Walking for hours on end had done Grace no good at all. Her body still hurt all over, and her pace was slow. Her legs were ready to collapse. She was barely able as it was. The only thing that kept her going was her hunger and her fear of whatever was in this forest that she had heard before she had woke up after Kitare had left. All she saw was trees. Trees, trees, and a few very odd looking animals; the sun was setting and she could feel a breeze sweeping in on the forest. It was summer, but she knew she would be cold soon—and exposed to the darkness. When she had first began walking, she'd went in the direction she had thought Kitare had taken—then found she had strayed from the creek, finding her way back an hour later after that. Now she only had at least a half hour of sunlight left, before she would have to stop and camp out here.

That time flew by fast, she sat by the creek, huddled beside a tree with the cloak wrapped around her shoulders and legs. She starred at the water as it went by, the tinkling of it lulling her to sleep.

"I'm sorry Kitare…" She called to the woods as she dozed off. "I'm sorry…"

The woods greeted her the same way as it had the day before as she opened her eyes, safe. She almost was sorer than she was before, leaning forward her shoulders and back ached.

"What am I going to do now?" She said to herself, glancing around. Grace went to her knees and crawled over to the creek, taking in some of the icy cold water in cupped hands. Before standing she ran some of it over her face and shivered.

Grace stopped as louder sounds than the forest came to her ears. She had been staring at the ground as she walked, in fear of falling. Looking up she saw a beach and buildings to either side—and the ocean! Vast and wide. She had reached a coastal town. Though before her spirits could raise she realized she couldn't walk out in her present clothes. Even with the cloak, someone would either notice or find her suspicious for sure.

"Kitare, why did you have to end up being official Fire Nation?" She whispered as people passed out in the street, far enough away that they couldn't see her.

"You know, you should never judge anyone by their colors."

Grace jumped at least a foot in the air, spinning around—where she almost screamed again as Kitare stared her in the face. She fell over.

"Where were you!" She nearly yelled.

He put his finger to his lips, as he crouched upside down in the tree.

"Aren't you dizzy?"

He didn't move.

"You must be." she said, coming the few steps between them.

He jumped down, and she crossed her arms…then remembered that she was the one that had made him leave. Grace softened her features. "I'm sorry."

Kitare stood in his spot, staring at her.

She sighed. "I won't call you Fire Nation crap, if you don't call me—whatever it is you would say."

He reached over his shoulder and pulled a bulk of red clothing out. "Put this on." He tossed the Fire Nation clothes over to her.

Grace caught them, but she wasn't sure what this meant.

"There's a friend of mine here in town that will take you in. I'm dropping you off there. I have a life here—I can't just—you'll like it there. If you decide to go home, since you apparently don't know where that is, you can—"

"I can't go home!" She screamed.

Kitare went rigid. "I don't know you! I have rules, and a life—more complicated than you can imagine! I can't just let you follow me around; can't you survive on your own?"

Grace gave a choked up laugh. "Maybe; but more likely no, I don't know anything about here—and truthfully," she whipped her eyes, "I don't know if I can go back."

Kitare growled and stormed in a half circle, "For the love of Agni Kai!"

Grace stepped back against a tree and slowly sunk down, crying. "I don't know what to do…If, if you have to go…then just go! I don't know you, and you don't know me. There's no reason that I should expect anything, or that you should feel responsible for anything about me."

Kitare gave another growl. "I came back didn't I?" He snapped, then realized that he was taking his words backwards, "….Look. I haven't had this problem before. I was taught that there's one line to walk. There's no in-between. You go backwards or go forward. If I go outside that line, they—I'll be fed to the wolf bats."

Grace took deep breaths, "Then take me to the avatar. Maybe they can help me."

Kitare nodded, back in his monotone stare. "Fine. Can you walk?"

Grace stood up and limped over to him. A near collapse. She grumbled. "No." Walking for hours after being almost crushed and thrown around the day before would do that to a person.

"Put my cloak on. We're going on a boat. The Avatar's on the move." He turned and motioned her to grab his shoulders when she had put the red cloak on.

"Sorry." She said as he put her legs on his arms, holding her up on his back.

Kitare just walked.

"I don't usually give in to pain."

"Too stubborn?"

Grace sensed humor in his voice. It was a start.

Across the tree line, to a small black metal boat, Kitare took them. Walking onto the ramp to the ship's deck, he took them down below deck to a chamber across the short hall. "There's only one bunk... You," He set me down softly onto the deep red silk sheets, "can have this one. I will sleep in the study."

"I…" Now she felt like an intruder.

"You weren't expected. But I won't have you on the floor."

Grace didn't know what to say. Too guilty. "I hope I'm not too much of a pain."

Kitare looked at her curiously. "If you were a pain you would be in the forest where I found you. Luckily I have a soft heart."

Grace smiled to herself. And then realized he might be serious.

Grace woke to silence, there were no windows to let sun in, and there was no sound indicating they were even moving. For a few seconds, she forgot that she was on a boat.

Sitting up she felt that her arms and legs could move without feeling like they were heavy and hurt.

There was a deep red pair of pants, similar looking to sweat pants, only softer and a sleeveless shirt with a longer one with it put together, with a pair of crazy shoes, pointed at the ends in the same red.

Grace didn't mind this. The only thought was that these were probably his clothes.

Walking down the short corridor in her new attire and too big shoes sadly, she found the stairs up to deck; opening the door though she found that she was interrupting Kitare doing some kind of exercise. Quietly, she eased the door closed behind her and sat down, wrapping her arms around her legs.

Kitare didn't see her. He was facing the other direction. His movements followed a series of quick steps; some punching the air and others with a kick—all with flames coming out each time it ended. Irrelevant to what she thought about him—that he was hiding something; she couldn't help but be somewhat drawn. His concentration must have been intense. Grace watched him turn in her direction a few times, and he never even saw her.

Before she could get too comfortable though, Kitare went into a few high kicks, moving closer and closer to her. Grace inched her way into the wall, nervous how much closer the flames were. She was almost ready to stand up and run when he took a summer-salt right in front of her; ending in a sitting position just another's persons length between them.

"Did you enjoy the show?" He said with that smirk of his; the other side of Kitare. "I knew you were there. I learned to know my surroundings long before I was any good at bending."

Grace took a few moments to bring any words. She didn't want to look him in the eyes, but she didn't have anywhere else to revert to. If she looked away, she would feel like a coward that she couldn't return his stare. But looking at him was too hard all in itself. His chest was bare, his breath was slightly heavy, and his aura was hot from the sweat.

"Um, I just figured I'd um—you were just practicing and I just thought—it was really good."

Her face was burning up. She was embarrassed about looking so obvious that she was nervous with him sitting there looking so…well you probably get the idea.

"Do you feel better?"

She nodded. "How long was I sleeping? It looks like it's already afternoon."

Kitare gave a short laugh. "You've been sleeping for a day now. You were sound asleep all of yesterday."

"Wow, well I guess that worked out okay then."

Grace's stomach gave a loud growl. "Um, do you have anything to eat?"

Kitare stood. He strode across the deck and picked his shirt up. When he came to face Grace, his features returned to its other side, stiff and blank. "There's a pantry and kitchen below deck."

Grace quickly got up and followed.

"So where did you learn to do that?" Grace asked after a long silence. She hated awkward silences.

Kitare wasn't helping though. He sat there at the table quietly; a drink in hand, just sipping a bit of it every once in a while.

"The Royal Fire Nation Academy, head of my class," he answered softly.

Grace thought for something else to say. "Well, do you have any siblings?"

"What?"
He said it like it was top secret info.

"Do you have any sisters…brothers?"

He didn't say anything. Grace was thinking she said the wrong thing.

"I have a little sister at home."

He gave a bit of emotion. She thought it was cute.

"Bet you must miss her huh? I've been gone just a few days and I already miss…"

Her bread and meat were good. Grace had nervously eaten them quick. All the while wondering what animal exactly she was eating.

Apparently this was enough talk because he had excused himself.

"I must check our course." He nodded to her and left.

On top of being a pain she felt boring. Great job.

Grace had forgot to ask Kitare when they would reach where they were going. She wondered what it would be like to meet the avatar and the rest of his gang. Of course she knew their names. She couldn't tell them that. Or even that she had been following their adventure from the very beginning. Part of her could tell that she wasn't sure she wanted to leave Kitare though.

She walked back to the deck and up the ladder to where her new friend stood staring out at the water. He looked so serious. But she guessed Fire Nation people were usually like that. Especially him she thought.

He didn't even look at her after she had appeared and he said hello. Just out of politeness.

That was going to get annoying.

"Where are we going?" She asked almost breaking her voice, not sure if he really wanted to listen with that expression.

"To an island not far from here, we will be there in two days."

Was he afraid to show emotion? To show that there were other people besides him that he could confide in? Grace wasn't talking soap opera, but simple talk?

"Do you want me to just like, mute? I can try that. Don't think it will work well but could try at least."

He gave her one of those 'you're crazy' looks. "I don't like to get attached. Haven't had to worry about it much. Not going to start now." He paused and then started again. "I'm not trying to be rude…"

"No I get it." Grace didn't say anymore and found the ladder and went back down.

The small room down below seemed like a good place to go and think. Laying on the bed she wondered if it would be any better being with the others. Or what her family thought of her being gone.

It wasn't long until Grace fell asleep. When she woke she saw a plate of food sitting on the thing that looked like a night stand.

Grace smiled to herself. This boy had a funny way of showing he didn't care. She expected him to forget all about her.

Windows, she couldn't tell what time it was at all!

Walking out to the deck she saw that it was night. She had eaten the food and wandered past Kitare's room. The breeze felt really nice. She walked over to the head of the boat and leaned on the rail. She let her mind wander and she started to sing to herself. Like she would back home when no one was around…or if she was with her friends.

"Strange song. What's it about?"

She spun around to see Kitare only a few feet from her.

"Love song. Something like that."

He smirked. "It's nice. I have another, if you wouldn't mind hearing."