Chapter 16: On to Ba Sing Se

Normal POV

The next morning at dawn the Red Lotus departed from the village of Fu Jet and started to head to Ba Sing elves sat on the shoulders of their bonded fairies and since this was their first time to get to the Capital city of the Earth Kingdom they asked their bound fairies a lot of questions about the place, questions the fairies gladly answered since they had seen the city many times before. Especially Femke.

"Should we go straight to Ba Sing Se?" Zaheer asked as he came walking next to Femke, looking at the brunette as they passed through the forest Zaheer had walked through before with P'li right after his first try to save her from Mogui all those years ago.

"I'm not sure, Zaheer. We're still fugitives and it might be risky to show up there out of nowhere." Femke replied as she looked at Zaheer, still looking like she was a bit in shock on how things had turned out the past few hours.

"We could disguise ourselves while we travel to the highest ring. Wouldn't be the first time." Ming Hua suggested as she looked at P'li, who looked away sadly before she just climbed into a tree and looked out over the forest area.

"You okay, Li?" Femke asked as she came into the tree next to her and looked in the same direction.

"I'm fine. It's just strange, isn't it? Everything that happened in the nightmare realm. Now we're here it all feels like it was just a bad dream." P'li said as she sat down with Femke on the branch and looked out over the forest.

"Yet we both know it really happened. Your Enchantix proves it. Which reminds me; I haven't even properly thanked you for saving me in there." Femke said with a smile as she placed a hand on her best friend's knee.

"It was nothing. Anyone anyone would have done that for a friend." P'li replied.

"No, it was something. You must have been terrified of Mogui after all he did to you and yet you were willing to sacrifice yourself and risk getting stuck in there to free me. That is the act of a true fairy." Femke said with a serious look on her face. "Seriously. Thank you." The brunette said again, which made P'li nod smiling in return.

"You're welcome. I wasn't that scared of Mogui anymore. I accepted it as part of my past. It's history now." She smiled, after which they rejoined the group, whom had walked on to allow the girls to have some privacy.

"Last one at the edge of the forest is a rotten egg!" Femke called playfully as she passed the rest of the group in the trees.

"You're on!" Floxy grinned as he flew up and out before Femke. Both of them were happily racing through the woods until the group reached the edge of the forest near a village.

"We better get around it. They might alert the White Lotus if they recognize us." Zaheer said as he looked at the small village.

"This could be a chance. This village is relatively small and might not have received word on everything that has happened." Femke said as she looked at Zaheer. "This could be a good place to obtain both info on what happened the past few weeks we have been out in the world without any contact to the main world and obtain a disguise." Femke said as she got up and started to dust herself off as well as brush out her hair.

"I don't know. It might be risky." Xai Bau said as he looked at me sternly.

"But Femke has a point; we need disguises and info on what happened in this world." Tziza said as she looked at Xai Bau firmly.

"But Zaheer also has a point. We might be recognized and then we have a problem." Ming Hua said as she looked at the rest.

"How about this: I can go and take Tziza and Ilena with me to obtain info and disguises. The rest stays out of sight. If anything happens, go to the lake. We will meet up there." Femke said firmly as she glanced at the town. Everyone nodded as the girls got cloaks and put them on to hide their identity up as much as possible, using Femke's old make up box to make their faces look different then on the wanted posters the White Lotus must have put up everywhere. When they were done they went into town, happily chatting as they did some grocery shopping while listening for information about what's been going on.

Femke's POV

"Kuvira? in jail. She took over the Earth Kingdom and almost took over Republic City." A man said to a pair women, who looked at him while shaking their heads.

"That is too bad. She was a good ruler, even though some things she did and methods she used might have been a little extreme." one of the woman said as she crossed her arms.

"Everything better then that spoiled brat King Wu. That said, I heard he is a lot better now, even wanting to make the Earth Kingdom a democracy." The other woman said as she looked around, then continued on a whispering tone.

"Now they just have to find that criminal, Zaheer. Then I would feel safe again." At which the other looked around and bowed towards the woman, which made I had to pull the others in a nearby alley to be able to eavesdrop on them more.

"Didn't you hear? Zaheer changed after that last meeting with Korra. Rumors have it that he even helped Korra to beat Kuvira." The first woman whispered at which the other one gasped.

"No way."

"Yes way. And now the word goes around that he changed because a mysterious woman from another dimension. Word goes he is head over heels about her." The first woman whispered, which made me look to the side, shocked.

"It's just gossip. For all we know he is on to his old ways again and causing chaos." The first woman said at which the first one nodded.

"More believable than what you first told me. I mean, a girl from another dimension? Unless she's some sort of spirit from the Spirit Realm, that's just not possible." The second woman said after which the conversation turned to something else as we quickly jumped between some passing villagers and acted like we were shopping.

"They believe Zaheer has a crush on Femke and that's why he changed. Hilarious! Wait until Zaheer hears!" Ilena smirked as soon as we were out of hearing distance from the woman.

"Well, what if it was true. I mean, it would explain a lot of Zaheer's recent behavior." Tziza commented, which made me turn my head away in order to make no one saw how red I had turned.

"It was wrong and selfish of him to worry more about Femke's well being then P'li's, for example." Tziza continued, as my eyes turned wide in pure disbelief. He has been more worried about me then about P'li? Why? Did he really stopped caring about her that much? That was very selfish indeed.

"I know. Yet Zaheer did. But that's not my point. My point is that he has been very nervous around Femke lately as well, hasn't he?" Ilena asked as she looked at me, which I confirmed with a small nod.

"He is showing the signs of being in love." Ilena said as she smirked at me.

"Femke, we're only with women now and no one will tell P'li or Zaheer if you don't want to but be honest with me. Are you in love with him as well?" Ilena asked me as she looked at me sternly and she placed a hand on my arm which made me look at her with widened eyes at the sudden question.

Zaheer's POV

I wanted to go and check out what was keeping up the group when I spotted them disappearing in a back alley. I carefully followed them making sure the hood I wore was covering my face so no one would recognize me before I headed into the alley as well, just as Ilena asked Femke something that stumped me.

"Femke... were only with women now and no one will tell P'li or Zaheer if you don't want to but be honest with me. Are you in love with him?" Ilena asked as she walked to Femke with a stern look, which made Femke look to the side sadly.

"I just broke up with Grovyle. I don't know how to feel right now. I feel confused and I don't want to hurt P'li. She is my best friend. I don't want to upset her by letting her think I might have feelings for him. I am not even sure what I feel yet." Femke said, which made me smile a little since she hadn't said she had no feelings for me at all. Which could mean she had feelings for me but just wasn't sure if they were indeed so strong as she thinks.

"I think you might hurt her more if you're not being honest with her. So. Do you have feelings for Zaheer?" Tziza asked Femke.

"I think so. I mean, he is nice and all but…" She started, but stopped as she perked up looking around as she earth bended, and before I knew what was going on I was lying at her feet, groaning as got up.

"What was that for?" I groaned as I looked up at the others with a pained look in my eyes.

"Never try to eavesdrop on me. You should know that by now." Femke said firmly. She looked to the side quickly after that.

"How long have you been listening in on us?" Tziza asked as she crossed her arms as well.

"I just got here." I lied. Femke realized this, turned red and looked away and an ashamed way, before she ran off without a warning.

'Seismic Sense. Almost forgot.' I thought as I ran after her without thinking, just making sure my hoodie was back on as I followed her into the forest, leaving Ilena and Tziza behind as I headed after Femke, finding her by a waterfall.

"Femke?" I said as I walked up to her, she didn't turn around, nor did she give me a sign she had heard me. "Femke, I know it was wrong of me to eavesdrop. I just wanted to hear how you truly felt about me." I said as I placed a hand on her shoulder, which made that Femke looked up at me, shocked.

"Why?" she asked me as she avoided to look me straight into the eyes for some reason.

"Because. I thought you acted awkward around me ever since that kiss and I was wondering if it meant more to you then what you first said." I said as I cupped up her head to look me in the eye, which made my stomach turn.

"I know this is strange but..." I started, but stopped as I felt like someone was watching us. I quickly turned around and looked, but I didn't see anyone.

'I feel like we're being watched.' I thought as I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on my surroundings but still nothing came.

"But... what?" Femke asked me.

"We're being watched." I whispered to Femke, who got really close to me as she hid that she stepped on the ground to get a better view of who was looking at us.

"Oh no." Femke gasped as she looked up at me, which could only mean bad news.

"It's the White Lotus looking at us. Not to mention Korra and the others. We're caught." Femke said as she gave me a nervous look which made me smile.

"Let them look. I don't care. All I care about is that we're together now." I whispered to Femke, who now looked at me, shocked. "There is something you need to know. I love you, Femke. Ever since that kiss." I whispered to her, before I carefully bent towards her and pushed my lips against hers, which made Femke's eyes widen in shock, before she answered my kiss passionately. It felt wonderful.

Normal POV

The White Lotus guard as well as Korra looked in shock as they saw Femke and Zaheer were standing there together with none of the others around at first it seemed like they were just talking, so the guard waited for them to return to the group, so they could apprehend all of them together until Zaheer suddenly moved closer to Femke and gently pushed his lips against hers.

"Femke? No." Korra stammed as she looked at Femke with a hurt look in her eyes as she watched the girl gently kiss him back.

"Aw. That would be very romantic if it wasn't Zaheer she was kissing." Bolin stated as he looked at Femke and Zaheer.

"Seriously, Bolin. She's just as match the enemy as he is." Mako sighed as he looked at Femke and Zaheer again, who now broke apart, smiling at one another after which Femke said;

"That felt great."

"Of course it did. You wanted to murder me too." Korra huffed as she looked at Femke and Zaheer looking at each other with a smile on their faces, before they were turned around and started heading of.

"Let's get them." One of the White Lotus guards said as they followed the two.

"No, wait. Look." Asami said as she pointed at the two. They didn't return to the group. Instead they had taken a small path that let under the waterfall. A giggling Femke jumped from one rock to the other, pretending to be dancing.

"Nice, Femke." Zaheer smirked as they stopped at the base of the waterfall to drink some of the water, Zaheer using his hand to make a bowl to drink from while Femke just used her mouth.

"That's dangerous." Zaheer said, smiling as he got close to Femke.

"Not really. So close to the waterfall there isn't debris in the water and the water is fresh and clean." Femke smiled as she kept drinking.

"But someone could do this." Zaheer smirked as he pushed Femke into the water, who let out a yelp before she smirked and headed under, pulling Zaheer into the water when he bent over a little to see where she had headed off to.

"That was childish!" Zaheer smirked as both of them got out of the water.

"They're supposed to be older than me." korra mumbled as she looked at the two of them laughing as Zaheer had fallen half over Femke.

"I don"t see what's so funny." Korra mumbled as she looked at the two beneath her, gasping as Femke leaned forward and gave Zaheer a very soft kiss on his cheek. from the other side the remainder of the Red Lotus crew had finally found their missing members as well, laughing when they saw Femke give Zaheer the kiss.

"Can you feel the love tonight?" Sapphire sang as she looked at them with a smile on her face before the two leaned towards each other and kissed.

"It's about time." P'li smiled as she looked down with a sad look in her eyes. At one hand she was sad that she had lost Zaheer but on the other hand, Femke had been such a nice person to her.

"You're not upset?" Ming Hua asked.

"I knew Zaheer wasn't feeling anything for me anymore when he broke up with me. This is for the best." P'li said calmly as she looked at the two of them with a smile on her face. At the other side Korra looked at the two of them, horrified.

"Femke. You claimed you changed. Yet now I catch you kissing the one that almost killed me." Korra mumbled as a feeling of betrayal welled up inside her. the White Lotus Guard saw this as well, before one of them called;

"Charge!"

Femke and zaheer looked up from where they were lying. Zaheer's eyes widening in shock, before he quickly jumped to his feet and pulled up Femke, before they stormed to were the others were.

"We have to shake them off!" Zaheer called to Femke.

"The trees! They won't be able to follow us through there!" Femke called as she helped everyone up in the trees before they leaped from branch to branch fast as they could.

"After them!" They heard one of the soldiers call after which the White Lotus guards quickly got into the trees and leaped after them but not as fast and agile as the Red Lotus members.

"We're losing them!" Zaheer shouted as he stopped one moment to catch his breath and look back.

"They're well trained but they just can't keep up with someone from the Wood Villages." Femke said before she gave Zaheer a worried look.

"You okay?" She asked worriedly, at which Zaheer nodded.

"I'm fine. Let's go before they find us." He said, after which the group headed to the lake were Xai Bau, Tziza and the remainder of the elves were waiting for them.

"The White Lotus is after us!" Ming Hua said sternly as she picked up her stuff, Xai Bau nodded and did the same before they started running again.

"What took you?" Xai Bau asked as he looked at Femke and Zaheer who both blushed and looked to the side, which made Tziza roll her eyes.

"You didn't." She scolded as she looked at Zaheer, who looked to the side and blushed a little before he nodded.

"About time. Now we can focus on important things." Tziza commented.

"Congratulations. It was bound to happen at some point." Xai Bau smiled as the group landed on the ground near the edge of the forest. From between a few trees they could see the still standing wall of Ba Sing Se.

"Did they still not break that damn wall?" Zaheer started, but stopped when he saw how firmly Femke looked at him.

"You found these walls just as horrible as us." Zaheer said as he looked at Femke firmly.

"I know. But that doesn't mean we can just tear it down. Destruction isn't the answer, especially when we can hurt innocent people. We're past that now." Femke told her lover with a strict look in her eyes, who sighted now and nodded.

"You're right. We're here for P'li's parents anyway." Zaheer sighted as he put on his disguise along with the others before they approached the wall.

"Halt! Identification, please." The man at the wall said firmly as he looked at us, which made Femke gulp in shock, knowing they would be done for if they called their own names.

"My name is Luci Fresh and these are my husband Cherry Fresh and the kids Kakelbont Fresh and Fresh one, two and three. " Femke made up, knowing these man wouldn't recognize the names.

"And them?" The man asked, pointing at Xai Bau and Tziza. "They're my parents in law; Supa Fresh and Ula Fresh." Femke said calmly as she hugged Zaheer to her side, who was a bit red.

"Alright, Proceed." The guard said as they now let the group pass. At the other side off the wall the group let out a sigh of relief as they walked down an alley and towards the next gate.

"Ghazan? Is that you?" A voice called from behind the group all of a sudden, causing them all to look up. As they did so their eyes fell on a girl in a ragged dress that looked like it had seen better times, looking at the group with a sad look, especially at Ghazan who gasped in shock.

"Dahlia?"

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A/N:

I thought maybe there would be to much of a shock for the White Lotus and Team Avatar when they saw Femke and Zaheer kiss, that's why they were just standing there and watched.

That Femke and Zaheer have confessed they have feelings for each other doesn't immediately mean they will get all lovey dovey over one another, since there's more important matters at hand.

For those who don't remember anymore or who didn't read my story 'The New Lotus' first; Dahlia is Ghazan's sister who left him at age sixteen right before Ghazan joined the Red Lotus.

Well that was all for now, thanks for reading and don't forget to leave a review .