Recap: I crawled under my own covers. I watched her sleep as I drifted off into my own dreams. My last though before I was fully asleep was; damn it, I like her.

The next morning everyone woke at sunrise. The port was reached and miri was wondering if zuko would let her off the ship to walk around. She wouldn't run off since she had made a promise to help him, but she doubted he would listen to that. Deciding to ask him anyway, she went to find him. after getting lost three times, she made it to the control room.

Zuko stood starring at a map. He was obviously mad at having to stop at this port for a lotus tile. You went up to him and tugged his sleeve. He turned sharply, almost knocking you over. You took a step back. "you ok?" you asked him. "you seem real tense."

He glared at you. "what do you care?"

You sighed; normally you would snap back at him but since you wanted something, you held your tongue. "I just wanted to know if you'll let me and aya off the ship to stretch our legs. We haven't been off since the firenation port. I promise we wont run off."

He watched you for a second. Then he looked down at his map and nodded. You were surprised but didn't let it show. "thank you," you said, a smile on your face. He nodded again.

You blinked and then turned to get aya ready. Just as you were about to leave he spoke. "I'm sorry I snapped at you."

That surprised even more. You turned to look at him; he was starring at the floor. "its alright," you said and left. Aya was still in the room. She was reciting something to her teddybear. You knew she did this to help her remember things. "aya, we're going to take a walk today."

She hopped off the bed and went to you. "really?" she asked.

You smiled and nodded.

She grinned. "yay! Can I get a new book?"

Your smile turned to a frown. "I don't have any money."

You thought about this. Once you were off this ship, you had no where to go. You had no money, no home, no food. You didn't even have your bow to hunt. You knew it would be hard to get a job. You bit your lip and looked at aya. You did NOT want to become a beggar. You wanted aya to have a future.

With a sigh, you took her hand and began to pull her to the deck. The crew began to file out. You waited till on that was left was you, aya, and zuko. You and aya began to walk off. You noticed zuko was staying put, his arms crossed over his chest. You looked back at him and raised an eyebrow. "aren't you comeing?"

He looked at you. "why? Are you planning on running off?"

You scowled. "when I make a promise I keep it. I was just asking. Everyone else wants to go on true land. Why not you?"

He shrugged. You went up to him and flicked his forehead. He starred at you, surprised. "I know your mad about having to stop here, but you don't have to pout. Enjoy yourself while you can because soon enough you'll be back on the ship doing your deeds."

He sighed and began to walk forward. You smiled and hurried to join him and aya. You stepped down to find yourself in a bustling market place, much more packed than your old home's market place. you held onto aya's hand firmly.

You looked to your side, expecting to see zuko, but realized he wasn't there. A light panic went through you. You were being pushed by rudely by people as they hurried to get what they needed. One man shoved you backwards. You let go of aya's hand and prepared to hit the ground. Instead, you felt a pair of strong arms catch you.

You opened your eyes and saw zuko looking down at you, concern in his eyes. He pulled you back to your feet. Even when you were steadied you cling to his arm. "are you ok?" he asked.

You nodded. "yes. My old home wasn't so crowded."

He smirked. Then you frowned; something was missing. "where's aya?" you asked, your heart beating faster than it should.

Zuko smirked again and turned you slightly so you could see aya clinging to his leg. You grinned and held you hand out to her. She took it and let go of zuko, though you still clung to his sleeve.

He began to lead you through the mass of people. You smiled to yourself; it was like a small train of the three of you linked together. Zuko led you into an armory, knowing you'd love to examine the weapons.

You grinned and let go of aya and zuko. It was a closed in shop that was filled with steels and wood. The isles in between were small and tight, but not that it mattered. The counter was by the door to prevent stealing. To the left were to large swords. The isle after that had curved blades. Then the short sword isle. Then the dagger and knife isle. And on the far right were where the bows were displayed. You started on the left with the large swords.

One caught your eye. It was a double handed crusader style broad sword. You were memorized by it as you gently ran your fingers over the hilt. Zuko stepped beside you and smirked. "you would never be able to wield that," he said.

"why would that be?" you asked, still examining the blade.

"because it ways forty pounds. Your not strong enough," you could hear the smirk in his voice.

With one swift movement you had the sword off the wall and in a guard position. Then you sliced the air a few times before putting it back. "oh really?" you said and moved on to the next blade.

He starred at you. "youre a lot stronger than you look," he stated bluntly.

You smiled. "I know. I have to be strong. My bow was fifty pounds." (incase you don't know what that means, it dosent mean the actual bow is fifty lbs, it means when you pull the string back it's the equivalence of pulling back fifty lbs)

He seemed impressed and followed you to the next sword.

Time passed and you finally came to the bows. You were instantly drawn to one of them. It was a gorgeous longbow made out of dark cherry wood and black leather for a grip. You ran your fingers over it. Zuko watched you as you gawked. Finally he stepped toward you. "you know, recurves are often considered better," he said.

You shrugged taking the bow off the rack and held it in your palm to feel the balance. "I know," you responded. "but I like longbows better. I was always taught using them, even though theyre harder."

You looked at the engraving under the grip. It was fifty pounds for thirty cm, just like your old bow. You sighed, running your fingers over the wood again and began to put it back. Zuko gripped the bow, stopping you.

You turned to him, wondering what he was doing. "you really like it don't you?" he asked.

You nodded, still slightly confused. He sighed and took the bow from you, bringing it to the counter. "we'll take this one," he said.

Your eyes widened as you realized what he was doing. You shrieked with glee and ran to stand beside him. "youre buying it?!" you half asked, half yelled.

He nodded. "yes. I suppose you wont be able to leave without it."

You shrieked again and threw yourself at him. "thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you! thank you!"

He actually laughed as he pulled you off him. the salesman gave you the bow wrapped in paper and a string in an oiled cloth. "here you go."

You grinned as you clung to your new bow. The string you put in your belt purse. You left the shop. Before stepping out onto the busy street, you turned to zuko, "where are we going now?"

Zuko blinked and looked at the sun. "we spent most of the afternoon there. We should go back to the ship and see if uncle is there." You nodded and gripped aya's hand. Then you placed your bow in the curve of your arm to keep it from falling. With your free hand you gripped onto zuko's sleeve. He glanced down at you but didn't say anything.

He began to lead you back to the ship. Once there, you saw iroh and most of the solders bringing things onto the ship. "can you believe it?" iroh began. "not one lotus tile in this whole port."

"so this was a complete waste of time?" zuko snapped.

"no," iroh began. "I brought plenty more to make sure it was worth while." Zuko groaned. You couldn't help but giggle.

Iroh smiled at you. "besides it looks like you've been busy yourself," he said, pointing at the bow still in its wrapping.

You smiled proudly. "zuko brought me a bow. Its perfect."

Zuko looked at you oddly and then turned back to his uncle. "can we go now?"

"not yet," iroh said. "there is one more place. a ship pulled into the port and are offering to sell some items. I wanted to look there before we leave."

Zuko groaned again but nodded. You looked at him. "I want to come to. Just wait, first I want to put my bow away." Iroh nodded and you hurried onto the ship and your room. You smiled with satisfaction at the fact that you didn't get lost. Then you carefully put the bow under your bed and the string on a nightstand.

You hurried back to the others. Zuko was sulking, aya was listening to iroh as he told a story to her. You grinned. For some reason, the picture in front of you seemed to be the most perfect thing ever. It seemed right like you belonged here. Zuko saw you and gestured for you to come. You shook your head to clear it and went to them.

Iroh led the way to the ship/store all along continuing a story with aya. The six-year-old listened intently. You and zuko walked a few paces behind them in silence. Finally you decided to break it. "thank you for the bow," you said glancing up at him.

He had been lost in thought and seemed startled at first. It took him a moment before he nodded. "sure."

You didn't want the silence to come back so you poked his arm. "what are you thinking?"

He shrugged.

You sighed, trying to think up a conversation. "do you shoot bow?" you asked.

He shook his head.

You blinked. "alright. Do you use anything beside broadswords and firebending?"

He looked down at you and then pulled a dagger out of a sheath on his belt. He handed it to you.

You blinked then took it, reading the inscriptions. "you got this in earthkindom."

He nodded again.

You tilted your head and handed him the dagger back. "will you not talk?"

He put the dagger back in its sheath. "I don't talk if I have no reason to."

"remember the first song I sang last night? Seventeen aint so sweet?" you asked.

He nodded. You smiled. "well, think about it. The chorus says that you should always do your best to be heard. You said you liked the song. But if you like it, you should try to understand it."

"I understand it," he snapped.

You grinned. "just making sure."

Iroh piped in. "here we are," he said.

That's all for now. Review please. (pretty please)