to strike him." As Lenetta said this Zuko looked apologetically at Iroh whose eyes were wide. " Whenever the lightning didn't strike him he broke down crying so I went out to comfort him." Iroh looked at Zuko's guilty face with tear filled eyes. He walked over to Zuko and wrapped his arms around him.
Zuko stiffened slightly at the hug but returned it. " I'm sorry Uncle." Iroh gripped his shoulders and looked into his eyes. He knew that Zuko thought the world was against him, but he's been trying to get his nephew to understand that he wasn't alone and that it was him against the world. Hopefully with Lenetta here they could get him to understand. " Lenetta and I are here for you, you are never alone." Zuko nodded in understanding and Iroh took him into the hug again and Lenetta joined them.
oOoOo
All three of them woke up the next morning and gathered up their stuff to put it on the ostrich horse. After they finished they got onto the animal and started riding to another town.
After riding for a few hours Iroh started getting antsy, he was between Zuko and Lenetta. He started making fake groans of pain. Zuko was starting to get irritated as was Lenetta as she listened exasperatedly to Iroh. They had been riding for a few hours now and they wanted to make it to the Misty Palms Oasis; something to do with Iroh having a friend there who could help them.
" Maybe we should make camp." Zuko says with half concern and half exasperation in his voice. " No please, don't stop just for me!" Lenetta sighs. " Are you sure Iroh." Lenetta really hoped she could convince him. " Yes, I'm sure." Lenetta sighs again as Iroh continues his performance. Finally Zuko stops the ostrich horse and Iroh smirks triumphantly and Lenetta sighs in relief.
However their exhaustion quickly leaves them as the animal becomes alarmed by something. Zuko shifts into a firebending stance. " What now?" Iroh says annoyedly. Lenetta watches the thicket ahead of them and quickly shifts into a firebending form as some people ride through the thicket. She recognizes them immediately as the Rough Rhinos.
Iroh places a hand on the teen's shoulders. " Colonel Mongke! What a pleasant surprise!" Iroh says with a pleasant voice. Mongke sneers. " If you're surprised we're here, then the Dragon of the West has lost a few steps." The Rough Rhinos brandished their weapons of expertise as they took battle stances.
Zuko and Lenetta look at Iroh surprised. " You know these guys?" Iroh smiles. " Sure. Colonel Mongke and the Rough Rhinos are legendary. Each one is a different kind of weapon specialist. They are also a very capable singing group." Lenetta snorted derisively. " Huh, who'd have thought." Lenetta sunk deeper into her stance poised for battle with Zuko at her back. Mongke raises his fist to firebend. " We're not here to give a concert. We're here to apprehend fugitives!"
Zuko and Lenetta glare at the Rough Rhinos as Iroh rubs his arm. " Would you like some tea first? I'd love some. How about you, Kahchi? I make you as a jasmine man. Am I right?"
" Enough stalling! Round 'em up!" Mongke shouts as a dark skinned man with a ponytail swings his ball and chain at Iroh, who kicks it away. The chain wraps itself around a nearby Rhino's leg. Lenetta grabs the dark skinned man and throws him to the ground and wraps the chain around the man. Iroh tumbles over the ground, dodging fire blasts. Once he reaches the Rhino he hits the Rhino in the rear which makes the Rhino run off dragging the man with it . Iroh waves goodbye to them and then he and Lenetta share a highfive.
The archer shoots a lit arrow at Zuko. He reacts quickly by kicking it away and throwing a fireblast at him which burns a hole through the surprised archers bow.
Mongke joins the fight by directing fire blasts at Iroh and Lenetta. They both deflect each and every one of them. As Mongke is busy with Iroh and Lenetta, Zuko runs up and jumps on the back of the Rhino. With two sweeping fire kicks, he sends Colonel Mongke flying.
Iroh and Lenetta run up to the ostrich horse, jump on and ride towards Zuko, who awaits them, standing on Colonel Mongke's rhino. As he jumps on the ostrich horse, another Rough Rhino immediately begins pursuing them. The rider throws a grenade at the fleeing ostrich horse. It explodes right in front of it but the three of them ride through the smoke.
" It's nice to see old friends." Iroh says happily as Lenetta and Zuko look at him like he has two heads. " Two bad you don't have any old friends that don't want to attack you." Zuko says with frustration as Lenetta nods in agreement until suddenly a thought comes to her. " Wait isn't that why we're going to the Misty Palms Oasis, so we can go see if your friend can help us." Iroh looks back at her and nods. " You are correct my dear." Lenetta looks back at Zuko with hope in her voice. " Things are finally looking up Zuko!" Zuko looks at her with a grim expression. " I certainly hope so." Lenetta smiles at him encouragingly and pats his knee. He smiles at her and squeezes her waist. Her optimism can certainly be infectious.
oOoOo
Later they finally reach the Misty Palms Oasis and Lenetta hops off the ostrich horse happily feeling very optimistic. They start walking to the tavern but little do the three know they are being observed.
Xin Fu looks at the wanted posters, they show Zuko, Iroh and Lenetta. Xin Fu looks over at the tavern and smirks. " Look who's here." Xin Fu says to his friend Yu and they watch the three fugitives enter the tavern.
oOoOo
After Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta each order some drinks they sit at a table in the tavern. Zuko has become even less hopeful despite Lenetta's reassurances. " No one here is going to help us. These people just look like filthy wanderers." Lenetta swirls her drink around despondently before she chugs it all down and places her cup back down, she is even starting to lose hope.
" So do we." Iroh smirks and then he points at something behind Zuko. " Ah, this is interesting. I think I found our friend. Lenetta perks up as she and Zuko turn to where Iroh is pointing. There is an old man sitting at a Pai Sho table.
" You brought us here to gamble on Pai Sho?" Zuko says irritably. " I don't think this is a gamble." Iroh starts to walk toward the Pai Sho table as Zuko looks at Lenetta disbelievingly. Lenetta shrugs her shoulders and grabs his arm to drag him toward the table.
oOoOo
Xin Fu and Yu are sitting at a bench on the other side of the tavern. Xin Fu's patience is starting to wear thin as he makes a move to grab them until Yu grabs his shoulder. " Let's take them now!" Xin Fu exclaims quietly enough to avoid arousing suspicion. " This place is full of desperate characters. If they find out we're collecting a bounty, we might have to fight them all just to keep our prize. Patience." This assuages Xin Fu as he sits back down and they wait patiently for the right moment to strike.
oOoOo
" May I have this game?" Iroh asks the man after he gestures for Zuko and Lenetta to stand to the side. Fung gestures for him to sit down. " The guest has the first move." Iroh places the lotus tile in the center of the board. " I see you favor the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." Fung tells him in a pleased voice as he cups his hands toward Iroh. " Those who do can always find a friend." Iroh raises his hands to Fung in the same gesture. Lenetta and Zuko watch confusedly as they look at eachother and shrug. " Then let us play."
Fung places a tile on the board which is followed quickly by Iroh. They continue like this without even checking what the other is doing. Zuko and Lenetta sat down and watched intrigued. Lenetta or Zuko had never seen Pai Sho played like this, it was always slower. Once they finished the tiles were in the shape of a flower.
" Welcome, brother. The White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets." Zuko has become very confused while Lenetta was just intrigued. " What are you old gasbags talking about?" Zuko says irritatedly. Iroh smirks at his nephew. " I always tried to tell you Pai Sho is more than just a game." Iroh rolls a tile over his knuckles and clutches it.
oOoOo
After waiting for seemingly forever Xin Fu's patience finally ran out as he jumped up and stormed over to the Pai Sho table. " I'm not waiting all night for these geezers to finish yapping." He's followed by Yu who has decided to just go with it. " It's over! You three fugitives are coming with me!"
Fung places himself between Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta, before Xin Fu and Yu could reach them. " I knew it! You three are wanted criminals with a giant bounty on your heads!" Lenetta's face fell, she thought things were looking up, she felt betrayed until she heard what Zuko and Iroh said next. " I thought you said he would help!" Zuko whispered angrily. Iroh places a hand on Zuko's shoulder reassuringly. " He is. Just watch." Lenetta's face lit up but she carefully schooled her expression so as not to give anything.
Fung continues speaking in a loud voice so he can draw attention to them. " You think you're going to capture them and collect all that gold?" That definitely drew everyone's attention, all heads snapped in they're direction. " Gold?" exclaimed one man. Some people stood up drawing they're weapons.
" Uh...maybe we shouldn't." Yu whispers nervously. However Xin Fu is grinning as he moves towards the three. Before he could touch them however two men stepped in front of him blocking his path. With a reverse roundhouse kick, the earthbender bends a rock from the ground and easily pushes them out of the way.
Yu readies himself for battle. He sinks the person to charge him into the ground. Meanwhile Xin Fu kicks two sandbenders away while he is lifting another one up into the air and holding a fourth one back with his other hand. After he kicks another sandbender away, he twists his waist, sending the two men he is holding flying. One of them crashes into the wall behind the bar.
When the fight ended, Xin Fu and Yu realized their prey had escaped during the chaos. Xin Fu growls in frustration and slams his two fists on the ground, erecting a giant pillar of earth under a downed sandbender, shooting him out of the window and against a palm tree.
oOoOo
The four of them managed to escape during the fight to a small village at the edge of the desert; they followed Fung into a flower shop. After they entered the flower shop Fung turned to the three. " It is an honor to welcome such a high-ranking member of the Order of the White Lotus. Being a Grandmaster, you must know so many secrets." While Fung spoke with reverence Zuko was annoyed. " Now that you have played Pai Sho, are you going to do some flower arranging, or is someone in this club going to offer some real help?" Lenetta squeezed his shoulder to calm him down while Fung and Iroh turned back to each other. " You must forgive my nephew. He is not an initiate and his little appreciation for the cryptic arts. Lenetta is not an initiate either."
Fung leads Iroh toward a door with a peephole in it. He knocks two times. A man slides open the small window in the door and peeks through. " Who knocks at the guarded gate?" Zuko and Lenetta glance at each other as Iroh responds. " One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries."
Iroh smiles as the door opens to let him and Fung through. When Zuko and Lenetta attempt to follow them, the door slams shut in front of them. Zuko looks at the door with a pout while Lenetta looks surprised. Iroh opens the small window. " I'm afraid it's members only. Wait out here." Iroh shuts the door as Lenetta and Zuko go to lean on a table. Zuko takes a sniff of a plant as Lenetta asks a question. " So I'm assuming you didn't know this about your Uncle?" Zuko huffs and crosses his arms. "No." Was Zuko's curt response. She could he was angry about his uncle keeping this from him. " I'm sure if your uncle could've told you he would have." Lenetta tells him hoping to comfort him. He looks at her with a scowl until his face softens and he looks away with a sigh. " Maybe." Lenetta pats his back and walks through the shop deciding to explore.
oOoOo
It's been long enough for Lenetta and Zuko to fall asleep. Lenetta had since come back to Zuko and had fallen asleep with her head on his lap and his head on her side until they were startled awake. They both jumped into defensive stances. They relaxed once they noticed it was Iroh. " What's going on? Is the club meeting over?" Lenetta yawns and leans on a wall since the adrenaline rush wore off. " Everything is taken care of. We're heading to Ba Sing Se." Iroh and Fung bow to each other in respect.
Lenetta snapped to attention at the words " going to Ba Sing Se ". Zuko looked shocked. " Ba Sing Se? Why would we go to the Earth Kingdom capital?" Lenetta is asking herself the same question considering they're fugitives not to mention firebenders.
Fung answers calmly. " The city is filled with refugees. No one will notice two more." This seems to assuage him as Lenetta nods in understanding. " We can hide in plain sight there. And it's the safest place in the world from the Fire Nation. Even I couldn't even break through to the city." Iroh happily shrugs his shoulders.
A bell signals that someone has entered as a young man approaches the group with some papers. " I have the passports for our guests, but there are two men out there looking for them." Iroh, Zuko and Lenetta look out the window and see Xin Fu and Yu talking to someone outside holding up the wanted depicting the three of them. Lenetta smacks her forehead. " Oh no!" Lenetta groans miserably. " Don't worry my dear we will escape." Iroh reassures her. Lenetta nods.
And they do, they hid in some surprisingly big flower jars. They peek their heads out to look around and then sunk back into pots. Lenetta smirked triumphantly. Everything is work out just fine.
Author's Note: I am so sorry for the extremely long wait for this chapter. I've been in a bit of a funk but I will remedy that I promise. For some good news: I finished my Freshman Year of college. That's part of why I haven't written in awhile. Once again I'm very sorry and hope you can forgive me. This chapter has lines from The Desert episode and from the transcript. I hope you enjoyed this chapter.