The Smell of Hotness

Two: Trust

Previously on Avatar: -"This better be good. You know how I hate to be disappointed, don't you?" Azula's smirk fell from her face, as it was now clear business. She was standing in front of a very, what seemed like, an intimidating man.

-"Hey guys!" Aang yelled, "Look." He pointed down in front of them. Low and behold, besides trees, rocks, and grass, stood a small town. Aang's, as well as everyone else's, eyes lit up.

"I bet they have food!" Aang smiled and went running down the long hill.

-"Duh. We're having the big Fire Nation dinner tonight. Did you forget?" she asked in that little monotone of hers'.

-"A gift. Can't a sister be appreciative? Just think of it as… a welcome back present." She smirked, handing him a small glass container.

-"Cologne?" Zuko sniffed it and seemed to be appalled; "I'm not wearing this stuff!"

"Why not? You could at least show some appreciation towards my efforts. Besides, girls like a little cologne. I'm sure Mai would love it…" Azula smiled.

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"I sure hope they have food." Katara smiled as her and the others made it towards the small village. It looked like a sedate little town with houses built of wood; they didn't seem too sturdy however. It looked like an eight-year old built them. Although sedate-looking, it seemed quite uncivilized.

There were fires going on throughout sections of the town, and around them people stood. The population wasn't very plentiful, and they seemed poor and quite lonely. The grass didn't even seem to grow on their side of town. The houses and shops were built on dry dirt.

"Hello." Aang smiled while walking up to a foreigner. It was a skinny, frail looking old man. His skin was tanned, most likely not by sun, but by race. He had on peasant clothes. The garments looked like they were sown together by himself; they were an apricot color both his shorts and shirt. His shirt was a vest, which let his stomach hang out, even if nothing was really there besides ribs. His shorts came just short of his knees and were a slightly different shade from his shirt. He wore open-toed sandals that seemed to be pretty worn out; he must've had them for years. His hair was a light shade of gray and was sticking out all over the place— a hat wouldn't hurt him.

"Well hello, young man. What brings you here to this little town of mine?" he smiled a little. In spite of being poor and quite old, he seemed to be pretty cathartic; he was defiantly not a curmudgeon.

"This is— your town?" Aang asked in a surprised tone, as he explored the place once more with his eyes.

"I guess you could call it that. I take care of the few people that do inhabit this little place and its facilities." He smiled once more.

"What's your name; if you don't mind me asking…" Katara spoke up.

"My name is Lee Carper III. My father and his father both owned this little town before I. Now they've left it in my hands. Figures, eh?" He laughed a little.

"Who are these people?" a tiny little voice was heard. The group looked down to find a little girl hugging Lee's leg and sucking on her thumb. She looked to be around six years of age. Her hair was a dark brown that matched her dark chocolate eyes. Unlike Lee, her skin was quite pale, but she was also skinny. She wore a fuchsia colored dress that was nicely threaded, but looked a little old. Unfortunately, she wore no shoes at all. She seemed to be in poor condition.

"Hello… what's your name?" Katara bent down to get eye level with the little girl. She seemed a little intimidated, but warmed up quickly. She stared into Katara's eyes and opened her mouth to respond.

"My name— is, Siri…" the little girl replied.

"That's a beautiful name." Katara smiled.

"She was named after her mother, who morosely, past a couple years back… but now she's in my care…" Lee patted her head.

"Not to be pushy or anything, but do you have any food in this place?" Sokka rudely interrupted.

"Yes we do. Follow me." Lee gestured…

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"Girls like this stuff?" Zuko looked at Azula funny.

"Just trust me brother." Azula smiled and went on her way. Zuko stared at the bottle and popped out the cork. He dipped his first finger inside it and rubbed it against his neck and collarbone. He pushed the cork back in and placed the bottle into his pant pocket. He grabbed a plate and began to put food onto it…

"Look! There's Zuko!" Ty Lee shouted from beside Mai and Zuko made his way through the crowd with Mai's food.

"It's about time, what took you so long?" Mai complained.

"I got a little distracted." Zuko said.

"Ooh. The food looks so yummy." Ty Lee stared over at Mai's plate that Zuko handed to her. "It smells so… so— what is that smell?" Ty Lee sniffed over Mai's plate. Ty Lee clamped her nose closed with her first finger and thumb; "Okay, either you two haven't bathed in a week or that food is really gross." Ty Lee spoke through her nostrils. Mai then took in a whiff.

"Ew… I honestly don't think it's the food." Mai looked up at Zuko, "You smell like a dead Koala… what are you wearing?" Mai sat her food down and held her nose closed.

"What are you talking—" Zuko then sniffed himself before finishing the sentence; "I knew this stuff was a bad idea to wear." Zuko stomped off.

"Where are you going Zuko?" Ty Lee called out with a smile.

"Hopefully to take a shower…" Mai muttered under her breath.

"I'm going to bed." Zuko angrily responded and left the ballroom. Zuko caught the eye of Azula from afar. She smiled upon watching him leave.

"Stupid Azula… she thinks she's so much better than me… why does this stuff keep happening to me!!!" Zuko yelled as he closed the door to his room. He went in and sat down on his bed, holding the palms of his hands against his forehead while resting his elbows on his knees. "I bet Mai doesn't even like me… she doesn't like anything. She's just a big blah!" Zuko stood up from his bed and punched the wall with the side of his fist; "I just wish she'd feel something— God, this is so frustrating!" Zuko yelled once more. He laid his head against the wall and breathed, trying to calm himself down; but the truth was, he couldn't calm down. He'll never be able to. It wasn't just the fact about Mai or Azula; it was his whole life. Whenever he gets angry or morose, his whole life flashes before him with irony towards the fact he's still alive. He would always think about how his father banned him and the fact he gave him a permanent scar as a reminder… Then, lately, there's always the fact that his father still doesn't know the truth about what happened to the Avatar. He doesn't even know if he's still alive. The fact of that possibility made his stomach twist and turn.

Zuko lifted up his head and took off his shirt. He placidly pulled up the blankets on his bed, and lay down. He rested his head firmly against the softness of his pillow. Although tired, Zuko's eyes stayed open, with all of the countless thoughts going through his head…

¤ ¤ ¤

"Wow, for such a little town, you sure do have a lot of food!" Aang's eyes grew wide as he examined the large meal Lee had in front of them. There was a large roast on the table with many different vegetables and sides such as broccoli, mashed potatoes, carrots, corn, and gravy. It all looked way palatable. By the end, of Aang's words, everyone's mouths were watering.

"Dig in." Lee smiled and motioned for them to eat. Everyone then truly, "dug in". They were shoving food into their mouths like there was no tomorrow.

"Is this better than bugs Snoozles?" Toph smirked.

"Ha ha, you're so funny." Sokka's sarcasm swept over his face.

"Eat as much as you'd like. There's a copious amount for everyone, I assure you travelers." Lee smiled.

"You're so very kind." Katara smiled as she wiped her mouth with a napkin, "It just surprises me that such a small little town can have so much food."

"Well, there are just so many animals out there along with rich soil for vegetables…" –A weed tumble passes by on pure, dry dirt…-

"You'd be surprised." Lee smiled.

"It just surprises me even more, that you'd give so much to some travelers you haven't met." Katara said.

"Are you questioning my generosity?" Lee asked.

"No I just—"

"Katara, don't question the man's generosity." Sokka said before slurping up the last bit of soup in his bowl. Katara sighed.

"Lee-san." Siri tugged on Lee's pant leg. He peered down at her with a smile.

"Who are those— people?" Siri asked.

"Just some very nice travelers." Lee replied and softly patted her head.

"Well, I just have to go run some errands, and while I'm gone, Kiame will show you around." Lee smiled.

"Kiame?" Sokka questioned. Everyone had question marks above their heads. Then, the sheets blocking the doorway moved, opening and revealing a beautiful young woman. She had light brown hair and bright green eyes. Her skin was beautifully tan, and her cheeks were as rosy as newly blossomed flowers. She wore a long, gown-like skirt that was red and it reached to her ankles. She wore a matching red top that had no straps and come down just before her belly button. Like Siri, she wore no shoes. She smiled amicably at everyone.

Sokka's mouth dropped to the floor. His cheeks grew red and his pupils turned to hearts, figuratively, that is.

"Hello. My name's Kiame, what's yours'?" the young girl smiled.

"My name's Katara and this is Aang and Toph and this is my crazy brother…" Katara crossed her arms as she watched Sokka make a fool of himself. "Sokka, say hi and tell her your name."

"Hi and tell her your name…" Even a ten-ton boulder being dropped on his head couldn't shut Sokka's mouth; drool even dripped from the sides of his mouth.

"As Lee mentioned earlier, I am Kiame. I will show you around this little town that I call home." Kiame smiled and walked out of the tent, beckoning for them to follow.

"This is the center of town. Most of the people come here to loiter and to meditate. It's a very quiet and peaceful area." Kiame explained; "And this— this is the pride and joy of our little town." Kiame placed her hand on a large golden statue of a man. He looked quite similar to Lee actually. His hand was held out and his face was plain, and without any shone emotion. Below him was a plate that had inscribed letters.

"Hey look." Aang pointed to the plate below the statue, "It says: 'do not see with your eyes, for your eyes deceive you well. Illusion is what you breath.' Hmm… must be some old proverb or something." Aang scratched his head.

"This guy must've been pretty important to have his own statue." Katara pointed out.

"Yes. He was very important to our society until he passed… anyways, let's continue with your tour…" Kiame led them farther into the town…

¤ ¤ ¤

"Your finding truly was magnificent… but don't worry. You will be generously rewarded…" Azula's voice was the focal point of the halls of the cold labyrinth. She stood there in the most northern part of the labyrinth. Her mischievous smile soon returned.

"I knew you would find it quite useful." A man smiled. His appearance was hidden by the darkened shadows.

"Good work… Mr. Lee…" a heavy built man stepped out from the shadows...

I left you on a little cliffie. ;-)

I hope everyone that's reading this is truly enjoying it. To let me know how much you like it/ hate it, please review!