Back at the house, Katara was healing Reiko.
"I just finished dropping all the leaflets. Has anyone come in with news about Appa?" Aang asked.
"It's only been a day. Just be patient." Katara continued to heal.
Aang sat. Kurai smoothed her sister's hair.
A knock at the door and Aang jumped up and ran to the door.
"Wow, you're right! Patience really pays off!" Aang Opened the door. "Joo Dee?"
It was the original Joo Dee.
"Hello, Aang, and Katara, and Kurai, and Sokka, and Reiko." Joo Dee said.
They approached as Joo Dee entered.
"What happened to you? Did the Dai Li throw you in jail?" Sokka asked.
"What did you do to my sister?" Kurai accused.
"Nothing happened." Joo Dee said. "The Dai Li are the protectors of our cultural heritage."
"But you disappeared at the Earth King's party." Katara said.
"Oh, I simply took a short vacation to Lake Laogai, out in the country. It was quite relaxing." Joo Dee said.
Reiko sat straight up in bed.
Kurai quickly pulled her to the other room.
Xxx
Kurai held her as she spoke over and over.
"The Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai." Reiko intoned. "I am honored to accept his invitation."
Reiko struggled to get free until Kurai had to bind her up with the bedclothes.
Xxx
"But then they replaced you with some other woman who also said her name was Joo Dee." Katara continued the argument.
Joo Dee was Surprised. "I'm Joo Dee."
"Why are you here?" Aang said.
"Dropping fliers and putting up posters isn't permitted within the city. Not without proper clearance." Joo Dee said.
"We can't wait around to get permission for everything." Sokka snapped.
"You are absolutely forbidden by the rules of the city to continue putting up posters." Joo Dee said.
"We don't care about the rules and we're not asking permission! We're finding Appa on our own and you should just stay out of our way!" Aang angrily yelled, and Slammed the door as Joo Dee exited.
"That might come back to bite us in the blubber." Sokka commented.
Aang Calmed down. "I don't care! From now on, we do whatever it takes to find Appa!"
Xxx
"I'm very disappointed in your work with the Avatar and his friends, Joo Dee. I had hoped that you would be able to control this situation." Long Feng said.
"I am so sorry, but they don't trust me anymore." Joo Dee Started getting upset. "I don't think I can keep working like this!" Joo Dee Began to sob.
"Joo Dee, the Earth King has invited you to Lake Laogai." Long Feng said.
Joo Dee's iris dilated. "I am honored to accept his invitation."
Long Feng Nodded. "Good. Now go await further orders." Joo Dee nodded and began to exit. Long Feng got up and moved to the fireplace. "If the Avatar keeps searching for his bison, it could upset the delicate balance we've worked so hard to achieve in this city. It could even cost us control of the Earth King."'
"Should we take care of him?" Dai Li Agent said.
"No. It's much too dangerous for us to confront him directly. Let's see if we can still handle this quietly." Long Feng said.
Xxx
Kurai ran into Zuko and Iroh's place of stay where they were packing up.
"Kurai?" Zuko caught her. "Hey, what is it? Are you alright!"
"Forgive me Zuko." Kurai said. "But I came to see the Grand Lotis Master Iroh today."
Iroh chuckled. "You can just call me uncle, little lady."
"Very well, Uncle." Kurai said. "I would like you to grant me authority to use the Path Lotis."
Iroh looked at her seriously. "For your sister; you would enter the Inner Heart?"
Kurai nodded. "I would do anything for my sister."
"Take my nephew with you." Iroh said. "He would do well to see the Inner Heart."
Kurai looked at Zuko. "It's up to you. Will you do the right thing? This...is the only thing I will ever ask of you."
Zuko looked at the pain on her face. He would give up his crown, his honor, just to see her smile again.
The Avatar just didn't seem as important as Kurai.
"I'll do anything for you."