I do not own Avatar the last Airbender.
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"On the condition that you don't tell any one. Not even your friends," Zuko said. He was still glaring fiercely at Aang.
"I swear that I will not tell anyone. Not even my friends," Aang promised.
"Very well," Zuko said. His voice lowered to a whisper. "I am the Fire Lords son."
Aang eyes widened with shock. "Is that why you refuse to fight the Fire Lord, because he's your father?"
"Even though he is the reason I'm in this miserable pit of a town I still care about him," Zuko said bitterly. "There is no way of changing that."
"I understand and I wont tell anyone about this," Aang reassured. Pity was plain in his voice.
"Pity is useless to me," Zuko snapped at Aang.
"Okay," said a freaked out Aang. After that they both went in their separate direction. Aang to went to the Inn. Zuko went to where ever he would sleep tonight.
When Aang was back in the Inn he was greeted by an onslaught of questions from Katara and Toph.
"Did you get him to spill the beans?" Toph asked.
"Yes," Aang answered.
"Well? Why wont he teach you firebending?" Katara asked.
"I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone," Aang answered softly.
"Is there any way that can change?" Toph asked.
"No," he answered.
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Morning
Zuko sat at the edge of the most deserted part of town. He was thinking about his uncle. How he wanted to help him and how he risked his neck to save him.
"Why do I keep on getting caught this week?" He asked himself. "I go from being the elusive ghost to the local loony."
Just as he finished that sentence Lee stormed up to him.
"What are you doing in my town?" Lee demanded to know.
"Hiding from the Fire Nation," Zuko answered honestly.
"Huh? Aren't you from the Fire Nation?" Lee asked.
"Yes. The Fire Lord branded me a traitor because of my views," Zuko explained. "Or at least expressing my views."
Lee took a seat near Zuko. "What are your views exactly?" Lee asked curiously.
"That the solders of the fire nation are people and not just trained pieces of meat," Zuko explained. The way he said it made Lee think that he was defending the people of the Fire Nation.
"The Fire Lord brands people as traitors just for that?" Lee wondered. "And is the image of you standing on a street corner holding a sign in loose dirty clothing right."
"No and no," answered Zuko. A small smile graced his lips.
"What got you in so much trouble?" Lee asked him directly.
"I refused to do something for the Fire Lord. I refused my punishment," Zuko explained.
"What was your punishment?" Lee asked curiously.
"Hunting the Avatar," Zuko mumbled.
Lee's eyes flew open and his jaw dropped. "Was it the fire Lord himself who asked you to do that or was it just some guy who worked for him?" He asked.
"I have stayed in this area to long and I have to move," Zuko said. Lee was getting to close to his identity for comfort.
"Can I go with you?" Lee said excitedly. He was very eager to find out more.
"No," Zuko said emotionlessly.
"Oh can I talk to you later?"
"Maybe if you can find me," Zuko said playfully. He knew what little he had gained with lee was a good thing and Zuko wanted to keep it that way. He reminded him of himself in many ways.
Lee liked Zuko, but he didn't trust him. He never would until he knew the whole truth about him.
Lee walked away and to his farm. He saw his mother feeding the cowpigs and he walked up to her.
"Mom I met the ghost again today, and I talked to him," Lee told his mother. She immediately dropped the bag of food and put her hand on her son's forehead.
"Come on sweetie you will get some food and water. Then you will feel better," Seela said.
"I am not delusional," Lee insisted.
"House now," Seela commanded.
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Katara, Aang, and Toph were walking around the town.
"I have an Idea we could ask Aang yes or no questions about Zuko and we piece the answer together," Toph shouted suddenly causing everyone in the area to jump. "Did he protest a lot?"
"No," Aang answered unsteadily.
"Was he poor?" Katara joined in.
"Katara are you getting all of this down?" Toph said.
"Yep," Katara said reaching for a pen and paper. "Is he important?"
"Yes," Aang answered. "Let's stop now."
"Whatever twinkle toes," Toph said. "I'm hungry Mr. I am the Avatar so everything is free.'"
"Okay I'll get us something. Doe you want anything Katara?" Aang offered.
"No. You two go ahead," Katara said. A plotting smile appeared on her lips. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Maybe the two lovebirds will work things out."
When Katara was gone Aang turned to Toph.
"What do you want to eat?" Aang asked awkwardly.
"Any food that is decent in this town," Toph answered.
"I hear that place is over there is good," Aang said. He pointed to a run down restaurant that looked like it was pathetic when it was new.
"Whatever," Toph said in a bored tone.
10 minutes later
"Bleck!" Toph spat. "This is the worst thing I ever put in my mouth. That's including the dirt I ate when I was three."
"What do you mean you don't have any meat free food!" Aang yelled at a very rude waiter who had been insulting him for the last three minutes.
"Well excuse me only freak in the town who doesn't eat meat I can't help that you're a loser," The waiter said snidely.
Aang and Toph were sitting in small very uncomfortable chairs with a small stained table in between them.
"I want a refund for these dogpig mounds you call food!" Toph yelled.
"Well to bad blindy," The waiter said. "There aint any refunds."
The waiter didn't know what hit him. All he knew was that there was a giant gaping hole in the restaurants wall, he was suddenly on the other side of the street, and boy was he hurting! Toph was grinning ear to ear with satisfaction and victory.
"Nice one Toph," Aang said while barley holding back laughter.
"You two get out!" The manager roared. He was coming straight towards them. Which would have been intimidating if it didn't look so ridiculous. He looked as bad as the place he ran. He was incredibly fat, he was oily and grimy, and he was hairy.
"Either he is actually made of fat or he has had way too many cakes," Toph joked. That got he manager even angrier.
He grabbed the pair by the collar and tossed them out of the hole Toph had created. Both of them broke down into hysterical laughter right on the street. Then Katara came back.
"What happened here?" Katara asked in harsh motherly tone.
"A waiter called Toph blindy," Aang explained sheepishly.
"That was stupid of him," Katara commented. "Come on we need to find out more bout Zuko."
Aang groaned.
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Thank you all the kind patent people who waited for this. How was that for Toph and Aang's first date? How many true loves have been brought together through a first crappy date? I'm betting a lot. Thank you to every one who reviewed .