The New Moon finally rose that night. Mada was sitting with Kitima, her head was resting on his chest. Kitima had become deathly sick that night. Her face was pale, as white as snow. Ktima's hair blew in the wind, and Sokka just stared at Mada with a glare. Then, Zuko heard something rustling in the woods, they all turned to the look into the pitch black woods. Katara and Aang brought Nini and Noraku close to them just in case it was a threat to them. Everyone was petrified, it was pitch black, they were all alone, and who know's what could be lurking in the woods on a night like this? Zuko stood up, he had a flame burning in his hand. He looked over to Toph who was pointing over to the edge of the woods. Kitima was still sleeping, she was dreaming of the night. She had no idea of what was happening.
Kitima was dreaming of the night her mother died; she was just nine years old when her mother died. Kitima saw her mother bringing her into the house with Katara, Sokka, and Mada. They all saw the life disappear from her mother's eyes. Kitima can still recall the face of the man that killed her mother. He had an evil glare, his fire nation uniform glowed in the light. But before he could move another foot, Kitima's father came up from behind and hit him on his head. No one knew if he survived, he was dragged off before they were able to check. The next day she was leaving with her father.
Kitima now saw Sokka, Katara, and Mada crying. She remembered everything that happened those two days. They will never leave her mind.
Zuko continued walking towards the woods ,with Toph right by his side. Toph's hair was let down that night, so her ebony hair reached her back. Zuko put his other hand on the back of the blind girl. Toph felt but didn't react, Zuko's hand was like satin on Toph's back, the hand was now touching Toph's shoulder. Zuko now knowing that Toph knows it's there, they both walked closer, only to see another girl. It was an old friend of Kitima's, Taira Ognaki, and they needed her help. Taira was trained in herbs and medicines. Katara's healing powers didn't work on Kitima, it was not strong enough.
" Well this is a warm greeting. Okay where is she?" Taira followed Toph to Kitima. Taira looked at Toph's glassy eyes, empty with no emotion. Taira approached Kitima looking at her, she also saw the worry and the fear in Mada's eyes. " Okay well she has a really low temperature...I don't have the correct herbs to heal this, I need to go back home."
" Wait! Could Kitima go with you? Is she okay to do that?" Mada kept his hand on Kitima's head.
"Yes she can come with me." Taira helped Sokka, Aang, and Toph pack up camp, while Mada put Kitima on Appa.
"Hey Zuko come over here!" Katara yelled for him across the group. She pulled him away from everyone.
"What is it?"Zuko questioned.
"What was with you and Toph just a second ago? I mean what was with your arm around her?"Katara looked at him with a concerned look.
"Nothing, I was just making sure she didn't get hurt, Toph is like a little sister to me. I didn't anything to happen to her! Is there anything wrong with that!!" Zuko snapped back. Zuko walked back to camp with out even making eye contact to Toph.
"Toph come over here!" Katara yelled.
"What is it Sugar Queen?" Toph questioned.
"What was the whole thing with you and Zuko, so you like him or something."Katara asked.
"Come down Katara, Zuko is all yours. He was just making sure nothing happened to me. And plus I think of him as an older brother. So ya." Toph answered
The Gaang hopped on Appa flew away heading toward the inner ring of Ba Sing Se . Ba Sing Se has changed a lot since the Fire Nation took it over. Taira was able to keep her house since she could make medicines. Since he parents fled Taira couldn't keep her house, the a Fire Nation General made a deal with her, if she made medicines for his troops Taira, Osami, and Anshi could keep their houses.
"Come on lets go. Two of you have to go back. We can not go in on Appa! So which two of you?" Taira asked. They all looked at each other no one volunteered. " Fine I'll chose, I need Katara, Mada, Aang So Toph, Zuko and Sokka which one is staying?" Taira looked at Sokka.
"I am staying!" Sokka stepped out and walked over with Taira. Zuko walked Toph over to Appa, and helped Toph up onto Appa. Zuko got a strange look when he took off from Katara.
Taira started walking towards the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. Kitima was in the arms of Mada. They reached the outer wall when soilders started coming, thats when Taira started rifling through her bag. She pulled out a shinning green slip of paper, with a silver leaf on it. When the soilders finally came, Taira held out the slip of paper. The soilders stepped out of the way and brought a wagon out for them. Taira was carefully weaved through the firenation army, she had herbs imported from her grandmother Gosei. She lives with her cat Miyuki up in the mountians with a swamp at the base. Taira makes medicines for the army. Every other day she goes to palace to heal the soilders.
"Nice to see you again, Miss Ognaki. Where shall we be taking you." The man driving cart asked with his back turned.
"Can you please bring me to my house. My step sister is very sick and she needs my help." Taira looked over to Aang and gave him a hat to wear. "Here wear this it is very special and everyone will know you are with me! Now here," Taira passed out silver necklaces with an silver leaf pedant hanging down. "This is to tell the soilders that you are staying with me ,and they wont ask questions." Taira already had one on.
"So how are you so important in this city?" Katara questioned
"I make medicines for all of the wounded soilders. If anyone, who is firenation, that is in the army knows me." Taira glanced down at a bracelet tightly tied to her wrist. "But sometimes.." Taira looked over to the great outer wall. With an Fire Nation symbol hanging over the wall. "I feel like I am betraying my country."
Sokka looked strait at her "No effense but you kinda are." Sokka with sarcastic comments, made Taira's eyes glassy like a tear was about to shed.
The carriage pulled up to the broken wall, the man driving raised his hand. "Welcome to Ba Sing Se!" The man's smile faded seeing Taira's eyes. "I know," He stopped",it's sad." That single tear in Taira's eyes disappeared and then turned into anger.