Sorry about the delay folks. Turkey was calling my name in Kentucky and I just had to give in to it.

Hope everyone had a great "Eat-Until-You-Want-to-Vomit" Day. :)

"We can cut across right here and enter through the western wall of the city. It'll take two days at the most if we make good time."

"Are you sure that's for the best? That area's notorious for its bandits."

"It's okay, Katara, I took care of them the last time I went to visit Toph and her family."

Zuko gave a slight, victorious smile to the Waterbender as he rolled up the map he carried. "So we'll be fine."

Katara frowned, but said nothing more.

The sunlight streamed in the open door of the small house alongside a gentle breeze that kept the heat at bay. It was a perfect day to start the short trip to Ba Sing Se. Their bags were packed and now that their course had been set, all that needed to be done was leave the village.

The villagers were sad to see the Avatar leave, but they did so knowing that he was involved in something big. Rumors had spread through the market place that the scarred man with Aang was the Fire Lord Zuko and that the woman was the Avatar's secret wife. They were kind towards the Aang and Katara, who were told farewell pleasantly. Zuko was treated with moderate cold formality.

Yukya was anxious about leaving. She had been ready to leave the village after she had discovered that the place was of little consequence to her entertainment.

Each member of the small party carried a knapsack filled with food and equipment.

Zuko shrugged on his pack and headed towards the village edge. Katara and Aang were a few paces ahead and Yukya was completely out of sight.

"My lord!"

The Fire Lord cringed. He was supposed to be incognito. Turning swiftly on his heel, he confronted the Fire Nation guard jogging towards him. Zuko was startled to see the man, little more than Aang's age, dressed in Earth Kingdom attire. On his back was a knapsack, a concealed quiver of arrows, and a long, sturdy bow.

He stopped before Zuko and bowed deeply. "My lord, I humbly and insistently request you allow me to accompany you on this trip."

Zuko frowned. "I thought I ordered the guards to wait here at the village."

"My lord, I believe I would be an indispensable addition to your party."

"Address me as Zuko," the Fire Lord said sharply. He looked towards the pair he had been walking with. They had stopped to watch the scene unfold. "Why should I permit you to join us and not the others?"

"I am a Yuu Yan archer, sire." The man looked up and smiled. "I have never missed a shot, I am your fastest runner, and I am ready to lay down my life for you and the Avatar with no hesitation."

Zuko should have sent him back to the ship right that moment, but could not bring himself to do so. There was something in this man's features that reminded Zuko of Aang the Boy Avatar, the loyal, faithful savior, and he could not rightly deny the request.

"What's your name?"

The archer grinned. "Shoji, sire."

"Shoji?" Aang asked in disbelief.

Shoji looked to Aang and bowed politely. "Yes, sir."

"The same Shoji that got beaten up as a kid by Hide in that Fire Nation school?"

"How did you know that?" the man asked, his eyes a bit wider than normal.

Aang grinned and covered the arrow on his forehead with his hand. "I guess I'm just lucky."

Shoji's jaw dropped open. "Kouzan? The Earthbender? You were really…"

The shocked recognition dissipated after a moment, replaced by jolly disbelief. "I can't believe it. I was friends with the Avatar and never knew."

"World's full of surprises."

Yukya appeared at her aunt's side, her arms crossed across her chest and her brow furrowed with impatience. "Alright, I understand you people are old, but is there any way you could move a little faster? I'd like to see Ba Sing Se while I'm still young."

Katara rolled her eyes and reached to pinch her niece's ear.

"Ow!" The young girl rubbed her lobe tentatively. "Why'd you do that?"

"I'm not old."

Zuko shook his head as the group started moving again. The women continued bickering and the other men had begun to chat happily about their lives, leaving Zuko to his own thoughts. The first city they would stop in would be Kireiea. It was the only city of size between Ba Sing Se and the village of Li Suing. The decision was to stay the night there and continue in the morning. From Kireiea the path to Ba Sing Se was barely a day long.

There was a nagging voice in the back of his mind that told him Kireiea was significant to him, though he could not for the life of him remember why.

Zuko shrugged off the feeling with a scowl and forced himself to pay attention to the rest of his group. He had to keep on guard in this part of the world. Firebenders were not favored in this region, not that they were looked kindly upon in most places, and once false move could end not only his life, but five others as well.